Patent ID: 8749115
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A61B,A61F,B29L,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting a dynamically adjustable orthotic device, comprising: a) coupling a device to a microcontroller and a power source; b) causing an individual in need of an orthotic device to be positioned so that an external body part of the individual contacts said at least one surface of the device; c) causing the body part to move and exert pressure on said at least one surface sufficient to depress at least one said sensor, causing each depressed sensor to emit a respective electrical signal indicative of said pressure; d) operating the microcontroller to measure each said electrical signal, wherein each said measurement is correlated to a physical address of a respective sensor and deformable unit in a said region and includes electrical properties and elapsed time between measurements; e) operating the microcontroller to determine from said measurements whether any said region requires structural modification to increase or decrease physical support for a portion of said body part in contact with said device; and f) based on said determination, applying an electrical voltage to at least one deformable unit in a region determined to require said increased physical support, and/or decreasing or ceasing application of an electrical voltage to at least one deformable unit in a region determined to require said decreased physical support, to change the configuration of the orthotic device, wherein the device comprises a flexible support structure including: a plurality of displacement regions, each said region defining a portion of a flexible support structure, wherein each said portion includes at least one said sensor disposed on or below said at least one surface, and at least one electrically deformable unit, a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of pressure sensors and said flexible support structures determines the shape of the flexible support structure based on input from the pressure sensors; and wherein the plurality of displacement regions displace the plurality of pressure sensors of the orthotic device when the displacement regions deform.