Method and apparatus for discouraging W-sitting

• US 9,265,641 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dienen, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bernie T. Veldman
• Inventors: Veldman, Bernie T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCormack, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/836,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20130211299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.7
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces

Abstract

An orthotic apparatus includes a garment, first and second switches, a power source, an indicator and a series of electrical conductors. When a patient wearing the garment assumes an undesirable position, the switches are activated and the indicator produces an audible, visual or other prompt to remind the patient to change position.

Claims

1. An orthotic apparatus including:

a garment;

a first switch connected to the garment;

a second switch connected to the garment;

a power source connected to the garment;

an indicator connected to the garment, the indicator activating only when both switches are activated during the same time period;

a first electrical conductor electrically coupled to the first switch and the power source;

a second electrical conductor electrically coupled to the power source and the indicator;

a third electrical conductor electrically coupled to the indicator and the second switch;

a fourth electrical conductor electrically coupled to the first switch and the second switch; and

wherein the first and second switches are positioned so as to activate only when a person wearing the garment assumes a W-sitting position.

2. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator produces an audible sound.

3. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator produces a visible signal.

4. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the conductors is a piece of conductive cloth.

5. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment is made from a stretchable fabric material.

6. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power source and indicator are located in a housing.

7. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches is removably connected to the garment so as to be movable from a first location on the garment to a second location on the garment.

8. An orthotic apparatus including:

a first switch;

a second switch;

a power source;

a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver;

means for selectively positioning the first and second switches on a person;

an indicator that activates only when the first and second switches are activated during the same time period; and

wherein the first and second switches are activated only when the person assumes a W-sitting position and activating the first and second switches causes the transmitter to send a signal to the receiver, which in turn activates the indicator.

9. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, further including a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the first switch, second switch, power source and indicator in an electric circuit.

10. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, further including a garment.

11. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means includes a strap.

12. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means includes a sleeve.

13. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, further including means for connecting the indicator to a person.

14. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means includes a strap.

15. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means includes a sleeve.

16. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means includes a garment.

17. The orthotic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means includes a hook and loop fastening system.