Introduction

In Europe and in western countries, the phenomenon of aging is increasing, and it is associated with the increase in the incidence of severe neuromotor disabilities. Grip is a magnetic device for assisting patients with transient or permanent neuromotor disabilities of the hand and allows them to grab commonly used objects.

Technical features

Grip is an electromagnet positioned on the patient’s hand or wrist, capable of hooking up any object with ferromagnetic properties, with the aim of enhancing the ability to grip and grasp objects. If the object to be grasped is not ferromagnetic (e.g. a glass), it is sufficient to apply a ferromagnetic portion (e.g. a metal strip), or insert the object itself in a suitable ferromagnetic support. The electromagnet can be applied both on the palm and dorsal area of the hand, therefore it does not oblige to be able to open and close the hand, an act that not all patients are able to do. Moreover, the system can modulate the level of assistance, allowing a personalization of the device on the individual user; the grip force exerted by the electromagnet can be adjusted to follow the dynamic processes of rehabilitation of the patient, or worsening in case of degenerative diseases.

Possible Applications

• Biomedical field: assistance to subjects suffering from neuromotor disability of the hand;
• Sports: athletes in training can benefit from this invention, to avoid unwanted slips or to increase the grasping force.
• Industrial field: in cases where the force of grasping objects must be particularly strong and stable.

Advantages

• Possibility to activate or deactivate the grip voluntarily, modulating the force exerted by the device according to need;
• Direct interaction between the subject and the object to be grasped, guaranteeing a direct tactile and sensorial perception;
• Simple, light and low cost;
• Interfaceable with exoskeletons for rehabilitation and assistance.