Design and Rapid Prototyping of a Product to Prevent Lower Hand Tremor in Elderly People

Authors

  • Raj Kumar. E Associate Professor, Department of Design and automation, School of Mechanical Engineering (SMEC), VIT University, Chennai 632 014, India. Email Id:rajkumar[dot]e[at]vit[dot]ac[dot]in
  • Mrunmayi Mal Under graduate students, School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Sagar Ladawa Under graduate students, School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Akshay Devshatwar Under graduate students, School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37628/ijcam.v6i2.1201

Keywords:

Tremor, essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, eating assistance, independent eating, product design, lower hand, conditions affecting elderly.

Abstract

Lower hand tremor is very commonly observed condition in elderly people. Tremor is the medical term used to describe the involuntary shaking of affected muscles. Tremor is caused by neurological disorders in brain. There are different kinds of tremor. Essential tremor is most common of all movement disorders. It is an action tremor i.e. it is observed when patient tries to use the affected muscle. Parkinson’s disease is a resting tremor i.e. shaking is observed even at rest. For patients affected by these conditions, independent eating is difficult task. Also, adults affected with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke and other neurological disorders face difficulty while eating on their own. In this paper, we try to present a design solution to this problem that affects millions around the world. Idea is to develop a product that will assist patient to eat independently and comfortably.

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Published

2021-03-03

Issue

Section

Articles