Neurally controlled patient ambulation system

• US 7,901,368 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braingate Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Braingate Co., LLC
• Inventors: Serruya, Mijail D., Flaherty, J. Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMILLE, DANTON D
• Application Number:
  US11/319,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20060149338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,895 Days
• Field of Search: 601/5, 601/23, 601 33- 36, 607/49, 602/5, 602/23, 600/595, 600/544, 600/545, 482/8, 482/9
• US Class Current: 601/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0255 Both knee and hip of a patient, e.g. in supine or sitting position, the feet being moved in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane A61H1/0214 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0277 Elbow
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1638 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1676 Pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/03 especially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/085 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/605 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 Using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses drawing-out devices A61H1/0218
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0006 Exoskeletons, i.e. resembling a human figure

Abstract

Various embodiments of an ambulation system and a movement assist system are disclosed. For example, an ambulation system for a patient may comprise a biological interface apparatus and an ambulation assist apparatus. The biological interface apparatus may comprise a sensor having a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals, a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor, process the multicellular signals to produce a processed signal, and transmit the processed signal to a controlled device. The ambulation assist apparatus may comprise a rigid structure configured to provide support between a portion of the patient'"'"'s body and a surface. Data may be transferred from the ambulation assist apparatus to the biological interface apparatus.

Claims

1. An ambulation system for a patient comprising:

a biological interface apparatus comprising;

a sensor adapted to be implanted into a brain of a patient, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals emanating from one or more living cells of the patient, wherein the multicellular signals comprise electrical brain signals;

a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor, process the multicellular signals to produce a processed signal, and transmit the processed signal to a controlled device; and

the controlled device configured to receive the processed signal, and an ambulation assist apparatus comprising

a rigid structure configured to provide support between a portion of the patient'"'"'s body and a surface, and

at least a second sensor for detecting data relating to the ambulation assist apparatus

wherein the data is transferred from the ambulation assist apparatus to the biological interface apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ambulation assist apparatus comprises a patient walker.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second sensor measures one or more of:

stress;

strain;

torque; and

vertical position of the walker.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the controlled device causes at least one of the patient'"'"'s legs to move.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data transfer mechanism located in one or more of:

the biological interface apparatus and the ambulation assist apparatus.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the data transfer mechanism comprises a wireless data transfer mechanism.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a patient input device configured to cause the ambulation assist apparatus to change from a first state to a second state.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the patient input device is selected from the group consisting of:

chin joystick;

eyebrow EMG switch;

EEG activated switch;

eye tracker;

head tracker;

neck movement switch;

shoulder movement switch;

sip-n-puff joystick controller;

speech recognition switch;

tongue switch; and

any combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second state comprises at least one of:

a reset state;

a next step of a configuration routine;

a stopped state;

an alarm state;

a message sending state; and

a limited control of controlled device state.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to monitor a biological signal of the patient, and wherein the monitored biological signal of the patient causes the ambulation assist apparatus to change from a first state to a second state.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitored biological signal is generated by one or more of:

eye motion;

eyelid motion;

facial muscle activation;

electromyographic activity;

heart rate;

EEG;

LFP; and

respiration.