Lightweight assist glove for hand weakness and motor
This is a motorized glove exoskeleton that physically assists a person in gripping and grasping objects. It uses nine independently controlled joints driven by spring-based actuators that amplify even faint hand movements from the user, so the device follows the user's intent rather than requiring separate sensors like cameras or muscle-activity monitors. The system automatically limits motion to each finger's natural range, preventing injury. It is designed to be adjustable for different hand sizes, making it practical for diverse users.
What you could build
A wearable rehabilitation and daily-living assist glove for stroke survivors, spinal cord injury patients, and individuals with conditions like MS or ALS, sold to rehabilitation hospitals, home health providers, and directly to patients. Medical device companies and physical therapy equipment suppliers would be the primary buyers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia has a significant concentration of military veterans and VA medical centers, creating demand for upper-limb rehabilitation devices; rehab device companies or defense-adjacent health tech firms in the Northern Virginia or Richmond corridor would be natural partners.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Raghuraj Chauhan, Oumar Barry
- Granted
- March 10, 2026
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12569392
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.