Device for treatment of patients with disturbed posture and motor activity

Abstract

A device for treatment of patients with disturbed posture and motor activity comprises shoulder, pelvic, knee, pedal, elbow, hand, and finger supports (1), all of them being interconnected by fixing elements, which are shaped as elastic tie-members (2) and placed on the surface of the patient's body in antagonistic pairs so as to follow anatomical arrangement of skeletal muscles. Each of the tie-members (2) is connected to two of the supports (1) and comprises an adjuster (3) of its tension, which is interposed between the tie-member (2) and one of the supports (1) through a lock (5).

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of Reissue application Ser. No. 10 / 410,956, filed on Apr. 09, 2003 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,922 issued on Apr. 10, 2001. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to devices for nonsurgical (conservation) treatment of the locomotor apparatus (locomotorium) in various neuropathies, and more specifically to a device for treatment of patients with disturbed posture and motor activity. [0004] The invention can find most utility when used for treatment of infantile cerebral paralysis. [0005] The invention is likewise applicable in cerebrovascular accidents involving motor disturbances and traumatic lesions of the spinal cord. [0006] Furthermore, the invention can be applied for correction of patient's posture (attitude), as well as for sports exercises. [0007] 2. Description of the Related Art [0008] At present the number of neuropathic patients suffering from af...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] It is an essential object of the present invention to provide a physiologically normal stereotype of posture and movements.

[0022] The present invention has for its principal object to provide a device for treatment of patients with disturbed posture and motor activity, wherein the fixing elements interconnecting the supports have such a construction that enables the patient's trunk and limbs to be fixed in a position approximating normal physiological parameters, while maintaining a possibility of performing energy-loaded movements by the patient, with the amplitude of said movements characteristic of a given patient.

[0026] Such an embodiment of the invention makes it possible to fix practically all the joints of patient's trunk and limbs in a preset position and enables patient to perform energy-loaded movements with amplitudes attainable by a given patient.

[0028] Provision of the tension adjusters in the device enables one to vary and individually select the force of action exerted by the tie-members on the musculoskeletal system, thus adding to the efficacy of treatment.

[0029] Use of the proposed device makes it possible to utilize functional (active) correlation of the pathological positions of the trunk and limbs instead of static (passive) corrections thereof, rearrange the previous pathelogic stereotype of the posture and movements in the central and peripheral nervous systems, potentiate destruction of the old pathological complex of reflexes that has been established in the course of the disease, and create the new control and conduction system through the intermediary of the defense structures of the brain. In addition, the effect produced by the device on the patient's organism consists in that the correction of the locomotorium and energy loading of movements with the limbs and trunk assuming a new position result in activation of the brain central structures in elaborating a new arrangement of the control system of both, the locomotorium and the motor system of the speech-formation system. Practical application of the proposed device allows for creation of the stereotype of posture and movements closely resembling the physiological one.

Problems solved by technology

Treatment of motor functions in infantile cerebral paralysis patients becomes urgent due to both, the number of patients and imperfection of the treatment method available.

A disadvantage inherent in said method resides in a restricted motor activity (immobility) of a patient, which might result in amyotrophy, spastic phenomena, and increased hypertensive syndrome due to enhanced pathological muscular synergies.

Furthermore, another disadvantage of said object is a prolonged treatment period, that is, from 4 to 6 months.

A disadvantage inherent in said device is the fact that it is aimed at maintaining the patient's body in a definite position, whereby the field of application of said device is extremely restricted.

In addition, said device fails to solve the problem of muscular exercises of a patient, which might lead to profound dysfunction of the muscular system.

The device under discussion suffers from the disadvantage that it can correct only a wrong position of the thighs, knee joints, and feet.

In addition, said device is bulky and therefore its application with therapeutic purposes is very questionable.

A disadvantage of the abovesaid device consists in that it is intended for treatment of the vertebral column only by releasing it from load.

In addition, use of said device might result in restricted mobility of a patient followed by amyotrophy and affected activity of the antigravity muscles.

Above all the treatment process with the use of said device is too prolonged.

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