Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method treat a neurological disorder by applying proprioceptive feedback to a wearer of a garment. Specifically, the garment includes one or more pressurizable reservoirs that, when pressurized, apply distributed pressure to the wearer. A system including the garment also includes a mechanism for pressurizing the reservoir and, optionally, a controller operable to control the pressurizing mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/724,676, filed on Mar. 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a system used in the management of a neurological disorder, such as autism. More specifically, the system includes a garment containing one or more pressurizable reservoirs for applying proprioceptive feedback to a wearer of the garment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, speech, and communication, and by compulsive behavior. While there is no known cure for autism, some treatments have proven effective at treating some of the symptoms. 
         [0004]    Proprioceptive feedback is one method that is sometimes used to help manage some of the symptoms of autism and other similar neurological disorders. Proprioceptive feedback involves providing stimuli to the nerves that detect and/or control movement and location of the muscles, tendons and joints. Sometimes proprioceptive feedback is accomplished by placing weights on the shoulder muscles of the affected individual. The effect of the weight, delivered by a weighted vest, for example, can help those with autism and other such disorders to control their level of arousal, focus their attention, and otherwise control compulsive and impulsive behaviors. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately, at least some weighted vests tend to be rather bulky and unattractive. An affected person may have a harder time putting on or concealing a bulky vest, and may be less likely to continue wearing a bulky vest. Additionally, because the weight of a weighted vest is concentrated primarily on the person&#39;s shoulders, weighted vests tend to be relatively uncomfortable, which may also affect whether and how long the person wears the vest. The consequences of these potential disadvantages may ultimately affect the person&#39;s ability to hold a job, or to otherwise maintain his/her composure in public. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    A disclosed vest may provide relief from some symptoms of neurological disorders such as autism. Specifically, the system includes a pressurizable garment for applying propriceptive feedback in the form of distributed pressure to a wearer&#39;s body. In particular, a vest having an incorporated pressurizable reservoir may be pressurized to apply comfortable pressure over a distributed area of the wearer&#39;s person. In one embodiment, the vest includes a shell, an adjustable first portion configured to wrap around the torso of a wearer, an adjustable pair of shoulder straps, and a fastening mechanism for securing the garment to the user. A pressurizable reservoir, having a plurality of channels formed therein, is disposed within the shell, and a valve provides flow communication into and out of the reservoir. The pressurizable reservoir extends into the pair of shoulder straps. A plurality of flexible inserts are disposed within the plurality of channels. In one embodiment, the flexible inserts are foam inserts, while in another embodiment, the flexible inserts are spiral bundling wrap. An impermeable material coats at least a portion of an interior surface of the shell, and the impermeable material forms at least a portion of the pressurizable reservoir. The vest includes a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure in the vest. In one embodiment, the sensor operates to indicate a pressure in the pressurizable reservoir, while in another embodiment, the sensors operates to indicate a pressure of the pressurizable reservoir against a wearer. In yet another embodiment, the vest may include a second pressurizable reservoir, which may or may not be in flow communication with the first reservoir. A second valve provides flow communication into and out of the second pressurizable reservoir where the second pressurizable reservoir is not in flow communication with the first pressurizable reservoir. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a system includes a garment shell, a pressurizable reservoir disposed within the garment shell, and a plurality of channels formed within the pressurizable reservoir. A valve provides flow communication into and out of the pressurizable reservoir. A pressurizing mechanism, capable of pneumatically coupling to the pressurizable reservoir via the valve, operates to pressurize the pressurizable reservoir. A pressure sensor indicates a pressure associated with the system. A controller device communicatively coupled to the pressurizing mechanism and to the pressure sensor is responsive to the pressure sensor and operable to control the pressurizing mechanism. 
         [0008]    In still another embodiment, a method for treating a patient having a neurological disorder includes placing an inflatable proprioceptive feedback garment on the patient and inflating a pressurizable reservoir disposed within the proprioceptive feedback garment to provide distributed pressure on areas of the patient in contact with the garment. In certain embodiments, this may include wrapping an adjustable first portion of the garment around the torso of the patient, securing the adjustable first portion of the garment around the torso of the patient with a fastener; and securing each of a pair of shoulder straps about the patient such that the shoulder straps extend over the shoulders of the patient. The method may also include coupling a pressurizing mechanism to a valve on the proprioceptive feedback garment, sensing a pressure, monitoring the sensed pressure in a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, and ceasing to further increase the pressure within the pressurizable reservoir upon sensing that a pre-determined pressure has been achieved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates one proprioceptive feedback system and garment in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of another exemplary garment in the form of a vest assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged perspective view of yet another exemplary garment assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of still another exemplary garment assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view in perspective illustrating an exemplary three-layer construction for portions of the one or more of the foregoing exemplary garments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional showing additional details of the exemplary three-layer construction. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary view illustrating an exemplary flexible insert in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures, except that suffixes may be added, when appropriate, to differentiate such elements. The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. 
         [0018]    The appended drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure that may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is contemplated that features or steps of one embodiment may beneficially be incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The figures and description herein are directed to a system and a garment for treating a neurological disorder using proprioceptive feedback, and a method for treating a neurological disorder using the disclosed system or garment. While the neurological disorder contemplated in the present disclosure is autism, the concepts disclosed herein may also be applied in the context of other neurological disorders. The disclosed system and garment may also be employed in alternative contexts (i.e., other than the treatment of a neurological disorder), and the disclosure of the system and garment in the context of treating a neurological disorder does not limit the manner in which the system and garment may be employed. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed proprioceptive feedback system  10 . In the depicted embodiment, the system  10  includes a number of exemplary garments, including a vest  12 , sleeves  14 , and pants  16 , all of which may be combined into a single garment  11 . However, as described below, the system  10  may employ all, some, or only one of the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , and the pants  16 . For purposes of simplicity, the following discussion will refer primarily to the construction and use of one or more exemplary vests  12 . However, those of skill in the art will realize that the sleeves  14  and/or the pants  16  may be added to the system  10  and/or may be constructed in the same manner as the vest or vests described below. Thus, hereinafter, the term “garment” refers interchangeably to the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , the pants  16 , or any combination thereof. In any event, the garment  11  is preferably constructed of a lightweight, flexible material such as nylon, polyester, spandex, etc., or some combination of those materials, so that movement is relatively unrestricted when the garment  11  is worn, and may be constructed so that it may be worn under other clothing, if desired. Other materials may prove suitable. 
         [0021]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the garment  11  has one or more pressurizable reservoirs (e.g., inflatable bladders)  18 . The reservoirs  18  may be filled with air (or other fluid) to create pressure against the body of a person wearing the garment  11 . The reservoirs  18  may be separate components disposed within the garment  11 , or may be integrally formed by the lightweight, flexible material of which the garment  11  is constructed. Of course, the garment  11  may, alternatively, have a single reservoir  18  extending throughout the garment  11 .  FIG. 1  depicts the vest  12  having two reservoirs  18  in the front and one reservoir  18  in the back, while depicting each of the sleeves  14  and the pants  16  as having a single reservoir  18  extending throughout. Additionally, multiple reservoirs  18  may be connected together within one of the vest  12 , sleeves  14 , and pants  16 . Details of the construction of the garment  11 , including the reservoir  18 , are described below with respect to  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0022]    A valve  20  is disposed in the garment  11 , in fluid communication with each reservoir  18 . Thus,  FIG. 1  depicts the vest  12  as having three valves  20  (one of the valves is obscured in  FIG. 1 ), with each valve  20  in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the three reservoirs  18  (two on the front of the vest  12 , and one the back of the vest  12 ). Each of the sleeves  14  and the pants  16  is depicted with a single valve  20 . A single valve  20  connected to one of the reservoirs  18  may be employed where multiple reservoirs  18  are connected together within the garment  11 , as described above. The valves  20  may be any appropriate valves, depending on the type of fluid used and the materials from which the garment  11  and the reservoirs  18  are formed. However, the valve  20  should preferably allow air (or another fluid) to be introduced into and selectively discharged from the reservoir  18 . The valve  20  should also maintain the pressure within the reservoir  18  (i.e., preferably the valve does not leak, or at least minimizes leakage) when no source of pressure is connected to it. A number of commercially available valves for use with inflatable reservoirs should prove suitable. 
         [0023]    The garment  11  may also, in certain embodiments, include one or more sensors  22  for sensing a pressure in the reservoir or reservoirs  18 . The sensors  22  may sense a pressure within the reservoir  18  or, alternatively, may sense a pressure outside the reservoir  18 , such as the pressure exerted by the garment  11  against the wearer. The data from the sensors  22  may be used, for example, to prevent over-pressurization of the garment  11  such that the reservoirs  18  are not damaged or to prevent harm or discomfort to the wearer. 
         [0024]    Various fasteners  34  may also be included on each of the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , and the pants  16 . The fasteners  34  act to secure the garment  11  on or around the person wearing it. The fasteners  34  may be any type of known fastener, such as hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, snaps, hooks, or buckles (e.g., feed-through buckles, cam buckles, squeeze-release buckles, etc.). Still other fasteners may prove suitable. Preferably, the fasteners  34  are adjustable, to allow one size of the garment  11  to fit a range of sizes of the wearer and/or to allow the garment  11  to remain snug on the wearer without becoming too tight as the reservoirs  18  are pressurized. 
         [0025]    The garment  11  may also include joints  35 , for example, connecting the sleeves  12  and the pants  16  to the vest  12 . The joints  35  are preferably formed from the same lightweight, flexible material as the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , and the pants  16 , and include fasteners  38  for connecting the joints  35  to the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , and the pants  16 . Like the fasteners  34 , the fasteners  38  may be any type of known fastener. Of course, when the garment  11  contemplates the inclusion of the joints  35 , a complementary fastener  40  is provided on each of the vest  12 , the sleeves  14 , and the pants  16 . 
         [0026]    The system  10  also includes a pressurizing mechanism  24  for filling the reservoirs  18 . The pressurizing mechanism  24  may be a mechanical pump (e.g., a squeeze bulb), an electrical pump, an air cartridge, or any other device capable of providing a pressurized fluid to the reservoir  18 . A hose  26  connects the pressurizing mechanism  24  to any of the valves  20  on the garment  11 , to couple the pressurizing mechanism  24  to the reservoir  18 . Where the pressurizing mechanism  24  is used to pressurize multiple reservoirs  18  in the garment  11 , the system  10  may employ multiple hoses  26  to couple the pressurizing mechanism  24  to each of the valves  20  to allow pressurization of each of the reservoirs  18  simultaneously. Of course, in this arrangement the pressurizing mechanism  24  would have multiple pressure outputs. Similarly, if the vest  12  (or the sleeves  14  or the pants  16 ) has more than one reservoir  18 , multiple hoses  26  may be employed to couple the pressurizing mechanism  24  to each of the valves  20 , to allow pressurization of each of the reservoirs  18  simultaneously. Alternatively, internal hoses (not shown) may couple the multiple reservoirs  18 , so that pressure induced by the pressurizing mechanism  24  is communicated throughout the multiple reservoirs  18 . 
         [0027]    Where the system  10  employs an electrical pump as the pressurizing mechanism  24 , the system  10  also includes a power source  32 , which may be alternating current (AC) provided through an AC adaptor, direct current (DC) provided through a DC adaptor, a battery source, or any other known power source. Additionally, the pressurizing mechanism  24  may include a sensor  25  for sensing the pressure at the output of the pressurizing mechanism  24 , as when an electrical pump is employed as the pressurizing mechanism  24 . The system may also include a controller mechanism  28  when the pressurizing mechanism  24  is an electrical pump. The controller mechanism  28  uses data from the sensors  22  in the garment  11  and/or the sensor  25  in the pressurizing mechanism  24  to determine when to stop the pressurizing mechanism  24  from introducing further pressure into the reservoirs  18 . In one embodiment wiring  30  connects the controller mechanism  28  to the pressurizing mechanism  24  and to the sensors  22  in the garment  11 . Of course, the sensors  22  and  25  may alternatively be coupled to the controller mechanism  28  by various wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth). 
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  illustrates another exemplary embodiment for a vest  112 . The vest  112  has a body  50  and two shoulder straps  52 . The body  50  is appropriately sized to wrap around the trunk (e.g., from under the arms to around the waist) of the wearer, while the shoulder straps  52  connect the front of the vest  112  to the back of the vest  112 , extending over the shoulders of the wearer.  FIG. 2A  depicts the shoulder straps  52  as integral with the body  50 , extending from the body  50  at one end  54  of the shoulder straps  52 , and attaching to the body  50  at a loose end  56  of the shoulder straps  52 . The loose end  56  of the shoulder straps  52  is removably and adjustably fixed to the body  50  by a fastener  58 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), but may be any type of appropriate fastener. A similar fastener  60  adjustably and removably fixes the body  50  around the wearer. 
         [0029]    Of course, the fasteners  58  and  60  have complementary fastener components (e.g., if  58  and  60  are the hook material, there must also be loop material). In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , an inner lining  62  of the vest  112  is loop material that forms the complementary fastener component for fasteners  58  and  60 . Likewise, if fasteners  58  and  60  are the male component of a snap fastener, the inner lining  62  would, obviously, have an appropriate arrangement of complementary female components of the snap fasteners, such that the shoulder straps  52  and the body  50  may adjustably enclose the wearer. It should be clear that the shoulder straps  52  and the body  50  need not necessarily be adjustable, as when the garment  11  is sized specifically for the wearer. Those of skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways of designing the garment  11  that may negate the need for various fasteners (e.g., so that the vest  112  is pulled over the head of the wearer). 
         [0030]    Additionally, a harness could be used instead of the shoulder straps  52 . Accordingly,  FIG. 2B  illustrates another exemplary embodiment for a vest  212 . The vest  212  has a body  250  and a harness  252 . The body  250  is appropriately sized to wrap around the trunk (e.g., from under the arms to around the waist) of the wearer, while the harness  252  connects the front of the vest  212  to the back of the vest  212 , extending over the shoulders of the wearer. A hole  255  disposed in the center of the harness  252  allows the harness  252  to fit over the head of a wearer.  FIG. 2B  depicts the harness  252  as integral with the body  250 , extending from the body  250  at one end  254  of the harness  252 , and attaching to the body  250  at a loose end  256  of the harness  252 . The loose end  256  of the harness  252  is removably and adjustably fixed to the body  250  by a fastener  258 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), but may be any type of appropriate fastener. A similar fastener  260  adjustably and removably fixes the body  250  around the wearer. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates additional details of the vest  112  depicted in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 3 , the vest  112  is shown in plan view in a laid open state, such that the inner lining  62  is shown, and an outer lining  64  is hidden (the outer lining  64  is visible in  FIG. 6 ). The vest  12  is depicted with the body  50  and the integral shoulder straps  52 . Preferably, the vest  112  is fabricated from one or more pieces of material as will be explained in greater detail below. The reservoir or reservoirs  18  may be discrete reservoirs placed within the vest  112 , or may be formed by the material from which the vest  112  is made. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the materials are sealed together using a high frequency weld  66 , also known as a radio frequency weld, to form the reservoir  18 . The high frequency weld  66  extends around the perimeter of the vest  12 , joining the material together to form an airtight, enclosed space that forms the reservoir  18 . Of course, other embodiments may employ different techniques to construct the jacket including, but not limited to, sewing the pieces together. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the vest  112  includes a series of high frequency welds  70 . The welds  70  are spaced apart and form or otherwise divide the reservoir  18  into a plurality of channels  67 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the channels  67  are all on flow communication with one another, all part of the same reservoir  18 . In accordance with the disclosed example, the channels  67  operate to constrain or otherwise even out the pressure of the vest  112  against the wearer by preventing the outer lining  64  from expanding away from the inner lining  62 . 
         [0033]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  also includes a plurality of flexible inserts  68 , disposed within the channels  67  of the vest  12 . In accordance with the disclosed examples, the flexible inserts  68  serve to provide proprioceptive pressure to the wearer, and even may provide such pressure in certain circumstances in the absence of air pressure in the reservoir  18 . The flexible inserts  68  are disposed in the reservoir  18 , though in other embodiments, the flexible inserts  68  may be disposed between the inner lining  62  and the reservoir  18 , between the outer lining  64  and the reservoir  18 , elsewhere within the vest  12 , or may be omitted entirely. The flexible inserts  68  preferably are made of foam, but may be formed from other suitable materials. For example, the inserts  68  may be made of other flexible materials, or flexible and compressible materials, that will provide a sense of pressure against the wearer even when the reservoir  18  is not pressurized. In one embodiment, the flexible inserts  68  are spiral bundling wrap, such as that sold by Ark-Plas Products,® Inc. In accordance with the disclosed example, the high frequency welds  70  separate the flexible inserts  68 , and keeps them from moving within the vest  112 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional illustration, taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , of the construction of the vest  12  depicted in  FIG. 3 . The high frequency weld  66  joins the inner lining  62  and outer lining  64  along the periphery of the vest  12 . The high frequency welds  70  join the inner lining  62  and the outer lining  64 , parallel to the flexible inserts  68 . The inner lining  62  and the outer lining  64  cooperate to form the channels  67  in the reservoir  18 , in which the flexible inserts  68  are disposed. The valve  20  is disposed in the outer lining  64 , in fluid communication with the reservoir  18 . Of course, the valve  20  need not be disposed in the outer lining  64 , so long as it is in fluid communication with the reservoir  18 . When the pressurizing mechanism  24  is connected to the valve  20 , and used to pressurize the reservoir  18 , the reservoir  18  fills with air (or, potentially, another fluid) and expands around the flexible inserts  68  to impart pressure against the body of the wearer. 
         [0035]    The garment  11  is fabricated of two or more layers of material. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an outer layer  72  includes the outer lining  64  and an inner surface  71 . As described above, the outer lining  64  is a lightweight fabric, such as nylon. An elastomeric substance, such as polyurethane rubber forms a coating  73  that coats an inner surface  71  of the lightweight fabric to make the inner surface  71  airtight. Of course, the lightweight fabric need not be nylon, but could be any lightweight fabric suitable for a garment (e.g., polyester, spandex, rubber, etc.) and amenable to the fabrication process. Likewise, the elastomeric substance need not be polyurethane rubber, but may be any elastomeric substance having sufficient elasticity and air impermeability. In fact, any sufficiently impermeable material amenable to the chosen manufacturing technique may be employed. 
         [0036]    A piece of elastomeric substance, such as the polyurethane coating the inner surface  71  of the outer layer  72  forms a middle layer  74  of the garment  11 . The middle layer  74 , when sealed to the outer layer  72  by a sealing method such as the high frequency welds  66  and  70 , cooperates with the outer layer  72  to form the reservoir  18 . When the pressurizing mechanism  24  introduces pressure to the reservoir  18 , the two layers  72  and  74  contain the pressure, joined by the high frequency welds  66  and  70 . Like the inner surface  71  of the outer layer  72 , the middle layer  74  may be any elastomeric substance with appropriate properties, but is preferably the same substance as that which coats the inner surface  71  of the outer layer  72 . 
         [0037]    An inner layer  76  includes the inner lining  62  of the garment  11 . The inner layer  76  may be any material suitable for the inner lining  62  of the garment  11 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the inner layer  76  includes the inner lining  62  made of “loop” material (i.e., the “loop” side of a hook-and-loop fastener), and a backing  78  that allows the inner layer  76  to be joined to the layers  72  and  74  using the chosen sealing method (e.g., high frequency welds  66  and  70 ). 
         [0038]    Obviously, the garment  11  is not required to be formed in the manner described above. For example, the layers  74  and  76  could, when joined together, form the reservoir  18 , or the layers  72  and  76  could form the reservoir  18  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, as described above, the garment  11  could, as an alternative to forming the reservoir  18  using the layers  72  and  74 , include a separate reservoir  18  disposed between two layers, such as by joining two middle layers, such as the middle layer  74 . In such an embodiment, the separate reservoir  18  may be disposed, for example, between the inner layer  76  and the outer layer  72 . When the reservoir  18  is separate from both of the inner layer  76  and the outer layer  72 , the layers  76  and  72  may be joined by a method, such as machine-stitching, that does not provide a substantially airtight seal and, additionally, the elastomeric coating forming the inner surface  71  of the outer layer  72  may be omitted. 
         [0039]    The reservoir  18  should substantially retain pressure introduced into the reservoir  18  by the pressurizing mechanism  24 , regardless of whether the reservoir  18  is formed by the outer layer  72  and the middle layer  74 , formed by the outer layer  72  and the inner layer  76 , or formed separately from the outer layer  72  and the inner layer  76 . While it is unnecessary for the reservoir  18  to maintain pressure indefinitely, it is preferable that the reservoir  18  maintain pressure for a period long enough that the therapeutic effects of the garment  11  are maintained without requiring the introduction of additional pressure on an ongoing basis. For example, an autistic patient may wear the garment  11  during working hours to allow the patient to function normally while at work, without requiring the patient to connect the pressurizing mechanism  24  to the garment  11  during a work shift. Thus, while this patent contemplates many methods of sealing the reservoir  18 , preferred methods are those that maintain pressure for longer than four hours, and preferably for longer than eight hours, even when disconnected from the pressurization mechanism  24 . 
         [0040]    As described above, the flexible inserts  68  may be formed from a material such as foam or, in an alternative embodiment, may be spiral bundling wrap.  FIG. 7  depicts a segment of spiral bundling wrap  80 . The spiral bundling wrap  80  is formed from a tube  82  of flexible material, such as polyethylene, in which a spiral cut  84  is made around the tube. The spiral bundling wrap  80 , when placed in the channels  67  of the vest  112 , forms the flexible inserts  68  for providing a sense of pressure against the wearer even when the reservoir  18  is not pressurized. 
         [0041]    Although the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.