Patent Application
20080228110
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for assessing sensory and motor control impairments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computerized dynamic posturography provides a means of assessing the underlying sensory and motor control impairments associated with balance disorders. The protocol includes a sensory organizational test where visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive information is manipulated to evaluate their effects on standing balance. The protocol also includes an adaptive motor control test in which a person's ability to recover balance after unexpected perturbations is assessed.
Conventional methods for providing perturbations include moving a platform on which the subject is standing, and pushing or pulling the subject in a controlled fashion. All of these methods involve accelerating and decelerating the subject, which adds a variable to postural control and makes the test results protocol-dependent, as well as acceleration-deceleration profile specific. Therefore, the results are difficult to reproduce, and hence, of limited value. The need exists for an improved means by which to assess a subject's ability to recover balance after unexpected perturbations.
The invention is a system for determining and training an individual's ability to recover balance when postural instability is introduced by means of a perturbation of the surface supporting the person. The purpose of the invention is to assess and train balance function and stability under the varied conditions encountered in the activities of daily living. The invention is directed at a balance assessment and training system that meets the needs of safety, convenience, and accurate measurement in dynamic testing.
The present invention advantageously provides a means of perturbing the subject's balance without moving the subject or the platform on which the subject stands. The location of the pivot about which the subject balances on the platform is moved relative to the subject and the platform upon which he or she stands. As a result, in order to maintain his/her balance, the subject must react and adapt to the new pivot position. The invention allows the balance to be perturbed both cyclically and randomly, at different amplitudes and frequencies. Furthermore, it is possible to perturb balance in response to the subject's reactions.
The subject's ability to recover from different applied perturbations gives a measure of his/her capability to maintain balance, and his/her risk of falling. This makes the invention ideal for assessing balance capability, while also providing a means of balance training. A virtual environment can be included in either testing or training to create realistic environmental conditions associated with unsteadiness due to perturbation.
The invention includes a one-piece platform assembly made of two frames, such as plates, with the top plate supported by the bottom plate through a joint mounted therebetween. This joint can be a universal joint, or set of pivots, that allows the top plate to freely pivot, causing rotation of the attached top plate. Some displacement and/or velocity-proportional resistance to this rotation may be introduced by further supporting the top platform with a compliant structure, such as a series of springs, a compliant material and/or dashpots. This way, a subject standing on the platform would feel some resistance to the tilting of the top plate, while needing to actively maintain his/her balance. Transducers are incorporated in or on the platform assembly, capable of measuring both the subject's ground reaction forces and the amount of tilt of the platform. Thus, the center of pressure of the subject as well as the rate at which the platform tilts are determined. The preferred embodiment of this device uses a standard force plate measurement system in conjunction with the platform assembly to measure these forces.
Translation of the top plate of the platform is prevented by a mechanism that does not restrict its tilting action. Also, a drive mechanism is used to shift the position of at least one axis of the universal joint relative to the platform. The drive mechanism can perform the shifting motion in a predetermined manner, randomly, or as a response to the subject's balancing action as measured by the transducer. The ability of the subject to re-balance himself/herself, after perturbation due to the movement of the universal joint, provides a measure of his/her ability to maintain balance, and his/her risk of falling in normal daily living. To enhance the testing conditions, a virtual environment, such as seen through image-creating goggles worn by the individual or a screen, can be used. This virtual environment provides a realistic moving image similar to that which may be experienced when one's balance is perturbed, such as during a trip in an everyday environment. Additionally, the virtual environment can confuse what the person is sensing, such as by projecting an image that is inconsistent with, or even contradictory to, the information sensed by the body.
In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.
The preferred embodiment of the invention 50 is illustrated in
A platform 60 houses the components of the invention, and the platform includes a first frame, such as the top plate 2, and a second frame, such as the bottom plate 4. The conventional force plate measuring device 1 is preferably mounted to the upper surface of the top plate 2, and the bottom plate 4 is attached to the feet 5, which provide a broad base of stability when the platform is placed on the ground for testing. The term “frame” is intended to include any structure that can provide the type of stability and rigidity that will permit the invention to function as described herein, and includes, but is not limited to, narrow beams and truss-like structures that have holes extending therethrough.
The plates 2 and 4 are rigid, planar panels, and can be made, for example, of stainless steel. Of course, the person of ordinary skill will understand from the description herein that any suitable material, including, without limitation, aluminum, wood or a composite, can be used for the plates 2 and 4. The plates 2 and 4 are preferably oriented substantially parallel to one another with a gap therebetween in the range of a fraction of an inch to 12 inches wide. This dimension is used as an example, and is not intended to be limiting. The gap could be from about one millimeter to several feet wide, depending upon the application circumstances.
The platform 60 has substantially the same width and length as the standard force plate device 1. During use, the feet 5 rest upon the ground with the platform 60 substantially horizontal, and the subject to be tested stands on the top of the force plate device 1 with the bottoms of his or her feet resting on the upper surface of the force plate device 1. The height of the apparatus is preferably no greater than a height that would cause the individual no greater difficulty stepping on the force plate device 1 than taking a step on a typical staircase.
A universal joint assembly 70, illustrated in
The universal joint assembly 70 allows for the desired perturbation by causing pivoting of the top plate 2 about a pivot axis when the weight of the subject is on the top plate 2 and the pivot point of the assembly 70 is moved relative to the top plate. It will be understood by the person of ordinary skill that any structure that permits relative pivoting along one or more axes between two plates in combination with translation of one or more of the pivot axes relative to the top plate can be substituted for the assembly 70. The assembly 70 is illustrated and described herein as a suitable example of such a structure. Preferably, the assembly has two or more axes of rotation, but one axis is sufficient for a basic embodiment.
As illustrated in
A pair of upper brackets 6 are attached rigidly to the ends of the shaft 7 and fixed at their upper edges to the top plate 2 as shown in
A pair of lower brackets 10 pivotably mount at their upper ends to the block 8 by a pair of short shafts 9 (see
The universal joint block 8 has two axes of rotation: the axes of the shafts 9 and 7. These axes intersect as shown in
The top plate 2 is maintained in position, when the lower bracket 10 is translated, by a pair of motion limiters shown in
The pins 14 thus prevent any substantial translation of the fork 13 and attached top plate 2 with respect to the pin holder 15, and therefore the bottom plate 4. This means that although the pivot point beneath the individual's feet is translating, as the lower bracket 10 moves the block 8, the top plate 2 on which the individual is standing experiences only multi-axial rotation, and no translation. Preferably the axes of the pivot pins 14 are coaxial with the axis of the shaft 9.
The position of the lower bracket 10 dictates the position of the universal joint, which is at the intersection of the axes of the shafts 7 and 9. Thus, by translating the lower bracket 10, one can thereby effectively translate the universal joint under the subject's feet while preventing translation of the top plate 2 on which the subject's feet rest. The direction and speed of translations can be controlled easily by the computer connected to the motor in order to develop a variety of testing protocols. The translation can also be dictated by the individual's real-time postural sway as detected by transducers in the force plate measurement device 1 and signaled to the computer. This configuration enables a determination of the reaction of the subjects to disruptions in stability. The perturbation is implemented without compromising the safety of the individual or the validity of measurement results, as may be the case in devices which accelerate or decelerate either the patient or the platform surface.
There are preferably compliant structures 3 at spaced positions around the periphery of the assembly 70 between the plates 2 and 4, as illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, the compliant structures 3 are mounted to the plates 2 and 4, and therefore remain stationary relative to both plates. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the compliant structures attach only to the top plate, and in another alternative (not illustrated), the compliant structures attach only to the lower plate. Of course, some compliant structures can attach to a combination of the top plate and the lower plate. In these alternative embodiments, the compliant structures remain stationary relative to the plates to which they attach. In another alternative, the compliant structures are mounted to one or more elements of the universal joint so that the compliant structures translate with the translating element of the universal joint. For example, the compliant structures can be mounted to the lower brackets 10 and extend to the edges of the plates to the positions shown in
The movement of the top plate 2 relative to the lower plate 4 about the universal joint is influenced by the inclusion of compliant structures sandwiched between the top plate 2 and bottom plate 4 of the platform. The compliant structures enable the individual to actively work at controlling their movements for recovery, but attenuate the movements of the plates 2 and 4 relative to one another. The presence of such a structure introduces a feeling that there is a degree of resistance to the movement of the top plate 2 relative to the bottom plate 4, and creates the need to use adaptive balance strategies to regain postural stability.
To measure, compensate, and correct for the inertial forces associated with the movement of the components of the invention, the platform assembly can be instrumented with accelerometers. These will be in addition to, and used in conjunction with, the measurement technologies used to measure the ground reaction forces exerted by the individual standing on the device. All such components are preferably connected to the computer.
Another embodiment of the invention incorporates the components of the standard force plate measuring device directly into the platform assembly. In this alternative embodiment, the invention is used as a stand-alone product with all necessary components, including transducers, within the base of the universal joint platform rather than placing the platform containing the universal joint device directly under an existing force plate for measurement.
Another alternative embodiment allows translation of the universal joint assembly in two directions to increase the degrees of freedom of movement of the pivot location. This multi-axial translation is based on the same principles that drive the translation of the universal joint in the preferred embodiment.
In still another embodiment, a different prime mover is used instead of an electric motor. For example, a pneumatic or hydraulic ram can be used in place of the motor described above. Such substitutes for prime movers are known in the art, and it is impossible to list all such alternatives herein.
With any of the embodiments of the invention, a virtual environment consisting of a realistic moving image, for example viewed through goggles, can be used to enhance testing protocols. This includes, in one embodiment, a pair of glasses worn by the user that projects visible images before the user. Of course, any other means for providing a visible image would suffice, such as a plurality of screens upon which images are projected, a one or more hologram-generating devices, or a hood or other headpiece upon which images can be projected.
The moving image as viewed by the user can be consistent with the sensations of the user through the top plate, such as by causing the image to tilt in the opposite direction that the top plate will tilt when the joint is moved. This gives the consistent sensation of tilting to one side. Alternatively the image can be caused to tilt in the same direction as the top plate, which is inconsistent with the sensations through the top plate. Still further, the image can be caused to stand still, or the image can be caused to tilt or rotate in a direction inconsistent with the tilting of the top plate, such that the user would be confused by the inconsistencies.
The moving image as viewed by the user can be set to tripping mode, in which the images are matched to the center of pressure movements to follow the initial instability and recovery. Alternatively, the image can be set to cyclic motion mode, in which the images follow the cyclic motion of the plate. The inclusion of a virtual environment enhances testing to create more realistic situations that would be encountered in daily activities. This capability will be particularly useful in relation to falls, as by matching the movement of the environment to the center of pressure changes due to perturbation, a situation more closely replicating fall initiation after a trip is possible.
There has been a growing interest in the clinical setting to test an individual's ability to balance under conditions more like those faced in activities of daily living. The invention meets the need for a mechanism that can effectively perturb stance, without interfering with data collection or patient safety. The invention can challenge a subject's stability by quick, unexpected movements of the universal joint, to which the individual must react appropriately to maintain balance. It can also be used to produce cyclic perturbation that brings the subject to his or her threshold of balance maintenance. In both of these modes, center of pressure displacements during recovery, reaction time, and balance strategies are preferably examined, collectively or independently, to determine the abilities of the subject under dynamic conditions. This is used as an indicator of whether the subject is more likely to fall when faced with environmental hazards that cause abrupt changes in postural stability, such as tripping on a rug or walking on uneven ground.
This invention is aimed at clinical applications where analysis of balance is desired, with particular emphasis on identifying subjects with potential problems of postural instability and poor reaction. Aside from assessment of ability, the invention can also be used in balance training and rehabilitation. Although the specific identified need of the invention is in fall prevention, it also allows for a wide variety of other applications, including athletic training and injury recovery. The invention may have particular implications in improving performance in balance and reaction-based physical activities such as dance and gymnastics.
The computer-driven motor to be used in this device allows various protocols to be developed based on specific needs of the physician or rehabilitation specialist. Particular protocols are aimed at translating the universal joint in a sudden, random movement to create a momentary perturbation that must be recovered from. These movements can be at various speeds to elicit different types of reactions from the individual. An additional preferred protocol is one in which the universal joint oscillates continuously, at a given speed and amplitude for each test. The subject's ability to maintain balance as the speed and/or the amplitude of oscillations increase is used as another measure of performance and risk of fall. The invention can also be used in assessing balance in the medio-lateral direction, by having the subject stand facing perpendicular to the direction of the perturbations. Additionally, an embodiment that allows multi-directional translation of the universal joint assembly permits assessment of both the medio-lateral and antero-posterior directions during the same testing procedure.
This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.
