Rehabilitation Device Biosignal Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rehabilitation methods for individuals with physical disabilities, particularly those with impaired brain or spinal cord function, face challenges in recovering lost physical abilities due to the difficulty in quantitatively measuring and communicating muscular forces and movements, leading to inefficient recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A rehabilitation supporting device that includes a first and second frame arranged along skeletal portions from a joint, angle sensors, flexion- and extension-side biosignal sensors, a calibration unit, and a control unit to detect and correct biosignals, allowing for quantitative measurement and output of the correlation between physical quantities and biosignals, and providing visual or tangible feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rehabilitation is performed using conventional methods with simple weight or elastic band loading, then the rehabilitation process is easy to implement, but the measurement precision of muscular forces and movements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical loading methods (weights, elastic bands) with an electromagnetic actuator system that can precisely control and measure forces. The actuator applies controlled loads to the limb while sensors detect muscular forces and movement parameters, enabling precise measurement without complex mechanical rehabilitation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of force sensors, position sensors, and myoelectric sensors that mediate between the patient's muscular actions and the rehabilitation instructor. These sensors detect muscular forces, limb position, and muscle activation patterns, providing quantitative data that bridges the gap between patient effort and instructor assessment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect biosignals and physical quantities, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into an integrated measurement system. Force sensors, position sensors, and myoelectric sensors are combined to simultaneously detect muscular forces, limb position, and muscle activation patterns. This integrated approach achieves comprehensive measurement precision while reducing the complexity of managing separate sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rehabilitation device is designed with multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple parameters. For example, the measurement system can detect both force and position information, and myoelectric sensors can detect both muscle activation timing and intensity. This universality allows a single sensor system to perform multiple measurement functions, reducing overall device complexity.
3Loss of information
If quantitative measurement of muscular forces is implemented, then the communication efficiency between patient and instructor improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensor measurements of muscular forces and movements are transmitted to the rehabilitation instructor in real-time. This feedback loop provides quantitative information about the patient's effort and progress, enabling precise communication and adjustment of rehabilitation protocols without requiring complex manual assessment techniques.
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 precise measurement and output of the correlation between joint motion and biosignals from antagonistic muscles, facilitating effective rehabilitation by enhancing communication between the patient and instructor, and aiding in the recovery of physical abilities.
Implementation Method 1
a flexion-side biosignal sensor arranged to contact a body surface corresponding to a flexor which bends the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion bent around the joint, the flexion-side biosignal sensor detecting a biosignal of the flexor; an extension-side biosignal sensor arranged to contact a body surface corresponding to an extensor which stretches the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion around the joint, the extension-side biosignal sensor detecting a biosignal of the extensor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A rehabilitation supporting device 1 includes a first frame 11 arranged along a first skeletal portion extending from a joint, a second frame 12 arranged along a second skeletal portion extending from the joint in a direction different from a direction of the first skeletal portion, an angle sensor 131 arranged to detect a rotational angle position between the first frame and the second frame, a flexion-side biosignal sensor 14 arranged to detect a biosignal of a flexor, an extension-side biosignal sensor 15 arranged to detect a biosignal of an extensor, a calibration unit 31 arranged to determine a flexion-side correction value and an extension-side correction value individually, and a memory unit 34 arranged to store individual correction values of the biosignals different for individuals, the flexion-side correction value, and the extension-side correction value.