Abstract:
A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.
Abstract:
A system and method of providing bi-level CPAP therapy is provided that incorporates an infrared carbon-dioxide sensor (124) to determine whether a patient is inhaling or exhaling. Patient exhalation causes the infrared light to be absorbed, while patient inhalation reduces the presence of carbon-dioxide causes little or no absorption of carbon-dioxide. The level of carbon-dioxide in an associated patient breathing interface is monitored for thresholds that trigger higher CPAP pressure upon inhalation and lower CPAP pressure upon exhalation.
Abstract:
A power wheelchair is provided having opposing drive wheels wherein the axles of the drive wheels are coupled directly to the rotor of drive motors. These motors are brushless motors, wherein each has a brake located within the motor housing which acts directly on the rotor. The brake is a fail-safe brake since it is in a non-engaged position when activated. In another embodiment of the invention, permanent magnet rings of the motor have been magnetized so as to generate a trapezoidal wave function corresponding to the relative displacement of the rotor to the stator. This wave function is used by a microprocessor to independently control the two opposing drive wheels which may be rear drive wheels, mid-drive wheels or front drive wheels.
Abstract:
An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise. The multiple pistons of the compressor can either all rotate at one RPM or in an alternative embodiment, at least a first piston can rotate at a higher RPM than any remaining pistons. Desirably, at least the initial piston of the alternative embodiment is driven by one drive shaft source with one or more other remaining pistons being driven by a second drive shaft.
Abstract:
A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of- turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a, manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-tum sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated tum rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.
Abstract:
A portable oxygen supply for home use may include an electrolyzer for generating oxygen from water in response to electric power input, and a fuel cell electrically connected with the electrolyzer for providing electric pow er to the electrolyzer. A method of providing oxygen for home use may include t he steps of generating electricity in a fuel cell; providing electricity from t he fuel cell to an oxygen source to operate the oxygen source to produce oxygen ; and directing the oxygen from the oxygen source to a patient device.
Abstract:
A scooter has at least two drive wheels which are placed in alignment with o r forward a location on the scooter defined by the approximate location of the head and shoulders of a user of the scooter.The scooter may optionally have a plurality of pivot arms and pivot arm casters extending rearward of he scooter's frame for facilitating rearward stability of the scooter. The scooter may be powered by one or more motors coupled to one or more of the wheels.
Abstract:
A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedba ck sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational spe ed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelcha ir spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.
Abstract:
A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedba ck sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational spe ed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelcha ir spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.