Gesture Recognition Biofeedback

• US 20160051183A1
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rutgers University
• Original Assignee: Rutgers University
• Inventors: Craelius, William, Yungher, Donald, Kim, Nam H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,877,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1125 Grasping motions of hands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A gesture recognition biofeedback device is provided for improving fine motor function in persons with brain injury. The system detects a physical characteristic of the patient and provides feedback based on the detected characteristic. For instance, the system may detect surface muscle pressures of the forearm to provide real-time visual biofeedback to the patient based on a comparison of the detected muscle pressure and predefined values indicative of appropriate motor function.

Claims

1. A system for providing biofeedback corresponding to a gesture of a subject, comprising:

a sensor for detecting muscular activity of a subject and providing sensor signals indicative of the detected muscular activity wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of force sensors spaced apart from one another;

a processor operable to process the sensor signals, wherein the processor is operable to create a template of predetermined values for each of the force sensors indicative of a desired movement by the subject,

wherein subsequent data regarding muscular activity of the subject can be compared against the template of predetermined values to evaluate variations between the desired movement and signals from sensors during subsequent muscular activity.

2. The system of claim 1 comprising a retainer for holding the force sensors against or adjacent the subject for detecting forces caused by muscle contractions of the subject.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the force sensors comprise force sensing resistors.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises an output element for providing a humanly perceivable cue for commencing the muscular activity.

5. A system for providing biofeedback corresponding to a subject'"'"'s gesture using a template of predetermined values corresponding to a desired movement for the subject, wherein the system comprises:

a sensor for detecting muscular activity of a subject and providing sensor signals indicative of the detected muscular activity wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of force sensors spaced apart from one another;

a processor operable to receive sensor signals, compare the sensor signals against the predetermined values and provide an output signal based on the variation between the sensor signals and the predetermined values.

6. The system of claim 5 comprising a retainer for holding the force sensors against or adjacent the subject for detecting forces caused by muscle contractions of the subject.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the force sensors comprise force sensing resistors.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the system comprises an output element for providing a humanly perceivable cue for commencing the muscular activity.

9. The system of claim 5 comprising a feedback element connected with the processor, wherein the feedback element receives signals from the processor and provides a human recognizable feedback based on the signals from the processor.

10. A method for providing biofeedback, comprising the steps of:

sensing a characteristic of muscular activity of a first body part indicative of movement of a second body part remote from the first body part;

providing a signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic;

comparing the signal with predetermined values indicative of a desired muscular movement; and

calculating a measure of the variation between the predetermined values and the sensed characteristic.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising the step of releasably retaining force sensors against or adjacent the subject to detect forces caused by muscle contractions of the subject.

12. The method of claim 10 comprising the step of providing a humanly perceivable cue for commencing the muscular activity in response to the step of calculating a measure of variation.

13. A system for providing biofeedback corresponding to a gesture of a user, comprising:

a sensor for detecting muscular activity of a subject and providing sensor signals indicative of the detected muscular activity wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of force sensors spaced apart from one another;

a processor operable to process the sensor signals, wherein the processor is operable in a set up mode and a therapy mode,

wherein in the set-up mode the processor is operable to receive sensor signals when the subject performs the muscular activity and calculate the predetermined values in response to the sensor signals received during the set-up mode; and

wherein in the operational mode the processor is operable to receive sensor signals, compare the sensor signals against the predetermined values and provide an output signal based on the variation between the sensor signals and the predetermined values.

14. The system of claim 13 comprising a retainer for holding the force sensors against or adjacent the subject for detecting forces caused by muscle contractions of the subject.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the force sensors comprise force sensing resistors.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the system comprises an output element for providing a humanly perceivable cue for commencing the muscular activity.

17. The system of claim 13 comprising a feedback element connected with the processor, wherein the feedback element receives signals from the processor and provides a human recognizable feedback based on the signals from the processor.