Elastic arc anatomical shoulder pulley system

Abstract

An Elastic Arc Anatomical Shoulder Pulley System for use in rehabilitation of various shoulder conditions. The device provides a means that a user can employ to produce passive shoulder motion that approximates the normal arc the shoulder describes during active movement. A door unit is included that allows for a convenient attachment site of a pulley. An arc that has elastic properties is routed through a pulley that is located above the user's head. Handles are attached to the elastic arc. The user pulls down on one handle to accomplish upward movement of an injured arm. The arc shape of the elastic arc insures that the movement produced corresponds to the normal arc shaped movement of the shoulder that is produced during active movement.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]This invention is a modification containing new art that is related to my coexisting patent application Ser. No. 10 / 863,436 for an Anatomical Shoulder Pulley System. This invention relates to a device that can be used in shoulder rehabilitation to assist a person's shoulder movement in an arc that approximates the arc that is produced during normal active, non assisted motion.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art[0004]There are many shoulder injuries, surgeries or other conditions that require rehabilitation. Rotator cuff injuries, humeral fractures, and frozen shoulder are among this category. During the rehabilitation phase of these conditions it is often beneficial for the injured person to perform passive or assisted motion when they are not capable of performing full active range of motion. Passive or assisted range of motion has the positive effect of maintaining joint structure and integrity as well as maintaining or restoring the prope...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Accordingly it is an object of the current invention to provide a device that can assist a person with shoulder movement through the range of motion

[0007]It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that is capable of assisting shoulder motion in an arc that approximates anatomical motion.

[0008]It is a further object of the current invention to provide a device that can assist a person with forward shoulder flexion movement.

[0009]To accomplish these objectives the device consists of a door unit that provides a base for the device that can be secured to any standard sized door. A second section of the device is a pulley that is suspended from the door unit. A third section of the device is an elastic arc that is made of elastic material such that the arced shape can be deformed and return to the original shape. This elastic arc runs through the pulley during use. A fourth section of the device consists of handles that the user employs to move the arced track.

Problems solved by technology

While these systems are effective in lifting the injured shoulder upward, they have the disadvantage of using linear forces (the straight angle pull of the rope) to produce rotary motion of the shoulder.

This is problematic for the user as a linear upward force produces a force that translates the humerus upward and may result in a close approximation of the humerus to the acromion.

These devices consist of electric motors and machined actuators to produce motion and are thus expensive.

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