Shoulder Rehabilitation Device with Adjustable Pivot Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rehabilitation devices for the shoulder region are inadequate in targeting the small muscles of the rotator cuff, often leading to suboptimal exercises that can cause injury due to incorrect joint angles and load curves, and lack precise control over muscle activation and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A rehabilitation device with adjustable shoulder supports and motion shafts that allow for precise control over joint angles and muscle activation, using a weight stack for dynamic strength exercises, and incorporating sensors for isometric force measurements and automatic adjustments to suit different users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rubber resistance bands are used for shoulder rehabilitation, then the device is simple and easy to use, but the load curve increases with length while muscle force decreases, creating injury risk and inability to target rotator cuff muscles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the load curve parameter by using a weight stack system where the load remains constant or can be precisely controlled throughout the range of motion, unlike rubber bands where load increases with elongation. This allows the load to match the muscle force production curve, maintaining safety while effectively targeting the rotator cuff muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical system of rubber resistance bands with a gravitational weight stack system. This substitution provides a predictable, controllable load that does not vary with position, enabling precise control over the force applied to the rotator cuff muscles throughout the exercise range of motion.
2Force
If pulleys are used for shoulder rehabilitation, then the load curve can be modified better than with rubber bands, but control over exercise angles is lost and muscle activation for hand carrying cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exercise control into independent components: the weight stack provides load control, while the arm support structure with adjustable angles provides independent angle control. This segmentation allows precise control over both the force applied and the joint angles, eliminating the coupling problem present in pulley systems where angle control is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through movable arm supports that can be positioned at different angles. This allows the exercise apparatus to adapt to optimal joint angles for different exercises and user anatomies, maintaining precise angle control while preserving the benefits of modified load curves through the weight stack system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing shoulder exercise devices are used, then internal and external rotation exercises can be performed, but joint angles are not optimal or cannot be precisely controlled, and no sensors are present for monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on exercise performance, including joint angles and force measurements. This feedback mechanism enables precise monitoring and control of the exercise parameters, allowing the system to maintain optimal joint angles and load levels throughout the range of motion, thereby enhancing both safety and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual angle estimation and unmonitored force application with an instrumented system using sensors and electronic controls. This substitution enables precise measurement and control of joint angles and forces, transforming the exercise device from a passive mechanical system to an active, monitored, and controllable rehabilitation system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If devices require adjustment measures for different heights, then versatility is reduced, but without adjustments the device cannot suit persons of different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the arm support structure with inherent adjustability features that allow the same device to accommodate users of different heights and anatomies. The movable arm supports can be positioned at multiple angles and locations, making the device universally applicable to various user populations without requiring complex adjustment procedures or multiple device configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rehabilitation device (1) adapted for rehabilitating and/or exercising the shoulder region, as well as to the use of such a rehabilitation device. The device has a frame (la), in connection with which are arranged support elements (2a, 2b) enabling the upright position of the upper body during the exercise, shoulder supports (4) holding the shoulder position of the user stationary during the exercise, pivot elements (10) arranged to the ends of elongated shaft portions (9) arranged on both sides of the vertical midline (L) of the frame (la), motion shafts (7) arranged in connection with the pivot elements (10), and elbow supports (8) attaching to the end of each motion shaft (7), wherein the motion shafts (7) and elbow supports (8) are movable by the pivot elements (10). The angle (β) between the imaginary extension, extending towards frame (la), of the pivot axis (A) of each pivot element (10) and the imaginary extension of the transverse midline (H) perpendicular in relation to the vertical direction of the frame is 60° + 5°, and the angle (a) between the imaginary extension, extending towards frame (la), of the pivot axis (A) of each pivot element (10) and the plane travelling through the midline (L) of the frame is 60° ± 5°.