System for detecting and analyzing body motion

• US 20070032748A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 608442 BC Limited
• Original Assignee: 608442 BC Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Michael, Rizun, Pete, McNeil, Russell, Jiang, Alex, Hue, William
• Application Number:
  US11/190,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20070032748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence

Abstract

A portable sensor system that uses acceleration-insensitive, three-dimensional angle sensors located at various points on the patient'"'"'s body, and collects data on the frequency and nature of the movements over extended periods of time.

Claims

1. A system for determining a patient'"'"'s body position, comprising:

a) at least two portable acceleration insensitive 3-dimensional sensors, said sensors fastenable to desired portions of said patient'"'"'s body, wherein each of said 3-dimensional sensors has;

i. an accelerometer component operative to perform acceleration measurements along 3 orthogonal axes;

ii. a gyroscopic component operative to measure rotational velocity along said 3 orthogonal axes; and

iii. a magnetometer component operative to perform magnetic measurements along said 3 orthogonal axes;

b) a portable data memory unit, fastenable to said patient'"'"'s body and connected to said sensors, said data memory unit for receiving and storing data from said sensors;

c) a data processing unit, for processing said data to determine relative positions of said sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each one of said 3-dimensional sensors has 2 accelerometers, 3 gyroscopes and 2 magnetometers, and wherein each one of said accelerometers and said magnetometer is capable of performing measurements along two of said axes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said data memory unit is connected to said sensors by a wireless connection.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said data processing unit is a PC.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are connected to said data memory unit in one of a daisy chain and a star configuration.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said data memory unit is clipped or fastened to a belt of the patient.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said data memory unit is capable of relaying said data to said data processing unit in real time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises 6 of said 3-D sensors, such that one of said 3-D sensors may be fastened to each of the patient'"'"'s upper arms, upper legs, upper spine and lower spine.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a foot sensor for placement under each of the patient'"'"'s feet, wherein said foot sensors are connected to said data memory unit and are operative to sense pressure.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said data memory unit stores said data from said sensors for delayed transference to said data processing unit.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said data is transmitted to said data processing unit from said data memory unit one of wirelessly, through a cable, and with a memory card.

12. A system for determining a patient'"'"'s body position, comprising:

a) at least two portable acceleration insensitive 3-dimensional sensors, said sensors fastenable to desired portions of said patient'"'"'s body, wherein each of said 3-dimensional sensors has;

i. an accelerometer component operative to perform acceleration measurements along 3 orthogonal axes;

ii. a gyroscopic component operative to measure rotational velocity along said 3 orthogonal axes; and

iii. a magnetometer component operative to perform magnetic measurements along said 3 orthogonal axes;

b) a portable data memory unit, fastenable to said patient'"'"'s body and connected to said sensors, for receiving and storing data from said sensors.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each one of said 3-dimensional sensors has 2 accelerometers, 3 gyroscopes and 2 magnetometers, and wherein each one of said accelerometers and said magnetometer is capable of performing measurements along two of said axes.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said data memory unit is connected to said sensors by a wireless connection.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said data from said sensors is relayed to a data processing unit, either after a delay or in real time, wherein said data processing unit processes said data to determine relative positions of said sensors.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said data processing unit is a PC.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein said sensors are connected to said data memory unit in one of a daisy chain and a star configuration.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein said data memory unit is clipped or fastened to a belt of the patient.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein said system comprises 6 of said 3-D sensors, such that one of said 3-D sensors may be fastened to each of the patient'"'"'s upper arms, upper legs, upper spine and lower spine.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein said system further comprises a foot sensor for placement under each of the patient'"'"'s feet, wherein said foot sensors are connected to said data memory unit and are operative to sense pressure.

21. A system for determining a patient'"'"'s body position, comprising:

a) 6 portable acceleration insensitive 3-dimensional sensors, said 3-dimensional sensors fastenable to the patient'"'"'s upper and lower spine, upper arms and upper legs, wherein each of said 3-dimensional sensors has;

i. an accelerometer component operative to perform acceleration measurements along 3 orthogonal axes;

ii. a gyroscopic component operative to measure rotational velocity along said 3 orthogonal axes; and

iii. a magnetometer component operative to perform magnetic measurements along said 3 orthogonal axes;

b) a portable data memory unit, fastenable to said patient'"'"'s body and connected to said sensors, for receiving and storing data from said sensors.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein each one of said 3-dimensional sensors has 2 accelerometers, 3 gyroscopes and 2 magnetometers, and wherein each one of said accelerometers and said magnetometer is capable of performing measurements along two of said axes.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said data memory unit is connected to said sensors by a wireless connection.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said data from said sensors is relayed to a data processing unit, either after a delay or in real time, wherein said data processing unit processes said data to determine relative positions of said sensors.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said data processing unit is a PC.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensors are connected to said data memory unit in one of a daisy chain and a star configuration.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein said data memory unit is clipped or fastened to a belt of the patient.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein said system further comprises a foot sensor for placement under each of the patient'"'"'s feet, wherein said foot sensors are connected to said data memory unit and are operative to sense pressure.