Method and apparatus for providing stimulated exercise of paralyzed limbs
First Claim
1. Method of exercising a limb of a specific human individual comprising the steps of:
- storing in a portable electronically readable memory control instructions for a specifically prescribed exercise routine and a plurality of physiological parameters corresponding to specifically prescribed limits on the physiological response of said human individual to said exercise routine,placing said memory into communication with an exercise control device,causing said exercise control device to read said exercise control instructions from said memory and generate a series of stimulation signals in response thereto,producing coordinated repetitive movement of said limb by applying said stimulation signals to muscles connected for production of said movement,measuring the physiological response of said human individual to said movement,causing said exercise control device to read said physiological parameters from said memory, andterminating the generation of said stimulation signals when said physiological response exceeds any of said prescribed limits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer control system which allows precise control of movement in paralyzed muscle through functional electrical stimulation. The system includes a computer operated at a programming center under physician control, an electronically erasable and programmable read only memory removable cartridge and a remotely located second computer for controlling the operation of appropriately configured exercise equipment. By using this system, a physician can set work limits for a patient, and the patient can then exercise essentially under a physician'"'"'s control but without the physician'"'"'s direct and continuous supervision. In a preferred embodiment, records of the intensity and length of the workout are kept on the cartridge so that the physician can recall the data and get a graphical printout from the computer.
228 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Method of exercising a limb of a specific human individual comprising the steps of:
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storing in a portable electronically readable memory control instructions for a specifically prescribed exercise routine and a plurality of physiological parameters corresponding to specifically prescribed limits on the physiological response of said human individual to said exercise routine, placing said memory into communication with an exercise control device, causing said exercise control device to read said exercise control instructions from said memory and generate a series of stimulation signals in response thereto, producing coordinated repetitive movement of said limb by applying said stimulation signals to muscles connected for production of said movement, measuring the physiological response of said human individual to said movement, causing said exercise control device to read said physiological parameters from said memory, and terminating the generation of said stimulation signals when said physiological response exceeds any of said prescribed limits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Method of prescribing an exercise routine for a paralyzed limb of a specific human individual comprising the steps of:
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storing instructions for the conduct of said routine in a computer memory, storing in said computer memory a plurality of specifically established physiological parameters setting forth prescribed limits on the physiologicl response of said human individual to said routine, copying said instructions and said physiological parameters from said computer memory into an electronically programmable memory cartridge, and storing in said cartridge a count for controlling the number of uses thereof.
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7. Apparatus for exercising a limb of a specific human individual comprising:
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stimulation means for stimulating a predetermined movement of said limb, a response sensor for sensing physiological response to said movement, an exercise control device for enabling cyclical repetitive operation of said stimulation means and terminating said operation when said physiological response reaches a predetermined limit, a programmable memory cartridge loaded with information specifically establishing said limit for said human individual, and connector means for releasably connecting said cartridge to said exercise control device and enabling said exercise control device to read said specifically established information. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification