Therapeutic method and device for rehabilitation
First Claim
1. A method for extending a subject'"'"'s controllable range of motion of a joint comprising:
- fastening a powered device to the subject at sites above and below the joint of the subject to place the powered device into a therapy position directly adjacent to the joint;
moving the joint volitionally from a starting position to a volitional boundary of extension of the subject'"'"'s range of motion substantially through an effort of the subject;
moving the joint beyond the volitional boundary of extension towards a predetermined expanded boundary of extension with an extension assistance of the powered device;
without changing the therapy position of the powered device relative to the joint, moving the joint volitionally to a volitional boundary of flexion of the subject'"'"'s range of motion substantially through an effort of the subject; and
moving the joint beyond the volitional boundary of flexion towards a predetermined expanded boundary of flexion with a flexion assistance of the powered device.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to embodiments of methods for extending a subject-controllable range of joint motion, and for increasing subject control of joint movement within a range of motion. Embodiments include fastening a powered device around a joint so as to be able to control the joint, allowing the subject to move the joint within a range of volitional motion, and then engaging the powered device to support movement of the joint into an expanded, rehabilitative range. In some embodiments, the device supports joint movement by substantially providing the force to move the joint beyond the volitional boundary. In other embodiments, supporting movement includes the subject substantially providing the force, and the device allowing movement only in a desired direction. The invention further relates to a system for increasing the functional capability of a joint by implementing embodiments of the method. By such methods and system, rehabilitation is accomplished both by building strength, and training neural pathways.
270 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for extending a subject'"'"'s controllable range of motion of a joint comprising:
-
fastening a powered device to the subject at sites above and below the joint of the subject to place the powered device into a therapy position directly adjacent to the joint; moving the joint volitionally from a starting position to a volitional boundary of extension of the subject'"'"'s range of motion substantially through an effort of the subject; moving the joint beyond the volitional boundary of extension towards a predetermined expanded boundary of extension with an extension assistance of the powered device; without changing the therapy position of the powered device relative to the joint, moving the joint volitionally to a volitional boundary of flexion of the subject'"'"'s range of motion substantially through an effort of the subject; and moving the joint beyond the volitional boundary of flexion towards a predetermined expanded boundary of flexion with a flexion assistance of the powered device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for increasing a subject'"'"'s control of movement of a joint within a range of motion comprising:
-
fastening a powered device to the subject at sites above and below the joint to place the powered device into a therapy position directly adjacent to the joint; moving the joint volitionally from a starting position toward a volitional boundary of the subject'"'"'s range of motion substantially through an effort of the subject, the range of motion being toward a goal direction of any of extension or flexion; permitting movement only in the goal direction with the powered device; and after moving the joint volitionally in the goal direction has stopped, volitionally moving the joint in a direction opposite of the goal direction to return the joint and the powered device to a position within the subject'"'"'s volitional range of motion without powering the powered device and without changing the therapy position of the powered device and the subject. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for improving a subject'"'"'s ability to volitionally control movement of a joint of the subject comprising:
-
fastening a powered device at sites above and below the joint of the subject to place the powered device into a therapy position directly adjacent to the joint; moving the joint volitionally within a volitional range of motion substantially without assistance of the powered device; moving the joint beyond a volitional boundary of the subject'"'"'s volitional range of motion substantially with support of the powered device to a position within a rehabilitative range of motion; and thereafter, moving the joint volitionally substantially without assistance of the powered device from the position within the rehabilitative range of motion to place both the joint and the powered device within the subject'"'"'s volitional range of motion while maintaining the same therapy position of the powered device to the subject used during the step of moving the joint beyond the volitional boundary of the subject'"'"'s volitional range of motion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification