DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A CUSTOM MADE PINCH GRIP BIOFEEDBACK DEVICE

摘要

The object of this device is to evaluate the pinch grip strength ie, for tip to tip, pad to pad and side to pad grip as well for the purpose of rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal and neurological problems. It is widely accepted that grip and pinch strength (PS) measurements provide an objective index of functional integrity of upper extremity and helps in determining the efficacy of different treatment strategies for hand and reevaluating patient progress. Various factors play important role in determining the grip strength measurements. One amongst them is hand anthropometric factors such as grip span. Till date only few studies are available mentioning the role of pinch grip span on pinch grip strength during evaluation. Hand anthropometry plays an important role and is used in designing objects dealing with human hands. Pinch grip span is a factor that may be under the control of the Ergonomist, and so understanding the relationship between pinch grip span and pinch grip force could lead to interventions which will reduce the risk of fatigue, discomfort, and injury. This invention is to design a new custom made Pinch Grip Biofeedback Device considering the anthropometric and biomechanical properties of hand with an expanded grip span of 5.5 cm. This device consists of two Assemblies Sensor Assembly and Hand Held Assembly with microcontroller and USB facility. The sensor Assembly having dimensions (2.5 5.51.7 cm) and sensors pasted on both right and left hand sides. The Hand held Assembly consists of a custom made box having dimensions (1174 cm) in which microcontroller and USB cable is placed and displays the measured parameters in the Computer. The associated software analyzes the data and outputs graphical data for further observation.