Control device for the therapeutic mobilization of joints

• US 20010047209A1
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QAL Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Orthomotion Inc.
• Inventors: Culhane, Jeffrey J., Cotterell, Daniel E.C., Solomon, Alexander G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,743,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/18.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0218 Drawing-out devices suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008; orthopedic devices for non-surgical treatment A61F5/01; stretching fractured limbs A61F5/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0277 Elbow
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled

Abstract

A control system is adapted for use In association with a therapeutic motion and splinting device. The therapeutic device has at least one component that is monitored. The system comprises the steps of defining the range of motion, defining the maximum reverse on load, monitoring the reverse on load and moving the device through its range of motion. A first and second maximum limit of range of motion in a first and second direction are respectively defined. A maximum reverse on load is defined and is monitored whereby the deformation of the at least one component is monitored and the load created is interpreted. The device is cycled between a first and second position defined by one of the first maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load and one of the second maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load respectively.

Claims

1. A control system for use in association with a therapeutic motion and splinting device for a patient, the device having at least one component, comprising the steps of:

defining a first maximum limit of range of motion in a first direction for the device;

defining a second maximum limit of range of motion in a second direction for the device;

defining a maximum reverse on load for the device;

monitoring a reverse on load on the at least one component of the device including monitoring the deformation of the at least one component and interpreting the load created between the patient and the at least one component;

first moving the device in the first direction of travel to a first position defined by one of the first maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load;

second moving the device in the second direction of travel to a second position defined by the second maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load; and

repeating the first and second moving steps.

2. A control system as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the first moving step further includes pausing at the first position for a predetermined length of time and wherein the second moving step further includes pausing at the second position for a predetermined length of time.

3. A control system as claimed in

claim 2

wherein the first moving step further includes moving the device in the first direction to an extended first position defined by one of the first maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load and wherein the second moving step further includes moving the device in the second direction to an extended second position defined by one of the second maximum limit and the maximum reverse on load.

4. A control system as claimed in

claim 3

wherein the first moving step and second moving step include sequentially moving the device and pausing a predetermined number of times.

5. A control system as claimed in

claim 1

further including the step of monitoring the deformation of a plurality of components of the device.

6. A control system as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the load that is monitored is torque.

7. A control system as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the load that is monitored is force.

9. A control system as claimed in

claim 1

further including the step of adjusting the monitored load to compensate for variance in position of the device.

10. A control system as claimed in

claim 4

wherein the load is monitored using a strain gauge chassis having a bases a top portion, and first and second spaced apart side walls extending therebetween;

a first pair of strain gauges attached to the opposing sides of the first side wall and defining a first bridge; and

a second pair of strain gauges attached to opposing sides of the second side wall and defining a second bridge and wherein the load is monitored by interpreting the first and second bridges to determine the force and interpreting the difference between the first and second bridges to determine the torque.

11. A control system as claimed in

claim 10

wherein the chassis further including a third pair of strain gauges including one attached to one side of the first side wall and one attached to the opposing side of the second side wall and defining a third bridge wherein the load is monitored by further interpreting the third bridge and adjusting the load to compensate for the position of the device.

8. A control system as claimed in claim I wherein the load that is monitored is both force and torque.

12. A strain gauge chassis for use in a control system for a therapeutic motion device comprising:

a chassis adapted to be attached to at least one component of the therapeutic motion device, the chassis having a base, a top portion, and first and second spaced apart side walls extending therebetween; and

a first pair of strain gauges attached to opposing sides of the first side wall and defining a first bridge whereby the reverse on load of the at least one component of the therapeutic motion device is determined by monitoring the strain gauges and determining the deformation of the component and interpreting the load created between the patient and the component.

13. A strain gauge chassis as claimed in

claim 12

further including a second pair of strain gauges attached to opposing sides of the second side wall defining a second bridge.

14. A strain gauge chassis as claimed in

claim 13

further including a third pair of strain gauges including one attached to one side of the first side wall and one attached to the opposing side of the second side wall defining a third bridge.

15. A strain gauge chassis for use in a control system for a therapeutic motion device comprising;

at least one pair of strain gauges adapted to be attached to at least one component of the therapeutic motion device, the pair of strain gauges defining a first bridge whereby the reverse on load of the at least one component is determined by monitoring the strain gauges and determining the deformation of the component and interpreting the loads created between the patient and the component.