Wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis
Inventors
BURNETT, Daniel R. • Mangrum, Shane • TIGNER, Timothy • Luxon, Evan S. • HAMILTON, Marcie • YEE, Alex • Gutierrez, Jose
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11806262-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a wearable whole-body vibration system for treating or preventing osteoporosis or osteopenia. The system includes one or more vibrating elements configured to impart repeated mechanical loads to a hip of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for a therapeutic or preventative effect.
The apparatus includes one or more securing mechanisms configured to wrap the apparatus around the waist or torso of the individual so that the vibrating elements remain secured to the body. The wearable configuration supports vibration transmission through the body to bones beyond the hip, including the spine, and the vibration direction can be lateral depending on the vibrating element orientation.
The system monitors or regulates vibration efficacy using accelerometers, including tri-axial accelerometers positioned relative to the hip, with optional force or tension sensors. Feedback-controlled adjustment is used to control peak acceleration for therapeutic effectiveness, including automatic off via an internal timer, and the apparatus can include internal memory/logging and wireless connectivity for usage logging or compliance.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim (clm-00001). Its core claim is supported by dependent claims that add inventive constraints and features, including sensor-based monitoring, vibration parameters, and automatic stopping.
Wearable vibrating hip loading for osteoporosis/osteopenia
A wearable apparatus comprising one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to a hip at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for a therapeutic or preventative effect on osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Waist or torso wrapping securing mechanism for transmission beyond the hip
One or more securing mechanisms configured to wrap the apparatus around the waist or torso and secure the vibrating elements to the body such that vibrations carried by the repeated mechanical loads are carried through the body to bones beyond the hip.
Hip-positioned acceleration sensing with accelerometers
One or more accelerometers configured so that when worn they are positioned over an individual's hip to measure acceleration at the hip.
Automatic treatment stopping via internal timer
A timer configured to automatically stop the treatment when it is completed.
Overall coverage centers on a wearable apparatus that delivers repeated mechanical loads to a hip using secured vibrating elements, with vibrations transmitted to bones beyond the hip, and includes dependent refinements relating to hip-positioned acceleration sensing and timer-based automatic stopping.
Stated Advantages
Direct localization targeting to spine/hips rather than platform-based delivery.
Reduced damping losses compared with platform-based whole body vibration.
Flexible vibration directionality, including lateral direction depending on wear location and orientation.
Portable, battery-powered use enabling lower user burden.
Supports monitoring and regulation of vibration efficacy using feedback-controlled adjustment of peak acceleration.
Provides internal timer-based automatic off and usage logging/compliance via internal memory and optional wireless connectivity.
Stated potential extensions include cycling and adipogenesis/weight loss.
Documented Applications
Treating or preventing osteoporosis or osteopenia by delivering repeated mechanical loads from a wearable apparatus to a hip so that vibrations propagate through the body to bones beyond the hip.
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