None.
I. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to rehabilitation devices and equipment with pedals that help people recover from joint injuries, surgeries or the like. More particularly, it relates to reciprocating pedals, which are used by therapists, to repeatedly take an injured appendage through a limited, but adjustable, range of motion.
II. Description of the Prior Art
After an injury or surgery to the knee, for example, one of the first priorities is to begin to restore the range of motion to the affected joint. Typical range of motion of the knee can be measured in knee flexion and knee extension by a device called a goniometer. A goniometer has two pieces that are connected by a central hinge. By lining up each of the pieces along a specific joint area and having the individual move that joint, a value in degrees (measure of an angle where one degree (°) is one 360th part of a full circle) can be observed and recorded. Knee flexion can be measured when an individual lies on their back and draws their heel to the back of their leg. Typical values for knee flexion are approximately 130-150°. Knee extension is the amount to which a person can straighten their leg. Typical values for knee extension are 0-10°.
Bicycles are human-powered modes of transportation typically consisting of a frame, two wheels, seat, handlebars, pedals, gears, and a chain. By using the pedals, one can propel the bicycle forward and can control the speed at which they move by varying their pedal speed along with changing an associated gearing system, if installed, of the bicycle.
Stationary bicycles allow an individual to remain in place as they pedal. Stationary bicycles are typically used in gyms or homes by individuals when the weather is not conducive for riding outside or for training/workout purposes. Stationary bicycles are also used by physical therapist/rehabilitation technicians for rehabilitation purposes. They allow an individual rehabbing to workout various muscles and joints without risking a fall. Additionally, an individual can rehab in such a way as to remove the weight from specific load bearing joints and muscles that may not be ready for full weight bearing exercises.
While stationary bicycles have been used for rehabilitation for many years, almost two-thirds of the 360° circular motion associated with conventional stationary bicycles is non-productive, especially with respect to rehabilitation, since the range of motion that effectively produces resistance is only 130°. Also, the full circular pedal motion of these bicycles requires 115° of knee flexion which is much more flexion than is required in normal walking or jogging motion. Thus, conventional stationary bicycles are unable to produce leg motion which uses the same body muscles as walking or jogging, and are unable to promote early rehabilitation after knee, hip, or ankle surgeries which require less than 115° of knee flexion. In fact, many rehabilitation efforts using the full cycling motion irritate the injured joint of patients with range of motion limitations.
Accordingly, there have been a plethora of attempts to design both new rehabilitation stationary bicycles as well as new stand alone and/or retro-fit rehabilitation devices that do not use, or perhaps limit, the full cycling motion. Such devices range, for example, from relatively simplistic adjustable pedal throw (radius) systems to fully automated systems that evaluate the condition of the patient, design a therapy program for the patient and then monitor the progress of the patient.
However, there still remains a need for a rehabilitation device that can be utilized by a patient with no or very little therapist aide. Indeed, even with all of the prior art designs, professional therapists still desire to stand next to a conventional stationary bicycle and help the patient position and reposition their limbs with every crank of the pedals. In particular, the therapist helps the patient onto the conventional stationary bicycle and positions the foot near the top of the cranking radius; the patient then provides the force to move the pedal to their maximum; the therapist then needs to reposition the foot back near the top; and the patient pushes again, and so on.
It is therefore a general object of this disclosure to provide a device for addressing the deficiencies of the current practices regarding issues associated with rehabilitation devices used after knee and other joint injuries or surgeries.
It is another general object of this disclosure to provide a rehabilitation device incorporated within a stationary bicycle.
It is another general object of the present disclosure to provide a standalone and/or retro-fit rehabilitation device.
It is more specific object of this disclosure to provide a rehabilitation device that takes an injured appendage through a limited, but adjustable, range of motion.
These and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a reciprocating rehabilitation device having a crank axle supported by a frame with a foot pedal coupled to the axle through a crank arm where the pedal has a circular range of motion about the axle. A resistance element resists a direction of pedal motion by the user while a force element urges pedal motion in the opposite direction. The range of motions of these pedal directions are adjustable.
There is also provided a reciprocating foot pedal assembly having a crank axle supported by a frame with left and right foot pedals coupled to opposite ends of the axle through respective crank arms wherein the pedals have circular range of motion about the axle. A resistance element resists a direction of pedal motion by the user while a force element urges pedal motion in the opposite direction. The range of motions of these pedal directions are adjustable.
The present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application or use. These exemplars are merely used to better describe the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Turning now to the Figures, and in particular
Rather than the pedals traversing a full 360° circle, as they would in a conventional stationary bicycle, the pedals of the reciprocating device 10 are moved down 38 by the user and then are forced up 40 and back to a starting position. This basic pedal motion is illustrated in the abstract drawing of
The positions of the reciprocating motion of
The pedals of the reciprocating device 10 move around a point, but cannot move past a set stop position. Using an analog clock as a visual exemplar, and turning now to
The adjustability of the start and stop positions of the reciprocating rehabilitation device 10 can be finite or infinite. An example of a finite adjustability is illustrated in
An example of an infinite adjustability range is illustrated in
Another advantageous feature of the design of the present disclosure that is not possible with common bicycles, stationary machines, etc. is the ability of the left and right pedals to move independently and/or together. Typical pedals move 180° with respect to one another, or in other words, when one pedal is on the top of the rotation the other pedal is on the bottom of the rotation. The reciprocating rehabilitation device of the present disclosure allows the patient to better use one pedal (limb) at a time and or both pedals (limbs) at the same time.
An example of the independent movement of the pedals is illustrated in
On the other hand, an example of both pedals moving together is illustrated in
It will be understood that the pedal assembly of the present disclosure need not be incorporated within a stationary bicycle. Indeed, the device could merely consist of a frame, pedals and their respective cranks, a downward resistance element, an upward biasing element and one or more range of motion stops. Such an embodiment could be utilized by a patient in a wheelchair (or other chair) or someone in a standing position.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom. Accordingly, while one or more particular embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention if its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.