Walking rehabilitation device projecting a light target

Abstract

The invention relates to a walking rehabilitation apparatus which is intended to be attached to a support member, comprising: 1. a means for projecting a light target; 2. a means for orienting the projection; 3. a means for determining the movements of the patient; 4. a means for receiving the parameters of the movement to be imparted to the light target according to the movements of the patient; 5. a computing means, characterised in that it controls the orientation in particular according to the parameters and the movements.

Description

Gait rehabilitation device projecting a light target

[0001] The invention relates to the field of medical equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for assisting physicians and physiotherapists in the treatment of gait disorders.

[0002] In the field of gait rehabilitation, many pieces of equipment and devices are used to exercise the legs in a controlled manner.

[0003] A commonly used device is the treadmill, which is a short motorized treadmill that allows you to walk in place (with a few minor differences, it is the same device as treadmills in gyms).

[0004] The treadmill allows for perfect control of walking speed, which is an essential parameter in many rehabilitation protocols. However, it also has disadvantages: it is expensive, bulky, and off-putting to use, especially for children.

[0005] The present invention aims to correct these drawbacks, while retaining the same therapeutic utility. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a walking rehabilitation apparatus (1), intended to be fixed to a support (2), comprising: a means (10) for projecting a light target (3); a means (11) for orienting said projection; a means (14) for determining the movements of the patient (4); a means (12) for receiving the parameters of the movement to be imparted to the light target (3) as a function of the movements of the patient (4); a calculation means (13), characterized in that it controls said orientation as a function in particular of said parameters and said movements.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the apparatus (1) further comprises a means (15) for knowing the angle of the apparatus (1) relative to the vertical, and this angle is used by the calculation means (13) to control the orientation of the projection.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the means (14) for determining the movements of the patient (4) uses at least two sensors, placed at different positions or orientations, and takes into account the difference in measurement between these sensors to determine the movements of the patient (4).

[0009] The invention also relates to a walking rehabilitation device comprising: the apparatus (1) described above; and an additional device (5) worn by the patient (4); and characterized in that the means (14) for determining the movements of the patient (4) uses said additional device (5) to determine the movements of the patient (4).

[0010] The support (2) can be a wall, a mast on a tripod, or any other device allowing the device (1) to be held at a fixed height (h).

[0011] The light target (3) is for example a point, a line, a symbol, text, an image, or any other figure.

[0012] It is projected onto the floor, a wall, or any other element in the patient's environment (4).

[0013] In its simplest mode of use, the device (1) is programmed so that the luminous target moves along the ground at a predetermined constant speed. The patient must walk alongside the target at the same speed. This results in functionality equivalent to that of a treadmill.

[0014] In a similar but more subtle mode of use, the target slows down if the patient has difficulty keeping up. This helps prevent patient discouragement.

[0015] In a more playful mode of use, the device is programmed so that the luminous target, placed a few meters in front of the patient, is slowly caught by the patient. When the patient reaches the target, an audible or visual signal indicates to the patient that he has scored a point, and the target is placed a few meters in front of him to invite him to start again. The aim of the game is to score a certain number of points in a given time.

[0016] Other features will become apparent as you read the detailed description that follows.

[0017] Schematic representation of a patient using the device which is the subject of the invention, according to a particular embodiment and use of the invention.

[0018] Schematic sectional view of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention, according to a particular embodiment and use of the invention. Detailed description

[0019] In the following description, paragraphs not beginning with the words "In a variant" or "In variants" relate to the particular embodiment and use shown in Figures 1 and 2. On the contrary, paragraphs beginning with "In a variant" or "In variants" relate to other modes of use or embodiment of the invention.

[0020] The apparatus (1) comprises a laser module (10) which projects a light point onto the ground, said laser module constituting an example of a means for projecting a light target.

[0021] The laser module (10) is fixed on a motor (11), which allows it to be oriented in the plane of the. The motor (11) constitutes an example of a means of orienting the projection.

[0022] In one variant, the projection orientation means comprises mirrors mounted on galvanometers, which reflect the beam from a fixed laser module. This allows: to orient the projection according to two degrees of freedom; to create luminous targets with complex shapes, thanks to retinal persistence.

[0023] The motor (11) is controlled by a microcontroller (13), whose program allows the light target (3) to be moved according to the rehabilitation exercise selected by the therapist. The microcontroller (13) and its program constitute an example of a calculation means.

[0024] The Bluetooth interface (12) allows the device to be connected to a smartphone equipped with a dedicated mobile application, where the therapist chooses the exercise to be performed. Said interface constitutes an example of a means of receiving the parameters of the movement to be printed on the light target according to the patient's movements.

[0025] The Bluetooth interface (12) also allows the height (h) at which the device (1) is fixed to be received, this data being entered from said mobile application.

[0026] In one variant, the device (1) is equipped with a sensor enabling it to directly measure its height (h) relative to the ground.

[0027] The inertial unit (15) informs the microcontroller (13) of the orientation of the device (1), said inertial unit constituting an example of a means of knowing the angle of the device relative to the vertical.

[0028] In one variant, the device (1) has a spirit level, which allows the installer to fix it perfectly horizontally.

[0029] The microcontroller program (13) dynamically varies the angle or angular speed of the motor (11) depending on: the exercise to be performed; the height (h); and the angle of the device relative to the vertical.

[0030] The exercise to be carried out involves different movements of the luminous target on the ground. However, it is trivial for the microcontroller (13), knowing the height (h) and the angle of the device relative to the vertical, to transform, for example: a position instruction of the target on the ground into an angle instruction for the motor (11); a linear speed instruction of the target on the ground into an angular speed instruction for the motor (11).

[0031] The ultrasound transceiver (14) emits sound pulses at a determined frequency. These pulses are received by the ankle bracelet (5), itself equipped with an ultrasound transceiver. It immediately re-emits the received pulses, but at a different frequency. The transceiver (14) captures this return pulse and deduces the distance to the bracelet (5) by measuring the “time of flight” (ToF).

[0032] Knowing the distance to the bracelet (5) and the height (h), the microcontroller program (13) then determines the position of the patient (4) on the ground by simple trigonometry calculation.

[0033] In one variant, no bracelet is used, and the measurement of the distance to the patient (4) is carried out by echolocation.

[0034] In a variant, a second ultrasound transceiver is added to the device (1). This makes it possible to determine, by comparing the two sound signals received in return, whether the patient (4) is moving to the right or left of the device (1). Two methods can be used for this purpose: The two transceivers are oriented one to the left, the other to the right. The distinction "patient on the left or right" is then made by comparing the attenuation of the received signals. The two transceivers are arranged with the same orientation, but separated by a sufficient distance. The distinction "patient on the left or right" is then made by comparing the flight times between the two measurements.

[0035] The ultrasound transmitter-receiver (14) constitutes an example of a means for determining the movements of the patient (4), and the ankle bracelet (5) an example of an additional device worn by the patient (4).

[0036] In variants, other motion measurement solutions are used. For example:The ultrasound transceiver is replaced by a radar module, and the additional device, if present, consists of a radar reflector.The ultrasound transceiver is replaced by an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver, and the additional device consists of a UWB beacon.The ultrasound transceiver is replaced by a camera, and the additional device, if present, consists of a visual marker.The ultrasound transceiver is replaced by a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interface, which allows receiving patient movement data (4) from an external device, such as an instrumented mat with pressure sensors.

Claims

Apparatus (1) for walking rehabilitation, intended to be fixed on a support (2), comprising: a means (10) for projecting a light target (3); a means (11) for orienting said projection; a means (14) for determining the distance between the apparatus (1) and the patient (4); a means (12) for receiving the parameters of the rehabilitation exercise selected by the therapist; a calculation means (13), characterized in that it controls said orientation as a function in particular of said parameters and said distance. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means (15) for knowing the angle of the apparatus (1) relative to the vertical, and wherein this angle is used by the calculating means (13) to control the orientation of the projection. A walking rehabilitation system comprising:the apparatus of claim 1;an additional device (5) worn by the patient (4);and wherein the means (14) for determining the distance between the apparatus (1) and the patient (4) uses said additional device (5).

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