Instrumented physiotherapeutic, ambulatory, and mobility vest to monitor and provide feedback to patients and caregivers

Abstract

Improved methods and systems are disclosed for a physiotherapeutic device that may enable correction and/or maintaining of postural stance for individuals. A method includes storing a plurality of data pairings in a database. Each pairing may represent an association between at least one sensor datum and a physical state. The method may further include receiving a transmitted sensor datum. The transmitted sensor datum may derive from a sensor that is associated with a garment and may be received at a facility remote to the garment. The method may also include searching the plurality of data pairings in the database for a physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum, sending an alert indicating the physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum, and making a posture support adjustment to the garment based at least in part on receipt of the alert.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting a physical state of an individual, comprising:
 storing a plurality of data pairings in a database, wherein each pairing represents an association between at least one sensor datum and a physical state;   receiving a transmitted sensor datum, wherein the transmitted sensor datum derives from a sensor that is associated with a garment, and is received at a facility remote to the garment;   searching the plurality of data pairings in the database for a physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum;   sending an alert indicating the physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum; and   making a posture support adjustment to the garment based at least in part on receipt of the alert.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical state is at least one of an inactivity, a fall, and a slouch of an individual's torso. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alert is transmitted to a processor associated with the garment and an action is taken at the garment based at least in part on the transmitted alert. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the action is an activation of a motor within the garment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the motor within the garment adjusts tensioners within the garment to adjust a posture of the individual wearing the garment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein making a posture adjustment comprises applying an adjustable force to torso and shoulders of the individual. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein making a posture adjustment comprises providing at least one shoulder of the individual with enough tension to maintain an upright position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the alert at an output device and providing and indication to the individual of the physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving feedback from the individual on the physical state. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the received feedback is used to indicate that the individual is not experiencing the physical state and wherein the received feedback is used to refine a model used to search for the physical state associated with the transmitted sensor datum. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the received feedback is used to confirm the physical state. 
     
     
         13 . A method of detecting a physical condition of an individual, comprising:
 storing a plurality of physiological threshold criteria in a database, wherein each criterion among the plurality represents a physiological threshold indicating an individual's physical state requiring medical attention;   monitoring sensor data derived from sensors associated with a garment;   receiving a transmitted physiological datum from the garment, wherein the transmitted physiological datum is received at a facility remote to the garment;   searching the plurality of physiological threshold criteria in the database for at least one physiological threshold indicating the individual's physical state requiring medical attention; and   sending a communication to a third party, wherein the communication includes at least an indication of the individual's physical state requiring medical attention and data relating to the individual wearing the garment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the criterion is a rate of respiration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the communication is sent to a caregiver associated with the individual wearing the garment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the caregiver is emergency medical services (EMS). 
     
     
         17 . A method of detecting a physical condition of an individual, comprising:
 monitoring sensor data derived from sensors affixed to a garment, wherein the sensors generate data indicative of a physical state of a garment's user;   receiving a sensor datum from the garment, wherein the sensor datum is received at a processor remote to the garment;   searching a plurality of physical states data stored in a database;   detecting at least one physical state associated with the received sensor datum;   sending a communication to the garment's user, wherein the communication includes a notice that the at least one physical state was detected and a request for the garment's user to confirm experiencing the detected at least one physical state; and   receiving a message from the garment's user confirming that the garment's user is experiencing the detected at least one physical state.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the received message does not confirm that the garment's user is experiencing the detected at least one physical state and indicates a correct physical state the garment's user is experiencing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the communication is sent to a mobile phone associated with the garment's user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising refining a model used for detecting the at least one physical state associated with the sensor datum based on the message from the garment's user.