Verdell Michael Banner
Engineering at 8 St, Vacherie, LA
License number
Louisiana EI.0013731
Issued Date
Jan 1, 1900
Category
Civil Engineer
Address
Address
1011 W 8Th St, Vacherie, LA 70090
Professional information
Biofeedback Activated Orthosis For Foot-Drop Rehabilitation
US Patent:
5112296, May 12, 1992
Filed:
Apr 30, 1991
Appl. No.:
7/693816
Inventors:
John Beard - Baton Rouge LA
Verdell M. Banner - Vacherie LA
Mushahid Khan - Houston TX
Norman J. Leonard - Baker LA
Verdell M. Banner - Vacherie LA
Mushahid Khan - Houston TX
Norman J. Leonard - Baker LA
Assignee:
The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge LA
International Classification:
A61F 500
US Classification:
602 28
Abstract:
A biofeedback activated orthosis for foot-drop rehabilitation is provided including a lifting mechanism, a control circuit, a muscle activity sensing mechanism, and an electrogoniometer. The lifting mechanism lifts a foot through the swing phase of a gait cycle by way of a drive motor mechanism which pulls a cable passing between a foot brace and a shin brace. The drive motor mechanism allows the cable to unwind upon heel-strike by way of a slip coupling. The drive motor mechanism is controlled by a control circuit which assimilates and processes an incoming electromyographic (EMG) signal from the muscle activity sensing mechanism detected by EMG electrodes placed on the skin above the dorsiflexor muscles of the user. The control circuit also processes a leg position information signal obtained by a radial resistor attached to a knee brace strapped to the knee for sensing the angular position of the lower leg. Activation of the drive motor mechanism will not occur until both processed signals exceed their respective threshold levels set in advance by the user.