NEEDLE INSERTION ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A needle insertion assistive device comprises a cylindrical body 1 to be worn over a finger of a user, an air compressor 2 to inflate layer to grip finger, a microphone 3 to receive voice command of a user, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 determines diameter of the needle, a semi-spherical member 5 installed with an iris unit 6 enabling the user to insert back portion of the needle, a textile sensor to monitor type of fabric, a pneumatic pusher 7 apply the evaluated pressure over the needle, a force capacitive sensor to monitor force applied by the pusher 7, a proximity sensor monitor distance of the member 5 from the cloth an ultrasonic sensor to monitor dimensions of eye of the needle and a motorized gripper 8 via a robotic arm 9 to engage the thread with the gripper 8.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a needle insertion assistive device that is capable of inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle as well as monitoring the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sewing needles have been in use for years and a conventional hand sewing needle has a body with a pointed end and an eyelet attached to the body opposite of the pointed end. The user attaches a length of thread within the eyelet and then grasps the body near the eyelet. The user inserts the thread the pointed end of the conventional hand-sewing needle through the fabric until the eyelet is drawn through the opposite side of the fabric. The user must then rotate the conventional needle 180 degrees so that the pointed end faces the opposite side of the fabric thereby allowing the user the manually insert the conventional needle from the opposite side of the fabric.

[0003] The main problem with conventional hand sewing needles is that they require the user to rotate the conventional hand sewing needle 180 degrees each time it is inserted through the fabric to sew a stitch. This increases the time required to complete a sewing job. Rotating the conventional hand sewing needle also requires the user to position their hands in awkward positions that eventually cause injuries to the user's hands and wrists. So, there is need for such device that is capable of inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle as well as monitoring the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

[0004] US6189747B1 discloses a hand sewing needle for eliminating the requirement of turning the hand sewing needle after each pass through a piece of fabric. The inventive device includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end. An eyelet is positioned within the elongate body for receiving a length of thread, wherein the eyelet separates the elongate body into a first portion and a second portion. The first end and the second end of the elongate body may be comprised of any well-known structure such as pointed or blunt. The elongate body is preferably positioned at a center point of the elongate body.

[0005] CN106063616A discloses a needle threading device used for a multi-layer cloth shoe sole machine. The needle threading device is composed of a left needle clamping device and a right needle clamping device; each to-be-threaded needle comprises a needle body, and a threading hole is formed in the middle of the needle body; each needle clamping device comprises one to-be-threaded needle, a thread and a needle clamp; each needle clamp is composed of an upper needle clamping plate and a lower needle clamping plate; a plurality of threaded needles are arranged between the upper needle clamping plate and the lower needle clamping plate side by side; a needle clamping oil cylinder is used for driving the needle clamp which is opened and closed for loosening or pressing the to-be-threaded needles; a needle pushing oil cylinder drives the needle clamping devices to move left and right. Compared with a multi-layer cloth shoe sole machine in the prior art, the multi-layer cloth shoe sole machine provided by the invention adopts a single-side thread which is completely the same as that of the conventional multi-layer cloth shoe sole machine; the thread pressing device realizes left tensioning and right tensioning of threads.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are exist that are capable of inserting needle for cloth. However, these devices fail in inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle. These devices do not monitors the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle. The device also monitors the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a needle insertion assistive device that insert the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle as well as monitors the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a needle insertion assistive device comprises a cylindrical body developed to be worn over a finger of a user, an cushioned inflatable layer is installed over inner periphery of the body and linked with an air compressor that actuates to inflate the layer to grip the finger in an appropriate manner, a microphone installed over the body to receive voice command of a user regrading assistance in inserting a needle positioned in proximity in a cloth, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the body determines diameter of the needle, a semi-spherical member attached over the body and installed with an iris unit to opening in view of enabling the user to insert back portion of the needle in the member via the iris unit followed by re-actuation of the iris unit to close and grip the needle in a secured manner, a textile sensor installed over the member to monitor type of fabric of the cloth and according the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over the needle for inserting the needle within the cloth.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device also comprises a pneumatic pusher is installed over the body and positioned in proximity to the iris unit to extend and apply the evaluated pressure over the needle to insert the needle within the cloth, a force capacitive sensor is installed over the pusher to monitor force applied by the pusher over the needle and in case the monitored force recedes of exceeds the evaluated force, the microcontroller directs the pusher to regulate the applied force, a proximity sensor is installed over the body to monitor distance of the member from the cloth and only in case the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the pusher to insert the needle in the cloth, an ultrasonic sensor installed over the body to monitor dimensions of eye of the needle, a motorized gripper is installed over the body via a robotic arm and accessed by the user to engage the thread with the gripper followed by actuation of the gripper to insert the thread within the eye of the needle in accordance with dimensions of the eye of the needle.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a needle insertion assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a needle insertion assistive device that is capable of inserting the threads in the needle by monitoring the dimension of the needle. In addition, the device also monitors the type of fabric of the cloth in accordance to which the force is applied on the cloth.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of a needle insertion assistive device is illustrated comprising a cylindrical body 1 developed to be worn over a finger of a user, air compressor 2 linked with the body 1, a microphone 3 installed over the body 1, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 installed over the body 1, a semi-spherical member 5 attached over the body 1 and installed with an iris unit 6, a pneumatic pusher 7 is installed over the body 1 and positioned in proximity to the iris unit 6 and a motorized gripper 8 is installed over the body 1 via a robotic arm 9.

[0023] The proposed device includes a cylindrical body 1 developed to be worn over a finger of a user, a cushioned inflatable layer is installed over inner periphery of the body 1 and linked with an air compressor 2 that actuates to inflate the layer to grip the finger in an appropriate manner. The air compressor 2 works in the way that in a single stroke, the piston compresses the air. One entire turn of the crankshaft, which drives the piston, is referred to as a stroke. The rotor's rotation causes a single piston to rise and fall. The opening valve pulls ambient air into the inflatable layer as the piston goes down. The air is compressed as it is pushed into the output layer when the piston rises. The compressed air is then pumped through the output of the compressor that aids in the inflation of the inflatable member 5.

[0024] Further, a microphone 3 installed over the body 1 to receive voice command of a user regrading assistance in inserting a needle positioned in proximity, in a cloth. The microphone 3 is an electronic unit that translates sound vibration in the air into an electronic signal and scribes them to a microcontroller. The microphone 3 consists of a diaphragm, magnet wrapped with a coil, wherein when the user provides voice commands regarding insertion of the needle, then the sound wave hits the diaphragm. This cause the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to the microcontroller that analyses the signal and fetch the command from the user.

[0025] Based on the detected command, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 installed over the body 1 to determine diameter of the needle in sync with an ultrasonic sensor. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the needle. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the imaging unit 4 is real-time images of the needle. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal analyzes and detects the diameter of the needle in sync with an ultrasonic sensor.

[0026] The ultrasonic sensor consists of a transducer that functions as both a transmitter and a receiver that works in collaboration to detect the diameter of the needle. The transducer typically contains a piezoelectric crystal or a similar material. When an electrical signal is applied to the crystal, it vibrates at a high frequency, typically in the ultrasonic range above 20 kHz. When the transducer is activated, it converts the electrical energy into mechanical vibrations or waves. These vibrations are transmitted as a focused beam of ultrasonic waves in the needle.

[0027] The ultrasonic waves propagate outward in a cone-shaped pattern from the transducer. The same transducer that emitted the ultrasonic waves now acts as a receiver. It detects the reflected after hitting the surface of the needle and converts them back into electrical signals. The sensor measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel from the sensor to the surface of the needle. The ultrasonic sensor now starts a timer when the waves are emitted and stops it when the reflected waves are detected. The elapsed time is known as the "time of flight" (TOF). Using the known speed of sound in the medium through which the waves are travelling, the diameter of the needle is detected.

[0028] Further, a semi-spherical member 5 attached over the body 1 and installed with an iris unit 6 that is actuated by the microcontroller to opening in view of enabling the user to insert back portion of the needle in the member 5 via the iris unit 6. The iris unit 6 is the removable cover of something, or is an action to stop something whose operation is monitored using motor connected to the microcontroller that controls the bidirectional motion of the blades of the iris unit 6 to open or close. The anticlockwise motion of the motor regulates the blades to open, similarly, the clockwise motion of the motor regulates the blade to close. The opening of the blades of the iris unit 6 aids in the insertion of the needle in the semi-spherical member 5, further the iris unit 6 is reactivated to close and grip the needle in a secured manner.

[0029] Further, a textile sensor installed over the member 5 to monitor type of fabric of the cloth. The textile sensor works by integrating conductive materials into the fabric, allowing it to detect and measure various
physical properties such as pressure, temperature, or even movement. These
conductive materials can be in the form of threads, fibers, or coatings that
are used as the cloth. When a force or stimulus is applied to
the textile sensor, changes in electrical conductivity occur, which is then converted into measurable signals for analysis and interpretation. After that the signal are calibrated to determine the type of fabric.

[0030] As the type of the fabric is determined the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over the needle for inserting the needle within the cloth. Moreover, a pneumatic pusher 7 is installed over the body 1 and positioned in proximity to the iris unit 6 to extend and apply the evaluated pressure over the needle to insert the needle within the cloth. The pneumatic pusher 7 comprises of a compressor filled with compressed air which controls the orientations such as extraction and retraction of the pusher 7. The pneumatic unit also includes air valves and piston attached with the pusher 7. The piston is coupled to the pusher 7 penetrating the compressed air released from the compressor over the pusher 7. The valves used herein, are air valves installed between the compressor and piston that upon actuation enables release of the compressed air through the piston that leads to extension/retraction of the pusher 7 to apply pressure over the needle to insert the needle within the cloth.

[0031] Further, a force capacitive sensor is installed over the pusher 7 to monitor force applied by the pusher 7 over the needle. The force capacitive sensor works when a force is applied to the surface of needle then a conductive polymer film alters its resistance in a predictable manner. This film is made up of sub-micrometer-sized, electrically conducting and non-conducting particles that are organized in a matrix formation. When force is applied to the surface of this film place on the object then the micro sized particle comes into contact with the sensor electrodes, causing the film's resistance to change. The amount of change in resistance values provides a measure of the amount of force exerted. Then the force sensor converts the resistance values in to an electronic signal that gets transmitted to the microcontroller that analyses the force and in case the monitored force recedes of exceeds the evaluated force, the microcontroller directs the pusher 7 to regulate the applied force.

[0032] Further, a proximity sensor is installed over the body 1 and synced with the imaging unit 4 to monitor distance of the member 5 from the cloth. The proximity sensor integrated on the body 1 comprises of a transducer, wherein the proximity sensor work by sending out a sound wave at a frequency above the range of human hearing. The transducer of the sensor acts both as a sound receiver and a sound emitter to receive and send the ultrasonic sound wave respectively. As the transducer sends the sound wave, the wave cloth that is in proximity to the needle and reflects back to the transducer. Then the proximity sensor analyses the distance of the cloth from the needle by measuring time lapses between the sending and receiving of the sound wave. As the proximity sensor analyses the distance, it converts the measured distance into electrical signal and transmit that signal to the microcontroller that analyses the distance and in case the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the pusher 7 to insert the needle in the cloth.

[0033] Continually, a motorized gripper 8 is installed over the body 1 via a robotic arm 9 and accessed by the user to engage the thread with the gripper 8. The robotic arm 9 used herein comprises of a shoulder, elbow and wrist as the gripper 8. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arm that allows the upper part of the arm to move the lower section independently. Lastly the wrist is at the tip of the upper arm and attached to the end effector works as the gripper 8 that acts to insert the thread within the eye of the needle in accordance with dimensions of the eye of the needle.

[0034] Lastly, a battery is associated with the device that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of the device. A battery is a device that converts chemical energy contained within its active materials directly into electric energy by means of an electrochemical oxidation and provides the power supply to other components.

[0035] The present invention works best in the following manner where the cylindrical body 1 developed to be worn over the finger of the user with the cushioned inflatable layer linked with the air compressor 2 that actuates to inflate the layer to grip the finger. The microphone 3 receive voice command of the user regrading assistance in inserting the needle positioned in proximity, to the cloth. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 determines diameter of the needle. The semi-spherical member 5 installed with the iris unit 6 is actuated by the microcontroller to open for enabling the user to insert back portion of the needle in the member 5. The textile sensor monitor type of fabric of the cloth and according the microcontroller evaluates the appropriate force to be applied over the needle for inserting the needle within the cloth. The pneumatic pusher 7 extend and apply the evaluated pressure over the needle to insert the needle within the cloth.

[0036] Additionally, the force capacitive sensor monitor force applied by the pusher 7 over the needle the microcontroller directs the pusher 7 to regulate the applied force. The proximity sensor monitor distance of the member 5 from the cloth and only in case the monitored distance recedes the threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the pusher 7 to insert the needle in the cloth. The ultrasonic sensor synced with the imaging unit 4 monitor dimensions of eye of the needle. The motorized gripper 8 via a robotic arm 9 engage the thread with the gripper 8 to insert the thread within the eye of the needle in accordance with dimensions of the eye of the needle.

[0037] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A needle insertion assistive device, comprising:

i) a cylindrical body 1 developed to be worn over a finger of a user, wherein a cushioned inflatable layer is installed over inner periphery of said body 1 and linked with an air compressor 2 that actuates to inflate said layer to grip said finger in an appropriate manner;
ii) a microphone 3 installed over said body 1 to receive voice command of a user regrading assistance in inserting a needle positioned in proximity, in a cloth, wherein based on user input, a microcontroller linked with said microphone 3 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 4 installed over said body 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said needle, based on which said microcontroller linked with said processor, determines diameter of said needle;
iii) a semi-spherical member 5 attached over said body 1 and installed with an iris unit 6 that is actuated by said microcontroller to opening in view of enabling said user to insert back portion of said needle in said member 5 via said iris unit 6 followed by re-actuation of said iris unit 6 to close and grip said needle in a secured manner; and
iv) a textile sensor installed over said member 5 to monitor type of fabric of said cloth and according said microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over said needle for inserting said needle within said cloth, wherein a pneumatic pusher 7 is installed over said body 1 and positioned in proximity to said iris unit 6 to extend and apply said evaluated pressure over said needle to insert said needle within said cloth.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a force capacitive sensor is installed over said pusher 7 to monitor force applied by said pusher 7 over said needle and in case said monitored force recedes of exceeds said evaluated force, said microcontroller directs said pusher 7 to regulate said applied force.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is installed over said body 1 and synced with said imaging unit 4 to monitor distance of said member 5 from said cloth and only in case said monitored distance recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said pusher 7 to insert said needle in said cloth.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said user by means of said microphone 3 provide command regrading insertion of a thread in eye of said needle, said microcontroller actuates an ultrasonic sensor installed over said body 1 and synced with said imaging unit 4 to monitor dimensions of eye of said needle.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 4, wherein a motorized gripper 8 is installed over said body 1 via a robotic arm 9 and accessed by said user to engage said thread with said gripper 8 followed by actuation of said gripper 8 to insert said thread within said eye of said needle in accordance with dimensions of said eye of said needle.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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