Patents Assigned to Bertec Corporation
  • Patent number: 10342473
    Abstract: A method for measuring the gaze direction and postural sway of a subject is disclosed herein. The system generally includes an eye movement tracking device, a head position detection device, a postural sway detection device, and a data processing device operatively coupled to the eye movement tracking device, the head position detection device, and the postural sway detection device. During the execution of the method, the eye movement and/or eye position of the subject is measured using the eye movement tracking device, the position of the head of the subject is measured using the head position detection device, and the postural sway of the subject is measured using the postural sway detection device. A method for measuring the eye movement and/or eye position and postural sway of a subject during a balance test and/or a concussion screening test and a method for assessment of a subject are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes
  • Patent number: 10331324
    Abstract: A measurement and testing system is disclosed herein. The measurement and testing system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies; an input device configured to output a signal comprising input data indicative of which of the plurality of force measurement assemblies are to be combined with one another; and a data processing device operatively coupled to the input device and each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies, the data processing device is configured to receive the signal outputted by the input device and to form a virtual force measurement assembly comprising a subset of the plurality of force measurement assemblies based upon the input data of the signal. In one or more embodiments, the data processing device further is configured to combine a plurality of measurement signals with varying sampling rates into a single time-synced synthetic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Wilson, Necip Berme
  • Patent number: 10264964
    Abstract: An eye movement measurement device is disclosed herein. The eye movement measurement device includes at least one light source configured to illuminate one or more eyes of a user; at least one video-based sensor configured to detect low speed eye movements of the one or more eyes of the user and output one or more first signals based upon the detected low speed eye movements; at least one non-video-based sensor configured to detect high speed eye movements of the one or more eyes of the user and output one or more second signals based upon the detected high speed eye movements; and a data processing device operatively coupled to the light source, the video-based sensor, and the non-video-based sensor. The data processing device configured to calculate one or more eye movement output values for the one or more eyes of the user using the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Jan Jakub Ober
  • Patent number: 10231662
    Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, a visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the visual display device. In the one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a static force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device or a visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject. In one or more other embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a displaceable force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, David James Oravec, Aysun Gokoglu
  • Patent number: 10216262
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale
  • Patent number: 10117602
    Abstract: A balance and/or gait perturbation system is disclosed herein. The balance and/or gait perturbation system includes a balance and/or gait perturbation device, at least one visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices. The one or more data processing devices are operatively coupled to the balance and/or gait perturbation device and the at least one visual display device, the one or more data processing devices are configured to generate a stochastic signal for controlling a display parameter of one or more scenes on the output screen of the at least one visual display device, and the one or more data processing devices are further configured to display the one or more scenes on the output screen of the at least one visual display device using the stochastic signal such that the one or more scenes perturb a balance and/or gait of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Qian Wang
  • Patent number: 10085676
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies arranged in a loop configuration, the plurality of force measurement assemblies configured to be displaced around a continuous path of movement such that a particular one of the plurality of force measurement assemblies that is disposed underneath a subject varies over time. Each of the plurality of force measurement assemblies includes a top surface for receiving at least one portion of the body of the subject; and at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject. The force measurement system may additionally comprise a data processing device operatively coupled to each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 10010286
    Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, a visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the visual display device. In the one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a static force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device or a visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject. In one or more other embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a displaceable force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes
  • Patent number: 10010248
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring near point of convergence (NPC) and/or near point of accommodation (NPA) is disclosed herein. The instrument includes an instrument housing, at least one visual target viewable by the subject; a distance measuring device configured to emit one or more output signals that are representative of a distance between a measurement reference point of the instrument and a body surface of the subject spaced apart from the measurement reference point of the instrument; and a processing device operatively coupled to the distance measuring device, the processing device configured to receive the one or more output signals that are output by the distance measuring device and to calculate the distance between the measurement reference point of the instrument and the body surface of the subject using the one or more output signals. In one or more embodiments, the instrument further includes a camera and a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Shearer
  • Patent number: 9927312
    Abstract: A motion base for displacing a force measurement assembly is disclosed herein. The motion base includes a base assembly; a support structure configured to be coupled to the force measurement assembly; a rotatable coupling device, the rotatable coupling device rotatably coupling the support structure to the base assembly; and an actuation system, the actuation system including one or more actuators operatively coupled to the support structure, the one or more actuators configured to displace the support structure relative to the base assembly. In one or more embodiments, greater than 50% of the weight of the support structure is supported by the rotatable coupling device. Also, in one or more embodiments, the motion base may be used for displacing objects other than a force measurement assembly, such as for displacing a flight simulator or a virtual reality simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 9916011
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device having an output screen, the output screen comprising an overhanging top portion so that a top edge of the output screen is not readily visible to the subject; and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale
  • Patent number: 9854997
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies arranged in a loop configuration, the plurality of force measurement assemblies configured to be displaced around a continuous path of movement such that a particular one of the plurality of force measurement assemblies that is disposed underneath a subject varies over time. Each of the plurality of force measurement assemblies includes a top surface for receiving at least one portion of the body of the subject; and at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject. The force measurement system may additionally comprise a data processing device operatively coupled to each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman, Sasan Ghassab
  • Patent number: 9829311
    Abstract: A force measurement system that includes at least one force plate module is disclosed herein. The at least one force plate module has a plurality of force plate assemblies supported on a base component, each of the force plate assemblies includes a plate component having a top surface, the top surface of the plate component forming a force measurement surface for receiving at least one portion of a body of a subject; and at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of the one or more measured quantities, the plate component being supported on the at least one force transducer. The at least one force plate module is configured to be connected to one or more additional force plate modules so as to form a modular array of force plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Wilson, Necip Berme, Jan Jakub Ober
  • Patent number: 9814430
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring eye movement and/or eye position and postural sway of a subject is disclosed herein. The system generally includes an eye movement tracking device, a postural sway detection device, and a data processing device operatively coupled to the eye movement tracking device and the postural sway detection device. During the execution of the method, the eye movement and/or eye position of the subject is measured using the eye movement tracking device, and the postural sway of the subject is measured using the postural sway detection device. A method for determining a gaze direction of a subject during a balance test and/or concussion screening test, and a method for assessment of a medical condition of a subject are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Kamran Barin
  • Patent number: 9770203
    Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, at least one visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices configured to generate a screen image comprising a plurality of substantially concentric bands on the output screen of the at least one visual display device that is configured to create a visual stimuli for the subject disposed on the force measurement assembly. A method for testing a subject is also disclosed herein. The method for testing a subject utilizes reality-altering glasses that are used to perturb a visual input of a subject. Also, in one or more embodiments, the reality-altering glasses are used in conjunction with a force measurement assembly configured to receive the subject thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Lewis Michael Nashner
  • Patent number: 9763604
    Abstract: A balance and/or gait perturbation system is disclosed herein. The balance and/or gait perturbation system includes a balance and/or gait perturbation device and a data processing device. The balance and/or gait perturbation device includes one or more displaceable components configured to be displaced at a plurality of different positions, and having one or more surfaces for receiving one or more respective limbs of the person; and one or more first actuators coupled to the one or more displaceable components to adjust the displacement position of the one or more displaceable components. The data processing device is configured to generate a stochastic signal for introducing a perturbation to the one or more displaceable components, and to control the displacement position of the one or more displaceable components using the stochastic signal such that the one or more displaceable components perturb a balance and/or gait of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Qian Wang
  • Patent number: 9622686
    Abstract: A gait perturbation system and a method for testing and/or training using the gait perturbation system is disclosed herein. The gait perturbation system includes a gait perturbation device and a data processing device. The gait perturbation device includes one or more displaceable components configured to be displaced at a plurality of different speeds, and having one or more respective surfaces for receiving one or more respective limbs of a person; and one or more speed adjustment mechanisms coupled to the one or more displaceable components to adjust the speed set point at which the one or more displaceable components are displaced. The data processing device is configured to generate a signal for introducing a perturbation to the one or more displaceable components, and to control the speed set point of the one or more displaceable components such that the one or more displaceable components perturb a gait of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Jaswandi Tushar Pitale, Haluk Ay
  • Patent number: 9568382
    Abstract: A force measurement assembly with damping is disclosed herein. The force measurement assembly includes a force measurement surface for receiving at least one portion of a body of a subject; at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the force measurement surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject; at least one base member disposed underneath the at least one force transducer or forming a part of the at least one force transducer; and a damping member disposed between the at least one base member and a mounting surface on which the force measurement assembly is disposed. A force measurement system that includes the force measurement assembly with damping is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Benjamin Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9558399
    Abstract: A device configured to provide biofeedback on arm swing during walking, running, or other movement activities is disclosed herein. The device includes motion sensing means configured to sense the motion of an arm of a user during a movement activity and output one or more signals based upon the sensed arm motion; computational means configured to compute an arm swing angle of the arm of the user using the one or more signals outputted by the motion sensing means; and one or more signaling devices operatively coupled to the motion sensing means and computational means, the one or more signaling devices configured to emit one or more signals to the user that are based upon the computed arm swing angle of the user so as to provide biofeedback to the user regarding arm swing. The use of two devices, one on each arm of a user is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: John Joseph Jeka, Peter Igoche Agada
  • Patent number: 9526443
    Abstract: A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, at least one visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices configured to generate a screen image comprising a plurality of substantially concentric bands on the output screen of the at least one visual display device that is configured to create a visual stimuli for the subject disposed on the force measurement assembly. A plurality of methods for testing a subject is also disclosed herein. The methods for testing a subject utilize a force measurement assembly and/or augmented reality glasses. A measurement system including a motion detection system, an object position detection system, and/or an eye movement tracking device is additionally disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Scott Zerkle Barnes, Lewis Michael Nashner