Rehabilitation device for foot drop patient based on insole sensor and electrical muscle stimulation to shin and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A rehabilitation treatment device and a control method thereof are disclosed, which can effectively assist in the rehabilitation treatment of a patient with foot drop by utilizing an insole sensor that detects foot pressure of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop and shin muscle stimulation by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a foot pressure sensing unit that detects foot pressure according to the gait of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop; a shin muscle stimulation device that applies electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the user's foot pressure; and a control unit that controls the shin muscle stimulation device based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure sensing unit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop and a control method thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop and a control method thereof that can effectively assist in the rehabilitation treatment of a patient with foot drop by utilizing an insole sensor that detects foot pressure of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop and shin muscle stimulation by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). Background Technology

[0002] Foot drop refers to a condition in which the front part of the foot droops due to weakness, irritation, or damage to the common peroneal nerve, including the sciatic nerve, and paralysis of the muscles in the front of the lower limb, resulting in gait abnormalities. Patients with foot drop are unable to lift the front part of their foot on their own while walking; due to a lack of strength to lift their feet, these patients experience significant discomfort in daily walking, such as tripping and falling. Accordingly, research has been conducted on a technology that detects foot movements by attaching a gyro sensor to the patient's body to aid in the rehabilitation of foot drop patients; however, this technology is limited to serving merely as a reference for rehabilitation exercises and has been difficult to provide substantial assistance in the rehabilitation of foot drop patients. The problem to be solved

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a rehabilitation treatment device and a control method thereof that can effectively assist in the rehabilitation treatment of a patient with foot drop by utilizing an insole sensor that detects foot pressure of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop and shin muscle stimulation by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).

[0004] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0005] A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a foot pressure sensing unit that detects foot pressure corresponding to the gait of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop; a shin muscle stimulation device that applies electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the foot pressure of the user; and a control unit that controls the shin muscle stimulation device based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure sensing unit.

[0006] The above foot pressure sensing unit may include an insole sensor mounted on an insole that can be worn on the foot, which detects foot pressure applied to the insole according to the user's walking.

[0007] The shin muscle stimulation device may include an EMS electrode that is worn on the shin portion of the user and outputs an electrical signal for the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) according to the pressure detected by the insole sensor.

[0008] The shin muscle stimulation device may further include a conductive pack provided between the EMS electrode and the user's shin portion to enhance the electrical muscle stimulation applied to the user's shin portion by the EMS electrode.

[0009] The control unit detects the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface based on the foot pressure detected by the insole sensor; and at the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface, it can apply the electrical signal to the EMS electrode to stimulate the shin muscles so that the user's foot is lifted.

[0010] A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a gyro sensor mounted on the user's foot to detect the user's foot posture.

[0011] The above control unit can control the shin muscle stimulation device based on the user's foot posture detected by the foot pressure sensing unit and the gyro sensor.

[0012] A control method for a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step of detecting foot pressure corresponding to the gait of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop by a foot pressure sensing unit; a step of controlling a shin muscle stimulation device based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure sensing unit by a control unit; and a step of applying electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the foot pressure of the user by the shin muscle stimulation device.

[0013] The step of controlling the shin muscle stimulation device may include: a step of detecting the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface based on foot pressure detected by the insole sensor; and a step of applying the electrical signal to the EMS electrode at the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface to stimulate the shin muscles and lift the user's foot.

[0014] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium is provided on which a computer program for executing a control method for a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop is recorded. Effects of the invention

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an insole sensor for detecting foot pressure of a user corresponding to a foot drop patient, and a rehabilitation treatment device and a control method thereof are provided, which can effectively assist in the rehabilitation treatment of a foot drop patient by utilizing shin muscle stimulation by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).

[0016] The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the usage state of a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control method for a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Other advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as generally accepted by the general art in the prior art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined by general dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same meaning as they do in the relevant art and / or in the body of this application.

[0020] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the art to which the disclosed invention belongs or content that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The term "part" as used in the specification refers to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be implemented, for example, in software, FPGA, or hardware.

[0021] The functions provided by the '~part' may be performed separately by multiple components or integrated with other additional components, and multiple '~parts' may be implemented as a single component. The '~part' of this specification is not necessarily limited to software or hardware, and may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to operate one or more processors.

[0022] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the aforementioned terms. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates an exception. In this specification, the term "and / or" refers to each of the listed components or various combinations thereof. The operating principles and embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] A rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by detecting foot pressure during the gait of a user corresponding to a foot drop patient, and applying electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the detected foot pressure of the user to assist in the rehabilitation treatment of the foot drop patient. In particular, based on the foot pressure detected by an insole sensor, the moment when the user's foot lifts off the ground surface is detected, and at the moment when the user's foot lifts off the ground surface, an electrical signal is applied to the shin portion with an EMS electrode to stimulate the shin muscles, thereby allowing the user's foot to be lifted.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the usage state of a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shin muscle stimulation device (10), a foot pressure sensing unit (20), a gyro sensor (30), and a control unit (40).

[0025] The shin muscle stimulation device (10) can apply electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the foot pressure of the user (patient with foot drop) detected by the foot pressure sensing unit (20).

[0026] The shin muscle stimulation device (10) can output an electrical signal to the user's shin area through an EMS electrode at the moment the user's foot is lifted off the floor. Accordingly, the user's shin muscles are stimulated by the EMS electrical signal, and the user's foot is lifted, thereby assisting in the rehabilitation treatment of a patient with foot drop.

[0027] The shin muscle stimulation device (10) may include an EMS pad body (11) and an EMS electrode (12). The EMS pad body (11) may be provided detachably so that it can be worn on the user's shin. The EMS electrode (12) may be mounted on the inner surface of the EMS pad body (11). The EMS electrode (12) is provided on the EMS pad body (11) and worn on the user's shin, and can output an electrical signal for electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) according to the pressure detected by the insole sensor of the foot pressure sensing unit (20).

[0028] The EMS electrode (12) mounted on the EMS pad body (11) may consist of a pair of EMS electrode pads or multiple pairs of EMS electrode pads. By applying an EMS electrical signal (e.g., a pulsed current signal) between the pairs of EMS electrode pads, electrical signal stimulation can be applied to the user's shin muscles, thereby helping to lift the user's foot.

[0029] The shin muscle stimulation device (10) may further include a conductive pack (not shown) provided between the EMS electrode (12) and the user's shin portion to enhance the electrical muscle stimulation applied to the user's shin portion by the EMS electrode (12). The conductive pack may be provided, for example, as a gel-type pack containing moisture. The muscle stimulation effect by EMS may be more activated in the presence of moisture, and the electrical muscle stimulation by EMS may be further enhanced through the conductive pack containing moisture.

[0030] The foot pressure sensing unit (20) can detect foot pressure according to the user's walking in order to detect the moment when the user's foot is lifted off the floor surface. The foot pressure sensing unit (20) may include an insole sensor (insole pressure sensor) (23) that is mounted on an insole that can be worn on the user's foot and detects foot pressure applied to the insole according to the user's walking. The insole sensor (23) may be provided in the insole (22) of the shoe (21) worn by the user of the foot pressure sensing unit (20).

[0031] The control unit (40) can detect the moment when the user's foot is lifted off the floor surface based on foot pressure detected by the insole sensor (23). At the moment when the user's foot is lifted off the floor surface, the control unit (40) can apply an EMS electrical signal to the EMS electrode of the shin muscle stimulation device (10) to stimulate the shin muscles so that the user's foot is lifted.

[0032] The control unit (40) can determine that the moment when the foot pressure detected by the insole sensor (23) exceeds a preset first pressure and decreases to less than a second pressure (a pressure lower than a preset third pressure relative to the first pressure) is the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface. The third pressure (the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure) for detecting the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor can be set by considering the user's body weight or the user's walking characteristics analyzed based on the foot pressure measured by the insole sensor (23).

[0033] A gyro sensor (30) can be mounted on the user's foot to detect the user's foot posture. A control unit (40) can control the shin muscle stimulation device (10) based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure detection unit (20). A control unit (40) can control the shin muscle stimulation device (10) based on the user's foot posture detected by the foot pressure detection unit (20) and the gyro sensor (30). By additionally considering the measurement value of the gyro sensor (30), the timing of when the user lifts their foot can be predicted more accurately.

[0034] The control unit (40) may stop the output of the EMS electrical signal when it detects that the user has lifted their foot above a preset height. Subsequently, when the foot touches the ground according to the user's walking motion, the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure detection unit (20) increases, and the output of the EMS electrical signal may be initiated when the foot pressure decreases again to below a preset pressure. This process may be continuously repeated during the user's walking training.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the control method for a rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to an embodiment of the present invention may first perform a step (S10) of detecting foot pressure corresponding to the walking of a user corresponding to a foot drop patient by a foot pressure sensing unit (20), and detecting the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface based on the foot pressure by a control unit (40) to control a shin muscle stimulation device.

[0036] When the moment the user's foot is lifted off the floor is detected, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can be initiated on the user's shin by the shin muscle stimulation device (10) (S20). Accordingly, the shin muscles are stimulated by the electrical signal applied by the EMS electrode, thereby lifting the user's foot and assisting in the rehabilitation training of a patient with foot drop.

[0037] According to the rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, by attaching an EMS electrode to the shin portion of the user and electrically stimulating the shin muscles to cause the shin muscles to contract, it is possible to effectively assist a patient with foot drop in walking training without strain.

[0038] Meanwhile, the EMS electrical stimulation intensity or pulse frequency applied by the shin muscle stimulation device (10) can be increased or decreased through a user terminal (not shown). The user can run an app on a user terminal (e.g., a device such as a smartphone, tablet, PC, etc.) and adjust the EMS electrical stimulation intensity or pulse frequency using a user interface part (touchpad, touch pen, keyboard, mouse, voice control, etc.) in the app.

[0039] The control unit (40) may be provided on the EMS pad body (11) or on the outside thereof. The control unit (40), the shin muscle stimulation device (10), the foot pressure sensing unit (20), and / or the gyro sensor (30) may be connected via a communication interface unit of wired or wireless communication. The control unit (40) may include at least one processor and at least one memory.

[0040] The control unit (40) can help the user effectively perform rehabilitation exercises using both legs by alternately and repeatedly applying EMS electrical stimulation through the shin muscle stimulation device (10) provided on the left leg and right leg, respectively, according to the user's walking motion.

[0041] A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a program that can be driven by a processor. Here, the program may include program instructions, data files, and data structures, either individually or in combination. The program may be designed and manufactured using machine code or high-level language code.

[0042] The program may be specially designed to implement the method described above, or it may be implemented using various functions or definitions that are known and available to a person skilled in the art of computer software. A program for implementing the method described above may be recorded on a recording medium readable by a processor. In this case, the recording medium may be memory.

[0043] The memory can store a program that performs the aforementioned operation and the operation described below, and the memory can execute the stored program. In cases where there are multiple processors and memories, it is possible for them to be integrated on a single chip or to be provided in physically separate locations. The memory may include volatile memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory, S-RAM) and D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data.

[0044] In addition, the memory may include non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for long-term storage of control programs and control data. The processor may include various logic circuits and arithmetic circuits, process data according to a program provided from memory, and generate control signals according to the processing results.

[0045] At least one component may be added or deleted in response to the performance of the components described above. Additionally, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be changed in response to the performance or structure of the system.

[0046] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively. Explanation of the symbols

[0047] 10: Shin muscle stimulator 11: EMS Pad Main Body 12: EMS electrode 20: Foot pressure sensing unit 21 : Shoes 22 : Insole 23 : Insole sensor 30: Gyro sensor 40 : Control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop, comprising: a foot pressure sensing unit for sensing foot pressure according to the gait of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop; a shin muscle stimulation device for applying electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the foot pressure of the user; and a control unit for controlling the shin muscle stimulation device based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure sensing unit; wherein the first pressure is a preset value, the second pressure is a value smaller than the first pressure, the third pressure is a value obtained by subtracting the second pressure from the first pressure, the third pressure is set considering the gait characteristics of the user analyzed based on the foot pressure, and the control unit determines the second pressure as the moment when the user's foot lifts. Claim 2 A rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop according to claim 1, wherein the foot pressure sensing unit comprises an insole sensor mounted on an insole that can be worn on the foot and detects foot pressure applied to the insole according to the user's walking. Claim 3 A rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 2, wherein the shin muscle stimulation device comprises: an EMS electrode that is worn on the shin portion of the user and outputs an electrical signal for the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) according to pressure detected by the insole sensor. Claim 4 A rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 3, wherein the shin muscle stimulation device further comprises: a conductive pack provided between the EMS electrode and the shin portion of the user to enhance electrical muscle stimulation applied to the shin portion of the user by the EMS electrode. Claim 5 A rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 3, wherein the control unit: detects the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface based on foot pressure detected by the insole sensor; and, at the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface, applies the electrical signal to the EMS electrode to stimulate the shin muscles so as to lift the user's foot. Claim 6 A rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 5, further comprising a gyro sensor mounted on the user's foot to detect the user's foot posture; wherein the control unit controls the shin muscle stimulation device based on the user's foot posture detected by the foot pressure sensing unit and the gyro sensor. Claim 7 A method for controlling a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop, comprising: a step of detecting foot pressure corresponding to the gait of a user corresponding to a patient with foot drop by means of a foot pressure sensing unit; a step of controlling a shin muscle stimulation device based on the foot pressure detected by the foot pressure sensing unit by means of a control unit; and a step of applying electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to the shin portion of the user according to the foot pressure of the user by means of the shin muscle stimulation device; wherein the first pressure is a preset value, the second pressure is a value smaller than the first pressure, the third pressure is a value obtained by subtracting the second pressure from the first pressure, the third pressure is set considering the gait characteristics of the user analyzed based on the foot pressure, and the control unit determines the second pressure as the moment when the user's foot lifts. Claim 8 A method for controlling a rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 7, wherein the foot pressure sensing unit comprises an insole sensor mounted on an insole that can be worn on the foot and detects foot pressure applied to the insole according to the user's walking, and the shin muscle stimulation device comprises: an EMS electrode worn on the shin portion of the user and outputting an electrical signal for the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) according to the pressure detected by the insole sensor; and a conductive pack provided between the EMS electrode and the shin portion of the user to enhance the electrical muscle stimulation applied to the shin portion of the user by the EMS electrode. Claim 9 A method for controlling a rehabilitation treatment device for a foot drop patient according to claim 8, wherein the step of controlling the shin muscle stimulation device comprises: detecting the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface based on foot pressure detected by the insole sensor; and applying the electrical signal to the EMS electrode at the moment when the user's foot lifts off the floor surface to stimulate the shin muscle so as to lift the user's foot. Claim 10 A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for executing a method for controlling a rehabilitation treatment device for a patient with foot drop described in any one of claims 7 to 9.

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