Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-07-24
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S167000, C345S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266047
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
A computer mouse operate by the thumb and little finger to prevent pain, inflammations and repetitive strain injury of the upper extremity.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present invention prevents and eliminates pain, inflammation and repetitive strain injury and cumulative traumatic disorders of the upper extremity of a person using a computer mouse.
Specifically, the present invention prevents and eliminates the stress and strain of the bodily structures passing through the carpal tunnel of the wrist of a person using a computer mouse.
Specifically, the present invention uses the muscles of the thenar and hypothenar eminences which move and control the thumb and fifth digit, respectively, and are independent, i.e. outside, of said ipsilateral carpal tunnel to prevent and eliminate pain, inflammation and repetitive strain injury and cumulative traumatic disorders of the upper extremity of a person using a computer mouse.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer mouses of prior art use mostly the forefinger and lesser extent the middle finger and ring finger to click the left and right buttons of said mouse. The tendomuscular structures and their sheath including nerves and blood vessels pass through the narrow carpal tunnel. Ipsilateral thumb and little finger of the computer and mouse operator are not used for the above function and application of said mouse.
Cumulative traumatic disorders and repetitive strain injury of the upper extremity including fingers, wrist and forearm are commonly associate with said computer mouses of prior art. For example, in carpal tunnel syndrome, the current thinking is that the repetitive stroking of the click buttons by the said fingers eventually and causally results in the cumulative traumatic disorders of the flexor tendons, tendon sheaths and associated structures in the carpal tunnel, and consequently, compressive injury to the adjacent median nerve in same carpal tunnel. Debilitating inflammations, pain and dysfunction syndrome ensue costing Americans billions of dollars per annum of loss wages, earning and productivity, not to mention the intangible cost of suffering. As computer and laptop configuration become more commonly used the aforementioned problems will surely increase.
The computer mice of prior art including the so-called ergonomic mice are widely used and sold in the market and all suffer from the same set back as discussed supra.
The present invention eliminates and prevents said injuries and disorders by using the thumb and the little finger of one hand of the computer and mouse operator to interact with and operate and activate said mouse in the process of using and operating computer and laptop computer configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The computer mice of prior art including the so-called ergonomic mice are widely used and sold in the market and all are associated with debilitating inflammations, pain and dysfunction syndrome such as carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury and cumulative traumatic disorders of the upper extremity of the operator.
A computer mouse which eliminates the function and involvement of the forefinger, middle finger and ring finger comprises a shell whose inclined back top surface is so contoured to position the palm of the computer and mouse operator at 30 degree extension to the horizontal surface, and the inclined front surface minimizes and, better yet, eliminates the movement of muscles and tendons of the forefinger, middle finger and ring finger. The mouse, and therefore, the computers are operated by the muscles of the thenar and hypothenar eminences whereby a left click button and a right click button are operated by the muscles of the thenar and hypothenar eminences, respectively. Alternatively, by reversibly locking the click buttons to a reversible nonmovable position, two broad skin surface myoelectrical electrode pads of the mouse on which the thenar and hypothenar eminences contourly fit and rest detect and transmit myoelectrical potential change and current signal cause by the activities of the muscles of the thenar and hypothenar eminences to the computer devices as a part of the control and interaction between the operator, mouse and computer devices. Two vertical, longitudinal, interdigital ridge members on the surface of top shell of the mouse are grasped and held by the fore, middle and ring fingers to move, hold, lift, manipulate and stabilize the mouse. The mouse prevents pain and dysfunction syndrome, inflammations and repetitive strain injuries of the upper extremity.
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Bowers Benjamin D.
Hjerpe Richard
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