Abstract: A device for exercising the limbs of an individual. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly for securing to the frame of a door. A rotatable arm is coupled to the mounting assembly and is frictionally retarded against rotation thereof relative to the mounting assembly. A limb engaging assembly is mounted to a distal end of the arm, whereby an individual can rotate the arm to exercise the engaging limb.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion device comprises a leg support frame actuated by alternately, pneumatically inflating and deflating a bladder assembly. The assembly includes a series of interconnected bladders associated with a pump and a three-way solenoid valve, and provided with flaps secured at a common point which act as a hinge. The secured flaps force movement of the bladders in an arcuate path during inflation and deflation, providing an operating force against pivotal components of the device thus actuating it. A photointerrupter control device is provided that controls the angular limits of the desired therapy.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: A positioning device for producing movement in the shoulder of a human patient in MRI apparatus includes a base movable into the aperture of the MRI apparatus. On the base is provided a swivel which includes a first lever pivoted on an axis, on which the shoulder is located, in substantially the plane of the base. And then with the elbow in an elbow cup located at the end of the first lever arm, a second lever arm is pivoted at the cup. The second lever arm at its distal end restrains the forearm or hand of the patient. Movement of this second lever arm is sensed by an angle encoder mounted on the axis of the elbow cup to indicate internal/external rotation. Movement of the first lever arm is sensed by an angle encoder at the first axis to provide abduction/adduction angle movement information. Flexion/extension movement is also provided.

Abstract: A vestibular motion table is disclosed for providing a reciprocating, horizontal motion to a user. The table comprises a base and a table top suitable for the user to lie upon. A plurality of support legs is pivotally connected to the base at one of end and is pivotally connected to the table top at the other end. The table includes an electric gear motor having an eccentric mounted thereon. A power transmission shaft is connected at one end to the eccentric while the other end is connected to the table top. A controller in electrical communication with the gear motor and a source of electrical power controls the speed of the motion.

Abstract: A self-assistive shoulder stretching and rotation machine for physical therapy of the shoulder wherein a supine person's forearm is secured to a forearm support that is attached to a horizontal support such that the forearm support may be moved in a 90.degree. arc from vertical in either the left or right direction by the supine person's pulling on a rope. One end of the rope is attached to each side of the forearm support such that a continuous loop is formed. The loop is supported on one side by passing it through pulleys or eyelets attached to a vertical support at one end of the horizontal support. The patient lies in a supine position securing one forearm to the forearm support. When the patient pulls near one end of the rope, the forearm support may be moved in as much as 90.degree. or more to one direction. When the person pulls on the opposite end of the rope, the forearm support is moved back through the vertical position, 90.degree. or more in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising the subtalar complex with controlled triplaner motion. The principal embodiment includes a standing platform and handrail in association with a rotatable foot plate. The foot plate is controllable and adjustable in three planes with fixed settings in all planes, including the oblique. The exerciser provides a method for isolating specific muscle groups involved with foot, ankle and calf extensions or where combinations of muscles are used, such as, with dorsiflexion-eversion or plantarflexion-inversion, while preventing tibial rotation of the foot. A second embodiment provides a more portable exercise apparatus utilizing the concepts employed with the principal embodiment wherein a rocker member is provided, attached to a support member. A foot plate attaches to the support member opposite the rocker and is pivotal in the transverse and frontal planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and exercising the soft tissue surrounding the shoulder girdle and back, while stabilizing the upper extremities. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of elbow/forearm cuffs are mounted on a lower horizontal bar, and a second horizontal bar is attached above the lower horizontal bar. The users elbows/forearms are placed in the cuffs on the lower bar, while their hands slide back and forth along the upper bar.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for performing recumbent pedalling exercises including pedals slidably mounted on a substantially horizontal track, a belt having one end secured to each pedal extending back toward the user over an idler then to a drive shaft so that the belt unwinds from the drive shaft as the pedals are pressed along the track. Each drive shaft (one for each pedal) is coupled to a resistance wheel assembly through a one way clutch. The drive shaft is spring loaded so that each pedal returns to a starting position after being extend. Each pedal operates independent of the other pedal. In one embodiment, the resistance wheel assembly includes a fan in which resistance to turning can be controlled by controlling the width of expandable blades, by partially covering up the fan blades or by a variable transmission coupling the fan to the drive shaft. In another embodiment, the resistance wheel assembly includes a rubber wheel in contact with a roller.

Abstract: A rehabilitative and preventative exercise device for carpal tunnel syndrome. The first embodiment includes a housing having a plurality of elastic bands extending therefrom, each elastic band being attached to a respective one of a series of screws disposed therein. By turning each screw, the tension of the attached elastic band may be either increased or decreased. The ends of each elastic band extending from the housing include a finger receiving assembly. The second embodiment includes a forearm restraint device in combination with a finger tensioning assembly. The finger tensioning assembly includes a shell having a series of tension-adjusting cleat-lock slots to which elastic members may be detachably connected. Each elastic member has a fingerlet for attachment to a finger as well as a protuberance for connecting the member to the shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the circulation of blood through a patient's heart and extremity. The method comprises applying external positive regional pressure on an extremity synchronously with the patient's heartbeat. An adjustable timing cycle is initiated at the QRS complex of the arterial pulse cycle. The timing cycle is based on an average time period between QRS complexes, which is calculated from a measurement of several successive QRS complexes in the patient's heart rate. Pressure pulses are applied in the end-diastolic portion of the arterial pulse cycle to reinforce the pulse that forces blood into the extremity. The pressure is then relieved prior to the next projected QRS complex to enable the next pulse to enter the extremity without undue obstruction, thereby promoting circulation of blood through the extremity. To promote circulation of blood through the heart, compression of the extremity is released shortly before the next projected QRS complex.

Abstract: A spinal traction device comprising a bench for supporting a user; a first tensioning arm having a base end, a tip end, and a location therebetween pivotally coupled to one end of the bench with the tip end extending upwards above the bench and with the base end extended downwards; a second tensioning arm having base end, a tip end, and a location therebetween pivotally coupled to the other end of the bench with the tip end extending upwards and with the base end extended downwards; a third tensioning arm having a base end, a tip end, and a location therebetween pivotally coupled to the bench below the first tensioning arm with tip end extended upwards and with the base end extended downwards; rod mean device secured between the base end of the first tensioning arm and the base end of the second tensioning arm and secured between the tip end of the second tensioning arm and the base end of the third tensioning arm; an upper belt secured to the first tensioning arm and securable about user laying upon the benc

Abstract: A leg suspension device is provided enabling rehabilitative exercise of the leg, and specifically enabling passive or active range of motion exercise of the knee or hip joint. The leg suspension device includes a bar having proximal and distal segments, and a fulcrum rotatably engaging the bar between the proximal and distal segments to permit rotation of the bar about the fulcrum in a vertical plane. Upper and lower leg cuffs are connected to the proximal and distal segments, respectively, suspending the upper and lower legs while isolating the knee joint. A base is provided to free-standingly support the device during use, or, alternatively, the device is adapted for affixing to an overhead anchor. For passive motion exercise, the thigh and ankle are suspended from the cuffs and the user drives rotation of the bar solely with the upper body muscles about the fulcrum in alternate opposing directions, causing alternate passive flexion and extension of the knee and hip joint.

Abstract: A device is provided for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature treatment fluid circulated through a pliant heat transfer element positioned on the treatment region. In accordance with one embodiment, the device has a fluid inlet line supplying the treatment fluid to the heat transfer element from a fluid reservoir, and a fluid outlet line returning the treatment fluid to the fluid reservoir from the heat transfer element. The inlet and outlet lines are enclosed within a unitary sheath and a manual bulb pump is provided for driving the nonambient temperature treatment fluid between the reservoir and the heat transfer element. In accordance with another embodiment, fluid drive is provided by a motor-driven submersible pump positioned in the reservoir. Temperature control of the heat transfer element is enabled by adjusting the fluid flow rate therethrough. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the device has a pump and a single fluid flow line.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting arm movement is provided that is structurally light and simple, does not cause patients to feel restrained, is capable of controlling arm movements with a large degree of freedom and can effectively help patients to make everyday arm movements under their own volition, and to perform functional exercises.

Abstract: This invention relates to a neuromuscular therapeutic method for the relief of pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in humans, comprising soft tissue manipulation, deep tissue manipulation and nerve entrapment manipulation, generally applied in forearm and hand massage and manipulation which is effective in reducing the pain known and associated with the medical term carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: A patient support for use with parallel bars which includes a carriage which is selectively and movably mounted on the upper surface of the parallel bars. The support has a braking mechanism for braking the movement of the support with respect to the parallel bars. The carriage can be transversely adjusted and includes a pair of upstanding adjustable handles which can be grasped by the patient during use.

Abstract: A device for energetic activation of spine system includes a segment 1 comprising numerous bulges 2 combined with grooves 3. Numerous grooves 4 are disposed on the lateral side of a bulge 2. Two grooves 6 are placed on the upper side, between each third pair of bulges 2. Two concentrically placed cylindrical outlets 5 are disposed on the front side of each outlet 2. A horizontally placed outlet 7 with two cylindrical outlets 8 and a pair of holes 9 are disposed on the front side of the segment 1. An identical outlet 10 with holes 9, 11 is disposed on the back side of the segment 1. Numerous outlets 12 in the form of lines and dots are disposed over the whole surface of the lower side of the segment 1.

Abstract: Physical conditioning apparatus which includes a left foot pedal, a right foot pedal, a binder for binding the user's left foot onto the left foot pedal, a binder for binding the user's right foot onto the right foot pedal, support means for supporting the user, and resistance producing means for resisting upward movement of the foot pedals but producing little or no resistance to downward movement of the foot pedals.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for assisting a rescuer to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C.P.R.) on a patient, having a housing that rests on the patient's chest so that chest compression forces are applied through the apparatus. The apparatus monitors compression force, the rate of compressions, and blood flow and actively provides this information to the rescuer so that the rescuer can be assured that C.P.R. is being properly administered.