Natural-Gait Therapy Device for SCI Independent Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions face challenges in independently performing walking therapy, which is essential for maintaining health and restoring function, due to the lack of effective devices that enable natural-gait movements without assistance.
Innovation Solution
A natural-gait therapy device that allows users to transition between a standing and walking position independently, using a system with knee-position control, pivotable seat assemblies, and bio-stimulation, enabling users to perform natural-gait motions with hand power and facilitating transfers from a wheelchair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a therapy device is designed to enable natural-gait movements, then the therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a seat assembly for positioning, leg assemblies with individual control for each leg, and a control system. Each leg assembly includes separate control members for knee and ankle joints, allowing independent adjustment and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions: it controls both left and right leg movements, coordinates phase relationships between legs, adjusts knee and ankle positions, and manages transitions between different gait phases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each control task.
2Productivity
If the device enables independent operation by users, then the productivity of therapy sessions increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be operated independently by the user without requiring assistance from therapists or caregivers. The control members are positioned and configured to allow users with limited mobility to easily reach and manipulate them, enabling self-administered therapy sessions and increasing therapy frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the user's inputs and the complex mechanical movements of the leg assemblies. It translates simple user actions into coordinated multi-joint movements, making the operation easier while maintaining the complexity of the therapeutic motion patterns.
3Reliability
If the device provides coordinated natural-gait motion, then the therapeutic benefit is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements periodic gait cycles with distinct phases (swing and stance) that repeat in a coordinated manner. The control system uses phase relationships to synchronize left and right leg movements, creating natural gait patterns through repetitive cyclic motion rather than requiring complex real-time control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assemblies incorporate dynamic elements including movable knee and ankle joints that can adjust their positions and ranges of motion. The control members allow users to dynamically adjust the device to match their individual gait requirements, providing adaptive therapy without requiring a completely custom-designed system for each user.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a natural-gait therapy device for enabling a user with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to independently transition between a locked standing position and a user controlled coordinated natural-gait movement, the method including an unlocking of a left and a right foot movement members, rotating one of the unlocked left and right movement members to a half-period gait position that is 180 degrees out of phase with the un-rotated one of the left and right movement members, coupling the left and right movement members in the 180 degree phase differential orientation, and rotating both left and right leg movement members in a natural-gait motion. In some embodiments, the left and right movement members may be uncoupled to permit a gravity assisted return to a standing position. The transition between the standing and the natural-gait motion may facilitate a user to stand before or sit after performing natural-gait therapy.