Wearable device having feedback characteristics
First Claim
1. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:
- a compliant article in the form of a generally sleeve component having an inner cover and an outer cover attached at proximal and distal ends thereof and defining a space therebetween, the compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer and to provide compression thereto;
at least one sensor member arranged within the space and configured to detect at least one condition of a joint of a wearer;
at least one feedback element arranged on or within the article and having a first, inactivated configuration and a second, activated configuration;
wherein, the feedback element remains in the inactivated configuration when a detected condition is within predefined limits; and
the feedback element achieves the activated configuration when a detected condition is outside of the predefined limits.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wearable device having feedback characteristics including a compliant article that is arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer. Sensors provided with the wearable device detect the orientation of a joint and send signals to a processor for analysis. When the processor determines that the joint is in an unsafe or potentially injurious configuration, a feedback or response mechanism is activated to alert the user to such a condition and/or to provide substantially rigid structural support to the joint. The device may also be used to condition users to maintain the joint in proper orientations to avoid injuries, or to condition an amputee to use more effective motions to achieve a more natural gait.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:
-
a compliant article in the form of a generally sleeve component having an inner cover and an outer cover attached at proximal and distal ends thereof and defining a space therebetween, the compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer and to provide compression thereto; at least one sensor member arranged within the space and configured to detect at least one condition of a joint of a wearer; at least one feedback element arranged on or within the article and having a first, inactivated configuration and a second, activated configuration; wherein, the feedback element remains in the inactivated configuration when a detected condition is within predefined limits; and the feedback element achieves the activated configuration when a detected condition is outside of the predefined limits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:
-
a compliant article in the form of a generally sleeve component having an inner cover and an outer cover attached at proximal and distal ends thereof and defining a space therebetween, the compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer and to provide compression thereto; at least one sensor member arranged on or within the article and configured to detect at least one condition of a joint; at least one air cell arranged within the space and having a first, uninflated configuration and a second, inflated configuration; wherein, the air cell remains in the uninflated configuration when a detected condition is within predefined limits; and the air cell achieves the inflated configuration when a detected condition is outside of the predefined limits such that the inflated air cell provides increased rigidity to the brace. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A knee brace comprising:
-
a compliant sleeve component having an inner cover and an outer cover attached at proximal and distal ends thereof and defining a space therebetween, the compliant sleeve component arranged to at least partially surround a knee joint and extend proximally along a femur and distally along a tibia of a knee joint; at least one sensor member arranged on or within the sleeve and configured to detect at least one condition of a joint; at least one air cell arranged within the space and extending in the proximal and distal directions of the sleeve and further having a first, uninflated configuration and a second, inflated configuration; wherein, the air cell remains in the uninflated configuration when a detected condition is within predefined limits; and the air cell achieves the inflated configuration when a detected condition is outside of the predefined limits such that the inflated air cell provides increased rigidity to the brace. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification