Apparatus and method for multi-axial spinal testing and rehabilitation
First Claim
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a rotation arm including a first end region, a second end region, and a middle section;
a support unit pivotably connected to the rotation arm, to permit rotation of the rotation arm about a vertical rotation axis extending through the middle section;
a perch to position a patient'"'"'s spine substantially co-axially with the rotation axis;
a flexion-extension arm including third and fourth end regions pivotably fastened to the first and second end regions to permit rotation of the flexion-extension arm about a horizontal flexion-extension axis extending through said first, second, third, and fourth end regions, and further extending perpendicularly through the rotation axis;
a lateral bending support segment including a fifth end region pivotably fastened to the flexion-extension arm to permit rotation of the lateral bending support segment about a horizontal lateral bending axis extending through said fifth end region and perpendicularly through both the rotation and flexion-extension axes, wherein the rotation arm, flexion-extension arm, and lateral bending support segment are simultaneously rotatable about their respective axes; and
an arm support assembly connected to the lateral bending support segment, to limit movement of the patent'"'"'s upper body with respect to the lateral bending support segment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise dynamometer permits a patient to exercise against isodynamic, isokinetic, or isometric resistance to evaluate various musculoskeletal conditions of the patient'"'"'s human spine. Sensing means are provided to determine the positioning of the patient, and to determine the angular position, velocity, and torque of the exercise movements. In a first embodiment, the patient'"'"'s head, trunk, upper legs, knees, and feet are secured to a lumbar dynamometer to isolate lumbar and lower thoracic spinal rotation, flexion-extension, and/or lateral bending. During rotational exercise, the axis of movement of the dynamometer is coincident with the patient'"'"'s spine. In a second embodiment, a patient'"'"'s trunk and hips are secured to a neck dynamometer to restrict exercise to the cervical spine. The invention facilitates forward flexion-extension, or alternatively lateral bending of the cervical spine, about a first axis aligned with the patient'"'"'s C1-C2 vertebrae and a second axis aligned with the patient'"'"'s C7 vertebra.
135 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
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a rotation arm including a first end region, a second end region, and a middle section; a support unit pivotably connected to the rotation arm, to permit rotation of the rotation arm about a vertical rotation axis extending through the middle section; a perch to position a patient'"'"'s spine substantially co-axially with the rotation axis; a flexion-extension arm including third and fourth end regions pivotably fastened to the first and second end regions to permit rotation of the flexion-extension arm about a horizontal flexion-extension axis extending through said first, second, third, and fourth end regions, and further extending perpendicularly through the rotation axis; a lateral bending support segment including a fifth end region pivotably fastened to the flexion-extension arm to permit rotation of the lateral bending support segment about a horizontal lateral bending axis extending through said fifth end region and perpendicularly through both the rotation and flexion-extension axes, wherein the rotation arm, flexion-extension arm, and lateral bending support segment are simultaneously rotatable about their respective axes; and an arm support assembly connected to the lateral bending support segment, to limit movement of the patent'"'"'s upper body with respect to the lateral bending support segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification