KR102065278B1 - Sensory stimulatiing apparatus for low extremity disorder - Google Patents

Abstract

The gait-related sensory stimulation apparatus for patients with lower extremities comprises: a first pressure sensor installed at the back of a shoe worn by a user to transmit a stance phase start signal; an instep vibrator located on instep of the user and generates vibration as the stance phase start signal is transmitted by the first pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of joints; an additional vibrator that works when the proper weight is moved; and a knee vibrator that is located in the first half of the user′s knee and stimulates the unique sense of the joint as the stance start signal is transmitted by the first pressure sensor. The present invention can provide the gait-related sensory stimulation apparatus for patients with lower extremities to ensure stable weight transfer.

Description

Gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities {SENSORY STIMULATIING APPARATUS FOR LOW EXTREMITY DISORDER}

The present invention is a gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease, and more specifically, the gait starting point and the starting point of the stance for moving the body weight appropriately when walking in patients with reduced leg sensation due to disease or injury. In conjunction with each stage, each stage stimulates its own sense of sensation and trains the proper movement of weight to occur, thereby stimulating the intrinsic sensation of the brain's joints and cognition of weight movement to induce brain re-imagination and more effective walking Gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease to assist.

In the medical field, various stimulation devices are used for the training of gait rehabilitation of patients whose lower limbs and half body are weakened by accidents or diseases.

On the other hand, our body knows and controls the joint movement through various senses in normal state. However, when a problem occurs in the sensory neuropathy due to a brain lesion or joint surgery, a situation in which the lower limb joint movement cannot be grasped and the movement cannot be controlled when walking. In particular, the sensory neuropathy plays an important role in providing the brain with information about limb movement and joint movement. This sensational nerve pathway is associated with discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, conscious eigen and stereocognitive. Therefore, there have been many previous studies to improve gait by activating the intrinsic sensation nerve pathway by stimulating vibrational sense (vibration).

However, in the existing research, the method is operated by the sole pressure without being linked to the patient's walking or simply transmits vibration to the joint without considering the inherent sense activated at each step during the walking. 10-1302364), or by transmitting vibrations to the soles of the feet to assist in cases where the feeling of weight transfer is lost due to sensory stimulation away from patients with brain lesions. It has been overlooked that pathological reflexes can be promoted by plantar stimulation. In this case, the effect of inputting the movement of the joint to the patient who has undergone the stroke or the joint surgery may be reduced, thereby reducing the therapeutic effect.

In order to solve this problem, intrinsic sensory organs are activated in each step in association with each step of walking, such as starting point and starting point of stimulus, and then stimulates the unique sensory area of the brain joint according to walking. There is a need for a gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease that induces brain re-imaging and also allows the patient to recognize that the movement of the weight is reduced without pathological reflex in patients with low sensation of the lower limb.

The problem to be solved by the present invention, the intrinsic to the joints of the brain by the vibrator located in the body's own sense organs in each step in association with each step of the walk, such as the starting point and the starting point of the stance Gait-related sensations for patients with lower extremity disorders that stimulate the sensory area to induce re-imaging of the brain and recognize the degree of weight movement to the patient by using a vibrator located on the foot to minimize pathological reflection. It is to provide a stimulation device.

Problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, the sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities, the first pressure sensor is installed in the rear of the shoes worn by the user to transmit the starting position signal, the position of the user's foot The instep vibrator generates vibrations as a start signal is transmitted by the first pressure sensor and stimulates the unique sense of the joint, and is located in the front half of the user's knee, and the start signal is generated by the first pressure sensor. As transmitted, it includes a knee vibrator that stimulates the unique sense of the joint.

According to the present invention, by stimulating the corresponding sensation in each step associated with each step of walking, such as the starting point of the stance and the start of the stinging period, to stimulate the unique sense region for the joints of the brain to induce brain reimagination It is possible to provide a gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease to generate a stable weight movement by generating a vibration signal from the instep that allows the patient to check the degree of weight movement.

1 is a view showing the standing and stir constituting the walking cycle of a person.
2 is a view showing a patient wearing a walking-related sensory stimulation device for the lower extremity patients according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation control device constituting a gait sensory device for patients with lower extremities according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms, and only the present embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, the words "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, and actions.

1 to 3, a walking-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is a view showing the standing and stir constituting the walking cycle of a person. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a condition in which a lower extremity patient wears a gait-related sensory stimulation device for lower extremity patients, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation control device constituting a gait sensory device related to lower extremities patients according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a walking cycle of a person is generally divided into a stance A and a stir B. FIG. Based on the right lower extremity, the stance A is a process from touching the right heel to lifting the right toe, and occurs when the right foot is in contact with the ground to support the weight.

Senggigi (B) is the process from removing the right toe to the right heel again, the time when the right foot is in the air, the foot is moved forward until it touches the ground again.

2 and 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a walking-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities includes a first pressure sensor 20, a second pressure sensor 25, a first controller 70, and a first sensor. 2 controller 120, instep vibrator 30, additional vibrator 40, ankle vibrator 60, knee vibrator 80, Achilles tendon vibrator 50, calf vibrator 110, thigh vibrator 100, Knee bending confirmation sensor 90 and actuation control device 140.

The first pressure sensor 20 is a sensor installed at the rear of the shoe 10 worn by a user (for example, a patient with a lower limb) to transmit a standing start signal. When the user touches the heel to the ground for walking, the first pressure sensor 20 detects the pressure and then describes the first starter signal 70 and the second controller (described below). 120).

The first pressure sensor 20 may be installed on the sole of the shoe 10 of the user or attached to the insole of the shoe 10, and when the first pressure sensor 20 is attached, the user may normally Since the worn shoes 10 can be used as it is, the convenience of use can be increased.

The second pressure sensor 25 is installed in front of the shoe 10 used by the user, and is a sensor for transmitting a stir start signal. When the user walks, there is a moment when the toe is removed from the ground, and the second pressure sensor 25 detects the pressure change at this time, and then starts the stir end signal and the stir start signal with the first controller 70 and the first step. 2 can be sent to the controller (120).

The second pressure sensor 25 may be installed on the sole of the shoe 10 of the user or attached to the insole of the shoe 10, and when the second pressure sensor 25 is attached, the user may normally Since the worn shoes 10 can be used as it is, the convenience of use can be increased.

In addition, the second pressure sensor 25 may determine whether the weight shift generated when the user walks together with the first pressure sensor 20 is greater than or equal to a set value. In the process of walking by the user, the pressure applied to the front of the shoe 10 and the pressure applied to the rear may vary, respectively, the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor located in front and rear of the shoe 10, respectively. 25 may detect a change in pressure.

The first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 that detect the change in pressure may detect a weight shift, and further determine whether the weight shift is greater than or equal to a set value.

That is, the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 determine whether the proper weight shift has been made, and if it is determined that the proper weight shift (that is, the weight shift of the set value or more) has been made, Any one or more of the pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 may transmit a weight shift signal to the first controller 70.

The first controller 70 is a device for operating the vibrator located on the user's foot to the shoe 10 side, and to adjust the vibration strength of the vibrator. Here, the vibrator controlled by the first controller 70 may include an instep vibrator 30, an additional vibrator 40, an ankle vibrator 60, and an achilles tendon vibrator 50 to be described later.

When the first pressure sensor 20 transmits the standing start signal to the first controller 70, the first controller 70 instructs the instep vibrator 30 and the ankle vibrator 60 to generate vibration, Accordingly, the instep vibrator 30 and the ankle vibrator 60 may generate vibration. As the instep vibrator 30 and the ankle vibrator 60 vibrate, the user can grasp that his walking is in the standing position.

When one or more pressure sensors of the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 transmit a jam movement signal to the first controller 70 in walking where proper weight movement occurs, the first controller 70 The further vibrator 40 is instructed to generate vibration, so that the additional vibrator 40 can generate vibration. As the additional vibrator 40 generates the vibration, the user can grasp that the proper weight shift has been made.

When the second pressure sensor 25 sends a stir start signal to the first controller 70, the first controller 70 instructs the Achilles tendon vibrator 50 to generate vibrations, thereby causing the achilles tendon vibrator. 50 may generate vibration. As the Achilles tendon vibrator 50 vibrates, the user can grasp that his walking has entered the stator.

In addition, before the first controller 70 instructs the vibrator to generate vibration, the vibration controller may receive the vibration intensity determined for each vibrator from the operation control apparatus 140 to be described later. The first controller 70 receiving the vibration intensity for each vibrator from the operation control device 140 may instruct each vibrator to generate vibration by a predetermined vibration intensity.

In order to perform the above-described function, the first controller 70 includes a wireless communication unit for communication with the operation controller 140 and various vibrators, and includes a vibration intensity control unit for controlling the vibration intensity of each vibrator, In addition, it may include its own power supply.

The first controller 70 may be an attachment type that can be attached to the shoe 10, or may be a mounting type that can be mounted on a user's lower limb. The first controller 70 may also have various shapes. 30, the additional vibrator 40, the ankle vibrator 60, and the Achilles tendon vibrator 50 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

The second controller 120 is a device for operating the vibrator located on the user's knee side, and adjusts the vibration strength of the vibrator. Here, the vibrator controlled by the second controller 120 may include a knee vibrator 80, a calf vibrator 110, and a thigh vibrator 100 which will be described later.

When the first pressure sensor 20 transmits the stator start signal to the second controller 120, the second controller 120 instructs the knee vibrator 80 to generate vibration, and thus the knee vibrator 80. ) May generate vibration. As the knee vibrator 80 generates vibration as described above, the user can grasp that his walking has entered the standing position.

When the second pressure sensor 25 transmits a stray start signal to the second controller 120, the second controller 120 instructs the calf vibrator 110 and the thigh vibrator 100 to generate vibrations. Thus, the calf vibrator 110 and the thigh vibrator 100 may generate vibrations. As the calf vibrator 110 (and the thigh vibrator 100 generates vibrations), the user may grasp that his walking has entered a stipple period.

In addition, before the second controller 120 instructs the vibrator to generate vibration, the vibration controller may receive the vibration intensity determined for each vibrator from the operation controller 140. The second controller 120 receiving the vibration intensity for each vibrator from the operation control device 140 may instruct each vibrator to generate vibration by a predetermined vibration intensity.

In order to perform the above-described function, the second controller 120 includes a wireless communication unit for communication with the operation control device 140 and various vibrators, and includes a vibration intensity control unit for controlling the vibration intensity of each vibrator, In addition, it may include its own power supply.

The second controller 120 may be installed in the knee band 130, the knee vibrator 80, the calf vibrator 110 and the thigh vibrator 100 is installed, the shape can be various, and the second The controller 120 may be connected to the knee vibrator 80, the calf vibrator 110, and the thigh vibrator 100 by wire or wirelessly.

The foot vibrator 30 is located on the foot of the user and operates until the first pressure sensor 20 generates the stator start signal to generate vibration and the second pressure sensor 25 notifies the start of the stator.

When the user starts walking and the heel touches the ground, the first pressure sensor 20 detects that the starting point of the standing position is transmitted to the first controller 70 while the foot vibrator 30 is activated. When the vibration is generated at the vibration intensity determined by the command of the first controller 70 and the appropriate weight movement determined by the second controller 120 is detected, the additional vibrator 40 is operated to make the proper weight movement. Can be recognized. The patient may be aware that the weight can be moved to the affected side until the operation of the additional vibrator 40 is confirmed.

At this time, the generated vibration is transmitted through the eigensensory neural pathways (for example, the posterior column-medical lemniscal pathway), which stimulates the sensational neural pathways, activates and re-mapping sensory regions of the brain joints. Helping improve the walking ability of the user.

In the case of a stimulation device using a conventional vibration, it is a method of operating by the pressure of the sole without interlocking with the walking of the patient or simply transmits vibration to the joint. In this case, the effect of inputting the movement of the joint to the patient who has undergone the stroke or the joint surgery may be reduced, thereby reducing the therapeutic effect.

However, in the case of the present invention, since the respective sensations are stimulated at each step in association with each step of walking, such as starting point of standing, a unique sense region for the joints of the brain is provided in that it provides stimulation in conjunction with the patient's walking. Stimulation can lead to reimagination of the brain.

In addition, the device for transmitting vibration to the sole of the conventional foot may cause unnecessary reflection in walking, such as the sole of the stroke to the stroke patient, in the case of the present invention because the foot oscillator 30 is located on the foot instead of the sole of the foot to prevent unnecessary reflection It may not cause it.

The additional vibrator 40 causes an appropriate weight shift in which the weight shift is greater than or equal to a set value during the user's walking process, such that one or more pressure sensors of the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 transmit a weight shift signal. If so, it is a vibrator to generate a vibration to inform the user that the appropriate weight shift has occurred.

Stroke patients with reduced sensations or patients with attenuated intrinsic sensations on the joints after joint surgery have difficulty in detecting weight shift during walking, and thus, difficulty in performing proper weight shift on their own.

In view of this, when the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 determine that the proper weight shift has occurred, the additional vibrator 40 is commanded by the first controller 70 to the patient. Vibration that is distinct from the existing vibration can be added and provided.

In addition, the additional vibrator 40 may be located on the user's foot like the foot vibrator 30 so that unnecessary reflection may be prevented from occurring in the user.

The ankle vibrator 60 is located on the user's ankle and is a vibrator that generates vibrations when the first pressure sensor 20 transmits a standing start signal to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

When the user starts walking and starts the standing, the ankle vibrator 60 may generate vibrations during the standing by the command of the first controller 70 to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

The knee vibrator 80 is located in the front half of the user's knee and the first pressure sensor 20 is a vibrator for generating a vibration when the start signal is initiated to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

When the user starts walking and starts the standing unit, the knee vibrator 80 may generate vibrations during the standing unit by the command of the second controller 120 to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

The Achilles tendon vibrator 50 is a vibrator that is located in the Achilles tendon of the user and generates a vibration when the second pressure sensor 25 transmits a stir start signal to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

In the walking process of the user, there is a moment when the toe is released from the ground at the time when the standing stage ends and the starting stage of the stir stage, and the second pressure sensor 25 senses the pressure change at this time and starts the standing stage signal and the stir stage. You can send a signal.

Subsequently, the Achilles tendon vibrator 50 may generate vibration by stimulating the inherent sense of the joint by the command of the second controller 120.

The calf vibrator 110 is located in the calf of the user and generates a vibration when the second pressure sensor 25 transmits the stir start signal to vibrate to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

The calf vibrator 110 may generate vibrations to stimulate the unique sense of the joint by a command of the second controller 120.

The thigh vibrator 100 is located at the rear of the thigh of the user and generates a vibration when the second pressure sensor 25 transmits a stir start signal to stimulate the intrinsic sense of the joint.

In response to the command of the second controller 120, the thigh vibrator 100 may generate vibration to stimulate the unique sense of the joint.

On the other hand, the above-described vibrators may be located in the body's own sense organs, and thus the vibration generated by the vibrator may stimulate the intrinsic sensory passages to provide intrinsic sensory information insufficient to the patient.

Operation control device 140 is a device for controlling the vibration intensity of each vibrator of the natural sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities according to the present invention.

Since the degree of feeling of vibration varies depending on the condition of the patient, the intensity of vibration generated by the vibrator needs to vary from patient to patient. In consideration of this, the operation controller may set different vibration intensities for each vibrator.

The operation control unit 140 basically includes data on the proper movement of weight according to the weight in a normal person, and is equipped with an insole equipped with a pressure sensor such as the annulus on the healthy side to monitor the change in weight movement during walking of the affected side and the healthy side. This may include a system for inducing a proper weight shift of the affected side.

In addition, the reason for controlling the vibration intensity of each vibrator in the operation control device 140 is that the degree of sensation is different and varies depending on the part of the patient, so that the patient can feel and the degree of improper reflection does not occur to the patient. This is because the strength needs to be adjusted.

Knee bending confirmation sensor 90 may be located across the thigh and calf around the knee, and is a sensor for checking whether the knee bent, may be a kind of angle sensor.

As the knee bending confirmation sensor 90 checks the bending and the knee of the knee, it is possible to determine at what stage the user's gait is at. That is, the knee bending confirmation sensor 90 may be used together with the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 to determine a walking step of the user.

After setting the vibration intensity for each vibrator, the operation controller 140 provides this to the first controller 70 and the second controller 120, and accordingly, the first controller 70 and the second controller. 120 may instruct the vibrator to control the vibration intensity to generate a vibration.

In addition, since there may be a difference in sensory function between the right lower extremity and the left lower extremity in some patients, the vibration intensity may be set differently between the right lower extremity and the left lower extremity.

The operation control device may be in the form of a mobile app, and users or managers (eg, doctors, nurses, therapists, etc.) may set the vibration intensity of each vibrator using an app running in a mobile device.

In addition, when the operation control device is a mobile app, the vibration intensity of each vibrator, the intensity of the measured pressure of the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure sensor 25 may be displayed on the screen of the mobile device.

As described above, in the case of the present invention, at each step in association with each step of walking, such as the starting point of the stance and the starting point of the stinging period, the vibrator located in the body's own sense organs stimulates the corresponding sense, so that the patient's walking In stimulation of the unique sensory area for the joints of the brain in conjunction with the stimulation in that it can induce brain re-imagination.

In addition, in the case of the present invention it can be recognized to train and learn a better walking pattern by instructing the appropriate weight movement by informing the degree of weight movement to the patient with a lower leg sense.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

10: shoe 20: first pressure sensor
25: second pressure sensor 30: instep vibrator
40: additional vibrator 50: Achilles tendon vibrator
60: ankle vibrator 70: first controller
80: knee vibrator 90: knee bending confirmation sensor
100: thigh vibrator 110: calf oscillator
120: second controller 130: knee band
140: operation control

Claims (8)

A first pressure sensor installed at a rear of a shoe worn by a user and transmitting a standing start signal;
An instep vibrator positioned on the instep of the user and generating vibrations by transmitting the starting position signal by the first pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of the joint; And
Located in the front of the user's knee, the gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower extremities comprising a knee vibrator to stimulate the unique sense of the joint as the start signal is transmitted by the first pressure sensor. The method of claim 1,
A second pressure sensor installed at the front of the shoe and determining together with the first pressure sensor whether the weight shift generated when the user walks is equal to or greater than a set value; And
Located at the foot of the user, the weight shift is more than the set value, so that any one or more of the pressure sensor of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor sends a weight shift signal to generate the vibration to the user Gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease further comprising an additional vibrator to indicate that more than the weight shift occurred. The method of claim 1,
A second pressure sensor installed at the front of the shoe and transmitting a stir start signal;
An Achilles tendon vibrator positioned in the Achilles tendon of the user and generating vibrations by transmitting the stir start signal by the second pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of the joint;
A calf vibrator positioned in the calf of the user and generating vibrations by transmitting the start angle signal by the second pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of the joint; And
Located in the rear of the user's thigh, gait-related feeling for the lower limb disease further comprises a thigh vibrator to generate a vibration in response to the start signal is transmitted by the second pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of the joint Stimulation device. The method of claim 1,
Located in the ankle of the user, the gait-related sensory stimulation device for a lower extremity disease further comprises an ankle vibrator to generate a vibration in response to the start signal is transmitted by the first pressure sensor to stimulate the unique sense of the joint. The method of claim 1,
And a first controller for receiving the standing start signal transmitted from the first pressure sensor and instructing the instep vibrator and the knee vibrator to generate vibrations. The method of claim 3, wherein
The second pressure sensor receives the stray start signal, and further comprising a second controller for instructing the Achilles tendon vibrator, the calf oscillator and the thigh vibrator to generate vibrations. Device. The method of claim 5,
After setting the vibration intensities for the instep oscillator and the knee oscillator, provide the set intensity of vibration to the first controller to instruct the first controller to generate vibrations according to the set intensity of vibration of the instep oscillator and knee oscillator. Gait-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limb disease further comprising an operation control device. The method of claim 1,
The first pressure sensor is a walking-related sensory stimulation device for patients with lower limbs attached to the insole of the shoe.

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