US5476103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for assessment and biofeedback training of leg coordination and strength skills
Assignee: Natus Medical Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-08
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2013-06-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for assessing and biofeedback training of movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject on a combination of surfaces, in particular stepping up and down, climbing and descending stairs, sitting and rising from a sitting position. The apparatus includes a force-sensing plate. The force-sensing plate measures the forces exerted on its sensing area, i.e., its top surface, and transmits output signals representative of the measured forces. A plurality of support surfaces is mounted in specified positions relative to the force-sensing plate's sensing area, in such a way that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area. The plurality of surfaces may form a step, stairs or a seat. A data processor accepts the output signals from the force-sensing plate and calculates quantities related to the positions and magnitudes of forces exerted by the subject on the support surfaces. In order to permit biofeedback training, a display for displaying position and magnitude quantities calculated and for displaying additional quantities related to performance goals is provided so that the subject can see these quantities while performing the mobility task.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis M. Nahsner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/1036; A61B5/1038; A61B5/40; A61B5/4005; A61B5/4023; G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/20; G06V40/23; G06V40/25; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901; Y10S482/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for assessing and biofeedback training of movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a center of force on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the center of force exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the movement of the center of force calculated by the computational means and for displaying as a performance goal a trajectory of the center of force representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for assessing and biofeedback training of movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a center of force on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the center of force exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the movement of the center of force calculated by the computational means and for displaying as a performance goal a trajectory of the center of force representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with a different support surface in the second position from the support surface in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with different areas of the support surfaces in the second position from the areas of the support surfaces in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
259 words
An apparatus for assessing movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a center of force and a total magnitude on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; and computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the center of force and the total magnitude of the forces exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the center of force and the total magnitude calculated by the computational means and for displaying a performance goal representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
259 words
An apparatus for assessing movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a center of force and a total magnitude on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; and computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the center of force and the total magnitude of the forces exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the center of force and the total magnitude calculated by the computational means and for displaying a performance goal representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with a different support surface in the second position from the support surface in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with different areas of the support surfaces in the second position from the areas of the support surface in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
256 words
An apparatus for assessing and biofeedback training of movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a total magnitude on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the total magnitude of the forces exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the total magnitude of the forces and for displaying as a performance goal a trajectory of the total magnitude of forces over time representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
256 words
An apparatus for assessing and biofeedback training of movement coordination, strength, and speed skills critical to balance during a mobility task performed by a subject moving from a first position to a second position on a combination of surfaces, the apparatus comprising: force-sensing means, having a sensing area, for measuring the forces exerted on the sensing area and transmitting output signals representative of the measured forces, the forces having a total magnitude on the sensing area; a plurality of support surfaces mounted in specified positions relative to the sensing area and such that substantially all forces exerted by the subject onto the support surfaces is transmitted to the sensing area, wherein the support surfaces and the sensing area are arranged so as to support the subject's entire weight while the subject is in the first position, while the subject is in the second position and while the subject is performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position, each support surface having a non-overlapped area at least large enough to accommodate a foot of the subject; computational means for accepting the output signals from the force-sensing means and calculating the total magnitude of the forces exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and display means for displaying the total magnitude of the forces and for displaying as a performance goal a trajectory of the total magnitude of forces over time representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the forces have a center of force on the sensing area; wherein the computational means includes means for calculating the center of force exerted by the subject on the support surfaces; and wherein the display means includes means for displaying the movement of the center of force calculated by the computational means and for displaying as an additional performance goal a trajectory of the center of force representative of a normally coordinated and balanced subject performing the mobility task moving from the first position to the second position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with a different support surface in the second position from the support surface in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the support surfaces are arranged so that the subject may be in contact with different areas of the support surfaces in the second position from the areas of the support surface in contact with the subject in the first position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the support surfaces have markings indicating preferred positions where the subject should place a part of the subject's body while in the first position and while in the second position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the force-sensing means includes a forceplate, wherein the forceplate has a top surface; wherein one of the support surfaces is a first surface which is parallel to and spaced away from the forceplate's top surface and which is smaller than the sensing area of the force-sensing means so that a portion of the forceplate's top surface is not overlapped by the first surface; and wherein a second support surface is the portion of the forceplate's top surface not overlapped by the first surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the force-sensing means is a forceplate and the plurality of support surfaces includes a staircase-like series of non-overlapping surfaces parallel with one another and the forceplate's top surface and at progressively greater distances above the forceplate's top surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |