WEARABLE DEVICE HAVING FEEDBACK CHARACTERISTICS

• US 20090024062A1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Arion Banki Hf
• Inventors: Einarsson, Palmi
• Granted Patent: US 8,025,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6812 Orthopaedic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7615 Measuring means for implanting artificial joints A61F2/4657
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0132 Additional features of the articulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0155 with actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0158 with locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0165 with limits of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0181 Protectors for articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0188 : having pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 : Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0102 : specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0123 : for the knees A61F5/0106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0193 : Apparatus specially adapted for treating hip dislocation; Abduction splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 : of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance

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.

Claims

1. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:

a compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer;

at least one sensor member arranged on or within the article 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.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor member is an accelerometer, and/or an inclinometer.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback element is a selectively inflatable air cell.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback element is a shape memory element that is compliant when the detected condition is within predefined limits;

and the shape memory element regains a substantially rigid shape when the detected condition is outside of the predefined limits.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback element has a variable material stiffness.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback element has a variable fluid viscosity.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback element is arranged to provide a selective stimulus to a user.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the stimulus is an electrical stimulation and/or an electrical shock.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the stimulus is an audible and/or visual alarm.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the stimulus is a pulse and/or a vibration.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compliant article is in the form of a generally sleeve-like component arranged for providing compression to the joint.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor arranged to receive signals from the sensor member and to selectively send signals to the feedback element.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compliant article is configured as a brace for a knee joint;

and

the sensor member is configured to detect varus and valgus movements of a knee joint.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compliant article is configured as a brace for a knee joint;

and

the sensor member is configured to detect relative rotation between a tibia and a femur.

15. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:

a compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer;

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 on or within the article 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.

16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising:

a charge of compressed air arranged to selectively inflate the air cell; and

a processor arranged to receive signals from the sensor member and to selectively actuate the charge of compressed air to inflate the air cell.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the compliant article is configured to surround a knee joint;

and

the air cell is arranged to extend in the distal and proximal directions past a tibial plateau and a femoral condyle, such that, in the inflated configuration, the air cell is arranged to prevent relative rotation between a tibia and a femur to protect ligaments in a knee from damage.

18. A knee brace comprising:

a 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 on or within the sleeve 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.

19. The knee brace according to claim 18, further comprising:

a plurality of sensor members arranged on or within the sleeve around a knee joint;

a plurality of air cells arranged on or within the sleeve around a knee joint, and

wherein each of the plurality of air cells is fluidically connected to each other such that all of the air cells achieve the inflated configuration substantially simultaneously.

20. The knee brace according to claim 19, further comprising:

a charge of compressed air arranged to selectively inflate the plurality of air cells; and

a processor arranged to receive signals from the plurality of sensor members and to selectively actuate the charge of compressed air to inflate the plurality of air cells.