Active Knee Rehabilitation Machine With Automatic Pedal Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current continuous passive motion (CPM) machines for knee rehabilitation after surgery do not actively exercise the muscles, leading to prolonged recovery times and potential muscle weakness, while standard stationary bikes fail to provide optimal flexion and extension simultaneously without manual seat adjustments, posing risks of injury and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A stationary bicycle with an electronically adjustable pedal system and moving assembly that automatically adjusts the pedaling unit's position based on user input, allowing for optimal flexion and extension angles without manual intervention, enhancing muscle engagement and safety during rehabilitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard stationary bike is used for knee rehabilitation, then the user can perform active exercise, but the bike cannot provide optimal flexion and extension angles simultaneously without manual seat adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a moving assembly that dynamically adjusts the pedaling unit's position along the frame based on real-time detection of knee flexion and extension angles. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both flexion and extension angles simultaneously during exercise, eliminating the need for manual seat adjustments while maintaining adaptability to different user requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect knee flexion and extension angles during exercise, feeding this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the moving assembly automatically repositions the pedaling unit to achieve optimal angles, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes the rehabilitation exercise without user intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual seat adjustments are required to optimize flexion and extension angles, then optimal angles can be achieved, but the risk of injury and discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through the moving assembly that automatically repositions the pedaling unit based on detected knee angles and exercise phase. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing the risk of injury associated with manual adjustments while maintaining optimal flexion and extension angles throughout the exercise
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively adjusts the pedaling unit position in anticipation of optimal angle requirements during different phases of the pedaling cycle. By performing these adjustments automatically and timely, the system ensures optimal angles are maintained without requiring reactive manual intervention that could lead to injury
3Ease of operation
If continuous passive motion (CPM) machines are used for knee rehabilitation, then the knee can be moved passively, but the muscles are not actively exercised leading to prolonged recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the passive motion capability of CPM machines with the active exercise benefits of stationary bikes into a single multi-functional device. The moving assembly enables passive knee movement when needed while simultaneously allowing active pedaling exercise, providing both functions in one system to accelerate recovery without prolonging it
Data Source
AI summary
A knee rehabilitation active motion machine (KRAM) and method of use. The KRAM provides key benefits for users after undergoing knee replacement or other surgeries. Studies have indicated that pedaling and balance exercises provide better recovery for total knee replacement patients. The adjustable features of a pedaling unit and a moving assembly allow the user to use the KRAM through the entirety of their rehabilitation process. For post-surgery rehabilitation, users will be able to adjust the KRAM parameters to limit their desired flexion and extension due to stiffness or soreness. As rehabilitation progresses, users can electronically increase the flexion and extension angles they can achieve, all the way to a full range of motion of approximately 135 degrees maximum flexion and full extension of approximately 20 to 0 degrees.