Design of a noninvasive and smart hand tremor attenuation system with active control: a simulation study

Abstract

This paper presents the design and simulation of a handheld device for people with hand tremor, such as Parkinson's and essential tremor patients. This device can be used as a pen for smartphones or as a spoon. The designed system includes two links, which are connected to two servomotors, which are mounted in orthogonal directions. To attenuate the effect of hand tremor on the tip of device, PID and computed torque methods are used to actively control the system. These controllers are used to control the rotation of the motors for moving the links in opposite directions of the hand tremor. Performance of the device with mentioned controllers is studied for different applications and finally, the results of both controllers are discussed and compared. Based on the presented results in this study, the designed device is able to suppress the hand tremor up to 75% during eating and 65% during following a spiral pattern. Graphical abstract Design of a noninvasive and smart hand tremor attenuation system: a simulation study.

Assistive Methodologies for Parkinson's Disease Tremor Management—A Health Opinion

“…Electrophysiology is a way to examine the patients in the way of past events and physical exams. Our paper aims to provide a detailed survey on Parkinson's tremors and the ways that they can be detected ( 1 ), controlled ( 3 , 13 , 17 ), and analyzed ( 5 , 17 ). The assessment of Parkinson's disease is based on the clinical interview, the physical examination, and structured instruments ( 15 ).…”

Wearable Peripheral Electrical Stimulation Devices for the Reduction of Essential Tremor: A Review

“…These devices have been found to be heavy and cumbersome, making the patient less likely to engage with this treatment option than the previously mentioned alternatives [ 59 ]. Devices such as tremor cancellation spoons have been shown to be effective; however they require that the patient has a different device for each specific task, such as eating, writing or using a tablet device, thus increasing cost and effort, and decreasing practicality [ 60 ].…”

A novel noninvasive approach to reducing action hand tremor

“…5 Thus, they can make it very difficult for patients to engage in daily tasks such as eating, writing, drinking and washing. 6 They are especially prevalent among patients with essential tremors. Essential tremors, occurring with a frequency of between 5 and 12Hz, 7 are one of the most common movement disorders, affecting the hands, head and voice of about seven million people in the United States.…”

“…10 Deep Brain Stimulation, which requires brain surgery, is a more invasive method to control the tremor when the responses to drugs are insufficient. 6 Additional noninvasive methods have been researched, but all have required attached devices that are fixed and portable with passive and active controllers. 6 Another common strategy involves using weighted equipment to attenuate hand tremors, but even this has had mixed results.…”

“…6 Additional noninvasive methods have been researched, but all have required attached devices that are fixed and portable with passive and active controllers. 6 Another common strategy involves using weighted equipment to attenuate hand tremors, but even this has had mixed results. Dahlin-Webb 11 showed a positive result with a weighted wrist cuff, but a randomized control trial by Meshack 12 suggested no support for using weighted utensils or wrist cuffs.…”