Orthoses for joint rehabilitation

Abstract

Orthoses with microprocessor control placed around the joint of a patient are used to perform and to monitor isometric, range-of-motion, proprioception and isotonic exercises of the joint. A variety of improved hardware elements result in an orthosis that is easier to use and interacts more efficiently with the controller to allow the monitoring of a greater range of motions while holding down cost and provide suitable accurate evaluation of the exercises. Efficient ways of programming the exercises, monitoring the exercises and evaluating the exercise provide a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of an injured or weakened joint.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 382,433 to Stark et al., Now U.S. Pat. No. ______, entitled “ORTHOSES FOR JOINT REHABILITATION, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 098,779, entitled “ORTHOSES FOR JOINT REHABILITATION,” filed on Sep. 1, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to orthoses useful for the rehabilitation of injured and / or weakened joints. [0003] Both muscles and bones should be exercised to maintain strength. Also, bone fractures that are exposed to permissible weight bearing stress often heal more predictably and more rapidly than fractures that are not stressed at all. Improved healing based on application of appropriate stress is also believed to be true for connective tissue, such as ligaments and certain cartilage. [0004] Suitable stress can be applied to the tissue by the per...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is about an orthosis that helps patients with joint disorders to exercise and apply resistance to rotation of the joint. The orthosis has a first and second support portion that fit around the joint, with a hinge connecting them. A resistance applicator applies resistance to the hinge, and a strain sensor measures the force applied to the hinge. The resistance applicator can be calibrated to measure the force. The invention also includes a method for performing closed chain exercises and coordinating movements for neuromotor training. The instrumented exercise device includes an elastic cord and a transducer connected to the cord to measure the forces applied to the cord. The invention helps improve the rehabilitation process for joint disorder patients."

Problems solved by technology

A difficulty with application of stress to an injured joint include a risk of inappropriately timed or excessive stress.

This can impair healing and / or further injure the damaged tissues.

Moreover, the need to carefully plan and closely monitor the exercises provides a cost and motivation barrier to accessing desirable amounts of exercise.

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