System and method for providing therapy by altering the motion of a person

• US 8,340,757 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US12/290,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20100114188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/46, 607/48, 600/559, 600/595, 735/85
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0072 with application of electrical currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition

Abstract

A method for providing motor control therapy for a user by altering a user'"'"'s motional response is generally described. The method includes directing a user to perform a specified motion in accordance with a schedule. The method also includes detecting the user'"'"'s motions and providing vestibular stimulation in an effort to teach a proper response.

Claims

1. A system for providing therapy for a user by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the system comprising:

a current source;

a reference source including information associated with desired motions of the user;

a recording device configured to maintain a record related to motions of a user;

a feedback sensor device configured to detect the motions associated with the user and to provide sensor information to the recording device;

a control program configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the information, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information;

a controller configured to run the control program and output control signals based on the control data;

a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a current from the current source to a vestibular system of the user in response to the output control signals;

an analysis program configured to analyze at least one record from the recording device related to the user'"'"'s therapeutic progress and automatically and adaptively provide changes to at least one of the reference source, the control algorithm, the controller, the current source, or a vestibular stimulation device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes an objective function.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes a target.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes a performance score.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes an output including instructions for the user.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes an output including instructions to repeat a previous action.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes an output including instructions to modify a previous action.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to the information.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to one or more control algorithm parameters.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to one or more controller parameters.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to current magnitude.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to current frequency.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes functionality to make changes to current polarity.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis program includes the functionality to make changes to parameters of the vestibular simulation device.

15. A system for providing therapy for a user by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the system comprising:

a current source;

a reference source including information associated with desired motions of the user;

a recording device configured to maintain a record related to motions of a user;

a feedback sensor device configured to detect the motions associated with the user and to provide sensor information to the recording device;

a control program configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the information, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information;

a controller configured to run the control program and output control signals based on the control data;

a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a current from the current source to vestibular system of the user in response to the output control signals;

a temporal schedule configured to provide temporal scheduling information to the user to attempt to provide therapy for a user condition.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule is generated based on an objective function.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule is generated based on a target.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule is generated based on a performance score.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule is generated based on an input from the user.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis program includes an output including instructions to modify a previous action.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes instructions to repeat a previous action.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to the reference information.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to one or more control algorithm parameters.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to one or more controller parameters.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to current magnitude.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to current frequency.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to current polarity.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein the schedule includes changes to parameters of the vestibular simulation device.