Multi-Plane Balance Platform for Postural Health Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for diagnosing balance disorders and training patients with impaired balance are one-dimensional and lack comprehensive evaluation capabilities, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in assessing postural health.
Innovation Solution
A system and device that provides multi-axis motion capabilities, including two rotation axes and one linear axis, with a virtual reality headset for manipulating vision feedback, and camera-based acquisition of body joint angles, enabling comprehensive postural assessments and balance training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing balance testing technology is used, then the system is simple and portable, but the evaluation capability is one-dimensional and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional balance testing to multi-plane evaluation by adding motion capabilities in multiple directions (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and vertical axes). This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive assessment of postural control across different planes of motion, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and comprehensive evaluation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance device is designed with multi-functionality to perform various postural assessment tasks and training exercises across multiple planes. The same platform can evaluate different aspects of balance, provide sway-referenced control, and support rehabilitation training, making the system universally applicable to diverse postural health needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
2Measurement precision
If multi-axis motion is added to the balance device, then comprehensive postural assessment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion system is segmented into separate rotational axes (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) and a linear vertical axis, each independently controlled. This segmentation allows precise control and measurement of motion in each plane while maintaining modular architecture that manages system complexity through organized, independent motion components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through force sensors and motion tracking to continuously monitor and adjust platform motion. This feedback mechanism enables precise sway-referenced control and dynamic adaptation during postural assessments, improving measurement precision while the automated control reduces the operational complexity of managing multi-axis motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual reality headset is integrated for vision manipulation, then balance training effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual reality headset is merged with the balance platform to create an integrated system where visual feedback and platform motion work together. This combination enables immersive balance training exercises that simultaneously stimulate visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems, improving training effectiveness while the unified system architecture manages integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual reality system acts as an intermediary between the balance platform and the user, providing manipulated visual feedback that enhances the balance training experience. The VR headset processes visual information and presents it in a controlled manner, mediating the interaction between the user and the balance assessment system to improve training outcomes.
4Measurement precision
If camera-based motion tracking is implemented, then real-time body joint angle measurement is achieved, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical measurement of joint angles with camera-based optical tracking. This substitution uses image processing algorithms to infer joint angles from marker positions captured by cameras, achieving precise measurement while reducing the mechanical complexity of direct articulation measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the user's body geometry and uses camera observations of markers on this virtual model to calculate joint angles. This copying approach transforms physical measurement problems into computational problems, improving measurement precision while managing system complexity through software-based processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a balance device can include one, two or three of a medial-lateral curved track assembly, an anterior-posterior curved track assembly and a linear slide assembly. The balance device can be employed as part of a system further including, a camera-based motion tracking system communicably coupled to the balance device and a visual subsystem communicably coupled to the motion tracking system and operable to manipulate visual feedback to the user during operation of the balance device. Embodiments of a method according to the present disclosure include receiving measurements of a plurality of forces and a plurality of moments acting on a balance platform of a balance device, estimating a plurality of non-user force measurements and a plurality of non-user moment measurements caused by gravity and inertial accelerations, determining a compensation adjustment and implementing the compensation adjustment to the balance platform.