INJURED LEG SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

An injured leg support device comprises of a platform 1 positioned on a fixed surface accommodated with a user and installed with a body 2 carved with a curved-shaped slot, the slot is developed to accommodate a user’s injured leg, a weight sensor positioned on the slot for detecting presence of the user’s leg on the slot, upon detection of the user’s leg, a microcontroller linked with the weight sensor activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on the body 2 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the user’s leg, respectively, for detecting dimensions of the user’s leg, an inflatable member equipped with the slot and paired with an air compressor, based on the detected dimensions of the user’s leg.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an injured leg support device that is capable of accommodating a user's injured leg by detecting presence of the user's leg in view of providing support to the user's injured leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] User face various difficulties with injured leg. In case if proper support is not provided to the injured leg then the chances of more damage in leg arises. So there is the need of the invention which provide the proper support to an injured leg of the user in order to provide comfort to the user's leg. If proper care is not provide to the injured leg then user face strain and muscular pain in an injured leg and chance of risk is enhance. Many devices are available which is capable to provide the support to an injured leg but lack in accommodating a user's injured leg by detecting presence of the user's leg in view of providing support to the user's injured leg.

[0003] Traditional methods which are used for leg support are braces, supporting sticks, shoes etc. but these methods not support an injured leg in proper manner. These existing traditional methods are lack in monitoring presence of the user's leg as means of providing support to the user's injured leg. So there is the need of the invention which is able to provide the solution of the problem and replace the traditional methods in order to provide comfort to the user's leg.

[0004] CN105476786A invention provides a leg support device, comprising a hanging ring and also comprising a left support assembly and a right support assembly. The left support assembly and the right support assembly are mounted at adjacent positions below the hanging ring and on two sides of a sickbed. The left support assembly and the right support assembly comprise thigh supports and shank supports. The thigh supports and the shank supports comprise supporting sleeves and vertical supporting racks. The supporting sleeves are mounted at the front of the vertical supporting racks. The leg support device enables a greatest reduction in fatigue feeling at the premise of not moving an affected leg on the hanging ring; a knee joint is between the thigh and the shank, thus the thigh supports and the shank supports are used; no influence on a fixation position of the affected leg can be ensured; support forces can be given to the thigh and shank according to specific conditions, relieving fatigue of the thigh and shank.

[0005] US6997891B1 A leg support system for transferring weight support from the ankle region of a leg to the upper portion of the calf just below the knee includes a weight-bearing support cuff and a pair of support members each having a foot portion positioned even or slightly lower than the natural position of the foot of the user.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed for leg support that is capable in providing the support to the injured leg. However, the existing devices are incapable of providing a means to accommodate a user's injured leg by monitoring presence of the user's leg as means of providing support to the user's injured leg. Additionally, these existing devices are lack in detecting height of the user in view of lifting/lowering the user's leg and fails to provide comfort to the user's leg.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of accommodating a user's injured leg by detecting presence of the user's leg in view of providing support to the user's injured leg.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to accommodate a user's injured leg by monitoring presence of the user's leg as means of providing support to the user's injured leg.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting height of the user in view of lifting/lowering the user's leg to provide comfort to the user's leg.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an injured leg support device that is capable of providing a means to accommodate a user's injured leg by monitoring presence of the user's leg as means of providing support to the user's injured leg.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an injured leg support device comprises of a platform positioned on a fixed surface accommodated with a user and installed with a body carved with a curved-shaped slot, the slot is developed to accommodate a user's injured leg, a weight sensor positioned on the slot for detecting presence of the user's leg on the slot, upon detection of the user's leg, a microcontroller linked with the weight sensor activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit mounted on the body and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the user's leg, respectively, for detecting dimensions of the user's leg, an inflatable member equipped with the slot and paired with an air compressor, based on the detected dimensions of the user's leg, the air compressor for inflating the member in view of securing the user's leg in the slot.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a pair of telescopically operated rods installed between the platform and body, the imaging unit detects height of the user, the rods to extend/retract in view of lifting/lowering the user's leg, a pair of motorized hinges configured between the rods and body for tilting the body to maintain an optimum angle of the body to provide comfort to the user's leg, an angle sensor is arranged with the body for detecting inclination angle of the body, a pressure sensor is configured with the member for detecting pressure applied by the member on the user's leg, a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an injured leg support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an injured leg support device that is capable of accommodating a user's injured leg by detecting presence of the user's leg in view of providing support to the user's injured leg.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an injured leg support device illustrated, comprising a platform 1 positioned on a fixed surface, the platform 1 installed with a body 2 and an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on the body 2.

[0023] The device disclosed herein, comprises of a platform 1 positioned on a fixed surface accommodated with a user and installed with a body 2 carved with a curved-shaped slot, wherein the slot is developed to accommodate a user's injured leg. Herein, a weight sensor positioned on the slot that is actuated an inbuilt microcontroller for detecting presence of the user's leg on the slot, wherein upon detection of the user's leg.

[0024] The weight sensor is typically a load cell or strain gauge sensor. The user exert a downward force to the weight sensor due to their weight. The weight sensor detects this force and converts it into an electrical signal, typically in the form of voltage variations. The raw electrical signal is weak and noisy. Therefore, it goes through signal conditioning circuitry to amplify, stabilize, and filter the signal. This conditioned signal is then sent to the microcontroller and the microcontroller continuously monitors the presence of the user's leg on the slot.

[0025] Based on the detected presence of the user's leg on the slot, the microcontroller activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on the body 2 for capturing multiple images of the user's leg for detecting dimensions of the user's leg. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 3 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the user's leg.

[0026] The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the imaging unit 3 is real-time images of the user's leg. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 3 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines dimensions of the user's leg.

[0027] Based on the detected dimensions of the user's leg, the microcontroller actuates an air compressor integrated with an inflatable member equipped with the slot for inflating the member in view of securing the user user's leg in the slot. The air compressor extracts the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air and which is further injected in the members. Further, the inflatable members are laminated of multiple thin polymeric films, when air is inserted in the inflatable member by means of air compressor, the films are puffed and the member becomes soft and that provides the comfort to the user.

[0028] Further, a pressure sensor is configured with the member that is actuated by the microcontroller for detecting pressure applied by the member on the user's leg. The pressure sensor contains a piezoelectric material, which generates a voltage in response to mechanical stress. When a pressure is applied by the member on the user's leg, it deforms the piezoelectric material. The pressure applied by the member on the user's leg causes the material to deform, creating a strain. This strain results in the generation of an electric charge across the material, producing a voltage signal proportional to the applied pressure. The generated voltage is typically very small so the signal is amplified to make it suitable for further processing.

[0029] Simultaneously, the microcontroller continuously monitors the data from the pressure sensor when the applied pressure on the user's leg matches a threshold pressure, the microcontroller terminates working of the air compressor to prevent any chances of discomfort to the user due to over-inflation of the member.

[0030] After securing the user's leg in the slot, the microcontroller actuates a pair of telescopically operated rods installed between the platform 1 and body 2 to extend/retract in view of lifting/lowering the user's leg. The telescopic rods as mentioned herein are powered by a pneumatic unit that utilizes compressed air to extend and retract the rods. The process begins with an air compressor which compresses atmospheric air to a higher pressure. The air cylinder of the pneumatic unit contains a piston that moves back and forth within the cylinder.

[0031] The cylinder is connected to one end of the telescopic rods. The piston is attached to the telescopically operated rods and its movement is controlled by the flow of compressed air. To extend the telescopic rods the piston activates the air valve to allow compressed air to flow into the chamber behind the piston. As the pressure increases in the chamber, the piston pushes the telescopic rods to the desired length for lifting/lowering the user's leg.

[0032] After lifting/lowering the user's leg, the microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized hinges configured between the rods and body 2 for tilting the body 2 to maintain an optimum angle of the body 2. The hinge joint consist of a pair of leaf that are connected with each other via a rod, wherein the rod is coupled with a motor that is interlinked with the microcontroller for tilting the body 2 to maintain an optimum angle of the body 2 to provide comfort to the user's leg.

[0033] At the same instant of time, the microcontroller activates an angle sensor is arranged with the body 2 for detecting inclination angle of the body 2. The angle sensor used herein is preferably an optical angle sensor that use light beams and optical detectors to measure changes in light reflection or transmission caused by the angle of the body 2. As the angle changes, the amount of light reflected or transmitted varies, allowing the sensor to calculate the angle. The angle sensor provides an output signal to the microcontroller that represents the detected angle of the body 2.

[0034] In case the detected angle recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller regulates working of the hinges for maintaining an optimum inclination angle of the body 2 to maintain an optimum blood flow rate in the user's leg. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates a temperature sensor is positioned on the body 2 for detecting temperature of surroundings.

[0035] The core component of the temperature sensor is the sensing element which may include but is not limited to thermistors, thermocouples, or resistance detectors. The sensing element detects temperature changes in the surroundings by altering its electrical properties. As the temperature increases and decreases, the resistance of the sensing element changes accordingly. The microcontroller continuously monitors the data from the temperature sensor and activates a Peltier unit configured with the member for maintaining an optimum temperature of the member to provide comfort to the user.

[0036] The Peltier unit is a thermoelectric cooler that uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat from one side of the unit to the other when an electrical current is passed. The Peltier unit consists of two semiconductor materials connected in a sandwich-like fashion. These materials are typically made of bismuth telluride and one side of the Peltier unit is called the hot side and the other is the cold side. When a direct current is applied to the Peltier unit, electrodes within the semiconductor material start moving from one side to the other. The Peltier effect occurs as a result of electron movement. When electrons flow from the cold side to the hot side, they carry heat with them. This leads to one side of the Peltier unit becoming colder, and the other side becoming hooter. This effect allows the Peltier unit to effectively transfer heat from one side to the other, creating a temperature gradient.

[0037] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery use a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0038] The present invention works well in following manner, where the propsoed device comprises of the platform 1 positioned on the fixed surface accommodated with the user carved with the curved-shaped slot, the slot is developed to accommodate the user's injured leg, the weight sensor positioned on the slot for detecting presence of the user's leg on the slot, upon detection of the user's leg, the microcontroller linked with the weight sensor activates the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 for capturing and processing multiple images of the user's leg, respectively, for detecting dimensions of the user's leg, the inflatable member, based on the detected dimensions of the user's leg, the air compressor for inflating the member in view of securing the user's leg in the slot. the pair of telescopically operated rods, the imaging unit 3 detects height of the user, the rods to extend/retract in view of lifting/lowering the user's leg, the pair of motorized hinges for tilting the body 2 to maintain the optimum angle of the body 2 to provide comfort to the user's leg, the angle sensor for detecting inclination angle of the body 2, the pressure sensor for detecting pressure applied by the member on the user's leg, the battery for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0039] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An injured leg support device, comprising:

i) a platform 1 positioned on a fixed surface accommodated with a user and installed with a body 2 carved with a curved-shaped slot, wherein said slot is developed to accommodate a user's injured leg;
ii) a weight sensor positioned on said slot for detecting presence of said user's leg on said slot, wherein upon detection of said user's leg, a microcontroller linked with said weight sensor activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on said body 2 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said user's leg, respectively, for detecting dimensions of said user's leg;
iii) an inflatable member equipped with said slot and paired with an air compressor, wherein based on said detected dimensions of said user's leg, said microcontroller actuates said air compressor for inflating said member in view of securing said user's leg in said slot; and
iv) a pair of telescopically operated rods installed between said platform 1 and body 2, wherein said microcontroller via said imaging unit 3 detects height of said user, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates said rods to extend/retract in view of lifting/lowering said user's leg, followed by actuation of a pair of motorized hinges configured between said rods and body 2 for tilting said body 2 to maintain an optimum angle of said body 2 to provide comfort to said user's leg.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle sensor is arranged with said body 2 for detecting inclination angle of said body 2, and in case said detected angle recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller regulates working of said hinges for maintaining an optimum inclination angle of said body 2 to maintain an optimum blood flow rate in said user's leg.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor is configured with said member for detecting pressure applied by said member on said user's leg, and as soon as said detected pressure matches a threshold pressure, said microcontroller terminates working of said air compressor to prevent any chances of discomfort to said user due to over-inflation of said member.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is positioned on said body 2 for detecting temperature of surroundings, in accordance to which said microcontroller activates a Peltier unit configured with said member for maintaining an optimum temperature of said member to provide comfort to said user.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated rods are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said rods.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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