Smart stylus therapeutic system and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026023443-A1
Application number	US-202519339853-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 25, 2025
Priority date	Mar 7, 2024
Publication date	Jan 22, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

A smart stylus for use in hand therapy includes an elongate body having a stylus end, a central body, a C-shaped handle, and a handle end cap. The stylus end is connected to a first end of the central body and a second end of the central body is connected to a first end of the C-shaped handle. The central body is configured to taper in width and depth from the second end of the central body to the first end of the central body and the handle end cap is connected to a second end of the C-shaped handle. The length of the central body may be adjusted by sliding mechanisms. A pressure sensor measures the amount of force of the stylus tip on a therapeutic tablet. The therapeutic tablet presents therapy exercises and communicates therapy results to a physical therapist of the patient.

First claim

1 - 10 . (canceled)

11 . A smart stylus therapeutic system for use in hand therapy, comprising:
an elongate body having a stylus end, a central body, a C-shaped handle, and a handle end cap, wherein the stylus end is connected to a first end of the central body, a second end of the central body is connected to a first end of the C-shaped handle, and the handle end cap is connected to a second end of the C-shaped handle; a rechargeable battery located within the handle end cap; a microcontroller located within the central body, wherein the microcontroller is operatively connected to the rechargeable battery; a near field communications unit located within the central body and operatively connected with the microcontroller; a therapeutic tablet including a touch screen, wherein the therapeutic tablet includes a memory including program instructions including a hand therapy treatment plan and one or more processors configured to execute the program instructions to receive near field communications from the near field communications unit and display the hand therapy treatment plan and hand therapy exercises upon the touch screen, wherein the hand therapy exercises are configured to direct a patient to write upon the touch screen with the stylus end while gripping the C-shaped handle; a case configured to hold the elongate body and the therapeutic tablet; a charging port located on the case, wherein the charging port is configured to mate with the handle end cap, wherein the rechargeable is battery located with the central body; and an electromagnetic coil located within the handle end cap and connected to the rechargeable battery, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to generate a charging current when the handle end cap is placed adjacent to the charging port.

12 . The smart stylus therapeutic system of claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic tablet is configured to receive a battery charge status by near field communications from the microcontroller and display the battery charge status on the touch screen.

13 . The smart stylus therapeutic system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a pressure sensor located within the elongate body and connected to the stylus end, wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the microcontroller, wherein the pressure sensor is configured generate electrical signals in response to an amount of pressure sensed by the pressure sensor when the stylus end contacts the touch screen, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to transmit the electrical signals related to the amount of pressure by near field communications to the therapeutic tablet.

14 . The smart stylus therapeutic system of claim 13 , further comprising:
at least two upper weight receiving compartments, wherein each upper weight receiving compartment is located on either side of the C-shaped handle near the first end; and at least two lower weight receiving compartments, wherein each lower weight receiving compartment is located on either side of the C-shaped handle near the second end; and a plurality of weights, wherein each weight is sized to fit within a respective weight receiving compartment, wherein the plurality of weights is stored in weight receiving slots in the case, and wherein the therapeutic tablet is configured to receive the electrical signals related to the amount of pressure of the stylus end against the touch screen and select a weight from the plurality of weights in accordance with the hand therapy treatment plan.

15 . The smart stylus therapeutic system of claim 11 , wherein the hand therapy exercises include grip strength exercises, hand-eye coordination exercises, and interactive games configured to improve motor skills, coordination, and cognitive functions.

16 . The smart stylus therapeutic system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a patient assessment unit located within the therapeutic tablet, wherein the patient assessment unit is configured to monitor a progress of the patient against a baseline assessment and generate a progress report; and a wireless communication unit located within the therapeutic tablet, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the progress report to a remote medical system configured to monitor the progress of the patient.

17 . A method of using a smart stylus in hand therapy, comprising:
forming an elongate body having a stylus end, a central body, a C-shaped handle, and a handle end cap, wherein the stylus end is connected to a first end of the central body, a second end of the central body is connected to a first end of the C-shaped handle, and the handle end cap is connected to a second end of the C-shaped handle; installing a rechargeable battery within the handle end cap; inserting a microcontroller within the central body; operatively connecting the microcontroller to the rechargeable battery; forming a case to hold the elongate body and the therapeutic tablet; forming a charging port in the case, wherein the charging port is configured to mate with the handle end cap; installing an electromagnetic coil within the handle end cap and connecting the electromagnetic coil to the rechargeable battery, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to generate a charging current when the handle end cap is placed adjacent to the charging port; installing a near field communications unit within the central body and operatively connecting the near field communications unit with the microcontroller; and linking the therapeutic tablet including a touch screen to the microcontroller, wherein the therapeutic tablet includes a memory including program instructions including a hand therapy treatment plan and one or more processors configured to execute the program instructions to receive near field communications from the near field communications unit and display the hand therapy treatment plan and hand therapy exercises upon the touch screen, wherein the hand therapy exercises are configured to direct a patient to write upon the touch screen with the stylus end while gripping the C-shaped handle.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
connecting a pressure sensor to the stylus end and connecting the pressure sensor to the microcontroller; generating, by the pressure sensor, electrical signals in response to an amount of pressure sensed by the pressure sensor when the stylus end contacts the touch screen, and transmitting, by the near field communications unit, the electrical signals related to the amount of pressure by near field communication to the therapeutic tablet.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
displaying, on the touch screen, the hand therapy exercises including grip strength exercises, hand-eye coordination exercises, and interactive games configured to improve motor skills, coordination, and cognitive functions of the patient.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
monitoring a progress of the patient by a patient assessment unit located within the therapeutic tablet; comparing, by the patient assessment unit, the progress of the patient against a baseline assessment; generating, by the patient assessment unit, a progress report; and transmitting, by a wireless communication unit located within the therapeutic tablet, the progress report to a remote medical system configured to monitor the progress of the patient.

Assignees

• Univ Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal

Inventors

• Al-Hawas Razan Osama
• El-Wakeel Hala
• Kattan Noran
• Alshehri Lama
• Alamri Lojain

Classifications

• G06F3/0442

  using active external devices, e.g. active pens, for transmitting changes in electrical potential to be received by the digitiser · CPC title

• G16H40/67

  for remote operation · CPC title

• G16H20/30

  relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising · CPC title

• G06F3/0414

  using force sensing means to determine a position · CPC title

• G06F3/0441 Primary

  using active external devices, e.g. active pens, for receiving changes in electrical potential transmitted by the digitiser, e.g. tablet driving signals · CPC title