Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Patent
1997-06-18
1999-04-20
Clark, Jeanne M.
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
600587, 434258, 482909, A63B 2302
Patent
active
058953639
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for performing equilibrium exercises, comprising means for fitting, thereof to a part of the body of a user and means connected to the fitting means and observable by the user for indicating the position of the device. Such a device is known e.g. from DE-A-2 227 938.
2) Background Art
In physiotherapy much use is made of equilibrium exercises in order to check the action of the equilibrium coordination system of a patient and, if possible, to correct it. This equilibrium coordination system can be disrupted in various ways. The equilibrium organs themselves may for instance function poorly, although it may also be the case that the equilibrium organs function properly per se, but that there is an inadequate motor coordination between these organs and the body parts with which the patient tries to maintain his balance. In the usual exercises the patient is placed on an unstable surface and possible deficiencies in attempts by the patient to preserve his equilibrium are determined by the physiotherapist. A drawback of this known exercise method is that as a result of the long route between the equilibrium organs and the body parts responsible for maintaining equilibrium, possible disturbances in the equilibrium coordination system are difficult to localize.
The above mentioned prior art document DE-A-2 227 938 already describes a device for performing biodynamic reaction training according to the so called Alexander technique, comprising means which are attached to the body of the user, and which allow the user to visually monitor the posture of his head with regard to his neck. In a first embodiment these posture monitoring means comprise a pair of mirrors arranged on the shoulders of the user on either side of his head, and a third mirror which is suspended from his head in front of his eyes, and which allows the user to see the side mirrors in order to check his posture. In alternative embodiment use is made of for instance a fibre optic system to transmit a view from the side of the head to the eyes of the user, or a mini TV-camera arranged on the shoulder, which is connected to a monitor arranged in front of the user. This known device however is only suitable for checking the posture of the head with regard to the torso of the user, and cannot be used for any other kind of equilibrium exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention therefore has for its object to provide a device with which disturbances in the equilibrium coordination system can be detected and localized rapidly and in simple manner. For this purpose the invention provides a device for performing equilibrium exercises of the type described above, wherein the position indicating means comprise a spirit level instrument. By making use of position indicating means which are connected directly to the body of the user or patient and which can be observed by himself, a direct feedback of deviations from the equilibrium position is obtained outside the equilibrium coordination system, thereby enabling a simpler detection and analysis of possible disturbances in the equilibrium coordination system.
Furthermore, by using a spirit level instrument for indicating the position, a small and lightweight device is obtained, which is suited to a large number of different equilibrium exercises.
Preferred embodiments of the training device according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention is now elucidated in the light of an embodiment, wherein reference is made to the annexed drawings,
FIGS. 1 and 2, which are perspective views of a device according to the invention fitted to the head of a patient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A device 1 for performing equilibrium exercises comprises means 2 for fitting the device to a body part, in the example shown here the head 4 of a user, and means 3 connected to the fitting means for indicating the position of the device. The positio
REFERENCES:
patent: 1962256 (1934-06-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 3099245 (1963-07-01), Deaner
patent: 3178187 (1965-04-01), Cardwell
patent: 3955562 (1976-05-01), Farrar, Jr.
patent: 4096637 (1978-06-01), Stade
patent: 4298201 (1981-11-01), Palinkas
patent: 4493328 (1985-01-01), Saito
patent: 4528990 (1985-07-01), Knowles
patent: 5209470 (1993-05-01), Cimaroli et al.
patent: 5300921 (1994-04-01), Hoch
patent: 5373858 (1994-12-01), Rose et al.
patent: 5425378 (1995-06-01), Swezey et al.
patent: 5755623 (1998-05-01), Mizenko
LandOfFree
Device for performing equilibrium exercises does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for performing equilibrium exercises, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for performing equilibrium exercises will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2244762