Apparatus and Method for Monitoring and Active Correction of Orthosis to Body Pressure Inside of An Orthosis
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the pressure applied to a patient by an orthosis, comprising:
- a) a main body assembly configured to be operatively disposed on the orthosis, the main body assembly further comprising;
i) an enclosure configured to be releasably attached to the orthosis,ii) an air pump disposed within the enclosure,iii) an air holding valve disposed within the enclosure and operatively connected to the air pump,iv) a first connector disposed on the enclosure and operatively connected to the air holding valve, the first connector further comprising at least one electrical connector,v) a controller disposed within the enclosure for controlling the air pump and the air holding valve, the controller operatively connected to the at least one electrical connector, andvi) an energy source device disposed within the enclosure and operatively connected to the controller, the air pump and the air holding valve; and
b) a sensor/actuator assembly, comprising;
i) at least one air bladder configured to be disposed on the orthosis, the at least one air bladder further configured to provide pressure to the patient,ii) at least one force sensor operatively disposed on the at least one air bladder, the at least one force sensor configured to measure the pressure the at least one air bladder exerts on the patient wearing the orthosis,iii) a hose assembly having first and second ends, the first end operatively connected to the at least one air bladder and the at least one force sensor, the hose assembly further comprising an air hose operatively connected to the at least one air bladder and a conduit operatively connected to the at least one force sensor,iv) a second connector operatively connected to the second end of the hose assembly and configured to releasably connect with the first connector, the second connector configured to provide communication from the air holding valve to the at least one air bladder when the second connector is connected to the first connector, andv) at least one electrical conductor disposed within the conduit operatively connecting the at least one force sensor to the second connector whereby an electrical connection is made between the at least one force sensor and the controller when the second connector is connected to the first connector.
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for monitoring and controlling the pressure inside of an orthosis or orthotic brace. The system can measure the pressure inside of the brace using a force sensor and then, using an air bladder placed between the outside wall of the orthotic brace and the body of the person wearing the brace, deflate or inflate the air bladder as required to maintain a constant pressure between the brace and the body.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the pressure applied to a patient by an orthosis, comprising:
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a) a main body assembly configured to be operatively disposed on the orthosis, the main body assembly further comprising; i) an enclosure configured to be releasably attached to the orthosis, ii) an air pump disposed within the enclosure, iii) an air holding valve disposed within the enclosure and operatively connected to the air pump, iv) a first connector disposed on the enclosure and operatively connected to the air holding valve, the first connector further comprising at least one electrical connector, v) a controller disposed within the enclosure for controlling the air pump and the air holding valve, the controller operatively connected to the at least one electrical connector, and vi) an energy source device disposed within the enclosure and operatively connected to the controller, the air pump and the air holding valve; and b) a sensor/actuator assembly, comprising; i) at least one air bladder configured to be disposed on the orthosis, the at least one air bladder further configured to provide pressure to the patient, ii) at least one force sensor operatively disposed on the at least one air bladder, the at least one force sensor configured to measure the pressure the at least one air bladder exerts on the patient wearing the orthosis, iii) a hose assembly having first and second ends, the first end operatively connected to the at least one air bladder and the at least one force sensor, the hose assembly further comprising an air hose operatively connected to the at least one air bladder and a conduit operatively connected to the at least one force sensor, iv) a second connector operatively connected to the second end of the hose assembly and configured to releasably connect with the first connector, the second connector configured to provide communication from the air holding valve to the at least one air bladder when the second connector is connected to the first connector, and v) at least one electrical conductor disposed within the conduit operatively connecting the at least one force sensor to the second connector whereby an electrical connection is made between the at least one force sensor and the controller when the second connector is connected to the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for monitoring and controlling the pressure applied to a patient by an orthosis disposed on the patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) measuring the air pressure of at least one air bladder disposed on the orthosis for applying pressure to the patient; and b) inflating the at least one air bladder with air until the air pressure is within the predetermined air pressure range if the air pressure is below a predetermined air pressure range. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the pressure applied to a patient by an orthosis disposed on the patient, comprising:
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a) means for measuring the air pressure of at least one air bladder disposed on the orthosis for applying pressure to the patient; and b) means for inflating the at least one air bladder with air until the air pressure is within the predetermined air pressure range if the air pressure is below a predetermined air pressure range. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification