Device to limit arm and wrist tremors
Essential tremor is a progressive nerve disorder that causes trembling in the arm and wrists, and it mostly affects people over the age of 40. Current treatments for the disorder include expensive and invasive surgery or prescription drugs, both of which impact overall quality of life. To address this health problem, the EU-funded TREM-END project aimed to develop an orthotic device that cancels or damps arm and wrist tremors. The project team chose to use inertia damping technology usually found in industrial applications, which either absorbs or redirects motion. Scientists first constructed a theory of upper limb tremor in order to assess the device requirements. Following this, they defined a damping system and produced a technical design. Project members then designed and manufactured an unobtrusive rotary damper, as well as the orthotic supports required. Tests on the final device showed good acceptance and tremor reduction of up to 70 %, compared to a 60 to 90 % reduction after surgery. TREM-END is now completing intellectual property protection and a market analysis in order to commercialise this new orthotic product.
Keywords
Essential tremor, orthosis, rotary damper, biomechanical load, market analysis, inertia damping
