Adjustable leg rest device

Abstract

An adjustable leg support device, including: i) a frame comprising a pair of elongated plates 101 connected to each other by means of a motorized swivel joint 102, the first plate being configured with a curved body 103 constructed with a plurality of curved, extendable elements 104 designed to be positioned on a lower back section of a user; ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on the body and paired with a processor to capture and process multiple images of the user's waist section, wherein a microcontroller connected to the imaging unit 105 processes the captured dimensions and actuates the plates to extend / retract them, and synchronously actuates multiple motorized hinges configured between the plates to tilt the plates towards / away from each other to secure the body around the user's waist section to support the user's back section; iii) a U-shaped element 106 connected to the second plate via an electromagnetic spring 107, the element being designed to engage with the user's knee area, with an EMG (electromyography) sensor configured on each of the elements to detect the activation status of the user's knee and guided area; and iv) a bending sensor installed on the second plate which detects the movement or position of the knee area, wherein the microcontroller in synchronization with the EMG sensor and the bending sensor determines that the knee area has reduced movement and, upon successful detection, the microcontroller actuates the spring 107 to extend / retract it to enable optimal movement of the user's legs when walking / running.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable leg support device capable of providing the optimal movement for the user's legs during walking / running by detecting the activation status of the user's knee to fix the support around the user's waist area and securely support the user's back area. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mobility aids play a crucial role in improving the independence and quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities. The knee crutch, also known as a knee scooter or knee walker, is an innovative solution for providing support and mobility to individuals with lower limb disabilities. The development of knee crutches has evolved over time, offering an alternative to traditional crutches and wheelchairs for individuals who find it difficult to walk or carry loads on one or both legs. The concept of knee crutches has its roots in the broader history of mobility aids. Conventional crutches and wheelchairs have long been used to assist individuals with lower limb disabilities. However, these aids often come with limitations, such as:Limited maneuverability, upper body strain, and difficulty moving over certain terrain. The knee brace was developed in response to these challenges to provide a more comfortable and versatile mobility solution.

[0003] The main disadvantages of conventional knee braces for the physically disabled are that they often have a limited weight-bearing capacity, making them unsuitable for individuals with certain medical conditions or those requiring significant weight support during mobility. Furthermore, some traditional knee braces have non-adjustable knee platforms, which can cause comfort issues for users of varying heights. Inadequate adjustment can lead to discomfort and difficulty maintaining proper posture. Achieving stability on conventional knee braces can also be challenging, particularly for individuals with balance issues. Relying on a single knee and leg for support can lead to an increased risk of falls. Therefore, the challenge is to design a device that supports the user while standing or walking.

[0004] US5746236A discloses a knee brace for supporting a patient, comprising a knee support, one or more legs, a stand, and a handle. It allows the patient to walk by grasping the handle and moving the knee support and the injured knee forward, and to stand with free hands by resting the abdomen against the handle. US'236 discloses a knee brace that supports a patient, however, this invention does not focus on regulating the range of motion accessible to a concerned healthcare professional to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity within safe limits.

[0005] US20130152986A1 discloses a crutch for assisting a user in walking, including a leg platform configured to support a portion of a leg of the user and a ground contact with a weight-supporting medial contact area positioned higher than a weight-supporting lateral contact area. An optional strap on the leg platform can be used to maintain the leg in a forward position. An optional thigh saddle can be used to prevent lateral movement of the user's thigh relative to the crutch. An optional forward-facing handle can assist new users in learning how to use the crutch.US'986 discloses a knee crutch for assisting the user in walking, which includes a leg platform, however, this invention does not focus on determining the knee condition to provide support to the knee by being stretched around the user's waist to support his back.

[0006] Conventionally, there are many devices capable of supporting the leg in a secure manner, however, these devices fail to regulate the range of motion accessed by a concerned healthcare professional to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity within safety limits in a secure manner.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need in the art to develop a device capable of optimally moving the user's legs during walking / running by detecting the user's knee activation status to secure the brace around the user's waist area and support the user's back area. Furthermore, the device should be strong enough to regulate the range of motion, allowing a concerned medical professional to access it to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of facilitating the optimal movement for the user's legs during walking / running by detecting the activation status of the user's knee and the guided part to secure the support around the user's waist area to support the user's back area.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of regulating the range of motion accessible to a concerned healthcare professional in order to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity within safety limits.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is inherently reliable.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an adjustable leg support device capable of determining the user's knee status to provide support by wrapping around the user's waist to support their back in a secured manner without requiring any physical effort from the user.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable leg support device comprises a frame having a pair of elongated plates connected to each other by means of a motorized pivot joint, the first plate being configured with a curved body constructed with a plurality of curved, extendable elements designed to be positioned against a user's lower back, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit configured on the body and paired with a processor to capture and process multiple images of the user's waist portion, a microcontroller connected to the imaging unit, processing the captured dimensions, and actuating the plates to extend / retract them, and synchronously actuating a plurality of motorized hinges configured between the plates to tilt the plates toward / away from each other,to fix the body around the user's waist area to provide support to the user's back area, a U-shaped element connected to the second plate via an electromagnetic spring, and the element is designed to engage with the user's knee portion, an EMG (electromyography) sensor is configured on each of the elements to detect the activation status of the user's knee and the guided portion.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a bending sensor installed on the second plate, which detects the movement or position of the knee area, wherein the microcontroller, in synchronization with the EMG sensor and the bending sensor, determines that the knee area has a reduced movement, and upon successful detection, the microcontroller actuates the spring to extend / retract it to enable optimal movement of the user's legs during walking / running, a strap is configured with the body to fasten the body to the user's hip part, an angle sensor is installed on the frame to detect the angle of the second plate with respect to the first plate, and in the event that the detected angle exceeds a threshold,The microcontroller controls the operation of the rotary joint to regulate the range of motion of the user's knee area within natural safety limits. The measured values ​​of the EMG sensor and the flexion sensor are stored in a database connected to the microcontroller and sent to a computer unit wirelessly connected to the microcontroller and accessible by a concerned healthcare professional to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity. A battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an adjustable leg support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description contains the preferred best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural, unless explicitly stated that only the singular is meant.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adjustable leg support device capable of facilitating the ideal movement for the user's legs during walking / running by detecting the activation status of the user's knee to secure the support around the user's waist area and support the user's back area.

[0022] Referring to Fig.1 is an isometric view of an adjustable leg support device comprising a frame with a pair of elongated plates 101 connected by a motorized pivot 102, a first plate configured with a curved body 103, a curved body 103 constructed with a plurality of curved extendable elements 104, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on the body, and a U-shaped element 106 connected to the second plate via an electromagnetic spring 107.

[0023] The proposed device comprises a frame with a pair of elongated plates 101 connected to each other by a motorized pivot 102. The pivot 102 is a mechanical component that enables rotational movement about a single axis. The pivot 102 is driven by a (DC) motor capable of converting the electrical current provided by an external force into mechanical force to provide the required power for the pivot 102 to enable the pair of elongated plates 101 to rotate about the single axis. The first plate is configured with a curved body 103 constructed with a plurality of curved, extendable elements 104 designed to be positioned on a user's lower back. A strap is configured with the body to attach the body to the user's waist.

[0024] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 is configured on the body and paired with a processor to capture and process multiple images of the user's hip area. The imaging unit 105 consists of a camera and a processor that work together to capture and process multiple images of the user's hip area. The AI ​​(artificial intelligence) protocols are encrypted with the processor connected to the acquisition module to enhance its functionality and capabilities. The AI ​​protocols are used to process and analyze the images captured by the camera, allowing it to perform various tasks beyond traditional image acquisition. The AI ​​analysis is performed locally on the camera itself, and real-time processing on the camera enables immediate reactions and faster decision-making.The camera captures images of the user's hip area using special lenses designed to capture high-quality images.

[0025] The captured data is then preprocessed by the processor to improve its quality and prepare it for AI analysis. This preprocessing includes tasks such as noise reduction, image stabilization, and color correction. The processed data is fed into AI protocols for analysis, which use machine learning techniques such as deep learning neural networks to extract meaningful information from the images. The camera is capable of determining a portion of the user's waist based on predefined rules or criteria. Based on the data extracted from the captured images, the microcontroller detects the user's waist area.

[0026] After detecting the user's waist area, the microcontroller connected to the imaging unit 105 processes the detected dimensions and operates the panels to extend or retract them. Synchronously actuates several motorized hinges configured between the panels to tilt the panels toward or away from each other to secure the body around the user's waist area and support the user's back area. Hinges typically refer to a mechanical joint that allows rotational movement around a fixed axis using a motor or actuator that provides the rotational force required to move the joint. The motor is typically controlled by an electronic control unit that regulates its speed and direction. The joint consists of a hinge mechanism that allows rotation around a fixed axis.It typically consists of two parts: a fixed component and a movable component. The fixed component is rigidly connected to one part of the unit, while the movable component is connected to the other part, which must rotate to rotate the panels so they can be tilted toward or away from each other to secure the body around the user's waist area and support the user's back area.

[0027] After providing support to the user's back area, a U-shaped element 106 is connected to the second plate via an electromagnetic spring 107, and the element is designed to engage the user's knee area. The spring 107 consists of a conductive coil. When the electric current is passed through the coil, this leads to the generation of the magnetic field around the coil and results in the generation of the magnetic force, thereby energizing the spring 107. When the current decreases, the spring 107 becomes de-energized. The energization and de-energization of the spring 107 expands and contracts back and forth to activate the element designed to engage the user's knee part.

[0028] An EMG (electromyography) sensor is configured on each element to detect the activation status of the user's knee and the guided part. The EMG sensor works by detecting and recording the electrical activity generated by the muscles. These sensors typically consist of small electrodes placed on the surface of the skin or inserted into the muscle tissue. When a muscle contracts, it generates electrical signals called action potentials. The EMG sensor captures these signals and converts them into a measurable output, allowing the activation status of the user's knee and the guided part to be detected.

[0029] After detecting the activation status of the user's knee and the guided part, a flex sensor is mounted on the second plate to detect the movement or position of the knee part. The flex sensor is essentially a variable resistor that changes its resistance when bent and consists of a phenolic resin substrate coated with conductive ink. A segmented conductor forms a flexible potentiometer whose resistance changes when bent. If the sensor is linear, it maintains its nominal resistance to detect the movement or position of the knee part.

[0030] The measured values ​​from the EMG sensor and the flexion sensor are stored in a database connected to the microcontroller and sent wirelessly to a computing unit, which can be accessed by a medical professional to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity. The computing unit includes, among other devices, a mobile phone and a laptop containing a processor that stores the inputs received from the user, processes the output data, and retrieves it for display in the computing unit. The microcontroller is wirelessly connected to the computing unit via a communication module, which includes, among other devices, a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, a Bluetooth module, or GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications).The communication module acts as a medium between different electronic units to establish communication between the computing unit and the device for monitoring the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity.

[0031] After monitoring the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity, the microcontroller, in synchronization with the EMG sensor and the flex sensor, detects that the knee area has reduced movement, and upon successful detection, the microcontroller actuates the spring 107 to extend / retract it to enable optimal movement of the user's legs while walking / running.

[0032] An angle sensor is attached to the frame to detect the angle of the second plate relative to the first plate. The angle sensor works by detecting changes in magnetic fields or optical signals. By analyzing these changes, the angle sensor accurately determines the angle or position of the frame relative to the plates being measured. This information is then transmitted to the microcontroller in the form of a digital signal to analyze and detect the angle relative to the determined angle of the second plate relative to the first plate. If the determined angle exceeds a limit, the microcontroller regulates the operation of the rotary joint 102 to regulate the range of motion of the user's knee area within natural safety limits.

[0033] Finally, a battery is installed in the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies power to all the electrically operated components that require a certain amount of electrical energy to perform their functions and operate efficiently. The battery used here is usually a dry battery, which is made of lithium-ion material and provides the device with a long lifespan along with an efficient direct current that helps all the components function properly and efficiently. Since the device is battery-operated, it does not require any electrical voltage for its operation. The presence of a battery leads to the portability of the device, meaning the user can carry and move the device from one place to another as per their need.

[0034] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the frame is connected to the pair of elongated plates 101 by means of the motorized pivot 102. The first plate is configured with the curved body 103, constructed with the plurality of curved, extendable elements 104 designed to be positioned at the lower back region of the user. The belt for securing the body to the user's waist portion. Then, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 for acquiring and processing multiple images of the user's waist region. Simultaneously, the plurality of motorized hinges for tilting the plates towards / away from each other with a view to securing the body around the user's waist region to provide support to the user's back region.After supporting the user's back area, the U-shaped element 106 is connected to the second plate via the electromagnetic spring 107, and the element is designed to engage the user's knee area. It also includes an EMG (electromyography) sensor to detect the activation status of the user's knee and the guided part. The flexion sensor then detects the movement or position of the knee part. The measured values ​​of the EMG sensor and the flexion sensor are then stored in the database connected to the computer unit wirelessly connected to the microcontroller and retrieved by the relevant medical professional to monitor the user's leg / knee movements and muscle activity. Furthermore, the angle sensor detects the angle of the second plate relative to the first plate.If the detected angle exceeds the limit value, the microcontroller controls the operation of the pivot joint 102 to regulate the range of motion of the user's knee area within natural safety limits.

[0035] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 5746236

[0004] US 20130152986A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] An adjustable leg support device comprising: i) a frame having a pair of elongated plates 101 connected to each other by a motorized pivot joint 102, the first plate being configured with a curved body 103 constructed with a plurality of curved, extendable elements 104 designed to be positioned against a lower back portion of a user; ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on the body and paired with a processor to capture and process a plurality of images of the user's waist portion, wherein a microcontroller connected to the imaging unit 105 processes the captured dimensions and actuates the panels to extend / retract them and synchronously actuates a plurality of motorized hinges configured between the panels to tilt the panels toward / away from each other to secure the body around the user's waist portion to support the user's back portion; iii) a U-shaped element 106 connected to the second plate via an electromagnetic spring 107, the element being designed to engage the user's knee area, with an EMG (electromyography) sensor configured on each of the elements to detect the activation status of the user's knee and guided area; and iv) a flexion sensor installed on the second plate that detects the movement or position of the knee area, wherein the microcontroller, in synchronization with the EMG sensor and the flexion sensor, detects that the knee area has reduced movement, and upon successful detection, the microcontroller actuates the spring 107 to extend / retract it to enable optimal movement of the user's legs during walking / running. [2] The device of claim 1, wherein a belt is configured with the body to secure the body to the waist portion of the user. [3] The device of claim 1, wherein an angle sensor is mounted on the frame to detect the angle of the second plate with respect to the first plate, and when the detected angle exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller controls the operation of the pivot joint 102 to regulate the range of motion of the user's knee area within natural safety limits. [4] The device of claim 1, wherein the readings of the EMG sensor and the bending sensor are stored in a database connected to the microcontroller and sent to a computer unit wirelessly connected to the microcontroller and accessible by a concerned healthcare professional to monitor the leg / knee movements and muscle activity of the user. [5] Device according to claim 1 and 4, wherein the microcontroller is wirelessly connected to the computing unit via a communication module comprising, inter alia, a Wi-Fi module (Wireless Fidelity), a Bluetooth module or a GSM module (Global System for Mobile Communication). [6] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

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