Abstract: A horizontal support arm is mounted for upward and downward movement on a vertical support column. An interface unit having an actual mass value is disposed on a free end of the horizontal support arm and is adapted to be grasped and lifted by a human subject. A simulated mass value independent of said actual mass value may be set for the interface unit, and the amount of vertical force exerted by the human subject upon the interface unit is measured. An exercise control unit provides for controlled vertical movement of the interface unit as a function of the simulated mass value such that the interface unit responds to a lifting force by the human subject in a manner that simulates the inertia of an object having a mass value equal to the simulated mass value in a gravitational field.

Abstract: A recumbent bilateral reciprocal isokinetic leg exerciser wherein first and second reciprocating members are slidingly coupled to a linear track so that they move with linear bilateral reciprocal motion. Both reciprocating members are coupled to associated hydraulic cylinders so that hydraulic fluid is drawn into or forced out of the hydraulic cylinders as the reciprocating members move along the track. A valve assembly is coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling fluid flow into and out of the hydraulic cylinders so that the reciprocating members move isokinetically. The valve assembly may be set for simultaneous movement of the first and second reciprocating members or for movement of one reciprocating member by itself. To ensure accurate measurement of patient effort, a strain gauge assembly is disposed on each reciprocating member for detecting deformation of the reciprocating member along multiple axes.

Abstract: A programmable limb exerciser wherein pedal motion is linear and the user may select isotonic, isokinetic or isoacceleration modes. The limbs may be exercised individually, reciprocally or in tandem. The exerciser can be readily re-oriented from a horizontal to vertical position for exercise of upper or lower body. A combination display and control panel provides information of the force exerted by each hand or foot, as well as number of repetitions and elapsed time, and provides a printout at the end of the exercise session.

Abstract: A first end of a lever pivots about a fixed axis as a second end is raised and lowered by the user. A carriage is disposed on the lever and is designed to travel the length of the lever between the first and second ends. A belt is coupled to a weight and to the carriage through a series of pulleys. The lever is shaped so that the weight neither raises nor lowers as the carriage travels from one end of the lever to the other. The distance that the weight travels in response to movement of the second end is thus proportional to the position of the carriage on the lever. By moving the carriage to numerous positions between the first and second ends of the lever, the torque needed to lift the weight and the distance by which the weight moves may be varied correspondingly in numerous increments over a very large range. A number of different user interfaces may be coupled to the lever for creating an equal number of different weight training machines.

Abstract: An isokinetic exercise system includes an active exercise resistance unit and a computer controller. The active exercise resistance unit includes a lever arm assembly attached to a motor, and a patient attachment cuff is slidingly mounted to the lever arm assembly. A potentiometer is used to determine the length of the patient's limb, and a potentiometer/optical encoder assembly is used to determine the angular position of the lever arm assembly as the limb is exercised. A strain gauge assembly is used to determine the torque applied to the lever arm assembly. The limb length, position and torque values are converted into digital form and supplied to a computer. The computer accepts selected velocity and maximum torque value from the operator and uses these values to control the velocity of and torque applied to the lever arm assembly. More specifically, the computer predicts a subsequent lever arm angular position based on the set velocity.

Abstract: Muscle exercise and diagnostic apparatus with an output shaft, a servo motor coupled in driving relation to the output shaft, and a support mechanism for mounting the output shaft and the servo motor in a selectable stationary position. A plurality of work simulation tools and coupling arrangements are provided, including coupling arrangements on the output shaft and each of the tools for removably coupling one of the tools to the output shaft. A composite output shaft with a larger diameter, high torque section and a smaller diameter, low torque section, each with its own separate torque measuring strain gauge arrangement is provided. A shaft position sensor senses the angular position of the output shaft and produces an output shaft position signal. A servo control circuit responds to a preselected command signal measuring device for measuring a preselected servo control signal parameter associated with the servo motor and shaft and operatively related to the command signal.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis and/or training of proprioceptor feedback capabilities of a muscle and joint system of a human patient using an exercise system having a patient attachment device and an arrangement for controlling parameters of an exercise movement in response to a control signal derived from one or more measured exercise parameters. A patient performance goal is defined as a real time function of preselected exercise parameters. A perturbation signal function is defined for the control signal; and the control signal is modified by the perturbation function value during a patient exercise motion. The defined performance goal is displayed during the patient exercise motion and the actual patient performance relative to the performance goal is also tracked and displayed. An error value is measured as the difference between actual patient performance and the patient performance goal.

Abstract: A video motion analysis system wherein a camera converts an image of a body having illuminated markers placed thereon into a plurality of image frames. Each image frame comprises a plurality of image lines, and each image line comprises a plurality of pixels. An image preprocessor receives the plurality of image lines and detects the occurrence of each marker in each image line. This is done by comparing each pixel amplitude value to a threshold value and indicating when the pixel amplitude value exceeds the threshold value. When a pixel amplitude value exceeds the threshold value, an offset value representing the difference between the pixel amplitude value and the threshold value is added to a running total of amplitude values for the detected marker. Similarly, the offset value is used to calculate the moment value for each pixel in each marker based on the position of the pixel in the scan line. The calculated moment value is added to a running total of moment values for the detected marker.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and diagnostic system which includes a lever arm, a mounting arrangement for mounting the lever arm for rotation about a fixed axis, and a connecting arrangement for connecting a selected portion of the human body to the lever arm for rotation with the lever arm about a selected anatomical axis of rotation. The connecting arrangement establishes a fixed tangential mounting relation and a sliding radial mounting relation between the lever arm and the body portion. This permits free radial movement of the connecting arrangement relative to the fixed axis during an exercise motion. A velocity control arrangement is coupled to the lever arm for limiting the maximum permitted rotational velocity to a value predetermined in accordance with a preselected velocity control function which includes measured values of the distances from the point of attachment to the anatomical axis and to the fixed axis. An arrangement is provided for inputting these measured values to a velocity control arrangement.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and diagnostic system which includes a lever arm, a mounting arrangement for mounting the lever arm for rotation about a fixed axis, and a connecting arrangement for connecting a selected portion of the human body to the lever arm for rotation about a selected anatomical axis of rotation. The connecting arrangement provides a fixed tangential and sliding mounting to permit free radial movement of the point of attachment of the patient relative to the axis of rotation of the lever arm. A velocity control arrangement coupled to the lever arm limits the velocity in accordance with a preselected velocity control function. The radial distance from the point of attachment to the axis of rotation is measured and used in the velocity control function. Range of motion limits are set in one embodiment by way of a potentiometer for each limit position and by a pushbutton and limit storing arrangement in another embodiment.