Patent Application
20140205979
The present invention relates generally to articles and methods by which persons afflicted with mobility disabilities, such as Parkinsons Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), can re-train their minds and thus be self-taught or stimulated to walk once more. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held device, and related methods, by which the brain of one afflicted by PD, MS or the like is simulated to accommodate the person to stepping over a floor or ground-engaging obstacle bar, after which additional steps are typically accommodated.
Those afflicted with PD, MS and like ailments are typically subjected to an inability to walk (anti-mobility). If left alone, the afflicted person may, for hours or days, be unable to walk, while wishing to do so. Such lack of mobility brings into existence dangers and deeply negatively impacts the quality of life, creating a need for regular, if not constant assistance.
Previously no remedy for the above-mentioned lack of mobility problem has been found. The benefits of a remedy would be significant to those so afflicted and the ones who care for the afflicted.
In brief summary, the present invention provides a remedy for the lack of mobility experienced rsons afflicted with PD, MS and like disorders, by which the brain is stimulated to facilitate
ng by the afflicted. Restated, the invention allows the re-training of the mind of the afflicted so as
ulate an initiate and subsequent walking steps by the afflicted.
A hand-held device, and related methods, are provided, by which the brain of one afflicted is vated so that the person is able to step over a low profile floor or ground-engaging obstacle of the
, after which additional steps, without aid of the device, are accommodated. On the journey,
difficulty in walking be encountered, the device may be used one or more additional times, so
alking is recommenced.
While the invention may take other forms, it is presently preferred that the invention comprise eld cane or walking staff, with a lower end pedestal positioned on the ground or a floor so that a
ofile cross piece is located in front of one of the user's feet, stimulating the brain of the user to
modate the lifting of the user's foot, followed by stepping over the cross piece and additional
hereafter, while carrying the staff in one hand by grasping an upper handle of the walking staff.
ably, the pedestal, when resting on a floor or the ground, is stable.
With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide devices, ated methods, by which persons afflicted by PD, MS and the like may regain the ability to walk.
Another paramount object is the provision of devices and related methods by which the mind of n afflicted with PD, MS and the like, is stimulated to accommodate an initial and subsequent
g steps using the device and methods.
A further dominant object is the provision of a hand-held device, and related methods, by which n afflicted with an ailment, which prevents or curtails walking, is able to walk once more.
An additional important object is the provision of a hand-held device, and related methods, the device comprising a lower end low profile obstruction placed in front of one foot of a person afflicted with PD, MS and the like, to stimulate a step over the obstruction, followed by additional steps without the use of the bar.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Certain diseases, which afflict mankind, comprise disorders of the brain making it difficult if not impossible to walk. Among these are Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These ailments are such that the human brain is unable to properly send messages which control muscle movement.
Sometimes these ailments, and other related ones, are called motor system disorders. MS attacks the central nervous system comprising the brain, the spinal cord and optical nerves, but nevertheless makes walking difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
Heretofore, such brain-related ailments, which decrease or eliminate the mobility of the person afflicted, are largely without a remedy to restore or impart the ability to walk when desired and with balance.
It has been found that the present invention can be used to stimulate the brain so that, when a low profile ground or floor-engaging obstacle is placed in front of one foot of the afflicted person, initially or with repetitious training, the brain stimulated so as to instruct the leg of the afflicted person to lift the foot and place it down in front of the obstacle in accordance with the present invention. After this initial step, typically the afflicted person is able to take additional steps with both feet, while grasping the handle of the instrument and carrying the instrument with him or her. Thus, if the afflicted person stops after an initial walk and experiences a resistance to further walking, the above-described process can be repeated and repeated as many times as necessary so that the afflicted person can walk from a beginning position to a desired ending position.
The foregoing is confirmed by the inventor, who's PD earlier made walking impossible. Using an instrument in accordance with the present invention, the inventor is now, once more, able to walk from place to place, as desired.
Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.
The instrument 10 comprises a central portion, generally designated 20, which extends linearly generally in a vertical direction and comprises, as shown, three sections of tubing 22, 24 and 26. Section 22, at upper end 28, is snugly inserted into and retained, in a conventional way, in the hollow of the second, downwardly extending end of elbow 18 and is also conventionally inserted into and secured to at lower end 30, of a hollow sleeve 32. End 34 of section 24 is snugly inserted into the lower hollow end of sleeve 32 and secured therein, in a conventional fashion. The lower end 36 of the section 24 is snugly inserted into the upper hollow end of sleeve 38 and conventionally secured therein. End 40 of section 26 is inserted into the lower hollow end of sleeve 38 and securely retained in that location in a conventional way. Likewise, the lower end 42 of section 26 is securely inserted into the upwardly directed hollow leg 44 of a hollow tee generally designated 46.
The instrument 10 of
The pedestal 50 also comprises a short linear piece of tubing 60, one end 62 of which is inserted snugly into the hollow of leg 64 of the tee fitting 46 and there secured in a conventional way. The other end 66 of the tubing 60 is inserted snugly into the hollow of leg 68, which forms a part of a tee fitting, generally designated 70.
Leg 72 of tee 70 snugly receives in its hollow end a short linear piece of PVC piping designated 74, which is secured in the stated position by conventional means. The free end of PVC pipe 74 is closed by cap 76. The tee 70 further comprises a third leg 78 into the hollow of which is snugly inserted an additional short linear tubing 80, which is held in the stated position in a conventional way. The free end of the PVC pipe 80 is closed by a cap 82.
The manner of use of instruments in accordance with the present invention, including but not limited to instrument 10, which accommodates re-training of one afflicted by PD, MS or any other brain affliction which makes walking difficult, if not impossible. Broadly the method of the present invention comprises grasping an upper handle of a hand held retraining instrument to accommodate manipulation of the instrument. The lower ground and floor-engaging pedestal is placed upon the ground an floor with a lower low profile obstacle or bar being placed as an obstruction in front of one foot of the user, as shown in
After the initial step over the bar or obstruction, typically the afflicted person is able, without more, to take additional steps, moving from an initial position to a desired position, as the instrument is carried by the user. If, along the way, the user stops walking for one reason or another, the obstruction element or bar is once more positioned in front of the foot and the process repeated. The initial step is illustrated in
It is to be appreciated that once walking has been initiated, the user, grasping the handle 12 will lift the instrument 10 and carry it with him or her until either recommencement of walking is necessitated or the destination is reached.
It is to be appreciated that, while acceptable, the horizontally directed handle 12 of
If desired, the handle of the instrument may be positioned in a vertical direction, as shown in
The configuration of the lower end pedestal of an instrument in accordance of the present invention need not per se be tee shaped, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that instruments in accordance with the present invention may comprise auxiliary items, such as a GPS device and/or a cell phone 31 (
Also, to make the user more visible at night, fluorescent or other light reflecting compositions may be added to the instrument, making the instruments highly visible to other persons including operators of oncoming vehicles.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and are not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
