Kinematic System

• US 20130123645A1
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wendy Stimson
• Original Assignee: Stimson Biokinematics, LLC
• Inventors: Caldwell, John, Stimson, Wendy
• Granted Patent: US 8,652,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

A kinematic system is described. The kinematic system includes a kinematic device for attachment to a subject'"'"'s body part. The kinematic device projects a light line, and a movement of the light line is used to evaluate a movement, posture, or balance of the subject.

Claims

1. A kinematic system including a kinematic device comprising:

an attachment mechanism to attach the kinematic device securely to a subject at a designated location, the location selected based on a type of motion of the subject to be evaluated;

projector to project a first light line along a first axis and a second light line perpendicular to the first light line;

a multi-directional joint to enable a portion of the kinematic device to move independently of the attachment mechanism, the multi-directional joint enabling an adjustment of the kinematic device so that the first and the second lines of light are aligned along a horizontal and vertical axis;

such that movements of the subject cause movement in the line of light, the movements in the light used to evaluate a movement quality of the subject showing rotation, anterior-posterior tilt and lateral tilt, thereby providing immediate visual feedback.

2. The kinematic system of claim 1, wherein

the projector comprises a light source and a line generator, to generate the lines of light.

3. The kinematic system of claim 2, wherein the first line of light utilizes a first light source and the second line of light utilizes a second light source, and the projector comprising a light emitting diode (LED) and a line generator to generate the lines of light.

4. The kinematic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second kinematic device, for attachment to a different location on the subject, wherein a relative motion of the light lines projected by the first kinematic device and the second kinematic device provide additional information about the subject'"'"'s movements.

5. The kinematic system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clip and a strap.

6. The kinematic system of claim 5, wherein the multi-directional joint is used to attach the kinematic device to the clip;

and

the kinematic system includes a plurality of clips having different shapes based on an intended use.

7. The kinematic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a target projector to project a target, wherein that the movement of the subject is designed to move the lines of light from an original location to the target, when the movement is correctly executed.

8. The kinematic system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is further to do one or more of:

a computer system to record the movement of the lines of light.

communicate with a remote system to enable remote coaching,

store the recorded data, for later review, or

analyze the movement of the lines of light, and provide feedback to the subject.

9. The kinematic system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer to obtain movement data of the kinematic device.

10. The kinematic system of claim 1, wherein the kinematic device further comprises a wireless communication system, to enable communication between the kinematic device and an external device.

11. The kinematic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a feedback logic to provide additional feedback when using the kinematic system, the feedback logic providing one or more of;

visual feedback, coaching feedback, speech feedback, and haptic feedback.

12. The kinematic system of claim 1, wherein the kinematic system comprises a kinematic light attachment designed to be coupled to a mobile device and provide the horizontal and the vertical lines of light, the mobile device running an application to enable analysis and feedback on the movement of the subject.

13. A kinematic system including a kinematic device comprising:

a means for attachment enabling secure attachment of the kinematic device at a designated location on a subject, the location selected based on a type of motion of the subject to be evaluated, the kinematic device designed to project two light lines;

a means for connecting a portion of the kinematic device in a movable manner, enabling an adjustment of an orientation of light lines projected by the kinematic device to project a horizontal light line and a vertical light line without moving the attachment mechanism;

such that upon the subject making a prescribed set of movements, the movement of the light lines provides information on a movement quality of the subject showing rotation, anterior-posterior tilt, and lateral tilt, thereby providing immediate visual feedback.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

a means for attaching a second kinematic device to a different location on the subject, wherein the relative motion of the light lines projected by the first kinematic device and the second kinematic device provides additional information about the subject'"'"'s movements.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

a means for enabling the kinematic device to communicate with another device, the communication to provide data about the kinematic device.

16. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

a means for providing coaching via a computer, to the subject, wherein the coaching comprises one of;

coaching communications from a remote human professional receiving movement data from the kinematic device, or coaching communications generated by a computer system based on the movement data from the kinematic device.

17. A kinematic system comprising:

a first kinematic device to be securely coupled to a first body part of a subject, the first kinematic device including a multi-directional joint to enable adjustment of the kinematic system to project a first horizontal line of light and a first vertical line of light;

a second kinematic device to be securely coupled to a second body part of the subject, the second kinematic device to project a second horizontal line of light and second vertical line of light;

wherein when the subject performs a prescribed set of movements, the movement of the first and the second horizontal and vertical lines of light provides visual feedback to ensure that the set of movements are correctly executed.

18. The kinematic system of claim 17, wherein the set of movements comprises one of:

movements associated with rehabilitation of the subject with an orthopedic dysfunction, rehabilitation of the subject with a neurologic insult, assistance for a subject with a neurological disorder, coaching an athlete, coaching an artist such as a dancer, movements associated with the use of a machine, or movements associated with performing work activities.

19. The kinematic system of claim 17, wherein the first kinematic device comprises a projector, and an accelerometer, the accelerometer enabling storage of movement data.

20. The kinematic system of claim 17, further comprising:

a target projector to project one or more targets, the targets to move the light lines to, during the movement.