Neck Therapy Device with VR Feedback and Sensor Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neck therapy and physical training devices are costly, lack immediate feedback, and have low adherence due to their monotonic nature, leading to inadequate rehabilitation and increased medical costs for conditions like whiplash-associated disorders and non-specific neck pain.
Innovation Solution
A neck therapy device with a head harness and resistance elements, combined with virtual reality enhancement, provides user-specific resistance and real-time feedback through sensors and bio-feedback sensors, encouraging adherence to exercise regimens and promoting neck mobility restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated VR system is used for cervical kinematic training, then training effectiveness and user engagement are improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a smartphone with display screen as a simplified copy of a dedicated VR system. The smartphone displays virtual reality images and receives sensor inputs, providing essential VR functionality without the complexity and cost of specialized hardware. This copying approach maintains training effectiveness while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The head harness is designed to be universally applicable with multiple functions: it supports various sensor types (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer), accommodates different smartphone models, and can perform both assessment and training functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment while maintaining comprehensive training capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If home training without direct clinician guidance is provided, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but adherence and exercise performance quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through the display screen showing virtual reality images that respond to head movements. Sensors continuously monitor exercise performance and provide immediate visual feedback, allowing patients to self-correct and maintain proper form without clinician supervision. This automated feedback loop significantly improves adherence to home training programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables patients to independently perform and monitor their own rehabilitation exercises at home. The integrated sensors and display provide self-guided instruction and performance tracking, eliminating the need for direct clinician supervision while maintaining exercise quality and patient motivation through autonomous self-monitoring.
3Device complexity
If monotonic exercises are prescribed for neck rehabilitation, then treatment simplicity is improved, but patient engagement and adherence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms static, monotonic exercises into dynamic, interactive experiences through virtual reality imagery displayed on the screen. The visual content changes in response to patient movements, creating an engaging adaptive experience that maintains treatment simplicity while dramatically improving patient engagement and rehabilitation effectiveness through dynamic visual feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A therapy and physical training system, comprising one or more movement sensors each of which positioned on a corresponding body part of a user, a first computer on a processor of which an application is running and a head mounted housing which is configured with a display on which images generated by the first computer are visible to the user. The application is configured to receive inputs from each of the sensors or from a second computer in data communication with each of the sensors, the application also configured to generate, in response to a real-time disposition of each of the corresponding body parts during performance of an exercise related body movement, a virtual reality object viewable by the user, the object being indicative of an additional body movement to be made by the user in order to conform with a user-specific exercise program.