COMMUNICATIONS DURING REHABILITATION

• US 20100249672A1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Ewing
• Original Assignee: Paul Ewing
• Inventors: Ewing, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/024 Knee A61H1/0255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/018 By limiting the applied torque or force
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5084 Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0425 Sitting on the buttocks
• 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

Abstract

A method, includes recording first regimen data in a controller. The first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen. The method also includes controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data, and recording progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed. The method also includes transmitting the progress data from the controller to a remote user, and receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data. The second regimen data is different from the first regimen data. The method further includes controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

Claims

1. A method for operating a therapeutic device, comprising:

recording first regimen data in a controller, wherein the first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen;

controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data;

recording first progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed;

transmitting the first progress data from the controller to a remote user;

receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data, wherein the second regimen data is different from the first regimen data; and

controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first regimen data includes an amount of force to be exerted on a joint, a number of cycles for exercising the joint, and a maximum angle of extension for the joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transmitting includes transmitting over an internet connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first progress data includes information representative of gait of the patient.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first progress data is indicative of whether the patient is walking normally or limping.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising recording the first progress data by the secondary device by using information from an accelerometer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second regimen data is determined based upon modifying the first regimen data in response to the first progress data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first progress data originates from a device attached to a knee.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the second progress data from the controller to a remote user, wherein the second progress data is representative of data recorded when controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

10. A method, comprising:

recording first regimen data in a controller, wherein the first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen for a joint;

controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data;

receiving a first progress data from a secondary device to the controller, wherein the first progress data is representative of a patient'"'"'s movement of a joint;

recording a second progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed;

transmitting the first progress data to a remote user;

receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data, wherein the second regimen data is different from the first regimen data; and

controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second regimen data determined based upon modifying of the first regimen data in response to the first progress data.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first progress data includes information representative of gait of the patient.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first progress data is indicative of whether the patient is walking normally or limping.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first progress data is indicative of whether the patient is using crutches.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising recording the first progress data by the secondary device by using information from an accelerometer.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first progress data originates from an accelerometer.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the first progress data originates from a device that contacts the patient'"'"'s leg.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the controlling the device in accordance with the first regimen data includes:

urging the joint toward an extended position using a predetermined amount of force;

maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for a predetermined amount of time;

urging the joint away from the extended position;

urging the joint toward the extended position using the predetermined amount of force; and

permitting the joint to move away from the extended position while the predetermined amount of force is exerted on the joint.

19. A method of increasing a range of motion of a joint of a limb, comprising:

urging the joint toward an extended position using a predetermined amount of force transmitted through an apparatus directly on the joint;

maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for a predetermined amount of time;

urging the joint away from the extended position;

urging the joint toward the extended position using the predetermined amount of force;

maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for the predetermined amount of time; and

permitting the joint to move away from the extended position while the predetermined amount of force is exerted on the joint.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein urging the joint includes preventing the joint from extending beyond a predetermined joint angle of extension.