Portable systems and methods for ankle rehabilitation
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorSangeetha Madhavan
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for improved rehabilitation of ankle motion by visually-driven priming of motor movement. The methods and systems include a sensor configured to measure ankle angle. The generated signal may be used to determine a maximal range of angles the user is capable of generating in order to calibrate the system. Subsequently, the signal from the sensor may be used to display the user location relative to an indication used to prime the motor movement. User performance may be tracked and performance-based awards given to increase rehabilitative outcome. The method and systems may encourage increased patient compliance by providing a comfortable, effective mode of ankle rehabilitation.
Claims20
A method for improved rehabilitation of ankle motion for the treatment of stroke by visually-driven priming of motor movement, the method comprising:
- operating a sensor that is coupled to a foot or ankle by way of a strap or an expandable fabric garment to generate a first signal representative of ankle angle over a first period of time;
- determining, based on the first signal, a range of angles detected over the first period of time;
- prior to a second period of time, operating a display to provide an indication to prime a repetitive motor movement, wherein the indication represents at least one full cycle of the repetitive motor movement with respect to ankle angle as a function of time;
- operating the sensor to generate a second signal representative of ankle angle over the second period of time;
- during the second period of time, mapping the second signal to a user location with respect to ankle angle relative to the repetitive motor movement;
- and
- during the second period of time, operating the display to update the indication that represents the repetitive motor movement, wherein operating the display to update the indication that represents the repetitive motor movement includes updating a location, relative to the representation of the repetitive motor movement, of a cursor according to the user location.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a controller, cause the controller to perform operations of a method for rehabilitation of ankle motion for the treatment of stroke comprising:
- operating a sensor that is coupled to a foot or an ankle by way of a strap or an expandable fabric garment to generate a first signal representative of ankle angle over a first period of time;
- determining, based on the first signal, a range of angles detected over the first period of time;
- prior to a second period of time, operating a display to provide an indication to prime a repetitive motor movement, wherein the indication represents at least one full cycle of the repetitive motor movement with respect to ankle angle as a function of time;
- operating the sensor to generate a second signal representative of ankle angle over the second period of time;
- during the second period of time, mapping the second signal to a user location with respect to ankle angle relative to the repetitive motor movement;
- and
- during the second period of time, operating the display to update the indication that represents the repetitive motor movement, wherein operating the display to update the indication that represents the repetitive motor movement includes updating a location, relative to the representation of the repetitive motor movement, of a cursor according to the user location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.