SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MEASURING PROPULSIVE FORCE DURING AMBULATION AND PROVIDING REAL-TIME FEEDBACK

• US 20140336003A1
• Filed: 05/08/2014
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Kram, Rodger, Franz, Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US14/273,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20140336003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0092 for training agility or co-ordination of movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0666 worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

The invention measures propulsive force of an ambulating subject to provide real-time feedback, which may be used for clinical assessment or rehabilitation/training such as that related to walking ability, or any other form of ambulation. Subjects with propulsive deficits have a considerable and underutilized propulsive reserve available during level ambulation. The invention uses real-time propulsive feedback as a therapeutic strategy to encourage a subject to access the propulsive reserve and improve forward propulsion during ambulation.

Claims

1. A propulsion system for measuring propulsive force and providing feedback real-time to improve ambulation of a subject, comprising:

an ambulation device that facilitates the subject walking, the ambulation device further comprising a force detection device that measures ground reaction force data as the subject walks on the ambulation device and an activity detection device that measures electromyographic signal data from one or more muscles as the subject walks on the ambulation device; and

a computer device including a processor and a user interface, the processor receives and analyzes real-time the ground reaction force data and the electromyographic signal data to produce a feedback output displayed on the user interface.

2. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the ambulation device is a motorized treadmill.

3. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the force detection device is a force platform or force transducers.

4. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the activity detection device are electrodes with differential amplifiers.

5. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more muscles are the soleus muscles of the legs.

6. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more muscles are the gastrocnemius muscles of the legs.

7. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the feedback output is a graphic illustration or an auditory cue of one or more selected from the group comprising:

the ground reaction force data, the electromyographic signal data, and stride frequency.

8. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the processor analyzes real-time the ground reaction force data to calculate a propulsive peak force or propulsive impulse from an anterior-posterior ground reaction force.

9. The propulsion system according to claim 1 wherein the processor analyzes real-time the electromyographic signal data to calculate a mean push-off electromyographic signal.

10. A method for measuring propulsive force and providing feedback real-time to improve ambulation of a subject, comprising the steps of:

providing an ambulation device to facilitate the subject walking,

using a force detection device to measure ground reaction force data as the subject walks on the ambulation device;

utilizing an activity detection device to measure electromyographic signal data from one or more muscles as the subject walks on the ambulation device;

analyzing real-time by a processor the ground reaction force data and the electromyographic signal data to produce a feedback output; and

communicating the feedback output on a user interface.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the analyzing step further comprises the step of calculating a propulsive peak or a propulsive impulse of an anterior-posterior ground reaction force.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the analyzing step further comprises the step of computing a mean push-off electromyographic signal.

13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the one or more muscles are the soleus muscles of the legs.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the one or more muscles are the gastrocnemius muscles of the legs.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein the communicating step further comprises the step of displaying a graphic illustration of one or more selected from the group comprising:

the ground reaction force data, the electromyographic signal data, and a stride frequency.

16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the communicating step further comprises the step of sounding an auditory cue of one or more selected from the group comprising:

the ground reaction force data, the electromyographic signal data, and a stride frequency.