Dynamic Hand Support for ET Reducing

grabcad

This is my second entry to the GrabCAD challenge (https://grabcad.com/challenges/va-innovation-creation-series-challenge-2) focusing on essential tremor, affecting approximately 600 people per 100,000 over 65 years old. Serious cases significantly impact voluntary hand movements, making daily tasks difficult. Current solutions include smart spoons and hand exoskeletons, but a promising design would be a dynamic-controlled support with damping, allowing the hand to maintain equilibrium at a desired height. The device can use a spool with a torsion spring and a rotary damper made of dilatant fluid in its simplest form; however, dynamic damping using magnetorheological fluid provides greater control. A DC gear motor, cord tension sensor, and spool revolution counter can enhance the device's functionality, allowing for automatic winding or unwinding when muscles are flexed or extended. The design requires minimal energy, potentially lasting weeks without recharging, and can be controlled intelligently using an accelerometer or even voice commands via a smartphone. Support points can be placed on the shoulder, waist-belt, or table edge for added comfort. Further research and clinical trials may optimize the device's electronic control algorithm, while a comic video demonstrates its potential effectiveness in mitigating tremors.