| Human motor control device and methods -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Human motor control device and methodsUSPTO Application #: 20060005296Title: Human motor control device and methods Abstract: Devices and methods of use for providing somatosensory stimulation are disclosed, and are useful for increasing motor control of wearers having certain dysfunctions, e.g., autism. One embodiment of the present invention includes a pliable pressure member adapted to receive a digit. The pressure member has at least one flap extending therefrom, the flap adapted to conform the pressure member to a base of the digit and to secure the pressure member to the digit. The flap can be tensioned and coupled to a cuff worn by a wearer, thus providing a continuous pressure to the base of the digit and/or intermetacarpal areas therebetween. The device can be effective to alter motor control by providing increased sensory input to the joint, nerves or tendons in proximity to the pliable pressure member for treatment of motor control dysfunction. (end of abstract) Agent: Law Office Of David D. Nielson - Quincy, MA, US Inventor: John Moore USPTO Applicaton #: 20060005296 - Class: 002159000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Gloves The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060005296. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/585,991, entitled "Human Motor Control Device and Methods," by John Moore, filed Jul. 7, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for providing somatosensory stimulation, and in particular, for treating motor control dysfunction by providing increased sensory input to wearers of the devices for altering motor control. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Human motor control dysfunctions include neurological disorder such as autism and autism spectrum disorders, and neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy. Both neurological and neuromuscular disorders can be defined, generally, as deficits in the brain's ability to process sensory information from, for example, proprioceptive, tactile and vestibular inputs. Various conditions can cause these disorders including pre-mature birth, neo-natal trauma, neuralgic insult (e.g., stroke), and/or genetics. They can affect movement of limbs and extremities, and can cause difficulty or inability to control limb positioning whether at rest or in active motion. [0004] Proprioceptive input relates to a correlation of unconscious sensations from the skin and joints that allows conscious appreciation of the position of the body. A proprioceptive input disorder causes a person to improperly perceive or process information through the muscles, connecting tissue, skin, and joints. Clumsiness, difficult in sitting or standing without support, and lack of confidence are common symptoms. [0005] The tactile sense interprets applied stimuli such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature through tactile receptors found throughout skin. Tactile deficit disorders can cause the brain to erroneously decrease tactile sense causing a person to be overly rowdy, physical or clingy. Conversely, if the brain erroneously increases tactile sense, the person may show tendencies of tactile defensiveness. Tactile sense disorders can affect learning, body awareness, and space/time positioning, as well as visual perception, motor planning, and social participation. [0006] The vestibular system provides space/time positioning information, e.g., up/down directions, balance and coordination. Vestibular system disorder can affect muscle coordination for balancing, motor planning, vision and/or emotional security. [0007] Thus, human motor control dysfunctions can affect daily living in such areas of maintaining body balance, processing tasks involving muscle control, and one's social ability and overall outlook. In particular, one human motor control disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, is a form of neurological disorder and can range from autism to a form known as Asperger's syndrome. [0008] People afflicted with an autism spectrum disorder are often afflicted with multiple stereotypical behaviors. For example, a person may present with constant hand flapping that does not allow or afford the opportunity to perform everyday functions, e.g., sitting, pointing, eating, catching and throwing a ball. With an autism spectrum disorder, the brain appears to be unable to process and organize the senses appropriately. [0009] Children afflicted with an autism spectrum disorder may be oblivious to extreme cold or pain. A child with an autism spectrum disorder may fall and break an arm, yet never cry. Another may strike his head against a wall and not wince, but conversely, a light touch may make the child scream with alarm. [0010] Sensory integration theory postulates that intervention through therapy can commonly provide enhanced sensory experience within the context of a meaningful, self-directed activity in order to elicit an adaptive behavior. The result is enhanced sensory integration and, in turn, enhanced learning and awareness of body position. [0011] In response, a variety of therapeutic intervention techniques have been employed for people with autism spectrum disorders. Physical and occupational therapists provide patients with various types of stimulation including tactile (touch/deep pressure), proprioceptive (spatial/body awareness at rest), kinesthetic (spatial/body awareness in motion), and vestibular (spatial/body awareness in space). [0012] One method of proprioceptive and tactile stimulation is repetitive deep pressure or deep touch pressure using weighted garments. For example, weighted gloves, vests, collars, and weighted quilts are available for creating deep pressure to wearers. Although the wearing of weighted garments is increasing in such treatment programs, the outcomes are largely anecdotal and few parameters exist to guide the use of such techniques. Furthermore, weighted garments are generally sized creating an expense and specialized fitting to properly apply the correct amount of pressure to the selected regions. [0013] But perhaps foremost, weighted garments do not provide targeted therapy inputs for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders and other neurological and/or neuromuscular disorders. [0014] Thus, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for providing desirable somatosensory inputs for the treatment of motor control dysfunction, including those afflicted with autism spectrum disorders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] Those needs and others are obtained by the present invention by a human motor control device having a pressure attachment that can provide a pressure on a wearer's digit, joint, ligament and/or tendon. The digit can be a finger, thumb or toe. The pressure attachment has a pliable pressure member that can receive a wearer's digit, and has flap that has a proximal end coupled to the pressure member, and a distal end having a fastener. The pressure member is disposed around the base of the wearer's digit and can provide a pressure thereon. The pressure creates an increased and organized somatosensory input assisting the wearer in motor control. [0016] A human motor control device can have a pressure attachment and a cuff that can be wrapped around a limb of the wearer. The limb can be a hand, forearm, foot, or ankle area. The pressure attachment is disposed on a digit, and the flap is tensioned and its distal end is fastened to the cuff. A plurality of pressure attachments can be applied to the wearer, each disposed around or near the same or different digits. The cuff and pressure attachment create a pressure on the wearer, and somatosensory input is increased and organized. [0017] A further cuff or cuffs can be disposed on the wearer's limb in proximity or adjacent to the first cuff, and can be coupled thereto. And thus, multiple cuffs can increase the area of the wearer to which pressure is applied creating a further increase and organization of somatosensory input. [0018] The cuff or cuffs can be disposed around the limb of a wearer and secured thereon using releasable means, e.g., flaps coupled to the cuff. The pressure attachment has a pliable pressure member that is disposed on or around a selected region of the wearer such as the wearer's digit, wrist or forearm. A flap coupled to the pliable pressure member can be tensioned and releasably coupled to the cuff. The tension is transmitted to the pliable pressure member creating a pressure between the pliable pressure member and the wearer. [0019] The pressure member can have an open center portion for receiving the digit of the wearer, and can be slid over the digit and disposed at or near the base of the digit. In one embodiment, the pressure member can be wrapped around the digit and fastened thereto via fasteners and/or flaps. In another embodiment, the pressure member can be pre-formed of a flexible material and can slide over the digit providing a stretch fit. [0020] A pressure attachment can provide pressure to intermetacarpal regions of the wearer. A pliable pressure member can have a plurality of open center portions, each adapted to slide over a digit and be disposed at or near the base of its respective digit. Pressure is applied to the pressure attachment via one or more flaps tensioned and coupled to a cuff, creating a pressure between the pressure member and the intermetacarpal region(s). The cuff, pressure member and flap can be combined into a unibody design, or can be separate elements. In any case or combination of the cuff, pressure member and flap, an increase and organization of somatosensory input is created assisting the wearer in motor control. [0021] Methods and devices are disclosed for providing somatosensory input to hands, wrists and/or forearm that can alter a wearer's motor control. The invention can be particularly useful for treating motor control dysfunctions such as autism spectrum disorders. Continue reading... Full patent description for Human motor control device and methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Human motor control device and methods patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Human motor control device and methods or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gloves with curved reliefs formed therein Next Patent Application: Bandana headwear with flexible headband, having options of reversibility, attachable visor, attached cap and 3-way visor Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Human motor control device and methods patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.95904 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
