Methods of therapy or controlled exercise using a jointed brace

• US 5,980,435 A
• Filed: 06/23/1995
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Inventors: Hruska, Ronald J. Jr., Joutras, Frank Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARK, JEANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/494,528
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 482/112, 482/114, 482/115, 482/117, 482/118, 482/124, 482/4, 482/5, 482/8, 482/9, 601/33-35, 601/23, 601/5, 602/26, 602/27, 602/16, 602/20
• US Class Current: 482/114
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0454 including flex control; Dampening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0125 the device articulating around a single pivot-point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 19/04 movably supported on a framework or spheres or cylinders carrying the user inside standing on it for equilibrium exercises A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4005 to the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0285 Hanging
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/004 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/085 : by rotational movement of the joint in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/04 : Shoe holders for passing over the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/145 : between two superimposed binding systems, e.g. cradle
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/18 : about a vertical rotation axis relative to the board
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/24 : Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops

Abstract

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

Claims

1. A method of providing controlled exercise of a jointed portion of a person comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section wherein the first section is connected to a first portion of a person on one side of a joint of the person and the second section to a second portion of the person on the opposite side of the person'"'"'s joint;

attaching control means to said first and second sections;

moving the first portion of the person with respect to the second portion of the person; and

varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means through said control means wherein a predetermined resistance is provided for each position and direction of movement of the first section with respect to the second section independent of the rate of movement of the first section with respect to the second section;

the step of varying the resistance of movement including the step of resisting motion of movement of the jointed brace with a force dependent upon the position of the first section and the section section.

2. A method of providing controlled exercise of a jointed portion of a person comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section wherein the first section is connected to a first portion of a person on one side of a joint of the person and the second section to a second portion of the person on the opposite side of the person'"'"'s joint;

attaching control means to said first and second sections;

moving the first portion of the person with respect to the second portion of the person; and

varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means through said control means wherein a predetermined resistance is provided for each position and direction of movement of the first section with respect to the second section independent of the rate of movement of the first section with respect to the second section;

the step of varying the resistances including the step of varying the resistance over a portion of movement in accordance with a program means in the control means as a function of different angles between the first and second sections.

3. A method of providing controlled exercise of a jointed portion of a person comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section wherein the first section is connected to a first portion of a person on one side of a joint of the person and the second section to a second portion of the person on the opposite side of the person'"'"'s joint;

attaching control means to said first and second sections;

moving the first portion of the person with respect to the second portion of the person; and

varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means through said control means wherein a predetermined resistance is provided for each position and direction of movement of the first section with respect to the second section independent of the rate of movement of the first section with respect to the second section;

in which the step of varying the resistance including the substep of varying pressure between movable friction plates for controlling frictional force resisting to motion of the friction plates with respect to each other.

4. A method of providing controlled exercise of a jointed portion of a person comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section wherein the first section is connected to a first portion of a person on one side of a joint of the person and the second section to a second portion of the person on the opposite side of the person'"'"'s joint;

attaching control means to said first and second sections;

moving the first portion of the person with respect to the second portion of the person; and

varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means through said control means wherein a predetermined resistance is provided for each position and direction of movement of the first section with respect to the second section independent of the rate of movement of the first section with respect to the second section;

wherein the step of varying the resistance includes the substep of controlling friction in accordance with the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as the first and second sections move;

wherein the substep of controlling friction includes the substep of changing the amount of pressure between the friction members as a function of the angle between the two sections.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 in which the substeps of changing the amount of pressure includes the substep of actuating a cam means to press the friction members together at certain angular positions of the first section and the second section with respect to each other.

6. A method of providing controlled exercise of a jointed portion of a person comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section wherein the first section is connected to a first portion of a person on one side of a joint of the person and the second section to a second portion of the person on the opposite side of the person'"'"'s joint;

attaching control means to said first and second sections;

moving the first portion of the person with respect to the second portion of the person; and

varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means through said control means;

the step of varying the resistance including the substep of controlling friction in accordance with the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as the first and second sections move;

the substep of controlling friction including the substep of changing the amount of pressure between the friction members as a function of the angle between the two sections;

the substeps of changing the amount of pressure including the substep of actuating a cam means to press the friction members together at certain angular positions of the first section and the second section with respect to each other; and

the step of controlling pressure including the steps of engaging a first pair of friction members during rotation in one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions between said first and second sections and engaging a different combination of frictional members during the opposite of clockwise or counterclockwise movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other.

7. A method of therapy comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed limb member having a first section, a second section, and a joint means connecting said first section and second section whereby the first section is connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb; and

periodically attaching control means to said first and second sections adjacent to said joint means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said joint means wherein the amount of resistance is independent of the rate of movement;

exercising the limb while said control means is attached;

removing said control means after said exercise;

wherein a program means varies a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program means at different angles between the first and second sections.

8. A method of therapy comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed limb member having a first section, a second section, and a joint means connecting said first section and second section whereby the first section is connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb;

periodically attaching control means to said first and second sections adjacent to said joint means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said joint means wherein the amount of resistance is independent of the rate of movement;

exercising the limb while said control means is attached;

removing said control means after said exercise;

providing a resistance force against movement of said sections in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said joint means;

wherein said friction is provided by friction means and the friction means is controlled by the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move, and the amount of pressure is controlled by differences in the pressure between two members as the angle between the two sections changes.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 in which a camming mechanism presses the members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section.

10. A method of therapy comprising the steps of:

attaching a jointed limb member having a first section, a second section, and a joint means connecting said first section and second section whereby the first section is connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb;

periodically attaching control means to said first and second sections adjacent to said joint means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said joint means;

exercising the limb while said control means is attached;

removing said control means after said exercise; and

providing a resistance force against movement of said sections in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said joint means, wherein the friction means is controlled by the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move, the amount of pressure is controlled by differences in the pressure between two members as the angle between the two sections changes, and a camming mechanism presses the members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section;

a first pair of friction members engaging each other during rotation in one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions between said first and second sections and a different combination of frictional members engaging each other during the opposite of clockwise or counterclockwise movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other.

11. A method of making exercise apparatus comprising:

attaching a first section to a first portion of a brace joint means, a second section to a second portion of a brace joint means with said first section and second section movably attached to the brace joint means whereby the first section may be connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb;

wherein the force means has program means inserted for varying resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program means at different angles between the first and second sections.

12. A method comprising:

attaching a first section to a first portion of a brace joint means, a second section to a second portion of a brace joint means with said first section and second section movably attached to the brace joint means whereby the first section may be connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb;

providing controllable force means between said first and second portions for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means in such a manner as to reduce ortho-kinetic joint movement discord;

said force means is adjusted to provide a resistance force against movement of said sections in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said brace joint means;

wherein the friction means is controlled by the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move;

wherein the amount of pressure is controlled by differences in the pressure between two members as the angle between the two sections changes.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein a camming mechanism presses the members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section.

14. A method of making an exercise apparatus comprising:

attaching a first section to a first portion of a brace joint means, a second section to a second portion of a brace joint means with said first section and second section movably attached to the brace joint means whereby the first section may be connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb; and

providing controllable force means between said first and second portions for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means in such a manner as to reduce ortho-kinetic joint movement discord;

said force means being adjusted to provide a resistance force against movement of said sections in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said brace joint means;

the friction means being controlled by the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move;

wherein the amount of pressure is controlled by differences in the pressure between two members as the angle between the two sections chances;

a camming mechanism presses the members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section;

a first pair of friction members engaging each other during rotation in one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions between said first and second sections and a different combination of frictional members engaging each other during the opposite of clockwise or counterclockwise movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other.