Control and Integration of Sensory Data

• US 20080140137A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated), Trustees of Boston University
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated)
• Inventors: Oddsson, Lars I.E., Meyer, Peter Francis, Wall, Conrad III
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance

Abstract

A sensory data integration system for integrating sensory data generated by a first sensory substitution device and sensory data generated by a second sensory substitution device. The system includes a processor configured to generate an orientation signal indicative of a difference between a subject'"'"'s orientation and an acceptable orientation. The orientation signal is based on the sensory data generated by the first sensory substitution device and the sensory data generated by the second sensory substitution device.

Claims

1. A sensory data integration system for integrating sensory data generated by a first sensory substitution device and sensory data generated by a second sensory substitution device, the system comprising:

a processor configured to generate an orientation signal indicative of a difference between a subject'"'"'s orientation and an acceptable orientation, the orientation signal being based on the sensory data generated by the first sensory substitution device and the sensory data generated by the second sensory substitution device.

2. The sensory data integration system of claim 1, further comprising a stimulator configured to present a stimulus to a subject based on the orientation signal.

3-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method of providing cues to a balance-impaired subject, the method comprising:

obtaining first data from a first sensory substitution device;

obtaining second data from a second sensory substitution device;

determining an acceptable state of the subject based on the first and the second data;

providing an orientation cue to the subject based on the acceptable state, the first data, and the second data, with the cue being indicative of the acceptable state.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the orientation cue includes providing a tactile cue.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the orientation cue includes providing an audio cue.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the orientation cue includes providing a visual cue.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the orientation cue includes providing an electrical cue.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a context of the subject based on the first data and the second data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the acceptable state is determined based on the context.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the orientation cue is provided based further on the context.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising deactivating the first sensory substitution device based on the context.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein obtaining first data comprises obtaining data indicative of a pressure on the subject'"'"'s foot.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein obtaining second data comprises obtaining data indicative of the subject'"'"'s orientation.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein obtaining first data comprises obtaining data indicative of when a subject'"'"'s heel strikes the ground.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that the subject is rising from a chair, and wherein providing an orientation cue comprises providing the orientation cue following a time sufficient to allow the subject to transition from a sitting position to a standing position.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that the subject is standing on a slope.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that the subject is walking upstairs.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that the subject is walking, and wherein providing a cue comprises providing a cue selected to encourage the subject to maintain a forward pitch.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that the subject is carrying a load, and wherein providing a cue comprises providing a cue selected to encourage the subject to lean in an antipodal direction.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a context comprises determining that wet conditions prevail, and wherein providing an orientation cue comprises providing an orientation cue selected to encourage the subject to maintain a pitch angle within a selected threshold of vertical, the selected threshold being dependent on whether wet or dry conditions prevail.

21. A balance prosthesis comprising:

a first sensory substitution device that generates a first set of sensory data and has a first set-point;

a second sensory substitution device that generates a second set of sensory data and has a second set-point;

an integration system in communication with the first sensory substitution device and the second sensory substitution device, the integration system including;

a processor configured to

generate an orientation signal based on the first and second sets of sensory data, and

update the first set-point based on the first and second sets of sensory data.