helping A UPPER-LIMB ASSIST
HAND +
helping A UPPER-LIMB ASSIST
HAND Design
BRIEF
Joe Cooper SENIOR PRODUCT STUDIO
FALL 2009 + A person can suffer a debilitating stroke at any time, with little notice. The lasting affects on a person’s life can be traumatic. In a single day, that person can go from being a fully-functioning member of society to being severely disabled. Design a device that can be worn by stroke survivors that will improve or re-establish upper limb function. This device should consider the physical limitations of its user.
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TARGET MARKET million 15people
suffer a stroke each year...
+ Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. + The typical stroke survivor is over the age of 60. + The most common disability sustained by someone who has suffered a stroke is the loss of function in one arm.
+5ARE LEFT
MILLION
permanently disabled.
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+
GIVING things UPthe you love. 3
The baby boomer generation is currently entering that age group and will be the next group in need of post-stroke rehabilitation. This generation will be one that redefines aging. The need to stay active and healthy will be an important part of what defines this aging market. Being limited by a disability resulting from stroke is not an option.
DAILY TASKS
become more difficult to perform...
1. Holding Objects
+ Being able to pick up an obejct and move it to another place is something that we do many times a day without even thinking about it. The ability of the human hand to grasp an object and hold it while the other hand is free to do other things is invaluable.
2. Self-Maintinance
+ When it comes to self-maintinance, simple tasks such as dressing and undressing can become physycally impossible. The need to rely on others to help carry out these tasks can be degrading and even embarrassing for some individuals.
3. Communication
+ Tasks such as writing or typing become impossible for people with upper limb paralysis due to a stroke. Not being able to send e-mails, pay bills, or even just write a letter cut down on the ability for someone to communicate with others.
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+
+
...
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USER NEEDS & EXPECTATIONS Comfort + Worn for long periods of time + Must fit the arm comfortably + Minimal and unobtrusive
+ Since the device will be worn for long periods of time, it must be unobtrusive. The divice should be as minimal as possible, only contacting the body where necessary.
Durability + Needs to last + Device must be cleanable + Replaceable parts
Usability + One-handed use + Easy to put on and take off + Intuitive
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+ Devices such as prosthetics and orthotics are very expensive to repair and replace. The device should be designed to be cleanable and have removable parts that are easy to replace. + Because the user will have limited or no use of one arm, it is essential that the device be designed to be taken on and off with only one hand.
PROFESSIONAL INPUT “If a device is not comfortable, or easy to manage, the patient won’t use it.”
“Consider how a person who only has the use of one arm would get the device on and off easily.” OTHER AREAS TO CONSIDER: + Batteries & Charging + Hygene + User needs + Device function + Durability
Megan Toscas Prosthetics Designer College-Park Industries
“
The more
INTUITIVE
&INVITING IT IS...
the more likely they will be
TO TRY IT. - Megan Toscas
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TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
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+
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Electroactive Polymers
Neural Implants
+ Being researched for use as “artificial muscles� + Change shape when stimulated electrically + Eliminates the need for hinges or mechanical joints.
+ Able to pick up signals from the brain + Transmits them wirelessly to a remote device + Allows for a device to be controlled by the brain.
MOCK-UPS
+ Molded clay around the hand to get an accurate 3D representation + Figured out the correct dimensions and ergonomic factors + Removed as much material as possible to create the least obtrusive design + Used the mock-up as a physical starting point for the final model 8
CONCEPT 1 Over the hand
+ A fully mechanical device which is worn on top of the hand. + Made up of hard materials linked by mechanical hinges + Wearing the device on top of the hand keeps the mechanics out of the way of the user’s grip.
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ADVANTAGES 1. Technology is readily available 2. Device does not interfere with user’s grip 3. More room for joints and mechanics
DISADVANTAGES 1. Highly Mechanical 2. Rubbing on the knuckles 3. Visible to others
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CONCEPT 2 Soft Glove
+ Fabric glove uses artificial muscle technology to move each individual finger. + The device would be very flexible for optimum user comfort
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ADVANTAGES 1. Maximum user comfort 3. No need for mechanical joints 4. Least obtrusive
DISADVANTAGES 1. Not Supportive 2. Not easily cleaned 3. Difficult to integrate electronics
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FINAL CONCEPT Palm
+ By moving the device to the palm the device becomes more descrete. + Slim design is essential to reduce interference with the user’s grip.
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+
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Joints made of electroactive polymer which bend when introduced to electricity.
Finger rings hold device in place but do not cover the fingertip.
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Soft arm strap keeps the device in place on the arm.
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+
Forearm houses mechanical components as well as the battery pack.
Combines hard and soft materials for a balance between comfort and support. More descrete on the underside of the hand Easier to put on and take off with one hand
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+
DEVICE OVERVIEW
+
Hold device in place. Straps do not fully connect in order to fit multiple arm sizes.
ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER
This material gives the device its flexibility. Each area in blue is where the device bends.
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Holds the device in place on the finger. Expands to fit multiple hand sizes.
Made from a moisture wicking foam that is used in arm braces. Pads are detachable for easy cleaning and replacement.
BATTERY COMPARTMENT Houses an 18-volt lithium ion battery pack which can be recharged. The battery will last for one full day & multiple packs can be purchased.
80mm
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FOAM PADS
+
FINGER RINGS
+
FOREARM STRAPS
FINGER
PALM
WRIST
FOREARM
70mm
65mm
30mm
165mm
DEVICE OPERATION
3
Ready to use
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When the user puts their arm into the device, a sensor under the forearm pads tells the straps to close. The gentle force of the arm straps hold the device in place during use.
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Device is in the ‘OFF’ position
To turn on the device, there is a touch-sensative power button located on the underside of the forearm. The button can only be activated by human touch to avoid pressing it accidently.
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‘ON’ position When the device is turned ‘on’ the straps fold open allowing the user to easily slide their arm into the device.
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UPPER ARM EXTENSION + Due to the varying degree of dissability caused by stroke, there is a need for devices such as this to be modular. This device has an upper-arm attachment for people who have lost function in their entire arm from the shoulder down.
+ Attaches directly into the forearm’s battery compartment + Linked by electroactive polymer allowing the elbow to bend + A larger battery pack is located on the upper arm
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FINAL DESIGN COLOR ALTERNATIVE
Stroke is not the only cause of upper-limb paralysis. Some other common causes include spinal-cord injury and multiple sclorosis which affect all age groups. The ability for this product to adapt to those age groups is important. Alternatives to color and materials is one way of acheiving this.
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Joe Cooper SENIOR PRODUCT STUDIO
FALL 2009