A61B5/1038

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING MOVEMENT

A system includes a sensor configured to generate data associated with movements of a resident for a period of time, a memory storing machine-readable instructions, and a control system arranged to provide control signals to one or more electronic devices. The control system also includes one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to analyze the generated data associated with the movement of the resident, determine, based at least in part on the analysis, a likelihood for a fall event to occur for the resident within a predetermined amount of time, and responsive to the determination of the likelihood for the fall event satisfying a threshold, cause an operation of the one or more electronic devices to be modified.

Shoe-based analysis system

In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Smartphone-controlled active configuration of footwear, including with concavely rounded soles
11567463 · 2023-01-31 ·

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

Smartphone-controlled active configuration of footwear, including with concavely rounded soles
11715561 · 2023-08-01 ·

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

ORTHOPEDIC INSOLE
20230027972 · 2023-01-26 ·

An orthopedic insole may include at least one strength layer and at least one shock absorbing layer. In one embodiment, the strength layer may be relatively rigid and includes a heel portion and an arch portion, contoured to fit the plantar or bottom surface of the foot to provide arch support. The shock absorbing layer may include a plurality of shock absorbing cells such as recoverable honeycombs or any other negative stiffness structure with the capability to recover. A gait analysis that may include an individual's weight transfer trajectory may have to be conducted to determine the structure of the shock absorbing layer. The orthopedic insole may further include an adjusting layer to supplement the strength layer and the shock absorbing layer to make adjustment to the orthopedic insole if needed.

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
20230026349 · 2023-01-26 · ·

A management system for managing a walk training apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a state detecting portion configured to detect a loaded state in which the user applies a load to the walk training apparatus during use of the walk training apparatus; an evaluation value calculating portion configured to calculate an evaluation value based on which the load applied to the walk training apparatus by the user is evaluated; and a timing determination portion configured to, in a case where the evaluation value is equal to or more than a threshold associated with the walk training apparatus, determine that a timing of maintenance of the walk training apparatus has come.

SHEAR AND NORMAL FORCE SENSORS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING THE SAME

Sensors capable of sensing shear and normal forces and suitable for measuring reaction forces on a body region of an individual, and systems and methods. Such a sensor includes a first plate and multiple second plates that are separated from the first plate by a dielectric material to define multiple capacitor units that are each responsive to normal and shear forces applied to the sensor. Each capacitor unit comprises an individual second plate of the second plates and a portion of the first plate that is superimposed by the individual second plate. The second plates are superimposed on the first plate so that a shear force applied to the sensor causes a first portion of at least one of the second plates to not be superimposed on the first plate while a remaining portion of the second plate remains superimposed on the first plate to define a superimposed area therebetween.

Wireless charging assemblies for sensorized insoles, methods for charging sensorized insoles, and footwear systems including sensorized insoles

A footwear system includes a sensorized insole and a charger. The sensorized insole has an insole bulk having a foot-facing upper surface. A sensor is embedded in the insole bulk for measuring a parameter of a user's foot, a battery is embedded in the insole bulk for providing energy to the sensor, and a receiver pod is embedded in the insole bulk and is spaced from the foot-facing upper surface for wirelessly receiving energy and providing energy to the battery. The charger provides energy to the receiver pod, and includes a cable for connecting to an energy source, and a transmitter pod electrically connected to the cable for receiving energy from the cable and wirelessly transmitting energy to the receiver pod. The transmitter pod is positionable against the foot-facing upper surface to wirelessly provide energy to the receiver pod through the insole bulk.

SINGLE-LOWER-LIMB REHABILITATION EXOSKELETON APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD
20230210707 · 2023-07-06 ·

A single-lower-limb rehabilitation exoskeleton apparatus and control methods includes a controller, an intact lower-limb component and a paretic lower-limb component connecting communicatively with the controller. The controller is used to determine the current state of the intact lower-limb through the intact lower-limb component and the current state of the paretic lower-limb through the paretic lower-limb component. When the intact lower-limb component is in the lifting state, the movement data of the intact lower-limb is collected and sent to the controller. The controller is used to determine the corresponding gait data for the paretic lower-limb component according to the movement data of the intact lower-limb and send the gait data to the paretic lower-limb component. The paretic lower-limb component is used to drive the paretic lower-limb to move or walk according to the gait data while the intact lower-limb is in the supporting state.

Systems and apparatus for gait modulation and methods of use
11691009 · 2023-07-04 · ·

An apparatus includes a frame, a sensor, and an electric stimulator. The frame is removably couplable to a portion of a limb. The sensor is configured to produce a first signal associated with a gait characteristic at a first time, and a second signal associated with the gait characteristic at a second time, after the first time. The electric stimulator is removably coupled to the frame and is in electrical communication with an electrode assembly and the sensor to receive the first signal substantially at the first time and the second signal substantially at the second time. Based in part on the gait characteristic at the first time, the electric stimulator sends a third signal to the electrode assembly to provide an electric stimulation to a portion of a neuromuscular system of the limb substantially during a time period defined between the first time and the second time.