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Gait training system using motion analysisGait training system using motion analysis description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070275830, Gait training system using motion analysis. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention relates to a gait training system using motion analysis, designed to perform consecutive motion analysis while a person to be measured is walking on a treadmill. [0003]2. Description of the Related Art [0004]Walking is a most efficient way to move that humans most frequently use. To treat those having difficulty in walking, motion analysis is an essential prerequisite. [0005]The motion analysis is carried out for the study of the movements of several body portions by using kinematic data, kinetic data and dynamic electromyography (EMG) data. To date, it has been a substantially unique motion analysis method that a doctor repeatedly examines with bare eyes walking behaviors of a musculo-skeletal patient. However, this method is impossible to objectively clarify various factors that might cause abnormal gait and changes in the abnormal gait. Accordingly, a motion analysis system with most advanced electronic and computer technologies integrated thereto has been demanded in order to acquire objective information associated with abnormal gait and thus enable correct treatment. Up to present, many hospitals and laboratories worldwide related with rehabilitation medicine, orthopedic medicine, sports medicine, industrial medicine and the like have been introducing and actively utilizing such systems. In addition, such systems are likely to spread more. [0006]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional motion analysis system. [0007]The conventional motion analysis system includes an infrared strobe, video cameras 101 to 103, a pressure sensing plate 111, other sensors attached to joints of a patient by which the movements of the joints can be detected, data analysis software and so on. [0008]The motion analysis system can analyze the gait of the patient in a photographing area of the cameras, in particular, at one point. However, as a basic problem, this system cannot be applied to a gait training process which needs to analyze and feed back walking behaviors of a user in real-time to correct the gait. In addition, a large amount of data is required to analyze gait information since gait is not performed at specific locations. A large amount of time is also necessary to process such data. [0009]Furthermore, since a motion analysis performed at one point does not ensure data reliability, a patient is required to walk repeatedly. This, however, results in problems such as a prolonged time period for the motion analysis, accumulated fatigue of the patient and a large measuring space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems of the prior art and therefore an object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a gait training system capable of measuring joint angle data of a patient in real-time and feeding the data back to the patient while the patient is walking, thereby enabling a gait training. [0011]Another object of the invention is to provide a gait training system capable of using a treadmill with a rotating rate adjustable in response to a walking rate so that a patient can repeatedly walk at the same location in order to repeatedly analyze walking behaviors. This system can also feed gait data back in real-time to the patient so that the patient can perform training according to the motion analysis. [0012]Further another object of the invention is to provide a gait training system of a relatively simple design, which can be installed in a relatively limited room, shorten a walking time of a patient, and afford real-time input data of motion analysis to the patient to perform gait training. [0013]According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, the invention provides a gait training system. The gait training system includes a treadmill including a belt rotatable by a roller of which a rotating rate is adjustable in response to a walking speed of a walker; measuring means for transferring signals associated with a movement of a body of the walker, the measuring means attached to the body; a control unit for analyzing a walking movement based on a data from the measuring means; and a display unit for displaying the data to the walker. [0014]Preferably, the measuring means may include at least one marker attached to a lower limb of the walker, the marker capable of capturing a motion; and a camera arranged adjacent to the treadmill to locate the marker in order to detect a walking movement of the walker on the treadmill. Alternatively, the measuring means may comprise an electric goniometer including a flexible bar capable of bending in response to a bending of a lower limb joint of the walker; and an attachment support for securing the flexible bar to a lower limb of the walker. As a further alternative, the measuring means may comprise a goniometer including a variable resistor with a resistance value varying according to an angle of a joint; and an attachment support for securing the variable resistor to a lower limb of the walker. [0015]Preferably, the treadmill may include at least one sensor arranged laterally of the belt, the sensor having piezoelectric devices arranged with a gap on an upper surface thereof. Here, the sensor may include a first sensor arranged in a front portion of the treadmill to detect an accelerated movement and a relocation of the walker; and a second sensor arranged in a rear portion of the treadmill to detect a decelerated movement and a relocation of the walker. Preferably, the treadmill may include a pair of piezoelectric plates arranged in a bottom surface thereof, which lower limbs of the walker touch, to measure a time that one of the lower limbs of the walker touches the bottom surface of the treadmill. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016]The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a gait training system using motion analysis according to the invention; [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the treadmill shown in FIG. 1; [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating further another embodiment of the treadmill shown in FIG. 1; [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the measuring means shown in FIG. 1; [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating further another embodiment of the measuring means shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Gait training system using motion analysis... 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