System and method for providing indirect movement feedback during sensorimotor function rehabilitation and enhancement
Inventors
JOHNSON, VINEET BENJAMIN K. • STANLEY, RANJIT SOLOMON • VASILIU, DANIEL
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11596831-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A rehabilitation feedback system is used during rehabilitation of one or more body appendages of a user. The system includes four finger tracking elements and a thumb tracking element supported for movement relative to one another so as to allow a user to performs a gripping motion when the elements are coupled to the fingers and thumb of a user. A biasing member provides a resistance force acting to urge each tracking element towards a starting position thereof. A visual barrier is adapted to hide the hand of the user at a first side of the visual barrier from direct visual sight by the user at a second side of the visual barrier. A sensor at the first side of the visual barrier detects movements of the tracking elements and communicates with an indicator element detectable by the user from a second side of the visual barrier.
Core Innovation
The invention is a rehabilitation feedback system for use during rehabilitation of control by a user of one or more body appendages. A base frame supports at least one working element that is movable relative to the base frame from a starting position to a deflected position, where the working element is adapted to be coupled to a respective body appendage for movement relative to the base frame. A biasing member is operatively connected between the base frame and the working element to provide a resistance force urging the working element toward the starting position.
A visual barrier is provided to hide the body appendages from direct visual sight by the user, while a sensor element at a first side of the visual barrier detects movement of the working element away from the starting position. An indicator element is positioned so it is detectable by the user from a second side of the visual barrier. In response to detection by the sensor element that the working element has moved away from the starting position, the indicator element indicates to the user a displacement of the working element.
The system includes finger and thumb tracking elements coupled to sockets and biasing structures that urge working elements back toward a starting position. An electromechanical embodiment uses displacement sensing and a display to convey displacement to the user.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: one directed to a rehabilitation feedback system and one directed to a method of providing movement feedback. Across these independent claims, the core inventive setup uses movable working elements with a biasing member, a visual barrier that hides the body appendage, a sensor that detects displacement away from a starting position, and an indicator that conveys displacement to the user from the barrier’s opposite side.
Movable working element with resistance toward a starting position
A base frame; at least one working element supported on the base frame so as to be movable relative to the base frame from a starting position to a deflected position, the working element being adapted to be coupled to a respective body appendage for movement with the body appendage relative to the base frame; and a biasing member operatively connected between the base frame and the working element to provide a resistance force acting to urge the working element towards the starting position.
Visual barrier with sensor at first side and indicator at second side
A visual barrier adapted to hide the one or more body appendages at a first side of the visual barrier from direct visual sight by the user at a second side; a sensor element at the first side arranged to detect movement of the working element away from the starting position; and an indicator element detectable by the user from the second side arranged to indicate displacement of the working element in response to detection that the working element has moved away from the starting position.
Barrier-proximate placement so hidden working-element movement is indicated
Providing a visual barrier in proximity to the rehabilitation system such that the at least one working element is hidden at a first side from direct visual sight by the user at a second side, locating the indicator element so as to be detectable by a user from the second side, and operating the feedback system such that any movement relative to the base frame of a body appendage coupled to the working element is indicated to the user in a manner detectable from the second side.
Overall claim coverage centers on movable working elements coupled to a user’s body appendage with a biasing member that urges the working element toward a starting position, a visual barrier that hides the appendage while a sensor detects movement away from the starting position, and an indicator element positioned to convey displacement to the user from the barrier’s opposite side, including in a method that ensures barrier-detectable indication.
Stated Advantages
Provides movement feedback to the user indicating displacement of the working element based on sensor detection of movement away from the starting position.
Hides the user’s body appendages from direct visual sight while still providing detectable displacement information to the user.
Supports rehabilitation of control by a user of one or more body appendages through the use of the feedback system during rehabilitation.
Documented Applications
Stroke rehabilitation training session for a stroke survivor training session.
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