Patent Publication Number: US-2007100214-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for stimulating exercise

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of Provisional Patent Application 60/660,319, filed Mar. 10, 2005 and of Provisional Patent Application 60,704,128 filed Jul. 29, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices, and to a system and method of exercise, which enables the user to exercise both the sensory and motor systems simultaneously in synchronization. The invention is further directed through bio-feedback, physiological monitoring and reassessment procedures to direct the equipment or the operator to make changes in the application of the sensory stimulation variables; those sensory stimulation variables include; vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile, compression, motor and neuro-muscular stimulation.  
      2. Related Art  
      See U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,767  
      Systems have been created for purposes of sensory stimulation but are designed to stimulate variations of the visual, olfactory and auditory systems, (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,767).  
      These systems are for entertainment as well as mood enhancement, relief of stress and in some cases therapeutic applications. The method of application with these systems is mostly designed to create different stimulation environments, these systems do not allow for combined sensory and motor input of vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile, compression, motor and neuro-muscular stimulation to be combined for very specific multi-sensory exercises protocols. Thus there is a need for a multisensory stimulation device that is capable of providing vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile, compression, neuromuscular stimulation and motor stimulation and a method of application of these stimulation variables for purposes of entertainment as well as therapeutic interventions of physical and mental therapy to reduce stress, improve relaxation, and improve multisensory processing, coordination and cognitive capabilities.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Brief Description  
      The present invention is a multisensory stimulation system and method of use of such a system which is designed to overcome the shortcoming of prior art sensory stimulation devices and adapted for flexible, individualized multi-sensory stimulation programs using vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile, compression, motor, neuro-muscular stimulation, bio-feedback and audio-visual entrainment/neurostimulation as exercise variables and a method of application of said variables for development of a multi-sensory stimulation program.  
      Definitions:  
      For purposes of this specification:  
      “System controls” will be defined as a category that will include control and or recording systems that include the visual, auditory, motion, compression, vibration, electrical stimulation, graphic display outputs and physiological response sensors.  
      “Motor” stimulation will be defined as movement exercise.  
      “Dual motion” platform refers to the upper motion platform and the lower rotary platform attached to each other  
      The system includes a dual motion platform that provides vestibular stimulation in a rotary plane around a vertical axis as well as a second upper motion platform that provides a rotary plane motion around a horizontal axis, pure linear motion or a u shaped vestibular stimulation pattern, custom profiles can be combined by programming all three axis in any combination of motion preferred. In some embodiments the rotary motion platform around the vertical axis will be excluded, as well as some of the stimulation variables; tactile, compression, neuro-muscular stimulation. The system has been uniquely designed so that the viewing optical light instrument is fixated to an articulating arm and mounting pole that is attached to the lower rotary motion platform and move as one, as well as the master control system being fixed to the rotary platform and both powered through a commutating ring that allows the operator and participant to be moving together in tandem while allowing access to the control and safety functions of the system manually. The operator is sitting in one of two seating sites that have access to the control panel. The control panel is affixed to an articulating arm and a pole that is mounted to the rotary platform and has a computer monitor, computer system and keyboard attached to said articulating arm as well. The operator is able to swivel the articulating arm and thereby position the control panel, computer system, keyboard and monitor in line of sight viewing.  
      The viewing optical light instrument is positioned in line of sight of the participant by rotating the light around a rotary axis that is attached to an articulating arm or moving the articulating arm for position. The viewing optical light instrument has led bulbs that are controlled through the primary master control system or the secondary control system. The light is positioned above the participant and is not enclosed in any housing thereby allowing environmental variables to be a factor in the viewing experience. The viewing optical light instrument has circular shapes that have colored lens and a glass diffuser behind them. A mask is optionally applied over the viewing optical light instrument to create different shapes when viewing. The programs that are applied to the light are preprogrammed in the primary master control system or secondary control system. The variable vision stimulation programs vary from visual tracking sequences, color sequences that start at one end of the color spectra and end at the other or participant colors at certain positions in the viewing optical light instrument. The placement of the viewing optical light instrument has an influence and impact on the participant and is capable of being positioned in any position in a horizontal plane above the participant; it is also capable of being tilted down and remain in a parallel line of sight position with the participant in a sitting up position. In addition to the viewing optical light instrument there remains a video monitor that can be placed in line of sight or a video headset that can be placed over their eyes for bio-feedback exercises as well as cognitive and performance exercises.  
      The support platform is attached to the upper motion platform and contains at minimum 5 transducers located at; the lower base of the spine, upper left shoulder, upper right shoulder, lower left thigh and lower right thigh. This allows individual selection of each transducer to be applied based on operator findings and recommendations; in some embodiments this feature may be excluded. The transducers are powered from an external amplifier and receive an input for the sound jack from the primary master control system, secondary control system or any external audio playback device. Functionally, the transducers are powered through sound files and certain sound files have specified sound files that associate with light programs in such that the sound, light and support experience are integrated and specific for a desired response.  
      The master control operating system contains a GUI—graphical user interface that allows light and sound programs to be selected and performed on the participant. The sound files are wav files and act as a master time code source for the light programs as well as the motion control when motion control is selected for automatic mode. Once the sound file is selected the output is to headphones, vibrotactile transducers or speakers mounted behind the head of the participant. When in automatic mode, the motion control files are midi files that once selected get converted into analog signals and sent to the motion controller for motion control instruction, the motion control files are considered slave to the sound file. The light programs are midi files and stored in file libraries, once selected through the GUI, they get converted via software code to dmx files and are selected based on the method of application from the operator, then sent to the viewing optical light instrument to power the Led&#39;s, they are considered slave files to the master sound file.  
      The sensory stimulation system has manual control of motion through a mounted HMI- human machine interface that allows independent direction and speed control of the upper and lower dual motion control platform. In addition, the motion controller allows an hourly count log that disables motion from occurring if the account is not up to balance. Additional manual controls exist for the application of compression, neuro- muscular stimulation, audio-visual entrainment/neurostimulation, EEG and biofeedback sensors, these controls are selected based on the assessment and findings as part of the method of application of sensory stimulation from this device.  
      The present invention therefore discloses a method and device, which provides simultaneous sensory and motor stimulation as an exercise that is further mediated through bio-feedback input, assessment findings and a decision tree based on clinical findings and application of method.  
      The method of exercise enables a user to exercise the participant&#39;s sensory and motor systems, simultaneously with a synchronization process that allows different variables of sensory and motor stimulation and responses to be performed simultaneously with said stimulus, thereby exercising the user&#39;s sensory motor system. The synchronization process is performed by a master control system that integrates the position of the device in space and allows control of some of the variables of the device for sensory and motor exercises in synchronization. The synchronization system proceeds to synchronize exercises in several different modes: 
          1) Operator-user defined instruction set;     2) Preprogrammed exercise protocols; and     3) bio-feedback—this may include manual or automatic response to one or more of the following: 
            a) EEG (electroencephalogram)     b) EMG (electromyogram)     c) ECG (electrocardiogram)     d) EOG (electrooculogram),     e) SCP (slow cortical potentials)     f) GSR (Galvanic skin response-skin conductance)     g) Respiration     h) Pulse oximetery     i) High resolution temperature     j) BVP(photoplethysmography)     k) Vagal tone     l) HRV(heart rate variability    
            b. Electroencephalogram (EEG),     c. Skin conductance, and     d. Response times from skills.        

      The method of exercise provided can be controlled through a primary master control system that allows synchronization of exercise variables. Furthermore, this exercise method will allow for operator, preprogrammed or bio-feedback response driven method application and protocols to be applied. This device will be useful for children and adults that have developmental delays, learning disabilities, brain injuries, degenerative neurological disorders, neurological injuries such as: Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Autism, Alzheimer&#39;s, and Parkinson&#39;s, Spinal cord Injury, amputation, entertainment, stress reduction, peak performance training and may enhance sports performance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the exercise motion platform with all the features assembled of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1   a  is horizontal side view of exercise platform with vertical and horizontal axis motion platform mounted to rotary platform with the table top attached  
       FIG. 1   b  is an inferior view of the viewing optical light instrument with the LED&#39;s numbered 1-25 and the video monitor that can be placed in the line of sight of the participant exercising.  
       FIG. 2  This perspective shows multiple elevations of just the outer support frame with no inner frame and no linear actuators/screw mechanism attached  
      2.1 Upper left—top view, 2.2 Lower left-horizontal side view, 2.3 Lower right—horizontal front view  
       FIG. 2   a  in this perspective it shows the outer frame no inner frame - top view showing lower pulley system mounted on bottom of frame rails, this lower pulley system ( 5 ) attaches to and drives the linear actuator/screw mechanism in the vertical axis.  
       FIG. 2   b  in this perspective this shows a horizontal side view with the vertical linear actuator/screw mechanism ( 6 ) installed and attached to the lower pulley system ( 7 ) that drives it.  
       FIG. 3  in this perspective this shows an outer frame view ( 50 )—and inner frame ( 9 )—with linear actuators/screw mechanism attached. 3.1 Upper left—top view, 3.2 Lower left—horizontal side view, 3.3 Lower right—horizontal front view  
       FIG. 3   a  outer frame ( 50 ) and inner frame ( 9 )—top view Showing horizontal linear glide rails ( 8 ) mounted on top of inner frame ( 9 ), and the horizontal mounting plate ( 10 ) is attached to the horizontal linear glides ( 8 ) and the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism ( 11 )  
       FIG. 3   b  This perspective shows the outer frame ( 50 ) and inner frame ( 9 )—horizontal side view Showing the horizontal mounting plate ( 10 ) is attached to the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism ( 11 ) and the upper pulley system ( 12 ) is attached to a motor shaft, the motor is attached to the horizontal axis motor mount ( 13 )  
       FIG. 3   c  This perspective shows the outer frame ( 50 ) and inner frame ( 9 )—horizontal front view Showing the horizontal mounting plate ( 10 ) is attached to the horizontal linear glide rails ( 8 ) and the upper pulley system ( 12 ), and the vertical axis linear actuator/screw mechanism ( 6 ).  
       FIG. 3   d  This perspective shows the outer frame ( 50 ) and inner frame ( 9 )—horizontal side view Showing the horizontal axis motor ( 14 ) is attached to the upper pulley system ( 12 ), horizontal axis motor mount ( 13 ) and the vertical axis motor ( 15 ) attached to the vertical axis motor mount ( 16 ) and attached to the vertical axis lower pulley system ( 5 ) and drives the vertical axis linear actuator and screw mechanism ( 6 ).  
       FIG. 3   e  This perspective shows outer frame ( 50 ) and inner frame ( 9 )—horizontal frontal view Showing the horizontal axis motor ( 14 ) is attached to the upper motor mount ( 13 ) and the upper pulley system ( 12 ), and the inner frame ( 9 ) is attached to the outer frame ( 50 ) with vertical linear glide rails and bearing assembly ( 17 ).  
       FIG. 4   a  This perspective shows the entire motion platform that controls the two axis of vertical and horizontal motion that can be used as a stand alone motion device as seen in  4   a.    
       FIG. 4   b  This perspective shows the upper two axis assembly as seen in  4   a  mounted to the rotary platform as shown below in  4   b.    
       FIG. 5  is a horizontal view of rotary table has two mounting frames, an upper frame ( 18 ) and a lower frame ( 19 ) above and below a center hub ( 20 ) that allows rotation around a center axis. Attached to the upper frame ( 18 ) are  6  wheels that help support the weight placed on top of it. In addition the rotary base has a commutating ring ( 21 ) that allows electrical current to be run through it.  
      Attached to the upper rotary base platform is a motor and rotary gear drive assembly ( 22 ) that is attached to a chain assembly ( 23 ) that allows the rotary base to rotate around a center axis. The upper frame assembly ( 18 ) will rotate and the lower platform ( 19 ) remains fixed: therefore the motor and gear drive assembly ( 22 ) will rotate with the upper platform ( 18 ).  
       FIG. 6  illustrates the light control schematic for manual mode.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates the light, sound and motion control schematic in automatic mode.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates light, sound and motion control schematic in physiological response mode.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates the manual motion control input.  
       FIG. 10  illustrates the automatic motion control schematic.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates the automatic motion control schematic using physiologic response mode  
       FIG. 12  illustrates the vasopneumatic pump/compression device.  
       FIG. 13  Illustrates the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)/neuromuscular stimulation:this will provide current to electrodes that will be placed on the clients extremities.  
       FIG. 14  lists the physiologic response sensors that may be incorporated as a physiologic response input.  
       FIG. 15  illustrates the support platform in an overhead perspective, the client would be lying down on the table and the transducers would line up with the shoulder region on each side, the lower spine and each leg, the in table speakers are displayed where the head would be positioned.  
       FIG. 16  displays the video headset that can be placed over the users eyes.  
       FIG. 17  illustrates the decision tree that describes implementation of the sensory stimulation variables that will be used during the exercise programs. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SENSORY STIMULATION DEVICE  
      Turning now to the drawings:  
       FIG. 1 . 2  shows a side view of the exercise device. A person will be positioned on the support platform ( FIG. 15 )  32  and will be positioned in a sitting or lying position. The table  32  is capable of be positioned for upright sitting to full supine (flat) positioning. The viewing optical light instrument ( FIG. 1   b )  3  is attached to the articulating arm assembly  48  which is attached to the mounting pole  49  which is attached to the upper rotary mounting frame ( FIG. 5 )  18 . The viewing optical light instrument  3  will be positioned above the person&#39;s head and in line of sight. The viewing optical light instrument  3  will provide different colored stimulus at different bulbs in the light instrument, this is determined by the operator.  
      The support platform  32  will be mounted to the horizontal mounting plate ( FIG. 3   a )  10 . The horizontal mounting plate  10  is attached to the inner frame assembly ( FIG. 3   a ) ( 9 ) by way of linear glides ( FIG. 3   a )  8  and the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism ( FIG. 3   a )  11 . This attachment allows the table to move in a linear fashion in a horizontal axis. Furthermore, the support platform  32  is capable of rotating its position on the horizontal mounting plate  10  where in the table can be moving in a left to right linear motion or a head to toe linear motion based on the support platform&#39;s  32  position relative to the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism. As Shown in  FIG. 3   b  the upper pulley system  12  is attached to the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism  11  and provided the motion for linear movement in the upper motion platform. In  FIG. 3   c  a horizontal front view is shown displaying the details of the upper pulley system  12  and the linear glide rails  8 .  
      The support platform  32  also provides a vertical plane component of motion. This is seen in  FIG. 3   d ; the vertical axis motor  15  is attached to the vertical axis motor mount  16  and drives the vertical axis lower pulley system  5  which moves the vertical axis linear actuator/screw mechanism  6  up and down. The vertical axis linear actuator  6  is attached to the inner frame  9  with vertical axis linear glide rail ( FIG. 3   e )  17 . As the operator selects different motion profiles from the motion controller  FIG. 9  the horizontal linear actuator/screw mechanism  11  and the vertical linear actuator/screw mechanism  6  are controlled and create different motion profiles such as but not limited to: circular around a horizontal axis, U shaped, pure linear, pure vertical and sinusoidal.  
      As Shown in  FIG. 4   a  the two axis platform can be used as a stand alone motion platform in some embodiments. In  FIG. 4   b  the two axis motion platform is mounted on top of the rotary platform ( FIG. 5 )  2 .  FIG. 5  shows the rotary platform  2  with two mounting frames the upper frame  18  and the lower frame  19  attached to a center hub assembly  20 . Attached to the upper frame  18  are six wheels that help support the weight placed on top of it. The rotary base  2  has a commutating ring  21  mounted inside the center hub  20  that allows power to be run to all system controls of the device. Attached to the upper rotary base platform  18  is a motor and rotary gear drive assembly ( 22 ) that is attached to a chain assembly ( 23 ) that allows the upper rotary base  18  to rotate around a center axis. The upper frame assembly ( 18 ) will rotate and the lower platform ( 19 ) remains fixed: therefore the motor and gear drive assembly ( 22 ) will rotate with the upper platform ( 18 ). As seen in  FIG. 4   b  when the vertical and horizontal axis platform  1  is attached to the rotary platform  2  there are many different combination of motion that can be applied to the participant while on the support platform  32 .  
      Now turning to the control system as seen in  FIG. 6 , the light control in manual mode uses the primary control operating system  24  which controls midi software code  26  that is converted into dmx code  27  and then sent to the viewing optical light instrument  3 . The primary master control system  24  uses a GUI touch screen interface ( FIG. 18 )  39  that allows selections of the midi software code for the light programs. The secondary control operating system  25  provides for an alternate method to select and run a light program that is contained in the midi software code  26 .  
       FIG. 7  shows the light, sound and motion being controlled when selected in automatic mode. The primary master control system  24  sends midi software code  26  to be converted into dmx  27  and then sent to the optical viewing light instrument  3 , the vertical and horizontal, and rotary motion platform  1 , 2 . In addition the primary master control system  24  sends a sound source wav file  28  or similar equivalent that acts as a master timeline source code  35  for the viewing optical light instrument  3  and the vertical and horizontal motion platform  1  and the rotary platform  2  as well as provide audio output to headphones 30 , Speakers 31 , support platform  32  and transducers  33 .  
       FIG. 8  shows the primary master control system  24  coordinating the physiological response sensor  36  output and directing it directly to the viewing optical light instrument  3 , directly to the motion control bases  1  or  2 , directly to an audio output device, headphones 30 , Speakers 3   1 , support platform  32  and transducers  33 .  FIG. 9  shows the manual motion control input  37  that will control the  3  axes motion controller  41  and control the hourly counter  42  as well, furthermore the signal is directed to the vertical axis servo motor  15  and horizontal axis servo motor  14  and rotary servo motor  22  of the motion platform.  FIG. 10  shows how the automatic motion control would work, by taking the signal from the primary master control platform  24  or the secondary control operating system  25 , the signal would be sent into the analog/digital input of the 3 axes motion controller  43  and then control the servo motors; vertical axis servo motor  15  and horizontal axis servo motor  14  and rotary servo motor  22  of the motion platform.  FIG. 11  shows how the motion control would be affected by the physiologic sensor  36  that sends a signal to the secondary operating system  25  and the primary master control operating system  24  that sends it&#39;s signal to the analog/digital input on the 3 axes controller that then controls the vertical axis servo motor  15  and horizontal axis servo motor  14  and rotary servo motor  22  of the motion platform.  
       FIG. 12  represents the compression pump/vasopneumatic device  44  that will be placed on a participant&#39;s extremity based on the operators selected preferences.  FIG. 13  represents the Tens/neuromuscular stimulation unit  45 , this will be providing current to electrodes that will be placed on the client&#39;s extremities.  FIG. 14  represents physiological response sensors  36  that may be used as objective variables for operator program modification or automatic control of system controls.  
       FIG. 15  shows a top view perspective of the support platform  32  with the five transducers  33  in place and the two speakers  31  in place at the head of the table. The transducers  33  are powered by an amplifier  38  and are individually controlled and can be coordinated to be turned on and off in any combination. The center transducer always stays on. The speakers  31  receive input from the primary master control system  24  or the amplifier  38  or any third party audio output device.  
       FIG. 16  represents a video headset that can be worn by the participant while they are on the motion platform and perform different types of bio-feedback exercises as well as cognitive exercises.  
       FIG. 17  represents headphones that will receive input from the primary master control system  24 , the secondary master control system  25  or any third party audio output device.  
       FIG. 18  represents the manual control interface  37  and articulating arm  52  that mounts the GUI touch screen interface  39  and primary master control operating system  24 . The manual control interface  37  contains a power on, power off and emergency stop button. All participant programming done through the primary master control interface  24  and manual control interface  37 , unless the secondary control operating system  25  is selected.  
       FIG. 19  represents the decision tree and system method  46  in an outline form and by way of example how the controls and selection criteria are made for the variables of the multisensory training system.