Adaptive muscle stimulation technique
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8972018-B2
Publication Date
2015-03-03
Expiration Date
2033-03-20
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Abstract
An embodiment of the invention resides in the apparatus and technique of dynamically measuring and storing a biological condition or disposition during the time that one set of conditions are imposed on a joint or body area and applying closed-loop therapeutic action so as to re-achieve that same biological condition or disposition during a subsequent time that another different set of conditions are imposed. Furthermore, dynamic potentials surrounding said joint or body area may be created, bolstered, and/or modulated through aspects of stimulation applied which are independent of those aspects utilized to counteract force incident on the joint or body area. Other embodiments are described herein.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an apparatus and method for dynamically measuring and storing a biological condition or disposition—such as a joint's position or tissue potential—under one set of conditions, and then applying a closed-loop therapeutic action to re-achieve that state during a different set of conditions. It does so by sensing physical orientation and biological potentials, and then applying adaptive, hysteretic closed-loop muscle stimulation to the affected joint or area. The stimulation is tailored based on individual biological feedback, updating the stimulation parameters as the user’s condition evolves.
The problem addressed is that conventional braces, while providing support, often cause muscle atrophy. Open-loop muscle stimulators, currently used as an alternative, rely on pre-programmed templates or require user input for 'problematic' conditions; they cannot adapt to individual patients or to changes in the patient's condition over time. They do not take into account the direct or indirect effects of muscle stimulation, nor can they synchronize with or bolster natural biological activity such as piezoelectric or streaming potentials that occur with dynamic joint loading.
This invention enables individualized, dynamic modulation of tissue potentials and muscle activity by precisely measuring movement, forces, and corresponding bioelectric potentials in real-time. The system uses multiple sensors (such as accelerometers and electrodes) to determine both physical positions and electrical characteristics, and then applies stimulation in a closed loop to match optimal biological conditions or address deficient states—improving upon simple, non-adaptive systems. The methodology supports not only protection and physical support of compromised joints, but also tissue preservation and regeneration by fostering biological synchrony and individualized adaptation.
Claims Coverage
There are three independent claims in this patent, each outlining distinct inventive features involving adaptive, closed-loop muscle stimulation based on individualized sensing and control.
Closed-loop muscle stimulation based on orientation differential
An apparatus comprising at least one memory and controller, which: - Senses a first physical orientation between a patient's appendage portions at a joint during a baseline state and a second orientation during a non-baseline state. - Determines the orientation differential between these states. - Determines a current stimulation characteristic (such as first current) based on the orientation differential. - Stimulates the joint, first, or second appendage portion with the first current in a hysteretic closed loop relationship relating the current stimulation characteristic to the orientation differential. - Adjusts the current stimulation characteristic in proportion to the orientation differential.
Simultaneous or multiplexed dual-site stimulation in closed-loop
An apparatus comprising at least one memory and controller, which: - Performs all of the orientation sensing, differential determination, and stimulation as above. - Determines a second current stimulation characteristic (second current) based on the orientation differential. - Stimulates another portion of the joint or appendage with the second current in another closed loop relationship. - Operates via simultaneous stimulation with first and second currents or uses multiplexed stimulation. - Implements stimulation between electrodes configured at lateral and medial positions relevant to the patient's joint.
Closed-loop adjustment based on transcutaneous potential and joint force relationships
An apparatus comprising at least one memory and controller, which: - Senses first and second physical orientations, determines orientation differential, and determines and applies current stimulation in closed-loop relationship as above. - Senses a first transcutaneous potential and a first force on the joint, and determines their relationship. - Senses a second transcutaneous potential and a second force, determining a second relationship. - Determines a relationship differential between the first and second relationships. - Based on this relationship differential, determines another current stimulation characteristic (second current) and stimulates the joint or appendage with the second current in another closed-loop relationship.
The inventive features cover a system for individualized, adaptive, closed-loop joint or tissue stimulation using sensed physical and electrical parameters, capable of adjusting stimulation dynamically based on real-time state and individualized biological feedback.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates continuous adaptation of therapy to each individual patient on an ongoing basis, enabling individualized rehabilitation.
Encourages tissue preservation and potentially regeneration by dynamically modulating tissue potentials and supporting biological activity in compromised joints.
Provides both protective support and rehabilitation while avoiding muscle atrophy typically caused by conventional bracing methods.
Allows use outside of clinical settings, supporting normal daily activities without encumbrance.
Enables direct modulation and bolstering of natural piezoelectric and streaming potentials based on individualized patient activity.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic muscle stimulation for compromised skeletal joints, such as knees, during and after injury, pathology, misalignment, overuse, or surgery.
Protection and rehabilitation of joints by focusing on both counteracting incident forces and modulating natural bioelectrical activity in everyday ambulant settings.
Encouragement of tissue hydration and regeneration by adapting stimulation to follow naturally occurring or optimal biological electrical activity around joints.
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