Rehabilitation/exercise machine and system using muscle feedback

• US 8,262,541 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2012
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• 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 E
• Application Number:
  US13/448,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20120202650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 147 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 601/1, 601/5, 601/23, 434/247
• 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 system for exercising a muscle.

Claims

1. A machine for at least one of rehabilitation and exercise, comprising:

a frame;

a first arm movably secured to the frame;

a first actuator operatively connected to said first arm for displacing said first arm with respect to said frame;

a first force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on said first arm; and

a control unit operatively connected to said first actuator and said first force sensor, said control unit being adapted for controlling a displacement speed for said first arm via said first actuator as a function of said force and for increasing said displacement speed of said first arm via said first actuator when said force is superior to a target force.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit is adapted to decrease said displacement speed of said first arm via said first actuator when said force is inferior to a minimum limit.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an electrical potential sensor operatively connected to said control unit for measuring an electrical potential generated by a muscle of said user while said user is exerting said force on said first arm, said control unit being adapted for lowering said target force when said electrical potential is superior to a predetermined maximum electrical potential.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit is adapted to allow an initial displacement for said first arm only when said force is at least equal to a predetermined force threshold.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second arm movably secured to the frame;

a second actuator operatively connected to said second arm for displacing said second arm with respect to said frame; and

a second force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on said second arm, said control unit being further operatively connected to said second actuator and said second force sensor.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first actuator comprises a first motor rotatably connecting the first arm to the frame and the second actuator comprises a second motor rotatably connecting the second arm to the frame, the first motor defining a first rotation axis and the second motor defining a second rotation axis.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second arms are spaced apart and further wherein the machine comprises a seat positioned between the first and second arms to allow said user to hold and exert said force on both the first and second arms while sitting on said seat.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second arms are movable to a coronal exercise position wherein the first and second rotation axes are aligned, the first and second arms being positioned so as to allow a user to selectively perform extension and flexion movements using said first and second arms while sitting on said seat.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second arms are movable to a sagittal exercise position wherein the first and second rotation axes are parallel and spaced apart, the first and second arms being positioned so as to allow a user to selectively perform abduction and adduction movements using said first and second arms while sitting on said seat.

10. A system for exercising a muscle, the system comprising:

a machine for at least one of rehabilitation and exercise, comprising;

a frame;

a first arm movably secured to the frame;

a first actuator operatively connected to said first arm for displacing said first arm with respect to said frame;

a first force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on said first arm;

a control unit operatively connected to said first actuator and said first force sensor, said control unit being adapted for controlling a displacement speed for said first arm via said first actuator as a function of said force and for increasing said displacement speed of said first arm via said first actuator when said force is superior to a target force; and

an electrical potential sensor for location on said muscle for measuring an electrical potential generated by said muscle of said user while said user is exerting said force on said first arm, said electrical potential sensor being operatively connected to said control unit, said control unit being adapted for lowering said target force when said electrical potential is superior to a predetermined maximum electrical potential.