Hack squat gestural guiding apparatus in view of a standardized evaluation of the tridimensional kinematics of the knee

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating the tridimensional kinematics of the knee is presented wherein the system comprises a gesture-guiding apparatus designed to guide a patient through a repeatable, consistent and standardized motion in view of evaluating the condition of the patient's knees. A hack squatting motion, which generally involves a substantially linear vertical squatting motion of the body, is used to isolate the leg and knee movements and increase repeatability. The patient's upper body is generally stabilized and optionally constrained such that a standardized orientation and alignment thereof is maintained throughout the motion. The patient's feet may also be stabilized and constrained. Motion resistance settings may be provided using a set of adjustable weights and counterweights to accommodate various patients and patient conditions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the standardized evaluation of body kinematics. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for the standardized evaluation of the three-dimensional kinematics of the knee. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Knee pain and injuries are quite common in athletes and sports enthusiasts of all types. In particular, knee ligament strains and tears can often result from strenuous activity, vigorous sports, and other such physical situations wherein the knee, whether healthy or generally prone to injury, is required to move against a restrictive force or weight. As a result, evaluation practices and methods have been developed to study and monitor the movement of the knee to evaluate the dynamics and kinematics thereof. [0003] For instance, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003 / 0018283 for a “Feedback Estimation of Joint Forces and Joint Moments” by Dariush and publishe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a gesture-guiding apparatus for controlling a leg pushing motion of a patient in view of monitoring a condition of at least one knee of the patient, the apparatus comprising a foot-bearing surface, an upper-body support structure comprising at least one body alignment mechanism for providing an upper-body alignment of the patient thereon, a guiding mechanism for guiding a substantially linear displacement of the support relative to the surface through the leg pushing motion and a resistance mechanism -for adjusting a resistance to the motion, the resistance comprising a weight resistance and the resistance mechanism comprising at least one counterweight to reduce the weight resistance.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, knee ligament strains and tears can often result from strenuous activity, vigorous sports, and other such physical situations wherein the knee, whether healthy or generally prone to injury, is required to move against a restrictive force or weight.

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