Walking training device installed on cane and walking training method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a walking training device installed on a cane and a walking training method using same, and the walking training device installed on the cane comprises: a case provided with an insertion hole having an open upper side so that the cane can be inserted; a pressing plate which is in contact with the bottom surface of the cane inserted into the insertion hole of the case and can be pressed by a load transferred through the cane; and a main pressure sensor which is in contact with the lower portion of the pressing plate and measures a load applied to the cane when the pressing plate is pressed.

Description

Gait training device installed on a cane and gait training method using the same

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0196476 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 29, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a walking training device that can be easily installed on a cane and a walking training method using the same, and more specifically, to a walking training device that measures the degree and direction of a load supported by a pedestrian through the cane by installing pressure sensors on the bottom and side surfaces of the cane and outputs feedback when a set threshold value is exceeded, and to a walking training method using the same.

[0003]

[0004] The population of people aged 65 and older is steadily increasing. In particular, South Korea is projected to enter a super-aged society by 2025, with the elderly population exceeding 20%. As the population ages, seniors are more susceptible to various diseases and illnesses.

[0005] Stroke, in particular, is a common disease among elderly people with disabilities. It is a representative cerebrovascular disease that occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked or bursts, damaging brain tissue and causing various neurological symptoms. Stroke patients are at a high risk of experiencing hemiplegia or impaired walking ability, leading to falls during daily activities.

[0006] Many assistive devices exist to prevent falls and facilitate the rehabilitation of stroke patients. These can be broadly categorized into canes, walkers, and weight-bearing harnesses, and their use varies depending on the patient's condition and needs.

[0007] In particular, various devices for patient rehabilitation are being developed using the aforementioned assistive devices. Specifically, technologies for monitoring and correcting patient movements by adding additional devices to assistive devices are continuously evolving.

[0008] However, among the above assistive devices, walkers and weight-bearing harnesses can significantly restrict the pedestrian's movement due to their inherent characteristics. Walkers typically consist of a frame supported by the walker's arms, which can accelerate movement asymmetry. Weight-bearing harnesses, on the other hand, are simple weight-bearing devices that can impair movement accuracy and stability.

[0009] Canes, which are widely used by the elderly, also have the problem that they support the body weight with one arm, which can accelerate an asymmetrical gait pattern due to unilateral use, and this can cause secondary damage to the musculoskeletal system.

[0010] The background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for the purpose of deriving embodiments of the present invention or acquired during the derivation process, and cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0011]

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a walking training device that measures the degree and direction of a load supported by a pedestrian through a walking stick by installing pressure sensors on the bottom and side surfaces of the walking stick, and outputs feedback when a set threshold value is exceeded, and a walking training method using the same.

[0013]

[0014] A walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case having an insertion port with an open upper side so that a cane can be inserted, a pressing plate fixed to the inside of the case and formed to enable a pressing motion as the case moves up and down, and a main pressure sensor arranged at a predetermined interval below the pressing plate to measure a load applied to the cane when the pressing plate performs a pressing motion due to a load transmitted to the cane.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sub-pressure sensor may be further provided on the inner wall of the insertion port so as to be in contact with the side of the cane and formed to measure the lateral pressure of the cane when the cane is tilted on the ground and a load is applied.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sub-pressure sensor may be characterized in that a plurality of sub-pressure sensors are formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall of the insertion port.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention may further include a processor that calculates at least one of load data and lateral pressure data through a signal generated by at least one of the main pressure sensor and the sub pressure sensor.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the walking training device may further include a support block formed at the bottom of the case so that the device can come into contact with the ground.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support block and the lower part of the case may further include a joint that can be rotated at a predetermined angle so that the support block can come into contact vertically with the ground when the cane is tilted from the ground and a load is applied.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control element may be further included to control the joint so that the support block can contact the ground vertically by deriving the direction in which the cane is tilted from the ground based on the calculated lateral pressure data.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a transmission / reception element capable of transmitting / receiving at least one of load data and pressure data calculated through the processor to the outside may be further included.

[0022] In a walking training method based on data measured by a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may include a step of receiving and storing at least one of load data and lateral pressure data measured by at least one of a main pressure sensor and a sub pressure sensor from a transmitting / receiving element of the walking training device, a step of calculating an average weight support ratio of a pedestrian through the stored data and setting a threshold value, a step of receiving at least one of real-time load data and lateral pressure data measured by at least one of the main pressure sensor and the sub pressure sensor of the walking training device from the transmitting / receiving element, and a step of outputting feedback when the real-time weight support ratio calculated through the real-time data is greater than the threshold value.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of setting a threshold value may include a step of setting each threshold value according to the position of the sub-pressure sensor through each of the pressure data measured through a plurality of sub-pressure sensors.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of lowering the threshold value in steps when a predetermined set period of time has elapsed.

[0025]

[0026] A walking training device according to one embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being easily installed on a commercially available cane.

[0027] Additionally, it has the advantage of being able to more accurately determine the pedestrian's behavioral characteristics than a walking training device formed on the handle of a cane.

[0028] In addition, the gait training method using a gait training device according to one embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of allowing a user to easily and conveniently perform gait training without a separate device.

[0029] The effects that can be obtained from the invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0030]

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates an internal cross-sectional view of a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an internal cross-sectional view illustrating a sub-pressure sensor in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of sensing of a sub-pressure sensor according to the angle of a cane in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a case and a support block connected by a joint in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the position of a support block according to the angle of a cane in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of a walking training method using a walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] ※ Explanation of symbols

[0038] 1: Gait training device 10: Case

[0039] 11: Insertion port 20: Pressing plate

[0040] 30: Main pressure sensor 40: Sub pressure sensor

[0041] 50: Support block 60: Joint

[0042] 70: PCB board 80: Battery

[0043] C: Cane

[0044]

[0045] The present invention will become clearer with reference 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 only 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. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. Meanwhile, the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0046] Throughout this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0047] Throughout this specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements, and do not exclude other components unless specifically stated to the contrary, but rather include other components.

[0048] Additionally, terms such as “unit” described throughout this specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0049] Additionally, when it is said throughout this specification that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is connected "with another structure in between."

[0050] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0051]

[0052] A walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case (10), a pressing plate (20), and a main pressure sensor (30). Fig. 1 illustrates an internal cross-sectional view of a walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 1, the case (10) is formed with an insertion hole (11) into which a cane (C) can be inserted, and can accommodate a pressing plate (20) and a main pressure sensor (30) to be described below inside. The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole (11) is not limited, but as an example, it can be configured in a circular shape corresponding to the shape of the end of a typical cane (C).

[0054] In addition, the insertion opening (11) of the case (10) may be shaped to narrow toward the top so that the cane (C) can be inserted and fixed into the case (10). In this case, the case (10) may be formed in a partially open shape to facilitate insertion of the cane (C), and may be closed after insertion of the cane (C).

[0055] In another embodiment, the case (10) is composed of an upper case and a lower case, the upper case has a ring shape and includes a female screw groove on the inner surface, and a male screw groove corresponding to the female screw groove of the upper case is formed on the upper side of the lower case so that they can be screw-connected to each other.

[0056] In addition, a separate cap (12) may be added so that the cane (C) can be fixed inside the case (10). More specifically, the cap (12) is configured as a single or multiple assembly, so that the cane (C) is inserted into the upper case having the insertion hole (11) formed therein, the cane (C) is wrapped with the cap (12) formed as multiple units, and then the lower case and the upper case are screwed together, so that the cane (C) can be fixed more firmly inside the case (10).

[0057] The pressing plate (20) is configured to be fixed inside the case (10) and to allow the case (10) to move up and down by the load transmitted to the cane (C) to perform a pressing action. More specifically, the pressing plate (20) is accommodated and fixed inside the case (10), and the case (10) moves back and forth a predetermined distance due to the movement generated when a pedestrian moves using the cane (C), and accordingly, the pressing plate (20) can also move back and forth. This reciprocating movement of the pressing plate (20) can be formed by combining it with an elastic component, for example, it can be formed by including an elastic material such as a spring between the main pressure sensor (30) and the pressing plate (20) to be described below inside the case (10). As a result, when a load is applied to the cane (C), the case (10) and the pressing plate (20) descend to press the main pressure sensor (30), and when the load is removed, the case (10) and the pressing plate (20) can be restored to their original positions.

[0058] The main pressure sensor (30) is arranged at a predetermined interval below the pressing plate (20) and is configured to measure the load applied to the cane (C). The main pressure sensor (30) can measure the entire load by directly contacting the pressing plate (20) as it descends. Alternatively, in one embodiment, a cylindrical main pressure sensor (30) having a diameter that varies depending on the height may be inserted into the central opening of the disk-shaped pressing plate (20) so that a part of the main pressure sensor (30) comes into contact with the case (10) as the pressing plate (20) descends.

[0059] The main pressure sensor (30) can be used in various ways depending on the measurement range, precision, etc., and is not limited to a specific embodiment. For example, the main pressure sensor can use one of a Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor, a Capacitive Pressure Sensor, and a MEMS Pressure Sensor.

[0060]

[0061] Meanwhile, when elderly or disabled individuals with limited mobility use canes to move around, the cane often touches the ground at a certain angle. Therefore, measuring only the pressure exerted on the cane perpendicular to the ground makes it difficult to provide feedback for proper walking habits or desirable gait training. In other words, it is necessary to identify when pedestrians are touching the ground with their cane excessively tilted in one direction and provide effective feedback to correct this.

[0062] Therefore, the walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a sub-pressure sensor (40) to measure lateral pressure applied to the cane.

[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates an internal cross-sectional view of a sub-pressure sensor in a walking training device installed on a cane according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 illustrates an example of lateral pressure measurement of a sub-pressure sensor according to an angle of a cane in a walking training device installed on a cane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring to Fig. 2, the sub-pressure sensor (40) may be provided on the inner wall of the insertion hole (11) in the case (10) and may be positioned so as to be in contact with the side of the walking stick (C). Accordingly, when the walking stick (C) is tilted on the ground and a load is applied, the lateral pressure corresponding thereto can be easily measured. That is, when the walking stick (C) is tilted in one direction relative to the ground, the walking stick (C) can form a lateral pressure on the sub-pressure sensor (40) provided on the side opposite to the side facing the ground. In this case, the walking pattern of the pedestrian can be identified through the walking training device (1).

[0065] In addition, in order to measure the direction of the load applied by the pedestrian to the cane (C) in various ways, a plurality of sub-pressure sensors (40) may be formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall of the insertion hole (11). In general, four sub-pressure sensors may be formed to measure the lateral pressure in the forward, backward, left, and right directions, and four or more sub-pressure sensors may be formed to measure more precisely.

[0066] Referring to Fig. 3, the sub-pressure sensor (40) can measure the tilted position of the cane (C). More specifically, when the cane (c) is tilted in the walking direction as shown in (a) of Fig. 3, the sub-pressure sensor (40) formed on the side of the cane (c) in the walking direction is pressed. Alternatively, when the cane (c) is tilted in the opposite direction to the walking direction as shown in (b) of Fig. 3, the sub-pressure sensor (40) formed on the side of the cane (c) opposite to the walking direction is pressed. Consequently, the pedestrian's behavior can be analyzed by detecting the lateral pressure in the tilted direction of the cane based on the walking direction.

[0067] The sub-pressure sensor (40) can also be composed of various types of elements, and can be formed of the same or different types of elements as the main pressure sensor (30).

[0068] Meanwhile, in order to analyze the behavioral patterns of a pedestrian using a cane (C), a processor (not shown) may be further included that calculates load data and / or lateral pressure data measured through the main pressure sensor and the sub-pressure sensor (40). The processor may receive signals generated from the main pressure sensor (30) and / or the sub-pressure sensor, i.e., current, voltage, etc., and calculate the pressure applied to each sensor.

[0069] In addition, the walking training device (1) installed on a cane (C) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a support block (50) formed at the bottom of the case (10).

[0070] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a case and a support block connected by a joint in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 4, the support block (50) is positioned at the bottom of the case (10) and can be adjusted so that the cane (C) can be brought into contact vertically with the ground even when the cane (C) is tilted at a predetermined angle to the ground. That is, the support block (50) and the bottom of the case (10) are connected by a joint (60), so that when the cane (C) is tilted on the ground and a load is applied, the support block (50) can be formed to be able to rotate at a predetermined angle so that the cane (C) can be brought into contact vertically with the ground.

[0072] The joint (60) can be formed in various types. In one embodiment, a spherical ball joint (60) is included in the lower portion of the case (10), and a portion of the ball joint (60) is formed to surround the upper portion of the support block (50), and the portion surrounding the ball joint (60) can be sealed with a gasket or the like so as to be rotatable.

[0073] The walking training device (1) installed on the cane (C) can be in vertical contact with the ground through the joint (60) connecting the case (10) and the support block (50).

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the position of a support block according to the angle of a cane in a walking training device installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 5, when a pedestrian tilts the cane (C) to the ground at a predetermined angle, some corners of the surface formed at the end of the support block (50) first touch the ground, and then the joint (60) rotates the support block (50) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cane (C) tilts to the ground, so that the entire surface formed at the end of the support block (50) can touch the ground.

[0076] Alternatively, the movement of the support block (50) can be controlled through a control element (not shown). More specifically, the direction in which the cane (C) is tilted relative to the ground can be measured using the lateral pressure data measured through the sub-pressure sensor (40), and the control element can control the joint (60) to rotate the support block (50) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cane (C) is tilted relative to the ground. In this case, there is an effect of more safely supporting the behavior of the pedestrian using the cane (C). In one embodiment, the control element can control the rotation of the joint (60) through a small servo motor or a linear actuator.

[0077] Additionally, the walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a separate storage device for storing data generated by the processor. Alternatively, the device may further include a transceiver element capable of transmitting and receiving data generated by the processor to an external device. The transceiver element is not limited to one embodiment and may be formed in a wired and / or wireless manner.

[0078] In addition, the walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include additional components to operate the main pressure sensor (30), the sub pressure sensor (40), the processor, and the transceiver. For example, it may further include a PCB substrate (70) for mounting and electrically connecting the above components, and a battery (80) for supplying power. In particular, the type of battery is not particularly limited, and in the case of a secondary battery, it may be configured as a detachable battery or may be formed to enable charging through a separate charging terminal (81).

[0079]

[0080] Meanwhile, a walking training device (1) installed on a cane according to one embodiment of the present invention can assist in walking training of a pedestrian.

[0081] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a gait training method (S1) using a gait training device (1) installed on a cane according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6, the gait training method may include a step of receiving and storing measured data (S10), a step of setting a threshold value (S20), a step of receiving real-time data (S30), and a step of outputting feedback (S40).

[0082] The step (S10) of receiving and storing measured data is a step of receiving and storing load and / or lateral pressure data measured by the main pressure sensor (30) and / or the sub pressure sensor (40) from the transceiver element of the walking training device (1) installed on the cane according to one embodiment of the present invention. Since pedestrians in need of walking training, i.e., elderly or disabled people with mobility difficulties, have different areas of discomfort and different movement habits, it is necessary to collect behavior data tailored to each individual in advance. Therefore, the pedestrian's behavior data, i.e., load data and / or lateral pressure data, can be measured through the cane on which the walking training device (1) is installed, and then the data can be transmitted to a separate server to be stored.

[0083] The step of setting the threshold value (S20) establishes the criteria for pedestrian gait training. Specifically, the average weight support ratio can be calculated using load data and / or lateral pressure data based on the pedestrian's weight, and the threshold value, which serves as the criterion for gait training, can be set.

[0084] The average weight support ratio is calculated by dividing the weight of the pedestrian by the load data and / or lateral pressure data measured through the walking training device (1), which means what percentage of the body weight is supported by the cane.

[0085] The threshold value is a reference value that can be used to reduce the load supported by a cane through walking training. It can be calculated by multiplying the pedestrian's aging, injury, etc. by a predetermined ratio. This predetermined ratio can be easily adjusted according to the characteristics of the cane-using pedestrian.

[0086] In addition, in the step of setting the threshold value (S20), each threshold value can be set through the lateral pressure data. That is, each threshold value can be set separately according to the position of the sub-pressure sensor (40) through the lateral pressure data measured through each of the multiple sub-pressure sensors (40) of the walking training device (1). These directional threshold values ​​can be set to help with proper walking by adjusting the angle at which the cane touches the ground.

[0087] The step of receiving real-time data (S30) is a step of receiving real-time data measured through at least one of the main pressure sensor (30) and the sub pressure sensor (40) from the transceiver element of the walking training device (1). This data is used to identify the walking characteristics of a pedestrian in real time through comparison with stored data, which will be described below.

[0088] The feedback output step (S40) provides feedback on the pedestrian's walking pattern using real-time and stored data. More specifically, the real-time weight support ratio of the pedestrian is calculated using real-time measured data, and feedback can be output if this value exceeds a threshold. Here, a real-time weight support ratio exceeding the threshold indicates that the pedestrian has exceeded the standard for supporting their weight with a cane. This can encourage the pedestrian to reduce their reliance on the cane so that they can walk independently.

[0089] Feedback can be output in various ways depending on the type of processor through which the gait training method is performed using the gait training device (1) of the present invention. In one embodiment, when the gait training method is performed in an application of a terminal such as a mobile phone, the gait training method can be notified by means of an alarm of the mobile phone, i.e., an alarm sound, a screen light, or a flash light. In another embodiment, when the gait training method is performed by a processor within the gait training device (1), the gait training device (1) can be notified by means of a separate warning light or speaker, etc., a sound or light, etc.

[0090] Additionally, a step (S50) for gradually lowering the threshold value after a predetermined period of time has elapsed may be further included. To induce better walking through the gait training device (1), it is necessary to gradually reduce the degree of dependence on the cane. Therefore, after a predetermined period of time, set according to the pedestrian's characteristics, the threshold value can be further lowered to assist the pedestrian's independence.

[0091]

[0092] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. In a walking training device installed on a cane, A case having an insertion port with an open upper side into which the above-mentioned cane can be inserted; A pressing plate fixed to the inside of the case and formed to enable a pressing motion as the case moves up and down; and A walking training device installed on a cane, comprising a main pressure sensor formed to measure a load applied to the cane when the pressing plate is pressed by a load transmitted to the cane, and arranged at a predetermined interval on the lower side of the pressing plate.

2. In paragraph 1, A walking training device installed on a cane further comprising a sub-pressure sensor formed on the inner wall of the insertion port so as to come into contact with the side surface of the cane and to measure the lateral pressure of the cane when the cane is tilted from the ground and a load is applied.

3. In paragraph 2, The above sub-pressure sensor, A walking training device installed on a cane, characterized in that a plurality of inserts are formed at predetermined intervals on the inner wall of the insertion port.

4. In paragraph 2, A walking training device installed on a cane further comprising a processor that calculates at least one of load data and lateral pressure data through a signal generated by at least one of the main pressure sensor and the sub pressure sensor.

5. In paragraph 4, A walking training device installed on a cane further including a support block formed on the lower part of the case so that the walking training device can come into contact with the ground.

6. In paragraph 5, A walking training device installed on a cane, further comprising a joint that connects the support block and the lower part of the case, and can rotate at a predetermined angle so that the support block can touch the ground vertically when the cane is tilted from the ground and a load is applied.

7. In paragraph 6, A walking training device installed on a cane, further comprising a control element that controls the joint so that the support block can come into vertical contact with the ground by deriving the direction in which the cane is tilted from the ground based on the produced lateral pressure data.

8. In paragraph 4, A walking training device installed on a cane further including a transceiver element capable of transmitting and receiving at least one of the load data and the lateral pressure data generated through the processor to the outside.

9. A walking training method based on data measured through a walking training device installed on a cane, A step of receiving and storing at least one of load data and lateral pressure data measured through at least one of the main pressure sensor and the sub pressure sensor from the transceiver element of the walking training device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A step of calculating the average weight support ratio of a pedestrian through the above stored data and setting a threshold value; A step of receiving at least one of real-time load data and lateral pressure data measured through at least one of the main pressure sensor and the sub pressure sensor of the walking training device from the transceiver; and A method for walking training using a walking training device installed on a cane, comprising: a step of outputting feedback when the real-time weight support ratio calculated through the real-time data is greater than the threshold value; 10. In paragraph 9, The step of setting the above threshold value is: A walking training method using a walking training device installed on a cane, comprising the step of setting each of the threshold values ​​according to the position of the sub-pressure sensors through each of the lateral pressure data measured through a plurality of the sub-pressure sensors.

11. In paragraph 9, A method for walking training using a walking training device installed on a cane, further comprising a step of gradually lowering the threshold value when a set predetermined period of time has elapsed.

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