Active muscle assistance device and method
AssigneeTibion Corporation
InventorRobert W. Horst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling movement using an active powered device including an actuator, joint position sensor, muscle stress sensor, and control system. The device provides primarily muscle support although it is capable of additionally providing joint support (hence the name “active muscle assistance device”). The device is designed for operation in several modes to provide either assistance or resistance to a muscle for the purpose of enhancing mobility, preventing injury, or building muscle strength. The device is designed to operate autonomously or coupled with other like device(s) to provide simultaneous assistance or resistance to multiple muscles.
Claims56
A method for movement control with a powered device, comprising:
- fastening a powered device at points above and below a joint, the powered device having an electrostatic actuator;
- setting a desired mode of operation of the powered device;
- detecting, at the powered device, an indicia of joint movement or muscle stress with flexion or extension of the joint;
- and
- activating the electrostatic actuator to exert force, the activating being controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress.
A method for movement control with a powered device, comprising:
- fastening a powered device at points above and below a joint, the powered device having an electrostatic actuator;
- setting a desired mode of operation of the powered device;
- detecting, at the powered device, an indicia of joint movement or muscle stress with flexion or extension of the joint;
- and
- activating the electrostatic actuator to exert force, the activating being controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress and, when resisting, the force opposes the joint movement.
An apparatus for controlling joint movement and reducing muscle stress, comprising
- a first fastening means;
- a second fastening means;
- a stationary portion coupled to the first fastening means;
- a moving portion coupled to the second fastening means, the stationary and moving portions being attachable proximate to a joint of the human body with the first and second fastening means, respectively, and participating in movements of the joint;
- detection means operative to detect joint movements and muscle stress;
- an electrostatic actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the stationary and moving portions;
- and
- control means responsive to the detection means for controlling the energizing and de-energizing of the electrostatic actuator, wherein the energizing is controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress.
An apparatus for controlling joint movement and reducing muscle stress, comprising
- a first fastening means;
- a second fastening means;
- a stationary portion coupled to the first fastening means;
- a moving portion coupled to the second fastening means, the stationary and moving portions being attachable proximate to a joint of the human body with the first and second fastening means, respectively, and participating in movements of the joint;
- detection means operative to detect joint movements and muscle stress;
- an actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the stationary and moving portions, wherein the actuator is an electrostatic actuator;
- and
- control means responsive to the detection means for controlling the energizing and de-energizing of the actuator, wherein the energizing is controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress and, when resisting, the force opposes joint movement.
An apparatus for controlling joint movement and reducing muscle stress, comprising
- a first fastening means;
- a second fastening means;
- a stationary portion coupled to the first fastening means;
- a moving portion coupled to the second fastening means, the stationary and moving portions being attachable proximate to a joint of the human body with the first and second fastening means, respectively, and participating in movements of the joint;
- detection means operative to detect joint movements and muscle stress;
- an actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the stationary and moving portions;
- control means responsive to the detection means for controlling the energizing and de-energizing of the actuator, wherein the energizing is controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress and, when resisting, the force opposes the joint movement;
- and
- a low battery warning indication coupled to the control means and communicated to a user by a vibration mode of the actuator.
An apparatus for controlling joint movement and reducing muscle stress, comprising
- a first fastening means;
- a second fastening means;
- a stationary portion coupled to the first fastening means;
- a moving portion coupled to the second fastening means, the stationary and moving portions being attachable proximate to a joint of the human body with the first and second fastening means, respectively, and participating in movements of the joint;
- detection means operative to detect joint movements and muscle stress;
- an actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between stationary and moving portions;
- control means responsive to the detection means for controlling the energizing and de-energizing of the actuator, wherein the energizing is controllable for directing the force so that, when assisting, the force reduces the muscle stress and, when resisting, the force opposes joint movement;
- and
- a regenerative braking circuit coupled to a power supply for absorbing any external force induced on the actuator by the joint movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.