INNOVATION November-December 2021

F E A T U R E

Like a well-tuned suspension system absorbs bumps and lumps in the road, Mohammadi’s simple wristband tremor attenuator absorbs hand vibrations, to the point where almost 95 percent of tremor is attenuated—a huge and potentially life-changing improvement for millions of people.

Like a well-tuned suspension system absorbs bumps and lumps in the road, Mohammadi’s simple wristband tremor attenuator absorbs hand vibrations, to the point where almost 95 percent of tremor is attenuated—a huge and potentially life-changing improvement for millions of people. The wristband includes two miniature see-saw magnets that, said Mohammadi, “work against tremors with just enough force that they stop involuntary motion but not voluntary motion.” The result is that, just by wearing the device, without having to push a button or set a switch, the person can button up a shirt, eat soup, hit a tennis ball, or diaper a baby as they normally would. Their movements are smoother and more controlled than without the band on, and, said Mohammadi, “smoother and more controlled than with other tremor attenuators currently on the market” that work on spring- or liquid-based systems. “The magnetic system is the key. When the person’s hand or arm begins to tremble, the magnets are actuated immediately and the mechanical waves created by the actuators cancel out the shaking.” An additional plus, the device is able to adapt to changing conditions, providing only the amount of force required for each situation. “There is a difference in vibrations when you’re holding a full coffee cup, a half- full coffee cup, or an empty cup,” said Mohammadi, “and the device adjusts itself to each new condition.” There are also many other applications for the same concept down the road, said Mohammadi. “A mechanical system like this could be used for controlling motion on boats, or to eliminate the vibration when a ball hits a tennis racquet, which would really help players with their wrists. The cartilage in a player’s wrist can be liquidized if they’re not using a quality racquet. There’s also archery where reducing vibration would make a bow and arrow more accurate.” But he still sees the hand tremor attenuator as perhaps the best use of his invention. “This is a genius idea,” said Mohammadi, knowing it may sound like he’s bragging, but far too happy and excited with the results to care. “It’s an idea I had for a while, and it is turning out exactly the way I thought it would. The device is lightweight,

“Essential tremor is not a dangerous condition,” said Mohammadi, “but is often confused with Parkinson’s,” which is a nervous system disorder that will become disabling over time. “Both can result in unwanted shaking in the hands that will affect the person’s normal life. I compare it to driving a car. Vibration in a car can be very uncomfortable for the people in it, which is why the car has a suspension system. Here, the body causes the vibration, and that vibration will have an impact on virtually everything the person wants or needs to do, like drink a cup of coffee, write a note or do other simple things. People often feel embarrassed, and can become depressed and isolated.”

Get ahead with the right legal experts

Clyde & Co works with clients throughout the lifecycle of major infrastructure projects across the globe, providing practical, commercially astute advice on transactional & contentious issues

Montréal



Offices in Canada:

3

Toronto



Vancouver



“ A leading infrastructure practice across all asset classes

6 Continents

1800 Lawyers

50+ Offices*

440 Partners

www.clydeco.com

*includes associated offices

2 0

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1

I N N O V A T I O N