Sensor and analyzer for determining physiological limitations

• US 20060282018A1
• Filed: 05/22/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Original Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Inventors: Balzano, Alfiero
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/62 posture

Abstract

A sensing and analyzing device for determining when physical limits of a patient have been exceeded by the patient during exercise is provided. The device may comprise a sensing unit, analyzing unit and a warning unit. The sensing unit may be attached to critical locations on a body of the patient. The sensing unit may be operative to sense pressure. The analyzing unit may be attached to a convenient location on the patient'"'"'s body. The analyzing unit may be operative to receive pressure data from the sensing unit to determine whether the patient has exceeded the physical limits of the patient. The warning unit may communicate with the analyzing unit and be activated by the analyzing unit when the physical limit of the patient has been exceeded for notifying the patient when the patient'"'"'s physical limits have been exceeded.

Claims

1. A sensing and analyzing device for determining when physical limits of a patient have been exceeded by the patient during exercise, the device comprising:

a. a sensing unit attachable to critical locations on a body of the patient, the sensing unit operative to sense pressure; and

b. an analyzing unit attachable to a convenient location on the patient'"'"'s body, the analyzing unit operative to received pressure data from the sensing unit to determine whether the patient has exceeded the physical limits of the patient;

c. a warning unit being communicable with the analyzing unit and being activatable by the analyzing unit when the physical limit of the patient has been exceeded for notifying the patient when the patient'"'"'s physical limits have been exceeded.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensing unit comprises:

i. at least one flex cable; and

ii. at least one sensing pad for sensing pressure at a distal end of the flex cable.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the sensing pad has a domed configuration which applies pressure to a conductor in the flex cable when a force is applied to the sensing pad to change a resistance of the conductor.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensing unit is attachable to an underside surface of a foot of the patient.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a flex cable for providing a communication pathway between the sensing unit and the analyzing unit to transfer data from the sensing unit to the analyzing unit.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the flex cable comprises:

a. an upper portion communicable with the analyzing unit;

b. a lower portion communicable with the sensing unit and the upper portion; and

c. connector attached to the upper portion and the lower portion for connecting the upper portion to the lower portion.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a remote device connectable to the connectors of the upper portion for downloading data stored in a memory of the analyzing unit.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a remote device connectable to the analyzing unit for downloading data stored in a memory of the analyzing unit.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the analyzing unit comprises:

i. an adjustable threshold logic network for determining whether the physical limits of the patient have been exceeded;

ii. a memory for storing sensed data received from the sensing unit; and

iii. a clock and a sampler logic network for transferring data from the sensing unit to the memory in a timed sequence.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the warning unit comprises a buzzer, audio alarm, a light, or combinations thereof.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a strap connected to the analyzing unit for attaching the analyzing unit to the patient.