Insole design and actuator placement for balance and gait

US10617597B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Arun D. Chawan · San Francisco, US
• Hani M. Sallum · Somerville, US
• Robert J. Wood · Cambridge, US
• James Niemi · West Kingston, US
• James J. Collins · Watertown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2016
• Grant date: Apr 14, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 16, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61H2205/125
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A wearable system is directed to neurological stimulation of a human foot, and includes a controller with at least one bias signal generator for outputting a driving signal. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the controller, including providing electrical energy to the bias signal generator. The system also includes a platform in the form of an insole insert of a shoe, the insole insert having a plurality of actuators positioned in a medial arch region of the foot. The plurality of actuators stimulate the medial arch region in response to receiving the driving signal from the controller. The stimulation of the plurality of actuators provides a subthreshold bias signal to target cells with a subthreshold bias signal magnitude that is below a threshold where the target cells are activated by a stimulus. The plurality of actuators is surrounded with a vibration dissipating material.