Dr. Luke Barr, an Evansville-based neurologist, has invented a simple yet effective tool, the Polyform-1h, to help patients regain hand function in stroke and brain injury patients. Photo from Plasticity Neurorehabilitation’s website.

News Release

EVANSVILLE — An Evansville neurologist, Dr. Luke Barr, has invented a simple yet effective tool, the Polyform-1h, to help patients regain hand function in stroke and brain injury patients.

Dr. Barr is the founder of Plasticity Neurorehabilitation and director of neurology at the Evansville-based Deaconess Health System.

Reportedly, 80% of patients who lose hand function after a stroke or brain injury never regain it. The invention is a knob and paddle device which has already helped a roster of his patients.

According to Barr, research shows bi-manual tasks are more successful at generating new brain connections than one-handed tasks, which is why his invention is helpful. His device, unlike others that are on the market, is affordable and simple.

To use the device, the patient holds it in their hands, squeezes the knob for a couple seconds with their compromised hand, release their grip, then use the paddle feature to rotate the device with the opposite hand and repeat. The device will, hopefully, force the power of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s natural ability to rewire itself.

University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Researched helped Dr. Barr 3-D print his first prototypes of the device. Catalyst, an Indianapolis-based product development firm, manufactured the first batch of devices.

To learn more about the device, click here.