PHYSICAL THERAPY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20080243038A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harold H. Bennett
• Original Assignee: Harold H. Bennett
• Inventors: Bennett, Harold H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2060/464 Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/67 adaptively or by learning from player actions, e.g. skill level adjustment or by storing successful combat sequences for re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6027 using adaptive systems learning from user actions, e.g. for skill level adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

A system and method for developing an individual'"'"'s physical abilities includes measuring one or more physical ability of an individual and establishing control parameters of a game such that operation of the game at a beginning level is within the individual'"'"'s measured physical ability. The degree of physical ability shown by the individual over time of game play is monitored, and the control parameters are gradually modified to require a progressively greater physical ability of the individual than required at the beginning level. The system includes an input device, e.g., a joystick, that is operated by the individual to play the game. The system records aspects related to game play, such as frequency and duration of play, specific actions or motions, and changes in physical ability. A therapist is then able to review the record and modify system settings to optimize improvement by the individual.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

measuring one or more physical ability of an individual;

establishing control parameters of a game such that operation of the video game at a beginning level is within the individual'"'"'s measured physical ability;

monitoring a degree of physical ability shown by the individual over time of game play; and

modifying the control parameters at a level above the beginning level to require a greater physical ability of the individual than required at the beginning level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying includes modifying the control parameters of the game such that operation of the game at successive levels above the beginning level of the game require progressively greater physical ability.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the modifying includes, at some level of the game, modifying the control parameters of the game such that operation of the game requires physical ability that exceed the individual'"'"'s measured physical ability.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising collecting data relative to the individual'"'"'s play of the game.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising evaluating the collected data and revising the control parameters of the game according to changes in the individual'"'"'s physical ability as indicated by the collected data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring includes measuring at least one range of motion of the individual'"'"'s hand.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring includes measuring the individual'"'"'s grip strength of one or both hands.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring includes measuring a level of strength of the individual.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising setting parameters of a software program that performs the monitoring and the modifying.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the setting comprises:

evaluating results of the measuring;

estimating a degree of improvement in physical ability possible by the individual while playing the game; and

setting the parameters of the software to perform the modifying in a way that completion of the game requires the estimated degree of improvement.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the setting comprises:

evaluating results of the measuring;

estimating a degree of improvement in physical ability possible by the individual; and

setting the parameters of the software to perform the modifying in a way that is commensurate with the estimated degree of improvement.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the setting comprises:

setting the parameters of the software to perform the modifying as the monitoring detects increases in the individual'"'"'s physical ability, to continually require a large portion of the individual'"'"'s physical ability to play the game.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the setting comprises:

setting the parameters of the software to pause the game when the monitoring detects an increase in the individual'"'"'s physical ability or a new physical ability, and to notify the individual of the increased or new physical ability.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the setting comprises:

setting the parameters of the software to reward the individual when the monitoring detects an increase in the individual'"'"'s physical ability or a new physical ability.