Rehabilitation system and method using muscle feedback

• US 8,187,152 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Consultant En Ergonomie Et En Mieux-Etre Du Saguenay, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Consultant En Ergonomie Et En Mieux-Etre Du Saguenay, Inc.
• Inventors: Gravel, Martin, Desbiens, Laval
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US12/884,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247, 7337901-37903
• US Class Current: 482/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0274 for the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5079 Velocity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0431 in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1272 Rotation around an axis perpendicular to the frontal body-plane of the user, i.e. moving the arms in the plane of the body, to and from the sides of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

There is provided a machine for rehabilitation or exercise, comprising: a frame; a first arm movably secured to the frame via a first actuator; a first force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on the first arm; and a control unit adapted for controlling a displacement speed for the first arm via the first actuator as a function of the force and for increasing the displacement speed of the first arm via the first actuator when the force is superior to a target force. In one embodiment, there is further provided an electromyograph for location on the exercised muscle for measuring an electrical potential generated by the muscle and for lowering the target force when the electrical potential is superior to a predetermined maximum electrical potential. There is further provided a method for operating an exercise machine and a system for exercising a muscle.

Claims

1. A method for operating an exercise machine, said method comprising:

measuring a force exerted by a user on an arm movably secured to a frame of said exercise machine via an actuator;

comparing said force to a maximum limit;

when said force is inferior or equal to a target force, determining a displacement speed for said arm in accordance with said force;

moving said arm in accordance with said displacement speed; and

when said force is superior to said target force, increasing said displacement speed of said arm via said actuator.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

measuring an electrical potential generated by a muscle of said user while said user is moving said arm; and

when said electrical potential is superior to a maximum allowable electrical potential, decreasing said target force.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising, before measuring the force exerted by said user on said arm:

measuring a maximum electrical potential generated by said muscle of said user; and

calculating the maximum allowable electrical potential according to said maximum electrical potential.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein measuring said maximum electrical potential comprises:

blocking said arm so as to prevent movement thereof; and

measuring the electrical potential generated by said muscle when said user exerts a maximum amount of force against said arm.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein decreasing said target force comprises:

calculating a potential difference between said electrical potential generated by a muscle of said user and said maximum allowable electrical potential;

calculating a potential difference ratio of said potential difference with respect to said maximum allowable electrical potential;

applying said potential difference ratio to said target force to obtain a force correction value; and

subtracting said target force by said force correction value.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining a displacement speed for said arm comprises:

measuring an actual displacement speed;

calculating a force difference between the force exerted by the user on the arm and the target force;

applying a predetermined correction coefficient to said force difference to obtain a correction value; and

subtracting said correction value from said actual displacement speed to obtain a corrected displacement speed.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein increasing said displacement speed of said arm comprises:

measuring an actual displacement speed;

calculating a force difference between the force exerted by the user on the arm and the target force;

applying a predetermined correction coefficient to said force difference to obtain a correction value; and

adding said correction value to said actual displacement speed to obtain a corrected displacement speed.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising allowing for an initial displacement for said arm only when said force is at least equal to a force threshold.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, before measuring the force exerted by said user on said arm, positioning said arm in a predetermined initial angular position.