Posture measurment and feedback instrument for seated occupations

• US 20020151824A1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Fischer
• Original Assignee: Peter Fischer
• Inventors: Fischer, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 6,673,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4561 Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature A61B5/1116 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

A posture measurement and feedback instrument for seated occupations comprising a signal source and a receiver attached to either half of a hinge. The receiver is connected to a portable housing (26) containing a microprocessor and feedback means. When applied to the skin covering the xyphoid process, the hinge hinges in response to slumping and reliably changes the received signal accordingly. The microprocessor triggers feedback in response to defined thresholds of harmful postural slump and immobility. A telemetry set can be connected to the microprocessor and allows for a transmission of the posture data to a personal computer where the data may be recorded and may trigger feedback while the computer user wearing the posture measurement and feedback instrument is using the computer for unrelated purposes. One of the computer feedback options offered is that a particular postural dysfunction automatically triggers the display of those exercises that are best suited to reverse or prevent the harmful effects of that particular postural dysfunction. After reprogramming the microprocessor of telecommunication devices such as cellular phones or pagers and connecting them with a posture sensor, the such modified telecommunication devices may be utilized for inconspicuous and inexpensive posture measurement and feedback by the telecommunication user group.

Claims

1. A method for indirectly assessing positions and movements of body parts of a subject comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a signal source and a receiver to either half of a hinge, causing the received signal to change when said hinge pivots,

(b) choosing a suitable skin area having properties causing said skin to deform in response to a defined posture change, and

(c) applying said hinge to said suitable skin area causing said hinge to pivot and change said received signal in response to said defined posture change,

whereby multidimensional movement of said skin deformation is translated into one reliable plane of rotation around the axis of said hinge.

2. A method for indirectly measuring the degree of slump comprising the steps of:

(a) choosing the skin area covering the xyphoid process where slumping causes the body to bend while upper and lower extremity movements and breathing have no significant effect, and

(b) applying to said skin area a sensing means that provides an output in response to said bending.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said output is compared to a stored threshold value and triggers a feedback signal when said threshold is reached or exceeded.

4. A method for posture feedback to a user of a common telecommunication device comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an output of a posture sensing means to said telecommunication device of said user, and

(b) installing software on said telecommunication device which allows said telecommunication device to store a posture threshold value and generate a feedback signal when said output reaches or exceeds said threshold,

whereby inconspicuous and cost efficient posture measurement and feedback means become available to the user of said telecommunication device.

5. A method for posture feedback to a computer user and storage of posture data of said computer user comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an output of a posture sensing means to the computer of said computer user,

(b) installing software on said computer which allows said computer to store said output from said posture sensing means and a posture threshold value, and

(c) generating a feedback signal based on said output while said computer is being used for an unrelated purpose,

wherein said feedback signal alerts said user if said output reaches or exceeds said stored threshold value.

6. A method for providing immobility feedback comprising the steps of:

(a) sampling posture data obtained with a posture measurement means with a defined sampling frequency,

(b) subtracting values of consecutive samples,

(c) adding the absolute values of said differences between said consecutive samples,

(d) comparing said sum to a threshold that defines immobility, and

(e) alerting a person if said sum meets or exceeds said threshold.

7. A method for providing automatic exercise feedback comprising the steps of:

(a) compiling a menu of exercises suited to reverse or prevent the harmful effects of postural dysfunction,

(b) collecting posture data with a means of posture measurement,

(c) comparing said data to a threshold that defines said postural dysfunction, and

(d) automatically selecting exercises from said menu that are best suited to reverse or prevent said harmful effects of said postural dysfunction when said threshold is reached or surpassed.