Therapeutic Exercise Device with Sliding Carriage and Pivotable Foot Rests

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rehabilitation techniques for patients with severe muscle weakness and inability to support full body weight are inadequate, as they either pose safety risks or fail to effectively strengthen lower extremity musculature, and existing exercise equipment is not suitable for patients who cannot stand or have weight-bearing restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A therapeutic exercise device that functions as both a passive tilt table and a strengthening apparatus, using resistance against the patient's body weight to increase strength and range of motion, while allowing for upper extremity exercise and easy transfer, featuring a pivotally mounted support frame, sliding carriage, independently pivotable foot rests, and adjustable resistance levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tilt table is used to bring the patient to an upright position, then the patient can be retrained for cardiovascular demands and balance, but the lower extremities are restricted and cannot perform strengthening exercises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of patient during upright positioningVSAvoidability to perform lower extremity exercise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the support structure into segmented components: a tilt table portion for upright positioning and a separate exercise carriage with sled for lower extremity movement. This segmentation allows the patient to receive both upright positioning benefits and exercise capabilities simultaneously without the restrictions of a conventional tilt table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If conventional exercise machines with movable sled on inclined rails are used, then users can exercise against body weight resistance, but the user must stand to access the apparatus and cannot be used by patients with severe weakness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrengthening of lower extremity musculatureVSAvoidability to access and use the device

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device creates an equipotential interface by allowing the patient to remain in a supine or seated position on the exercise carriage while the sled moves along the inclined rails. This eliminates the need for the patient to stand or exert significant effort to access the apparatus, making it suitable for patients with severe weakness while still providing effective resistance training.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of operation

If multiple colleagues are used to lift and maneuver the patient to standing position, then the patient can be positioned upright, but it is dangerous due to fall risk and psychologically degrading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to position patient uprightVSAvoidsafety and patient dignity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service by allowing the patient to control their own positioning and exercise execution through the movable sled and adjustable components. The patient can independently adjust the incline and perform exercises without requiring multiple colleagues to manually lift and maneuver them, thereby eliminating fall risks and preserving patient dignity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the tilt table restricts movement of lower extremities with straps, then the patient is secured during upright positioning, but movement through range of motion is prevented and strengthening is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of patient during positioningVSAvoidrange of motion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static, restrictive strap system to a dynamic, movable sled system. The sled can move freely along the inclined rails while the patient's lower extremities remain secured, allowing full range of motion during exercise while maintaining security. This dynamic approach enables both safety and movement capability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe and effective strengthening and conditioning of patients with severe muscle weakness, accommodating those who cannot stand, by providing controlled weight-bearing exercises and upper extremity workouts, facilitating progressive recovery and reducing dependence on others.

Implementation Method 1

using resistance against the patient's body weight to increase strength and range of motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS7597656B2Therapeutic exercise device

Publication Date: 2009.10.06 DJO LLC

AI summary

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.