Treadmill Walking Rehabilitation Device with Multi-Directional Drive Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional walking therapy methods are labor-intensive, lack consistency, and struggle to precisely control gait, leading to variability in rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disorders or injuries affecting their ability to walk.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill-based walking rehabilitation system with a base, belt, and interconnected drive systems, including user engagement structures and servo motors, that removably secure to a rehabilitee's lower extremities, allowing for controlled motion in multiple directions to mimic a desirable gait pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual walking therapy is used, then therapists can provide personalized care, but the method is labor-intensive and lacks consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of therapists moving patient legs with an automated robotic mechanical system. The robotic device uses motors and linkages to mechanically guide the patient's lower extremities through walking motions, eliminating human variability and providing consistent, repeatable therapy sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic walking therapy device operates autonomously to provide consistent therapy without requiring continuous human intervention. The system self-regulates the gait pattern, speed, and range of motion through programmed control, delivering standardized therapy while therapists can focus on monitoring and program adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If manual therapy methods are used, then flexibility in treatment approach is maintained, but precise control of gait is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic walking therapy device incorporates sensors and control systems that continuously monitor the patient's leg position, force, and motion. This feedback is processed by controllers that adjust the robotic actuators in real-time to maintain precise gait control, ensuring accurate reproduction of desired walking patterns while adapting to patient responses.
3Reliability
If multiple therapists are used for walking therapy, then comprehensive care is provided, but significant variability in outcomes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human therapists with an automated robotic system that uses motors, linkages, and control algorithms to deliver consistent gait training. This substitution eliminates variability between different therapists while maintaining comprehensive care through programmed therapy protocols and remote monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided including a base including a belt and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure extending at least partially above the belt and being configured to be removably secured relative to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's lower extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a plurality of drive systems coupled to the user engagement structure. The drive systems include at least a first drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a first direction and a second drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a second direction. The treadmill further includes one or more motors coupled to and driving the plurality of drive systems. The motion from the drive systems is transferred to the rehabilitee by the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.