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WO1997019636A1 - Evaluation de l'equilibre - Google Patents

Evaluation de l'equilibre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997019636A1
WO1997019636A1 PCT/GB1996/002964 GB9602964W WO9719636A1 WO 1997019636 A1 WO1997019636 A1 WO 1997019636A1 GB 9602964 W GB9602964 W GB 9602964W WO 9719636 A1 WO9719636 A1 WO 9719636A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
platform
tubes
tube
balance performance
base plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1996/002964
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alan Wenman
Christopher Daughtery
Peter Maloy
Martin Stopps
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMS Sandland Manufacturing Services Ltd
Original Assignee
SMS Sandland Manufacturing Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SMS Sandland Manufacturing Services Ltd filed Critical SMS Sandland Manufacturing Services Ltd
Priority to EP96940038A priority Critical patent/EP0871399A1/fr
Priority to JP9520297A priority patent/JP2000501006A/ja
Publication of WO1997019636A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997019636A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/44—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for weighing persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/1036—Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for use in the assessment of balance performance, and to methods of assessing balance performance using preferred kinds of apparatus of this invention.
  • Physiotherapists and other clinical staff often have to treat patients having an impaired balance performance.
  • the enhancement of balance performance may assist in the recovery from an injury, in the treatment of various conditions, or to improve general performance for example of an athlete or gymnast.
  • a problem associated with the known forms of balance performance apparatus is that the platform tends to have a significant thickness.
  • a person having, for example, chronic joint disease may experience considerable difficulties lifting first one foot and then the other on to the platform.
  • the eyes of the person using the platform will then be at an unusual level, and even though that may be only 25 to 50mm higher than usual, that can itself affect balance performance.
  • the apparatus for assessing balance performance tends to be somewhat complex and so also expensive.
  • a processor for the output from the strain gauges or load cells also has to be relatively sophisticated, in order to produce a useful output in real time, and also to permit proper calibration of the platform.
  • apparatus for use in assisting the determination of balance performance, comprising a base plate, a platform overlying the base plate, a plurality of flexible tubes disposed between the base plate and platform with at least the major part of each tube being positioned within a respective area of the platform, each tube defining a closed volume and the tubes being connected to one or more differential pressure transducers in such a manner that the one or more transducers provide an electrical output dependent upon the relative air pressures in the tubes.
  • the first and second areas of the platform may be substantially rectangular and disposed immediately adjacent each other. Each area may carry suitable markings to indicate where a person should place his feet, when using the apparatus.
  • the platform defining the two areas may comprise a single substantially rigid sheet, in a preferred form of the apparatus, the first and second areas of the platform are respectively defined by two separate platform sections free to move independently of one another. In this case, a common flexible membrane may be disposed over both platform sections, that membrane carrying said markings.
  • the first and second tubes may be defined by a single length of tubing having its two ends connected to the transducer, that single length of tubing being closed - for example by clamping or folding - at a location part-way between its two ends, thereby to define the two tubes.
  • each transducer would be common to two different tubes and provide an electrical output dependent upon the pressure difference in those tubes.
  • three tubes with three differential pressure transducers may be employed generally in a circular configuration, or four tubes with four differential pressure transducers, in a generally rectangular configuration.
  • the platform may be divided into as many sections as there are tubes, with each platform section being separate from and free to move independently of the others, as has been described hereinbefore.
  • the apparatus of this invention may include processing means acting on the outputs of the or each pressure transducer, which processing means drives a display device indicative of the prevailing pressure difference or differences in the tubes.
  • a graphical display device may be employed, having a linear array of light sources.
  • the processing means may illuminate selected light sources to show the relative pressures and so the effective balance performance.
  • the processing means may perform a reset cycle prior to use of the apparatus to assess balance performance, and during the course of that reset cycle, any pressure imbalance with no load applied to the platform may be taken into account.
  • the display device may electronically provide a bias so that a zero-imbalance indication may be given when no load is applied to the platform, even if the pressures in the two (or more) tubes are unequal.
  • a method of determining balance performance using apparatus including processing means, as described above, in which method the processing means processes the electrical output from the or each differential pressure transducer and drives a graphical display device in real time to give a visual display of balance performance.
  • Such processing may apply correction factors as appropriate to the or each electrical output, having regard to the number of transducers, the arrangement of the tubes below the platform, whether the platform is in separate sections, and the way in which the apparatus is being used. For example, in the case where there are two tubes disposed below respective separate platform sections, a person may stand with each foot wholly on a respective section. In this case, in order to determine left-to-right balance performance, no correction factor need be applied to the output obtained from the transducer.
  • Such a platform may instead be used to determine front to back balance performance, in which case a person should stand with each foot bridging the two platforms. In this case, correct balance performance is obtained with one third of the total load in the ball area of a person's foot and two thirds in the heel area; the processing means may apply a suitable correction factor in order that the display device properly indicates balance performance for that use.
  • the processing means may be arranged to allow setting of a suitable full scale deflection for any given person. For example, and in the case of lef -to-right balance, that person may stand with no load on one foot, and then no load on the other foot. This will give maximum pressure differentials both to the left and to the right and thereafter the processing of the transducer output may be appropriately scaled in order to obtain a display of maximum use to the person.
  • the processing means may be able to assess balance performance in more than one direction, simultaneously.
  • the display device should appropriately be configured to allow a real time display of balance performance in all of the assessed directions simultaneously.
  • Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a plan view of a simple form of a first embodiment of apparatus of this invention
  • Figure 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a vertical section through an alternative form of the first embodiment;
  • Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates a complete apparatus as shown in Figure 3, including a display device;
  • Figure 5 shows use of the apparatus of Figure 4, in an alternative mode
  • Figure 6 further illustrates the alternative mode of use of the apparatus
  • Figure 7 is a plan view on a more complex form of apparatus forming a second embodiment of this invention.
  • Figure 8 diagrammatically illustrates a complete balance performance monitor using the apparatus of
  • FIG 9 diagrammatically illustrates a third embodiment of this invention.
  • a platform assembly for use in an overall balance performance monitor constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention comprises a base plate 10 and a platform 11 of substantially the same shape and dimensions as the base plate.
  • the platform 11 overlies the base plate, with two flexible tubes 12 and 13 disposed therebetween.
  • the tubes typically may be made of silicon rubber and are closed at their one ends 14 and 15 respectively.
  • the other ends of the tubes are connected to a common differential pressure transducer
  • FIG. 1 and 2 Here, the platform 11 is divided into two platform sections 18 and 19, with tube 12 lying below section 18 and tube 13 below section 19.
  • the space between the base plate 10 and platform 11 is filled with a resilient foam material
  • Figure 4 shows the platform assembly of Figure 3 incorporated in an overall balance performance monitor. It can be seen that the platform sections 18 and 19 each carry a foot marking, to assist a person in the proper placement of his feet.
  • the electrical output 17 from the transducer 16 is supplied to a processing unit
  • a graphical display device 22 including a linear array of light emitting diodes 23.
  • the LEDs 23 are contained within a double-headed arrow 24.
  • the processing unit 21 is arranged to perform a reset cycle before a person stands on the platform assembly. During this, the processing unit applies a suitable correction to the electrical output 17 such that with no load on either platform section 18 or 19, the central LED 25 is illuminated, irrespective of the actual pressure difference within the two tubes 12 and 13.
  • the processing unit determines the pressure difference which then prevails and illuminates the associated extreme LED in the display device; this process is repeated for the other platform section to set the full scale deflection in the other direction.
  • the display device 22 will, by appropriate illumination of the LEDs, give a real time display of actual balance performance.
  • Figure 5 illustrates essentially the same apparatus as has been described above with reference to Figure 4, except that the platform sections 18 and 19 carry markings for the user's feet at 90° to those markings shown in Figure 4. The user will then have his heels on platform section 19 and the balls and toes of his feet on platform section 18. Correct front-to- back balance is achieved when a person has two thirds of his total weight supported on his heels and one third on the balls of his feet, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, a zero-imbalance indication should be given when the load imposed on platform section 19 is twice the load imposed on platform section 18.
  • the processing unit 21 may appropriately apply a correction to the output 17, to achieve this.
  • Figures 7 and 8 show a more complex form of the apparatus described above.
  • the platform 30 is divided into four areas A, B, C and D, respective separate tubes 31, 32, 33 and 34 being disposed in each of those areas.
  • Four differential pressure transducers 35, 36, 37 and 38 are provided, each connected to two adjacent tubes. In this way, four electrical outputs are obtained and are supplied to the processing unit 39, which drives a display device 40 having two linear arrays 41 and 42 of LEDs.
  • the apparatus allows a simultaneous display of balance performance, in both the lef t-to- ⁇ ght and front-to- back senses.
  • the apparatus operates much as has been described above, especially in relation to the initialisation routines.
  • FIG. 9 Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated m Figure 9. This employs three tubes 45A, 45B and 45C arranged within a generally circular platform 46, with the tubes connected to three transducers 47.
  • a processing unit (not shown) operates on the outputs of those three transducers, to drive a suitable display.
  • This embodiment of the apparatus may be used for balance performance assessment, either for a person standing on the platform or for a person sitting on the platform.
  • the processing unit may include suitable software to allow sufficient analysis of the transducer outputs in order that a meaningful display of balance performance may be given. Such software may allow the analysis of lef t-to-right and front-to-back performance simultaneously, even though only three transducers provide outputs to the processing unit.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil et un procédé pour évaluer la capacité à garder l'équilibre. Cet appareil comprend une plate-forme (11) placée sur une plaque de base (10). Au moins deux tubes flexibles (12 et 13) sont placées entre la plaque de base (10) et la plate-forme (11). Au moins la majeure partie de chaque tube se trouve sous une zone définie respective A et B de la plate-forme. Chacun des tubes (12 et 13) est fermé et relié à un ou plusieurs transducteurs de pression différentielle (16). La sortie électrique (17) de chaque transducteur dépend des pressions relavites dans les tubes (12, 13) auxquels il est relié. Les sorties électriques (17) sont analysées par une unité de traitement qui commande un affichage fournissant une information directe en temps réel à l'utilisateur de l'appareil, concernant sa capacité à garder l'équilibre.
PCT/GB1996/002964 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Evaluation de l'equilibre Ceased WO1997019636A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96940038A EP0871399A1 (fr) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Evaluation de l'equilibre
JP9520297A JP2000501006A (ja) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 平衡機能の評価

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9524358.0A GB9524358D0 (en) 1995-11-29 1995-11-29 Assessment of balance
GB9524358.0 1995-11-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997019636A1 true WO1997019636A1 (fr) 1997-06-05

Family

ID=10784608

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/002964 Ceased WO1997019636A1 (fr) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Evaluation de l'equilibre

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0871399A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2000501006A (fr)
GB (1) GB9524358D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997019636A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2781997A1 (fr) * 1998-08-04 2000-02-11 Gerard Louis Dispositif destine a mesurer des differences de poids et de dimensions d'un cote et de l'autre d'un corps humain afin de mettre en evidence un desequilibre
EP1573284A4 (fr) * 2002-12-02 2007-12-26 Conair Systeme de controle d'equilibre pour pese-personnes
WO2008067607A1 (fr) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Physiolog Products Pty Ltd Procédé et système de déduction de mesures

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2020528335A (ja) * 2017-07-28 2020-09-24 ペリメーター・セキュリティ・インダストリーズ・ピーティーワイ・リミテッド バランスを判定するための機器および方法

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3027761A (en) * 1959-12-15 1962-04-03 Stephen J Lauro Device to quantitatively determine the unbalance of a human body
US3974491A (en) * 1974-07-22 1976-08-10 Smithkline Corporation Load signaling device for a patient's foot
US4122840A (en) * 1976-06-01 1978-10-31 Yaesu Rehabili Co., Ltd. Apparatus for analyzing the balancing function of the human body
DE3631923A1 (de) * 1986-09-19 1988-03-31 Hanno Ernst Vorrichtung zum messen von druckkraeften
US5107854A (en) * 1989-05-19 1992-04-28 Boulder Impact Monitors, Inc. Orthopedic limb load monitor
WO1993021825A1 (fr) * 1992-04-25 1993-11-11 Sms Sandland Manufacturing Services Limited Dispositif pour evaluer la capacite a garder l'equilibre
WO1994001041A1 (fr) * 1992-07-01 1994-01-20 Goldman Robert J Capteur capacitif a bioreaction et a dielectrique de polyurethane resilient

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3027761A (en) * 1959-12-15 1962-04-03 Stephen J Lauro Device to quantitatively determine the unbalance of a human body
US3974491A (en) * 1974-07-22 1976-08-10 Smithkline Corporation Load signaling device for a patient's foot
US4122840A (en) * 1976-06-01 1978-10-31 Yaesu Rehabili Co., Ltd. Apparatus for analyzing the balancing function of the human body
DE3631923A1 (de) * 1986-09-19 1988-03-31 Hanno Ernst Vorrichtung zum messen von druckkraeften
US5107854A (en) * 1989-05-19 1992-04-28 Boulder Impact Monitors, Inc. Orthopedic limb load monitor
WO1993021825A1 (fr) * 1992-04-25 1993-11-11 Sms Sandland Manufacturing Services Limited Dispositif pour evaluer la capacite a garder l'equilibre
WO1994001041A1 (fr) * 1992-07-01 1994-01-20 Goldman Robert J Capteur capacitif a bioreaction et a dielectrique de polyurethane resilient

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2781997A1 (fr) * 1998-08-04 2000-02-11 Gerard Louis Dispositif destine a mesurer des differences de poids et de dimensions d'un cote et de l'autre d'un corps humain afin de mettre en evidence un desequilibre
EP1573284A4 (fr) * 2002-12-02 2007-12-26 Conair Systeme de controle d'equilibre pour pese-personnes
WO2008067607A1 (fr) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Physiolog Products Pty Ltd Procédé et système de déduction de mesures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0871399A1 (fr) 1998-10-21
JP2000501006A (ja) 2000-02-02
GB9524358D0 (en) 1996-01-31

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