46 results about "Therapeutic exercises" patented technology

The invention provides a method and apparatus to enable a user to perform upper extremity exercises. The apparatus includes an arm with one end connected to a base to securely support the arm while locating the other end adjacent to the user, proximate the user's upper extremities. The arm is formed with a plurality of joints at or between its ends, each joint having one or more rotational degrees of freedom while providing resistance to rotational movement in the one or more degrees of freedom, such that the free end of the arm can be moved in three dimensional space, and such that the arm is self-supporting. A manipulandum assembly including a plurality of manipulanda is attached to the free end of the arm, each manipulandum being positioned within hand grasping range of the user, and each manipulandum being or representing an object encountered in an upper extremity activity of the user's daily life. Sensors on the arm, joints or manipulanda sense movement or force, and relay signals to a processing device in order to sample, display, store and process the signals into kinematic or kinetic variables. These variables may be processed to control software programs such as computer games and to allow quantification of performance for outcome evaluation of therapy regimes.

An exercise apparatus comprises a frame having two parallel tracks, two platforms mounted on the first track by a sliding bearing, and two platforms mounted on the second track by a sliding bearing. The tracks are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the platforms on different tracks to move freely past each other. A transverse interlock allows selective connection of platforms on different tracks for movement together and a longitudinal interlock allows selective connection of platforms on the same track for movement together. The frame includes cross braces connecting the rails at their ends, and the rails, cross braces, and platforms all include connecting points for permitting the user to selectively connect to and between the frame and the platforms a variety of exercise accessories or appliances. The accessories can include elastic resistance bands, cord and pulley assemblies, handles, weights, and appliances for administering physical therapy.

A therapeutic exercise device which may be used both as a tilt table and as an exercise device includes a base and a support frame that is pivotally mounted on the base. The support frame has a lower end and an upper end. A carriage is mounted for sliding movement along at least a portion of the support frame. The carriage includes a lower section and an upper section that is pivotally attached to the lower section. The device also includes a left foot rest and a right foot rest, each of which is independently pivotally attached to the lower end of the support frame. A body-restraining belt is also provided to secure the body of a patient to the carriage.

An apparatus and a method for combiningly performing four important exercises localized to the lower back with the addition of weight resistance: a) the rotation or torsion of the lower spine and the lower back muscles; b) the bending of the spine forward and the exercising of abdominal muscles; c) the bending of the spine rearward and the exercising of the lumbar and erector muscles; d) the stretching and self-postural adjustment of the spine. The user performs the four exercises in the horizontal position with both legs in raised position. A swinging member accommodates the legs and allows the swinging, side-to-side motion of the legs. A second pivotal member helps the bending of the pelvis forward and rearward. A roller support assembly supports and massages the entire back during exercises. The user's body rests on an anatomical cushion support during exercises. The body's user experiences both the stretching of the intravertebral ligament and cartilage, while building postural awareness and self-adjusting spinal posture.

The invention provides a method and apparatus to enable a user to perform upper extremity exercises. The apparatus includes an arm with one end connected to a base to securely support the arm while locating the other end adjacent to the user, proximate the user's upper extremities. The arm is formed with a plurality of joints at or between its ends, each joint having one or more rotational degrees of freedom while providing resistance to rotational movement in the one or more degrees of freedom, such that the free end of the arm can be moved in three dimensional space, and such that the arm is self-supporting. A manipulandum assembly including a plurality of manipulanda is attached to the free end of the arm, each manipulandum being positioned within hand grasping range of the user, and each manipulandum being or representing an object encountered in an upper extremity activity of the user's daily life. Sensors on the arm, joints or manipulanda sense movement or force, and relay signals to a processing device in order to sample, display, store and process the signals into kinematic or kinetic variables. These variables may be processed to control software programs such as computer games and to allow quantification of performance for outcome evaluation of therapy regimes.

A device and method for facilitating both isolation and therapeutic exercises of a human appendage, specifically, an ankle and adjacent regions. The device includes a ball joint hinge, allowing a large range of motion, in combination with a locking mechanism that restricts all movement. The device can be utilized for methods to stretch and strengthen anatomical structures that have been damaged in a therapeutic manner.

An exercise apparatus comprises a frame having two parallel tracks, two platforms mounted on the first track by a sliding bearing, and two platforms mounted on the second track by a sliding bearing. The tracks are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the platforms on different tracks to move freely past each other. A transverse interlock allows selective connection of platforms on different tracks for movement together and a longitudinal interlock allows selective connection of platforms on the same track for movement together. The frame includes cross braces connecting the rails at their ends, and the rails, cross braces, and platforms all include connecting points for permitting the user to selectively connect to and between the frame and the platforms a variety of exercise accessories or appliances. The accessories can include elastic resistance bands, cord and pulley assemblies, handles, weights, and appliances for administering physical therapy.

There is disclosed a therapeutic exercise in which the patient lies in a supine position on a flat surface, with a long, smooth cylindrical roller having a constant compressed diameter from about 2 to about 4 inches throughout its length beneath the patient's back. The roller should be of sufficient length to span laterally across the entire patient's back and shoulders. The patient's slowly rolls his body over the roller from the sacrum along the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae by the pushing against the support surface with his feet and hands, and while shifting or rocking his body, side-to-side. The roller fixture includes a pair of end brackets which rotationally support a pair of end shafts of the roller and includes a frictional brake to restrain the rotation of the roller.

An adjustable apparatus for exercising the neck including an assembly connected to an anchor by a tether that has an elastic portion. The assembly includes a cap, a harness to secure the cap on the head, and a saddle piece that extends across the back of the neck. The cap can be a helmet that forms a cam surface with a channel for slideably receiving the tether and a frontal extension forming a continuation of the cam surface. The tether is secured to the posterior of the helmet so as to extend over the cam surface to the anterior portion. The head assembly further includes a tether attachment adjustment mechanism, a harness adjusting ratchet, and a semi-rigid saddle to apply pressure to the neck of the person when the harness is tightened by the harness adjusting ratchet and when the head is tipped backwardly pulling on the tether.

Described herein are exercise apparatuses suitably adapted for use by crippled persons for exercising their hips and legs. In one embodiment, an apparatus with a supporting structure and a seat mounted on the supporting structure. A cushion comprising a pad for splaying the knees of a user is mounted on the supporting structure. In another embodiment, there is a docking station suitably adapted for wheelchair users with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted on the protrusion for splaying the knees of the user. In yet another embodiment, a semispherical shaped seat is mounted on a supporting structure that can be adjusted to position a user near a handlebar structure with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted for splaying the knees of the user. Optionally, the cushions in the example embodiments may further comprise a patella pad. A knee spreader ball detached from the exercise apparatus permits training without the fixed cushion and, in a further form permits transport of a user without tangling the feet of the user.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing or recording instructions in machine readable form. The instructions, when executed in a motion sensor enabled smart phone, record target data associated with a response of the motion sensor to a desired sequence of movements of a user performing a therapeutic exercise while wearing the smart phone, map the target data to run-time target parameters of a software application, receive performance data associated with a response of the motion sensor to a subsequent sequence of movements of the user performing the therapeutic exercise while wearing the smart phone, map the performance data to the target parameters of the software application to determine the operation of the software application and provide information for display on a remote monitor visible to the user indicating the quality of the user's performance of the exercise.

An active and passive motion device for therapeutic exercise of upper and lower extremities, in the form of a pedaling device for therapy of leg and associated articulations. The device comprises a combination exercise stand and active / passive pedaling device that enables users with and / or without motor skills to remain generally stationary and seated in a chair or wheel chair and use their legs to actively pedal the device or have their legs moved by the pedaling device. Disclosed in an aspect thereof is an improved ankle strap sandal for use in such therapy. A lift enables the pedaling device to be vertically positioned relative to the wheelchair user when atop the support stand.

This disclosure relates generally to testing for purposes of diagnosis and general research in the area of cognitive function, especially with respect to participants with below average abilities to inhibit their actions in response to stimuli. This disclosure also relates to the use of a game scenario to exercise an ability to react to the presentation of a stop-signal by inhibiting the execution of a response to a go-signal presented shortly before. This is known as a Stop-Signal Task. Additional tasks that require inhibitory control such as Differential Reinforcement of Low rates (DRL) or Reversal Learning may be implemented alone or in combination with the Stop-Signal Task in either a testing or imaging implementation or in software used to provide therapeutic exercise of inhibitory control.

Exercise apparatus for use by handicapped persons for exercising their hips and legs. In one embodiment, an apparatus with a supporting structure and a seat mounted on the supporting structure. A cushion comprising a pad for splaying the knees of a user is mounted on the supporting structure. In another embodiment, there is a docking station suitably adapted for wheelchair users with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted on the protrusion for splaying the knees of the user. In yet another embodiment, a semispherical shaped seat is mounted on a supporting structure that can be adjusted to position a user near a handlebar structure with a supporting structure protruding therefrom. A cushion is mounted for splaying the knees of the user. Optionally, the cushions in the example embodiments may further comprise a patella pad. A knee spreader ball detached from the exercise apparatus permits training without the fixed cushion and, in a further form permits transport of a user without tangling the feet of the user.

A therapeutic exercise device includes an elongated, hollow tube having a sleeve slidably and rotatably mounted thereon. The sleeve is held on the tube by a pair of opposing retainers, each having a rounded end cap attached thereto. Either cap is removable to expose an interior chamber for receiving a desired number of weighted cylinders that vary the overall weight of the tube. Accordingly, a user loads the chamber with a desired number of weighted cylinders and grasps the tube with one hand. The sleeve is grasped and reciprocally rotated with the other hand to exert the hand, wrist and forearm muscles.

An multimodal exercise device that is compact and designed for low impact therapeutic exercise allowing for multiple modes of motion for exercising or improving a user's circulation when the user places his or her feet or hands on the device's contact elements and moves them in at least one of the modes of motion. The device is preferentially used while the user is seated and can accommodate exercise in situations where exercise is not traditionally accomplished, such as at a desk, or while traveling in a plane, train, or automobile. The device includes a base, a stand, a connector, a beam, and two contact elements, configured in such a manner as to allow multiple modes of motion. Modes of motion include, but are not limited to, sliding, stepping, and cycling.

The proposed apparatus and method relate to restorative sports medicine and patient rehabilitation with neurological motoric disorders. A patient is positioned in equilibrium by suspension devices for patient's body parts. The suspension devices are moved by actuating mechanisms with an electro-pneumatic drive and actuating components, controlled by a programmed computer, motivating the patient by controlling an object in a virtual gaming environment, to restore movements when there is an initially minimal or a complete absence of physical activity. The effectiveness is judged according to the reduction of energy consumption of the drives. The apparatus includes a base composed of two parallel guides with movable crossbars, on which the actuating mechanisms are pairwise movably arranged, monitoring and control units, the computer, sensors detecting the state of the actuating mechanisms, and power sources. There are units for analyzing the energy consumption of each drive and for assessing the treatment results.

A therapeutic exercising device that can simultaneously increase temporomandibular joint range of motion and strengthen jaw muscles comprises two bite members with bite portions for insertion between a user's teeth and a bellows between the bite members that moves them relative to each other toward an open position that separates the user's upper and lower jaws. A spring exerts a predetermined opening force on the bite members open, and one or more elastic members attached between the bite members exert an opposing closing force. A user-operated pneumatic pump introduces air under pressure into the bellows to open the bite members when the closing force is sufficient to overcome the opening force. The device can be used with air bladders that massage the jaw muscles, with the optional application of heat or cold. The device is usable with a mandible translation adapter to exercise a user's mandible in the posterior-anterior direction.

A support device provides elevation and support for a patient's foot and limits lateral and medial rotation of the foot relative to the knee. This protects the knee from injury during healing. The device includes a generally flat main body, two spaced-apart lateral ridges, and a medial depression between the lateral ridges that provides a support surface on which the foot may be positioned. The lateral ridges can extend to a height above the support surface so that inner side surfaces of the lateral ridges are adjacent to a majority of a foot placed in the medial depression. The support surface can include a heel aperture extending through the main body to provide a continuous heel pocket allowing the heel to remain freely suspended when the foot is placed in the device. The device can additionally or alternatively include a slidable base allowing the device to better slide on a surface enabling the user to perform therapeutic exercises.

An multimodal exercise device that is compact and designed for low impact therapeutic exercise allowing for multiple modes of motion for exercising or improving a user's circulation when the user places his or her feet or hands on the device's contact elements and moves them in at least one of the modes of motion. The device is preferentially used while the user is seated and can accommodate exercise in situations where exercise is not traditionally accomplished, such as at a desk, or while traveling in a plane, train, or automobile. The device includes a base, a stand, a connector, a beam, and two contact elements, configured in such a manner as to allow multiple modes of motion. Modes of motion include, but are not limited to, sliding, stepping, and cycling. Electronics integrated into the exercise device and software allow the user to monitor and / or record his or her exercise.

A therapeutic exercising device that can simultaneously increase temporomandibular joint range of motion and strengthen jaw muscles comprises two bite members with bite portions for insertion between a user's teeth and a bellows between the bite members that moves them relative to each other toward an open position that separates the user's upper and lower jaws. A spring exerts a predetermined opening force on the bite members open, and one or more elastic members attached between the bite members exert an opposing closing force. A user-operated pneumatic pump introduces air under pressure into the bellows to open the bite members when the closing force is sufficient to overcome the opening force. The device can be used with air bladders that massage the jaw muscles, with the optional application of heat or cold. The device is usable with a mandible translation adapter to exercise a user's mandible in the posterior-anterior direction.

A therapeutic exercise support system for patients helps stabilize a body area, such as a neck, lower back or knee, during exercise. The systems and methods include a first body formed of a compressible material, the body having a substantially rounded support surface, a base surface and a cavity formed therein, the cavity being accessible from a surface of the body. The open cavity allows the density of the first body to be raised to suit different needs. Additionally, at least one insertable second body formed of a compressible material and formed to fit within the cavity of the first body, as well as at least one elevating panel formed of a compressible material having a density and attachable to the base surface of the first body to thereby raise a height of the rounded support surface of the first body from a base structure, may be included.

The invention relates to an exercise and learning concept and to a mobile exercise and learning device for the therapeutic treatment of patients, said concept being based on a network system. Said exercise and learning concept and exercise and learning device are used for the therapeutic treatment of patients in order to allow mobile and interactive learning. Said exercise and learning device comprises exercise and learning modules which are individually adapted to a patient who can also perform therapeutic exercises irrespective of the time and place.

An ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during therapeutic exercise involving walking. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable wrist angle through the entire walking stride. In one exemplary embodiment, ergonomically angled handle is angled with respect to the handle support section and is further canted in relation to the plane defined by the vertical axis of the shaft and the horizontal axis of the handle support section.

A therapeutic exercise putty is provided which comprises a uniform mixture of a first mass of putty and modeling clay. The first mass of putty includes hydroxy-terminated polymethylsiloxane having a viscosity of about 20 to about 50,000 cps.

A therapeutic exercise putty is provided which comprises a uniform mixture of a first mass of putty and modeling clay. The first mass of putty includes hydroxy-terminated polymethylsiloxane having a viscosity of about 20 to about 50,000 cps.

The present invention relates to a device which enables a selective therapeutic exercise regimen by providing a tensioning mechanism attached to a rotatable platform along with the unique feature is where two trollies on curved rails operating on X-axis and Y-axis when pressure is applied, will work in unison to travel in any desired direction creating a unique spherically rotational reaction. The platform will react to changes in the operator's weight shifts and center of gravity placed upon it. When this novel multi-rotational aspect of the platform responds to subtle changes in the operator's center of gravity, movement of the platform will occur. These changes trigger muscular contractions around the joints of the operator responding to the rotation of the platform while the tensioning mechanism allows for selective resistance to the free movement of the platform enabling selective exercise and therapy routines for various muscle groups. Additionally, the present Multi-Planar Rotational Platform and Suspension Device offers easy scalability and uniform or non-uniform scaling in the X-axis, the Y-axis and / or the Z-axis.

A device for animal education or training and may be used for game, recreational or recovery exercises with an animal, predominantly with a dog, and also for animal therapeutic exercises. The animal training or animal game device has a frame in the form of a torus ring of ethylene vinyl acetate, and the ratio of the torus ring cross-section (d) diameter to the perimeter diameter of torus ring (D) is defined by the ratio: d=0.1 . . . 0.2D. The device allows improve performance of game, recreational and recovery exercises with an animal, predominantly with a dog, and also of therapeutic exercises by increased training or game intensity, with greater safety for both the human being and the animal, while resulting in a simplification device.

An ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during therapeutic exercise involving walking. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that is configured such that said angled handle section is offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft and that allows for a more comfortable wrist angle through the entire walking stride. In one exemplary embodiment, the ergonomically angled handle is angled with respect to the handle support section and is further canted in relation to the plane defined by the vertical axis of the shaft and the horizontal axis of the handle support section.