Abstract:
A system for soothing an agitated patient, including a motor, a linkage operationally connected to the motor, an armature operationally connected to the linkage, and a lifelike hand connected to the armature. Energization of the motor enables the lifelike hand to move in a generally circular, rubbing motion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/124,023, filed on Dec. 8, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD The present novel technology relates generally to mechanical engineering and, more particularly, to biomechanical devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Some residents in Alzheimer&#39;s disease and dementia-care facilities exhibit severe agitation and unprovoked loud, aggressive outbursts, often generalized and without any specific target. These behaviors prove to be highly disturbing to other residents, and can set off a ‘chain reaction’ of agitation. It has been observed that a human hand, gently placed on the agitated patient&#39;s back and rubbed in a circular motion, can often soothe the patient. The soothing effect is enhanced by softly spoken, reassuring language, and the calming effect can be almost immediate, thus ending the physical and vocal outbursts. 
         [0003]    The major drawback with this treatment strategy is that it is labor intensive; the caregiver is locked into providing the gentle, rubbing contact and thus cannot attend to any other patients while delivering the calming contact. Moreover, the outbursts often resume as soon as the rubbing contact is discontinued. Thus, there remains a need for an improved patient care strategy. The present novel technology addresses this need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment automatic mechanical soothing device of the present novel technology. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of claim  1  in use with a patient. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective front view of the motor and linkage of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of the shaft adjustment linkage of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5B  is a front elevational view of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of the shaft to hand adaptor of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6B  is a front cutaway view of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of the ball joint insert of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7B  is a front cutaway view of  FIG. 7A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention is intended by the specific language used to describe the invention, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art 
         [0015]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7B , the present novel technology relates to an automated system  10  for providing tactile relief to a distressed patient, such as a child or a patient suffering from Alzheimer&#39;s disease or like dementia. The system  10  includes a surrogate hand portion  15  and a base portion  20  operationally connected by an intermediate armature portion  25 . 
         [0016]    The surrogate hand portion  15  includes a lifelike artificial or mannequin hand  30  with a ball joint insert  35  disposed therein. The hand  30  may be made of any convenient material, such as plastic, rubber, silicone, foamed polymer or the like, and is typically formed around the ball joint insert  35 . The ball joint insert  35  further includes a socket  40  with a ball joint  45  disposed therein for providing limited or restriction freedom of motion of the hand member  30 , so as to better simulate the range of motion of a human hand extending from a wrist. The ball joint  45  typically includes a connector  50  for connecting to the armature portion  25 . The hand  30  is typically made of a foamed polymer material that is more typically poured or otherwise molded around the ball joint insert  35 . The insert  35  also includes a flange portion  55  extending from the socket  40  to provide greater surface area to anchor the insert  35  inside the hand  30 . 
         [0017]    The base portion  20  typically includes a plate member  60 , upon one side of which a motor  65  and a controller  70  are typically mounted. The motor  65  is typically a D.C. electric motor, and the controller  70  is typically operationally connected to the motor  65 . The controller  70  is typically a microcomputer or electronic controller, but may also simply be a relay switch or the like actuatable to energize the motor  65 . Typically, the electronic controller  70  is Wi-Fi enabled so as to be remotely actuated and/or controlled, such as by a remotely located computer, a smart phone app, or the like. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, a pulse width modulator (PWM)  75  is operationally connected to the motor  65  to afford better control of the motor speed. The motor  65  is connected through the plate member  60  to a linkage  80  pivotably connected to the other side. The linkage  80  is typically a  4 -bar linkage, although other convenient linkages may be selected. The linkage  80  typically includes an elongated member  85  that connects to a shaft adjust linkage member  90 , such as by a quick-lock or like connector  95 . 
         [0019]    The linkage adjust member  90  accepts or otherwise connects to an elongated arm or shaft  110 , which is part of the armature portion  25 . The linkage adjust member  90  typically includes a built-in thumb screw  100  for adjustably securing the adjust member  90  to the arm  110 . The shaft may be straight, or, more typically, include a bend or kink. In some embodiments the arm is rigid, while in others the arm  110  is partially flexible to lend itself to positioning adjustments. The shaft  110  terminates in an adaptor  115  rotatably connected to the shaft  110  and which includes a connector  120  matable with connector  50 . 
         [0020]    The base portion  20  may include a housing  130  for holding the plate member  60  and the gear mounted thereto. The housing  130  may also include enclosures or cubbies  133  for storing medicines, equipment, tools, or the like. The housing  130  may also include a power supply  135  connectable to the motor  65 . The housing may also include an audio playback unit  140  having a speaker  145  and a memory  150  for storing prerecorded soothing messages, and may also include a telephone jack or interface  155  for operationally connecting to a cell phone. The housing  130  may also include a clip or fastener  170  for securing the system  10  within reach of the patient. In some embodiments, the system  10  includes a motion sensor, audio sensor, or the like for automatically actuating the motor  65  to drive the hand  30  in response to growing agitation of the patient. 
         [0021]    In operation, the system  10  is secured within reach of a patient, such as clipped or fastened to the patient&#39;s chair. The hand  30  is placed against the patient&#39;s back and the motor  65  is energized. The hand  30  gently rubs or massages the patient&#39;s back in a generally circular pattern, typically in an irregular pattern as governed by the linkage assembly to more accurately simulate a person&#39;s natural rhythm. Likewise, the controller  70  may be programmed to alter or vary the speed and pattern of motion to follow a randomized or predetermined course while rubbing in a generally circular motion. 
         [0022]    The playback unit  140  may likewise be energized to play soothing commentary and/or music. 
         [0023]    When the system  10  is attached to a chair, bed, or the like, the controller  70  (either via remote or built-in options) drives the synthetic hand  30  so that the patient feels he is being soothed by a person. 
         [0024]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.