Brace compliance monitor

• US 20070149359A1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nemours Foundation
• Original Assignee: Nemours Foundation
• Inventors: Bowen, J., Rahman, Tarig
• Granted Patent: US 7,632,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions

Abstract

A brace compliance monitor is disclosed that includes a compliance sensor, a signal processor, and a display. Compliance data displayed on the display to provide the patient or subject with immediate compliance information on whether they have been wearing the brace for the specified period and in the specified manner. The brace compliance monitor may also include a secondary sensor such as a tilt sensor, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a velocity sensor. The secondary sensors may provide additional compliance data to the patient and health care provider.

Claims

1. A monitor providing compliance feedback for a brace comprising:

a sensor to determine compliant usage of the brace and output a compliance signal;

an attitude sensor to determine an attitude of the brace;

a processor to process and store the compliance signal as compliance data and determine a compliance result based upon the compliance data and a predetermined compliance protocol; and

an output device to output at least one of the compliance result or an attitude of the brace.

2. The monitor according to claim 1 wherein said output device is configured to output the compliance result in response to user interaction.

3. The monitor according to claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a light sensor, and a capacitance sensor to determine compliance.

4. The monitor according to claim 1 wherein said attitude sensor comprises at least one of a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, a velocity sensor, a pressure sensor and a force sensor.

5. The monitor according to claim 4 wherein the attitude is at least one of sitting, lying down, standing, or walking.

6. The monitor according to claim 1 further comprising an input device that receives the compliance protocol to the signal processor.

7. The monitor according to claim 1 further comprising a display that displays the compliance result on the display.

8. The monitor providing compliance feedback for a brace according to claim 1 in combination with a scoliosis brace.