Method of rehabilitating muscles and neurological pathways in a patient using a multifunctional therapeutic workstation kit

• US 5,350,304 A
• Filed: 03/09/1993
• Issued: 09/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Patterson Medical Products Incorporated (Madison Dearborn Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith and Nephew Rolyan Inc (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Fula, Karen A., Krippendorf, Carl E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/028,523
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 434/258, 434/247, 434/259, 446/108, 446/110-115, 446/118, 446/122, 446/123, 312/213, 312/257.1
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/12 Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

A multi-functional therapeutic workstation which can simulate a multitude of job tasks. The workstation kit includes five panel designs, right angled elbows, nuts and bolts, and can be assembled into a variety of modules requiring the exercise of varying levels of cognitive and motor skills. Depending upon the position of the patient relative to the workstation kit, and the module that the patient is required to construct, the assembly rehabilitates both muscles as well as neurological pathways.

Claims

1. A method of rehabilitating the muscles and neurological pathways of patients that have been subjected to physical or neurological trauma, comprising:

(a) selecting a therapeutic workstation kit for rehabilitation of muscular and neurological functions comprising;

(1) a side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two sides, and having a slot for grasping and lifting, said side panel further having spaced holes at least along the perimeter of the panel for accepting bolts to allow connection to another panel with right angled elbows;

(2) a middle panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two sides, and having at least one aperture sized to permit the insertion of a hand and arm therethrough, said middle panel being provided with spaced holes for bolts at least along the perimeter of the panel to allow connection of the middle panel to another panel with right angled elbows; and

(3) a top panel, said top panel having sides, related in length to the top sides of the side and middle panels, so that the top panel may be affixed at right angles to said middle and side panels with right angled elbows;

(b) manipulating the panels of the kit and interconnecting said panels to each other with right angled elbows to form a module; and

(c) exercising the traumatized muscles or neurological pathways by the manipulating and assembling, thereby performing a therapeutic function.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising fitting shelf brackets onto two opposing panels in the module of step (b) and sliding a shelf into the brackets to restrict workspace for exercising the patient'"'"'s muscles in the restricted workspace.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising threading wire through the holes to exercise fine motor skills.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a)(3) of selecting comprises selecting a square top panel having sides equal in length to the top sides of the side and middle panels.