Gait training apparatus and methodfor preventing or limiting injuries

Abstract

An apparatus and method for gait training is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure having a base and at least one moveable platform connected to the base of the support structure, the at least one moveable platform having a top surface and a bottom surface. The apparatus further includes a drive system configured to control the movement of the at least one moveable platform. The drive system includes an actuator secured to the at least one moveable platform. A set of rollers is secured to the base and in contact with the at least one moveable platform. The set of rollers is configured to restrict movement of the at least one moveable platform to a one-dimensional axis. The apparatus further includes a first sensor located above the support structure. The first sensor is configured to determine an amount of downward pressure exerted on the training apparatus by a user. A second sensor is located above the support structure which is configured to determine the position of the user on the at least one moveable platform. The apparatus also includes a control system having a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is configured to control the drive system and to receive data from the first and second sensors. In response to data received from the first and second sensors, the actuator changes the movement of the moveable platform.

1 . A gait training apparatus comprising:
 a support structure having a base;   at least one moveable platform connected to the base of the support structure, the at least one moveable platform comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;   a drive system configured to control the movement of the at least one moveable platform, the drive system including an actuator secured to the at least one moveable platform;   a set of rollers secured to the base and in contact with the at least one moveable platform, the set of rollers being configured to restrict movement of the at least one moveable platform to a one-dimensional axis;   a first sensor located above the support structure, the first sensor being configured to determine an amount of downward pressure exerted on the gait training apparatus by a user;   a second sensor located above the support structure, the second sensor being configured to determine the position of the user on the at least one moveable platform; and   a control system including a programmable logic controller (PLC), the PLC being configured to control the drive system and to receive data from the first and second sensors;   wherein in response to data received from the first and second sensors, the actuator changes the movement of the at least one moveable platform.   
     
     
         2 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure further comprises a top portion and at least one vertical column connecting the base to the top portion. 
     
     
         3 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a trolley apparatus secured to the top portion, and a strap extending from the trolley apparatus, the strap being configured to support weight of a user. 
     
     
         4 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the at least one moveable platform comprises a variable material and the bottom surface of the at least one moveable platform comprises a rigid plate. 
     
     
         5 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the variable material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, rubber, artificial turf, or polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         6 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the at least one moveable platform is removable. 
     
     
         7 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the top surface of the at least one moveable platform is secured to the bottom surface of the platform by at least one fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least two moveable platforms, wherein each moveable platform is connected to a separate actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is a motor. 
     
     
         10 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further including a second set of rollers connected to the base and in contact with the at least one moveable platform to allow movement of the at least one moveable platform along a two-dimensional axis. 
     
     
         11 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a rotating mechanism configured to tilt the at least one moveable platform. 
     
     
         12 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a network switch configured to connect to the Internet. 
     
     
         13 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a human machine interface (HMI) associated with the apparatus configured to allow an operator to control apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The gait training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a treadmill mounted to the at least one moveable platform. 
     
     
         15 . A method of training a user to prevent injury, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising a moveable platform that a user traverses at a walking speed, the apparatus further comprising a control system having a programmable logic controller (PLC), the PLC performing the following steps:   initiating an assessment phase to determine a risk factor for the user;   performing a simulation phase, the simulation phase comprising:
 varying movement of the moveable platform based on output received from a plurality of sensors associated with the apparatus; and 
 varying the frequency of actuation of the moveable platform based on the risk factor determined during the assessment phase; 
   recording data of the user during the simulation phase; and   analyzing the recorded data and providing feedback.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the user factors include the user's medical history, weight, age, and gait characteristics. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the data includes gait characteristics and fall occurrences of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising displaying the feedback to the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising transmitting the feedback via a network connection. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:
 initiating an assessment phase to determine a risk factor for the user parameters;   performing a simulation phase, the simulation phase comprising:
 varying movement of a moveable platform based on output received from a plurality of sensors associated with an apparatus; and 
 varying the frequency of actuation of the moveable platform based on the risk factor determined during the assessment phase; 
   recording data of the user during the simulation phase; and   analyzing the recorded data and providing feedback.