Prosthetic and orthotic systems usable for rehabilitation

• US 20060173552A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Arion Banki Hf
• Inventors: Roy, Kim De
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00707 Dummies, phantoms; Devices simulating patient or parts of patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/64 Knee joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/76 Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/607 Lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6827 Feedback system for providing user sensation, e.g. by force, contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7615 Measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/769 Displaying measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7695 Means for testing non-implantable prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0237 for the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/007 secured to the patient, e.g. with belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/12 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1207 : with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 : Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 : computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 : connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5025 : Activation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 : Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 : freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 : Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04 ; applying electrical currents by contact electrodes for stimulating motor muscles, e.g. walking assistance A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 : for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/32 : with moving parts

Abstract

Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device.

Claims

1. A method for rehabilitation comprising:

providing a patient with a rehabilitation device that is attachable to a limb of the patient and that comprises an actively actuatable joint assembly;

selecting a first power level of the rehabilitation device, wherein the first power level is less than a maximum level of the rehabilitation device such that the patient when moving is partially assisted by the rehabilitation device while using his or her own muscles; and

selecting, after a length of time, a second power level of the rehabilitation device, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level and at least partially replaces muscle function of the patient, when moving, compared to the first power level.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising selecting a third power level of the rehabilitation device, wherein said selecting the first power level corresponds to a first rehabilitation-oriented action and said selecting the third power level corresponds to a second rehabilitation-oriented action different than the first rehabilitation-oriented action.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first rehabilitation-oriented action and second rehabilitation-oriented action are selected from the group consisting of ascending stairs, descending stairs, ascending a ramp and descending the ramp.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rehabilitation device comprises a powered prosthetic knee.

5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising selecting, after a second length of time, a third power level higher than the second power level, wherein the rehabilitation device at the third power level at least partially replaces muscle function of the patient, when moving, compared to the second power level.

6. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising selecting a sensitivity level of the rehabilitation device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said selecting the sensitivity level of the rehabilitation device further comprises decreasing, after a second length of time, the sensitivity level of the rehabilitation device, wherein decreasing the sensitivity level is associated with an increase in an ability of the patient to trigger a rehabilitation-oriented function by the rehabilitation device.

8. A training device for use with a limb of a patient, the training device comprising:

an actively actuatable joint;

an interface module configured to receive a selection of at least one of a plurality of power settings associated with one or more motions of the actively actuatable joint; and

a control module configured to output at least one control signal based at least on the selection of the at least one power setting, the at least one control signal being indicative of a power of the actively actuatable joint for at least partially replacing muscle function of the patient during a first category of motion of the training device.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein the power of the actively actuatable joint corresponds to a propulsion of the actively actuatable joint.

10. The training device of claim 8, wherein the actively actuatable joint is a knee joint.

11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the actively actuatable joint comprises an orthotic joint.

12. The training device of claim 8, wherein the interface module is configured to connect to a network.

13. The training device of claim 8, wherein the control module is further configured to output the at least one control signal based on physiological parameters of the user.

14. The training device of claim 8, wherein the interface module is further configured to receive a selection of one of a plurality of second power settings, wherein the plurality of second power settings corresponds to a second power of the actively actuatable joint during a second category of motion of the training device, the second category of motion being different than the first category of motion.

15. The training device of claim 8, wherein the interface module is further configured to receive a selection of at least one of a plurality of sensitivity level settings associated with the one or more movements of the actively actuatable joint.

16. A method of training a patient, the method comprising:

providing a patient with a training device having a powered actuatable joint, the training device being configured to attach to a limb of the patient, wherein the training device is provided temporarily to train the patient to use a second prosthetic device;

selecting a first power level of the training device corresponding to a first rehabilitation-oriented action; and

selecting a second power level of the training device corresponding to a second rehabilitation-oriented action different than the first rehabilitation oriented action,

wherein said selecting the first and second power levels is based on a training level of the patient, and wherein the first and second power levels are, respectively, less than a first maximum power level and a second maximum power level.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first maximum power level is based on at least one physiological parameter of the patient.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first maximum power level is associated with a maximum amount of propulsion of the training device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of said selecting the first power level and said selecting the second power level is based at least in part on sensory data collected from a corresponding healthy limb of the patient.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second rehabilitation-oriented actions are selected from the group consisting of level-ground walking, ascending stairs and descending stairs.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the second prosthetic device is a passive prosthetic device.

22. A powered lower-limb prosthesis having propulsive capabilities, the prosthesis comprising:

an actively actuatable knee joint;

a user interface module configured to receive a selection of at least one of a plurality of power settings; and

an adjustable-power module configured to output one or more control signals for controlling an amount of power to be applied during a movement of the actively actuatable knee joint, wherein said one or more control signals is based at least in part on the selection of the at least one power setting.

23. The prosthesis of claim 22, wherein the adjustable-power module is further configured to output the one or more control signals based on at least one received physiological characteristic of a user.

24. The prosthesis of claim 22, wherein the user interface module is further configured to receive a selection of at least one of a plurality of sensitivity level settings.

25. A method of training an amputee, the method comprising:

using a first prosthetic device to perform a first motion by an amputee such that movement of the first prosthetic device is caused by a first muscle power of the amputee;

replacing the first prosthetic device with a second powered prosthetic device;

using the second powered prosthetic device to perform the first motion by the amputee such that movement of the second powered prosthetic device is caused by a second muscle power of the amputee, wherein the second muscle power is less than the first muscle power; and

replacing, after using the second powered prosthetic device, the second powered prosthetic device with the first prosthetic device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first prosthetic device is a passive prosthetic device.