174results about "Devices using mechanical vibrations" patented technology

Described herein are methods, devices and systems for inhibition of granulocyte activation by appropriate stimulation of the vagus nerve. Methods of treating granulocyte-mediated disorders (including inflammatory disorders) by stimulating the vagus nerve to inhibit granulocyte activation (particularly neutrophil activation) are also described. Appropriate stimulation may be very low levels of stimulation, including stimulation that does not result in desensitization. The level of granulocyte activation may be detected and used to at least partially control stimulation.

A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns. The controller optionally includes a communication port for interfacing with an external computer for purposes of optimizing and programming the controller. The wearable system is powered by a power source.

Methods, devices and systems for recovering motor control of an area in the body of a patient affected by a neurological disorder. A device vibrotactilely stimulates a substitute site for the affected area thereby recovering the motor control of the affected area. The stimulation provided by the device is volitionally controlled by the patient.

There is disclosed a process for motor learning, for teaching motion, or for rehabilitation of a student, the student having a motor sensory system. Plural transducers may be coupled around at least one joint of a student, the transducers for providing kinesthetic sensations to the student through its motor sensory system. Tactile control signals may be provided to control operation of the transducers to guide motions of the student.

Provided is a comfortable and discrete device wearable by a patient to restore balance and gait. The device re-establishes the sensorimotor loop by providing the patient with a secondary signal to healthy nerves around the knee to alert the patient that the patient's heel has just struck the ground. In this regard, the device monitors the patient's leg movements to detect when the patient's heel strikes the ground and sends the secondary signal, i.e., vibrotactile stimulation, in response to the detected heel strike. The central nervous system incorporates the new signal and the motor system responds as if there is not loss of sensation in the foot and returns to its normal gait.

In a drive circuit of a display apparatus in which a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines are orthogonalized, a first data latch circuit latches image data for every line in response to a horizontal signal. A decoder circuit decodes the latched image data. A gradation voltage selecting circuit selects voltage lines based on the decoded image data, to connect each of the plurality of data lines with any of the voltages lines. A data determining circuit generates determination signals based on the selected voltage lines such that each of a plurality of gradation amplifiers is selectively set to an inactive state based on the determination signal. A gradation amplifier circuit includes the plurality of gradation amplifiers, each of which amplifies a corresponding one of gradation voltages when being in an active state and does not amplify the corresponding gradation voltage when being in an inactive state, and the amplified gradation voltage being outputted on a corresponding one of the voltage lines. An output circuit drives the plurality of data lines based on the amplified gradation voltages on the voltage lines.

The invention discloses an electronic control circuit and oxygen supply equipment for relieving altitude stress. The electronic control circuit comprises an oxygen sensor arranged in an oxygen supply channel and a breathing frequency sensor arranged in front of the head of a human body, and further comprises a microcontroller, and a control button, a flow proportional electromagnet, a bypass electromagnet and an air pump motor which are connected with the microcontroller; simulation signals detected by the oxygen sensor and the breathing frequency sensor are transmitted to the microcontroller after analog-digital conversion; opening / closing signals of the control button are transmitted to the microcontroller; and the microcontroller is provided with a flow control end connected with the flow proportional electromagnet, a bypass control end connected with the bypass electromagnet and a pneumatic control end connected with the air pump motor. The electronic control circuit further comprises a vibration module electrically connected with the microcontroller. When the electronic control circuit detects unsmooth breathing or accelerated breathing of users, a flow control valve, an air pump and a bypass circuit valve can be automatically started to automatically provide oxygen with corresponding concentration so as to relieve the altitude stress possibly generated.

The standing step trainer is a device that allows a user to engage in movement that is similar to walking, although less strenuous. The standing step trainer assists users in raising their center of mass after it has been lowered via plantar flexion, ankle flexion, dorsiflexion, and knee flexion. Because users receive an assist in returning to an upright, neutral standing position, they are able to move on the standing step trainer for extended periods of time. This type of movement has been shown to provide myriad health benefits including an increase in the flow of nitric oxide throughout the blood. The methods of the present invention disclose using the standing step trainer to attain these and many other health benefits while working at a desk, watching television, attending class, or any other activity that has heretofore been done from a sitting or standing position.