US 5,375,610 AGranted

Apparatus for the functional assessment of human activity

AssigneeUniversity of New Hampshire

InventorsJohn R. LaCourse, Paul Corcoran

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Abstract

An apparatus for the functional assessment of human activity. The invention comprises four major components: the data acquisition unit, a body suit interface unit, a body suit having a plurality of mercury switches and a graphics oriented software package. The body suit is made from a non-conductive material, preferably a thermalactyl material with sensors permanently attached in position corresponding to the movements to be measured. The sensors have no direct electrical contact with the human wearer thus permitting the measurement period to extend to many hours. A portable data acquisition unit which is connected to the sensors enables the system to be used "on the job" to obtain mobility measurements under actual conditions. A graphic analysis means, connected to said data acquisition means, is provided for providing a visual display of the length of time that the human has spent in each of the pre-determined positions and the range of motion measured by the data acquisition unit. The system is especially useful in rehabilitation programs for quantifying the extent of mobility to select practical occupational alternatives.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the functional assessment of human activity comprising:

a body suit of non-conductive material with a plurality of sensors having no direct electrical contact with a wearer of said suit and said sensors attached to said suit in positions corresponding to the range of the wearer's total body motion to be measured including limb position;
data acquisition means, connected to said sensors, for recording the length of time the wearer has spent over an extended period of time in a plurality of pre-determined positions corresponding to positions occurring during normal daily activities;
and
graphic analysis means, connected to said data acquisition means, for providing a visual display of the length of time that the wearer has spent in each of the pre-determined positions and the range of motion measured by said data acquisition means;
graphic position means, connected to said graphic analysis means, for visually displaying representations of a human figure in each of the pre-determined positions;
occupational standards comparison means, connected to said graphic analysis means, for comparing the activity of the wearer including the length of time spent in each of the pre-determined positions during performance of said wearer's occupation;
activity of able-bodied to humans including the length of time spent in each of the pre-determined positions while performing the same activities associated with that occupation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/875,093Filed 28 Apr 1992
Granted: 27 Dec 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 5/1104
Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb: induced by stimuli or drugs
G16H 40/40
ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or…:…
G16Z 99/00
Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
A61B 5/6802
Specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface: sensor mounted on worn items