Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Exercising appliance
Patent
1996-04-19
1998-01-27
Clark, Jeanne M.
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Exercising appliance
601 33, 601150, 13711513, 251 75, 251294, A61H 100
Patent
active
057117578
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a controller, and particularly but not exclusively to a controller for controlling inflation and deflation of an inflatable device, particularly to a controller for controlling inflation and deflation of an inflatable device for use in continuous passive motion devices, and to a device incorporating such a controller.
It is known that after surgery or injury, the joints or other parts of the bodies of human or other animals may become stiff whilst the joint is healing. In order to reduce stiffness and increase the speed of recovery, it is known that movement in the joint is beneficial.
Natural or active motion, for example walking, is known to be very beneficial. Unfortunately, under certain circumstances, for example, after surgery, a person may not be able to engage in active motion as activities such as walking are too painful. Under such circumstances, exercise by continuous passive motion may be more suitable.
A known continuous passive motion (CPM) device comprises one or more inflatable bodies, for example bladders or bags adapted to be repeatedly inflated and deflated over a period of time. A part of the body of a patient to be exercised, for example a knee joint, is supported by the inflatable body. Repeated inflation and deflation of the inflatable body results in movement of the joint without any effort required on the part of the patient. Such movement is know as passive movement.
Another known CPM device comprises support means for supporting a joint to be exercised, which support means is moveable in a controllable manner to passively exercise the joint.
A problem with known CPM devices is that it is necessary to use sophisticated control means, for example electronic devices to control the movement of the CPM device. This is because if a CPM device is used for example to exercise a knee joint, as the inflatable body inflates, the pressure exerted on the inflatable body by the thigh of the patient whose knee is being exercised decreases as the angle of flexion increases. This means that it is not possible to control the inflation and deflation of the CPM device by for example monitoring pressure.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device having an open position and a closed position, the device comprising: a second position; and position after movement to or towards the second position.
The device according to the first aspect of the present invention is mechanically simple and therefore relatively cheap.
When the moveable portion is in the first position, the switch is in the closed position, and when the moveable portion is in the second position, the switch is in the open position.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a continuous passive motion device comprising: inflatable body attachable to the controller, and pump means attachable to the controller, wherein in use when the controller is in the closed position, the inflatable body may be inflated by the pump means, and when the controller is in the open position, the inflatable body may be allowed to deflate.
Preferably the positioning means comprises first biasing means for biasing the moving portion in the first position.
Conveniently the device further comprises at least one aperture which aperture is closed when the moveable portion is in its first position, and open when the moveable portion is in its second position.
Advantageously the inflatable body is attachable to the controller by elongate member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongate member being attachable to the inflatable body, and the second end of the elongate member being attachable to the moveable portion of the controller.
Preferably the elongate means comprises a length of elastic.
When the controller is in the closed position, i.e. when the aperture or vent is closed, the pump means causes air or other fluid to be pumped into the inflatable body. As the inflatable body inflates, the elongate member which is attached to the inflatable body a
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Clark Jeanne M.
Neoligaments Limited
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