Patent · US Active

Wearable device having feedback characteristics

US8025632B2 · kind B2 · utility

158Cited by
115References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 18, 2008
Grant dateSep 27, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2005/0188
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A wearable device having feedback characteristics including a compliant article that is arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer. Sensors provided with the wearable device detect the orientation of a joint and send signals to a processor for analysis. When the processor determines that the joint is in an unsafe or potentially injurious configuration, a feedback or response mechanism is activated to alert the user to such a condition and/or to provide substantially rigid structural support to the joint. The device may also be used to condition users to maintain the joint in proper orientations to avoid injuries, or to condition an amputee to use more effective motions to achieve a more natural gait.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.