Supine Stepper With Reciprocating Tracks for Heel-Slide Rehabilitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of portable devices that can help severely deconditioned patients regain leg mobility and perform heel slides without requiring multiple individuals, and existing motorized systems are impractical due to cost and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A supine stepper system that allows patients to practice heel slides and leg presses using a reciprocating mechanism, with features like resistance devices, weight mechanisms, and adjustable components to facilitate independent or coordinated leg movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motorized systems are used to help patients regain leg mobility, then patient mobility improvement is enhanced, but device cost and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to perform rehabilitation exercises independently using their own body weight and the mechanical advantage of the lever system, eliminating the need for motorized assistance and multiple therapists while maintaining effective mobility improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the motorized components and complex control systems from the rehabilitation device, extracting only the essential mechanical elements (levers, tracks, force receiving members) needed to achieve the therapeutic effect, thereby reducing cost and space requirements
2Reliability
If multiple individuals are required to assist patients with leg mobility exercises, then patient safety and effectiveness are improved, but therapist workload and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical system is designed to guide and support patient movements automatically through the track and lever mechanism, allowing patients to perform exercises safely without continuous therapist intervention, thereby reducing workload while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The force receiving members and track structure serve as intermediaries between the patient and the therapeutic exercise, providing structured guidance and support that ensures safe and effective movement patterns without requiring constant human supervision
3Reliability
If existing rehabilitation devices are used for heel slides, then patient leg mobility is improved, but portability and accessibility are reduced due to size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation system is divided into modular components (base, tracks, force receiving members, reciprocating mechanism) that can be configured for different exercise types and potentially assembled in space-efficient arrangements, improving portability and accessibility while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
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 patients to regain mobility efficiently by allowing one leg to drive the other, reducing overexertion and requiring only one therapist for effective rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
the reciprocating mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism. According to various embodiments, the rack and pinion mechanism includes a first engagement member coupled to the first track structure, a second engagement member coupled to the second track structure, and a gear coupled to the first engagement member and the second engagement member
Implementation Method 2
the brake mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the braking force
Implementation Method 3
the weight mechanism is coupled to at least one of the first track structure and the second track structure such that the translation of at least one of the first force receiving member and the second force receiving member causes movement of the at least one weight in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane
Data Source
AI summary
A stepper includes a base defining a horizontal plane, a first track structure coupled to the base and configured to translate along a first track, a first force receiving member coupled to the first track structure, a second track structure coupled to the base and configured to translate along a second track, a second force receiving member coupled to the second track structure, and a reciprocating mechanism coupled to the first track structure and the second track structure such that translation of the first force receiving member in a first direction causes the second force receiving member to translate in a second direction opposite the first direction.