Vibration-Reduction Mechanism Based on Layer Jamming for for Hand Tremors in Parkinson's Patients

This study focuses on the design, fabrication, and assessment of a vibration-reducing mechanism for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Individuals with Parkinson's disease often have involuntary and chronic hand tremors. The main aim of this study is to provide a non-invasive method to diminish these tremors and enhance the quality of life for patients. This approach employs a glove combined with a layer jamming actuator, using layer jamming technology to mitigate and diminish the amplitude of hand vibrations. The vibrational characteristics of patients' hands, including tremor frequency and amplitude, were examined to attain an ideal design. The structure of the layer jamming actuator was clarified, subsequently leading to the development of a soft bending robot, engineered to resemble a human finger, in order to simulate tremors and evaluate the actuator's efficacy in realistic conditions. A static model of a layer jamming structure was developed to analyze its bending behavior. Mechanical analysis and beam theory were used to derive equations for calculating central bending, which were validated using three-point bending tests. The layer jamming structure was put into the soft bending robot, showcasing its capability to modulate stiffness and efficiently diminish vibrations. Vibrational inputs, simulating the tremors experienced by patients with Parkinson's disease, are applied to the robot to resemble real circumstances. A frequency response diagram was generated, and the efficacy of the system was evaluated. The experimental findings indicated a significant reduction in tremor amplitude with a layer jamming structure, emphasizing its potential to assist in daily activities for persons with Parkinson's disease.