METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIMITING RANGE OF MOTION OF BODY

• US 20130201021A1
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Farhad M. Limonadi
• Original Assignee: Farhad M. Limonadi
• Inventors: Limonadi, Farhad M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,799,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0407 Anchored at two end points, e.g. installed within an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4007 to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for warning a user about undesirable motion of a first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a second portion of the user'"'"'s body. In one representative embodiment, an apparatus for warning a user about motion of a first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a second portion of the user'"'"'s body comprises at least one sensor configured to measure the angle of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a reference. The sensor is configured to be worn on the user'"'"'s body, and is in communication with a controller. A warning mechanism is also in communication with the controller, and the controller is operable to activate the warning mechanism upon movement of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to the second portion of the user'"'"'s body beyond a predetermined angle relative to the reference.

Claims

1. An apparatus for warning a user about motion of a first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a second portion of the user'"'"'s body, comprising:

at least one sensor configured to measure the angle of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a reference, wherein the sensor is configured to be worn on the user'"'"'s body;

a controller in communication with the sensor;

a warning mechanism in communication with the controller;

wherein the controller is operable to activate the warning mechanism upon movement of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to the second portion of the user'"'"'s body beyond a predetermined angle relative to the reference.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle of flexion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle of extension.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor configured to be worn on the second portion of the user'"'"'s body, the controller being in communication with the second sensor and configured to compare the angle of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body with a first predetermined angle and the angle of the second portion of the user'"'"'s body with a second predetermined angle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the user'"'"'s body is an upper portion of the torso and the second portion of the user'"'"'s body is the pelvic region.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a load sensor configured to be placed on the bottom of a shoe of the user, the load sensor being configured to detect the weight of a load lifted by the user, wherein the controller is in communication with the load sensor and is operable to activate the warning mechanism if the weight of the load exceeds a predetermined weight.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is operable to determine an acceptable weight limit corresponding to an angle of flexion of the torso and activate the warning mechanism if the weight of the load lifted by the user exceeds the acceptable weight limit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the warning mechanism comprises at least one of a speaker, a light-emitting diode, and a vibrator motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a flexible linear potentiometer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensor extends between the first portion of the user'"'"'s body and the second portion of the user'"'"'s body.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an inclinometer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises non-transitory, computer-readable storage media for storing data relating to the motion of the first and second portions of the user'"'"'s body.

13. A method of warning a user about motion of a first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a second portion of the user'"'"'s body, comprising:

placing at least one sensor on the first portion of the user'"'"'s body, the sensor being configured to measure the angle of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to a reference plane;

detecting motion of the first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to the second portion of the user'"'"'s body, wherein detecting motion comprises detecting the angle of first portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to the second portion of the user'"'"'s body with the sensor; and

providing an audible, visual, or tactile warning to the user if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is placed on an upper portion of the user'"'"'s torso and the act of detecting motion comprises detecting forward bending of the torso.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the reference plane comprises the coronal plane of the user.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising measuring the weight of a load lifted by a user and providing an audible, visual, or tactile warning to the user if the measured weight exceeds a predetermined weight.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining an acceptable weight limit corresponding to the angle of the user'"'"'s torso and providing an audible, visual, or tactile warning to the user if the measured weight exceeds the acceptable weight limit.

18. An apparatus for maintaining a neutral orientation of a user'"'"'s spine, comprising:

a first mounting portion configured to be placed on an upper portion of the user'"'"'s torso;

a second mounting portion configured to be placed on a lower portion of the user'"'"'s torso;

at least one elongated member interconnecting the first portion and the second portion;

a switch mechanism connected to an end portion of the elongated member wherein the elongated member is configured to activate the switch mechanism upon extension or flexion of the spine beyond a predetermined range of motion;

a warning mechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism, the switch mechanism being operable to activate the warning mechanism upon extension or flexion of the spine beyond the predetermined range of motion.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongated member comprises an elastic cord and has an upper end coupled to the first mounting portion and a lower end coupled to the second mounting portion, the switch mechanism being connected to one of the first and second ends such that extension or flexion of the spine beyond the predetermined range of motion is effective to activate the switch, which in turn activates the warning mechanism.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the switch is normally open and the elongated member causes the switch to close, thereby activating the warning mechanism upon flexion of the spine beyond the predetermined range of motion.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a wearable device configured to be worn on the user'"'"'s torso, the first mounting portion being mounted on an upper portion of the wearable device and the second mounting portion being mounted on a lower portion of the wearable device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wearable device comprises a back brace.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wearable device comprises a shirt or a vest.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongated member is fixedly secured to one of the first and second mounting portions and is movable relative to the other of first and second mounting portions upon extension or flexion of the spine, wherein the other of the first and second mounting portions carries the switch mechanism.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a motion limiting member configured to limit movement of the elongated member so as to prevent extension or flexion of the spine beyond the predetermined range of motion.