Lightweight, portable wearable device for passive hand and wrist rehabilitation with adjustable therapy settings
Unmet Need
Stroke, a prevalent cerebrovascular disease affecting 7.8 million patients in the US, often leaves survivors with hemiparesis, impacting the upper extremity on one side. About 85% of stroke patients experience reduced hand motor function, with 65% still struggling six months post-stroke. Spasticity and contractures further complicate rehabilitation. Conventional therapies require frequent clinic visits, which can be inconvenient and demotivating for patients. Existing technological solutions, such as robotic gloves and electromyography (EMG)-based devices, are not universally accessible or user-friendly. There is a need for a lightweight, easy-to-wear, cost-effective, and multi-control wearable device for hand motor therapy.
Technology
Duke inventors have developed a lightweight, portable, wearable device for passive motion in hand and wrist joints. This is intended to be used by individuals with spasticity and contracture following a stroke in rehabilitation departments at local hospitals. Specifically, the invention features adjustable force through inflatable bladders, allowing for user-controlled therapy settings. The first generation includes a replaceable glove-bladder component, while the second generation incorporates transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) and heat therapy for enhanced therapeutic benefits. This has been demonstrated with a prototype of the wearable device, which achieves force and angular displacement levels necessary for positive stroke rehabilitation outcomes.
Other Applications
This technology could also be used in individuals affected by spasticity and contracture following various neurological injuries or other significant neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.
Advantages
- Lightweight and portable for accessible outpatient therapy
- Multi-control options for personalized therapy settings
- Combines TENS and heat therapy for enhanced therapeutic benefits