Spine Rehabilitation Device with Linear Actuators for Lateral Deviation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine rehabilitation devices lack the ability to effectively introduce lateral deviation of the torso during rehabilitation, which is crucial for treating conditions like scoliosis and degenerative illnesses, and often result in inefficient and burdensome therapy.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support frame, immovable and movable crossbars, and holder assemblies equipped with linear actuators that allow for individual control of the patient's head, arms, hips, knees, and feet, enabling dynamic lateral deviation of the torso through a rotating mechanism and adjustable actuator positions, controlled by a computerized medical software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spine rehabilitation devices are used, then basic spinal support is provided, but they lack the ability to effectively introduce lateral deviation of the torso during rehabilitation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent functional modules: support frame, holder assemblies for different body parts (head, arms, hips, knees, feet), and linear actuators. Each module can be independently positioned and controlled, enabling versatile lateral deviation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from static support structures to dynamic, actively controllable positions through linear actuators. The holder assemblies can be dynamically repositioned along the crossbars, and the entire system can introduce controlled lateral deviation motion, transforming the rehabilitation process from passive to active and adaptive.
2Productivity
If manual rehabilitation methods are used, then therapy can be provided, but it results in inefficient and burdensome therapy for patients and therapists
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service rehabilitation by allowing patients to be positioned and moved independently through the automated linear actuator system. The computerized control system manages the complex coordination of multiple actuators, reducing the need for continuous therapist intervention and manual manipulation, thereby decreasing the burden on both patients and therapists while improving rehabilitation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical manipulation by therapists is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. Linear actuators provide precise, controlled movement of holder assemblies, and computerized software coordinates the complex multi-axis motions, substituting human physical effort and expertise with automated mechanical systems that improve efficiency and reduce operational burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-position supports are used, then simple structure is maintained, but tailored kinematics for individual patients cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces fixed-position supports with dynamically adjustable holder assemblies that can be independently positioned along movable crossbars. Linear actuators enable precise control of each holder's position, allowing the system to adapt to individual patient anatomies and rehabilitation needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables tailored kinematics by allowing continuous adjustment of multiple parameters: holder assembly positions along crossbars, crossbar positions on the support frame, and actuator stroke lengths. These parameter changes can be individually customized for each patient's anatomical measurements and rehabilitation requirements, achieving high adaptability without requiring completely different device designs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device for spine rehabilitation comprising a support frame, immovable crossbars, movable crossbars, and a holder and systems of actuators supporting a patient's head, shoulders, hip, knees, and feet, characterised in that it is equipped with linear actuators (8) mounted to the holder (7) supporting the patient's head and shoulders, whereby the holder (7) has a driving mechanism (9) situated horizontally and mounted to an immovable crossbar (6) of the support frame (1) and in its lower part is rotationally mounted, at the rotation point (10) of the holder, to the immovable crossbar (6). The device has on an immovable crossbar (2) of the holder (7) there are globular or rolling members (11) which allow for a smooth movement of the holder (7) in the horizontal plane. The holder (7) with its upper back surface moves on the rolling members (11) installed in the immovable crossbar (2) of the holder. The holder (7) is equipped with slidable actuator assemblies (12) allowing to adjust the device to anthropometric size of a particular patient. The support frame (1) with the suspended patient (16) and with structural members (14) is moved vertically by a lifting mechanism (13), and moves horizontally on track rollers (15). A method for spine rehabilitation using the device for lateral deviation of the patient's torso, whereby the patient's body situated horizontally, face up, is lifted on eight sling hangers taking hold of his/her head and his/her back in the points of shoulder girdle and pelvis girdle, and his/her calves and feet, and each of the hangers is connected on its ends with two linear actuators suspended in pairs from the horizontal support frame in position perpendicular to the axis of the patient's spine, whereby the movement of each of the linear actuators is individually controlled from a control system, characterised in that the lateral movement of the patient (16) suspended on the linear actuators (8) in the area of the head and the shoulders is carried out by the movement of the holder (7) by the driving mechanism (9) along an arc within a designated range of the movement. The driving mechanism (9) causes a lateral deviation of the patient's (16) torso up to a designated angle of deviation with the possibility to select a proper frequency and amplitude of the relocation set in the control system (17), and the head and the shoulders of the suspended patient are supported by the linear actuators (8) mounted to the holder (7) whose transversal movement is provided by the driving mechanism (9) which moves it along an arc within a designated range in such a way that the holder's (7) upper surface moves with a swinging motion on the rolling members (11) fitted in the immovable crossbar (2) of the supporting frame (1), whereas movements of the actuators (8) connected to the surface of the holder (7) cause lateral deviation of the torso and the spine at a designated deviation angle with the possibility of selecting an adequate frequency and amplitude of the relocation.