METHOD FOR EVALUATING USAGE DATA

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for evaluating usage data of at least one orthopaedic device which is equipped with sensors for detecting properties, states, or changes in properties or states, wherein the sensors are connected to a transmitter directly or via a storage device and the transmitter transmits the sensor data provided by the sensors to an evaluation unit in a computer network in which the sensor data is processed.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating usage data of at least one orthopedic device, which is equipped with sensors for acquiring properties, states, or changes of properties or states, wherein the sensors are connected to a transmitter directly or via a storage unit and the transmitter transmits the sensor data provided by the sensors to an evaluation unit in a computer network, in which the sensor data are processed.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that movement data, operating data, and/or loads of the orthopedic device or sensor data about the user of the orthopedic device are acquired by the sensors and transmitted to the evaluation unit.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor data are acquired and evaluated in a chronologically limited manner or over the entire usage time period or usage time periods of the at least one orthopedic device.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor data are supplemented with assessments of the user of the orthopedic device and/or third parties.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the assessments are carried out on the basis of provided questions.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor data are transmitted in real time, during usage pauses, at defined times, on request of the evaluation unit, and/or by transmission by the user to the evaluation unit.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor data are coded in a personalized and/or device-specific manner.

8. The method as claimed claim 1, characterized in that sensor data of various similar or comparable orthopedic devices are compiled and evaluated in the evaluation unit.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that sensor data of comparable users or sensor data of multiple users combined to form a group are acquired and evaluated in the evaluation unit.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a risk analysis is carried out on the basis of the sensor data and a recommendation is output to the user, a payer, an orthopedic technician, and/or a producer of the orthopedic device on the basis of the results of the risk analysis.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that usage instructions, warning messages, and/or requests are communicated to the user on the basis of the evaluation.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a control unit, which is coupled to a receiver, via which control data, access rights, sensor calibrations, and/or the changes thereof and/or recordings about changes are transmitted, is associated with the orthopedic device.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that settings, changes of settings, calibrations, accesses to the sensor data, and access rights are stored and kept retrievable in the computer network.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that multiple orthopedic devices are coupled with one another and exchange data via the computer network.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that data are transmitted to the computer network via a mobile terminal.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that summaries of selected parameters which are acquired by the sensors or are derivable from the sensor data are transmitted to the user of the orthopedic device, a payer, an orthopedic technician, and/or a producer of the orthopedic device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that a parameter curve is ascertained and displayed.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a specific data structure is created for each user and/or for each orthopedic device, on the basis of which the sensor data are selected and transmitted to the evaluation unit.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a selection from multiple alternative orthopedic devices is made on the basis of the evaluation and proposed to the user, orthopedic technician, and/or payer.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit correlates data about the user of the orthopedic device and/or the orthopedic device and/or comparable orthopedic devices and derives therefrom probabilities about malfunctions or disadvantageous effects and transmits these probabilities to the user, the orthopedic technician, the payer, and/or the producer.

21. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor data and/or evaluated sensor data are stored in a database.

22. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the access to the evaluation unit and/or the computer network is restricted.

23. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an orthosis, exoskeleton, or prosthesis is used as the orthopedic device and the sensor data are acquired during the use of the orthosis, the exoskeleton, or the prosthesis.

Description

[0065] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained hereinafter on the basis of the appended figures. In the figures:

[0066] FIG. 1—shows a schematic illustration of an orthopedic device;

[0067] FIG. 2—shows a variant of the invention with an orthosis; and

[0068] FIG. 3—shows a variant of the invention in a storage system.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an orthopedic device 100 in the form of a leg prosthesis having a prosthetic knee joint having an upper part 1, on which a thigh socket 10 is fastened for receiving a thigh stump of a patient. A lower part 2 in the form of a lower leg part is pivotably mounted around a pivot axis 4 on the upper part 1. The lower part 2 has a lower leg tube 5, on the distal end of which a prosthetic foot 3 is fastened; the prosthetic foot 3 can be pivotably mounted on the lower leg tube 5.

[0070] A plurality of sensors 9 are arranged in the orthopedic device 100 in order to collect sensor data with respect to the usage or the state of the orthopedic device 100. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, for example, a sensor 9 is arranged in the foot part 3 for acquiring an ankle torque M.sub.A. A sensor 9 for acquiring an active axial force F.sub.A is arranged in the lower leg tube 5, for example, an angle sensor 9 is fastened on the lower part 2, possibly in combination with an inertial angle sensor for acquiring the spatial location of the lower part 2 during the use of the orthopedic device 100. Inertial sensors 9, torque sensors, angle sensors, temperature sensors, and other sensors can be arranged or integrated in the thigh socket 10.

[0071] Furthermore, a resistance unit 6 in the form of a damper or an actuator is arranged in the lower part 2, which is supported between the upper part 1 and the lower part 2 in order to provide a settable extension resistance and flexion resistance, in particular when the resistance unit 6 is designed as a passive damper. The resistance unit 6 is associated with an adjustment unit 7, for example a motor or another drive, a magnet, or the like, via which the respective resistance within the resistance unit 6 is changeable. If the resistance unit 6 is designed as a hydraulic damper or pneumatic damper, the adjustment unit 7 can increase or decrease the respective flow cross section of an overflow channel between an extension chamber and a flexion chamber or change the flow resistance in another way. It is also possible that the adjustment unit 7 changes the viscosity of the fluid located inside the resistance unit 6, for example by changing a magnetic field and acting on a magnetorheological liquid. If the resistance unit 6 is designed as an electric motor, it can be operated in the generator mode, whereby a change of the mechanical resistance against a flexion or extension of the upper part 1 relative to the lower part 2 can take place. If the resistance unit 6 is designed as a motor and is operated in the motor mode, active assistance of the flexion and/or extension of the prosthetic device is possible.

[0072] The adjustment unit 7 is coupled to a control unit 8 in order to be able to perform an activation or deactivation of the adjustment unit 7, in order to influence the flexion and/or extension, and possibly to block the joint. The desired behavior of the orthopedic device 100 is set via a corresponding activation signal or deactivation signal to the adjustment unit 7 via the control unit 8. The adjustment unit 7 is activated or deactivated via the control unit 8 on the basis of sensor data which are transmitted from the sensors 9 to the control unit 8. The sensor data sensors 9 can be preprocessed or processed in the control unit 8 itself, for example to calculate angular velocities or accelerations from angle data. If the desired data are ascertained directly by the sensors, for example via angle sensors, acceleration sensors, or the like, a corresponding preparation can be omitted. The control unit 8 is equipped with or coupled to computers or processors in order to evaluate the data electrically or electronically and to carry out a corresponding activation or deactivation of the adjustment unit 7 on the basis of this evaluation. The sensors 9 are connected to the control unit wirelessly or via wire or by other line units. If a wireless communication takes place between the sensors 9 and the control unit 8, corresponding transmitter and receiver units are provided within the control unit 8 and the sensors 9 or associated with them.

[0073] The control unit 8 can also include a storage unit 12 or can be coupled to such a storage unit 12, which records sensor data and sensor data curves or evaluations of sensor data and sensor data curves to be used further or transmitted at a later time.

[0074] The control unit 8 is also associated with a transmitter 11 and a receiver 13 to transfer sensor data, programs, access rights, settings, changes of settings, software updates, or other things from external units to the orthopedic device.

[0075] A data acquisition is performed via the sensors 9 during the use of the orthopedic device 100, in which all relevant data such as forces, torques, accelerations, orientations, temperatures, deformations, movement time periods, usage time periods, and the like are acquired and transferred to the control unit 8 and possibly stored. Sensor data and the like are transferred from the control unit 8 and the storage unit 12 via the transmitter 11 either directly to an evaluation unit 20 in a computer network 200, if the transmitter 11 is configured to communicate directly with a computer network 200 or the evaluation unit 20. For this purpose, a SIM card for establishing a telecommunication connection or another communication interface for establishing a connection to a transmitter network or the like can be provided in the orthopedic device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter 11 can transmit the data via a mobile terminal 30, for example a smart watch, a tablet, a mobile telephone, or a laptop, which are transmitted from there out of the computer network 200. The evaluation unit 20 is arranged or formed in a centralized or decentralized manner in the computer network 200 and is possibly coupled to a database 25 in order to store the sensor data or the evaluation thereof as well as other data related to the use of the orthopedic device 100.

[0076] An evaluation, possibly a risk analysis having recommendations, software updates, and the like, is carried out on the basis of the sensor data and the other data in the evaluation unit 20 or in the computer network 200.

[0077] Questions on the subjective judgment of the behavior of the orthopedic device 100 can also be stored in the mobile terminal 30 or transferred from the computer network 200 therein in order to place questions adapted to the usage behavior and obtain feedback of the respective user without an orthopedic technician interposed. Units for position determination can be integrated both in the orthopedic device 100 and also in the mobile terminal 30, for example a GPS module or another location determination unit, which carry out a corresponding localization, for example, via transmitter cells in mobile radio systems. An improved evaluation of state data or changes which are acquired by the sensors 9 can be carried out on the basis of the position data.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows an alternative orthopedic device 100 in the form of a knee-ankle orthosis, having an upper part 1 having an adjustable thigh rail, a lower part 2 having a settable lower leg rail, and a foot part 3 which is pivotably mounted in an articulated manner around an ankle joint axis 23. The upper part 1 is coupled to the lower part 2 pivotably around a joint axis 4. Sensors 9, which can be designed similarly to the orthopedic device 100 according to FIG. 1, are shown both on the upper part 1 and also on the lower part 2. In the region of the knee joint axis 4, the control unit 8 is arranged; other positionings are also possible. All units of the orthopedic device 100 of FIG. 1 are shown on the orthopedic device 100 according to FIG. 2, but can also be or become arranged accordingly there. The transfer of sensor data also takes place here via a transmitter 11 (not shown) to the computer network 200 for evaluation in the evaluation unit 20.

[0079] A variant of the invention is shown in FIG. 3, in which the orthopedic device 100 is shown in a non-attached state. The thigh socket 10 is removed from the upper part 1, the individual components of FIG. 1 are only partially shown. In addition to the components according to FIG. 1, a supply connection 16 is arranged in the lower part 2 of the orthopedic device 100, which is designed as a wireless supply connection 16 in order to transfer energy wirelessly in the idle state of the orthopedic device 100. The supply connection 16 includes coils, for example, which are excited via a corresponding supply unit 60, which can be housed on an outer wall of a holder 50 for storing the orthopedic component 100 in the removed state, in order to transfer energy inductively. The orthopedic device 100 can therefore be placed in the holder 50 for maintenance purposes, in order to ensure the electrical supply. A cleaning arrangement 70 can be arranged on the holder 50 to be able to perform a disinfection or similar cleaning. An identification unit 65 can also be arranged on the holder 50, via which a code, for example an optical code or an electromagnetic code, can be read to identify the orthopedic device. Moreover, a transfer module 30′ is arranged on the holder 50, which includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transfer module 30′ can receive data from the transmitter 11 of the orthopedic device 100 and transmit data to the receiver 13. The transfer module 30′ can simultaneously receive data from the evaluation unit (not shown) of the computer network 200, which is equipped with a transmitter and a receiver, or transmit data to such a computer network 200. Therefore, only a low transmission power of the transmitter 11 to the transfer module 30′ is required, whereby energy can be saved. The data transfer preferably takes place in the removed state of the orthopedic device 100, for example at night, when computer power is not required for processing sensor signals for controlling the extension and flexion or other functions. Moreover, in the removed state with the arrangement in a holder 50 and an energy supply, there is the option of extending the usage duration of the orthopedic device 100, since less energy is used for the evaluation and data transfer.