Patent Publication Number: US-2013241733-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus for Discouraging W-Sitting

Description:
The present invention generally relates to orthotic devices and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for discouraging W-sitting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a child in a W-sitting position. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear plan view of an apparatus for discouraging W-sitting according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus for discouraging W-sitting according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a switch that is a component of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the switch shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the switch shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for discouraging W-sitting according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a child in a W-sitting position. In this position, the medial aspect of both knees contacts the ground and the child&#39;s lower legs and feet extend outwardly and away from the knees. W-sitting can cause various short term and long term effects on a child&#39;s hips, knees, ankles and gait. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, an orthotic apparatus includes a garment, first and second switches connected to the garment, a power source connected to the garment, an indicator connected to the garment, a first electrical conductor electrically coupled to the first switch and the power source, a second electrical conductor electrically coupled to the power source and the indicator, a third electrical conductor electrically coupled to the indicator and the second switch and a fourth electrical conductor electrically coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The indicator is activated when both switches are activated. In one embodiment of the invention, the indicator produces an audible sound. In another embodiment, the indicator produces a visible signal. One or more of the conductors can be a piece of conductive cloth. The garment may be made from a stretchable fabric material. In one embodiment, the power source and indicator are located in a housing. One or more of the switches may be removably connected to the garment so as to be movable from a first location on the garment to a second location on the garment. In one embodiment, the first and second switches are positioned so as to activate when a person wearing the garment assumes a W-sitting position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, an orthotic apparatus includes first and second switches, a power source and an indicator that activates when the first and second switches are activated. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the first switch, second switch, power source and indicator in an electric circuit. In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. Activating the first and second switches causes the transmitter to send a signal to the receiver, which in turn activates the indicator. The orthotic device may include means for selectively positioning the first and second switches on a person. The first and second switches can be positioned such that they are activated when the person assumes a W-sitting position. The device may also include means for connecting the indicator to a person. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a method of treating a patient includes providing an indicator and positioning first and second switches on the patient such that the switches are activated when the patient assumes an undesirable position. I one embodiment of the invention, the indicator is activated when the first and second switches are activated. In one embodiment of the invention, the undesirable position is a W-sitting position. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 2  is a rear plan view of an orthotic device, namely, apparatus  10  for discouraging W-sitting, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus  10  generally includes a garment  20 , a plurality of electrical conductors  30 , a power source  40 , an indicator  50  and switches  60 . 
     In the embodiment shown, garment  20  is a pair of pants that extend at least below the child&#39;s knees. The pants are preferably made from a heavy duty stretchable material such as Lycra® or spandex and are sized to fit snugly so as to avoid any slippage or rotational movement of the pants that would move the switches out of the desired position relative to the patient&#39;s knees. 
     In the embodiment shown, electrical conductors  30  are preferably a stretchable, conductive fabric stitched to the pants to create a circuit between power source  40 , indicator  50 , and switches  60 , as described in greater detail below. The conductive fabric acts like wiring. In one embodiment, the conductive fabric is a silver plated (92%) nylon (8%) fabric that stretches in at least two directions. Conductive fabrics having other characteristics can also be used, so long as they can carry the needed electrical load and are sufficiently flexible. 
     In the embodiment shown, power source  40  is a standard 9V battery  41  positioned in a battery holder  42 . Wires  43  from battery holder  42  are connected to two conductors  30  as shown by stitching or other means. Battery  41  can be replaced by triple A or other batteries. Other means of powering apparatus  10  can also be utilized. 
     In the embodiment shown, indicator  50  is a small buzzer, such as a piezo buzzer, or a tone generator. Wires  51  from indicator  50  are connected to two conductors  30  as shown by stitching or other means. 
     Two switches  60  are secured to garment  20  on the medial aspect of each knee so that when a patient W-sits the switches make contact with the floor. Switches  60  can be secured to garment  20  in various manners. In one embodiment of the invention, switches  60  are secured to garment  20  with hook and loop type fastener so that the position of switches  60  can be adjusted as desired. In one embodiment of the invention, switches  60  are flat, thin pressure sensors or membrane type switches. Wires  61  from switches  60  are connected to two conductors  30  as shown by stitching or other means. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , power source  40 , indicator  50  and switches  60  are connected in series via conductors  30 , and wires  41 ,  51  and  61 . When a patient W-sits, both switches  60  make contact with the floor and close, thereby completing the circuit and activating indicator  50  to buzz or emit a tone. The buzzing or tone reminds the parents or other care giver to instruct the patient to change position. It also reminds the patient to change position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an apparatus for discouraging W-sitting according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which elements corresponding to those shown in the prior embodiment are indicated by corresponding numbers preceded by the numeral “1.” In this embodiment, the power source  140  and indicator  150  (not shown) are encased in a waterproof housing  170 . The wire extending between power source  140  and indicator  150  is likewise encased in waterproof housing  170 . One wire  151  from indicator  150  and one wire  143  from power source  140  extend from housing  170  and are coupled to the remainder of the circuit by a connector  180 . These wires and housing  170  may be tucked into a pouch or pocket  171  on the garment  120 . 
     Housing  170  can be made from any one of a number of waterproof materials, such as plastic. In one embodiment, housing  170  is permanently molded around power source  140  and indicator  150 . In another embodiment, housing  170  is in the form of a case that can be opened to access power source  140  and indicator  150 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , switch  160  in the embodiment shown is a pivot type switch including a first or upper plate  161 , a second or lower plate  162  and a pivot point or post  163 . In the un-activated state, an air gap  164  separates first plate  161  and second plate  162 . A pair of wires  165  extend from and are electrically connected to first plate  161  and second plate  162 , respectively. Wires  165  are in turn connected to wires  166  that are in electrical connection with conductors  130  on garment  120 . 
     In the embodiment shown, hook members  167  of a hook and loop type fastening system are applied to second plate  162  of switch  160 . Sections of the loop material portion  168  of the hook and loop type fastening system are secured to garment  120 . Hook members  167  engage with loop material  168  to secure switches  160  to garment  120 . In this manner, switches  160  can be placed at the desired location for treatment of individual patients having different physical characteristics and W-sitting tendencies. In the embodiment shown, switches  160  further include a cloth covering  169  (not shown in  FIGS. 4-6 ). 
     Although as noted above various types of switches can be used, it may be desirable to utilize a switch that will activate the indicator as soon as both of the garment patient&#39;s knee begins to contact the ground, thereby activating the indicator before the patient is fully in the undesirable W-sitting position. Pivot switches  160  function in this manner. Switches other than the particular pivot switches shown could also be utilized to achieve the same result. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for discouraging W-sitting according to the present invention. In this embodiment, wireless components have been substituted for the various conductors and wires of the previous embodiments. A transmitter  200  is associated with or incorporated into each switch  210  and a receiver  220  is associated with or incorporated into indicator  230 . Power sources  240  are associated with or incorporated into each transmitter  200  and indicator  230 . Triggering switches  210  wirelessly transmits a signal  300  from transmitters  200  to receiver  220 , thereby activating indicator  230 . Note that in this embodiment, it is not necessary to attach the indicator, receiver and associated power source to the patient. They simply need to be in close enough proximity to receive the signal from the transmitters and for the patient or caregiver to sense the indicator when it is activated. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the power supply and indicator could be incorporated into or placed on a belt or other strap, sleeve or similar device and positioned about a patient&#39;s waist, arm or other body location. The switches could be placed on belts, straps, sleeves or similar type devices such that they could be positioned over a patient&#39;s garment or directly on the knees. In such an embodiment, either wired or wireless technology could be utilized. This embodiment of the invention would permit the apparatus to be utilized with various articles of clothing owned by the patient such that treatment is not limited to the time during which the patient is wearing a specific garment into which the switches, power source and indicator are integrated. 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail the same is to be taken by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Numerous changes can be made to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, indicator  50  does not have to emit a sound. A light or other visual indicator could be used. The indicator could also vibrate. Indicator  50  and switches  60  can plug into a socket or other holder that is electrically coupled to conductors  30 . In this manner, the indicator that works most effectively for a given child can be utilized. Furthermore, switches  60  can be selected that best correspond to a particular patient&#39;s weight, knee configuration and W-sitting position. The present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.