Spine tilt monitor with biofeedback

• US 7,458,943 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Original Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Inventors: Chow, Daniel Hung Kay, Pope, Malcolm H
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US11/819,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20080319352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/587, 600/594, 600/595, 600/25, 335/12, 473/450, 381/23.1, 307/140, 323/287, 327/435, 327/478
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 system and method for continually monitoring the spine of a user via device containing electromechanical transducer, processor, delay, transmitter, and a feedback component. Through the device and method of employing, the user will be able to learn and sustain a proper posture, thereby avoiding future back pain.

Claims

1. A method for preventing back pain, comprising the steps of:

attaching a spine monitoring device to a user;

setting said device by inputting a most suitable spinal condition or position during work periods;

detecting a change in the spine to said user, wherein said change is forward flexion;

determining whether said change is sufficient to cause a negative effect on spine;

If change is sufficient, then steps a)-b),

a) transmitting a signal to said user; and

b) adjusting the spine of said user;

and

continuing to monitor said user'"'"'s spine,

wherein said change is sufficient when said change is more than around +/−

5% of said most suitable condition.

2. The method for preventing back pain of claim 1, wherein attaching said spine monitoring device occurs at said user'"'"'s ear.

3. The method of preventing back pain of claim 1, wherein said condition or position includes spine angle, pressure placed upon the spine, force on the spine, acceleration by which the spine changes said angle, or velocity by which the spine changes.

4. The method of preventing back pain of claim 1, wherein setting said device occurs via user interfaces.

5. The method of preventing back pain of claim 1, wherein transmitting said signal comprises transmitting an audible signal, visual signal, or sensory signal.

6. The method of preventing back pain of claim 1, wherein said negative effect can be selected from the group consisting of neck pain, back pain, spinal disk injury, spinal inflammation, and sciatica.