Parkinson’s tremor suppression: A spring-based passive attenuator system

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder often associated with tremors, which negatively impact the quality of life. While medications such as levodopa are commonly used to manage these symptoms, they come with side effects such as nausea and vomiting in the short term whereas abnormal involuntary movement in the long term. This paper explores an alternative approach through a biomechanical passive orthosis to suppress tremors. A comprehensive review of existing designs including fluid-based, balloon-based, magnet-based, and spring-based systems, highlights their limitations in terms of mobility, comfort, and usability. To address those issues, a novel spring-based passive attenuator system is proposed through a comprehensive systematic investigation of user needs. The user’s criteria and design criteria are mapped together to develop the structural framework of the orthosis that can support full wrist joint movement and has the potential to offer tremor suppression for both flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviations for PD patients. The proposed device can also emphasize comfort, ease of use and affordability targeting PD patients who experience action and rest tremors. The prototype is produced through 3D printing of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material and preliminary investigation shows that the device allows for a full range of motion, better wearability, and is lightweight, thus improving the daily functionality and quality of life for users.

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