Treatment of Phantom Limb Syndrome and Other Sequelae of Physical Injury

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016263345-A1
Application number	US-201514658084-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 13, 2015
Priority date	Mar 13, 2014
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices that provide a therapeutic solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort of phantom limb syndrome are disclosed. The methods and systems of the present invention generally comprise capturing data from recording devices operably coupled to a processor and/or computing device, the recording devices configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb, one or more intact limbs and/or portions of the environment surrounding the missing limb, identifying the data captured, generating a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb and the surrounding environment from the data captured, and displaying the three-dimensional virtual image and the portions of the surrounding environment to the amputee such that the missing limb appears intact. The present invention advantageously provides a therapeutic and more immediate solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort from phantom limb syndrome.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of treating phantom limb syndrome in an amputee, the method comprising:
capturing data from a recording device operably coupled to a computing device and/or a display, the recording device configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb, one or more intact limbs and/or portions of an environment surrounding the missing limb; analyzing and/or identifying the data captured; generating a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb and the environment from the data captured; and displaying the three-dimensional virtual image and the environment to the amputee such that the missing limb appears intact.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the display is a flexible display, wearable augmented reality glasses, augmented reality contacts, an LED display, an auto-stereoscopic display, a hologram, or a projector and screen.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, decreasing the opacity of the three-dimensional virtual image over a period of time so that it appears to fade out.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising measuring nerve impulses and determining from the nerve impulses the period of time over which the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb fades out.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, altering the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb over a period of time so that it appears to shrink.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb to visual data from one or more databases to identify a personally identifying mark on the missing limb or intact limb(s).

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising incorporating the personally identifying mark on the missing limb into the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising removing the personally identifying mark on the intact limb from the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the three dimensional image is generated from data collected from media showing the amputee before the amputee had one or more limbs amputated.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intact limbs comprise at least two limbs from other people, and generating the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb comprises averaging the at least two limbs from other people.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
attaching electrodes above an amputation site or another site on the amputee's body, wherein the electrodes are configured to intercept electrical signals from the nerve endings above the amputation site; and moving the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb in real or near-real time based on an interpretation of the electrical signals.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
operably connecting one or more motion sensing devices to the display, the motion sensing device(s) configured to detect and recognize one or more gestures; and stimulating the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb such that the stimulation is transmitted to the amputee's brain and the amputee feels the stimulation.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising mapping and integrating virtual biologically-accurate and/or responsive nerve system data into the three-dimensional virtual image.

14 . A method of screening a prosthetic limb for an amputee, the method comprising:
operably coupling a recording device to a computing device and/or a display, the recording device configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb and one or more intact limbs; analyzing and/or identifying the data captured; generating a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb from the data captured; and determining the aesthetic properties of the prosthetic limb based on the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
attaching electrodes above an amputation site or another site on the amputee's body, wherein the electrodes are configured to intercept electrical signals from the nerve endings above the amputation site; moving the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb based on an interpretation of the electrical signals; and determining the dimensions and type of prosthetic based on the movement of the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising training the amputee on use of the prosthetic limb utilizing the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

17 . A device for treating phantom limb syndrome in an amputee, the devise comprising:
one or more recording devices configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb, one or more intact limbs and/or portions of an environment surrounding the missing limb; a processor and/or computing device operably coupled to the one or more recording devices and configured to analyze and/or identify the data captured; a display operably coupled to the processor, computing device and/or recording device(s), the display configured to generate and/or display a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb and portions of the environment surrounding the missing limb, such that the missing limb appears intact to the amputee.

18 . The device of claim 17 , further comprising an audio-feedback device configured to allow the amputee to hear one or more noises in response to contact with the three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb.

19 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the display is mounted on an adjustable table, platform or structure.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the recording device(s) comprise camera(s), and the camera(s) are rotatably and/or slidably mounted to the adjustable table, platform or structure.

Assignees

• Shuster Gary Stephen
• Shuster Brian Mark
• Curry Jr Charles Marion
• SHUSTER Dana Beth

Inventors

• Shuster Gary Stephen
• Shuster Brian Mark
• Curry Jr Charles Marion
• SHUSTER Dana Beth

Classifications

• A61N1/0456

  Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] · CPC title

• A61N1/36021

  for treatment of pain · CPC title

• A61M2021/0011

  in a subliminal way, i.e. below the threshold of sensation · CPC title

• A61M21/02 Primary

  for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021) · CPC title

• A61F2/72

  Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric · CPC title