Device for assisted movement of a disabled leg

Abstract

The present invention is a device for controlled assisted movement of a disabled and / or injured leg. The device includes a dynamic elastic force member that extends longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end of the dynamic elastic force member. The device further includes a handle operably coupled to the proximal end of the dynamic elastic force member and a suspension apparatus operably coupled to the proximal end of the dynamic elastic force member. Further, the device includes an attachment apparatus operably coupled to the distal end of the dynamic elastic force member. The device exerts a motive force that assists in movement of the leg when the user pulls the handle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of kinesitherapy for exercising a joint or limb, more particularly, the present invention provides for controlled assisted movement of a disabled leg after injury or surgery and to facilitate the recovery of a natural range of motion. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] An injury to the knee such as a rupture of the quadriceps (thigh) muscle that separates it from the patella (kneecap) leaves the leg without effective control for simple activity. Even after the application of a knee splint that holds the knee completely straight, there is a need for the injured person to be able to control their own limb while moving about, particularly when attempting to lift the injured leg against the force of gravity. Such control of a limb is required for simple activities like lifting the leg into a car or anytime limbs are mobilized postoperatively. [0003] Crutches and a knee splint are typically provided after ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention is a simple, inexpensive mechanism to assist in the rehabilitation of knee or leg injuries and provide the patient with a controlled assisted means of moving a disabled and / or injured leg. The present invention utilizes a dynamic elastic force member to facilitate injury rehabilitation by complementing a supervised physical therapy program and administering a motive force to the disabled and / or injured leg for the patient's exercise program while at home.

[0012] The present invention incorporates a dynamic elastic force member, with a handle, a proximal attachment on or about the user's waist and a distal attachment on or about the user's foot or footwear. The present invention is particularly useful for lifting the leg into bed or onto a foot rest when sitting (also saving a helper's back), placing the foot into the car, controlling the leg while walking on stairs with “toe-touch” weight bearing on crutches. Without this device more attendant care of medical personnel, friend or spouse is required for these activities to diminish pain and / or avoid re-injury of the surgically repaired limb.

[0013] The present invention administers motive force and greatly facilitates knee control during active or gravity driven knee flexion and provides passive extension with the quadriceps relaxed during early healing after surgical repair of the quadriceps muscle. A patient may use the present invention following suture removal for assisted active knee extension exercise to help rehabilitate the knee without excessively loading the healing quadriceps muscle. Early knee motion is permitted because the present invention provides extension force to help straighten the knee without activating the quadriceps muscle. As a result, the range of motion is more rapidly restored without damaging the repair. At four to six weeks after surgery, the present invention may be used to assist progressively increasing use of the quadriceps while maintaining safe control of the leg.

Problems solved by technology

An injury to the knee such as a rupture of the quadriceps (thigh) muscle that separates it from the patella (kneecap) leaves the leg without effective control for simple activity.

Crutches and a knee splint are typically provided after a knee injury, but leg control is still a problem.

Even when a knee splint is worn, the muscle will contract when lifting the leg and re-injury is a significant risk during simple activities such as getting into bed or into a car.

After knee surgery, the pain associated with movement often causes patients to keep the joint immobile.

This immobility may result in the tissue around the joint becoming stiff and scar tissue formation resulting in a joint that has a limited range of motion.

Once the joint stiffens and scar tissue forms, it can take months of physical therapy to recover that motion.

However, the CPM machines have several disadvantages.

They are cumbersome and confine the patient to the machine.

Further, the CPM machines are expensive to rent or purchase.

The shoulder harness, however, imparts weight and force onto the shoulder, which can strain and fatigue the shoulder and surrounding anatomy.

The '772 patent does not disclose a mechanism, such as a handle, to enable the user to manually manipulate the device and thus administer motive force to the limb.

Further, the '282 patent does not disclose a mechanism to protect the quadriceps muscle.

The device disclosed in the '112 patent ensures the user's leg remains straight, however, it does not assist the user in administering motive force on the limb to facilitate the natural range of motion.

Further, the device disclosed in the '996 patent is cumbersome and bulky such that it would be difficult at best for a user to easily maneuver around while wearing the device.

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