Device for Cooperative Hand Function Trainings in Rehabilitation and Corresponding Method

Abstract

The invention is directed to a device to train bilateral, cooperative hand functions of a subject with housing means, handle means comprising two exchangeable handles ( 1 ), namely a left handle and a right handle, shaft means comprising multiple shafts and couplings for coupling said shafts ( 2 ), clutching means comprising variable slipping clutches ( 3 ), said slipping clutches being adjustable, first sensor means ( 4 ) for measuring the angular position of each of said handles ( 1 ), second sensor means ( 5 ) for measuring the torque which is applied by the subject onto each of said handles ( 1 ), locking means ( 6 ) for locking said shaft means ( 2 ) wherein both handles can be rotated independently when said locking means are locked, wherein said locking means are positioned between said second sensor means so that said second sensor means for the left handle can measure the torque applied onto the left handle and said second sensor means for the right handle can measure the torque applied onto the right handle when the locking means are locked and said second sensor means for the left handle said second sensor means for the right handle can measure the torque applied onto either of said handles when said locking means are unlocked and bearing means ( 8 ) for said shaft means, said bearing means being mounted to the housing of a device.

1 . A device to train bilateral, cooperative hand functions of a subject, said device comprising:
 housing means;   handle means comprising two exchangeable handles, namely a left handle and a right handle;   shaft means comprising multiple shafts and couplings for coupling said shafts, clutching means comprising variable slipping clutches, said slipping clutches being adjustable:   first sensor means for measuring the angular position of each of said handles, locking means for locking said shaft means wherein both handles can be rotated independently when said locking means are locked;   bearing means for said shaft means, said bearing means being mounted to the housing of the device;   second sensor means for measuring the torque which is applied by the subject onto each of said handles.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said locking means are positioned between said second sensor means so that said second sensor means for the left handle can measure the torque applied onto the left handle and said second sensor means for the right handle can measure the torque applied onto the right handle when the locking means are locked and said second sensor means for the left handle and said second sensor means for the right handle can measure the torque applied onto either of said handles when said locking means are unlocked. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensors are mounted to said housing. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising belt means to translate the rotation of said handles to said first sensor means. 
     
     
         5 . A method to train a subject, specially a person with rehabilitation needs, with a device according to  claim 1 , wherein said handles used are selected of the following:
 one or both handles in form of a nut to simulate the movement of putting a screw and a nut together,   one or both handles in form of a pen to simulate the movement of open/close a screwable pen,   one or both handles in form of a crank handle,   one or both handles with a lever,   one or both handles with to pin simulating a different crank handle,   one or both handles with a wheel,   one or both handles with a plate,   one or both handles to simulate a key,   one or both handles to simulate a corkscrew,   one or both handles to simulate the bottom of a bottle or a big handhold,   one or both handles to simulate the upper part of a bottle or a small handhold.   
     
     
         6 . Use of a device according to  claim 1  for research studies to explore the effect of a plurality of manipulative tasks of both hands of a subject on the neuronal coupling/uncoupling thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said sensors are mounted to said housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising belt means to translate the rotation of said handles to said first sensor means. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising belt means to translate the rotation of said handles to said first sensor means. 
     
     
         10 . A method to train a subject, specially a person with rehabilitation needs, with a device according to  claim 2 , wherein said handles used are selected of the following:
 one or both handles in form of a nut to simulate the movement of putting a screw and a nut together,   one or both handles in form of a pen to simulate the movement of open/close a screwable pen,   one or both handles in form of a crank handle,   one or both handles with a lever,   one or both handles with to pin simulating a different crank handle,   one or both handles with a wheel,   one or both handles with a plate,   one or both handles to simulate a key,   one or both handles to simulate a corkscrew,   one or both handles to simulate the bottom of a bottle or a big handhold,   one or both handles to simulate the upper part of a bottle or a small handhold.   
     
     
         11 . A method to train a subject, specially a person with rehabilitation needs, with a device according to  claim 3 , wherein said handles used are selected of the following:
 one or both handles in form of a nut to simulate the movement of putting a screw and a nut together,   one or both handles in form of a pen to simulate the movement of open/close a screwable pen,   one or both handles in form of a crank handle,   one or both handles with a lever,   one or both handles with to pin simulating a different crank handle,   one or both handles with a wheel,   one or both handles with a plate,   one or both handles to simulate a key,   one or both handles to simulate a corkscrew,   one or both handles to simulate the bottom of a bottle or a big handhold,   one or both handles to simulate the upper part of a bottle or a small handhold.   
     
     
         12 . A method to train a subject, specially a person with rehabilitation needs, with a device according to  claim 4 , wherein said handles used are selected of the following:
 one or both handles in form of a nut to simulate the movement of putting a screw and a nut together,   one or both handles in form of a pen to simulate the movement of open/close a screwable pen,   one or both handles in form of a crank handle,   one or both handles with a lever,   one or both handles with to pin simulating a different crank handle,   one or both handles with a wheel,   one or both handles with a plate,   one or both handles to simulate a key,   one or both handles to simulate a corkscrew,   one or both handles to simulate the bottom of a bottle or a big handhold,   one or both handles to simulate the upper part of a bottle or a small handhold.   
     
     
         13 . Use of a device according to  claim 2  for research studies to explore the effect of a plurality of manipulative tasks of both hands of a subject on the neuronal coupling/uncoupling thereof. 
     
     
         14 . Use of a device according to  claim 3  for research studies to explore the effect of a plurality of manipulative tasks of both hands of a subject on the neuronal coupling/uncoupling thereof. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a device according to  claim 4  for research studies to explore the effect of a plurality of manipulative tasks of both hands of a subject on the neuronal coupling/uncoupling thereof.