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Publication Number
US-9311789-B1
Publication Date
2016-04-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensorimotor rehabilitation system can analyze body movement kinematics of a person, and in particular analyze the use of limbs (e.g., upper limbs) to provide feedback for sensorimotor rehabilitation. Parameters of body movement (e.g., quantity and type of body movement) can be assessed based on data recorded from an inertial sensor affixed or connected to, for example, an upper limb of a person or outer clothing such as a sleeve. Automated feedback can be provided to the user to improve sensorimotor rehabilitation.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a sensorimotor rehabilitation system that receives one or more signals generated by at least one body-worn inertial sensor supported by an affected upper limb of a person. The system automatically detects movement of the affected limb during activities of daily living and processes sensor data derived from the signals using processing electronics comprising digital logic circuitry to identify a characteristic associated with at least one of a quantity of upper limb movement or a type of upper limb movement.
Based at least in part on the identified characteristic, the system electronically generates information usable to present feedback for sensorimotor rehabilitation of the affected upper limb. The sensorimotor analysis algorithm processes sensor data collected while the body-worn inertial sensor is supported by a finger, hand, wrist, forearm, or upper arm of a person.
The invention also encompasses identifying movement type by estimating upper limb kinematics and identifying one or more types or groups of upper limb movements, or by applying classification rules to measured sensor data using artificial intelligence or statistical classification methods. The system can electronically transmit feedback-presentable information to a separate computer system, and can determine a performance score from logged information to indicate compliance.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims: a method, a system, and non-transitory computer storage. Across these claims, the coverage centers on using body-worn inertial sensor signals to process sensor data with digital logic circuitry or a sensorimotor analysis algorithm, identify a movement characteristic during activities of daily living, and generate information usable to present feedback.
Automatically detecting affected upper limb movement during activities of daily living and generating feedback based on an identified quantity or type characteristic
Receiving one or more signals generated by at least one body-worn inertial sensor supported by an affected upper limb of a person to automatically detect movement of the affected limb during activities of daily living; processing sensor data derived from the signals using processing electronics comprising digital logic circuitry to identify a characteristic associated with at least one of a quantity of upper limb movement or a type of upper limb movement; and based at least in part on the identified characteristic, electronically generating information usable to present feedback for sensorimotor rehabilitation of the affected upper limb.
Sensorimotor analysis algorithm processing of body-worn inertial signals to identify a quantity or type characteristic and generate feedback usable information
A sensorimotor rehabilitation system comprising at least one body-worn inertial sensor configured to generate one or more signals; processing electronics in communication with the sensor and comprising digital logic circuitry configured to process sensor data derived from the signals according to a sensorimotor analysis algorithm, where the sensor data is collected while the sensor is supported by a finger, hand, wrist, forearm, or upper arm; identify a characteristic associated with at least one of a quantity of limb movement or a type of limb movement during activities of daily living; and generate information usable to present feedback.
Non-transitory computer storage directing processing of body-worn inertial sensor data to identify a quantity or type characteristic and generate feedback usable information
Non-transitory computer storage that stores executable code that directs computer hardware to process sensor data derived from signals generated by at least one body-worn inertial sensor according to a sensorimotor analysis algorithm, with the sensor data obtained when the sensor is supported by a finger, hand, wrist, forearm, or upper arm; based at least in part on the processing, identify a characteristic associated with at least one of a quantity of limb movement or a type of limb movement during activities of daily living; and based on the identified characteristic, generate information usable to present feedback.
Across the independent claims, the protected approach is processing signals from body-worn inertial sensors to identify a movement characteristic during activities of daily living and generating information usable to present feedback for sensorimotor rehabilitation. The claims also cover sensor support locations on the finger, hand, wrist, forearm, or upper arm.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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