Closed-Loop Limb Movement Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for movement reconstruction and restoration after neurological disorders like spinal cord injury (SCI) fail to achieve smooth movements comparable to healthy subjects, lacking a control system that supports natural movement control loops and effectively integrates sensory feedback for precise stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising a CNS-Stimulation Module, a PNS-Stimulation Module, and sensors to measure limb movement parameters, allowing for closed-loop feedback and adaptive stimulation to support natural movement patterns, including the use of implantable pulse generators and various sensors for real-time data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current systems for movement reconstruction are used, then basic movement restoration is achieved, but smooth movements comparable to healthy subjects cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop control system that integrates sensory feedback from multiple sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors) to continuously monitor limb position and movement. This feedback is processed in real-time to adjust stimulation parameters, enabling smooth, natural movements by constantly adapting to the patient's actual movement state rather than using open-loop pre-programmed sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters based on real-time sensory feedback and predicted intended movements. The system transitions from static, pre-programmed stimulation sequences to dynamic, adaptive control that responds to changing movement requirements, allowing the generation of smooth, natural-looking movements that adapt to the patient's needs.
2Measurement precision
If sensory feedback integration is added to improve movement precision, then movement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple specialized sensors placed at different locations (accelerometers on limbs, pressure sensors in footwear, gyroscopes on body segments). Each sensor type measures specific parameters, and their data is integrated by the controller to achieve comprehensive, precise movement measurement without requiring a single complex sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to process data from multiple different sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors) using the same feedback processing architecture. This multi-functional approach allows the system to integrate diverse sensory inputs through a unified control framework, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If closed-loop feedback control is implemented, then adaptive stimulation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements closed-loop feedback control where sensory data from multiple sensors is continuously fed back to the controller, which adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time based on the difference between actual and desired movement states. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive stimulation that responds to the patient's actual performance rather than following fixed pre-programmed sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses machine learning algorithms to predict intended movements before they occur, allowing the controller to prepare appropriate stimulation parameters in advance. This preliminary action based on movement prediction reduces the computational burden during real-time control and enables smoother, more responsive adaptive stimulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables smooth and natural movement patterns by predicting intended movements and providing necessary support, improving locomotion and daily activity performance in patients with SCI by integrating sensory feedback and adaptive stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is configured and arranged to measure at least one parameter indicative of the movement and/or the movement speed of the head and/or trunk and/or waist and/or at least one limb and/or at least one part of a limb
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is configured and arranged to measure at least one parameter indicative of the movement and/or the movement speed of the head and/or trunk and/or waist and/or at least one limb and/or at least one part of a limb
Implementation Method 3
A series of studies in animal models and humans showed that electrical neuromodulation of the lumbar spinal cord using epidural electrical stimulation (EES) is capable of (re-)activating these circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a movement reconstruction and/or restoration system for a patient, comprising a CNS-Stimulation Module, especially an EES-Module, configured and arranged to provide CNS-Stimulation to a patient, and/or a PNS-Stimulation Module, especially an FES-Module, configured and arranged to provide PNS-Stimulation to a patient, a controller configured and arranged to control the CNS-Stimulation Module and/or the PNS-Stimulation Module, and at least one sensor configured and arranged to measure at least one parameter indicative of the movement of at least one limb and/or part of a limb of a patient.