Method and device for monitoring a muscle or group of muscles

• US 20030135132A1
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tensor Corporation (Catalina Lighting Inc.), Smartsense BV
• Original Assignee: Tensor Corporation (Catalina Lighting Inc.), Smartsense BV
• Inventors: Krullaards, Robert Leonard
• Application Number:
  US10/168,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20030135132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a muscle or group of muscles, comprising the steps of measuring the load on a muscle or group of muscles, comparing the load with a first threshold value and generating a warning signal when the measured load exceeds the first threshold value. The invention also relates to a device for monitoring a muscle or group of muscles, comprising a sensor for measuring the load on the muscle or group of muscles, comparing means connected to the sensor for comparing the measured load with the determined first threshold value and signalling means connected to the comparing means for generating a warning signal when the measured value exceeds a threshold value. This enables the use of a feedback system whereby the attention of the user is drawn to a situation in which he or she is moving towards a determined position possibly resulting in muscular problems.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring a muscle or group of muscles, comprising the steps of measuring the load on a muscle or group of muscles, comparing the load with a first threshold value and generating a warning signal when the measured load exceeds the first threshold value.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a part of the body connected to the muscle or group of muscles for monitoring is monitored and a third warning signal is generated when the monitored part of the body performs a movement.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the load on the muscle or group of muscles is measured by an element placed outside the body.

5. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the load on more than one muscle or group of muscles is detected.

6. Method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that signals from more than one muscle or group of muscles are fed to a collective signalling device.

2. Method as claimed in claim l, characterized in that the time is measured from the moment the threshold value is exceeded, and a second warning signal is generated when the measured time exceeds a threshold value.

7. Device for monitoring a muscle or group of muscles, comprising a sensor for measuring the load on the muscle or group of muscles, comparing means connected to the sensor for comparing the measured load with the determined first threshold value and signalling means connected to the comparing means for generating a warning signal when the measured value exceeds a threshold value.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the device comprises time-measuring means connected to the sensor and the comparing means for measuring the time from the moment the threshold value is exceeded, and that the signalling means are adapted to generate a second warning signal when the measured time exceeds a threshold value.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sensor is formed by a movement sensor or by a pressure sensor.

10. Device as claimed in any of the claims 7-9, characterized in that the sensor is adapted to be used in mechanical contact with the body.

11. Device as claimed in claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that a wireless signal transmission path is arranged between the sensor and the signalling means.

12. Device as claimed in any of the claims 7-11, characterized in that the signalling means are adapted to receive signals from more than one sensor.

13. Device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the sensors from which the signalling means receive the signals are placed to sense the load of muscles or groups of muscles belonging to a person.

14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-13, characterized in that the signalling means are arranged in a digital computer programmed for this purpose.

15. Device as claimed in any of the claims 7-14, characterized in that the sensor is arranged in an object to be used by hand, such as a writing instrument, a mouse, a stroke-making element for use in sport, or a tool.

16. Device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the comparing means and the signalling means are arranged in the object to be used by hand.

17. Device as claimed in any of the claims 7-14, characterized in that the sensor is adapted to be in mechanical connection with the shoulders, the back, the seat or the soles of the feet.