Abstract:
A device for restoring and developing hand functions, containing a hand trainer, a control component which interacts with the hand trainer, strain gauges, a unit for collection and pre-processing of data, a personal computer for collecting, processing and storing data, visual and auditory communication devices. It may additionally contain an adjustable means for accommodating a user, and a hand trainer, affixed to the aforesaid adjustable means with the ability to be adjusted in the horizontal plane from at least one side, which is provided with hand restraints. The technical result of solving the present problem consists in expanding the applicability of the device within developmental pedagogy, increasing the functional capabilities thereof in the field of medicine by means of determining dynamics for joint angles development and hand extensions, and in enhancing user quality of life.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of medicine and developmental pedagogy and may be used in restoring and treatment of patients having pathology of the central nervous system and motor impairments of the upper extremities, in psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation and correction, and also in carrying out developmental training. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    One of the most serious consequences of the central nervous system damage is a hand dysfunction, which plays an important role in restrictions on patients&#39; activity. Restoring motion in the hands of patients after injuries and diseases of the central nervous system is still an actual problem to be solved at new theoretical and technological levels. 
         [0003]    Usage of biofeedback (BFB) techniques significantly improves an effectiveness of restoring actions. Under BOS it is understood a complex of procedures in which man through the outer feedback loop is provided by information about the state of some of his physiological functions in order to train “conscious” control of these functions. Biofeedback control allows the patient to seek control (self-control) of voluntary movement parameters, to cause and fix their shifts in the required direction. In particular, returning information on characteristics of his movements back to the patient increases the opportunities of his control. The most effective use of biofeedback is for restoring of movement functions of patients with impaired sensitivity. The additional use of vision for tracking of patient&#39;s movement parameters allows to compensate lack of information flow through superficial and deep sensibility conductors. The use of biofeedback can significantly improve voluntary control of movements also of patients with apraxia, whose possibility of voluntary targeted actions violated by destruction of the cortical level of the cerebrum. 
         [0004]    Biofeedback devices for treatment and rehabilitation of the upper extremities are widely represented on the market of modern medical technology, for example, HandTutor (www.meditouch.co.iD), Hand of Hope (www.rehab-robotics.com), Gloreha (www.gloreha.coni), Amadeo (www.turomotion.com). These devices are intended for a medical application only; they have a high cost/functionality ratio. Besides, they represent a playing format of visual biofeedback in the form of a computer game, but long-term user&#39;s playing the computer games is a cause of dependence—game addiction that has a negative impact on his mental state. These devices have no system of definition of objective factors (weather conditions) significantly influencing on the process of rehabilitation and treatment and, therefore, do not allow make corrections in these processes depending on these factors. 
         [0005]    A known toy—trainer for the development of motor skills of the hand fingers, protected by the Russian Federation useful model patent JV .97267, IPC A61N1/02, A63V23/16, publ. 10 Sep. 2010. The toy has a case of sheet material and filler inside it. The case is made of sheet material such as polyethylene, divided into sealed sections with a size smaller than the size of the pads of the fingers. Sections are distributed along the case in an appropriate manner and raised over one or both sides of the case. Air is used as the filler which is filled each section, at that each section is adapted to be destroyed by pressing on it with fingers of one hand, at least a child. 
         [0006]    The disadvantage of this toy—trainer is lack of biofeedback. Consequently, the interest and effectiveness of training using this trainer is low. 
         [0007]    A known device for the development of motor skills of hand fingers, protected by RF patent 2290909, IPC A61N1/00 A63V23/16, publ. 10 Jan. 2007. 
         [0008]    The device for the development of motor skills of hand fingers includes a spring mechanism disposed in the body. The spring mechanism consists of a set of plate springs arranged to replace them and moving along the grooves in the body. Plate springs have pieces protruding from the body. Free ends of plate springs are connected to elements of hand-puppet controls. The disadvantage of this device is the impossibility of collection, processing and storage of information on electronic media about the dynamics of development of motor skills of the fingers. Therefore, it does not allow to analyze and predict the results of the rehabilitation activities, therewith, it does not have the system to determine the environmental parameters affecting the process of treatment, restore and development of hand functions, thus, does not allow make corrections to these processes depending on these factors. 
         [0009]    Known robotic rehabilitation complex ReoGo (manufacturer: Motorika, Israel) for functional therapy of the upper extremities with extended feedback. This complex is designed to develop and enhance locomotor and grasping functions (info@mednt.ru). 
         [0010]    Education on the robotic platform ReoGo based on multiple repetitions of functional directed movements of patients and response to them. The internal feedback is carried-out through sensory pathways, and external feedback—through a visual image, control (targeting), training. The exercises are directed to restore the ability of hands to reach the objects and make movements common to the healthy hand. 
         [0011]    The disadvantage of this complex is a limited scope of use—medicine, narrow functional capabilities—development and enhancement of locomotor and grasping functions only. 
         [0012]    The closest device to the invention being proposed with regard to technical essence and achieved result, which is chosen as a prototype, is a device for rehabilitation, protected by RF patent&gt;r° 2282430, IPC A61N1/00 A63V24/00, publ. 27 Jun. 2008. 
         [0013]    The device includes a spring hand trainer, strain gauges, a personal computer for data collection, processing and storage and a hand-puppet. The hand-puppet is connected to the trainer. The trainer and strain gauges are placed under the hand of the patient. 
         [0014]    The disadvantage of this device is a limited scope of use—medicine, poor effectiveness due to lack of the possibility to determine the dynamics of changes in joint angles of the hands, as important measures during treatment and rehabilitation activities for restoring and development of hand functions. Also, this device does not allow to determine the dynamics of the extension movements of the hands. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The object of this invention is to develop a new, more effective device for restoring and developing of hand functions with biofeedback. 
         [0016]    The technical result of solving the present problem consists in expanding the applicability of the device within developmental pedagogy, increasing the functional capabilities thereof in the field of medicine by means of determining dynamics for joint angles development and hand extensions, and in enhancing user quality of life. 
         [0017]    This result is achieved by a device for restoring and developing hand functions, containing a hand trainer, a control component which interacts with the hand trainer, strain gauges, a unit for collection and pre-processing of data, a personal computer for collecting, processing and storing data, visual and auditory communication devices. It additionally contains an adjustable means for accommodating a user, and a hand trainer, affixed to the aforesaid adjustable means with the ability to be adjusted in the horizontal plane from at least one side, which is provided with hand restraints. 
         [0018]    As the object of control, the device may contain a puppet. 
         [0019]    Adjustable means for accommodating a user may additionally contain screens for providing visual information. 
         [0020]    Hand trainer at the free ends of the plate springs from the fingers&#39; side may additionally contain removable elements with different roughness and density degree for stimulation of tactile receptors. 
         [0021]    As strain gauges the device may contain two-position strain gauges. 
         [0022]    The device may additionally contain a set of meccanos puppets as the control object. 
         [0023]    The device may additionally contain a system of contactless gesture control of personal computer in three-dimensional space. 
         [0024]    The device may additionally comprise elements of the pre-motor development of the hand fingers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The aforesaid and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description given with references to the drawings figure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1 : The device being claimed for restoring and developing hand functions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2 : Hand trainer 
           [0028]      FIG. 3 : Set of meccanos puppets of different colors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The device for the recovery and development of hand functions contains a hand trainer  1  with lock of arms  2 , the control object  3 , the device of the visual  4  and auditory  5  connection to hand trainer, block  6  of collection and pre-processing, environmental monitors  7 , the PC  8  for the collection, processing and storage of information, adjustable means  9  to accommodate the user  10  with protruding armrests  11  to be placed under the right and (or) the left hand with the possibility of adjusting the position in the horizontal plane and fixing hand trainer with the control object, screens  12  to provide visual information,  13  system for contactless gesture control PC  13 , the elements  14  for the pre-development of motor skills of the fingers. Hand trainer  1  in turn comprises a two-position strain gauges  15 , plate springs  16 , finger tabs  17 , removable elements  18  for stimulation of tactile receptors. 
         [0030]    The proposed device for restoring and developing hand functions is used as follows. 
         [0031]    Adjustable means  9  for accommodating the user as well as the position adjustment in the horizontal plane and fixing hand trainer allows you to configure the device for a comfortable and convenient arrangement of a specific user  10 , it is very important during medical and developmental activities. The screens ( 12 ) allows you to attach or draw on them in different ways depending on the material of the screen (metallic screen—magnets, wooden screen—buttons) background images to enhance the appeal, interest and meaning when conducting medical and developmental activities, thus improving their performance. Motivation and effectiveness is improved during their studies. Using the device control object  3  interacting with a hand trainer  1 , allows for a kinematic model to develop the motor skills of the fingers with adjustable parameters of biofeedback—visual and auditory. Puppets used as a control object  3  combine two methods—motor (mechanical) restoring and developing of motor skills of hands and method of art therapy in psychotherapy—the game with a puppet. In this case, the puppet can be regarded as a projective object transfer and expression of emotions. The inventive device is used as a puppet of one of the control parameters of biofeedback. The user is given an audible and tactile signal controlled via two-position strain gauges  15  and visible control signal—motion of the puppets recognized in visual communications device  4 , in which mirror can be used, a video camera with a monitor, video projector with a screen. 
         [0032]    Puppet serves as an external control object that allows to carry out in the movements of the user, and therefore make them more consciously controllable, what makes it possible to make better use of biofeedback principles. 
         [0033]    Meccanos puppets with different coloring allow the user to choose and collect the puppet according to his age and mental state. The color spectrum and puppets images give the specialist (psychologist) ability on the basis of the previously developed tests, such as Luscher test, to determine the psychological state of the user, as an important factor influencing the process of restoring and development functions of the hands, and if it is necessary, to carry out its correction from negative state to positive. 
         [0034]    During the assembling of puppets the user develops a motility of fingers, trains tactile receptors located on the fingertips, thereby developing cerebral cortex, which receives signals from touch receptors. At the same time restoring and (or) developing the motor skills of the fingers the user&#39;s speech recovers and (or) develops, as the speech centers (Brava) and the motor centers in the brain interact closely. 
         [0035]    The image of puppet and its colors are entered using the software in the personal computer  8  throughout the course of treatment and (or) developing lessons. This makes it possible to determine the dynamics of changes in the psychological state of the user and, if necessary, to carry out its adjustment by means of special techniques. 
         [0036]    Tactile sensations are one of the first sensations of living organisms. In humans, the signals from the touch receptors located on the balls of the fingers go directly to the cortex. By stimulating the tactile receptors they stimulate, restore and (or) develop cerebral cortex. Presence of removable elements  18  for stimulation of the tactile receptors of varying degrees of roughness and density at the free ends of the plate springs  16  of hand trainer  1  connected with controls puppet by fingers also extends the functionality of the device, improve its efficiency during the treatment and (or) developing classes. 
         [0037]    Hand spring trainer prototype, based on the structural features, the element used an electronic database and software allows real-time monitor, analyze and store information about dynamics of flexion movements of the hands. 
         [0038]    For the full restoring and developing functions of the hands, information on the dynamics of the extensor movements is needed. The presence in the proposed hand trainer  1  two-position strain gauges  15 , allows you to control both flexion and extension movements of the hands. Recording of this information is also required for correction of restoring and developmental activities. This property significantly enhances the functionality of the device. 
         [0039]    One of the most important parameters characterizing the functional state of the hands is joint angle between the different parts thereof. Availability and use of system  13  for contactless gesture control of personal computer in three dimensional space allows to use special software to determine the joint angles in the course of treatment and (or) developing activities and, thus to determine the dynamics of changes in hands movement range. Data on the joint angles are also recorded in the personal computer, that makes it possible to determine in real time changes both in the process of training themselves and throughout the course of study and, if necessary, to make corrections of treatment and (or) developing procedures. In addition, system  13  for contactless gesture control allows to enter information quickly into the personal computer on the functional status of the user&#39;s hands. 
         [0040]    Currently, several technologies for contactless gesture control of computer in three dimensional space are developed. Thus, operating principle of CtestIC Microchip Techne Lody system (www. Microchip.com/CtestIC) is to analyze the changes of electric field characteristics caused by the movement of the hands. A technology proposed by Elli Ptic Labs is based on usage of ultrasound and an array of sensitive microphones to detect the position and movement of hands near the computer screen. Leap Motion&#39;s technology uses infrared sensors that trace the user&#39;s hand movements with unprecedented accuracy (0.01 mm) and display them on the screen. Usage of the contactless gesture control in three-dimensional space expands the functionality of the device, at that this system can be used both as a part of the device and separately from it for other tasks. 
         [0041]    To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of training on the proposed device, at first it is required to “stretch” and “warm up” hand fingers. For these purposes, generally warm water, warm sand and special exercises are used. For these purposes, elements  14  may be used as well for preliminary development of motor skills of fingers. Spring rings of different geometry and different colors are used as these elements. The rings are produced from material with different elasticity degree. They must be collected in a chain or chains to be disassembled to components per the given algorithm. Furthermore, carpal expanders, clips of different sizes and of different elasticity degree, or other structures can be used as these various elements. 
         [0042]    Elements  14  for preliminary development of motor skills of the hand fingers can be used as a part of the device being claimed and separately from it. 
         [0043]    It should be noted—the interaction between the separate elements of the device is conducted through cables or by wireless communication, or by combination thereof. 
         [0044]    The device allows to perform both individual and group training on restoring and developing hand functions. 
         [0045]    An additional point is that when developing of appropriate procedures, the device allows to perform diagnostics (including earlier detection) of various diseases associated with dysfunction of the hands, diagnostics of neuromuscular apparatus of the hands, analysis and forecast of restoring and developing of hand functions. 
         [0046]    The device for restoring and developing of hand functions works as follows. 
         [0047]    User  10 , comfortably accommodating at the adjustable means  9 , puts his hand on the lodgment in front of system  13  for contactless gesture control of the computer. The hand of his arm is scanned. This image is transferred and recorded into personal computer  8 . Using special software, parameters of the hand joint angles are defined. These parameters are displayed in the form of figures and recorded into the memory of computer  8 . Then the user selects a set of spring rings, based on his physical and psychological condition, and collects chains from rings according to the set algorithm. Before it is possible to conduct thermal procedures and various exercises. Thus, preliminary development of motor skills of the fingers occurs. Data on the rings (geometry parameters, elasticity and quantity) is recorded into computer  8 . Then, the user selects a set of puppets and design a puppet based on his psychological state. Data on the puppet (type, color range) is entered into computer  8  for storage. Then, the puppet is fixed on hand trainer  1 , which is affixed to the protruding armrest  11 . User  10  starts to control the puppet according to a certain previously developed technique. Data on finger efforts is received in block  6  of collection and pre-processing of the information, and then entered into computer  8 , processed and displayed in the form of graphs or column charts. During treatment and (or) developing training for stimulation of tactile receptors on the ends of the plate springs  16 , removable elements  18  can be fixed with different roughness degree. Data on the roughness degree of removable elements  18  is also entered into computer  8 . After training on hand trainer  1 , the joint angles are measured again. Thus, the dynamics of their change is determined and effectiveness of training on hand trainer  1  is monitored. The information from the two-position strain gauges  15 , data on the joint angles, as well as individual user information throughout all treatment and (or) development training is recorded into personal computer  8 , where it is processed and stored. 
         [0048]    The device for restoring and developing hand functions can be manufactured as follows. 
         [0049]    As an example of the claimed device, a tabletop of height-adjustable means  9  for user&#39;s accommodation is made of phenol-impregnated modified wool, sharp corners are smoothed to avoid the possibility of injury during training and frame is made of 20×20 mm metal profile. It has the telescopic supports to change its height. Screens  12  are double-layered; the base is 5 mm thick plywood, on which metal sheets with the thickness of 0.5 mm are fixed. Such design of screen  12  allows to fix the background image using magnets. Used meccano is a set of puppets—Pinocchio, 8 colors. Block  6  for collection and preliminary processing of data is produced based on ADAM and ICOS Remote Data Acquisition and Control Modules. 
         [0050]    To determine the real-time dynamics of joint angles changing and operational input of information on the functional status of the hands into computer  8 , system  13  of contactless gesture control of Leap Motion company is used. The system is connected to the computer using USB cable. 
         [0051]    Abrasive paper with different grain sizes is used for stimulation of tactile receptors as the removable elements  18 . Sensotek micro two-position strain gauges of Honeywell company are used in the device. 
         [0052]    As elements  14  for the pre-development of motor skills of the fingers, a set of rings of different diameter and a different paint color made of spring wire of HGSA grade with varying degrees of elasticity. Thus, a new and more effective device for restoring and developing hand functions is proposed. 
         [0053]    In comparison with the prototype, this device allows essentially extend its application scope and it far exceeds prototype&#39;s functional capabilities and enhances users&#39; quality of life. 
         [0054]    For specialists may be obvious other variants of carrying-out the invention that do not alter its essence, as it is disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should be considered limited in scope only by the following formula of invention.