Dynamic Body Weight Support System for Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body-weight support systems for rehabilitation therapies are limited by their inability to provide customizable and dynamic support, often obstructing therapist-patient interaction, requiring excessive patient effort, and causing abnormal compensatory movements due to fixed unloading mechanisms and delayed response times.
Innovation Solution
A body-weight support system with a track and movable support unit, equipped with sensors and actuators that dynamically adjust the supportive force based on sensed body weight, allowing for customizable exercise modes and user-friendly interface options, enabling multiple units to operate on a single track without collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static unloading systems with fixed strap length are used, then the system structure is simple, but the patient experiences abnormal ground reaction forces and altered muscle activation patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic unloading by replacing fixed-length straps with actively controlled cable systems that can adjust their length and tension in real-time. The cable length adjusters are controlled by actuators that respond to force sensors, enabling the system to dynamically adapt to patient movement and maintain physiological ground reaction forces while providing body weight support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system follows patient movement with delayed response, then the support system can adapt to patient motion, but the patient exerts excessive force to overcome system lag
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs force sensors that continuously measure the forces applied by the patient and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the actuators to adjust cable tension and length dynamically, matching patient intent and eliminating the force lag problem. The control system processes sensor data and actuates the cable length adjusters to maintain support forces that precisely follow patient movement without requiring excessive compensatory effort.
3Ease of operation
If fixed unloading mechanisms are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the patient's vertical excursions are limited and range of motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed unloading mechanisms with dynamically adjustable cable systems where cable length can be varied in real-time through actuator control. This dynamic capability allows the system to accommodate large vertical excursions and full range of motion during rehabilitation exercises, while the control system maintains simplicity of operation through automated adjustment based on force sensor feedback.
4Reliability
If body-weight support systems are implemented, then patient safety is improved by reducing fall risk, but therapist-patient interaction is obstructed by physical barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from physical contact-based systems and implements it through a suspended cable system that provides body weight support without requiring the therapist to physically support the patient. The system maintains safety through automated force control and sensor monitoring while eliminating physical barriers between therapist and patient, allowing natural interaction and observation during therapy sessions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A body-weight support system is disclosed, including an improved lift system and method. The system enables not only the support of patients undergoing rehab therapies, but including exercise modes that are both customizable and dynamic in nature, as well as a track system, wherein the system is capable of providing alternative functionality at differing locations. Other features disclosed include a system by which a movable support unit tracks or follows a patient, adjustable and variable supportive forces for users based upon, for example, a percentage of sensed body weight, and a user-interface that may be employed in a mobile, wired or wireless manner and will allow the use of multiple lift systems on a single, looped track system.