Abstract: An automatic feedback and adjustment setup is integrally connected to a body joint support. The support may be of the flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid type. The support contains one or more inflatable/deflatable bladders, each bladder individually controlled by a hydraulic pump. Sensors embedded in the support monitor muscle activity (EMG) and transmit those electronic measurements to a microprocessor which processes the measurements according to one of a variety of prestored algorithms. The result of this processing is compared to preset minimum and maximum levels. The inflation level of each bladder is then automatically adjusted by activating the hydraulic pumps to keep the calculated level between these preset minimum and maximum. The combination of support, bladders, sensors, microprocessor, comparison device, and hydraulic pumps creates a closed-looped biofeedback system for controlling the degree of joint stress the person is experiencing while wearing the support.

Abstract: A microvalve incorporating the invention includes a valve plate with a planar base and an extending pedestal, the pedestal having an upper valve surface. The planar base is enclosed by a rim which creates a valve recess between the rim and the pedestal. A cover plate is sealed to the rim and includes an outlet which is sealed by engagement with the valve surface of the pedestal. A support plate includes an enclosing rim that is sealed to a lower surface of the valve plate and creates a reference pressure enclosure. Both the support plate and valve plate are comprised of semiconductor material. A substrate is sealed to a lower surface of the support plate and creates a pressure recess between the substrate and the lower surface. A pump feeds a compressible fluid into both the valve recess and the pressure recess via a reference control subvalve positioned in a pathway between the reference pressure enclosure and the pressure recess.

Abstract: A device comprising a system of switches and sensors placed inside a person's footgear which send positional information through wireless telemetry from a transmitter to a receiver. This positional information is entered into a computer and processed according to prestored algorithms, yielding a non-dimensional ambulation index. This invention also comprises a method for calculating the non-dimensional ambulation index.

Abstract: A device for supporting a human being comprises a superstructure defining a support surface in contact with a body part of a person and measurement componentry on the superstructure for periodically measuring a predetermined biomechanical parameter of the person's body part to determine a load distribution on the body part. The measurement componentry includes a fluid filled reservoir at the support surface and a pressure detector in operative engagement with fluid in the reservoir for monitoring changes in the pressure of the fluid, due, for example, to varying loads caused by physical activity. Control circuitry is operatively coupled to the pressure detector for monitoring and characterizing changes in pressure of the fluid over time.

Abstract: A device for supporting a human being comprises a superstructure defining a support surface in contact with a body part of a person and measurement componentry on the superstructure for periodically measuring a predetermined biomechanical parameter of the person's body part to determine a load distribution on the body part. The measurement componentry includes a fluid filled reservoir at the support surface and a pressure detector in operative engagement with fluid in the reservoir for monitoring changes in the pressure of the fluid, due, for example, to varying loads caused by physical activity. Circuitry is operatively coupled to the pressure detector for monitoring and characterizing changes in pressure of the fluid over time. Form control componentry is disposed on the superstructure and is operatively connected to the measurement componentry for automatically subjecting the support surface, in response to the determined load distribution, to forces tending to modify a contour of the support surface.