Range of motion system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for incrementally increasing the range of motion of first and second body portions of a joint, the method comprising:
- connecting a first arm member with the first body portion;
connecting a second arm member with the second body portion, wherein the first and second arm members are movably connected relative to each other to be able to form a range of angles therebetween, and wherein a force imparting member interposes the second arm member and the second body portion;
rotating the first arm member to move from a first position to a second position, to change an angle formed between the first and second arm members;
restricting, at least partially, movement of the first and second arm members from the second position towards the first position; and
moving the second body portion away from the second arm member by applying a first force to the second body portion, using the force imparting member, the first force operative to urge the second body portion away from the second arm member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The application is directed to devices and methods useful for expanding the range of motion of joints based on principles of stress relaxation and creep. Expanded range of motion is achieved by placing body parts near the joint in positions that stretch tissue around the joint. Even when the device is in any one position, it can impart forces on the body members to urge them to stretch surrounding tissue even further.
280 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for incrementally increasing the range of motion of first and second body portions of a joint, the method comprising:
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connecting a first arm member with the first body portion; connecting a second arm member with the second body portion, wherein the first and second arm members are movably connected relative to each other to be able to form a range of angles therebetween, and wherein a force imparting member interposes the second arm member and the second body portion; rotating the first arm member to move from a first position to a second position, to change an angle formed between the first and second arm members; restricting, at least partially, movement of the first and second arm members from the second position towards the first position; and moving the second body portion away from the second arm member by applying a first force to the second body portion, using the force imparting member, the first force operative to urge the second body portion away from the second arm member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for increasing the range of motion of a joint by incrementally stretching connective tissue between first and second body portions of said joint, the method comprising:
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connecting a first arm member with the first body portion; connecting the second body portion to a force imparting member, the force imparting member movably coupled to a second arm member, wherein the first and second arm members are pivotally connected; rotating the first arm member with respect to the joint to move from a first position to a second position, wherein rotating the first arm member induces rotation in the second arm member to move from the first position to the second position; rotating the second arm member with respect to the joint to move from a first position to a second position; restricting, at least partially, movement of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member from the second position towards the first position; and stretching the connective tissue using a first creep force exerted between the second body portion and the second arm member by the force imparting member, the first creep force being operative to urge the second body portion away from the first position while leaving the second arm member substantially in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for increasing the range of motion of a joint stretching connective tissue between first and second body portions of said joint, the method comprising:
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operating a drive mechanism of an orthosis comprising a first arm member coupled to the first body portion and a second arm member coupled to the second body portion to rotate the first arm member and the second arm member relative to the joint to cause relative movement between the first and second body portions from a first position to a second position wherein, in the second position, a force application member is elastically deformable by an initial force imposed by the orthosis on the first body portion and the second body portion; reducing operation of the drive mechanism; and moving the first and second body portions relative to joint from the second position to a third position, the third position being farther from the first position than the second position, wherein the first and second body portions are moved by applying a creep force to the first body portion and the second body portion using the elastically deformable force application member while operation of the drive mechanism is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for incrementally increasing the range of motion of first and second body portions of a joint, the method comprising:
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connecting a first arm member with the first body portion; connecting a second arm member with the second body portion, wherein the first and second arm members are movably connectable relative to each other to form a range of angles therebetween; rotating the first arm member to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the joint, using a drive mechanism associated with the first arm member, to change an angle formed between the first and second arm members, wherein rotating the first arm member induces rotation in the second arm member to move from the first position to the second position, using a drive mechanism associated with the second arm member, to change an angle formed between the first and second arm members; restricting, at least partially, movement of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member only in a direction from the second position towards the first position; and applying a force to the second body portion, using a force imparting member associated with the first and second arms, operative to urge the second body portion away from the second arm member. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification