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EP-4740840-A1 - ELASTOMER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH A WEARABLE DEVICE

EP4740840A1EP 4740840 A1EP4740840 A1EP 4740840A1EP-4740840-A1

Abstract

The application relates to an elastomer support assembly designed for integration with wearable devices to monitor back posture, particularly spinal position in real-time. The assembly includes an elastomer support with a circumferential groove, dividing it into two sections for secure attachment to a wearable device, such as a belt or garment. A detachable sensor within the elastomer support captures lower back movements. The assembly ensures consistent contact with the user's lumbar spine, even during dynamic activities, enhancing data accuracy. An electronic control unit processes sensor data, detects deviations from ergonomic thresholds, and provides feedback, such as haptic alerts.

Inventors

  • Everard, Eoin

Assignees

  • BackAware Belt Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241114

Claims (15)

  1. An elastomer support assembly (1) for use in connection with a wearable device (3) to monitor back posture, in particular real time spinal position, comprising: a. an elastomer support (5); b. a sensor (13) detachably integrated within the elastomer support (5); wherein the elastomer support (5) is attachable to the wearable device (3) and adhering directly to the lumbar spine of a user (37) when the wearable device (3) is worn by the user (37) for allowing sensors (13) to detect lower back movement of the user (37).
  2. The elastomer support (1) assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer support (5) comprises a circumferential groove (7), which divides the elastomer support (5) into a first and second support section (9, 11); wherein the elastomer support (5) is attachable to the wearable device (3) through an opening (15) that matches the groove (7), positioning the first support section (9) on an inner side and the second support section (11) on an outer side of the wearable device (3) with the first support section (9) adhering to the lumbar spine of a user when the wearable device (3) is worn by the user (37).
  3. The elastomer support (1) assembly according to claim 2, wherein the outer contour of the second support section (11) has smaller dimensions than that of the first section (9).
  4. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first support section (9) comprises a cavity (17) in which the sensor (13) is placed, the cavity (17) being accessible from the outside, allowing the sensor (13) to be connected to a wire (21) and allowing the sensor to be removed from the elastomer support (5).
  5. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic control unit (19) which is connected to the sensor (13) via a wire (21) to continuously transmit sensor data related to back posture of the user (37) in real-time.
  6. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (19) comprises a processor, a memory, a rechargeable battery and/or a data communication unit housed in a housing (23) attachable via attaching means to the wearable device (3).
  7. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sensor data includes spine position data of the user (37) and wherein the control unit (19) is configured to detect if the spine position of the user (37) exceeds predefined thresholds.
  8. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastomer support (5) is made of flexible materials including foam, rubber and/or silicone.
  9. The elastomer support assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (13) includes a flex sensor, a strain sensor, and any other position and displacement detection sensor.
  10. A wearable device (3) for use in connection with an elastomer support assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims for monitoring back posture, in particular real time spinal position, wherein the wearable device (3) comprises an opening (15) that matches a groove (7) of the elastomer support (5) of the elastomer support assembly (1).
  11. The wearable device (3) according to claim 10, comprising a belt, a garment or any other body-wearable apparatus.
  12. The wearable device (3) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein edge areas of the opening are reinforced either with reinforcement materials (29) or through processing techniques such as heat sealing, stitching, or adhesive bonding.
  13. The wearable device (3) according to claim 11, wherein the belt comprises different sections along the length of the belt which differ in material, thickness and/or width.
  14. A system (4) to monitor back posture, in particular real time spinal position, comprising: a. elastomer support assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-9; b. a wearable device (3) according to any of the preceding claims 10 - 13; wherein the elastomer support (5) is attached to the wearable device (3) through the opening (15), positioning the first support section (9) on an inner side and the second support section (11) on an outer side of the wearable device (3) with the first support section (9) adhering to the lumbar spine of a user (37) when the wearable device (3) is worn by the user (37) for allowing sensors (13) to detect lower back movement of the user (37).
  15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the elastomer support assembly (1) includes a control unit (19) enclosed in a housing (23) with a hook (27), the control unit being attached to the wearable device (3) via the hook (27) and connected to the sensor of the elastomer support assembly (1) through a wire (21).

Description

The present application relates to a back posture monitoring device and more particularly relates to an elastomer support assembly for use in connection with a wearable device for detecting lower back movement of a user. BACKGROUND It is well known that improper posture and exercise technique leads to muscular fatigue or more serious defects including disc herniations or repetitive stress injuries (RSI). Poor exercise technique and posture can have a detrimental effect on back health leading to issues such as bulging discs or low back pain. Devices which are designed to detect poor back posture and alert a user when such posture is detected are known in the art. Typically, such devices comprise a garment or belt, fitted with sensors that collect data on the back's parameters to indicate and monitor posture. A poor back posture or poor position of the spine, as disclosed herein, refers preferably to any deviation from its natural, ergonomic alignment, which may include excessive slouching, overextension, flexion, or misalignment that places undue stress on the spinal column. These poor positions can vary depending on the activity or situation. For instance, a poor spinal position while standing may differ significantly from one while sitting, performing squats, lifting weights, doing sit-ups, or practicing yoga. PRIOR ART Existing systems such as sensors embedded in garments or belts may not conform to the natural curvature of the lower back, specifically the lordotic region, leading to inaccurate detection of user's low back position or lumbar spine position. Such misalignment may result in inconsistent feedback, thereby reducing the reliability of the data gathered during motion in the lower back either when sitting, lifting or exercising. Existing systems often compensate for poor sensor attachment by increasing the sensitivity of the sensors to ensure some level of accuracy despite an inability to replicate the subtle movements of the lumbar spine. However, this increased sensitivity can result in false positives, where normal movements or slight shifts are interpreted as significant spinal misalignments. This issue exacerbates the unreliability of these systems, while providing users with incorrect feedback and potentially leading to unnecessary interventions or adjustments in posture when none are required. On the other hand, if the sensor in the garment does not stay connected to the lower back (Lumbar Spine), then subtle but important movements of the lower back may be missed. Therefore, it is necessary that the sensors stay in congruency with the lower back at all times and replicates the exact movements of the low back, however subtle. Belts and garments are often designed with one-size-fits-all solutions that do not account for individual anatomical differences, particularly in the lower back's lordotic curvature. Without a system that naturally adjusts to these variations, users with different body types may experience discomfort and ineffective sensor performance, as the sensor may not remain tight against the skin, further compromising data accuracy. Furthermore, a critical issue in existing systems is the risk of sensor detachment during motion. Belts and garments may become loose or shift position, especially during activities involving bending, twisting, or dynamic movement. An example of a back monitoring device is disclosed in US 2019/0333407 A1, which describes a system for providing tactile input for prompting a person to coordinate appropriate muscle contractions during some form of physical movement such as exercising. The system may comprise a belt bearing inwardly facing projections adapted to make contact with a user's skin. The user may then be prompted by sensory tactile feedback or by audible, visible, or vibratory outputs to facilitate proper contractions, timing, and sequencing of activities, as may be appropriate given the type of physical activity. In one embodiment, the system may include paraspinal muscle sensors that make contact with the paraspinal muscles on either side of the spine when the belt is worn. These sensors provide feedback regarding the stabilizing function and movement of the back. However, the disadvantage of this system is that it only captures muscle parameters and does not provide direct and precise feedback on the posture of the user's spine. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention was therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a back posture monitoring device that delivers direct data on spinal posture and in particular a reliable and improved sensor assembly integrated into a wearable device to ensure consistent positioning on the user's spine. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. In a first aspect, the application relates to an elastomer support assembly for