System and method for remotely monitoring functional activities
First Claim
1. A method for remotely monitoring and identifying functional activities performed by a test subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) extracting a given type of signals from each of a predetermined set of muscles of a control subject during the performance thereby of a given non-communicative functional activity;
(b) processing said signals to provide for said signals given non-communicative parameters affected by said given functional activity;
(c) storing data obtained in step (b);
(d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for a plurality of other control subjects;
(e) utilizing said data stored in steps (c) to establish a normative data base indicative of said given non-communicative functional activity;
(f) extracting said given type of signals from each of at least some of said predetermined set of muscles of a test subject during a given monitoring period during which said test subject is engaged in a variety of functional activities including non-rebilitative functional activities; and
(g) comparing said data base to said signals of step (f) to identify during said monitoring period portions thereof during which said test subject was performing said given non-communicative functional activity.
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Abstract
A method for remotely monitoring and identifying Functional Activities performed by a test subject, the method including the steps of (a) extracting a given type of signals from each of a predetermined set of muscles of a control subject during the performance thereby of a given Functional Activity; (b) processing the signals to provide therefor given parameters affected by the given Functional Activity; (c) storing the data obtained in step (b); and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for a plurality of other control subjects. The stored data then is utilized to establish a normative data base indicative of the given Functional Activity and further steps include (f) extracting the given type of signals from each of at least some of the predetermined set of muscles of a test subject during a given monitoring period; and (g) comparing the data base to the signals of step (f) to identify during the monitoring period portions thereof during which the test subject was performing the given Functional Activity.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for remotely monitoring and identifying functional activities performed by a test subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) extracting a given type of signals from each of a predetermined set of muscles of a control subject during the performance thereby of a given non-communicative functional activity;
(b) processing said signals to provide for said signals given non-communicative parameters affected by said given functional activity;
(c) storing data obtained in step (b);
(d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for a plurality of other control subjects;
(e) utilizing said data stored in steps (c) to establish a normative data base indicative of said given non-communicative functional activity;
(f) extracting said given type of signals from each of at least some of said predetermined set of muscles of a test subject during a given monitoring period during which said test subject is engaged in a variety of functional activities including non-rebilitative functional activities; and
(g) comparing said data base to said signals of step (f) to identify during said monitoring period portions thereof during which said test subject was performing said given non-communicative functional activity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
step (a) comprises extracting said signals from a plurality of different sets of muscles of control subjects during the performance of said variety of non-communicative functional activities;
step (b) comprises determining for said signals distinct given parameters which identify each of a plurality of predetermined ones of said non-communicative functional activities;
step (e) comprises establishing a plurality of normative data bases each indicative of a different one of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities;
step (f) comprises extracting said signals from each of at least some of said muscles of each said set; and
step (g) comprises comparing said data bases to said signals of step (f) to identify during said monitoring period portions thereof during which said test subject was performing each of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities.
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17. A method according to claim 16 wherein step (e) comprises passing said data through a classification algorithm to identify specific signal patterns each of which correspond to a different one of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities.
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18. A method according to claim 17 wherein each said set includes a predetermined number of said muscles, step (e) further comprises identifying for said data bases those signals extracted from a portion of said muscles from each said set patterns most dependent on said predetermined non-communicative functional activities, and step (f) comprises extracting said signals only from said portion of said muscles of each said set.
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19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said signals are biosignals.
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20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said signals are EMG signals.
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21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said given parameters comprise at least some taken from a group including root-mean squared value, envelope, mean rectified value and frequency characteristics.
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22. A method according to claim 21 wherein each said step includes a predetermined number of said muscles, step (e) further comprises identifying for said data bases those signals extracted from a portion of said muscles from each said set patterns most dependent on said predetermined non-communicative function activities, and step (f) comprises extracting said signals only from said portion of said muscles of each said set.
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23. A method according to claim 21 wherein said algorithm comprises a neural Network or Fuzzy Logic.
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24. A method according to claim 23 wherein each said step includes a predetermined number of said muscles, step (e) further comprises identifying for said data bases those signals extracted from a portion of said muscles from each said set patterns most dependent on said predetermined non-communicative function activities, and step (f) comprises extracting said signals only from said portion of said muscles of each said set.
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25. A method according to claim 16 wherein said sets comprise muscles in at least two distinct body parts including a body part other than the forearm or hand.
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26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said muscles comprise at least one shoulder muscle.
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27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said muscles comprise the Deltoid.
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28. A method according to claim 25 wherein said muscles comprise at least one trunk muscle.
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29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said muscles comprise the Erector Spinae.
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30. A method according to claim 25 wherein said muscles comprise at least one thigh muscle.
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31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said muscles comprise the Lateralis.
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32. A method for remotely monitoring and identifying non-communicative functional activities performed by a test subject having abnormalities of motor function, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) extracting a given type of signals from each of a predetermined set of muscles of the test subject during the performance thereby of a given non-communicative functional activity. (b) processing said signals to provide for said signals given parameters affected by said non-communicative functional activity. (c) storing data obtained in step (b);
(d) utilizing said data stored in step (c) to establish a normative data base indicative of said given non-communicative functional activity;
(e) extracting said given type of signals from at least some of said predetermined set of muscles of the test subject during a given monitoring period during which said test subject is engaged in a variety of functional activities including non-rebilitative functional activities; and
(f) comparing said data base to said signals of step (e) to identify during said monitoring period portions thereof during which the test subject was performing said given non-communicative functional activity. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
step (a) comprises extracting said signals from a plurality of different sets of muscles of the test subject during the performance of said variety of non-communicative functional activities;
step (b) comprises determining for said signal distinct given parameters which identify each of a plurality of predetermined ones of said non-communicative functional activities;
step (c) comprises establishing a plurality of normative data bases each indicative of a different one of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities;
step (e) comprises extracting said signals from each of at least some of said muscles of each said set; and
step (f) comprises said data bases to said signals of step (e) to identify during said monitoring period portions thereof during which the test subject was performing each of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities.
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36. A method according to claim 35 wherein step (d) comprises passing said data through a classification algorithm to identify specific signal patens which correspond to each said predetermined non-communicative functional activity.
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37. A method according to claim 36 wherein each said step includes a predetermined number of said muscles, step (e) further comprises identifying for said data bases those signals extracted from a portion of said muscles from each said set patterns most dependent on each of said predetermined non-communicative functional activities, and step (f) comprises extracting said signals only from said portion of said muscles of each said set.
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38. A system for remotely monitoring a test subject during a given period during which the test subject is performing a variety of non-communicative functional activities including non-rebilitative activities, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sensors for providing signals in response to muscle activity, said sensors adapted for placement to extract said signals from predetermined muscles of the test subject;
processing means for determining certain parameters of said signals;
computer means programmed with a data base cataloging different patterns of said paramereters each produced by only specific predetermined ones of said non-communicative functional activities of the test subject, said computer means adapted to compute during said given monitoring period those portions thereof during which the test subject was performing each of said specific predetermined ones of said non-communicative functional activities; and
transmission means for transmitting data representing the non-communicative functional activities performed by the test subject between a location occupied by the test subject and a remote location for evaluation by testing personnel. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification