Dynamically adjustable orthotic device
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsSylvia D. Pas, Michael F. Pas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthotic device comprises a flexible support structure comprising at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user, a plurality of pressure sensors configured for coupling to a microcontroller, and a plurality of displacement regions. Each region defines a portion of said flexible support structure, wherein each portion includes at least one sensor disposed on or below the at least one surface and at least one electrically deformable unit. Each unit comprises at least one electroactive material and is configured for coupling to the microcontroller and to a power source. The device is dynamically adjustable to change its shape and support properties, when an electrical voltage is applied to the electroactive material under the control of a microcontroller.
Claims22
An orthotic device comprising:
- a flexible support structure comprising
- at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user;
- a plurality of pressure sensors configured for coupling to a microcontroller;
- and
- a plurality of displacement regions, each said region defining a portion of a flexible support structure, wherein each said portion includes at least one said sensor disposed on or below said at least one surface, and at least one electrically deformable unit,
- wherein each said unit comprises at least one electroactive material and is configured for coupling to said microcontroller wherein:
- a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors and said flexible support structures determines the shape of the flexible support structure based on input from the pressure sensors;
- and
- wherein the plurality of displacement regions displace the plurality of pressure sensors of the orthotic device when the displacement regions deform.
A dynamically adjustable orthotic module comprising:
- a flexible support structure comprising
- at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user;
- a plurality of pressure sensors;
- and
- a plurality of displacement regions, each said region defining a portion of said flexible support structure, wherein each said portion includes at least one said sensor disposed on or below said at least one surface, and at least one electrically deformable unit,
- wherein each said unit comprises at least one electroactive material;
- wherein:
- a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors determines the shape of the flexible support structure based on input from the pressure sensors and a microcontroller electrically coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors and said flexible support structures, wherein said microcontroller determines the shape of the flexible support structure based on input from the pressure sensors;
- and
- a power source electrically coupled to said flexible support structure and microcontroller,
- wherein when the plurality of displacement regions displace the plurality of pressure sensors in the orthotic device when the displacement regions deform.
A foot powered energy harvesting device comprising:
- a shoe including a chamber, at least a portion of which is surrounded by an electrically conductive coil;
- a resilient air bladder disposed in said chamber and containing at least one air inlet valve and at least one air outlet;
- at least one air turbine disposed in said chamber, each of which is connected to a respective said air outlet, said air turbine and having blades disposed on a rotatable shaft with magnets thereon, wherein said coil and air turbine are configured to generate electricity when air is expelled from said air bladder outlet causing said shaft to rotate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.