Orthopedic Device Control via Musculoskeletal Model Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic devices lack effective feedback mechanisms to provide users with real-time information about the position, velocity, acceleration, or orientation of the device, leading to delayed and limited sensory feedback, which hampers the effectiveness of artificial somatosensory feedback systems and makes it difficult for users to verify the device's performance.
Innovation Solution
A method using a musculoskeletal model to process input signals from the user's intended movements and transmit feedback signals in real time, simulating the natural feedback mechanisms of the human body, such as muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs, to enhance user control and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor feedback systems are used to provide sensory feedback to users of orthopedic devices, then users receive feedback information about device position and movement, but the feedback latency is long and the effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting future device states using a dynamic model before actual sensor measurements are available. The predictive controller calculates anticipated position, velocity, and acceleration values in advance, providing immediate feedback without waiting for physical sensors to detect and transmit actual device movements. This eliminates feedback latency while maintaining accuracy through continuous model-based prediction.
Solution Approach 2:
A dynamic model serves as an intermediary between the orthopedic device and the user feedback system. Instead of directly transmitting raw sensor data with inherent latency, the model processes and predicts device states, providing smoothed and anticipated feedback values that represent what the user would naturally sense. This intermediary layer transforms delayed sensor feedback into immediate predictive feedback.
2Ease of operation
If traditional sensor feedback systems are used, then device position and movement data can be transmitted to users, but the feedback does not align with natural human proprioceptive feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes feedback parameters by providing not just position data but also predicted velocity and acceleration values that match natural proprioceptive feedback. Instead of transmitting raw sensor measurements, the dynamic model calculates and transmits derivative parameters (velocity and acceleration) that correspond to what human sensory systems naturally detect during movement, making the feedback intuitively understandable without requiring visual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical sensor feedback with a computational model that simulates natural biomechanical feedback mechanisms. The dynamic model substitutes physical sensor measurement chains with mathematical predictions of device behavior, providing feedback that mimics how the human nervous system naturally processes movement information through proprioception, eliminating the need for visual verification.
3Measurement precision
If users must visually monitor the orthopedic device to verify performance, then accurate device state information is available, but the user experience becomes cumbersome and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously providing predictive device state information (position, velocity, acceleration) to the user through intuitive channels. This feedback loop allows users to verify device performance without visual monitoring, as the predictive feedback naturally informs them of device behavior. The continuous feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision while eliminating the need for visual verification, thereby improving user performance and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention deals with a method for controlling an orthopedic device, the method comprising the following steps of: —Providing input signals, —Using said input signals as input variables of a musculoskeletal model, —Determining feedback signals using said musculoskeletal model, —Transmitting said feedback signals to said user of said orthopedic device.