Feedback device for improved balance control
AssigneeRxFunction, Inc.
InventorsLars Oddsson, Peter Meyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A feedback device for measuring pressure related information, and for providing that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects pressure information and transmits at least one pressure information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received pressure information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem.
Claims20
A system for assisting the maintenance of balance of a user, the system comprising:
- a) at least one sensor positionable against or adjacent to a body part of the user, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate, during user stance and dynamic activities, user balance information signals and transmit the user balance information signals;
- b) a signal processing subsystem, the subsystem configured to receive the user balance information signals, and generate, based on the user balance information signals, balance control signals reflecting user balance information;
- and
- c) at least one stimulator configured to be positionable against or adjacent to a skin area of the user, the at least one stimulator configured to be responsive to the balance control signals to provide skin stimulation during the user stance and dynamic activities to the skin area of the user, thereby providing feedback to the user.
A system for assisting the maintenance of balance of a user, the system comprising:
- a) at least one sensor positionable against a limb of the user, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate, during user stance and dynamic activities, user balance information signals and transmit the user balance information signals;
- b) a signal processing subsystem, the subsystem configured to receive the user balance information signals, and generate, based on the user balance information signals, balance control signals reflecting user balance information;
- and
- c) at least one stimulator configured to be positionable in contact with a skin area of the user, the at least one stimulator configured to be responsive to the balance control signals to provide skin stimulation during the user stance and dynamic activities to the skin area of the user, thereby providing feedback to the user.
A method for assisting the maintenance of balance of a user, the method comprising:
- sensing, with at least one sensor, user balance information,
- generating, during user stance and dynamic activities, user balance information signals based on the user balance information;
- transmitting the user balance information signals to a signal processing subsystem;
- generating, based on the user balance information signals, balance control signals reflecting the user balance information;
- and
- stimulating a skin area of the user with at least one stimulator during the user stance and dynamic activities based on the balance control signals, thereby providing feedback to the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.