Range of motion system and method

• US 20070038161A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter, Beyers, Justin, Phillips, Glen
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0137 with two parallel pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0139 geared
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0153 combining rotational and stretching movements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0102 specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/013 for the arms, hands or fingers A61F5/0118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0218 Drawing-out devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0237 for the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0274 for the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0296 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1607 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06

Abstract

The application is directed to devices and methods useful for expanding the range of motion of joints based on principles of stress relaxation and creep. Expanded range of motion is achieved by placing body parts near the joint in positions that stretch tissue around the joint. Even when the device is in any one position, it can impart forces on the body members to urge them to stretch surrounding tissue even further.

Claims

1. A device for increasing the range of motion of a tissue in a body of a patient, comprising:

a first arm member affixable to a first body portion;

a second arm member affixable to a second body portion, the second arm member being movable with respect to the first arm member;

a drive assembly operably connected to the first and second arm members, such that operation of the drive assembly actuates the second arm member from a first position to a second position with respect to the first arm member; and

a force application assembly connected to the second arm member so that it can impart a force to the second body portion.

2. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 wherein the force application assembly is interposed between the second arm member and the second body portion.

3. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 2 wherein the force application assembly includes a spring.

4. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 2 wherein the force application assembly is a fluid bladder.

5. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 2 wherein the force application assembly is made of a resilient material.

6. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 wherein the force application assembly is operably connected to first and second arm members and provides a substantially constant force to the second arm member with respect to the first arm member.

7. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 6 wherein the application assembly includes a torsion spring.

8. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive assembly holds the second arm member in the second position for a set time period.

9. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

the drive assembly can be operated to move the second arm member from the second position to a third position with respect to the first arm member; and

the force application assembly provides a substantially constant force to the second body portion.

10. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cuff attached to the second arm member.

11. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 10, wherein the force application assembly and cuff are configured to impart torsional forces on the second body portion.

12. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive assembly includes a rotatable thread member operably connected to the first and second arm members, such that a rotation of the threaded member moves the second arm member with respect to the first arm member.

13. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive assembly includes a gear system operably connected to the first and second arm members, such that a rotation of the threaded member moves the second arm member with respect to the first arm member.

14. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a control and monitoring system, the system including sensors for monitoring the patient'"'"'s implementation of a protocol.

15. A device for increasing the range of motion as set forth in claim 1, wherein the force application assembly can be adjusted to alter the degree, duration, or profile of force imparted to the second body member.

16. A method of increasing the range of motion of connective tissue between first and second body portions interconnected by a joint comprising:

connecting a first arm member with the first body portion;

connecting a second arm member with the second body portion, wherein the first and second arm members are pivotally connected;

moving the second arm member from a first position to a second position with respect to the first arm member;

providing a force to the second body portion in the second position.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the joint and the first and second body portions define on one side of the joint an inner sector which decreases in angle as the second arm member is moved from the first position to the second position.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein providing a force to the second body portion while the second arm member is in the second position includes decreasing the angle of the inner sector after the second arm member is moved into the second arm position.

19. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the joint and the first and second body portions defining on one side of the joint an outer sector which decreases in angle as the second arm member is moved from the first position to the second position.

20. A method as set forth in claim 19 wherein providing a force to the second body portion while the second arm member is in the second position includes decreasing the angle of the outer sector after the second arm member is moved into the second arm position.

21. A method as set forth in claim 16, further comprising:

moving the second arm member from the second position to a third position with respect to the first arm member; and

providing the force to the second body portion in the third position.

22. A method of increasing the range of motion of connective tissue between first and second body portions interconnected by a joint comprising:

stretching the connective tissue by moving the second body portion about the joint from a first position to a second position with respect to the first body portion;

holding the second body portion in the second position; and

preventing relaxation of the connective tissue by applying a force to the second body

portion in the second position.