Actuated Tilting Rehabilitation Table with Four Degrees of Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current upper limb rehabilitation systems lack integration of an actuated low-friction tilting and lifting table with multiple degrees of freedom, grasping force, and finger extension sensing, along with video tracking and remote data transmission, which limits their ability to provide comprehensive and adaptive rehabilitation exercises.
Innovation Solution
An actuated tilting and lifting rehabilitation table system that incorporates infrared tracking of the patient's arm and shoulder, low-friction forearm supports with grasping force and finger extension sensing, remote data transmission, and large displays for simulation exercises, allowing for online data storage and automated session reporting, with the table surface capable of tilting in four degrees of freedom to increase exercise difficulty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional horizontal table is used for arm rehabilitation, then the system is simple to operate, but the exercise intensity and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation table is transformed from a static horizontal surface to a dynamic tilting surface that can adjust its angle in four degrees of freedom. This allows the table to adapt to different exercise intensities and patient capabilities by changing the gravitational load on the patient's arm, thereby improving exercise adaptability while maintaining reasonable system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of table orientation by introducing tilting capability in four degrees of freedom. This parameter change enables variation in exercise difficulty by adjusting the angle at which gravity acts on the patient's arm, allowing the same rehabilitation system to provide both gentle and intensive exercises without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Measurement precision
If video tracking and multiple sensors are integrated into the rehabilitation system, then measurement precision and monitoring capability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions (video tracking of arm and shoulder, infrared tracking, grasping force sensing, and finger extension sensing) are merged into a single integrated rehabilitation system. This consolidation improves measurement precision by combining multiple data sources while managing device complexity through unified control and processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The rehabilitation system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating various tracking and sensing capabilities that serve multiple purposes: monitoring arm position, shoulder movement, grasping force, and finger extension. This universal approach allows one system to perform comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation guidance without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
3Productivity
If the table tilts in four degrees of freedom to increase exercise difficulty, then rehabilitation intensity improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting table system incorporates automated control that adjusts the four degrees of freedom based on patient performance and therapy requirements. This self-adjusting capability allows the system to automatically optimize exercise intensity and table orientation, improving rehabilitation effectiveness while compensating for the increased operational complexity through automation rather than manual adjustment.
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
The system provides a more intensive and adaptive rehabilitation experience by adjusting exercise difficulty based on gravity loading and patient performance, enabling effective monitoring and remote clinical oversight while reducing the need for separate displays and improving patient engagement through virtual reality simulations.
Implementation Method 1
video tracking of the patient's arm, or arms, and opposite shoulder
Implementation Method 2
one or two low-friction forearm support(s)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure integrates an actuated tilting rehabilitation table, video tracking of the patient arm and opposite shoulder, a low-friction forearm support with grasping force sensing, remote data transmission and additional weighing means, one or more large displays, a computer and a plurality of simulation exercises, such as video games. The patient can be monitored by a local or remote clinician. The table tilts in order to increase exercise difficulty due to gravity loading on the patient's arm and shoulder. In one embodiment, the actuated tilting table tilts in four degrees of freedom.