RU2765435C1 - Interactive posture corrector - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medicine, namely to interactive posture correctors. The posture corrector contains at least two flexible optical strain sensors, a system for displaying the results of information processing and a fastening system made in the form of clothing and designed to fasten the optical sensors on a person. Optical sensors are connected through communication channels with a control and information processing system, including a system for visualizing the operation of the device and remote control of it. The posture corrector additionally contains a control unit, including a microprocessor, a battery and a signal source. The optical strain sensor is made in the form of a flexible light-conducting body with a circular cross-section, enclosed in a light-absorbing shell. One end of the sensor is provided with a light source and the other end of the sensor is equipped with a photocell. Optical sensors are fixed crosswise, one in the vertical direction along the line of the spine, and the other in the horizontal direction along the spine. At the intersection, the sensors are connected to the control unit.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of correction of posture disorders, including scoliotic posture and scoliosis with regular use of the corrector.

1 cl, 2 dwg

Description

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical equipment and is intended for monitoring the posture of the human body by signaling its violation. It can be used to develop the skill of correct posture, prevent and correct functional postural disorders and treat orthopedic diseases, as well as to control the position of a person’s body while sitting and standing, for example, while driving, at a computer or while walking.

A device for monitoring the position of the human musculoskeletal system is known, containing a position sensor configured to be fixed on the user and connected through an electronic assembly to a signaling device that generates an alert signal, while the electronic assembly contains a connected threshold unit and a delay unit (RF patent for a utility model No. 3536).

The closest in technical essence is an interactive posture corrector containing at least one flexible optical strain sensor connected via communication channels to a control and information processing system, including a system for visualizing the strain that occurs on the optical strain sensor, and a system for displaying the results of information processing, and also a fastening system designed to fasten optical sensors to a person (RF patent for invention No. 2504350).

The disadvantage of these known devices is that their use does not allow to control scoliotic changes in posture, providing only control over the stoop, which is due to the peculiarities of the plate sensor, which evaluates the bending of the spine only and only in one plane.

The technical result of the claimed invention is to simplify the design and improve the efficiency of correcting postural disorders, including scoliotic posture and scoliosis with regular use.

The specified technical result is achieved by the fact that the interactive posture corrector contains at least two flexible optical strain sensors connected via communication channels to the control and information processing system, including the system for visualizing the operation of the device and its remote control, and the system for displaying the results of information processing, as well as a fastening system made in the form of clothes and intended for fixing optical sensors on a person, according to the invention additionally contains a control unit, including a microprocessor, a battery and a signal source, and the optical strain sensor is made in the form of a flexible light-conducting body with a circular cross section, enclosed in a light-absorbing shell , one end of the sensor is equipped with a light source, and the other end of the sensor is equipped with a photocell, while the optical sensors are fixed crosswise, one in the vertical direction along the line of the spine, and the other in the horizontal direction along the spines of the blades , at the point of intersection, the sensors are connected to the control unit.

The use of an optical strain sensor, made in the form of a flexible light-conducting body with a circular cross section (cord-shaped), allows you to control the multidirectional curves of the spine and upper back. The light-absorbing sheath is an integral part of the sensor. It does not transmit light pulses from the outside and absorbs re-reflected light pulses inside. According to the degree of attenuation of the light pulse from the light source captured by the photocell, the degree of curvature of the sensor is measured, respectively, the bending of the back and spine is measured.

The use of a control unit located at the intersection of the sensors allows the simultaneous use of two or more optical sensors, coordinates and analyzes the operation of all sensors and provides generalized accurate data on the deformation of the spine and back.

The proposed device is illustrated in Fig.1 and Fig. 2 (window of working with the device).

The interactive human posture corrector contains optical deformation sensors 1 enclosed in a light-absorbing shell, while one end of the sensor is equipped with a light source 2, and the other end of the sensor is equipped with a photocell 3. It also contains a control control unit 4, including a microprocessor, a signal source (for example, a vibration signal) , a battery, a charging socket (not shown in Fig.) and a power button 5. Block 4 is connected via communication channels with a control and information processing system 6 (for example, a mobile phone, tablet, etc.), including a system for visualizing the operation of the device and remote control of it (phone screen, tablet) and a system for indicating the results of information processing. The fastening system 7 (for example, a T-shirt) is designed to fasten the components of the device to a person and is a tight-fitting compression underwear with a pocket 8 on the back for optical sensors 1 with block 2. The optical sensor 1 is made flexible in the form of a cord, while the length of the vertically located sensor is not less than the length of the unidirectional bend of the human spine, and the length of the horizontally located sensor is the value along the line of the shoulders along the spines of the shoulder blades.

The Bluetooth protocol can be used as communication channels.

The device is powered by a battery or rechargeable battery with the ability to charge via the microUSB connector from network devices of smartphones or USB computers and laptops.

The control and information processing system 6 contains the corresponding software application and includes a visualization system in the form of a mobile phone (or tablet) screen, a system for displaying the results of information processing and is connected to the control unit 2 via communication channels.

The software application was developed for iOS and Android operating systems to control and adjust the parameters of the executive part.

The claimed device works as follows.

Sensors 1 with block 4 are inserted into a special pocket 8 of T-shirt 7 with button 5 outward. By long pressing the button 5 turn on block 4. Turning on is confirmed by a long vibration signal and light indication. A T-shirt with sensors 1 is put on, it should fit evenly and tightly to the body. Turn on the Bluetooth module on the smartphone through the smartphone settings, or through the installed appropriate application with software. The application connects the smartphone to block 4 for further work.

Next, you need to fix the position of the shoulders and back of a person standing and sitting. To do this, a person needs to stand up straight, straighten his back and neck, turn his shoulders, and lower his elbows down, that is, take the correct posture. The posture should be comfortable enough to allow even breathing and not cause pain in the back, shoulders and neck. After taking the correct posture, the user fixes this position by pressing the "STANDING" button in the application on the smartphone screen. Fixation is confirmed by a single vibration signal of the smartphone and unit 4.

Next, the person needs to sit down, straighten their back and neck and turn their shoulders. Adjust the posture based on the needs and situation (from a more upright posture to a more relaxed one), then fix the position by pressing the SIT button in the application on the smartphone screen. Fixation is confirmed by a single vibration signal of the smartphone and unit 4.

By commands from a smartphone, the device remembers the necessary positions of the shoulders and back in the positions of a person standing and sitting as a reference. And then constantly monitors their changes in the process of wearing the corrector, controlling posture.

The inventive corrector is put on and worn like a regular T-shirt with a tight-fitting sports cut. The horizontal sensor is located along the line of the shoulders along the spines of the shoulder blades, the vertical sensor is adjacent to the projection of the spinal column. Sensors 1 with block 2 are located in a special pocket 8 on the back, made from the inside of the T-shirt 7. According to the degree of attenuation of the light pulse from the light source 2, captured by the photocell 3, the degree of curvature of the sensor is measured, respectively, the bending of the back and spine is measured.

In the process of wearing the corrector, the sensors measure the degree of curvature of the back plane and the data obtained is processed by a specialized program. When flexible sensors are bent beyond the tolerances set by the program from the reference ones, the indication system activates a sound or vibration signal.

The alert signal is generated with a time delay, which allows the signal to be generated only if the sensor readings deviate from the reference ones for a long time, due to which the formation of the correct posture will occur without taking into account random inclinations that may be caused by reasons not related to posture disorders.

The application provides the ability to set a comfortable level of sensor sensitivity and device response speed using the "Sensitivity level" and "Response interval" sliders (Fig. 2). If necessary, it is possible to temporarily switch the device to "SLEEP MODE" through the application on the smartphone (Fig. 2). When switching to "SLEEP MODE", all user settings are saved until switching on with button 5 on unit 4.

The reprogramming of the application settings is carried out based on the changing needs of the user (the state of active movement / rest).

If necessary, the device is charged via a microUSB connector from smartphone chargers, or a USB-microUSB cable for computers and laptops. You do not need to remove the device from the T-shirt to charge it. To do this, you need to slightly open the pocket to access the connector on the unit and connect it to the charger. When washing a T-shirt, the device is carefully removed from the inside pocket.

The duration of the period and time of daily use of the corrector is determined by the user independently until the desired effect of strengthening the back muscles and correcting posture is achieved.

Gradually, the human muscles will remember the correct position of the back and shoulders, forming their own muscle frame. It is not springs, shock absorbers and corsets that form the posture, but the human body, thanks to muscle memory, learns to keep the correct posture as something absolutely natural.

The proposed posture correction device allows you to effectively correct any spinal deformities, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the patient, and is also comfortable and easy to use.

The claimed corrector has a range of dimensions for use in the formation, correction and control of posture in children and adolescents from 130 cm tall and adults of any age, height and build and has no identified contraindications.

Claims (1)

An interactive posture corrector containing at least two flexible optical strain sensors connected via communication channels to a control and information processing system, including a system for visualizing the operation of the device and remote control of it and a system for indicating the results of information processing, as well as a fastening system made in the form of clothing and intended for fixing optical sensors on a person, characterized in that it additionally contains a control unit, including a microprocessor, a battery and a signal source, and the optical strain sensor is made in the form of a flexible light-conducting body with a circular cross section, enclosed in a light-absorbing shell, one end of the sensor is provided with a source light, and the other end of the sensor is equipped with a photocell, while the optical sensors are fixed crosswise, one in the vertical direction along the line of the spine, and the other in the horizontal direction along the awns of the blades, at the intersection the sensors are connected to the control unit role management.

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