Biofeedback device

• US 6,579,248 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roberta L. Cascone, Steven D. White
• Original Assignee: Roberta L. Cascone, Steven D. White
• Inventors: White, Steven D., Cascone, Roberta L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRINSON, PATRICK F
• Application Number:
  US09/803,629
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/594, 340/573.7
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biofeedback device for providing a wearer with instantaneous and continuous information about their posture. The device comprises a sensor unit affixed to the wearer, an attachment element affixed to the wearer, an elastic cord extending between the sensor unit and the attachment element, and movement of the elastic cord due to incorrect posture actuating an indicating device. The biofeedback device further comprises a power pack separate from the sensor unit.

Claims

1. A biofeedback device comprising:

a sensor unit affixed to said wearer;

an attachment element affixed to said wearer;

an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element;

means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and

said sensor unit being secured to the medial border of a first one of the wearer'"'"'s scapulas and the attachment element being secured to the medial border of a second one of the wearer'"'"'s scapulas.

2. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising said sensor unit being adhesively affixed to said wearer.

3. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising said sensor unit being affixed to said wearer by a piece of adhesive tape.

4. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising said attachment element being adhesively affixed to said wearer.

5. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising said attachment element being affixed to said wearer by a piece of adhesive tape.

6. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising said elastic cord being connected to a switch connected to said indicating means and said elastic cord causing said switch to actuate said indicating means when incorrect posture occurs.

7. A biofeedback device according to claim 6, wherein said indicating means comprises a vibrating device in said sensor unit.

8. A biofeedback device according to claim 7, wherein said vibrating device comprises an electric motor and an eccentric rotor.

9. A biofeedback device according to claim 8, further comprising a power pack containing a source of electrical power and conducting wires extending between said power pack and said electric motor and said switch.

10. A biofeedback device according to claim 9, wherein said power pack is separate from said sensor unit.

11. A biofeedback device according to claim 9, wherein said power pack has an on-off switch.

12. A biofeedback device according to claim 11, wherein said electrical power source comprises a pair of batteries in said power pack.

15. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, wherein tension in said elastic cord actuates said indicating means.

18. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising a power pack separate from said sensor unit and said indicating means comprising a buzzer in said power pack.

19. A biofeedback device according to claim 1, further comprising a power pack separate from said sensor unit and said indicating means comprising a vibrating device in said power pack.

13. A biofeedback device comprising:

a sensor unit affixed to said wearer;

an attachment element affixed to said wearer;

an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment means;

means for indicating incorrect posture in response to movement of said cord due to said incorrect posture;

wherein said elastic cord is connected to a switch connected to said indicating means and said elastic cord causing said switch to actuate said indicating means when incorrect posture occurs;

said switch comprising a first contact plate, a second contact plate connected to an arm with a threaded end, a coil spring within said sensor unit surrounding a portion of said arm, and said elastic cord being connected to said threaded end of said arm.

14. A biofeedback device according to claim 13, further comprising a swivel attached to said elastic cord at an attachment of said elastic cord to said attachment element to allow the threaded end of said arm to rotate, when said device is attached to said wearer, to adjust the amount of motion required to actuate the device.

16. A biofeedback device comprising:

a sensor unit affixed to said wearer;

an attachment element affixed to said wearer;

an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element;

means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and

said elastic cord actuating said indicating means when tension in said elastic cord is relaxed.

17. A biofeedback device comprising:

a sensor unit affixed to said wearer;

an attachment element affixed to said wearer;

an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element;

means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and

said indicating means being actuated when tension in said elastic cord is relaxed and when said elastic cord is pulled.

20. A biofeedback device comprising:

a sensor unit affixed to said wearer;

an attachment element affixed to said wearer;

an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element;

means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and

said sensor unit having a planar base, an apex portion, and two sloping sides extending between said apex portion and said base.