Patent Grant
9914009
This application is a national stage application of PCT/US2013/042441, filed internationally on May 23, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/482,844 (filed on May 29, 2012; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,796), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present teachings relate to exercise devices and methods for exercising an ankle, foot and/or leg. More particularly, the present teachings relate to exercise devices and methods for exercising muscles in the ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user to increase blood circulation, which may, for example, assist in preventing venous thromboembolism.
The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described in any way.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs when red blood cells, fibrin and, to a lesser extent, platelets and leukocytes, form a mass (i.e., clot) within an intact vein. The thrombus (i.e., blood clot) is referred to as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) when formed within the deep veins of the legs or in the pelvic veins. A pulmonary embolism (PE) results when a piece of thrombus detaches from a vein wall, travels to the lungs, and lodges within the pulmonary arteries.
VTE is often a concern in situations where an individual is immobile and/or relatively nonambulatory for a relatively long period of time, such as, for example, during hospitalization, after surgery, during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period, while traveling (e.g., in a car, plane and/or train), at work, and/or in a more sedentary lifestyle (e.g., the elderly and/or obese). Blood returning to the heart does so through veins. Large veins, such as those found in the legs, lie near and between muscles and contain valves that maintain the flow of blood in the direction of the heart by preventing backflow and stasis. The contraction of these muscles (e.g., through walking) forces the blood through the veins in the direction of the heart, usually against the force of gravity, thereby preventing blood from accumulating in the extremities. If these muscles are not used and/or minimally (e.g., infrequently) used for an extended period of time, however, the lower limbs may swell with stationary blood, greatly increasing the risk of VTE.
Because of this potential danger, preventative measures against VTE have become standard, for example, in prolonged hospitalizations and postoperative care. Consequently, in conjunction with early ambulation, a number of other prophylaxis devices have been developed to help prevent VTE. Graduated compression stockings, for example, which gradually apply a decreasing amount of pressure as a stocking moves up a leg (i.e., from ankle to thigh), help to squeeze or push blood back up the leg in an effort to counteract pooling. Such stockings, although inexpensive, are difficult to put on and take off a patient, generally requiring staff assistance and potentially representing an even greater challenge in outpatient settings. Intermittent pneumatic compression devices, which generally comprise a cuff that slides over the leg, provide undulating compression to the calf muscle to help drive blood back to the heart. Such devices, however, are expensive and cumbersome, and are in some cases stored in a central storeroom and thus not readily available on the hospital floor and/or outside of a medical setting. Pneumatic compression devices also require significant staff input, which is exacerbated by the need to disconnect the unit anytime the patient is moved, resulting in poor compliance with the prophylaxis regime. Furthermore, since compressive techniques fail to treat and articulate a patient's ankle and/or knee joints, or otherwise contract the ankle, foot and/or leg (e.g., calf) muscles, such methods have limited exercise and therapy capabilities, being impractical for use outside of a hospital setting.
Various additional exercise devices serve to articulate a patient's joints, thereby providing joint therapy while contracting the muscles of the ankle, foot, and/or leg to prevent blood from accumulating in the lower extremities of the body. Some such devices, however, may be difficult for non-ambulatory patients, being used in a standing position and/or providing no leg support when in use. Furthermore, such devices generally do not simulate full ambulation (i.e., the full walking cycle), providing both plantar flexion (i.e., movement which increases the approximate 90° angle between the front part of the foot and the shin, thereby contracting the calf muscle) and dorsiflexion motion (i.e., movement which decreases the angle between the front part of the foot and the shin, thereby stretching the calf muscle). Many of these devices also are cumbersome, complex and expensive; being impractical for use during transition care or between care locations, or for use by other VTE at-risk groups (e.g., travelers).
Due to growing concerns over the continued prevalence of VTE related medical cases, it may be desirable to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive exercise device and method with full exercise and therapy capabilities, which simulates full ambulation to increase blood circulation in the lower extremities of the body. It may also be desirable to provide a device and method that promotes continuous use, provides an effective visual link as a reminder to perform desired exercises, and/or that transitions relatively seamlessly between inpatient and outpatient settings. It also may be desirable to provide a device that is portable, being useful for all VTE at-risk individuals. It may further be desirable to provide a device and method that can be relatively easily used by individuals of various strengths.
The present teachings may solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or may demonstrate one or more of the above-mentioned desirable features. Other features and/or advantages may become apparent from the description that follows.
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, an exercise device comprises at least one pedal pivotably mounted to a leg rest portion and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The pedal is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The exercise device further comprises a resistance mechanism configured to exert a torque on the pedal opposite to a direction of rotation of the pedal about the pivot axis and away from the neutral position. The device is adjustable to at least a first configuration wherein the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot of a user in a sitting position, and a second configuration wherein the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot of a user in a supine position.
In accordance with various additional exemplary embodiments of the present teachings an exercise device comprises at least one pedal pivotably mounted to a leg rest portion. The pedal has a neutral position relative to a pivot axis and is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The exercise device further comprises a resistance mechanism configured to exert a passive resistance torque on the pedal about the pivot axis opposite to a direction of rotation of the pedal about the pivot axis, wherein an amount of the torque varies with a degree of rotation of the pedal about the pivot axis.
In accordance with various further exemplary embodiments of the present teachings a method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user comprises adjusting a position of a leg rest portion to one of a first configuration to accommodate a user in a sitting position and a second configuration to accommodate a user in a supine position. The method further comprises releasably securing at least one foot of the user onto at least one pedal pivotably mounted to the leg rest portion, the pedal having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The method further comprises rotating the pedal with the at least one foot in first and second opposite directions about the pivot axis against a torque exerted against the pedal in a direction opposite to the rotating direction.
Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present teachings. The objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and their equivalents.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present teachings and claims.
The present teachings can be understood from the following detailed description either alone or together with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description serve to explain various principles and operations.
Various conventional thromboprophylaxis techniques typically rely on devices that are cumbersome, complex, and/or expensive. Consequently, such devices may be underutilized during hospitalization and become impractical for use during transition care or between care locations, or for use by other vulnerable groups, such as, for example, travelers and/or other individuals sitting or lying for extended periods. To increase thromboprophylaxis utilization, various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings provide exercise devices and methods of exercising an ankle, foot and/or leg that provide simple and relatively inexpensive prophylaxis by simulating full ambulation to increase blood circulation in the lower extremities of the body. In various exemplary embodiments, exercise devices and methods for exercising an ankle, foot and/or leg use at least one pedal pivotably mounted to a leg rest portion and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis, the pedal being configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the device is also adjustable to at least two configurations to accommodate a user, for example, in either a sitting or supine position.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, an exercise device in accordance with the present teachings includes three main parts: 1) a leg rest portion, 2) one or more pedals extending from the leg rest portion, and 3) a stand portion connected to the leg rest portion, which is configurable to transition the exercise device between configurations.
As illustrated, for example, in
As shown in
As shown in
To comfortably accommodate a range of user heights, in various exemplary embodiments, the sides 109 of the leg rest portion 102 may further comprise an adjustment mechanism (not shown) to adjust a position of the pedals 101 along the leg rest portion 102. As shown with respect to the exemplary embodiment of
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will further understand that the leg rest portion 102 may have various sizes, shapes, configurations and/or features without departing from the scope of the present teachings. In various embodiments, for example, the leg rest portion 102 may also include various cushioning and/or shock mechanisms to increase user comfort.
The pedals 101 may be formed from any material suitable for receiving and/or supporting the foot of a user in accordance with the present teachings. In various exemplary embodiments, the pedals 101 may, for example, comprise a molded plastic material, such as, for example, a molded polypropylene material. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand, however, that the pedals 101 may be made of various plastic materials, as well as various other materials, including, for example, wood and/or metal materials. Suitable materials can include, for example, materials that are relatively light so as to facilitate carrying the device 100, yet durable and able to withstand repetitive use/motion.
As illustrated in
As shown in
As illustrated in
The torsion bar 103 is configured to resist an amount of torque that is placed upon it. Thus, as the torsion bar 103 is rotated about the pivot axis P (via a pedal 101), the torsion bar 103 may store a torque T (i.e., the stored torque T is substantially equal to the amount of torque placed upon the torsion bar 103), so that when the torque is removed from the torsion bar 103 the pedal 101 may quickly return to its starting position (i.e., the neutral position). In this manner, the torsion bar 103 is configured to exert a stored torque T on the pedals 101 opposite to the direction of rotation (toward or away from the upper surface 140 of the leg rest portion 102) of the pedals 101 about the pivot axis P. In various exemplary embodiments, the amount of stored torque T (counteracting torque) respectively exerted by the torsion bar 103 on the pedals 101 is proportional to the amount by which the pedals 101 are rotated about the pivot axis P and away from the neutral position.
Accordingly, in various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, the torque exerted by the torsion bar 103 may provide passive resistance to rotational movement of the pedals 101 in both directions about the respective pivot axis P. And, in various additional embodiments, an amount of the torque may vary with a degree of rotation θ (see
Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand, however, that resistance mechanisms in accordance with the present teachings may comprise various types, numbers and/or configurations of flexible, elastic objects, which store mechanical energy when the pedals 101 are pivoted about the pivot axis P. Examples of such resistance mechanisms other than torsion bars that can be used include but are not limited to, for example, torsion springs and/or linear springs. Furthermore, resistance mechanisms in accordance with the present teachings may be formed from any material suitable for such elastic energy storage, such as, for example, rubber and/or metal materials. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand, however, that the resistance mechanisms may comprise any mechanism and/or object, formed from any material, that can elastically deform under the stress placed upon it by the respective rotation of the pedals 101, while causing a counteracting torque against the pedals 101.
To accommodate users in various positions, as illustrated in
Thus, in various exemplary embodiments, the device 100 includes a collapsible stand portion 116 configured to have a first expanded configuration that permits the device 100 to be placed in the configuration shown in
As shown in
In various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, the base members 107 may be configured to support the device 100 against a support surface 119 (e.g., the floor and/or mattress) while the user 120 is using the device 100. In various embodiments, for example, the base members 107 can have a length x ranging from about 12 inches to about 14 inches and an overall width w ranging from about 10 inches to about 14 inches. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand, however, that the base members 107 may have various lengths and widths that provide sufficient stability to support the weight of the user's legs 122 and 127 when the device 100 is in the first expanded configuration. In various additional embodiments, a bottom portion 118 of the base members 107 (i.e., the portion of each base member 107 that comes into contact with the support surface 119) may include various slip resistant materials, such as, for example, rubber strips, to prevent the device 100 from slipping, for example, on the support surface 119.
As illustrated in
As above, the upper surface 240 of the leg rest portion 202 is configured to receive and support the legs of a user. As shown in
To comfortably accommodate a range of user heights, in various exemplary embodiments, the sides 209 of the leg rest portion 202 may comprise an adjustment mechanism to adjust a position of the pedals 201 on the leg rest portion 202. As shown in
As above, the pedals 201 can be shaped to receive a user's feet, and are sized to accommodate a range of foot and/or shoe sizes. In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in
As illustrated in
As above, the torsion bar 203 is configured to resist an amount of torque that is placed upon it. In this manner, the torsion bar 203 is configured to exert a stored torque on the pedals 201 opposite to the direction of rotation (toward or away from the upper surface 240 of the leg rest portion 202) of the pedals 201 about the pivot axis P. In various exemplary embodiments, for example, the amount of stored torque (counteracting torque) respectively exerted by the torsion bar 203 on the pedals 201 is proportional to the amount by which the pedals 201 are rotated about the pivot axis P and away from the neutral position.
As explained in detail above with regard to the embodiment of
Thus, as with the exemplary embodiment of
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, an exemplary method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user 120 using the exercise device as illustrated in
When used in either the sitting or supine position, at least one of the user's legs 122 and/or 127 can rest on the leg rest portion 102 and at least one foot 121 and/or 126 of the user 120 can be placed on the foot rest 117 of a pedal 101, and releasably secured to the pedal 101 by securing the respective strap 106 over the top of the foot. As shown in
As also shown in
As explained above, in various exemplary embodiments, for example, an amount of the torque exerted against the pedal 101 may vary with a degree of rotation θ of the pedal 101 about the pivot axis P, for example, the amount of torque exerted against the pedal 101 may increase with the degree of rotation θ of the pedal 101 about the pivot axis P. In this way, the further away from the neutral position the user rotates pedal 101, the more force that is required by the user to maintain the position of the pedal 101.
Although not shown, using the right foot 126, similarly the user can rotate a right pedal 101 in first and second opposite directions A and B about the pivot axis P (i.e., away from and toward the upper surface 140 of the leg support portion 102) against a stored torque exerted against the pedal 101 in a direction opposite to the rotating direction (i.e., opposite to the direction A or B). And as explained above, in various exemplary embodiments, an amount of the torque exerted against the pedal 101 may vary with a degree of rotation θ of the pedal 101 about the pivot axis P, for example, the amount of torque exerted against the pedal 101 may increase with the degree of rotation θ of the pedal 101 about the pivot axis P.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, therefore, contemplate rotating the pedals 101 in the first and/or second opposite directions A and B to subject the corresponding foot 121 and/or 126 of a user to both plantar flexion motion (e.g., with reference of
In various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, for example, rotation of the pedals 101 in the direction A may subject the corresponding foot through up to about 75 degrees of plantar flexion (e.g., rotation ranging from about neutral to 75 degrees, or 90 degrees to about 165 degrees from the leg rest portion 102); and rotation of the pedals 101 in the direction B may subject the corresponding foot through up to about 60 degrees of dorsiflexion (e.g., rotation ranging from about neutral to −60 degrees, or 90 degrees to about 30 degrees from the leg rest portion 102).
Thus, as above, in various exemplary embodiments, the torsion bar 103 is configured to exert a stored torque T on the pedals 101 when the pedals 101 are rotated away from the neutral position (as shown in
In general, the resistance provided by various exemplary devices in accordance with the present disclosure can be selected and the devices modified accordingly based on such factors as the age of a person for whom the device in intended, the relative strength or weakness of a person for whom the device is intended, the level of exercise desired, and other such factors that those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate.
It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present teachings provide various exemplary exercise devices and methods for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg useful for increasing blood circulation in the lower extremities of the body. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the present teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. For example, although the particular examples and embodiments set forth herein contemplate an exercise device that receives one foot at a time (e.g., having a single pedal per foot), various additional exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present teachings contemplate an exercise device that receives both feet at once (e.g., having a single pedal sized to accommodate two feet), thereby simultaneously exercising muscles in both ankles, feet and/or legs.
Furthermore, the devices and methods may include additional components or steps that were omitted from the drawings for clarity of illustration and/or operation. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the present teachings. It is to be understood that the various embodiments shown and described herein are to be taken as exemplary. Elements and materials, and arrangements of those elements and materials, may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the present teachings may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of the description herein. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings and following claims, including their equivalents.
It is to be understood that the particular examples and embodiments set forth herein are non-limiting, and modifications to structure, dimensions, materials, and methodologies may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings.
Furthermore, this description's terminology is not intended to limit the present teachings. For example, spatially relative terms—such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “bottom”, “right”, “left” and the like—may be used to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions (i.e., locations) and orientations (i.e., rotational placements) of a device in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” if they are not already. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present teachings. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present teachings are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
It should be understood that while the present teachings have been described in detail with respect to various exemplary embodiments thereof, it should not be considered limited to such, as numerous modifications are possible without departing from the broad scope of the appended claims, including the equivalents they encompass.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2013/042441 | 5/23/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013/181063 | 12/5/2013 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 13482844 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14402998 | US |
