Systems, methods, and devices for sensing and providing biofeedback at target axial load
AssigneesUniversity of Washington, The United States as represented by the Department of Veteran Affairs
InventorsPatrick M. Aubin, Chris Richburg, Joseph Czerniecki, Evan Schuster
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Several embodiments are provided of a device which is tunable for providing a walking aid user with passive haptic feedback. The haptic feedback is provided to the user when a predetermined, desired force in the device is reached. The force, often simply an axial force, in the device is inputted by the user, who is looking to support some of his or her body weight, thereby taking some weight off of one or both legs for some purpose. The amount of body weight support the user would input is often expressed in terms of percentage of the user's total body weight, and can therefore be predetermined and the device tuned accordingly.
Claims13
A device for providing feedback when inputted with a specified axial load, the device comprising:
- a feedback mechanism configured to be removably coupled to a walking aid, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises at least one snap dome, wherein the walking aid is configured to be held by a user when in use to thereby support a weight of the user, wherein the feedback mechanism provides discrete feedback when inputted with the specified axial load, wherein the feedback mechanism is tunable to the specified axial load, and wherein the discrete feedback comprises a haptic signal and an audible signal.
A system for providing feedback to a user, the system comprising:
- a walking aid configured to receive an axial force applied to the walking aid by the user, wherein the walking aid is configured to be held by the user when in use to thereby support a weight of the user;
- a device, removably attached to the walking aid, wherein the device is subjected to the same axial force as the walking aid;
- and
- the device generates a feedback signal about the axial force to the user, wherein feedback about the axial force provides the user feedback when the device is subjected to a predetermined desired force, wherein the feedback signal comprises a haptic signal and an audible signal, and wherein generating the feedback signal comprises applying the axial force input by the user to a series of snap domes comprising at least one snap dome positioned in the walking aid, wherein when the axial force exceeds a designed threshold force of the at least one snap dome, the at least one snap dome trips, thereby causing the feedback signal to the user of the walking aid.
A method of providing positive feedback for proper walking aid-assisted gait, the method comprising:
- tuning a feedback device to provide a first feedback when inputted with a predetermined desired force;
- removably attaching the feedback device to a walking aid;
- supporting a user's weight by inputting a force into the walking aid, which is thereby inputted to the feedback device attached to the walking aid, wherein the walking aid is configured to be held by the user when in use to thereby support the user's weight;
- and
- providing the first feedback to the user when the force inputted into the walking aid reaches the predetermined desired force, wherein the first feedback comprises a haptic signal and an audible signal, and wherein providing the first feedback comprises applying the force input by the user to a series of snap domes comprising at least one snap dome positioned in the walking aid, wherein when the axial force exceeds a designed elastic deformation force of the at least one snap dome, the at least one snap dome trips, thereby causing the first feedback signal to the user of the walking aid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.