FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to assistance of physically limited patients with communication with care givers and other devices in their environment, and more particularly relates to methods and systems for detecting intentional gestures of persons with physical disabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, patients in care facilities would use nurse call buttons and intercoms to summon assistance and would speak with the care provider upon arrival. Electronic tablets have been adapted with software interfaces to aid persons with interacting with electronic systems. Use of touch screen tablets with enlarged buttons and controls have been used successfully by person with motor skills albeit diminished.

While these patient touch screen tablets, and the like, have enjoyed much success over the years, many persons with more dramatic limitations have often been unable to interact with even these patient-adapted electronic computer systems. Voxello Inc. has developed the noddle system with a smart switch for accepting input from multiple sensors to provide augmentative and alternative patient communication. This noddle system has utilized sensors such as: 1) a microphone for picking up intentional tongue clicks, which can be adapted to even work with patients who are endotracheally intubated, 2) a touch sensor for tongue manipulation through a patient's cheek; and 3) a touch sensor placed on bedding to detect gross motor movements. Some systems have proposed using cameras for detection of eye movement, etc.

While systems have increased the number of patients who are able to effectively communicate and interact with caregivers and their environment, still many patients remain unable to perform the specific gestures detected by these sensors.

Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for detecting intentional patient gestures and utilizing the same in an effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to increase the number of patients who are capable of interacting with electronic computer and communication systems.

It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a sensor that is designed to detect intentional gestures which are defined by movement back and forth from a starting position along or about a particular axis.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a sensor with an ability to learn characteristics of a specific patient's gesture such as speed of a gesture and magnitude of movement.

It is yet another feature of the present invention to permit this sensor to be utilized at countless positions on the patient's body, depending upon the individual patient's abilities.

It is an advantage of the present invention to expand the scope of movements that can be recognized as intentional gestures.

The present invention is carried out in an environment of reduced physical constraints, in a sense that motions which are detected as intentional gestures are not directed in advance at a particular part of the body, instead utilizes the recognition that intentional gestures, irrespective of the body part involved, have certain similar characteristics.

Accordingly, the present invention is a method of detecting intentional gestures, comprising the steps of:

A method of improving operation of patient communication systems by persons with physical limitations, comprising the steps of:providing an inertial measurement unit (IMU)304configured to be coupled to a body portion of a human patient;moving said IMU304by moving said body portion;analyzing an electrical output of said IMU304which corresponds to a measurement of said step of moving said IMU304by moving said body portion;issuing a declaration that said step of moving said IMU304by moving said body portion was an intentional gesture based upon a determination that said electrical output represents a motion of said IMU304away from a starting location followed by a motion back toward said starting location; andusing said declaration to provide input into a patient communication system.

Additionally, the present invention is an improved system for detecting intentional patient gesture's comprising:

An intentional gesture detection system for providing input into a patient communication system, the intentional gesture detection system comprising:an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode210, with adhesive thereon coupled with a body part of a person with physical limitations;a sensor body202, coupled to said ECG electrode210;an inertial measurement unit (IMU)304, disposed in said sensor body202;said IMU304being configured to generate electronic output, representative of motion, when said body part is moved;a microcontroller302;a communication interface306electrically coupled between said IMU304and said microcontroller;a sensor wired interface204; coupled to said microcontroller302; andsaid microcontroller302being configured to issue a declaration on said sensor wired interface204in response to receipt of said electronic output which represents a motion of said IMU304away from a starting location followed by a motion back toward said starting position.

