# US 11,896,870 B2 · Devices and methods for exercise or analysis of the neck region

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- Number: US 11,896,870 B2
- Document ID: US11896870B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/190,910
- Filed: 2021-03-03
- Published: 2021-09-02
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-11-07
- Assignees: Neck Tronics Inc.
- Applicants: Neck Tronics Inc.
- Inventors: William Smith; Petrus Haase
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896870B2

## CPC

- A63B 23/025: for the head or the neck
- A61B 5/1122: {of movement trajectories}
- A61B 5/22: Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow
- A61B 5/6822: {Neck}
- A61H 1/0296: {Neck}
- A63B 21/002: isometric or isokinetic, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion {or wherein the speed of the motion is independent of the force applied by the user}
- A63B 21/0023: {for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion}
- A63B 21/0058: {using motors}
- A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms}
- A63B 21/4045: {Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide (weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201)}
- A63B 23/03508: {For a single arm or leg, (A63B21/0726 takes precedence)}
- A63B 23/1254: {Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises}
- A63B 23/1281: {primarily by articulating the elbow joint}
- A63B 24/0003: {Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis}
- A63B 24/0021: {Tracking a path or terminating locations}
- A61H 2001/0207: {Nutating movement of a body part around its articulation}
- A61H 2205/04: neck
- A63B 21/02: using resilient force-resisters
- A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand}
- A63B 24/0075: {Means for generating exercise programmes or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases}
- A63B 71/0619: {Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills}
- A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user}
- A63B 2071/0081: {Stopping the operation of the apparatus}
- A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music}
- A63B 2071/0627: {when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning}
- A63B 2071/0638: {Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment}
- A63B 2071/0647: {Visualisation of executed movements}
- A63B 2071/0675: {Input for modifying training controls during workout}
- A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia}
- A63B 2208/0204: Standing on the feet
- A63B 2208/0228: Sitting on the buttocks
- A63B 2220/10: Positions
- A63B 2220/13: Relative positions
- A63B 2220/51: Force
- A63B 2220/54: Torque
- A63B 2220/80: Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
- A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors
- A63B 2220/806: Video cameras
- A63B 2220/807: Photo cameras
- A63B 2220/833: Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
- A63B 2220/836: Sensors arranged on the body of the user
- A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions
- A63B 2225/093: Height
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis and/or exercise of a body region of a subject. Such devices may include a guide arm supported by a support frame; a receiving surface supported by the guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and a motor assembly in communication with the guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface based on received input force. Exercise and/or analysis methods described herein may include steps of instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface; sensing the applied input force over time; and controlling movement of the receiving surface based on the received input force using a motor assembly, whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface in a pre-determined direction, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-set end position is reached.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for analysis and/or exercise of a neck region of a subject, said device comprising:
a support frame;
a curved guide arm supported by the support frame;
a receiving surface supported by the curved guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and
a motor assembly in communication with the curved guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject based on input force received from the subject at the receiving surface;
wherein the motor assembly is configured to move the receiving surface in a direction substantially aligned with the input force at a predetermined rate, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-determined end position is reached;
wherein the motor assembly is configured to stop movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject upon interruption of the input force from the subject upon the receiving surface, upon failure of the input force to remain within an allowable tolerance, upon reaching a pre-determined end position, or any combination thereof, or both; and
wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein:
the receiving surface is fixedly mounted to or integrated with the curved guide arm, and the motor assembly is mounted to the support frame and controls movement of the curved guide arm, such that movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject is controlled by movement of the curved guide arm by the motor assembly; or
the receiving surface is movably mounted to the curved guide arm, and the motor assembly is mounted to the curved guide arm and controls movement of the receiving surface along the curved guide arm, such that movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject is controlled by movement of the receiving surface along the curved guide arm by the motor assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2, wherein the motor assembly engages with the curved guide arm via one or more non-slip complementary engagement members located on the motor assembly and curved guide arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises one or more input sensors for sensing input force received from the subject at the receiving surface and transmitting a control signal based on said input force, and a controller for receiving the control signal and controlling action of the motor assembly based on the control signal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein at least one input sensor is located at the receiving surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a user interface for guiding the subject's interaction with the receiving surface during use, wherein the user interface instructs the subject to apply input force to the receiving surface in a specific manner, and provides the subject with real-time feedback allowing the subject to adjust application of input force so as remain within an allowable tolerance, wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises a graphical interface displayed to the subject during use, an auditory interface played for the subject during use, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface which provides an immersive visual experience to the subject during use which guides interaction of the subject with the receiving surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a positioning sensor which tracks location of the receiving surface, head positioning of the subject, or both, in 3D space.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the curved guide arm is rotatable with respect to the support frame about a substantially vertical axis, allowing for positioning of the receiving surface about at least a portion of an outer perimeter region surrounding the subject.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a seat for the subject which orients the neck region of the subject with the receiving surface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the motor assembly controls movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject so as to provide isometric exercise, isokinetic exercise, or both, to the subject during use so as to assess range of motion of the subject during use; or a combination thereof.

### Claim 13

A method for exercising or analyzing a neck region of a subject, said method comprising:
instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface;
sensing the input force applied to the receiving surface over time; and
controlling movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject based on the input force received from the subject at the receiving surface using a motor assembly,
whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface away from or toward the subject in a direction substantially aligned with the input force, or in a pre-determined direction, at a predetermined rate, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-determined end position is reached, thereby exercising or analyzing function of the neck region; and
wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the motor assembly stops movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject upon sensed interruption of the input force from the subject upon the receiving surface, upon sensed failure of the input force to remain within the allowable tolerance, upon reaching a pre-determined end position, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises tracking location of the receiving surface, head positioning of the subject, or both, in 3D space over time.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the motor assembly controls movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject so as to provide isometric exercise, isokinetic exercise, or both, to the subject, so as to assess range of motion of the subject, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the instructing step comprises providing a user interface guiding the subject's interaction with the receiving surface, wherein the user interface instructs the subject to apply input force to the receiving surface in a specific manner, and provides the subject with real-time feedback allowing the subject to adjust application of input force so as remain within the allowable tolerance, and wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface which provides an immersive visual experience to the subject during use which guides interaction of the subject with the receiving surface.