Method and apparatus for exercising a paralyzed limb
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
- means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; and
means for actuating said stimulation means in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for inducing contraction of a paralyzed muscle in a limb. The invention includes a method for providing electrical stimualtion to a paralyzed limb in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved, or unparalyzed limb, as well as an apparatus to implement the method. A method and apparatus are also provided for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb. The transporting apparatus is propelled at least in part by the paralyzed limb which is induced to move by electrical stimulation of a paralyzed muscle in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; and means for actuating said stimulation means in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; and means for energizing said stimulation means only during a time that an uninvolved limb is in continuous motion.
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13. Apparatus for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; and means for actuating said stimulation means only during a time that an uninvolved limb is in motion.
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14. Apparatus for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; means for actuating said stimulation means in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb; and means for propelling said apparatus using said paralyzed limb. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Apparatus for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb and an uninvolved limb wherein said apparatus is a tricycle having a frame, a pedal-driven front wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, a right rear wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, a left rear wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, and a seat secured to said frame, the improvement which comprises:
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a hand-crank steering mechanism pivotably mounted on said frame and mechanically linked with said front wheel such that pivoting said mechanism in a clockwise direction causes said front wheel to turn right and pivoting said mechanism in a counterclockwise direction causes said front wheel to turn left, said hand-crank also operatively arranged for rotation and mechanically linked to said front wheel such that rotation of said hand-crank causes said front wheel to rotate to propel said tricycle; sensing means for sensing a crank angle position of said hand-crank steering mechanism and for providing a position signal indicative of said position; processing means for receiving said position signal and for transmitting a neuromuscular stimulation signal in response thereto; a plurality of electrodes operatively arranged to receive said neuromuscular stimulation signal from said processing means and transmit said stimulation signal to a paralyzed muscle to induce contraction of said paralyzed muscle of said paralyzed limb, wherein said paralyzed limb powers said pedal-driven front wheel.
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27. A method for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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electrically stimulating said paralyzed limb; and actuating said stimulation in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; actuating said stimulation in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb; and propelling an apparatus using said paralyzed limb. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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electrically stimulating said paralyzed limb; and energizing said stimulation only during a time that an uninvolved limb is in continuous motion.
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41. A method for inducing muscle contraction in a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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electrically stimulating said paralyzed limb; and actuating said stimulation only during a time that an uninvolved limb is in motion.
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42. Apparatus for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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means for electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; means for actuating said stimulation means in response to continuous motion of an uninvolved limb; and means for propelling said apparatus using both said uninvolved and paralyzed limbs.
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43. A method for transporting a person having a paralyzed limb, comprising:
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electrical stimulation of said paralyzed limb; actuating said stimulation in response to continuous motions of an uninvolved limb; propelling an apparatus using both the uninvolved and paralyzed limb.
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Specification