Instrumented accelerometers for patient monitoring

Abstract

Exercise orthoses are described that include a frame, a fluid bladder held by the frame, a pressure sensor attached to the fluid bladder and a microprocessor receiving the pressure measurements. The microprocessor monitors variations in pressure and determines differences between the measured pressures and predetermined target values. The frame can be designed to support a hinge joint or at least one vertebra. Furthermore, corrective back orthoses are described that include a frame, force applicators connected to the frame to apply force to the patient's spine, a sensor that measures forces associated with the force Applicators and a control unit that monitors forces measured by the sensor. The corrective back orthosis can include fluid bladders as force applicators. The control unit can include a microprocessor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An orthopedic device comprising: 
 (a) a frame that can restrain a first flexibly connected body portion of an individual relative to a second flexibly connected body portion;    (b) a bladder held by said frame, where said bladder contacts at least one of said flexibly connected body portions when said frame is restraining said flexibly connected body portions;    (c) a pressure sensor attached to said bladder such that pressure within said bladder is measured; and    (d) a microprocessor receiving said pressure measurements, where said microprocessor monitors variations in pressure.    
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , wherein said frame comprises a hinge.  
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , wherein said bladder is positionable relative to said frame to adjust the rest pressure within said bladder.  
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , wherein said first flexibly connected body portion of said individual and said second flexibly connected body portion are connected by a hinge joint or ball and socket joint.  
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , wherein said first flexibly connected body portion of said individual and said second flexibly connected body portion are connected by at least one vertebra.  
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , wherein said bladder holds air.  
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic restraining device of    claim 1   , further comprising an accelerometer to measure acceleration associated with said flexibly connected body portions.  
     
     
         8 . A corrective back orthosis comprising: 
 (a) a frame that fits around at least a portion of a patient's torso to surround a portion of said patient's spine;    (b) a bladder supported by said frame, where said bladder is positioned to provide corrective forces to said spine of said patient; and    (c) a pressure sensor attached to said bladder such that pressure within said bladder is measured.    
     
     
         9 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 8   , further comprising a microprocessor that monitors pressures measured by said sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 9   , further comprising a graphic display interfaced to said microprocessor, where said graphic display depicts the forces along spinal orientations of said patient.  
     
     
         11 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 8   , further comprising a valve providing for the release of fluid from said bladder.  
     
     
         12 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 8   , wherein said corrective back orthotic comprises a plurality of bladders.  
     
     
         13 . A corrective back orthosis comprising: 
 (a) a frame that fits around at least a portion of a patient's torso to surround a portion of said patient's spine;    (b) a force applicator connected to said frame to apply force to said patient's spine;    (c) a sensor that measures forces associated with said force applicators; and    (d) a control unit connected to said force sensor for displaying values related to said measured forces.    
     
     
         14 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 13   , wherein said control unit comprises a microprocessor that monitors forces measured by said sensor.  
     
     
         15 . The corrective back orthosis of    claim 14   , further comprising a graphic display interfaced to said microprocessor, where said graphic display depicts forces along spinal orientations of said patient.  
     
     
         16 . A method of correcting spinal misalignment of a patient comprising the step of applying appropriate corrective forces to said spine using a back orthosis comprising a bladder and a pressure sensor positioned to measure pressure associated with said bladder, where said bladder is positioned to provide a contribution to said corrective forces and is adjusted to a desired inflation.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 16   , wherein said appropriate corrective forces are oriented along a plurality of vectors.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 16   , wherein said back orthosis further comprises a microprocessor, which monitors pressures measured by said sensor and determines variation in said measured pressure and predetermined desired values.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 18   , wherein said microprocessor is interfaced to a graphic display to provide a graphic analysis of spinal position and of the vectors of corrective forces used to correct said position.  
     
     
         20 . A method of correcting spinal misalignment comprising the step of applying appropriate corrective forces to said spine using a back orthosis comprising: a) force applicators connected to a frame that fits around at least a portion of a patient's torso to surround a portion of said patient's spine, b) a sensor that measures forces associated with said force applicators and c) a control unit that displays values related to said measured forces.