WO2000078889A1

WO2000078889A1 - Grip enhancing method and composition

Info

Publication number: WO2000078889A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Michael West; Gerard Wolfe Sormann
Original assignee: Wolfe Research Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-06-18
Filing date: 2000-06-16
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: AUPQ104699A0

Abstract

There is provided a method for improving the grip of the hands of a person suffering a medical condition leading to a weak grasp to a level where carer assistance is no longer required as tested by the 'Grasp Release Test' comprising the step of applying an edible and non-toxic composition to one or more portions of the hands. There is also provided a composition when used to improve the grip of a hand on an object comprising (a) 10 to 50 % by weight of one or more starches and (b) 45 to 90 % by weight of water.

Description

Grip Enhancing Method and Composition

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method of improving the grip of a hand on an object. More particularly, the invention relates to improving the grip of the hands of people with weak hand grip due to medical conditions, for example, quadriplegia and a composition useful in this method.

Background of the Invention

Whilst the following discussion concerns quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia), it is to be understood that the same principles apply to all medical conditions which lead to weak hand grasp such as motor-neuron disease, multiple sclerosis (disseminated sclerosis), and rheumatoid and osteo arthritis. Further, the same principles apply to improving the grip of normal hands in situations when improved grip is required, for example, while playing lawn bowls, opening plastic bags and manipulating objects in fine detail work by jewelers and painters. A person suffering from quadriplegia loses not only their muscle control but also heat sensation and tactile sensation. The loss of neurological function also causes a lack of sweating and repair of 'finger print' and thus a lack of friction between the skin of the hand and other objects. The lack of muscle control is relieved by implanting muscle stimulators or transposing muscles with nerves which are still operating. However, this treatment only provides the person with a weak grip. When combined with poor friction, this leaves the person unable to adequately grasp an object, for example a fork, knife, spoon, cup or glass to feed themselves.

Therefore, an investigation was made into means to improve the grip of persons with quadriplegia. Many attempts have been made to improve grip with particular concern for the need for sportsmen to hold baseball bats, golf clubs or lawn bowls. These attempts have either involved the substances used to make the hand grip on the equipment, compositions to apply to the hand grips on the equipment or compositions to be applied to the hands of the person. For example, US patent no. 5,492,425 discloses compositions that permit spreading of rubber in the contact zone. These compositions consist of a relatively low molecular weight polymer and wax. They were designed as an alternative to pine tar that had previously been used by baseball players. US patent no. 4,998,546 discloses a composition that permits swelling of existing rubber surfaces to give better traction.

Some compositions use particulates to penetrate the greasy layers of the skin or rubber to increase the traction. US patent no. 4,071,374 discloses compositions which retain water but do not liquefy and thus compensate for the loss of grip caused by sweating. The composition is in the form of a gel and includes fine particle size silica, a gelling agent for improving the adherence of the gel to the skin and an aqueous solution of a C 1 to C4 alcohol. US patent no. 5,364,464 discloses a moisture and frictional grip enhancing composition that combines powdered magnesium silicate particulates and sawdust particulates.

In each case, the aim was to improve the already present grip traction which most of us experience.

These compositions have been difficult to remove as they are not soluble in water, and resist removal by "sucking the fingers". Further, these compositions are either toxic or inedible and thus rarely used in applications where they may be ingested.

In contrast to the above, the grip of a quadriplegic person suffers from lack of sweat and loss of 'finger print' and therefore these compositions are not appropriate. A composition used by a quadriplegia person must be non-toxic as it may well be ingested by the quadriplegia person while eating. Therefore, none of the known compositions have been used in quadriplegia.

Further, the prior art compositions have an adhesion characteristic in addition to improving traction. A quadriplegic person suffers from lack of strength in finger extension which reduces release abilities, therefore the lack of adhesion is particularly advantageous. Further, in applications such as lawn bowling, it is desirable to have high frictional coefficients but low adhesion so that the trajectory is not deflected by forces of adhesion to the propelling hand.

There is a need for a method of increasing the grip of the hands of people with quadriplegia. Preferably, such composition will enhance grip without providing adhesion. Summary of the Invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for improving the grip of the hands of a person suffering a medical condition leading to a weak grasp to a level where carer assistance is no longer required as tested by the "Grasp Release Test" comprising the step of applying an edible and non-toxic composition to one or more portions of the hands.

The Grasp Release Test is described in Douglas Carroll's article "A Quantitative Test of Upper Extremity Function" J. Chron. Dis. 1965 Vol 18 pp 479-491.

One or two coatings may be applied to the hands. Further, it has been found that surprisingly a composition consisting of starches and optionally a humectant can provide good grip aid in a form that is not adhesive and may be valuable for use in the above method. However, the characteristics of the composition make it adapted for use in other applications. Further, if the starch and humectant are selected appropriately the composition will be edible and easily removed in water or saliva when no longer required.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition when used to improve the grip of a hand on an object comprising (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 45 to 90% by weight of water.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition for improving the grip of a hand on an object consisting essentially of (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 45 to 90% by weight of water.

Preferably, the composition comprises 50 to 90% by weight of water. More preferably, the composition comprises 50 to 80% by weight water.

The starch must be specially modified to have a low molecular weight to provide a relatively lower viscosity and degraded to prevent gelation caused by the three- dimensional structure of starches. Any such starches known to persons skilled in the art may be used in this composition. Preferably, the starch is derived from tapioca.

Preferably, up to 50% by weight of a humectant may be added to stabilize the composition and maintain the water content. The addition of the humectant gives the composition a working life of about 3 hours. In standard climate conditions, it is preferable to add a humectant to the composition. However, in climates with mid to high range relative humidity, a humectant is not normally required.

Any humectant known to persons skilled in the art may be used in the composition. However, if it is necessary for the composition to be edible then an edible and non-toxic humectant must be selected, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The humectant may act as part of the water, for example, sorbitol acts as part of the water system.

Preferably, a diluent is added to the composition to reduce the viscosity for easy dispensing and spreading on the fingers. For example, a mixture of ethanol and water may be added.

It is possible to add other additives to the composition, such as additives to improve the taste or color of the composition.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for improving the grip of the hands of a person suffering a medical condition leading to a weak grasp to a level where carer assistance is no longer required as tested by the "Grasp Release Test" comprising the step of applying an edible and non-toxic composition to one or more portions of the hands, wherein the composition comprises (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 50 to 90% by weight of water

It has been found that such compositions increase friction but not adhesion. The improved friction results in an improved ability to grip onto objects and the lack of adhesion allows the person to release the object. It has been found that such compositions when applied to fingers of quadriplegic patients gives an amazing increase in effective grip so that important tools such as forks, pencils and pens can be competently employed when in the absence of the composition such tools could not be used. The related functions such as the pick of coins, the turning of book pages and the manipulation of "paper" money are also dramatically improved. Light objects such as empty soft drink cans were also easily manipulated as the objects could be readily released. This function could not be performed when adhesive compositions were trialed.

The composition is useful to improve the grip of normal hands in situations where further grip is necessary but adhesion is not desired. For example, while playing lawn bowls the composition could be used to provide additional grip to enable better control of the ball. In supermarkets, the composition could be placed near the plastic bags and be used to assist the opening of the plastic bags. The composition in its edible embodiments would be doubly advantageous in supermarkets and thus is compatible with food. Further examples of applications include fine detail work. Jewelers could use the composition to improve their grip on small objects. Similarly, painters, both artistic and buildings, could use the composition to improve their grip on brushes.

Examples

The invention will now be further explained and illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1 A partly hydrolysed tapioca starch HEX 50 4279 (National Starch & Chemical) was carefully swollen in 70% sorbitol (commercial composition which contains 30% water) by heating a mixture of 30% starch and 70% sorbitol to 70°C and maintaining the temperature for ten minutes then adding 40% ethanol/water to about 10% to give the required viscosity for easy dispensing and spreading on the fingers. Example 2

A partly hydrolysed tapioca starch HEX 50 4279 (National Starch & Chemical) was carefully swollen in 70% glycerol (commercial composition which contains 30% water) by heating a mixture of 30% starch and 70% glycerol to 80°C and maintaining the temperature for ten minutes then adding 40% ethanol/water to about 5% to give the required viscosity for easy dispensing and spreading on the fingers.

Example 3

A partly hydrolysed maize starch was carefully swollen in 70% sorbitol by heating a mixture of 30% starch and 70% sorbitol to 80°C and maintaining the temperature for ten minutes then adding 40% ethanol/water to about 15% to give the required viscosity for easy dispensing and spreading on the fingers.

Example 4

A group of ten paraplegic patients with a variety of treatments to restore grasp were tested using the internationally recognized tests used by rehabilitators, that is the Grasp Release

Test, to assess disability. The tests were first undertaken without any aids to provide a control test. Then the composition produced in Example 1 was applied and allowed to dry for approximately one minute, and the test repeated. The improved grip allowed patients that were unable to perform a test to show satisfactory performance to the level where carer assistance was no longer needed.

Example 5 A group of three lawn bowlers was requested to test composition 1 and were able to demonstrate improved control over the balls.

The composition was trialed for bowling where the bowler transfers energy to a heavy ball, then skillfully releases the ball on the desired trajectory. Increased grip is desirable to allow the hand muscles to be less tense but still retain grip and further small movements in the position of the ball during the acceleration reduces the critical control of the trajectory. The release is also not impeded by the composition's lack of adhesive properties.

It is noted that the properties of the novel composition are valuable in many applications that may be obvious to persons who appreciate the various requirements of control of grip and release.

The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions.

Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method for improving the grip of the hands of a person suffering a medical condition leading to a weak grasp to a level where carer assistance is no longer required as tested by the "Grasp Release Test" comprising the step of applying an edible and non-toxic composition to one or more portions of the hands.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein one or two coatings are so applied.

3. A composition when used to improve the grip of a hand on an object comprising (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 45 to 90% by weight of water.

4. A composition for improving the grip of a hand on an object consisting essentially of (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 45 to 90% by weight of water.

5. A composition according to either of claims 3 or 4 wherein there is 45 to 80% of water.

6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein there is 50 to 80% by weight of water.

7. A composition according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the starch is selected from the group consisting of partly hydrolysed tapioca starch, partly hydrolysed maize starch and mixtures thereof.

8. A composition according to any one of claims 3 to 7 further comprising up to 50% by weight of a humectant.

9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol and mixtures thereof.

10. A composition according to any of claims 3 to 9 further comprising a diluent.

11. A composition according to claim 10 wherein the diluent is ethanol.

2. A method for improving the grip of the hands of a person suffering a medical condition leading to a weak grasp to a level where carer assistance is no longer required as tested by the "Grasp Release Test" comprising the step of applying an edible and non-toxic composition to one or more portions of the hands, wherein the composition comprises (a) 10 to 50% by weight of one or more starches and (b) 50 to 90% by weight of water.