A system for full-body muscle conditioning, and a method of conditioning a user's upper body, lower body, and core muscles using a full-body exercise system

Abstract

This application relates to a training device that typically assumes the user can walk or stand stably and maintain balance with fixed installations on the ground or wall. Most devices designed for the elderly / infirm provide muscle relaxation by setting a certain range of motion. However, when training becomes crucial for life extension, these devices are often too bulky or complex to be set up for use by the elderly. Therefore, we need a novel invention as shown in Figure 1A that is small, lightweight, low-cost, and portable. It includes an adjustable resistance function to gradually rebuild musculoskeletal strength. It uses a simple device to simulate walking movements, providing full-body exercise to restore the elderly's walking ability and reduce their dependence on wheelchairs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to a device and method for muscle rehabilitation and physical therapy. Specifically, the physical therapy device and method enable elderly patients or those recovering from injury to recover within their designated hospital room without leaving their bed or being transferred to another facility for physical therapy. This method allows patients or their authorized representatives to conduct self-training exercises under the appropriate guidance and guidance of a licensed physical therapist (PT) to accelerate the recovery of hospitalized patients. This method provides them with a new option focused on quickly regaining desired mobility. This method allows families and / or insurance companies to save money by shortening hospital stays and redirect excess resources to other patients with more complex needs. This method allows patients to choose to receive recovery care at home. This method allows patients to maintain their existing lifestyle and a higher quality of life. Prior Art

[0002] Walking is a unique modality that strengthens the muscles used for walking. However, elderly individuals using walkers for voluntary or supervised walking exercises often carry the risk of injury. Numerous in-bed training systems are currently available, which can be considered the gym brought to the bed. These include the mobile exercise program solution (Excy), which allows users to perform leg exercises using a wheel while lying down. This and other solutions are primarily installed in, on, or near the bed. Other common solutions, other than wheel training, use elastic bands to provide resistance training. However, these are either bulky, difficult to install, or both bulky and require installation procedures. There are also many training devices designed for seated use, but these also present size and installation challenges. Independent elderly individuals almost always require assistance to regain limb strength and walk independently. The strength lost during walking is difficult to recover, which is why astronauts require specialized treadmills for space travel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application is a training device that generally assumes that the user can walk or stand stably and maintain balance with fixed facilities installed on the ground or wall.

[0004] Most devices designed for the elderly or infirm are designed to relax their muscles by allowing them to move within a certain range of motion. However, when training is key to prolonging life, these devices are often too bulky or complex to be used by the elderly.

[0005] Therefore, a new invention, as shown in Figure 1A, is needed that is small, lightweight, low-cost, and portable. It can be operated in a risk-free environment and is completely independent. It includes an adjustable resistance function to gradually rebuild skeletal muscle strength. Using a simple device, it simulates the motion of walking, providing whole-body exercise (even individual limbs and core areas). This may be the best holistic training for maintaining health, restoring the elderly's ability to walk and breaking their dependence on wheelchairs. Simple diagram description

[0006] 1A to 1C are top views of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an exemplary device for personal training of non-disabled users. FIG2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a primary use case configuration of an exemplary method of a muscle training device for personal physical therapy, and a second use case in which a patient-user lies flat on a blanket or foam pad in an outdoor or park environment covered with soft, flat, grassy ground. Figure 3A shows the initial configuration of the muscle training device for an example method of personal physical therapy. Although all four sets of pistons can be used individually, it is recommended that they be operated in pairs on either side of the body. Figure 3B shows the paired piston movements alternating back and forth on the same side to complete the full training program. Implementation Method

[0007] The following detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the embodiments or their applications and uses. As used herein, the words "exemplary" or "illustrative" mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein is exemplary or illustrative and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0008] All embodiments described below are exemplary embodiments, intended to enable those skilled in the art to manufacture or use the embodiments based on the disclosed technical content. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is limited by the scope of the claims. For ease of explanation, the terms "first," "second," "left," "rear," "right," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and their derivatives in this patent specification are all related to the directions of the invention shown in Figure 1.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is not intended to be bound by any express or implied discussion of the prior art, background, summary, or the following detailed description. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as well as those described in the following specification, are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless expressly stated in the claims.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention shows a device 100 primarily designed to provide bedridden patients 148 with personalized muscle development training under the simple guidance of a designated, trained professional 146, enabling them to develop the limb support necessary for independent movement. The device 100 comprises connected main rods 102 and 104, each used to build strong skeletal muscles in the legs and arms. Separate cylinders / pistons 124 are provided on each side of the body, each with its own valve body 122, to train specific limbs. The lengths of the upper and lower halves of the device can be adjusted using knob bolts 108 to accommodate the patient's height. The device 100 is connected by double hinges 106 or elastic slots to allow for folding or bending. Each piston cylinder 110 is mounted on a main hinge rod 112, with the pistons for the upper limbs having a slightly larger offset 128. The adjustable resistance handle 132 is mounted directly on the end of the upper piston section, while the footrest "pedal 120," while connected to the top of the piston, slides along the side 118 of the lower piston barrel / cylinder 110. Optional components 138, 140, 142, and 144 are provided to secure the hinge rod to the foot of the bed for stability. The device 100 includes various "pedal 120" attachments for securing the foot, including lightweight, comfortable medical boots. However, it is recommended that the footrest include lightweight, strappy slippers located on the lower section of the assembly. The footrest assembly can be folded for convenient storage without taking up space. The device 100 is designed to allow simultaneous extension of the left arm and right leg, and vice versa, creating a paired, same-side movement. This ensures overall stability and offsets opposing forces, eliminating the need for device 100 to be mounted in a fixed location. The repetitive, alternating lateral movements (as shown in FIG. 3B ) somewhat simulate climbing and descending a ladder, and also include walking. The upper and lower halves of the main pole assembly provide bending motion at the double hinge 106, thereby training the patient's core muscles. Furthermore, as shown in the side view of FIG. 2 , abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are assisted by an external harness 234 with progressively spaced rings 236. The patient-user's hands can be moved from one ring 236 to the next, gradually "walking" toward their feet, gradually increasing or decreasing the contraction of their abdominal / core muscles. When not in use, the device 200 is designed to fold in half and stand upright next to a bed or against a wall until needed again.

[0011] Another advantage of the device 100 is that it is silent and unobtrusive, allowing users to simultaneously view an overhead / wall-mounted television screen while operating the device 100. This ability for individuals to self-train is an extension of shared physical therapy (PT) facilities, alleviating the need for specialized equipment. Patients can choose to self-train whenever and as frequently as they wish, resulting in greater results than in-person visits with a PT professional 146. This shortens the time it takes to achieve a high-quality life of independent mobility and reduces the length of institutional care stays, saving costs for their designated insurance company.

[0012] Therefore, the muscle training device 100 disclosed in the present invention offers a variety of benefits and advantages. First, bed rest is no longer a death sentence when it comes to extending life. Second, the device 100 has a very low carbon footprint. Furthermore, the device 100 is designed to be affordable even for the uninsured, can be given as a gift, and provides a way to control personal health outcomes with the active participation of caregivers and relatives, resulting in a win-win situation for all involved. The expected retail price is estimated to be between $100 and $250 USD in 2020 inflation-adjusted currency. Alternatively, a version of the device 100 can be designed to fit conveniently in a standard suitcase for easy transportation, and is available in various sizes, from "small" to "extra large." Another "smart" version of the device 100 includes an inductive charger coupled to the battery that transmits a signal to a smartphone "app"; the more frequently the device 100 is used, the higher the battery charge accumulates, which can be displayed on a small built-in LED display or in the "app".

[0013] In one embodiment, due to its light weight, the muscle training device 200 can be fixed to the foot end 250b of a hospital bed frame via a component 244 and adjusted at the connection 240 based on the size of the patient and / or bed. (However, the patient does not need to exert force on the bed frame or push against the headboard lifting portion 250a.) The device 100 includes:

[0014] A main rod 104 / section 204, which can be used to train using the upper half of the body alone;

[0015] A main rod 102 / section 202, which can be used to train using the lower half of the body alone;

[0016] The dual hinges 106, 206 or elastic grooves connect the upper and lower halves of the main body, allowing the device 100 to be folded and the upper half of the main body to bend relative to the lower half, thereby strengthening the core muscles of the patient-user.

[0017] By means of knob bolts 108, 208, the telescopic position of each main rod is determined;

[0018] Using two sets of main hinge rods 112 to the piston barrel / cylinder 110, 210 are mounted on both sides of the main rod;

[0019] Built-in pistons 114, 126, 214, 226 in each cylinder;

[0020] Install footrest extension assembly 116 / side 118, including straps (not shown), to install patient-user sized rubber slippers 220 (or lightweight slippers);

[0021] Utilize valve body 122,130,230 to adjust the air flow into the cylinder barrel / chamber;

[0022] Installing handles 132, 232 with independently adjustable resistance for each hand to strengthen the patient-user's hands, as they are needed to support the patient's walking stability when using a cane, walker, railing or wheelchair;

[0023] The connecting hinge 138 / 238 is located at the end of the lower section of the main rod of the device 100, and is used to install the optional connecting component 140 / 142 / 144, and can be fixed to the foot end 250b of the bed using fasteners (not shown).

[0024] On the other hand, a plurality of rings 236 are fixed to a sling 234 to provide the patient-user with a handhold to pull himself forward when doing abdominal muscle strengthening exercises.

[0025] One object of the present invention is to provide a device 100, 200 that can be lifted by an individual on the spot. Because the device 100, 200 is lightweight, the patient-user can lift it themselves once the entire device 100, 200 is fully assembled. Furthermore, the device 100, 200 is intended to be pre-assembled prior to sale / delivery. While other commercially available training devices 100, 200 are often too heavy or complex to be configured for use by the elderly, the components of the present device 100, 200 are designed to snap together or be positioned with minimal force, with or without the aid of tools.

[0026] Another goal is to provide individuals with hope for regaining mobility. Patients can choose to transform themselves and increase their lifespan. By eliciting positive emotions, a feedback loop can be established to accelerate the recovery of skeletal muscle strength.

[0027] Another purpose is to replace long periods of sitting or lying in bed with productive activities, using cardiovascular activity to bring about better appetite and metabolism, and through the effects of physical activity, the patient's gastrointestinal tract is trained, especially the leg muscles.

[0028] Another purpose is to enable patients to get adequate rest during sleep by enhancing metabolic activity. In the presence of comorbidities, regular personal activities can help improve the body's overall self-healing ability.

[0029] Another purpose is to indirectly strengthen the core muscles of the body during climbing exercise training. As the foot accessories position the patient's feet, the patient can be shown how to safely lean forward slightly in bed so that the rings 236 on the sling 234 can help them tighten their abdominal muscles along the long direction of the hinge rod.

[0030] Another goal is to achieve a better mind-body balance. Physical activity can stimulate cognitive development. Better brain function can create a positive emotional feedback loop and fuel further physical activity. Consistent, regular exercise releases endorphins throughout the patient's system, potentially making exercise mildly addictive. The personal habits established in the hospital setting can be carried over into home life and caregiving, resulting in truly life-changing outcomes. With greater awareness, the patient-user's quality of life can be improved. Therefore, we propose that the device 100 be named "Lifespanner," and the associated website be "www.thelifespanner.com."

[0031] However, another purpose is to alleviate the need for outside care in medically assisted living facilities and homes. The present invention has the potential to create / enhance a sense of peace of mind among the patient's family and / or circle of friends, encouraging family members to feel encouraged that the patient will be able to return to ambulatory status in the future.

[0032] Those familiar with physical rehabilitation technology will recognize that physical training opportunities are currently limited in hospital settings, and for safety reasons, wheelchairs are required. Without the present device 100, 200, muscle training related to walking must be performed under the supervision of others. It is possible or conceivable to allow patients to use the present device 100, 200 in their own bed in an unsupervised and safe environment. Expanding muscle training opportunities is essential; otherwise, hospitalization is like staying in a hotel with no treatment plan.

[0033] Those familiar with physical rehabilitation techniques will recognize that progress toward overall health improvement requires a certain level of patient effort. Most people underestimate the commitment of older adults to regain mobility simply because of their perceived advanced age—the expectation that their remaining years are limited, leading to a perceived lack of urgency. Therefore, if and when the path to self-mobility becomes more accessible, it would lead to a wider and more consistent outcome among the elderly population, creating a turning point that could stimulate faster healing. The aging populations of many countries urgently require solutions like this one to address the needs of this often marginalized population.

[0034] Anyone familiar with physical rehabilitation will recognize that devices used to assist, stabilize, or replace self-walking can lead to increased dependency and should be used in moderation. Furthermore, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs are often a slippery slope, leading older adults toward confinement and the gradual onset of physical decline and death. Without bone strength, the body's ability to maintain overall health is compromised, and the need for these assistive devices to counteract this tendency toward dependency cannot be underestimated. Reversing declining health is a significant undertaking, and never has it been easier than with this invention. Patent protection for this invention is as significant as granting millions of additional years of life, much like NASA's foresight in allowing astronauts to condition themselves in space to prepare for their eventual return to Earth. Therefore, whether in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or at home, we must provide older adults with a safe, new path to recover from temporary health setbacks and progress toward continued mobility and personal independence.

[0035] The device 100 is best used with the user / operator in a supine position. Crucially, the device 100 only requires the user / operator to hold their limbs in the air for a certain period of time. Therefore, the present invention proposes a simple limb motion input system that can be mapped in virtual space. When integrated with a video game environment, the elderly can watch themselves move upright using their virtual feet in an imaginary world. The provision of this device 100 addresses the aforementioned motivational and dependency reversal issues. Furthermore, the present invention provides a universal virtual reality solution that allows any able-bodied person to perform natural and independent movements in a computer-generated space. Specifically, by capturing foot / leg movements that are not anchored to the ground, the problem of walking into furniture or walls is naturally solved. In our preferred use case, the elderly can simply swing their arms / legs diagonally in the air to indicate a change in virtual direction.

[0036] Since the preferred embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to numerous modifications, variations, and alterations in detail, all matters described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0037] 100, 200, 300: Device 102,104,302,304: Main rod 106,206,306:Double hinge 108,208,308: Knob bolt 110,210,310: piston barrel / cylinder 112,312: Main hinge rod 114,126,214,226,314,326: built-in piston 116,316: Extension components 118,318: Side 120,320: pedal 122,130,230,322,330: valve body 124,224,324: Cylinder / Piston 128,328: Piston offset 132,232,332: handle 138,140,142,144: Components 146: Professionals 148:Bedridden Patient 202,204: Section 220: Rubber slippers 234: suspenders 236: Rings 238:Connecting hinge 240: Connection 244: Parts 250a: lifting part 250b: foot of bed

Claims

1. A full-body muscle training system comprising: a longitudinal bar defining a main bar and including an upper body segment and a lower body segment, wherein the upper body segment terminates at an upper end point that is freely movable in space, and the lower body segment terminates at a lower end point that is also freely movable in space; a pair of upper body pneumatic piston assemblies mounted on the upper body segment and located on opposite sides of the longitudinal bar, extending parallel to the main bar, wherein each upper body pneumatic piston assembly includes: an upper cylinder housing fixed relative to the longitudinal bar, and an upper body piston axially displaceable relative to the upper cylinder housing, and having an adjustable valve to generate resistance during limb extension and / or limb retraction; a pair of lower body pneumatic piston assemblies mounted on the lower body segment and located on opposite sides of the longitudinal bar, extending parallel to the main bar, wherein each lower body pneumatic piston assembly includes: A lower body cylinder housing fixed relative to the longitudinal rod, and a lower body piston axially displaceable relative to the lower body cylinder housing, wherein the piston is provided with an adjustable valve to generate resistance during limb extension and / or limb retraction; wherein, The upper body pneumatic piston assembly and the lower body pneumatic piston assembly are structurally independent of each other, and their configuration allows the system to present four anatomically distinct resistance outputs corresponding to the user's upper and lower limbs.

2. The full-body muscle training system as claimed in claim 1 further includes a pair of pedal footwear assemblies, wherein each pedal footwear assembly is mechanically coupled to a corresponding lower body piston and configured to transmit forces generated by the user's foot to the axial displacement of the lower body piston.

3. The full-body muscle training system as claimed in claim 1 further includes a pair of grips, wherein each grip is mechanically coupled to a corresponding upper body piston and configured to transmit forces generated by the user's hand or arm to the axial displacement of the upper body piston.

4. The full-body muscle training system as described in claim 1, wherein, Each upper body pneumatic piston assembly and each lower body pneumatic piston assembly are configured to operate independently, so that resistance applied to one limb does not mechanically require the other limb to bear resistance at the same time.

5. The full-body muscle training system as described in claim 1, wherein, The longitudinal member can be selectively anchored to the footrest of the user's bed frame and is located at the far end of the lower body section.

6. The full-body muscle training system as described in claim 1, wherein, The longitudinal member comprises multiple longitudinally aligned segments that are detachably coupled to each other. One or more of these segments may be telescopic to allow adjustment of the overall length of the longitudinal member and to better fit the user's body shape.

7. The full-body muscle training system as described in claim 1, wherein, The upper body and the lower body are connected by a pair of hinges that allow the upper body and the lower body to fold flat together.

8. The full-body muscle training system as described in claim 1, wherein, The upper body pneumatic piston assemblies and the lower body pneumatic piston assemblies are symmetrically arranged with the main rod as a reference, so that the resistance is balanced between the anatomically opposite paired limbs.

9. A method for training a user's upper body, lower body, and core muscles using a full-body muscle training system, comprising: positioning a longitudinal bar having an upper body segment and a lower body segment beside the user; engaging the user's feet with a pair of pedal shoe assemblies, the pedal shoe assemblies being mechanically coupled to a pair of lower body pneumatic piston assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the longitudinal bar; applying lower body force through each pedal shoe assembly, causing the lower body piston of each corresponding lower body pneumatic piston assembly to undergo axial displacement relative to a lower body cylinder housing, while simultaneously generating limb resistance; engaging the user's hands or arms with a pair of grips, the grips being mechanically coupled to a pair of upper body pneumatic piston assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the longitudinal bar; By applying upper body force through each grip, at least one upper body piston of the upper body pneumatic piston assembly is axially displaced relative to a corresponding upper body cylinder housing, generating resistance; and the force is transmitted between the upper body pneumatic piston assembly and the lower body pneumatic piston assembly via the longitudinal rod, so that the user can exercise the upper body, lower body and core muscles simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprises independently actuating a left upper body pneumatic piston assembly or a right upper body pneumatic piston assembly of the upper body pneumatic piston assemblies, and independently actuating a left lower body pneumatic piston assembly or a right lower body pneumatic piston assembly of the lower body pneumatic piston assemblies, such that the extension or retraction of the upper body pistons and the lower body pistons do not need to be synchronized.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising coordinating the axial displacement of at least one upper body piston with the axial displacement of at least one lower body piston to form a climbing movement pattern and alternately applying resistance between anatomically diagonally positioned limbs.

12. The method as described in claim 9, wherein, Positioning the longitudinal member beside the user involves supporting the user in a supine position (where the influence of gravity along the length of the user's body is minimized) relative to the longitudinal member, and performing the method when the longitudinal member is supported by the bed frame.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprises using a strap having a plurality of hand loops disposed at intervals along the longitudinal member, and applying tension through the strap while applying force through the lower body pneumatic piston assembly to exercise the core muscle groups.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprises, before applying upper and lower body forces, selecting and assembling a plurality of rod segments to establish a rod length corresponding to the user's anatomy, wherein one or more of such rod segments may be telescopic to allow adjustment of the overall length of the longitudinal rod.

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