Patent Application
20190105533
The presentation invention relates, in general, to the field of physical rehabilitation and, in particular, to a tool for rehabilitating the shoulder of a person.
For pain free motion in the shoulder of a person during rehabilitation of the shoulder, proper Scapulohumeral Rhythum is required. Scapulohumeral Rhythum is the timing mechanism that occurs between the Scapula and the Humeral Head. Following the first thirty degrees of shoulder elevation (i.e., the setting phase), the Glenohumeral joint and the Scapulothorcic joint move simultaneously as the Humerus elevates. For every two degrees of Glenohumeral joint movement, the Scapulothoracic joint moves one degree. It is a 2:1 ratio of movement.
Motion is disturbed when only the Scapula elevates because of what is termed a substitution pattern. A substitution pattern occurs because the Rotator Cuff muscles that position the head of the Humerus become inactive because of trauma or inhibition. The larger prime mover muscles of the joint then take over as the substitutes and try to elevate the arm. When this happens, the Upper Trapezius muscle tries to elevate the arm but, without any depressive force from the Rotator Cuff muscles, no motion occurs overhead. When this one-sided movement occurs, motion overhead will fail. Thus, for motion to occur, a force couple at the Glenohumeral joint must exist. This force couple is produced by two equal and opposite forces exerting a purely rotational force. Thus, there has to be an opposite depressive force on the humeral head for the arm to elevate. When one muscle overtakes the others, only elevation occurs and motion fails.
The final barrier to elevation/motion in the shoulder is strength. Often following surgery, the muscles are too weak to push the arm overhead, especially against gravity. One contrain the muscles in a gravity minimized position (i.e., lying supine), but then the mechanics needed for upright motion are changed.
A shoulder rehabilitation tool 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a base, a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base, and a pair of rollers mounted to the base.
Referring to
The base 20 includes a body section 22 and a pair of roller receiving housings 30.
The body section 22 is an elongated monolithic structures having a handle receiving section 24 positioned on a top surface thereof and extending there-through. In the shown embodiment of
Each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned at each end the body section 22 and adapted to receive one of the rollers 60. Each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned along a common plane. As shown, each roller receiving housing 30 is connected to an end of the body section 22 and are positioned equidistant from the handle receiving section 24.
In an exemplary embodiment, the roller receiving housing 30 includes a top wall 32 and a pair of outer walls 34 extending downward from the top wall 32. In the shown embodiment, the top wall 32 is arcuate shaped. The top wall 32 and the pair of outer walls 34 provide a roller receiving space positioned there between and accommodate the shape of the rollers 60. The outer walls 34 include a fastener receiving passageway 36 extending there through. In the shown embodiment, each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned along a common axis and, more particularly, each fastener receiving passageway 36 on a side are positioned along a common axis.
In the shown embodiment of
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base 20 is made from a polymeric material to facilitate manufacturing and keep the tool down. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the base 20 can be made from various materials.
As shown, the handle 40 is an elongated member and sized to accommodate griping by a human hand. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the handle 40 is round shaped. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the handle 40 could be ergonomically shaped using various shapes.
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the handle 40 is removably secured to the base 20. For instance, the handle 40 is secured within the handle receiving section 24 through friction fit means. However, it is conceivable that handle be secured to the base 20 using other known means, including helical fasteners, adhesives, etc.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the handle 40 is repositionable relative to base 20 and can extend away from the base at a selectable angle to the base 20. More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, base 20 or the handle 40 includes an angle mechanism to allow the handle 40 to rotate relative to the base 20 and then lock, so that the handle is secured at a selected angle.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each roller 60 is an elongated, cylindrical members with a body 62 and a fastener receiving channel 64 extending there through. As shown, the fastener receiving channel 64 extends longitudinally from one end to another end of the body 62 about a center axis thereof. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, each roller 60 is made of from a thermoplastic and, more particularly, from polyoxymethylene that is commonly sold under the tradename Delrin.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the roller 60 is secured in the roller receiving housing 30 using a fastener 70. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, the fastener 70 includes a first fastener section 72 and a second fastener section 80.
The first fastener section 72 includes an elongated female body 74 and a flanged end 78 positioned at an end of the elongated female body 74. As shown, the elongated female body 74 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than a dimeter of the fastener receiving passageway 36. In the shown embodiment, the elongated female body 74 has a receiving section with inner threaded walls 76. The flanged end 78 is a flattened body positioned orthogonal female body section 74 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36.
The second fastener section 80 includes an elongated male body section 82 and a flanged end 86 positioned at an end of the elongated male body section 82. As shown, the elongated male body section 82 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36. In the shown embodiment, the elongated male body section 82 includes outer threaded walls 84 that correspond to the inner threaded walls 76 of the elongated female body 74. The flanged end 86 is a flattened body positioned orthogonal male body section 82 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36.
Now with reference to the Figures, assembly of the shoulder rehabilitation tool 1 will be described.
The handle 40 is press fit into the handle receiving section 24. Each roller 60 is positioned in the roller receiving housing 30 and rotatably secured using a fastener 70. The first fastener section 72 is positioned through the fastener receiving section 36 of the outer wall 34 and the fastener receiving channel 64. The second fastener section 80 is positioned through the fastener receiving section 36 of the outer wall 34 and the fastener receiving channel 64. The inner threaded walls 7676 of the first fastener section 72 engage the outer thread walls of the second fastener section 80 to secure the roller 60 within the roller receiving housing 30.
Now with reference to the Figures, use of the shoulder rehabilitation tool 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, will be described.
The shoulder rehabilitation tool 1 allows smooth correct mechanical motion to occur. Handle 40 provides the wrist a neutral posture as well as allowing the Anterior Deltoid muscle the optimal angle to contract. The handle 40 positions the Humeral head in a position, so the greater tuberosity clears the acromion and impingement is minimized. The base 20 and the rollers 60 allow the upper trapezius to relax and the weakened or inhibited rotator cuff muscles to initiate and produce a depressive force couple to the joint and allow elevation with proper mechanics to occur. Friction free rollers 60 allow even the most atrophied musculature to overcome gravity and begin strengthening. Forces coupling, eliminates substitution pattern of upper trapezius, provides optimal positioning of the wrist, humeral head and anterior deltoid muscle, friction free motion to begin strengthening with the correct mechanics
The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the present invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present application including the definitions will control. Also, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.
Also, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number of instances, that is, occurrences of the element or component. Therefore “a” or “an” should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.
The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62568551 | Oct 2017 | US |
