System and method for data communication with a mechatronic device

• US 20060184252A1
• Filed: 02/15/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Arion Banki Hf
• Inventors: Clausen, Arinbjorn V., Oddsson, Magnus
• Granted Patent: US 8,801,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/50 Prostheses not implantable in the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• 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 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7685 located on natural or sound-site limbs, e.g. comparison measuring means

Abstract

Embodiments include a system for controlling motion of a human limb. The system may include a plurality of mechatronic devices, each of which may be in communication with at least one other of the plurality of mechatronic devices. Each of the mechatronic devices includes one or more of a processor, an actuator, or a sensor. One or more of the mechatronic devices may be configured to generate a control state for at least one other of the plurality of mechatronic devices based on the communicated data. In one embodiment, the communicated data is used to synchronize the mechatronic devices. In one embodiment, one or more of the mechatronic devices is configured to receive executable instructions for controlling an actuator via a communications interface.

Claims

1. A mechatronic system attached to a human body, the system comprising:

a sensor configured to provide data indicative of movement of the human body;

an actuator configured to control movement of at least a portion of the human body;

a processor configured to execute instructions configured to control the actuator based on the sensor data; and

a communication interface configured to communicate data with a data source wherein the processor is configured to receive at least a portion of the instructions from the data source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the received instructions, when executed, adapt the mechatronic system for a particular activity.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the particular activity comprises at least one of hiking, jogging, and running.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the data source comprises a computing device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data source comprises a storage card.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to control movement of a knee of the body.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions comprises a first state machine.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the received instructions comprise a second state machine that replaces at least a portion of the first state machine.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is configured to communicate data using an Internet Protocol.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is configured to communicate data over a wireless communications link.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the source device comprises first and second computing devices and wherein the communications interface is configured to communicate over a first network to the first computing device and wherein the first computing device is configured to communicate with the second computing device over a second network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to receive the instructions from the second communications device.

13. A method of synchronizing a computing device with a mechatronic system associated with a human limb, the method comprising:

communicating data between the mechatronic system and the computing device;

storing the data on the computing device;

generating a control state on the mechatronic system in response to the data; and

controlling an actuator on the second mechatronic system based at least in part on the control state.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving sensor data on the mechatronic system; and

generating the data to be communicated on the mechatronic system in response to the sensor data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein communicating data between the mechatronic system and the computing device comprises:

sending data from the mechatronic system to the computing device; and

sending data from the computing device to the mechatronic system.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

retrieving data from a database based on information associated with the mechatronic system;

communicated the retrieved data from the computing device to the mechatronic system; and

storing the retrieved data on the mechatronic system.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein storing the retrieved data on the computing device comprises:

associating the data with data indicative of the mechatronic system; and

storing the data and the data indicative of the mechatronic system in a database.

18. A mechatronic system attached to a human body, the system comprising:

means for providing data indicative of movement of the human body;

means for controlling movement of at least a portion of the human body;

means for storing instructions configured to control the actuator based on the sensor data;

means for executing said stored instructions and controlling the actuator based on the sensor data; and

means for communicating data with a data source and receiving at least a portion of the instructions from the data source into said means for storing.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the received instructions, when executed, adapt the mechatronic system for a particular activity.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein means for controlling comprising means for controlling movement of a knee of the body.

20. The system of claim 20, wherein the particular activity comprises at least one of hiking, jogging, and running.