US5597309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treatment of gait problems associated with parkinson's disease
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-03-28
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Granted: 1997-01-28
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Expires: 2014-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for the treatment of gait problems associated with Parkinson's Disease in a subject involves the use of virtual cues which are delivered to the subject in a spatial orientation and at rate which enable the initiation and sustainment of ambulation, as well as the suppression of dyskinesia associated with medication. In one embodiment, a mulfiplexed head up display is used to provide the cues to the subject's field of vision without obscuring the real world. In another embodiment, light emitting diodes fastened to eye glasses are used to deliver the virtual cues to the subject's field of view.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Riess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/08; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for the treatment of gait problems associated with Parkinson's Disease in a subject which comprises the steps of: a) providing an apparatus to be worn by the subject during treatment of gait problem associated with Parkingson's disease; which delivers optical images to the subject's view without disturbing the subject's visual perception of the subject's physical environment; b) delivering an initiating cue to the subject through the optical image apparatus to initiate ambulation when needed; and, c) delivering sustaining cues to the subject through the optical image apparatus as needed to sustain ambulation once initiated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for the treatment of gait problems associated with Parkinson's Disease in a subject which comprises the steps of: a) providing an apparatus to be worn by the subject during treatment of gait problem associated with Parkingson's disease; which delivers optical images to the subject's view without disturbing the subject's visual perception of the subject's physical environment; b) delivering an initiating cue to the subject through the optical image apparatus to initiate ambulation when needed; and, c) delivering sustaining cues to the subject through the optical image apparatus as needed to sustain ambulation once initiated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said optical image apparatus is selected from the group of devices consisting of video camera viewfinder in combination with cue images, a mechanical device which scrolls targets in the subject's field of vision, objects affixed to eyeglasses, cue cards affixed to the subject's footgear, and virtual reality headwear which provides electronically generated images to the subject's field of vision while allowing continued perception of the subject's physical environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the initiating cue is static and appears as an object directly in front of the subject's toes as he stands ready to ambulate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sustaining cues are kinetic and scroll toward the subject at a rate synchronized to the subject's rate of ambulation and with intercue distance appropriate to the subject's stride length.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for use in the treatment of gait problems associated with Parkinson's Disease in a subject which comprises: a) virtual reality headwear including means for providing video-based imagery to the subject's field of vision while allowing continued visual perception of the subject's physical environment; b) means for delivering a video-based gait initiating cue to the subject during treatment through the virtual reality headwear to initiate ambulation; and c) means for delivering a video-based gait sustaining cues to the subject during treatment through the virtual reality headwear to sustain ambulation.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for use in the treatment of gait problems associated with Parkinson's Disease in a subject which comprises: a) virtual reality headwear including means for providing video-based imagery to the subject's field of vision while allowing continued visual perception of the subject's physical environment; b) means for delivering a video-based gait initiating cue to the subject during treatment through the virtual reality headwear to initiate ambulation; and c) means for delivering a video-based gait sustaining cues to the subject during treatment through the virtual reality headwear to sustain ambulation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cue delivering means employs graphic-based virtual cues as the video-based imagery for initiating and/or sustaining gait in the subject under treatment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cue delivering means employs actual real-world cues viewed through the lens of a video camera as the video-based imagery for initiating and/or sustaining gait in the subject under treatment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cue delivering means employs the subject's actual physical environment and a lens which dynamically enlarges the image of the physical environment as the video-based imagery for initiating and/or sustaining gait in the subject under treatment.
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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) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |