Explainable Artificial Intelligence
September 1, 2021Babylon Health
September 1, 2021GyroGlove™
Neurological disorders are a leading source of disability in the world. The GyroGlove™ is aimed to increase hand stability...
Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Essential tremor represent the leading sources of disability globally. PD is the neurological disease with the fastest growth in prevalent cases and currently affects an estimate of 10 million people worldwide. (1,2)
Addressing this increasingly concerning problem will require a plan of action guided towards the prevention of these diseases and improvement of the quality of life of those affected.(3)
One of the many difficulties people with neurological conditions face is hand tremors, an important cause of disability as they interfere with vital daily activities. Hand tremors can be severely debilitating and detrimental, consequently declining patient’s quality of life. One of the proposals aimed to solve this problem is to create wearable devices integrated with artificial intelligence, such as the GyroGlove™ created by GyroGear™.
Dr. Faii Ong founded GyroGear™ in London, England; he created the GyroGlove™ as a medical graduate working in a London hospital when he acknowledged the importance of creating a wearable device that could stabilize hand tremors in people with neurological disorders.(4)
The GyroGlove™ is currently in development to increase hand stability and ease the performance of daily tasks in patients suffering from hand tremors.(5)
About GyroGlove™
The GyroGlove™ contains two spinning discs (gyros) that start rotating instantaneously when incoming body tremors are detected. This device is a small, lightweight device for stability that fits on the dorsal aspect of the hand. It uses a miniature dynamically adjustable gyroscope, which sits on the back of the hand within a plastic casing; when the user switches the device on, the battery-powered gyroscope whirs to life.(6)
Its orientation is adjusted by a precession hinge and turntable, controlled by a small circuit board, thereby pushing back against the wearer’s movements as the gyroscope tries to rectify itself, thereby dampening any tremors in the wearer’s hand.(6)
The GyroGlove™ contains two spinning discs (gyros) that start rotating instantaneously when incoming body tremors are detected. This device is a small, lightweight device for stability that fits on the dorsal aspect of the hand. It uses a miniature dynamically adjustable gyroscope, which sits on the back of the hand within a plastic casing; when the user switches the device on, the battery-powered gyroscope whirs to life.(6)
Its orientation is adjusted by a precession hinge and turntable, controlled by a small circuit board, thereby pushing back against the wearer’s movements as the gyroscope tries to rectify itself, thereby dampening any tremors in the wearer’s hand. (6)
The glove is lightweight and adjustable, making it suitable for various hand shapes. It is operated by a rechargeable battery that can last up to ten hours; the units also track the data produced by the user’s tremors, feeding information back into medical research, informing users, their families, and doctors.(7)
The glove is lightweight and adjustable, making it suitable for various hand shapes. It is operated by a rechargeable battery that can last up to ten hours; the units also track the data produced by the user’s tremors, feeding information back into medical research, informing users, their families, and doctors.(7)
Advantages and disadvantages
Compared to other devices, GyroGearTM promises a combination of elegance and durability in a small, lightweight package with a detachable harness. The company affirms that the device’s design will, once complete, withstand everyday challenges.(5)
It is also cheaper than conventional therapies for Parkinson’s, with an estimated one-off cost of around £600 per device, compared to an average annual drug cost of £17,763 per patient in the UK. Unlike medication, the device does not lose efficacy throughout time and does not require a specialist prescription.(7)
On the other hand, the launch date is unknown. Ong and GyroGear™ expressed that the device launching will take place in the UK, so it is unknown when the device will get FDA approval and be available for its use in the USA.
A disadvantage could be the potential skin reactions or allergies from the direct contact of the device with the patient’s skin.
Advantages and disadvantages
A disadvantage could be the potential skin reactions or allergies from the direct contact of the device with the patient’s skin.
Another con of the device is that the design needs to be worn as gloves and could be considered not aesthetically pleasing for some patients.
Another con of the device is that the design needs to be worn as gloves and could be considered not aesthetically pleasing for some patients.
With the aging and increasing life span of the global population, age-related diseases like Parkinson’s receive more attention from the scientific community.
Neurological disorders are now the leading source of disability globally, and PD is the fastest growing of these disorders.(1)
GyroGlove™ is an up-and-coming alternative to address the increasing number of patients who suffer from impaired motor skills in their hands, compromising their quality of life. This device could restore independence and improve their confidence and health quality in the long term.