Eureka AIR delivers breakthrough ideas for toughest innovation challenges, trusted by R&D personnel around the world.

Therapeutic knee exercise apparatus

a knee exercise and therapeutic technology, applied in the field of therapeutic knee exercise devices, can solve the problems of reducing the range of motion of the knee, requiring additional surgical procedures, and complicating the recovery process, so as to facilitate joint mobility and facilitate joint mobility

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-15
GREGERSON DIANE
View PDF9 Cites 10 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A first method for utilizing a therapeutic device of the present invention with a patient in a prone position on a horizontal surface includes the initial step of placing an adjustable strap about the patient's foot, approximately disposed within the arch of the patient's foot, and with the connecting strap extending towards the heel of the patient's foot. The tension strap, coupled to the connecting strap, is extended along the patient's leg and torso, and over the patient's shoulder, where it is held by the patient. The tension strap is pulled by the patient to assist in lifting the patient's foot and flexing the knee joint from a horizontal extended position to a desired angle of flexion, facilitating joint mobility. Tension is maintained on the tension strap as the patient's leg exerts a force to return the knee joint to the horizontal extended position, providing a muscle strengthening resistance. The cyclical processes is repeated as desired.
[0009] A second method for utilizing a therapeutic device of the present invention with a patient in a supine position on a horizontal surface includes the initial step of placing an adjustable strap about the patient's foot, approximately disposed within the arch of the patient's foot, and with the connecting strap extending towards the heel of the patient's foot. The tension strap, coupled to the connecting strap, is extended horizontally along the patient's leg and torso, and to at least the patient's waist, optionally behind the patient's shoulder, where it is held by the patient. The tension strap is pulled by the patient to slide the patient's heel along the horizontal surface, assisting in elevating and flexing the knee joint from a horizontal extended position to a desired angle of flexion, facilitating joint mobility. Tension is maintained on the tension strap as the patient's leg exerts a force to return the knee joint to the horizontal extended position, providing a muscle strengthening resistance. The cyclical processes is repeated as desired.

Problems solved by technology

The development of scar tissue and adhesion can be particularly painful, and can lead to a reduced range of motion for the knee joint over time, further complicating the recovery process, and potentially requiring additional surgical procedures to alleviate the condition.
Often, simply extending and flexing of the knee joint provides insufficient resistance to develop muscle tissue, and may not have sufficient range of motion without external aids to restore pre-surgical elasticity to the tendons.
However, the base member is a cumbersome component, and the device cannot be utilized with the patient in a prone position.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Therapeutic knee exercise apparatus
  • Therapeutic knee exercise apparatus
  • Therapeutic knee exercise apparatus

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0016] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.

[0017] Turing to FIG. 1, a therapeutic knee exercise device of the present invention for stretching (i.e., flexing) and strengthening (i.e. extending) the human knee is shown generally at 10. The therapeutic knee exercise device 10 provides an adjustable strap 12 adapted for fitment about the midpoint of the patient's foot. The adjustable strap 12 forms a closed loop, and may be adjusted for fitment about feet of different sizes, with or without shoes. Preferably, the adjustable strap 12 is formed from a single length of strapping material 14 having two ends 14a, 14b which are coupled together with a co...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A therapeutic device adapted for facilitating recovery of joint mobility and muscle strength follow knee joint surgery in a human patient and a method for use. The therapeutic device includes an adjustable strap adapted for fitment about the midpoint of the patient's foot. A connecting strap is coupled to an edge of the adjustable strap between a pair of spaced apart swiveling connections, and a tension strap is secured about the adjustable strap and extending substantially the length of the patient's body. During use, tension maintained in the tension strap against the patient's foot facilitates knee joint flexion and provides a resistive force against knee joint extension.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices utilized to facilitate recovery of joint mobility and muscle strength following joint surgery, and in particular, to a therapeutic knee exercise device adapted for facilitating recovery of joint mobility and muscle strength follow knee joint surgery in a human patient. [0004] Knee surgery, and particularly knee replacement surgery, is an invasive procedure which often requires cutting through skin, muscle, and tendons to provide a surgeon with access to the knee joint and associated supporting structures in the leg of a human patient. During the recovery period following knee surgery, it is necessary to repeatedly exercise the knee joint to restore tendon elasticity, muscle tone, and joint flexibility, as well as to prevent or limit the development of sc...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): A61H1/02A63B21/02A63B23/04
CPCA61H1/024A63B23/0494A63B21/143A63B21/4015
Inventor GREGERSON, DIANE
Owner GREGERSON DIANE
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Eureka Blog
Learn More
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic, Popular Technical Reports.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap|About US| Contact US: help@patsnap.com