Abstract:
A walking stabilizer equipped to combat the effects of akinesia paradoxica by employing a novel method and device to regulate and actuate a projection instrument which generates a pattern perpendicular to the user&#39;s direction of travel. The regulating and actuating device comprises a two pole series switch circuit configuration in tandem with the walking stabilizer&#39;s novel dual action braking mechanism. The projection device is only operable when the user concurrently selects its use and when the walker stabilizer is free for movement or in contact with the patient.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a method and device to regulate and actuate a projection instrument mounted to a walking stabilizer which generates a pattern or line perpendicular to the direction of travel.  
       BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002]     A common manifestation of Parkinson&#39;s disease or of other related nervous system disorders in a patient is the occurrence of an akinetic episode. A patient who experiences an akinetic episode freezes in place or exhibits a form of start hesitation. The akinetic episodes momentarily may affect the arms, feet or legs; however it is more common for the patient to loose movement in the feet and legs. During an akinetic episode the patient&#39;s ability to walk is impaired and is unable to make forward progress. The freezing, formally termed akinesia paradoxica usually lasts for seconds to minutes, but in the extreme can last for hours. The neurologist Joseph Jankovic M.D. fully describes the phenomena of akinesia paradoxica in Clinical Neuropharmacology, Vol. 5, Suppl. 1, pg. S21, 1982.  
         [0003]     There are a number of known clinical methods to combat the affects of akinesia paradoxical, most notably the use of external stimuli which “tricks” the brain to end the akinetic episode. Among the external stimuli are sound cues, such as the playing of marching music, introducing loud noise, or having the patient count. Additional forms of external stimuli are visual cues such as drawing or projecting a line or placing objects in front of the patient and having them step over the visual cue.  
         [0004]     The method and system of projecting a line as an external stimuli for a patient in tandem with the use of a walker was introduced by Perry et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,294), who mount a projection device on the body of the walker, which generates a line on the ground or floor in front of the patient, and acts as the stimuli for the person to step over and end the akinetic episode. The projection device is activated by a push button, and may also include a timer that automatically extinguishes the projection light after several seconds. However, the invention disclosed by Perry et al. fails to disclose a method and device which regulates and actuates the projection device of the present invention.  
         [0005]     The basic structure of the walking stabilizer was disclosed by Miller (U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,268), however new enhancements to the braking system for the implementation of the present invention are disclosed in this application.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention utilizes a two pole series switch circuit configuration in tandem with the braking mechanism to regulate and actuate a projection device mounted to a walking stabilizer. The present invention provides a more effective method and visual cue for the Parkinson&#39;s disease sufferer to combat the effects of akinesia paradoxica, by pairing the visual cue with the physical action of closing a grip by squeezing. In addition, the present invention is an effective tool for stroke rehabilitation, and for increasing stride length of patients with walking disorders.  
         [0007]     With the first embodiment of the present invention, the user enables the projection device option by pressing a push button switch or any other tactile or locking two position switch such as toggle, rocker, slide, rotary, selector, thumbwheel, etc. However, the projection device does not fully activate and generate the visual stimulus until the user releases the brakes from the walking stabilizer wheels, by either depressing one or both dual action hand brake levers or the backrest-middle brake bar.  
         [0008]     In a second embodiment of the invention, after the user selects the projection device option, the visual stimulus is generated by placing the thumb on a button coupled to a capacitive sensor that is located on the hand grip of the walker stabilizer.  
         [0009]     In a third embodiment of the invention, after the user selects the projection device option, a solid state strain-pressure sensor mounted within the grips of the walking stabilizer can be used to activate the visual stimulus when the user takes hold of the grips.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     It is the object of the present invention to provide a walking stabilizer equipped with means to regulate and actuate a projection device for use by physically disabled persons who experience episodes of akinesia paradoxica.  
         [0011]     Another object is to provide a two pole switch series circuit to regulate and actuate a projection device for a walking stabilizer.  
         [0012]     Another object is to provide a novel dual action brake system and junction to work in tandem with a two pole switch series circuit to actuate a projection device.  
         [0013]     Another object is to provide ergonomic controls molded or incorporated into the hand grips of the walker stabilizer.  
         [0014]     Another object is to provide means to control the projection device, wherein the projection device is only turned on when the user is ready for movement, thereby conserving battery power and reducing the frequency of battery replacement, which can be challenging for the disabled user.  
         [0015]     Another object is to provide means for preventing accidental activation of the projection device.  
         [0016]     Another object is to provide a more effective method and visual cue for the Parkinson&#39;s disease sufferer to combat akinesia paradoxica, which is expedient, inexpensive, and easy to use, by pairing the visual cue with the physical action of closing a grip by squeezing.  
         [0017]     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a walker stabilizer device embodying the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  diagrams the components of the regulation and actuation circuit with the projection device and power source with projection option deselected.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates the components of the regulation and actuation circuit with the projection device and power source with projection option selected.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  diagrams the components of the regulation and actuation circuit with the projection device and power source with projection option selected and actuated.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of the pulley retainer plate and brake junction with walker stabilizer brakes (not shown) engaged and activation switch in open position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a detail view of the pulley retainer plate and brake junction similar to  FIG. 5  except with walker stabilizer free to move and activation switch in closed position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a detail perspective view, partially in section, of the lower brake assembly engaged to wheel with the activation switch in the open position mounted to the base of the walking stabilizer.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a detail perspective view, partially in section, of the brake control lever with button coupled to a capacitive sensor (shown in broken lines) mounted within the hand grip.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a detail perspective view, partially in section, of the brake control lever with a pressure sensitive switch (shown in broken lines) mounted within the hand grip. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     A rolling walking stabilizer device  10  of  FIG. 1  embodying the present invention comprises a U-shaped base  11  and opposed upright supports  13  pivotally secured on the base. Hand grips ( 15  and  17 ), dual action hand brake levers ( 12  and  14 ), and regulator switch  50  are mounted to the top ends of the opposed upright supports  13 . A backrest-middle brake bar  19  is functionally attached and integrated to the dual action brake levers  12  and  14 . Upper brake cables  16  and  18  have pivotal connections  41  and  43 , respectively, pivotally attached to brake junction  44 , which is itself pivotally connected to pivot  46  on pulley retainer plate  42  which comprises the braking distribution device  40  of  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 . Lower brake cables  20  and  22  are pivotally connected at lower pins  43  and  41 , respectively, to brake junction  44  and the lower brake cables  20  and  22  are terminated at the lower brake assemblies  21  and  23 , respectively. An activation switch  48 , which is a contact switch, is positioned on the pulley retainer plate  42  to be within reach of the rotational travel of the brake junction  44 . The activation switch  48  is electrically connected via wires  45  to the power source  36 , projection device  38 , and regulator switch  50 .  
         [0028]     In the normal rest state, lower brake assemblies  21  and  23  are engaged with wheels  25  and  27 , respectively, and the rolling walking stabilizer  10  is in a locked position. To allow motion, the user depresses one or both of the dual action hand brake levers  12  and  14  or the backrest-middle brake bar  19 , which disengages the lower brake assembles  21  and  23  from wheels  25  and  27 .  
         [0029]     The action of depressing the dual action hand brake lever  12  or  14  or the backrest—middle brake bar  19 , individually, is such that both lower brakes assembles  21  and  23  are controlled concurrently. This action is facilitated by the brake distribution device  40 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows the position of the brake distribution device  40  when the rolling walking stabilizer  10  is in the locked position. When brake lever  12  is depressed, upper brake cable  16  is pulled up, resulting in a counter clockwise rotation of the brake junction  44 , which in turn pulls on both lower brake cables  20  and  22  to disengage the lower brake assemblies  21  and  23  from wheels  25  and  27 . In a similar fashion, when brake lever  14  is depressed upper brake cable  18  is pulled up, which also results in a counter clockwise rotation of the brake junction  44 , which in turn pulls on both lower brake cables  20  and  22  to disengage the lower brake assemblies  21  and  23  from wheels  25  and  27 . Backrest-middle brake bar  19  pulls on both upper brake cables  16  and  18  concurrently, and also results in a counter clockwise rotation of the brake junction  44 .  
         [0031]     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the brake distribution device  40  permits the rolling walking stabilizer  10  to move when the lower brake assemblies  21  and  23  are disengaged from wheels  25  and  27 , and the brake junction  44  is fully engaged with activation switch  48 . In this state the contact portion  49  of activation switch  48  is depressed and thereby closes the activation switch  48 . When the activation switch  48  and the regulator switch  50  are both closed, the projection device  38  will be enabled and a line or pattern  70  will be projected (see  FIG. 1 ) onto floor or ground in front of the user.  
         [0032]     Additional variations of the first embodiment allow for the placement of activation switch  48  in the vicinity of the lower brake assembly  21  or  23 , or other moving parts of the braking mechanism, where the action of disengaging the brake assembly  21  or  23  depresses the contact portion  49  of activation switch  48 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the placement of activation switch  48  on a section of the U-shaped base  11  next to lower brake assembly  21 . When the rolling walking stabilizer  10  is in a stationary mode, biasing spring  60  pushes the lower brake assembly  21  that is pivotally connected by pin  64  to the U-shaped base toward wheel  25  resulting in brake pad  62  being in contact with wheel  25 . In the instance when the walking stabilizer is free for movement, lower brake cable  20  pulls on the lower brake assembly  21  with enough tension to overcome the force of the biasing spring  60  and disengages brake pad  62  from wheel  25 . When the lower brake assembly  21  is disengaged from the wheel  25 , retaining nut  58  makes contact with and depresses the contact portion  49  of activation switch  48 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 2, 3 , and  4  are schematic representations of the operation of the two pole switch, power source and projection device of the present invention. In  FIG. 2  the walking stabilizer  10  is in a stationary mode, which is represented by an open switch condition for activation switch  48 , which is in an open state when the brakes  21  and  23  are engaged to wheels  25  and  27 . Regulator switch  50  is also in an open state, which is an indication that the projection device option has not been enabled.  
         [0034]     In the schematic of  FIG. 3 , the user has selected the projection device option as indicated by the closed state of regulator switch  50 . However, since activation switch  48  is open the projection device  38  will not be activated. The open state of activation switch  48  is representative of the brakes  21  and  23  engaged with wheels  25  and  27 . Therefore, the projection device  38  is not activated until the walking stabilizer is able to move.  
         [0035]     The schematic of  FIG. 4  has a completed circuit, wherein both regulator switch  50  and activation switch  48  are in a closed state. Since both regulator switch  50  and activation switch  48  are closed, the projection device  38  is fully connected to the power source  36  and the projection device  38  will be activated. The state of  FIG. 4  is equivalent to the situation depicted in  FIG. 6 , wherein activation switch  48  is closed when the brakes  21  and  23  are disengaged from wheels  25  and  27 , and the walker stabilizer  10  is free for movement. In this case with regulator switch  50  closed and the user clasping or applying pressure to the dual action hand brake levers  12  or  14 , or backrest-middle brake bar  19  the projection device  38  will be turned on.  
         [0036]     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . The user selects the projection device option by depressing regulator switch  50 , and activates the projection device  38  by actuating capacitive switch  52 . Hand grip  54  is ergonomically designed such that the users thumb is naturally placed on capacitive switch  52 . In general, a capacitive switch senses the presence of the users finger tip and closes itself when the finger is in contact with the surface of the switch. In the present embodiment capacitive switch  52  takes the place of activation switch  48  of the first embodiment, and acts to actuate the projection device  38 .  
         [0037]     In a third embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , a pressure sensitive switch  56  is contained within hand grip  54 . When the user squeezes and/or places downward pressure on hand grip  54 , the pressure sensitive switch is activated. If the projection device option has been selected via regulator switch  50 , and the pressure sensitive switch  56  is activated, the projection device will be turned on.  
         [0038]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in considerable detail, variations based on the inventive features disclosed herein may be made within the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the invention should not be limited by the examples or to the exact construction shown or described. To properly determine the scope of the invention, an interested party should consider the claims herein, and any equivalent thereof. 
        Having thus described my invention, I claim: