Patent Application
20230277117
FOG is a symptom generally experienced by people with Parkinson's disease that causes moments of involuntary gait interruption or blockage. These interruptions can last up to several seconds, thus jeopardizing the mobility of these individuals.
Over the years, a number of solutions have been provided using sensory stimuli, such as e.g. audio or visual signals, which aim to stimulate specific areas of the brain in order to bypass the brain areas affected by the blockage and reduce the effects of FOG episodes on the affected person.
To date, these solutions have relied on generic motor correction systems which employ sensory stimulus emission means wearable by the user and adapted to subject the user to such stimulus continuously or periodically.
For example, motor correction systems are known which are provided with light signal emitters, such as e.g. laser emitters, LEDs or the like, adapted to project an image, such as a line of light, onto the ground along the path followed by the user.
Such emitters are generally wearable, e.g. they can be mounted on the user's footwear or they can be installed on a walking stick used by the user for walking.
Other emitters coincide with augmented reality glasses which allow an image to be displayed directly on the lenses of the glasses themselves.
Some systems are also known which use socks provided with vibration emitters which are adapted to stimulate the user's foot by means of vibrating impulses.
This type of system allows reducing the effects of FOG episodes on gait. However, such systems subject the user to continuous exposure to sensory stimulation, even in the absence of FOG episodes.
To overcome this drawback, systems employing appropriately configured detection means for detecting the occurrence of FOG episodes are known from patent documents WO2010124013A1 and WO2019086997A2.
These detection means are generally mounted on footwear worn by the subject suffering from FOG and configured to signal the detection of an FOG episode to the emission means, which, this way, emit the stimulus which allows the subject to overcome FOG, i.e. the motor block, and resume normal gait.
In particular, these systems avail themselves of detection means provided with sensor means configured to detect data inherent in the movement of the footwear and processing means for processing such data, configured to signal to the emission means the detection, and therefore the occurrence, of the FOG episode in the subject.
Even these types of systems are however susceptible to improvements in their degree of reliability and effectiveness.
Indeed, very frequently the detection means employed by the systems of known type misinterpret the data acquired by the acquisition means and cause the emission of the sensory stimulus even when no FOG episode has occurred.
In addition, the detection means used by this type of system is particularly prone to malfunction and breakage, since, being mounted on the footwear, they are subject to shock and vibration including over long periods of time.
Furthermore, the detection means and the acquisition means are made as a single electronic device which is particularly complex, expensive and inconvenient to use.
These drawbacks make known systems unreliable, expensive and frequently subject to maintenance/repair, and they are uncomfortable and inconvenient to use.
The main object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows for increasing the reliability of the system with respect to those of known type.
An additional object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows detecting with more accuracy the occurrence of an FOG episode with respect to the systems of known type.
An additional object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows reducing the impact of shock and vibrations on the detection means.
Still one object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows simplifying the system itself with respect to those of known type.
An additional object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows increasing the flexibility in the use of the system itself with respect to those of known type.
An additional object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which triggers only in the event that the user of the system is subjected to an FOG episode.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for overcoming FOG episodes which allows overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above of the prior art within the scope of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.
The objects set out above are achieved by the present a system for overcoming FOG episodes having the characteristics of claim 1.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the description of several preferred, but not exclusive embodiments of a system for overcoming FOG episodes, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings wherein:
With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a system for overcoming FOG episodes.
The system 1 for overcoming FOG (Freezing of Gait) episodes comprises:
The term FOG is intended to indicate an involuntary blockage or interruption of gait for a few seconds, such as e.g. an inability to take a step.
Conveniently, the acquisition means 16 comprise at least one acquisition assembly 2a, 2b provided with at least one sensor device 6 of the type selected from the list comprising a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a position locator, a pressure transducer, a magnetometer, and configured to acquire the at least one motor datum.
In particular, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b is configured to transmit at least the acquired motor datum to the detection means 4.
Moreover, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises a plurality of sensor devices 6.
Preferably, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one gyroscope, at least one accelerometer, at least one speed meter, at least one position locator, at least one pressure transducer and at least one magnetometer.
Advantageously, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one gyroscope, at least one accelerometer and at least one pressure transducer.
This way, the system 1 is able to accurately determine the state of motion of the footwear 7a, 7b on which the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b is mounted.
Furthermore, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one rechargeable battery, not shown in the illustrations, configured to electrically power the same acquisition assembly 2a, 2b.
Conveniently, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one data filing unit 8 configured to store the acquired motor data.
Advantageously, the sensor devices 6 are mounted on the footwear 7a, 7b at predefined positions.
Preferably, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one sensor device 6 arranged at at least one of either the heel or the toe of the footwear 7a, 7b.
Alternatively or additionally, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b comprises at least one sensor device 6 positioned between the heel and the toe of the footwear 7a, 7b.
According to a possible embodiment of the system 1, the system itself comprises a plurality of sensor devices 6 of the type of pressure transducers, arranged at respective predefined positions of the footwear 7a, 7b intended to support the weight/pressure exerted on the footwear itself by a relevant portion of the sole of the foot, and at least one sensor device 6 of the type of a motion sensor, such as e.g., a gyroscope.
Conveniently, the acquisition means 16 comprise a pair of acquisition assemblies 2a, 2b, each of which is mounted on a corresponding footwear 7a, 7b worn by the subject 3.
In this way, each acquisition assembly 2a, 2b is configured to acquire at least one motor datum related to the footwear 7a, 7b on which it is mounted.
This expedient allows the system 1 to accurately determine the state of motion of each piece of footwear 7a, 7b, so as to accurately detect the occurrence of an FOG episode, thus reducing the risk of detecting false FOG episodes.
Advantageously, the detection means 4 comprise at least one processing unit 9 of at least one motor characteristic processed depending on at least one motor datum.
Furthermore, the detection means 4 are configured to:
In particular, each of the motor characteristics processed by the processing unit 9 is defined or derived from at least one measurable physical quantity.
Appropriately, the term reference value is not intended to indicate only a single value; in fact, the term is intended to indicate, e.g., also a set of values defining one or more reference ranges.
Preferably, the reference value or values are expressed in terms of probability.
Advantageously, the detection means 4 are configured to relate the attributed or derived reference value (generally expressed by means of at least one physical quantity) of at least one of the processed motor characteristics to at least one corresponding predefined reference value.
In particular, the detection means 4 are configured to:
More in detail, the detection means 4 are configured to process/provide the predefined reference value depending on the type of one motor characteristic or multiple motor characteristics combined to each other taken into account to detect the occurrence of at least one FOG episode.
A list of the type of motor characteristics is provided below.
Conveniently, the detection means 4 are configured to report the occurrence of an FOG episode when the reference value attributed to or derived from a motor characteristic, or when the combination of reference values attributed to or derived from different motor characteristics, belongs to the predefined reference value.
In particular, according to the invention, the detection means 4 are configured to attribute to or derive from a linear combination of a plurality of motor characteristics the attributed or derived reference value.
For example, the detection means 4 are configured to attribute or derive, depending on a non-linear combination of K (k meant as an arbitrary integer number) motor characteristics, the reference value attributed to or derived from each or the combination of the K motor characteristics. The type of such K motor characteristics defines a predefined space inside which one or more regions are identified wherein the observed event is detected as FOG, i.e., the predefined reference value. Accordingly, the detection means 4 are configured to compare the attributed or derived reference value and the predefined reference value, and to report the occurrence of an FOG episode if the attributed or derived reference value belongs to a region of the predefined space.
In other words, the detection means 4 are configured to identify a predefined reference value depending on each type or each combination of types of motor characteristics taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
Furthermore, the detection means 4 are configured to compare the predefined reference value with the attributed or derived reference value of the motor characteristic taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode or with a combination of attributed or derived reference values of a combination of motor characteristics taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises indication means, not shown in the figures, for indicating the type(s) of motor characteristics to be taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
Furthermore, the indication means are configured to indicate the number of motor characteristics to be taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
In this way, unlike systems which carry out a simple gait analysis, the detection means 4 allow the particularly specific and precise detection of the occurrence of an FOG episode.
Preferably, the processing unit 9 is configured to process at least one motor characteristic of the type of an instantaneous motor characteristic selected from the list comprising at least one of:
Preferably, one or more of the motor characteristics are expressed as signals.
Furthermore, the processing unit 9 is configured to process at least one motor characteristic of the type of the at least one variable motor characteristic, i.e., the variation of one of the instantaneous motor characteristics at different instants of time. For example, a variable motor characteristic comprises the variability of the speed of at least one piece of footwear 7a, 7b at different instants of time.
The term gait asymmetry is meant to indicate the difference between motor data acquired by the acquisition assemblies 2a, 2b, such as e.g. the difference between the speed of the two pieces of footwear 7a, 7b.
The term pitch contact is meant to indicate the angle of incidence of the piece of footwear 7a, 7b with the ground the moment it rests on the ground.
The term pitch cycle is meant to indicate the state of the piece of footwear 7a, 7b, e.g. if the same is arranged totally resting on the ground, if it is arranged partly resting on the ground during the lifting phase or during the resting phase on the ground.
In particular, the detection means 4 are configured to signal to the emission means 5 the occurrence of the detected FOG episode.
Appropriately, the detection means 4 comprise a storage unit 10 configured to store the motor data received from the acquisition means 16.
Advantageously, the storage unit 10 is configured to store the motor characteristics processed by the processing unit 9.
Furthermore, the storage unit 10 is configured to store data significant to the detection of the FOG event, such as e.g., but not limited to, the date and time of detection of an FOG event.
Preferably, the detection means 4 are of the type of an electronic device wearable by the subject 3, such as e.g. a smartphone, smartwatch, headset device, smartglasses, belt, wristband and the like.
Furthermore, the detection means 4 comprise at least one rechargeable battery, not shown in the illustrations, configured to electrically power the detection means themselves.
Advantageously, the emission means 5 are configured to emit a sensory stimulus of the type selected from the list comprising a visual, auditory, vibrotactile, thermal, olfactory, taste stimulation.
Preferably, auditory stimulation may be via emission means 5 of the type of headphones, speakers or bone transducers.
Visual stimulation, on the other hand, may take place via emission means 5 of the type of smartglasses or image projectors onto the ground.
Vibrotactile, thermal or olfactory stimulation may preferably take place via emission means 5 of the type of vibrating, thermal devices or through the release of particular essences, to be worn at points sensitive to such stimulation such as, e.g., on the wrist or on the waist of the subject 3.
Alternative embodiments of the system 1 cannot be ruled out wherein the emission means 5 are of the type of an electronic device of the type of a smartphone, a smartwatch, a headset device, smartglasses or of the type of an electronic device integrating with a wearable accessory, e.g., a belt, a bracelet and the like.
Preferably, the emission means 5 are configured to emit the sensory stimulus for a predefined time.
Furthermore, the emission means 5 are configured to emit the sensory stimulus with a predefined frequency.
In addition, the emission means 5 are configured to emit the sensory stimulus with a predefined intensity.
In particular, the emission means 5 are configured to emit at least one sensory stimulus as a result of the detection of an FOG event.
In fact, the emission means 5 are configured to receive from the detection means 4 reports of the detection of FOG events.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises command means, not shown on the illustrations, operationally connected to at least one of the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5, and configured to be used by at least one user to:
Preferably, the command means comprise at least one of either:
The user interface means are preferably of the type of a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, PC or the like.
Alternative embodiments of the system 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the user interface means coincide with at least one of either the detection means 4 or the emission means 5.
The remote control means are preferably of the type of any electronic control device which employs a wireless communication network, such as e.g., the Internet, to remotely control the system 1.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises connection means, not shown in the illustrations, of at least one of the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4, the emission means 5 and the command means with at least another of the means selected from the same list.
In particular, the connection means are configured to allow the exchange of information, e.g., data, signals and the like, between the means connected to each other.
Preferably, the detection means 4 are mounted on the footwear 7a, 7b.
According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in
Preferably, in this embodiment the emission means 5 comprise a pair of emission assemblies 17, each of which is mounted on a corresponding piece of footwear 7a, 7b worn by the subject 3.
Suitably, each emission assembly 17 is configured to emit a sensory stimulus.
In this way, the subject 3 may be selectively stimulated by the stimulus emitted by at least one of the emission assemblies 17.
Preferably, the system 1 comprises at least one of either:
In particular, according to a possible embodiment of the system 1, at least one of the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 are integrated with the footwear 7a, 7b. In this way, the subject 3 wears at least one of the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 when wearing the footwear 7a, 7b.
Preferably, in this embodiment of the system 1 at least one of either the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 are integrated inside the outsole 14 of the footwear 7a, 7b.
Furthermore, preferably, the system 1 comprises a pair of footwear 7a, 7b.
According to a further possible embodiment of the system 1, at least one of the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 are integrated with the insole 13. This way, the subject 3 places the insole 13 inside the footwear 7a, 7b which he or she wishes to wear in order to wear at least one of either the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5.
Preferably, the acquisition means 16 are integrated with the insole 13.
In particular, the system 1 comprises a pair of insoles 13, each insertable inside a corresponding piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
Further embodiments of the system 1 cannot however be ruled out, wherein at least one of either the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 are integrated with the footwear 7a, 7b and at least one of either the acquisition means 16, the detection means 4 or the emission means 5 are integrated with the insole 13.
Further embodiments of the system 1 cannot however be ruled out, wherein the acquisition means 16 and the emission means 5 coincide with each other, as shown in
Preferably, in this embodiment the acquisition means 16 and the emission means 5 define a pair of electronic devices, each of which is mounted on a respective piece of footwear 7a, 7b and is configured to acquire at least one motor datum and emit at least one sensory stimulus.
In an additional embodiment of the system 1 shown in
Preferably, in this embodiment the detection means 4 and the emission means 5 define a single electronic device separate from the acquisition means 16, wearable by the subject 3 and configured to detect at least one FOG episode and emit at least one sensory stimulus.
In a further embodiment of the system 1 shown in
Advantageously, everything which has been described with respect to the detection means 4 is also believed to apply to the detection unit 15.
In other words, the detection unit 15 is configured to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode in the same manner as the detection means 4.
Furthermore, in this embodiment the detection means 4 are configured to verify the FOG episode detected by the detection unit 15 to confirm the occurrence thereof and to signal to the emission means 5 the detection of the FOG episode as a result of this confirmation.
In this way, the emission means 5 emit the sensory stimulus as a result of verification and subsequent confirmation of the occurrence of the FOG episode. This solution makes it possible to reduce the risk of detecting false FOG episodes by reducing the risk of emitting a sensory stimulus even in the absence of an FOG episode.
Preferably, in this embodiment, the acquisition means 16 comprise an acquisition assembly 2a, 2b mounted on a first piece of footwear 7a, and an acquisition assembly 2a, 2b mounted on a second piece of footwear 7b. Furthermore, the system 1 comprises a pair of detection units 15 mounted on respective pieces of footwear 7a, 7b to detect the occurrence of at least one FOG episode depending on at least the motor datum related to the footwear 7a, 7b on which they are mounted.
In this way, the detection means 4 are configured to verify at least one of at least one FOG episode detected by the detection unit 15 related to the first piece of footwear 7a and at least one FOG episode detected by the detection unit 15 related to the second piece of footwear 7b to confirm the occurrence of the FOG episode and to signal to the emission means 5 the detection thereof as a result of this confirmation.
This solution allows further reducing the risk of detection of false FOG episodes by reducing the risk of emitting a sensory stimulus even in the absence of an FOG episode.
According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in
Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b is associated with the outsole 14 and comprises at least one sensor device 6 of the type selected from the list comprising a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a position locator, a magnetometer, and at least one sensor device 6 of the type of a pressure transducer.
In addition, according to this embodiment, the emission means 5 are worn on the upper part of the body of the subject 3 starting from the waistline of the same.
Preferably, at least one of either the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b or the detection means 4 are integrated with the piece of footwear 7a, 7b. In this embodiment, the subject 3 wears at least one of either the acquisition assembly 2a, 2b or the detection means 4 when wearing the piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
Preferably, in this embodiment the emission means 5 are of the type of a single separate electronic device worn by the subject 3 and not mounted on the piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
Further embodiments of the system 1 obtained by combining one or more characteristics of the above described embodiments cannot however be ruled out.
The present invention also relates to a method for overcoming FOG episodes.
The method for overcoming FOG (Freezing of Gait) episodes comprises at least the phases of:
In particular, the detection phase comprises at least the steps of:
In addition, the detection phase comprises at least one ascertainment step of the movement of the subject adapted to check whether the latter is moving.
Advantageously, the ascertainment step is performed by means of at least one of the sensor devices 6, selected from a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a speedometer, a position locator and a magnetometer, and at least one sensor device 6 of the type of a pressure transducer.
Conveniently, the processing/provision phase of the predefined reference parameter processes/provides the predefined reference parameter depending on each type or each combination of types of motor characteristics taken into account to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
In particular, the attribution or derivation phase attributes or derives from a linear combination of a plurality of motor characteristics the attributed or derived reference parameter.
Conveniently, the processing step provides for the processing at least of a motor characteristic of the type of an instantaneous motor characteristic selected from the list comprising at least one of:
Conveniently, the processing step provides for the processing of a motor characteristic of the type of at least one variable motor characteristic, i.e., the variation of one of the instantaneous motor characteristics in different instants of time.
In particular, the step of attribution or derivation comprises at least one step of indication of one or more of the motor characteristics to which to attribute to or from which to derive the attributed or derived reference parameter.
Preferably, the phase of acquisition provides for the acquisition of at least one motor datum selected from the list comprising speed, acceleration, pressure and position.
Moreover, the phase of acquisition preferably provides for the acquisition of a plurality of motor data.
Advantageously, the method comprises a verification phase of the detection of the FOG episode to confirm the occurrence of the latter, the emission phase being carried out as a result of the confirmation of the occurrence of the detected FOG episode.
Conveniently, the acquisition phase comprises at least the steps of:
This measure allows determining with accuracy the state of motion of each piece of footwear 7a, 7b, in order to accurately detect the occurrence of an FOG episode, thus reducing the risk of detecting false FOG episodes.
Suitably, the detection phase comprises at least one detection step of at least one of:
Preferably, the detection phase involves detecting an FOG episode depending on the acquired motor data.
Advantageously, the detection phase comprises at least one step of processing of at least one motor datum acquired to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
Preferably, the detection phase comprises a step of processing of a plurality of acquired motor data to detect the occurrence of an FOG episode.
In fact, the increase in the amount of acquired and processed data allows precisely detecting the occurrence of an FOG episode, thus reducing the risk of detecting false FOG episodes.
Advantageously, the verification phase comprises the verification of at least one of a detected FOG episode with reference to the first piece of footwear 7a, 7b and at least one detected FOG episode with reference to the second piece of footwear 7a, 7b to confirm the occurrence of the FOG episode.
Furthermore, the emission phase is carried out as a result of the confirmation of at least one of a detected FOG episode with reference to the first piece of footwear 7a, 7b and a detected FOG episode with reference to the second piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
In particular, according to a possible embodiment of the method, the emission phase is carried out as a result of the confirmation of one of an FOG episode detected with reference to the first piece of footwear 7a, 7b and an FOG episode detected with reference to the second piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
However, according to a further embodiment of the method, the emission phase is carried out as the result of the confirmation of an FOG episode detected with reference to the first piece of footwear 7a, 7b and an FOG episode detected with reference to the second piece of footwear 7a, 7b.
It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended object.
In particular, the fact is underlined that employing detection means separate from the acquisition means allows simplifying and making more flexible the use of the system, thus increasing, moreover, the precision of detection of the FOG episodes.
In addition, this solution makes it possible to reduce the exposure of the detection means to shocks and vibrations.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102020000019825 | Aug 2020 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2021/057263 | 8/6/2021 | WO |
