Joint assistive and locking device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for assisting and locking joints, having a supporting structure in the joint, at least one tensioning system fixed to the supporting structure and at least one artificial tendon connected to the tensioning system. The tension system interacts with the locking system in order to assist the user's joints when needed.

Claims

1. A joint assistive and locking device for a hand, comprising: a support structure adapted to fit on a wrist of a user; at least one artificial tendon adapted to extend along a length of a respective finger; at least one artificial tendon support adapted to be attached to the respective finger and to the at least one artificial tendon; at least one mechanical tensioning system disposed in the supporting structure, the at least one mechanical tensioning system being coupled to the at least one artificial tendon, the at least one mechanical tensioning system having no motor, the at least one mechanical tensioning system comprising a device of a type that uses only mechanical energy, the at least one mechanical tensioning system being adapted to store mechanical energy in a first movable part and use the mechanical energy stored in the first movable part to cause the at least one artificial tendon to move; a sprocket attached to the first movable part of the at least one mechanical tensioning system, the sprocket having a plurality of teeth; and a locking system comprising a second movable part adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the second movable part is not in contact with the sprocket and a locked position in which the second movable part is in contact with the sprocket.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tensioning system comprises metal bands.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking system further comprises: at least one sensor disposed on a body part of the user, the at least one sensor being adapted to generate information relating to one of a movement, a pressure, and a biological signal; and a locking actuator comprising an electronic circuit board and a battery, the locking actuator being adapted to: receive the information from the at least one sensor; and cause the second movable part to move between the unlocked position and the locked position, based on the information.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the locking actuator is configured to: obtain a measurement of an electrical signal associated with a movement measured by the at least one sensor; cause the second movable part to move to the locked position, if the electrical signal correlates with a first predetermined movement of the hand or wrist; and deactivate the locking actuator cause the second movable part to move to the unlocked position, if the electrical signal correlates with a second predetermined movement of the hand or wrist.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a digital display.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a measuring device adapted to measure one of a heart rate or a blood pressure.

7. The joint assistive and locking device of claim 1, wherein: the mechanical energy used by the at least one tensioning system is provided by a user.

8. A joint assistive and locking device, comprising: a support structure adapted to fit on a joint of a user; at least one artificial tendon adapted to extend along a length of a selected body part of the user; at least one artificial tendon support adapted to be attached to the respective selected body part and to the at least one artificial tendon; at least one mechanical tensioning system disposed in the supporting structure, the at least one mechanical tensioning system being coupled to the at least one artificial tendon, the at least one mechanical tensioning system having no motor, the at least one mechanical tensioning system comprising a device of a type that uses only mechanical energy, the at least one mechanical tensioning system being adapted to store mechanical energy in a first movable part and use the mechanical energy stored in the first movable part to cause the at least one artificial tendon to move; a sprocket attached to the first movable part of the at least one mechanical tensioning system, the sprocket having a plurality of teeth; and a locking system comprising a second movable part adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the second movable part is not in contact with the sprocket and a locked position in which the second movable part is in contact with the sprocket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) For an easier understanding of the present application drawings are herein attached, which represent preferred embodiments which, however, are not intended to limit the technique herein disclosed.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present solution, wherein reference numbers represent: 101artificial tendon support; 102artificial tendon; 103non-compressible artificial tendon support; 104tensioning system; 105locking system; and 106muscle signal sensor.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a support system of artificial tendons.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the tensioning system, wherein reference numbers represent: 301connection of artificial tendons to the rotary tensioning system; 302fixed axle connecting the rotary system to arm support; and 303movable part of the mechanical tensioning system (spring system providing tension).

(5) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the tensioning system with components of the locking and supporting system, wherein reference numbers represent: 102artificial tendon; 401rotary tensioning system; 402movable part of the locking system; 403sprocket (ratchet) fixed to the rotary system; and 404fixed support axis base.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an electronic locking system, wherein reference numbers represent: 402movable part of the locking system; 501tendon pressure sensor; 502spring; 503battery; 504electric actuator; 505circuit board; 506muscle electrical signal reader; and 507biological signal reader.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a supporting system, wherein reference numbers represent: 601support for the hand and arm with arm adjustment.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a manual locking system, wherein reference numbers represent: 701tensioning system; and 702locking button or lever.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a digital display system wherein reference numbers represent: 404fixing system for arm support; 702locking button or lever; and 801digital display (in this case, arranged under the top cover of the tensioning system).

(10) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a manual locking system with linear tensioning system, wherein reference numbers represent: 102artificial tendon; 402movable part of the locking system; 702locking button or lever; 901connection between the artificial tendon and tensioning system; and 902linear tensioning system.

(11) FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of part of a linear tensioning system, wherein reference numbers represent: 402movable part of the locking system; and 403sprocket (ratchet) teeth engaged with a linear system.

(12) FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of part of a linear locking system, wherein reference numbers represent: 402movable part of the locking system; 601support for the hand and arm with arm adjustment; and 702locking button or lever.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(13) Referring to the figures, some embodiments shall now be described in more detail, which are not however intended to limit the scope of the present application.

(14) The following embodiment is particularly suitable to increase the strength with which the hand is maintained in a closed position.

(15) In one embodiment, the present solution comprises a support structure for the user's hand and arm, wherein a glove establishes the connection between fingers and artificial tendons, one for each finger, held by the tendon supports.

(16) These tendons may be flexible and resistant wires which cause the hand to close when the arm is stretched and they are pulled towards the body alongside the arm.

(17) These tendons are connected to at least one tendon tensioning system located in the arm. In the simplest case, when only one tensioning system is present, all tendons are connected thereto. When one tensioning system is provided for each finger, each artificial tendon is connected to its respective tensioning system. The existence of multiple tensioning systems allows the present solution to assist the opening strength resistance with the fingers in different positions. As opposed to this solution, when all fingers are connected to the same tensioning system, locking the tensioning system involves maintaining all fingers in the same position there between.

(18) When the user closes the hand, the minimum distance between the tip of the fingers and the wrist decreases. By decreasing, since artificial tendons (which may be wires) follow the movement of the fingers, the tensioning system collects the excess. The tensioning system may be a circular or linear system. The operation thereof is based on springs, metal bands or other options that cause a small retraction force to be applied onto the tendons towards the wrist.

(19) The tensioning system has a movable part, which undertakes linear or circular movements, connected to the tendons, and a fixed part of the support structure located in the arm.

(20) The movable part of the circular tensioning system is fixed to a sprocket which is in turn connected to the locking system.

(21) When the locking system is locked, the movable part of the tensioning system moves freely in closed hand movement, but locks the opening movement.

(22) When the locking system is unlocked, the movable part of the tensioning system moves freely.

(23) The manual circular system comprises a movable part which engages the sprocket, preferably a ratchet fixed to the circular tensioning system, in a supporting system and a spring.

(24) In one embodiment, the locking system of the position of the tendons may be electronic, comprised by the components of the manual system accompanied by a locking actuator, an electronic circuit board, at least one sensor and a battery.

(25) It is the displacement of the movable part of the tendon position locking system that causes the system to lock. The manual displacement of the movable part may be controlled by the user. The electronic displacement is made with an electrical actuator powered by a battery. Locking or unlocking the electronic system is controlled manually or by processing the sensor signal. There are different electrical signals associated with opening and closing of the hand. They have been widely disclosed, and there are commercially-available sensors to detect them. Whenever the sensor is sending electrical signals associated with the closing of the hand, the system is locked (locking the system allows closing the hand, but not opening it). If the sensor sends electrical signals associated with the opening, the system is unlocked and the user can open the hand.

(26) When the system is locked the movable part of the locking system is in contact with the sprocket of the circular tensioning system.

(27) There is a spring which causes the movable part of the circular locking system to move when the sprocket of the circular tensioning system pivots in one direction but does not allow the displacement thereof in the opposite direction (thus locking the system).

(28) The movable part of the electronic locking system is connected to a locking actuator. This actuator is a small electrical device, connected to a battery and a circuit board that causes the movable part to move in order to lock the system.

(29) The actuator is connected to a circuit board. This board processes system information in order to lock or unlock the system according to the present specification. It interprets information from muscle electrical signal sensors, from the pressure and flection sensors in the finger, artificial tendon pressure sensors or biological variable sensors. It may unlock the system if, for example, the pressure on the tendons is too high.

(30) The muscle electrical signal sensors, at least one, is positioned in the arm and is connected to the circuit board mentioned above.

(31) There is at least one tendon pressure sensor located in the glove or arm and is connected to the circuit board.

(32) The pressure and flection sensors in the fingers, are located in the user fingers and allow to identify signals associated with the closing and opening of the hand.

(33) The biological variable sensors enable the measurement of heart rate, blood pressure, among others. These features depend on the sensor subsequently chosen. These sensors are sensors already available in the market, and therefore we shall only describe its incorporation into the system. This feature may not be present in all models of the present invention. These sensors are connected to the circuit board.

(34) Finally, the information obtained by all described components, or the information provided by the circuit board, may be displayed on a digital display.

(35) In one embodiment, the device comprises a digital screen allowing the information to be displayed.

(36) In another embodiment, the device described is accompanied by biological signal meters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, among others. These measurements are displayed on the system screen.

(37) Finally, another variation of the present use allows incorporating artificial tendon pressure sensors, thus allowing the system to be unlocked when subject to excessive pressures. The pressure display can be looked up in the system screen.

(38) This embodiment relates to a hand function assistive system that is based on locking the movement of artificial tendons in a unidirectional manner.

(39) The system locks, on request, the artificial tendon, which follows the user's finger during hand movement.

(40) This means that the user may allow the artificial tendon to withstand an external force that would cause the hand to open, carrying weights, pulling objects, picking up objects, or others.

(41) The present disclosure is of course in no way restricted to the embodiments herein described and a person of ordinary skill in the art will be capable of providing many modification possibilities without departing from the general idea of the invention as defined in the claims. The embodiments described above are obviously combinable with each other. The following claims define further preferred embodiments.