METHOD OF GAIT EVALUATION AND TRAINING WITH DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SYSTEM

• US 20160007885A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Inventors: BASTA, Steven L., JUE, Clifford T., DUFFY, Michael E., SHUGHART, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,342,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• 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: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/004 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 : Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 : Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 : Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 : Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 : Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 : Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 : Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 : Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 : User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 : muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

There is described an integrated unweighted gait training system having an unweighting system comprising a computer controller; a gait measurement system in communication with the controller; and a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the integrated unweighting gait training system. The unweighting system may be a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system or a non-DAP unweighting system.

Claims

1. An integrated unweighted gait training system, comprising:

an unweighting system comprising a computer controller;

a gait measurement system in communication with the controller; and

a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the integrated unweighting gait training system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the unweighting system is a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the unweighting system is a non-DAP unweighting system.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a support frame type non-DAP unweighting system.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a curved arch type non-DAP unweighting system.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is an unweighting arch type non-DAP unweighting system.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a monocolumn type non-DAP unweighing system.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a cantilevered type non-DAP unweighting system.

9. The system of claim 1 the gait measurement system further comprising:

an enclosure;

a pair of sensors supported by the enclosure and positioned such that when the enclosure is coupled to a treadmill of the integrated unweighting system a portion of the tread is within the detectable range of the pair of sensors; and

a processor in communication with the pair of sensors and having computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the pair of sensors and to perform calculations related to obtaining gait parameters based on the input from the sensors.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor performs calculations to obtain tread belt speed, time of foot impact and left/right foot indication.

23. The self-contained feedback device of any of the above claims wherein the display is adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the unweighting system.

11. A self-contained gait feedback device for detecting motion of a user on a treadmill, comprising:

an enclosure;

a pair of sensors supported by the enclosure and positioned such that when the housing is coupled to the treadmill a portion of the tread is within the detectable range of the pair of sensors;

a processor in communication with the pair of sensors and having computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the pair of sensors; and

a display in communication with the processor.

12. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 the computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the sensors further comprising:

performing calculations related to obtaining one of more gait parameters based in part on the output from the pair of sensors.

13. The self-contained feedback device of claim 12 the computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the sensors further comprising:

outputting the one of more gait parameters to the display.

14. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 the display further comprising a processor having computer readable instructions for receiving and performing calculations related to obtaining one of more gait parameters based in part on the output from the pair of sensors.

15. The self-contained feedback device of claim 14 the computer readable instructions of the processor in the display further comprising:

outputting the one of more gait parameters on the display.

16. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 wherein the processor is adapted and configured to provide clock signal synchronized sensor output data from the pair of sensors.

17. The self-contained feedback device of claim 14 wherein the processor is adapted and configured to provide clock signal synchronized sensor output data from the pair of sensors.

18. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 wherein the sensors are IR sensors, optical mouse sensors, laser sensors, proximity sensors, or light sensors.

19. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 or 14 wherein the display is a PC, a tablet or a smart phone.

20. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 or 14 wherein communication with the display is wired or wirelessly.

21. The self-contained feedback device of claim 11 wherein the display in communication with the processor supported by the enclosure.

22. The self-contained feedback device of any of claims 11-21 further comprising:

an unweighting system positioned to provide controlled unweighting of a user of the treadmill, the unweighting system having a computer controller in communication with the processor of claim 11 or 14.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the unweighting system is a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the unweighting system is a non-DAP unweighting system.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a support frame type non-DAP unweighting system.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a curved arch type non-DAP unweighting system.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is an unweighting arch type non-DAP unweighting system.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a monocolumn type non-DAP unweighing system.

30. The system of claim 25 wherein the non-DAP unweighting system is a cantilevered type non-DAP unweighting system.

31. An integrated differential air pressure assisted gait training system, comprising:

a differential air pressure system having a computer controller;

at least one gait measurement or indication system in communication with the computer controller; and

a computer readable database stored within or accessible to the computer controller comprising collected DAP system data from the differential air pressure system and gait system data from the at least one gait measurement or indication system.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the DAP system data comprising one or more of pressure setting and control, calibration data, system type, auxiliary systems, exercise system controls.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the gait system data comprising video, user worn sensor or equipment sensor.

34. The system of claim 31 wherein the computer readable database further comprises synthesized data from at least one of DAP system data or gait system data.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the synthesized data is triggered from another data stream.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein the synthesized data is processed data by manipulating one or more data streams.

37. The system of claim 34 wherein the synthesized data is calculated data by comparing or relating two or more data streams.

38. The system of claim 34 wherein the synthesized data comprises using algorithms to produce outcomes of one or more data streams.

39. The system of claim 31 further comprising a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the differential air pressure system.

40. The system of claim 31 further comprising video input in database.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the video data stored is collected based on a trigger from another component or device of the integrated system.

42. The system of claim 31 wherein the database is accessible to computer controller or accessible to the controller via wired or wireless communication.

43. The system of claim 31 the at least one gait measurement or indication system further comprising:

an enclosure;

a pair of sensors supported by the enclosure and positioned such that when the enclosure is coupled to a treadmill of the integrated unweighting system a portion of the tread is within the detectable range of the pair of sensors; and

a processor in communication with the pair of sensors and having computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the pair of sensors and to perform calculations related to obtaining gait parameters based on the input from the sensors.

44. A method of training an individual to improve or alter walking or running mechanics by unweighting, comprising:

preparing the individual for training in an weighting environment provided by an unweighting system;

performing a training routine with the individual to improve or alter walking or running mechanics while the user is experiencing unweighting by the unweighting system;

simultaneously measuring one or more of a user gait parameter or a user biomechanical parameter during the performing step; and

collecting the one or more measured user gait parameter or measured user biomechanical parameter under instructions from a controller of the unweighting system.

45. The method of claim 44 the preparing step further comprising the user accessing the unweighting environment and initiating the training without assistance.

46. The method of claim 44 the preparing step further comprising the individual accessing the unweighting environment without assistance and initiating or performing the training with assistance.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the assistance during performing the training is provided by a person.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the assistance during performing the training is provided automatically by the unweighting system.

49. The method of claim 44 the collecting step further comprising collecting the individual'"'"'s heart rate and a treadmill incline measurement.

50. The method of claim 44 the collecting step further comprising collecting a signal from a heart rate monitor worn by the individual.

51. The method of claim 44 the collecting step further comprising collecting data from a gyroscopic sensor or an accelerometer sensor worn by the individual.

52. The method of claim 44 wherein the one or more parameters of the individual'"'"'s gait or biomechanics is one or more of:

a stride length, a ground reaction force, a lateral movement of a knee, an angle of a knee, an angle of an ankle, a strike pattern of a forefoot, a strike pattern of a heel, a muscle activation pattern, and a movement symmetry.

53. The method of claim 44 wherein the unweighting environment is provided by a differential air pressure type unweighting system.

54. The method of claim 44 wherein the unweighting environment is provided by a non-differential air pressure type unweighting system.

55. A method of providing integrated differential air pressure assisted gait training, comprising:

unweighting the user in an integrated differential air pressure system;

performing a therapy routine with the user;

collecting under control of the integrated differential air pressure system controller output data from a plurality of components of the integrated differential air pressure system during the unweighting step and the performing step; and

recommending a user action for gait correction based on one or more of the output data from the collecting step.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the output data comprises synthesized data.

57. The method of claim 55 the collecting step further comprising a continuous output data stream, a nearly continuous output data stream, a segmented output data stream, or a synthesized output data stream from the integrated differential air pressure system.

58. The method of claim 55 further comprising storing the output data in a database.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the database contains DAP and gait system data corresponding to a user'"'"'s progress through a continuum of care.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the continuum of care ranges from immobile, to partially mobile, to fully mobile.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising comparing the data to data from a device in another segment of the continuum of care.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the data from a device from another segment is gait data collected from a leg worn actuator.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the data is gait data collected from a full mobility measurement system.

64. The method of claim 55 wherein the recommending step permits connection of an alteration of a parameter of the differential air pressure system or user gait change to a real time feedback.

65. A self-contained biometric sensor system for detecting motion of a user on a treadmill, comprising:

an enclosure;

a pair of sensors supported by the enclosure and positioned such that when the housing is coupled to a treadmill a portion of the tread is within the detectable range of the pair of sensors;

a processor in communication with the pair of sensors and having computer readable instructions to receive and process an output from the pair of sensors and to perform calculations related to obtaining gait parameters based on the input from the sensors.

66. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 wherein the processor is adapted and configured to provide clock signal synchronized sensor output data from the pair of sensors.

67. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 wherein the sensors are IR sensors, optical mouse sensors, laser sensors, proximity sensors, or light sensors.

68. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 further comprising:

a display in communication with the processor.

69. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 wherein the display is a PC, a tablet or a smart phone.

70. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 68 the display further comprising a computer readable code adapted and configured to determine one or more gait parameters based on the processor output.

71. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 68 wherein communication with the display is wired or wirelessly.

72. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 further comprising an accelerometer attached to the treadmill and configured to provide an output to the processor.

73. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 further comprising an acoustic sensor positioned to detect a footfall sound and configured to provide an output to the processor.

74. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 65 the processor computer readable instructions for providing a real-time measurement of a plurality of gait parameters for a user on the treadmill.

75. The self-contained biometric sensor system of claim 74 wherein the plurality of gait parameters of a user on a treadmill are one or more of speed, cadence, left/right stride length, left/right stride time, foot placement phase asymmetry and stride time jitter.