Innovation of the week: A vibrating pen for Parkinson's patients

A vibrating pen "may be the key to improving the writing" of people with Parkinson's disease, said Lance Whitney at CNET.com. As Parkinson's progresses, patients' muscles seize up, which causes their handwriting to become increasingly small and cramped. The ARC pen, designed by British firm Dopa Solution, "uses high-frequency vibration to stimulate the muscles in the hand," giving patients the sensation of greater control and allowing them to produce clearer, larger writing.

The pen's thick, wedge-shaped design also makes it easier to grip. In a small-scale trial, the device improved patients' writing 86 percent of the time. The ARC pen remains in the testing phase, and Dopa Solution is searching for sponsors to help with its development. The firm is also "looking to apply its vibration technology to other products to assist those with Parkinson's."

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