Position sensing and signaling system

• US 5,808,540 A
• Filed: 11/20/1995
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Postur Phonic Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Postur Phonic Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Bell, Michael G., Hill, Shawn R., Wheeler, M. Rex
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N.
• Application Number:
  US08/506,090
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 338/35, 338/34, 338/111, 338/113, 338/114, 338/36, 338/47, 338/99, 338/101, 324/694, 252/963, 482/8, 73/774, 73/335.05
• US Class Current: 338/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/162 of piezoresistors
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/223 to joystick controls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

In a biofeedback device adapted for sensing position of the Transverse Abdominis Muscle (TAM) on small excursions of the abdominal wall including a sensor which changes resistance on a change in dimension thereof in any direction. The sensor element includes a plurality of interlaced electrodes in juxtaposition with a resilient antistatic device. A particular implementation is in the form of a two pole sensor incorporated into a bio-feedback monitor. The sensor is physically attached to the monitor which can be worn on the belt or at or near the waist line. A lever on the back of the monitor rests against the body and engages the sensor comprising a variable resistance foam component. Pressure exerted against the lever, when the TAM is relaxed causes a change in the resistance which energizes the electrical circuit above a given threshold and causes a variable pitch sound to be generated or alternatively drives an electrical vibrator motor at a variable speed. The variation in pitch or vibrator speed is directly related to the amount of pressure exerted on the lever. Thus the wearer of the device can pull in the TAM and eliminate the signal or the vibration and thereby improve his or her general physical condition. The biofeedback device is adapted so that the lever may be bypassed or removed and a variety of different types of anti-static foam sensors may attached or otherwise interconnected to the electrical circuit in place of the lever to be utilized for other purposes. One of these is a constrictor muscle sensor which may be used to sense pressure exerted when exercising such muscles. Other forms of the devices contemplated by this invention, the sensor may comprise a plurality of electrodes connected to a plurality of poles to measure changes in pressure at different locations or in a different dimension. Another feature of the invention is that the sensor is also adapted to sense a change in humidity and thus may be used as a mask or places in close proximity to a changing humidity such as in the path of a patients breathing so that changes in inhaling or exhaling may be monitored.

Claims

1. A signaling device comprising:

a. a first housing,

h. an elongated first lever having a hooked end, attached to said first housing and disposed in a downward direction with respect thereto,

c. a sense lever mechanism attached to said first housing, having a sense lever rotatably attached thereto, said sense lever disposed in an upward direction with respect to said first lever,

d. an electrical circuit disposed in said first housing, electrically coupled to a variable resistance element, said circuit and adapted for generating a signal on a change in resistance of said variable resistance element, said variable resistance element comprising a single layer of electrostatic foam, adapted for changing resistance on compression, said resistance element disposed between said sense lever and said housing,

e. at least one pair of opposite polarity electrodes electrically coupled to said electrical circuit and adapted for engaging one side of said variable resistance element,

f. means for converting said signal from said electrical circuit into a selected physical signal, and

g. means for selecting said selected physical signal,

whereby movement of said second lever compresses said foam and causes said circuit to generate a signal on change in resistance of said foam tbereby generating said selected physical signal.

2. A signaling device as described in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit includes a variable frequency oscillator for generating a variable frequency signal said electrical circuit adapted to generate a signal having a variable frequency and amplitude output signal based on said oscillator signal.

3. A signaling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrodes coupled to said circuit said electrodes in the form of a plurality of generally parallel interlaced electrode elements disposed between generally parallel electrode elements of the opposite polarity electrode and spaced apart therefrom for engaging said single layer of electrostatic foam.

4. A signaling device as described in claim 3 further comprising a speaker electrically coupled to said circuit adapted for generating sound waves of variable pitch and volume in proportion to the change in resistance of antistatic foam when selected by said selection means.

5. A signaling device as described in claim 3 further comprising a vibrator motor electrically coupled to said circuit adapted for generating vibration waves variable in frequency and intensity in proportion to the change in resistance of said antistatic foam when selected by said selection means.

10. A signaling device as described in claim 1 wherein said apparatus for converting said electrical signal into a physical signal further comprises a sound generating device adapted for creating sound waves which vary in frequency and amplitude in proportion to said electrical signal.

11. A signaling device as described in claim 1 further comprising a vibrating device adapted for creating vibration waves proportional to said electrical signal.

6. A signaling device comprising:

a. a first housing,

b. an elongated first lever, attached to said first housing and disposed in a downward direction with respect thereto,

c. a sense mechanism attached to said first housing,

d. a sense lever rotatably attached to said sense mechanism having a button thereon disposed toward said first housing, said sense lever disposed in an upward direction with respect to said first lever,

e. an electrical circuit disposed in said first housing adapted for generating a signal on change in resistance of a variable resistance element coupled to at least one pair of opposite polarity electrodes electrically coupled to said electrical circuit adapted for coupling with variahle resistance element said variable resistance element comprising a single layer of electrostatic foam, adapted for changing resistance on compression, disposed between said second lever and said housing and engaging one side of said foam,

f. means for converting said signal from said electrical circuit into a selected physical signal, and

g. means for selecting said selected physical signal.

7. A variable resistor comprising:

a. a layer of conductive material comprising a single layer of antistatic foam adapted to change resistance on change in at least one physical dimension, and

b. two electrodes having a plurality of interlaced leads each lead disposed between and spaced apart from leads of opposite polarity of both electrodes in juxtaposition with one side of said layer of conductive material.

8. A variable resistor comprising:

a. a layer of conductive material comprising a single layer of antistatic foam adapted to change resistance on change in at least one physical dimension, and

b. at least two electrodes in juxtaposition with said antistatic foam which electrodes each comprise a grid of interlaced electrode elements, said grid comprising a plurality of generally parallel elongated conductive elements interposed between and spaced apart from generally parallel conductive elements of the electrode of the opposite pole, said electrode grid disposed in juxtaposition with one side of said antistatic foam layer such that when said antistatic foam is deformed at least two electrode elements of the grid of said electrodes of opposite poles will engage said conductive material at a point along the length of said elements and exhibit a variable resistance between them.

18. A variable resistor as described in claim 8 wherein said single layer of antistatic foam forms a hollow cylinder, and said electrode grids form a generally cylindrical structure with a plurality of the electrode elements of each such grid curved to be disposed between and spaced apart from electrode elements of the grid of opposite polarity adapted for electrical coupling to said antistatic foam cylinder.

9. A variable resistor comprising:

a. a resistive foam adapted to change resistance on change in any physical dimension, and

b. a plurality of pairs of electrodes of opposite polarity each pair of electrodes in juxtaposition with different sides of said foam.

19. A variable resistor as described in claim 9 wherein said pairs of electrodes comprise a plurality of elongated electrode elements of one polarity disposed between and spaced apart from elongated electrode elements of said opposite polarity electrode of said pair for engaging said sides of said foam.

12. A transverse abdominis muscle position signaling device comprising:

a. a housing,

b. an electrical circuit disposed in said housing adapted for generating a signal having a variable amplitude and a variable frequency component,

c. position sensing means coupled to said housing and adapted to be disposed in juxtaposition with the abdominal wall and moveable in response to a change in position of the transverse abdominis muscle on excursions of the abdominal wall,

d. variable resistance means electrically coupled to said electrical circuit for sensing movement of said position sensing means and causing said electrical circuit to generate said signal,

e. at least one pair of opposite polarity electrodes electrically coupled to said electrical circuit adapted for coupling with said variable resistance means,

f. means for converting said signal from signal electrical circuit into a selected physical signal, and

g. means for selecting said selected physical signal.

13. A signaling device as described in claim 12 wherein said variable resistor comprises:

a. an antistatic foam component adapted to change resistance on change in at least one physical dimension, and

b. at least two electrodes in juxtaposition with said antistatic foam.

14. A signaling device comprising:

a. a first housing,

b. an elongated first lever, having a hooked end, rotatably attached to said first housing adapted for engaging a belt and disposed in a downward direction with respect thereto,

c. a sense mechanism attached to said first housing,

d. a sense lever rotatably attached to said sense mechanism having a button thereon disposed toward said first housing, said sense lever disposed in an upward direction with respect to said first lever;

e. an electrical circuit disposed in said first housing adapted for generating a signal on a change in resistance, and

f. at least one pair of opposite polarity electrodes electrically coupled to said electrical circuit adapted for coupling with said resistance element on one side of said foam,

h. a resistance element electrically coupled to said electrical circuit for sensing a change in position of said sense lever and causing said electrical circuit to generate said signal, said sensor further comprising a single layer of electrostatic foam, adapted for changing resistance on compression, disposed between said second lever and said housing and engaging said electrodes and generating a variable resistance when at least a portion of said variable resistance foam is electrically coupled to said electrodes electrically connected to said circuit,

i. means for converting said signal from said electrical circuit into a selected physical signal, and

j. means for selecting said selected physical signal,

k. apparatus for converting said electrical signal into a selected physical signal.

15. A signaling device as described in claim 14 further comprising a sound generating device adapted for creating sound waves proportional to said amplitude and frequency components of said electrical signal when selected by said selecting means.

16. A signaling device as described in claim 14 further comprising a sound generating device adapted for creating vibrational waves proportional to said amplitude and frequency components of said electrical signal when selected by said selecting means.

17. A signaling device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the position of said first lever is adjustable with respect to said first housing at the point of attachment of said first lever to said first housing.