System and method for gait training

• US 20060292533A1
• Filed: 06/22/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: O-Gait, L.P.
• Original Assignee: O-Gait, L.P.
• Inventors: Selod, Omar F.
• Application Number:
  US11/158,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20060292533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/02 Crutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A gait training system comprising an ambulation assistance device operable to provide support for an ambulating user and a target projection device attached to said ambulation assistance device, the target projection device operable to project a guide target on a predetermined position on a surface, the guide target positioned so a user can step on the guide target while ambulating in a predetermined gait.

Claims

1. A gait training system comprising:

an ambulation assistance device operable to provide support for an ambulating user; and

a target projection device attached to said ambulation assistance device, said target projection device operable to project a guide target on a predetermined position on a surface, said guide target positioned so a user can step on said guide target while ambulating in a predetermined gait.

2. The gait training system of claim 1 wherein said target projection device is adjustable to move said target.

3. The gait training system of claim 2 wherein said target projection device is adjusted automatically.

4. The gait training system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of target projection devices.

5. The gait training system of claim 1 wherein said target projection device is operable to project a plurality of guide targets.

6. The gait training system of claim 1 wherein said ambulation assistance device comprises:

a control switch connected to said target projection device, said control switch operable to turn the device on and off automatically.

7. The gait training system of claim 1 wherein said target projection device comprises an energy source for projecting said guide target selected from the group consisting of:

laser energy source, sound energy source, radiofrequency energy source, and visible light energy source.

8. The gait training system of claim 1 further comprising:

a motion sensor and a timer, and wherein said target projection device is activated when said motion sensor detects no motion within a predetermined time period measured by said timer.

9. The gait training system of claim 1 further comprising:

a speaker for providing aural stimuli, said speaker connected to said target projection device, said speaker activated when a user steps on said guide target.

10. The gait training system of claim 1 further comprising:

a vibrating device for providing tactile stimuli, said vibrating device connected to said target projection device, said vibrating device activated when a user steps on said guide target.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

detecting whether said guide target has been stepped on; and

providing a stimuli when said guide target has been stepped on.

11. A method for gait training comprising:

providing an ambulation assistance device operable to provide support for an ambulating user;

providing a target projection device attached to said ambulation assistance device, adjusting said target projecting device to project a guide target on a surface suitable for ambulation, at a position on said surface selected to have a user step on; and

projecting said guide target.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

adjusting said guide target based on user ambulation characteristics.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said projecting comprises:

projecting said guide target when said ambulation assistance device has not moved for a predetermined amount of time.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said target projection device comprises an energy source selected from the group consisting of:

laser energy source, sound energy source, radiofrequency energy source, and visible light energy source.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

adjusting said guide target according to treatment goals for a user.

17. An apparatus for gait training comprising:

means for projecting a guide target at a predetermined location, said guide target location coincident with a desired location for a user to step on, said desired location predetermined to assist with therapy of a gait disorder; and

means for attaching said means for projecting to an ambulation assistance device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

means for detecting energy from said guide target projected from said means for projecting, said means connected to said means for projecting.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for projecting further comprises:

means for projecting said guide target when said ambulation assistance device has not moved for a predetermined amount of time.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

means for providing user stimuli, said means connected to said ambulation assist device, said user stimuli selected from the group consisting of;

aural stimuli, tactile stimuli, and combinations thereof.