Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) employing wireless transmission for providing sensory signals
First Claim
1. A medical system for providing sensory signals to a user indicative of the force or pressure applied by a medical device controlled by the user, comprising:
- a plurality of force responsive sensors positioned on said device in predetermined locations, each of said devices operative to provide an output signal proportional to said applied force,scanning means scanning each of said sensors to provide a plurality of time sequential output signals each indicative of an associated sensor output, anda transmitter means coupled to said scanning means and operative to transmit a signal to a remote location indicative of said output signal of at least a first selected plurality of said force responsive sensors.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical system employs wireless transmission and provides sensory signals to a user of a prosthetic or other medical device. A series of pressure, force or strain sensors are placed upon various areas of the prosthetic device. The sensors are strategically placed according to anticipated functions of the prosthetic device and the sensors may be placed in clusters, where each cluster may include more than one sensor. The prosthetic device is normally operated by a biometric controller. The biometric controller is controlled by the handicapped user via muscles or other devices to enable the prosthetic device to perform various desired functions. During performing of such functions, the sensors will respond and produce outputs according to applied pressure or strain. These voltage outputs are transmitted by a transmitter to a remote receiver which is located on the body or person of the handicapped user. The receiver demodulates the transmitted signal to provide output signals proportional to the sensor signals as transmitted. These output signals are then directed to electrodes, probes or terminal pads imbedded in the body of the handicapped user by a physician or suitable technician. The imbedded probes or electrodes receive the sensor signals from the receiver and operate to stimulate the nerves so that a user can receive signals indicative of the force applied to given areas of the prosthetic device. In this manner the user can better control prosthetic device operation.
50 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A medical system for providing sensory signals to a user indicative of the force or pressure applied by a medical device controlled by the user, comprising:
-
a plurality of force responsive sensors positioned on said device in predetermined locations, each of said devices operative to provide an output signal proportional to said applied force, scanning means scanning each of said sensors to provide a plurality of time sequential output signals each indicative of an associated sensor output, and a transmitter means coupled to said scanning means and operative to transmit a signal to a remote location indicative of said output signal of at least a first selected plurality of said force responsive sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. The medical system for transmitting force signals imposed by a prosthetic device during movement and use of said device by a user, said transmitted signals received by a receiver located on the body of said user, comprising:
-
a prosthetic device having at least one surface for imparting a force to an object during use, a plurality of force responsive sensors located in predetermined positions on said surface, each sensor capable of providing an output proportional to a force applied thereto, scanning means coupled to said sensors and operative to scan each sensor during a predetermined period to provide output signals each indicative of each scanned sensor output, modulation means responsive to said output signals to provide a composite signal for transmission to a remote location, receiving means located on the body of said user and operative to receive said corporate signal to provide output signals indicative of each scanned sensor output, and means responsive to said output signals to apply each output signal to a preselected nerve area of said user to enable said user to receive sensory feedback pertinent to the use of said prosthetic device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of providing sensory feedback signals to a user of a prosthetic device comprising the steps of:
-
placing force responsive sensors on moveable areas of said prosthetic device, each of said sensors capable of providing an output according to a force applied by said prosthetic device to an apparatus, arranging and modulating said outputs in a serial format with each sensor having an allocated times slot, to provide a transmission signal, transmitting said signal receiving said transmitted signal arranging and demodulating said transmitted signal to provide a plurality of individual sensor output signals and applying said individual sensor output signals to individual associated nerve areas of said user to stimulate said nerve areas according to the operation of said prosthetic device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A medical system employing wireless transmission for providing selective feedback to a handicapped person using a medical aid, comprising:
-
at least one sensor coupled to said medical aid and operative to provide an output signal according to a condition of said medical aid, a transmitter responsive to said output signal to transmit said signal to a remote location, a receiver located at said remote location and operative to receive said transmitted signal to provide sensor output signal, means responsive to apply said signal to a selected nerve area of said handicapped person to stimulate said nerve area according to the magnitude of said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification