Foot-operated controller

• US 20040078091A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Elkins 2002 Corporate Trust
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Elkins 2002 Corporate Trust
• Inventors: Elkins, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,186,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/68 Operating or control means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer for implantable prostheses A61F2250/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45172 Prosthesis

Abstract

A practical control device having up to eight independent channels of communication for simultaneously operating a plurality of electromechanical devices or for simultaneously performing a plurality of independent functions on an electromechanical device, such as a prosthetic hand, includes a foot-operated controller and a microprocessor. The foot-controller includes a plurality of pressure sensors mounted at selected locations on a substrate. The microprocessor converts sensor inputs from the foot-operated controller into commands for a controllable electromechanical device such as a prosthetic hand. Commands may be communicated via a radio transmitter or via hard-wiring.

Claims

1. A foot-operated controller comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of pressure sensors mounted at selected locations on the substrate to facilitate control of a controllable electromechanical device by application of pressure from selected parts of a foot to the sensors; and

a microprocessor for receiving input from the sensors and converting the sensor inputs into commands for the controllable electromechanical device.

2. The foot-operated controller of claim 1, further comprising a radio transmitter for converting pressure exerted on the sensors by various parts of a foot into control signals that are broadcast to a receiver and transmitted to an electromechanical device.

3. The foot-operated controller of claim 1, located on or within the insole of a shoe.

4. The foot-operated controller of claim 1, in which the microprocessor is hard-wired to the controllable electromechanical device.

5. The foot-operated controller of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is located on the substrate.

6. A prosthetic system comprising:

a prosthetic device;

a foot-operated controller including a substrate having a plurality of pressure sensors mounted at selected locations on the substrate to facilitate control of the prosthetic device; and

a microprocessor for receiving input from the sensors and converting the sensor inputs into commands for the prosthetic device.

7. The prosthetic system of claim 6, wherein the prosthetic device is a prosthetic hand.

8. The prosthetic system of claim 6, further comprising a radio transmitter for converting pressure exerted on the sensors by various parts of a foot into control signals that are broadcast to a receiver and transmitted to an electromechanical device.

9. The prosthetic system of claim 6, located on or within the insole of a shoe.

10. The prosthetic system of claim 6, in which the microprocessor is hard-wired to the controllable electromechanical device.

11. The prosthetic system of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor is located on the substrate.