WO2016077872A1

WO2016077872A1 - An orthosis

Info

Publication number: WO2016077872A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/000707
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony PHAN; Lei CUI; Stelarc STELARC; Otto Konrad SEYFARTH
Original assignee: Curtin University Of Technology
Priority date: 2014-11-21
Filing date: 2015-11-20
Publication date: 2016-05-26

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a finger orthosis that comprises first, second and third hinge joints that in use are positioned at or near the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of a finger of a user's hand, near the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and near the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of a finger of a user's hand, respectively. Further, the finger orthosis comprises a first member connecting the first and the second hinge joints. The first member is pivotable about the first and second hinge joints. The finger orthosis also comprises a second member connecting the second and third hinge joints and being pivotable about the second and third hinge joint. A third member extends from the third hinge joint and is pivotable about the third hinge joint. A plurality of actuating members are directly or indirectly coupled to the actuator and the first, second and third members. The finger orthosis is moveable, in response to a movement of the actuator, between an extended configuration corresponding to the finger of the user being extended, and a flexed configuration corresponding to the finger of the user being at least partially flexed.

Description

AN ORTHOSIS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an orthosis, particularly to an orthosis for facilitating movement a finger of a user' s hand .

Background of the Invention

Hand injury and degenerative muscular disease often affect the moveability of the hand, in particular the moveability of the fingers. In recent years portable hand orthoses have been developed and are used to rehabilitate the movement of the fingers. However, available orthoses are relatively bulky, costly and only allow limited movement of the fingers.

The present invention provides improvement.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present

invention, there is provided a finger orthosis comprising: a first hinge joint in use positioned at or near the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and enabling pivotable movement;

a second hinge joint in use positioned at or near the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and enabling pivotable movement;

a third hinge joint in use positioned at or near the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and enabling pivotable movement; a first member connecting the first and the second hinge joints, the first member being pivotable about the first and second hinge joints and;

a second member connecting the second and third hinge joints, the second member being pivotable about the second and third joint;

a third member extending from the third joint and being pivotable about the third joint;

an actuator; and

a plurality of actuating members directly or

indirectly coupled to the actuator and the first, second and third members;

wherein the finger orthosis is moveable, in response to a movement of the actuator, between an extended

configuration corresponding to the finger of the user being extended, and a flexed configuration corresponding to the finger of the user being at least partially flexed.

In one embodiment the orthosis is arranged such that the first, second and third members pivot substantially simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator. The present invention in accordance with embodiments consequently provides the advantage that the orthosis can exercise all three joints of a user's finger, and

typically in a substantially simultaneously.

In one specific embodiment the actuator is a single actuator and the orthosis is arranged such that the movement of the single actuator effects movement of the first, second and third members, which reduces cost of production of the orthosis and also reduces weight and size of the orthosis. The actuator may be a linear actuator.

The orthosis may also comprise a first actuating member that is hingedly coupled to the actuator and the first or second member. Further, the orthosis may further comprise a second actuating member that is hingedly coupled to the first actuating member and the third member.

The orthosis may also comprise a base member that in use is positioned on or near an upper portion of the user's hand. The orthosis may be arranged such that in use the base member is positioned between at least a portion of the actuator and the user's upper portion of the hand. The finger orthosis may be arranged such that in use the first hinge joint is positioned over the

metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the user's finger.

Further, the orthosis may be arranged such that the second and third hinge joints have pivot axes that substantially coincide with pivot axes of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, respectively, of the user's finger.

The base member may have first and second ends. The first end of the base member may be hingedly coupled to the first actuating member. The actuator may be positioned at least partially between the second end of the base member and the first actuating member to impart relative movement between the second end of the base member and the first actuating member.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention the base member has a length that is variable, such as in a continuous manner, in response to movement of the

actuator .

The base member may comprise first and second parts that are coupled to each other in a manner such that the first and second parts can slide relative to each other, thereby varying the length of the base member.

In a specific embodiment the first actuating member comprises first and second arms arranged at an angle to one another, a distal end of the first arm being directly or indirectly hingedly coupled to the second actuating member, a distal end of the second arm being directly or indirectly hingedly coupled to the base member, the actuator being hingedly coupled to the first actuating member at a position between the first and second arms of the first actuating member.

At least components of the finger orthosis may be formed by a 3D printing technique or any other appropriate method for reproducing a 3D model or representation.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present

invention, there is provided a hand orthosis comprising an attachment portion arranged to fit over, or to otherwise attach to, an upper portion of a user's hand, the hand orthosis having mounted thereon at least one finger orthosis, the finger orthosis being in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

The hand orthosis may comprise a plurality of finger orthoses, the finger orthoses being in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the finger orthoses being arranged for mounting on the body portion of the hand orthosis. The hand orthosis may further comprise a thumb orthosis, the thumb orthosis being arranged for mounting on the body portion of the hand orthosis.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present

invention, there is provided a method of forming at least one component of the finger orthosis of the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of:

providing information that is indicative of a size of at least a portion of a user's finger;

generating a 3D model or representation of the at least one component of the finger orthosis based on the provided information; and

forming the at least one component.

The at least one component may be formed using a 3D printing technique.

The provided information may be indicative of a size of one or each phalange of the user's finger. The information may be provided by 3D scanning of the user's finger. The provided information may be used to form each

component of the finger orthosis.

The provided information may be used to form components the hand orthosis of the second aspect of the present invention . Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be

described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a finger orthosis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the finger orthosis being in an extended configuration;

Figure 2 is a side view of the finger orthosis of Figure 1, the finger orthosis being in a contracted

configuration; Figure 3 is a 3D view of a hand orthosis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of a thumb orthosis of the hand orthosis of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method of forming the finger orthosis of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show an example of a finger orthosis 100. The finger orthosis 100 is used to facilitate

movement of a finger of a user's hand. The finger orthosis 100 can move such that three hinge joints of the finger orthosis 100, which correspond to each of the

metacarpophalangeal (MCP) , proximal interphalangeal (PIP) , and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the finger of the user' s hand, move in response to the movement of a single linear actuator 150.

In this example, the finger orthosis 100 comprises a plurality of joints 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 116,

118, 120. In this example, the joints 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 116, 118, 120 are hinge joints, and the joint 104 is a prismatic joint. The prismatic joint 104 can be moved between a contracted and an extended configuration by a linear actuator 150.

The finger orthosis 100 is arranged such that in use the hinge joints 116 and 118 are positioned such that their axis of rotation substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of the corresponding PIP and DIP joints of the user's hand, respectively. Further, the finger orthosis is arranged such that in use the hinge joint 110 is

positioned over the MCP joint of the user's hand. The finger orthosis 100 also comprises a base member 122, a coupling member 126, a first actuating member 128, a second actuating member 130, a first member 132, a second member 134 and a third member 136. In use, the prismatic joint 104 is extended, for example as a result of being pushed by a linear actuator 150. In turn, the coupling member 126 is urged forward. Due to the hinge joint 106 coupling the coupling member 126 to the first actuating member 128, and the hinge joint 108 coupling the first actuating member 128 to the base member 122, the first actuating member 128 pivots about the hinge joint 108. The motion of the first actuating member 128 is further facilitated by the hinge joint 102 that couples the actuator 150 to the base member 122, which allows the coupling member 126 to move relative to the base member 122.

In this embodiment the length of the base member 122 varies in use continuously. The base member 122 comprises first and second parts 140, 142 that are coupled to each other in a manner such that the first and second parts 140, 142 can slide relative to each other thereby varying the length of the base member 122. In this embodiment the members 132, 134, 136 and the actuating members 128, 130 are coupled directly or indirectly to the actuator 150 such that, upon movement of the actuator 150, the length of the base member 122 varies. In response to the movement of the first actuating member 128, the first member 132, which is coupled to the first actuating member 128 via the hinge joint 116, is urged downwards, pivoting about the hinge joint 110. The hinge joint 110 corresponds to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the finger of the user's hand, and the hinge joint 116 corresponds to the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the finger of the user's hand.

The first actuating member 128 and the first member 132 are further coupled to the second member 134 via the hinge joint 116.

In response to the movement of the first actuating member 128, the second actuating member 130, which is coupled to the first actuating member 128 via the hinge joint 112, pivots about the hinge joint 112. The movement of the second actuating member 130, which is coupled to the third member 136 via the hinge joint 120, causes the third member 136 to pivot about the hinge joint 118, which couples the second member 134 and the third member 136 together. The hinge joint 118 corresponds to the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the finger of the user's hand .

As a result of the above described arrangement, the finger orthosis 100 is able to pivot members about three hinge joints 110, 116, 118 respectively corresponding to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) , proximal interphalangeal (PIP) , and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the finger of the user' s hand in response to the movement of a single linear actuator 150.

A plurality of finger orthoses 100 can be used to form a hand orthosis 300, an example of which is shown in Figure 3. In this example, four finger orthoses 100 are mounted on a partial hand mould 302 arranged to fit over an upper part of a user's hand. In this example, an upper surface 304 of the hand mould 302 forms the base member 122 of each of the finger orthoses 100.

The hand orthosis 300 also comprises a thumb orthosis 400, which will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4.

The thumb orthosis 400 is mounted on a side portion 306 of the hand mould 302, and comprises a plurality of joints 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412 and 414. The joints 402, 406, 408, 410, 412 and 414 are hinge joints, and the joint 404 is a prismatic joint. The prismatic joint 404 can be moved between a contracted and an extended configuration by a linear actuator 430.

The thumb orthosis 400 also comprises a plurality of members 416, 418, 420, 422, 424 and 426. In this example, an upper surface 308 of the side portion 306 of the hand mould 302 forms the base member 416 of the thumb orthosis 400. In use, the prismatic joint 404 is extended, for example as a result of being pushed by a linear actuator 430. In turn, the actuating member 420 is urged forward. Due to the hinge joint 406 coupling the actuating member 420 to the actuating member 422, and the hinge joint 408 coupling the actuating member 422 to the base member 416, the actuating member 422 pivots about the hinge joint 408. The pivot of the actuating member 422 is further facilitated by the hinge joint 402 that couples the actuating member 418 to the base member 416, which allows the actuating members 418, 420 to move relative to the base member 416.

In response to the actuating member 422 pivoting, the member 426, which is coupled to the actuating member 422 via the hinge joint 414, is urged downwards, pivoting about the hinge joint 412. The hinge joint 412 corresponds to the interphalangeal joint of the thumb of the user's hand .

Movement of the member 426 in turn causes the member 424 to move downwards, pivoting about the hinge joint 410. The hinge joint 410 corresponds to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb of the user's hand. As a result of the above described arrangement, the thumb orthosis 400 is able to pivot two hinge joints 410, 412 respectively corresponding to the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the thumb of the user's hand in response to movement of a single linear actuator 430.

Advantageously, constituent parts of the hand orthosis 300 can be formed by a method 500 using a 3D printing

technique or any other appropriate method for reproducing a 3D model or representation. For example, the hand mould 302, the members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136 of the finger orthoses 100, and the members 416, 418, 420, 422, 424 and 426 of the thumb orthosis 400 can be formed using a 3D printing technique. It will be appreciated that the hinge and/or the prismatic joints may also be formed using a 3D printing technique.

The method 500 of forming the components of the hand orthosis 300 using a 3D printing technique is advantageous in that the components can be sized as appropriate for a particular user's hand.

For example, the first step 502 of the method 500 consists in scanning a user' s hand using a 3D scanner so as to provide a 3D model of the hand. From the model,

information such as a length of each phalange of the user' s fingers and thumb can be extracted according to the second step 504. This information can be used to generate 3D models of the components of the hand orthosis 300 that are appropriately sized according to the step 506. The 3D models of the components of the hand orthosis 300 can then be used to form the components of the hand orthosis 300 according to the step 508, using a 3D printer or similar. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are determined to be within the scope of the present invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

The Claims defining the Invention are as Follows:

1. A finger orthosis comprising:

a first hinge joint in use positioned at or near the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and enabling pivotable movement;

a third hinge joint in use positioned at or near the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of a finger of a user's hand and enabling pivotable movement;

a first member connecting the first and the second hinge joints, the first member being pivotable about the first and second hinge joints and;

an actuator; and

a plurality of actuating members directly or

indirectly coupled to the actuator and the first, second and third members;

2. The finger orthosis of claim 1 wherein the orthosis is arranged such that the first, second and third members pivot substantially simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator.

3. The finger orthosis of claim 1 or 2 wherein the actuator is a single actuator.

4. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

5. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims comprising a first actuating member that is

hingedly coupled to the actuator and the first or the second member, and a second actuating member that is hingedly coupled to the first actuating member and the third member.

6. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims wherein the finger orthosis is arranged such that in use the first hinge joint is positioned over the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the user's finger, and the second and third hinge joints have pivot axes that substantially coincide with pivot axes of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, respectively, of the user's finger.

7. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a base member that in use is positioned on or near an upper portion of the user' s hand and has a length that ivaries in response to movement of the actuator.

8. The finger orthosis of claim 7 wherein the base member has first and second ends, the first end of the base member being hingedly coupled to the first actuating member, the actuator being positioned at least partially between the second end of the base member and the first actuating member to impart relative movement between the second end of the base member and the first actuating member .

9. The finger orthosis of claim 7 or 8 wherein the base member comprises first and second parts that are coupled to each other in a manner such that the first and second parts can slide relative to each other, thereby varying the length of the base member.

10. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims wherein a first actuating member comprises first and second arms arranged at an angle to one another, a distal end of the first arm being directly or indirectly hingedly coupled to the second actuating member, a distal end of the second arm being directly or indirectly hingedly coupled to the base member, and the actuator being hingedly coupled to the first actuating member at a position between the first and second arms of the first actuating member.

11. The finger orthosis of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least components of the finger orthosis are formed by a 3D printing technique.

12. A hand orthosis comprising an attachment portion arranged to fit over, or to otherwise attach to, an upper part of a user' s hand, the hand orthosis having mounted thereon at least one finger orthosis, the finger orthosis being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The hand orthosis of claim 12 comprising a plurality of finger orthoses in accordance with claims 1 to 11, the finger orthoses being mounted on the body portion of the hand orthosis.

14. A method of forming at least one component of the finger orthosis of any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the at least one component.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one component is formed using a 3D printing technique.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the provided information is indicative of a size of one or each

phalange of the user's finger.

17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the information is provided by 3D scanning of the user' s finger .