Programmable Range of Motion System with Safety Overrides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with limited range of motion due to scar tissue after surgical procedures face challenges in rehabilitation, as traditional physical therapy is time-consuming and unsupervised exercises at home can lead to additional injuries, necessitating a controlled and safe rehabilitation system.
Innovation Solution
A programmable range of motion system comprising a frame, range of motion device, controller, and computer with sensors, allowing for remote prescription and monitoring of rehabilitation exercises, featuring a power-driven actuator that mimics therapist-applied forces and motions, and includes safety overrides to prevent limb damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical therapy is provided once or multiple times daily to restore patient motion, then the patient's range of motion improves, but the patient experiences hardship in time and money
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to perform self-monitored rehabilitation exercises at home using a programmable device with built-in safety controls and range of motion limits, eliminating the need for frequent therapist supervision while maintaining effective treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual therapist mechanical intervention with an automated programmable system that uses motors, sensors, and microprocessors to control and monitor rehabilitation exercises, allowing continuous treatment without therapist presence
2Ease of operation
If unmonitored and unsupervised exercises are done at home, then the patient can exercise conveniently, but the patient is exposed to additional injury
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect patient position and movement, providing real-time feedback to a microprocessor that automatically adjusts or stops exercises when safety limits are approached, enabling safe unsupervised home use
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-programmed with safety features including maximum range of motion limits, force thresholds, and emergency stop conditions that are established before use, preventing injury before it can occur during unsupervised exercise
3Reliability
If a programmable range of motion system with remote monitoring is implemented, then rehabilitation can be securely accessed and monitored by physicians, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a telecommunication intermediary (modem, telephone line, or wireless communication) to transmit patient exercise data to the physician's computer, enabling remote monitoring without requiring complex direct connection infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor-based control system performs multiple functions including exercise program execution, safety monitoring, data logging, and telecommunication, consolidating what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated unit
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable range of motion system has a frame, a range of motion device, a controller, a computer and sensors. The frame has a seat to support a rehab patient. The range of motion device is attached to the frame. The actuator, servo or alternate mechanism selectively rotates the range of motion device through a range of motion for a rehab patient's limb. The controller controls the actuator, servo or alternate mechanism. The computer is connected electronically to the controller. The computer has a software, program or application including a plurality of programmable range of motion movements for exercising the limb. The sensor detects movements of the actuator, servo or alternate mechanism and records data back to the computer. The term actuator as used hereafter includes servo or alternate articulating mechanism.