Patent ID: 8974402
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: A61B,A61H,A61N,G09B

Abstract:
1. A system for assisting the maintenance of balance over time during standing and gait of a user comprising: a sensing layer adapted for user wearing under a user's foot during conditions of standing and gait, said layer having a plurality of sensors positioned for sensing two dimensional force distribution under said user's foot, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to generate, during user standing and gait, signals representing user balance information as a function of said two dimensional force distribution over time; said sensing layer adapted to transmit said balance information signals to a remote location under conditions of standing and gait; a signal processing subsystem at said remote location and adapted to be user wearable, said subsystem configured to receive said balance information signals and to provide in response thereto balance control signals containing temporal and spatial information reflecting said force distribution for use in user skin stimulation; an array of a plurality of stimulators adapted for attachment in contact with a skin area of at least one lower extremity of said user; and said plurality of stimulators arranged in a two dimensional array and responsive to said balance control signals to provide skin stimulation to said at least one lower extremity of said user in a form reflecting said two dimensional force distribution under said user's foot both spatially and temporally in said two dimensional force distribution over time, both under conditions of standing and gait, to thereby provide feedback to the user via the array of plural stimulators to provide individualized spatial mapping and temporal information to allow complex, multi- dimensional and time varying corrective action.