Exoskeleton Biofeedback User Interface
Description
This wearable robotic assistance device has the potential to revolutionize the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular deficiencies in free-living environments. The exoskeleton device comprises an effective user interface for providing wearable biofeedback, which allows the individual to measure and understand their progress by using the exoskeleton to achieve an improved outcome. Examples of potential specifications of feedback include knee angle, crouch reduction, trunk tilt, and muscle engagement. Several feedback modalities may be used, such as tactile, visual, and auditory. The exoskeleton’s CPU may be programmed so that it provides instructions to a specific feedback modality based on the input received from the embedded sensors.
Additional information
Patent number and inventor
16/409,672
Zachary F. Lerner
Potential applications
Clinical applications for rehabilitation robotics.
Benefits and advantages
The wearable exoskeleton improves the mobility of people with neurological deficits acquired by stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease. The wearable exoskeleton provides compliance data with a desired performance parameter, triggering a feedback modality to inform the individual of both compliance and non-compliance. The biofeedback user interface may also be used in combination with gamification to enhance the experience of gait rehabilitation and to further engage and incentivize the individual with the biofeedback process.
Case number and licensing status
2017-041
This invention is available for licensing.