Hypertonicity measuring device and method

Abstract

A hypertonicity measuring device comprises at least one wearable item. The hypertonicity measuring device comprises at least one communication pathway. The at least one communication pathway is configured to communicate with a processing device. The hypertonicity measuring device comprises a sensor array. The sensor array is disposed to the at least one wearable item. The sensor array comprises a plurality of capacitive pressure sensors. The sensor array is configured to communicate capacitive pressure sensor data to the processing device employing the at least one communication pathway. The plurality of capacitive pressure sensors comprises at least one structured dielectric. The hypertonicity measuring device comprises an inertial measurement unit. The inertial measurement unit is disposed to the at least one wearable item. The inertial measurement unit is configured to communicate motion data to the processing device employing the at least one communication pathway.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for estimating power, comprising:
 i. at least one wearable item;   ii. at least one communication pathway configured to communicate with a processing device;   iii. a sensor array, such that the sensor array is:
 1. disposed to the at least one wearable item; 
 2. comprises a plurality of pressure sensors, the plurality of pressure sensors comprising at least one structured dielectric; and 
 3. configured to communicate pressure sensor data to the processing device employing the at least one communication pathway; and 
   iv. an inertial measurement unit:
 1. disposed to the at least one wearable item; and 
 2. configured to communicate motion data to the processing device employing the at least one communication pathway; and 
 wherein the processing device is configured to estimate a power based, at least in part, on: 
   i. the pressure sensor data; and   ii. the motion data.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wearable item comprises at least one of the following:
 i. an article of clothing;   ii. a synthetic material; and   iii. a leather material.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing device comprises at least one of the following:
 i. a frequency division multiplexing circuit;   ii. a multiplexor;   iii. an analog to digital converter;   iv. an output device; and   v. a remote device.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of pressure sensors are configured as capacitive sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structured dielectric comprises at least one of the following structures:
 i. a honeycomb structure;   ii. a hemispherical structure;   iii. nano-needle structure; and   iv. a structure comprising a plurality of pillars.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor data comprises force measurements. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inertia measurement unit comprises at least one of the following:
 i. an accelerometer;   ii. a gyroscope; and   iii. a magnetometer.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion data comprises measurements of at least one of the following:
 i. at least one magnetic field;   ii. linear acceleration;   iii. angular acceleration;   iv. linear velocity; and   v. angular velocity.   
     
     
         9 . A method of employing a patient simulation device to calibrate a power estimating device, the power estimating device comprising at least one wearable item to be worn by an examiner, the method comprising:
 i. donning the at least one wearable item;   ii. employing the at least one wearable item to grasp at least a portion of an artificial limb of the patient simulation device;   iii. applying a force to the artificial limb employing the at least one wearable item; and   iv. computing a difference between estimated first and second forces:
 1 the first force based, at least in part, on:
 a. weight measurements communicated from a friction sensor associated with the patient simulation device; and 
 b. motion measurements communicated from a motion sensor associated with the patient simulation device; and 
 
 2. the second force based, at least in part, on:
 a. pressure sensor data communicated from a sensor array of the power estimating device; and 
 b. motion data communicated from an inertial measurement unit of the power estimating device. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising applying a force great enough to overcome the static friction of the patient simulation device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising altering a force estimation of the second force based on the difference.