Feasibility Study of the ACT (Active Cancellation of Tremor) Device

描述（由申请人提供）：特发性震颤（ET）是最常见的运动障碍，仅在美国就有1000万人受到影响。由于与这种疾病相关的肌肉运动衰弱，ET患者难以执行日常功能，如饮食，因此经常被社会孤立。许多人也被迫从他们的职业中退休。不幸的是，目前的药物治疗在减轻病情方面的有效性有限，并且外科手术可能是昂贵的和侵入性的。为了满足那些患有持续性震颤的人的需求，Lynx Design正在研究一种具有成本效益、轻便的手持式稳定装置。在第一阶段，Lynx Design提出为手持式ACT（主动消除震颤）设备开发最先进的致动器/控制器系统，并在概念验证原型中证明可行性。Lynx Design将评估三种可能的致动器技术-形状记忆合金，压电和电磁致动器-并通过实验表征最适合应用的致动器。然后，Lynx Design将建模、设计和构建一个原型，将该致动器与嵌入式传感器和微控制器合成，形成一个具有稳定ET能力的闭环系统。为了证明产品的可行性，由此产生的微型致动器，传感器和控制器将被纳入一个手持的概念验证设备。第二阶段的工作将集中在完善ACT技术与患者的投入，以创造一个商业产品。在第二阶段结束时，林克斯设计公司将准备将这款高度便携的手持产品投放到不断增长的辅助设备市场，提供一个影响深远的解决方案，为不断增长的ET患者群体的生活质量带来积极影响。) 公共卫生相关性：Lynx Design提议开发一种主动震颤消除技术，以帮助受中风或运动障碍（如原发性震颤）影响的个人。Lynx Design希望这些设备能够减少社交孤立的可能性，提高生活质量，并使受影响的公众能够重新参与疾病发作时失去的职业。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Essential Tremor (ET) is the single most common motion disorder, affecting 10 million people in the US alone. Due to the debilitating muscle movements associated with this disease, people with ET have difficulty in performing daily functions such as eating and drinking and as a result often become socially isolated. Many individuals are also forced to retire from their occupations. Unfortunately, current pharmacological treatments have limited effectiveness in abating the condition, and surgical procedures can be expensive and invasive. To fill the needs of those who suffer from persistent tremor, Lynx Design is investigating a cost-effective, lightweight, hand-held stabilization device. In Phase I, Lynx Design proposes to develop a state-of-the-art actuator/controller system for a hand-held ACT (Active Cancellation of Tremor) device, and to demonstrate feasibility in a proof-of-concept prototype. Lynx Design will evaluate three possible actuator technologies- shape memory alloys, piezoelectrics, and electromagnetic actuators-and experimentally characterize the one found to be most suitable for the application. Lynx Design will then model, design, and build a prototype synthesizing this actuator with an embedded sensor and micro-controller to form a closed-loop system with the capability to stabilize ET. To demonstrate product feasibility, the resulting miniature actuator, sensor, and controller will be incorporated in a hand-held proof-of-concept device. Phase II work will focus on refining the ACT technology with patient input to create a commercial product. At the end of Phase II, Lynx Design will be ready to launch this highly portable, handheld product into the growing assistive device market, providing a far- reaching solution that positively impacts quality of life for a growing population of ET sufferers. ) PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Lynx Design proposes to develop an active tremor cancellation technology that will assist individuals affected by Stroke or motion disorders such as Essential Tremor. It is Lynx Design's hope that these devices will reduce potential for social isolation, improve quality of life, and re-enable the affected public to participate in occupations that were lost upon disease onset.