Sensor-Guided Neurosuit for Gait Alignment and Muscle Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapies for conditions such as development delays, cerebral palsy, ataxia, autism spectrum disorder, and gait retraining after stroke lack effective methods to improve muscle strength, correct body alignment, and normalize gait patterns.
Innovation Solution
A neurosuit system comprising wearable pieces with bungee cords and sensory devices that provide resistance and real-time feedback through haptic signals to adjust bungee cord positions and improve muscle coordination and gait.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional therapy methods are used for conditions such as development delays, cerebral palsy, ataxia, autism spectrum disorder, and gait retraining after stroke, then treatment is provided, but effective improvement in muscle strength, body alignment, and gait patterns is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The neurosuit system incorporates sensory devices that detect body movement and provide real-time feedback to the user through haptic signals. The suit control device receives data from IMU sensors and cameras, analyzes body movement, compares it with ideal movement patterns, and provides feedback when deviations are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables users to consciously correct their movements, thereby improving therapy effectiveness and muscle strength gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical resistance therapy with an active sensorimotor system. Instead of simply using elastic bands for resistance, the system integrates IMU sensors, cameras, and haptic feedback devices to create an intelligent therapy system that actively monitors and guides user movements, transforming traditional mechanical therapy into an interactive sensorimotor training system.
2Strength
If elastic bands are used to provide resistance and align the body, then muscle strength can be improved, but real-time monitoring and adjustment of body position is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The neurosuit system uses multi-functional wearable pieces that combine mechanical resistance elements (elastic bands) with embedded sensors (IMU devices). These components serve dual purposes: providing therapeutic resistance while simultaneously monitoring body position and movement. This integration eliminates the need for separate monitoring equipment and enables precise real-time measurement of body position during therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary sensing components (IMU sensors and cameras) that mediate between the user's body movements and the control system. These intermediaries capture precise positional data, which is then processed by the suit control device to provide accurate feedback, enabling precise monitoring and adjustment of body position during therapy.
3Reliability
If multiple wearable pieces and bungee cords are used to correct body alignment and improve coordination, then gait normalization is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The neurosuit system is divided into multiple independent wearable pieces (vest, shorts, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, shoe attachments, hat), each equipped with its own sensors and connection points. This segmentation allows the complex therapy function to be distributed across multiple simple, modular components that can be independently adjusted and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining gait normalization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic bungee cords with adjustable tension and length that adapt to the user's movements and therapy progress. The wearable pieces and bungee cords form a flexible, dynamic structure that automatically adjusts to maintain proper body alignment during various gait phases, reducing the need for complex active control mechanisms while achieving effective gait normalization.
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
The neurosuit system effectively facilitates correct body alignment, enhances muscle strength, and normalizes gait patterns by providing real-time feedback and adjusting bungee cord positions to align body parts correctly.
Implementation Method 1
The neurosuit includes elastic bands or bungee cords to correctly align the body, improve coordination between body parts during body movement, and normalize gait pattern
Implementation Method 2
The sensory input device may include one or more Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors and/or one or more cameras, which may be configured to capture body movement of a user wearing the neurosuit
Implementation Method 3
The sensory output device may include a vibrator that may be movably attached to the neurosuit (e.g., on the bungee cord), which may be actuated by the suit control device
Data Source
AI summary
A neurosuit system including a neurosuit, a sensory input device, and a suit control system is disclosed. The neurosuit may include a plurality of wearable pieces, and a plurality of bungee cords to interlock the plurality of wearable pieces. The sensory input device may be configured to capture a body movement of a user wearing the neurosuit. The suit control system may be communicatively coupled to the sensory input device and configured to receive inputs from the sensory input device, and determine the body movement based on the inputs. The suit control system may compare the body movement with an ideal body movement, and perform a predetermined action when the body movement is different from the ideal body movement. The predetermined action may be associated with the plurality of bungee cords.