Recumbent stepping exercise device with stimulation and related methods
First Claim
1. A device for use by a human subject in performing a recumbent stepping exercise using their legs, hips, knees and feet with the assistance of stimulation, comprising:
- a base;
a seat supported by the base for receiving the subject;
a pair of receivers adapted for independently engaging the subject'"'"'s feet, the receivers constrained for moving alternately and relative to the base along a path of travel in a stepping pattern between a first, extended position with the corresponding leg at least partially bent and the corresponding knee positioned farther from the subject'"'"'s upper torso and a second, retracted position with the corresponding leg more bent than in the first position and positioned closer the subject'"'"'s upper torso, such that the hip joint corresponding to each leg is being exercised during the stepping pattern;
at least one stop located at the distal end of the path of travel for retarding the movement of at least one of the receivers to simulate the foot making contact with the ground; and
a stimulator adapted for electrically stimulating at least one muscle of at least one of the subject'"'"'s legs as the receivers move along the path of travel in an alternating pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, a device facilitates performance of a recumbent stepping exercise using stimulation. The device may include a seat for receiving a human exercise subject and foot receivers for alternately translating to and fro relative to a stationary base along a path of travel between a first position in which the legs are at least partially bent and a second position in which the legs are less bent than in the first position. An electrical stimulator is provided for facilitating the performance of the exercise by the subject moving the foot receivers alternately along the path of travel. In another aspect, adaptive feed-forward control may also be used to enhance the stepping exercise performed using the device. Related methods of performing stepping exercises are also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for use by a human subject in performing a recumbent stepping exercise using their legs, hips, knees and feet with the assistance of stimulation, comprising:
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a base; a seat supported by the base for receiving the subject; a pair of receivers adapted for independently engaging the subject'"'"'s feet, the receivers constrained for moving alternately and relative to the base along a path of travel in a stepping pattern between a first, extended position with the corresponding leg at least partially bent and the corresponding knee positioned farther from the subject'"'"'s upper torso and a second, retracted position with the corresponding leg more bent than in the first position and positioned closer the subject'"'"'s upper torso, such that the hip joint corresponding to each leg is being exercised during the stepping pattern; at least one stop located at the distal end of the path of travel for retarding the movement of at least one of the receivers to simulate the foot making contact with the ground; and a stimulator adapted for electrically stimulating at least one muscle of at least one of the subject'"'"'s legs as the receivers move along the path of travel in an alternating pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for assisting a human subject in performing a recumbent stepping exercise using their legs, hips, knees and feet with the assistance of stimulation, comprising:
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positioning the subject on a seat; placing the subject'"'"'s feet on corresponding receivers constrained to move reciprocally along a path of travel during a stepping pattern between a first, extended position with the corresponding leg at least partially bent and the corresponding knee positioned away from the subject'"'"'s upper torso and a second, retracted position with the corresponding leg more bent than in the first position and positioned closer to the subject'"'"'s upper torso, such that the hip joint corresponding to each leg is being exercised during the stepping pattern; electrically stimulating at least one of the leg muscles of the subject while the receivers move alternately along the path of travel; and providing at least one stop at the forward end of the path of travel for retarding the movement of at least one of the receivers to simulate the corresponding foot making contact with the ground. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of performing a recumbent stepping exercise on a human subject with full or partial loss of leg muscle control, comprising:
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electrically stimulating at least one leg muscle at a predetermined level as the legs move alternately along a path of travel between a first position and a second, extended position during the stepping exercise; sensing a parameter of the exercise; adjusting the predetermined level of electrical stimulation to a revised level based on the sensed parameter; and electrically stimulating at least a portion of the leg muscles at the revised level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification