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Training Device

a training device and a technology for stroke patients, applied in the field of training devices, can solve the problems of patients having difficulty actively moving the paretic upper limb, preventative measures which do not address the rehabilitative needs of stroke patients, etc., and achieve the effects of low friction material, low frictional coupling and connection, and high inertia

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-12-19
AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0059]Preferably, low friction material may be utilised between any joint or pivoting part of the device. More preferably, low frictional couplings and connections are utilised which enable the bar or bars to freely rotate once momentum has been provided. Even more preferably, the bar or bars have a relatively high inertia such that, in use, once the bar or bars are rotating, there may be substantially minimal frictional losses from the device.
[0060]Preferably, said support arms and / or the bar further comprise a torque assisting or gearing system enabling minimum user force input to achieve bar(s) rotation. More preferably, such a torque assist or gearing system is configured to reduce the input force required to initiate and / or maintain rotation of the bar.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, these are preventative measures which do not address the rehabilitative needs of a stroke patient.
However, it not unusual for patients to have difficulty actively moving the paretic upper limb due to weakness, or other complicating factors like pasticity.

Method used

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  • Training Device
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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

[0148]A particular example of a mirror symmetrical movement of limbs using the device would, in one embodiment, be as follows. Note that this example is made with reference in this particular instance to arm limbs, but it could equally be applied to any other limb having an opposing member (for example thumbs, fingers, wrists, feet, toes, or legs). With the arms bent at the elbow in a substantially 90° angle from the vertical (i.e. bent at the elbows as if the forearms were resting on a horizontal surface) and with the upper arms hanging substantially vertically (i.e. hanging beside the torso or chest wall), the portions of the user's limbs, for example their hands and wrists and separately their forearms are placed into limb supports (L) or rest upon a supporting arm (2) of the device (1). The limb supports (L) can be adjusted or fitted to the portions of the user's limbs to constrain the limbs to the supports (L). A moveable limb support (Lm) receives the wrist or hand portion of ...

example 2

[0152]A more detailed example of a user operating the device (1) with their left and right forearms would be as follows. The upper portions of the arms hang lose by their torso. The forearms are articulated and bent at a substantially right angle. In this position the forearms of each arm can be cradled to rest upon the support arms (2) or in the limb supports (L). Then, as the bars (3, 4) rotate, and depending upon the initial position of the support arms (2), the user's forearms are caused to move towards each other until an extended position is reached. Once the forearms arrive at this extended reach position, given the device configuration, the supports arms (2) and thus the limb supports (L) are then caused to move in the opposite direction. Moving in the opposite direction the forearms move away from each other until an extended reach position is arrived at.

[0153]Various alternative limb movements may be created or desired. For example, rather than the above exemplified moveme...

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PUM

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Abstract

This invention relates to a device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation, a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and / or hold the limbs of a user of said device, the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the support arms move in a substantially tandem synchronised manner with respect to each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a training device and in particular, though not solely, to a device which is adapted to provide substantially mirror symmetrical movement of at least a pair of opposing support arms.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Rehabilitation of motor skilled impaired limbs is a desirable outcome following such impairment. For example, a stroke may be an acute clinical event, related to impairment of cerebral circulation. Acute neurologic deficits resulting from circulatory impairment can involve irreversible brain damage. The type and severity of the symptoms of such brain damage depend on a number of factors, including the location and extent of the brain tissue whose circulation has been compromised. The outcome of a stroke may vary from minimal impairment to rapid onset of coma followed by death.[0003]Studies have shown that the incidence of stroke may be elevated by factors such as, hypertension, valvular heart disease, atrial fib...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61H1/00
CPCA61H1/00A61H1/0274A61H2201/1276A61H1/02A63B26/003A63B23/03516A63B26/00G09B19/003
Inventor BYBLOW, WINSTON DEAN JOHNSTINEAR, JAMES WILLIAMPRIKKEL, RAYMOND WAYNE
Owner AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LTD