GAIT MODULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment of a body, said frame including a retaining element disposed on a first side of the frame and a plurality of elongated members disposed on a second side of the frame, the second side of the frame spaced circumferentially apart from the first side of said frame such that a first elongated member from the plurality of elongated members is opposite said retaining element, the retaining element and at least the first elongated member from the plurality of elongated members configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of said frame such that when the frame is disposed about the limb segment, a position of the frame relative to the limb segment is maintained; and
at least one surface electrode supported by the frame and configured to contact at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, said at least one surface electrode configured to be electrically coupled to a stimulator unit via a conductive portion of the frame, the at least one surface electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical stimulation orthosis and method therefor, the orthosis including: (a) an at least semi-rigid frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment, the frame having at least one first complementary mechanical fastener associated therewith; (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode assembly associated with, and supported by, the frame, the assembly having a surface stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on the limb segment, the surface electrode assembly having an electrode base for electrically associating, via the frame, with a stimulator unit for providing a stimulation signal to the surface electrode, the electrode base having a top face for receiving the stimulation electrode, and a bottom face having at least one second complementary mechanical fastener, the first and second fasteners adapted for reversible attachment and detachment, at a plurality of locations on the frame, thereby enabling the electrical stimulation electrode assembly to be adjustably and reversibly positioned on the frame.
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Citations
129 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment of a body, said frame including a retaining element disposed on a first side of the frame and a plurality of elongated members disposed on a second side of the frame, the second side of the frame spaced circumferentially apart from the first side of said frame such that a first elongated member from the plurality of elongated members is opposite said retaining element, the retaining element and at least the first elongated member from the plurality of elongated members configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of said frame such that when the frame is disposed about the limb segment, a position of the frame relative to the limb segment is maintained; and at least one surface electrode supported by the frame and configured to contact at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, said at least one surface electrode configured to be electrically coupled to a stimulator unit via a conductive portion of the frame, the at least one surface electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment of a body; an inner member configured to at least partially cover an inner surface of said frame, the inner member constructed from a soft material; a first connector associated with at least one of said inner surface of said frame and the inner member; and a stimulation electrode assembly having a stimulation electrode and an attachment mechanism, the stimulation electrode configured to be electrically coupled via the frame to a simulator unit, the stimulation electrode having a surface configured to contact at least one stimulation point on the limb segment, the attachment mechanism configured to maintain a position of said stimulation electrode with respect to said frame, said attachment mechanism having a second connector, complementary to said first connector, the first connector and the second connector configured to reversibly attach said stimulation electrode assembly to at least one of the frame and the inner member. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35)
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32. (canceled)
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36. (canceled)
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37. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment of a body, said frame having a first mechanical fastener; a stimulation electrode assembly having a surface stimulation electrode and an electrode base, the surface stimulation electrode configured to contact at least one stimulation point on the limb segment, said electrode base configured to be electrically coupled, via said frame, to a stimulator unit, the stimulator unit configured to provide a stimulation signal to said surface electrode, said electrode base having a top face and a bottom face, the top face configured to engage said stimulation electrode, said bottom face having a second mechanical fastener, said second fastener being complementary to said first fastener, said first fastener and said second fasteners configured to reversibly couple the stimulation electrode assembly to the frame at a plurality of locations on said frame. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 42)
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41. (canceled)
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43. (canceled)
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44. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment of a body, said frame having a first fastener at an inner face of said frame; a detachable layer having a second fastener complementary to said first fastener, the first fastener and the second fastener configured to collectively removably couple the detachable layer to the inner face of said frame, the detachable layer constructed from a soft material; and at least one electrical stimulation electrode assembly coupled to said detachable layer such that, when the frame is disposed about the limb segment, an electrical stimulation electrode of said electrical stimulation electrode assembly is in contact with at least one stimulation point of a muscle of said user, the electrical stimulation electrode configured to be electrically coupled to a stimulator unit via the frame. - View Dependent Claims (45, 47, 48, 49)
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46. (canceled)
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50-62. -62. (canceled)
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63. An apparatus, comprising:
a surface electrode having; a hydrogel layer having a first face and a second face, said second face substantially opposite said first face; an underlying surface layer, having at least a portion in contact with said first face of said hydrogel layer; and a support layer, a first portion of the support layer disposed along said second face of the hydrogel layer, a second portion of said support layer attached to said underlying surface layer, the support layer configured to reinforce at least a portion of said hydrogel layer. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 74, 75, 76)
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67. (canceled)
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70-73. -73. (canceled)
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77. An apparatus, comprising:
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a sensor unit having an external casing, said sensor unit configured to be disposed within a shoe of a user, said sensor unit configured to produce a change in a signal in response to a gait event; an electronic communication unit, electrically coupled to said sensor unit, the electronic communication unit configured to receive the signal, said electronic unit having; a microcontroller; a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit gait information based on said signal, to a unit of an orthosis external to the electronic communication unit; and a housing configured to contain at least one of said microcontroller and said transmitting unit; and a fastening unit configured to couple the electronic communication unit to said shoe, such that said electronic communication unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the shoe during gait of said user. - View Dependent Claims (78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 92, 93)
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79. (canceled)
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91. (canceled)
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94-110. -110. (canceled)
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111. A method, comprising:
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electronically coupling a stimulation electrode assembly to an inner face of a frame; coupling a detachable layer to the inner face of the frame, the detachable layer constructed from a soft material; and disposing the frame about a limb segment of a body such that the detachable layer is in contact with a portion of the limb segment, and an electrical stimulation electrode of the stimulation electrode assembly is in contact with at least one stimulation point on a surface of the body associated with a muscle. - View Dependent Claims (112, 113, 114, 115, 116)
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117. A method, comprising:
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disposing a sensor unit within a shoe, the sensor unit configured to produce a change in a signal in response to a gait event; and coupling an electronic communication unit to a rim of the shoe, the electronic communication unit electrically coupled to the sensor unit, the electronic communications unit configured to transmit information based on the signal to an external device. - View Dependent Claims (118, 119, 120, 121, 122)
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123. A method, comprising:
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electronically coupling a personal digital assistant to a stimulation electrode assembly of an orthosis, the stimulation electrode assembly configured to provide electronic stimulation to at least one stimulation point associated with a muscle of said user; and monitoring at least one operating parameter of the stimulation electrode assembly via the personal digital assistant. - View Dependent Claims (124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129)
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Specification