WO2025158230A1

WO2025158230A1 - Electronic device for posture correction

Info

Publication number: WO2025158230A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/050284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ombretta PUCCI; Alessandro CASELLA; Luca CHERICONI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-01-22
Filing date: 2025-01-10
Publication date: 2025-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-22

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for posture correction, comprising an enclosure (1) configured to be wearable by a user and housing: an electrical power supply circuit (2); a generation circuit (3) powered by the power supply circuit (2) and configured to generate an electrical signal (S_E) having a waveform with an associated electrical frequency; and a transducer device (4) configured to convert the electrical signal (S_E)) into mechanical energy in the form of a sound wave (M_v) having an associated sound frequency dependent on said electrical frequency. Apparatus (10) is configured so that the sound wave (M_v)) transmitted to the user's skin when the apparatus is worn by the user is such as to stimulate skin receptors and facilitate selective decontraction of the muscular apparatus and rebalancing of the user's postural pattern.

Description

"Electronic device for posture correction."

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD.

The present invention relates to a user-wearable electronic apparatus that promotes posture correction.

STATE OF THE ART

Poor posture is a problem that can cause a great many ailments: from back, knee, ankle, foot, and shoulder pain to neck pain. Pains that start as muscular and turn over time, into real degenerative diseases such as discopathies, herniated protrusions, meniscal degeneration, joint degeneration and arthrosis.

The symptoms of poor posture are many and varied in the broad spectrum of joint and muscle pain that can lead to consequences that are difficult to live with in daily life: contractures, inflammation, stiffness, motor difficulties, back pain, and recurring headaches that depend on poor posture.

Various types of interventions are commonly used to correct postural defects: physiotherapy sometimes combined with tecartherapy, osteopathic interventions, and drug therapy prescribed by a physician.

In addition, there is a wearable electronic device that includes a chip that can record the posture assumed by a user, monitor the change in body angle, and signal the fact that the user is assuming an incorrect posture by means of a vibration; this vibration causes the individual to realize that he or she is in an incorrect posture so that he or she can correct it voluntarily, and it can also have a massage effect for a limited area of the back. A number of publications in the field of neurology useful for a full understanding of the present invention are noted:

[1] J. P. Roll et al. "Kinaesthetic role of muscle afferents in man, studied by tendon vibration and microneurography" Exp Brain Res 47, 177-190 (1982);

[2] Ribot-Ciscar, Vedel, J.P. et al, "Post-contraction changes in human muscle spindle resting discharge and stretch sensitivity," Exp Brain Res 86, 673-678 (1991);

[3] A. Fimiani "Global Functional Medicine®. Posture. Balance," Ermes Editions-2021;

[4] Olivier Felician et al, "The role of human left superior parietal lobule in body part localization," Annals of Neurology, 36 April , 2004;

[5] R. Roll et al, "Cutaneous afferents from human plantar sole contribute to body posture awareness," Neuroreport. 2002 Oct 28;13(15):1957-61;

[6] M. M. Wierzbicka et al. "Vibration-Induced Postural Posteffects"; Journal of Neurophysiology, Volume 79, Issue 1 Jan, 1998, Pages 1-499.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an electronic posture correction apparatus that is an alternative to known ones and that, in particular, is more efficient and does not necessarily require voluntary physical activity or particular behavior on the part of the user.

The present invention refers to an apparatus as defined by independent claim 1 and its particular embodiments as defined by dependent claims 2-10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is hereinafter described in detail, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows by example and by means of functional blocks a posture correction apparatus that can be worn by a user;

Figures 2A and 2B show two faces of a printed circuit board on which the electronic components of said apparatus are mounted;

Figure 3A shows an example of a first shell, part of a container of said apparatus;

Figure 3B shows an example of the realization of said apparatus where the first shell is associated with a second shell so as to form the container of the apparatus,

Figures 3C and 3D refer to the apparatus in Figure 3B under two different operating conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this description, similar or identical elements or components will be indicated in the figures with the same identifying symbol.

Figure 1 shows an example of an electronic apparatus 10 for posture correction and wearable by a user. Apparatus 10 includes a container 1 that houses a power supply circuit 2, a generation circuit 3, and a transducer device 4.

The power supply circuit 2 is such that it provides electrical power supply to the generation circuit 3 and the transducer device 4. According to a particular form of implementation, the power supply circuit 2 includes a input connector CNT for power supply from external source. For example, such a connector is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, type C, for a nominal voltage of 5V.

In addition, the power supply circuit 2 includes a battery BATT, preferably, a rechargeable type that can be connected to the input connector CNT.

According to an advantageous form of realization, a charging circuit RCH is provided between the rechargeable battery BATT and the input connector CNT, which, for example, is associated with a related charging protection circuit PTN, and allows the battery BATT to be recharged via the connector and the external source.

According to a particular form of implementation, the power supply circuit 2 also includes a charging bypass circuit BYPS that is configured to directly connect the generation circuit 3 to the input connector CNT during charging, excluding the battery BATT and the charging circuit RCH. In more detail, when the connector CNT is not connected to the external power source, the battery BATT supplies power to apparatus 10, when the connector CNT is connected to the battery this dedicated to charging and does not supply power.

For example, the battery BATT used is a 3.7 V battery (Lithium Polymer), the charging circuit RCH is a model TP4057 circuit, and the protection circuit is model DW06D. The charging bypass circuit BYPS uses, for example, components NTR2101 and 1N4148.

Generation circuit 3 is configured to generate a variable electrical signal SE according to a predetermined waveform and with which a relative electrical frequency f_e is associated.

According to a particular embodiment, generation circuit 3 includes a control device CTR and, in particular, also a power device PWD. The control device CTR is configured to generate an electrical drive signal SD that is variable, and that has a predetermined waveform with which a relative frequency fo is associated.

The driving electrical signal SD can be, for example, a square wave, a sine wave, a triangle wave or a sawtooth wave, with variable duty-cycle.

The power device PWD is configured to raise the power of the driving electric signal SD and provide the electric signal SE which has frequency fE dependent on that of the driving signal SD. According to an example, the frequency fE is equal to the frequency fo.

The control device CTR can be implemented by means of a microprocessor that operates both as a signal generator and as a controller of the entire apparatus 10. For example, such a microprocessor is model STM8S003.

The power device PWD is a power driver, for example, of the push-pull type. According to a particular form of realization, the power device is a push- pull made with BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor). For example, such a push- pull is realized with the commercially available BC807, BC817 and 1N4148 devices.

In addition, apparatus 10 includes a button BT or other user interface device, for the user to turn apparatus 10 on or off, connected to the control device CTR.

Apparatus 10 also advantageously includes an beacon LD (e.g., an LED, Light Emitting Diode) that is controlled by the control device CTR and configured to signal to the user that apparatus 10 is in operation or that apparatus 10 is off.

The transducer device 4 is configured to convert the electrical signal SE, received from the signal generation circuit 3, into mechanical energy in the form of a sound wave Mv. The sound wave MV has a sound frequency fv that is related to (e.g., identical to) that fE of the electrical signal SE.

Specifically, the transducer device 4 is a piezoelectric transducer to which the electrical signal SE (in the form of an electrical voltage) is applied. For example, a disk with two conductive foils separated from each other by an insulating layer (dielectric) can be used. By applying voltage SEIO the ends of these two foils, the disk tends to deform due to the absorption of electrical charges by the "capacitor effect." Taking advantage of this property, the piezoelectric disk 4 vibrates and transmits mechanical vibration Mv or equivalently a sound or acoustic wave (sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal periodic) with which a sound frequency fv is associated.

The sound frequency fvused is a value between 70.00 Hz and 100.00 Hz, or it is a multiple of a value in the range indicated. Preferably, values in the range of 70.00 kHz to 100.00 kHz are used, which correspond to sound waves that cannot be heard by human beings. For example, the maximum usable value of the sound frequency fv is 125 kHz.

The above-described components of apparatus 10 can be mounted on a printed circuit board 20 (PCB) in a manner, for example, corresponding to what is shown in Figures 2A and 2 B below, which show two opposite sides of the printed circuit board. The beacon LD is also mounted on the printed circuit board.

The above-described components of apparatus 10, for example, mounted on printed circuit board 20, are housed in container 1, for example, made of plastic, and exemplified in Figure 3. Figure 3A shows a first shell 5, part of container 1, equipped with an opening 6 from which part of the vibrationgenerating transducer 4 exits so that it can contact the user's skin. Figure 3B shows the first shell 5 coupled with a second shell 7 so as to form container 1. Figures 3C and 3D show apparatus 10 in the following two conditions, respectively: beacon LD on (apparatus 10 working) and beacon LD off (apparatus 10 off).

For example, the overall size of apparatus 10 is: length: 45 to 50 mm; width: 20 to 25 mm; height: 8 to 13 mm.

Apparatus 10 is of the wearable type by a user and can be worn, for example, as a bracelet, anklet, necklace, belt an insole, or otherwise. Apparatus 10 may also include includes a strap, ribbon, or other means of attachment or attachment to the human body.

Specifically, apparatus 10 is worn so that transducer 4 is in contact with the user's skin.

By operating apparatus 10, via the power button BT, the control device CTR generates the electrical drive signal SD with frequency fE that is supplied to the power device PWD. The power device PWD raises its level to generate the electrical signal SE with adequate power to drive the transducer 4 so that it generates the sound wave Mv of the desired intensity.

As already mentioned, the frequency fA of the sound wave Mv is dependent on the frequency fE (for example, it is identical to this) of the electrical signal SE and thus on, that fo of the driving signal SD.

Transducer 4 then generates sound wave Mv which through the user's skin is such as to stimulate skin receptors and facilitate selective decontraction of the muscular apparatus and rebalancing of the user's postural pattern.

In more detail, the user's nervous system senses this Mv sound wave through the skin and causes a decontraction of the muscular apparatus that leads to rebalancing the user's postural pattern.

The Applicant has experienced that apparatus 10 as soon as it is activated or after a few minutes of use involuntarily leads the user to assume a correct posture where the imbalance turns out to be muscular. This correct posture is maintained for as long as apparatus 10 is used, and becomes permanent after a time of fascial connective change.

In addition, the Applicant has experimentally observed that if the user uses apparatus 10 continuously, for a period that can vary, depending on the user, (for example, from a few hours to 15 months), the treated body acquires information about a correct postural pattern (involuntary extrapyramidal circuit), resulting in a change in the fascial system; a change that is consolidated in 15 months, (time for structural change of the fascia).

Therefore, even after cessation of the use of apparatus 10, the nervous system enforces the decontraction of the muscular apparatus allowing the user to maintain the correct postural pattern.

To summarize, the neuromiofascial system is a "proprioceptive chain " whose main actors are the skin mechanoreceptors and neuromuscular spindles, linked together by the myotatic reflex circuit and where following Sherrington's law, the contraction of antagonistic striated muscles defines the postural stance.

Simplifying, the following considerations apply to this neuromyofascial system:

1) the skin is the barcode of postural memory;

2) the extrinsic muscles of the eyes are the referents for skull alignment; they are controlled by the skin and whole-body skeletal and masticatory muscles; they regulate orientation;

3) visual, vestibular, skin and muscle sensory modalities are involved in postural control;

4) body schema regulates the mode of operation of agonist and antagonist muscles to regulate the upright station of the body;

5) proprioceptive information is derived from receptors distributed throughout the body. In particular, the representation of static and dynamic body geometry is largely based on muscle proprioceptive inputs that continue to inform the central nervous system about the position of each body part in relation to the others.

Note that for more efficient use of apparatus 10 it is particularly convenient for transducer 4 to be placed in contact with the skin near the user's hands, wrist, Achilles tendon, and feet, as these are areas rich in skin receptors.

In addition, note that apparatus 10 can be configured so that the sound wave Mv is not felt by the user either in the form of vibrations or in the form of audible sound, and thus the user is in no way disturbed by its use. In this regard, note that the LD beacon is advantageously employed to signal the fact that apparatus 10 is on.

The control device CTR receives indications from the connector CNT of the USB-C type about the power status of the system, namely, whether the system is powered by the battery BATT or the charging circuit RCH, and then makes correct decisions about power management.

Apparatus 10 can be associated with software (such as an APP and web app) that allows the user to process photos or videos of his or her person and receive feedback on the correctness of the posture assumed and thus evaluate the effects of using apparatus 10. In addition, intermediate evaluations can be made through software that demonstrates the changes caused by apparatus 10. In addition, this software is such that a customized program with exercises and videos, created ad hoc on the person's postural imbalances, resulting in improvements on muscle strength and elasticity that allow the effect of apparatus 10 to be expanded.

Apparatus 10 of the present invention is particularly advantageous in that, in contrast to known methods and devices, achieves posture correction permanently and without requiring specific physical activity or special attention to the posture assumed by the user.

Apparatus 10 enables the user to achieve correct biomechanics with relative release of permanently contracted muscles (postural contractures) and: increased elasticity, especially in head rotation and torso tilt, reduced energy expenditure of the system, smoother work of the muscle contraction and release mechanism, and decreased inflammation on the hinges of the body. This also produces an improvement in sports performance and faster recovery after performance, as well as a decrease in muscle pain at all levels. FIGURE NUMBER LEGEND

- container 1

- power supply circuit 2

- generation circuit 3 - transducer device!

- first shell 5

- opening 6

- second shell 7 - electronic apparatus 10

- input connector CNT

- battery BATT

- charging circuit RCH

- charging by-pass circuit BYPS - variable electrical signal SE

- control device CTR

- power device PWD

- electrical drive signal SD

- button BT - beacon LD

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for correcting posture, comprising: a container (1) configured to be wearable by a user and housing: a power supply circuit (2); a generation circuit (3) supplied by the power supply circuit (2) and configured to generate an electrical signal (SE) having a waveform with an associated electrical frequency; a transducer device (4) configured to convert the electrical signal (SE) into mechanical energy in the form of a sound wave (Mv) with an associated sound frequency dependent on this electrical frequency; in which: the apparatus (10) is configured in such a way that the sound wave (Mv) transmitted to the user's skin when the apparatus is worn by the user is such as to stimulate skin receptors and facilitate the selective de-contraction of the muscular apparatus and the rebalancing of the user's postural pattern.

2. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said sound frequency has a value between 70 Hz and 100 Hz, or is a multiple of a value between 70 Hz and 100 Hz.

3. Apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein said sound frequency has a value between 70.00 kHz and 100 kHz.

4. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said generation circuit (3) comprises: a control device (CTR) configured to generate an electrical drive signal (SD); a power device (PWD) connected to the control device (CTR) in order to raise the power of the electrical drive signal (SD) and provide this electrical signal (SE).

5. Apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein said control device (CTR) includes a microcontroller and/ or said power device (PWD) includes a push- pull power amplifier.

6. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said transducer device (4) includes a piezoelectric transducer.

7. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said power supply circuit (2) comprises: an input connector (CNT), a rechargeable electric battery (BATT), a battery charging circuit (RCH) connected to the input connector (CNT) and the electric battery (BATT); a protection circuit (PTC) connected to the charging circuit (RCH); a charging bypass circuit (BYPS) connecting the generation circuit (3) to the input connector (CNT).

8. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said electrical drive signal (SD) exhibits one of the following trends: square wave, sine wave, triangular wave sawtooth wave.

9. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said sound wave is a sine wave or is a non-sinusoidal periodic wave.

10. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to be wearable by the user as one of the following objects: bracelet, anklet, necklace, belt, insole.