KNEE AND JOINT REHABILITATION EXERCISE DEVICE
A knee rehabilitative device permits a user to provide elastic resistive stretching caused when the leg or other joint is extended or straitened, facilitating exercise and strengthening of the user's muscles and improved flexibility in the area of the knee or other joint area.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/352,772, filed Mar. 13, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/195,784, filed Nov. 19, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/017,753, filed Jun. 25, 2018, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/121,697, filed Aug. 25, 2016, now abandoned, which was the National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/017610, filed Feb. 25, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,488, filed Feb. 25, 2014, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUNDThis disclosure relates to a rehabilitative knee apparatus in the field of portable leg exercise devices. With today's rigorous sports activities including football, tennis, basketball and soccer it is unfortunately a common occurrence for active people to injure their knee joint to the point where surgical treatment is required to repair the knee and areas around the knee. Other joints may also be injured and rehabilitated in a similar fashion, such as the elbow as only one example, but they are not shown in this series of embodiments.
Because of these injuries, it has been beneficial to provide devices that help rehabilitate the knee area after surgery. Some devices are simply leg braces that help take pressure off the knee joint while it is healing. Other devices are machines or apparatus that help strengthen the leg muscles around the knee and associated with proper knee function but their mobility is minimal.
Patents that describe leg braces that help keep the knee joint supported during or while engaged in exercise include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,732, 5,116,296, 4,433,679 and 5,980,435. Patents that describe exercise apparatus for helping to rehabilitate the muscles of the leg around the knee joint include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,968, 4,776,587, 4,979,737 and 5,181,895. However, these patents and other commercially available exercise devices have a deficiency in that none of them allows a person to wear a light weight inexpensive brace which has connection points attached to allow the user to releasably attach an elastic band from the area of the upper leg to the area of the lower leg, and to connect a portable assembly behind the user's knee for the elastic band to stretch over to increase the resistance factor to the muscles surrounding the knee joint. Furthermore, none of the patents or other prior art shows a leg brace exercise device that allows the user to easily and quickly change the resistance band location from the back of the leg to the front of the leg whereby the user can connect a portable assembly in front of the knee which the elastic band passes over to passively stretch the knee joint to a straight position.
Disclosed herein is a joint rehabilitation device comprising one or more spring members; and attaching means that secure the device on either side of a joint; wherein the spring member provides resistance when the joint is extended. The joint discussed primarily is the knee joint. However, it should be appreciated that the instant device may be utilized on other joints on a body, such as elbow joint for example. Disclosed herein is a device that utilizes elastic bands or spring members in the form of flat bars, also referred to sometimes as “flat springs”, that are capable of flexing in more than one direction. These flat bars resemble a leaf spring in looks and may function similarly in that they flex and bend in more than one direction. Such springs are generally longer than they are wide and consist of one or more layers of either metal or other composition of materials that are bracketed together. Historically, traditional leaf springs were made in multiple layers and called “laminated or carriage springs”, but these were more generally elliptical when two portions were in a mirror to each other to form an elliptical shape. They could also be “semi-elliptic” where only one portion was utilized in opposition to a non spring member. Other forms can be known as “three quarter elliptic, quarter elliptic, or transverse” Leaf spring type designs are generally slender and more elongated in form. The spring type described herein may resemble or utilize any of these forms, but the shown design is more similar to a semi-elliptic, being attached to only one side of the joint (such as that shown in
The spring members may be of a shape beyond a simple flat design that one might envision with a simple flat spring design; including, but not limited to other kinds of laminated leaf springs, other types of flat springs, semi-elliptical spring members, or curved. The exact shape is less important than the shape in combination with its function. However, the springs are generally no wider the width of the joint in question; primarily shown here as the knee joint. Thus the spring members are generally narrower than the width of the leg of the user. In this respect, a somewhat flat design works well. It should be clear that when the term “leaf spring” is used, it may include the various types of leaf and flat springs discussed even though not shown in the drawings herein.
The term “spring” is meant to include any resistive apparatus that provides resistance, passive or active, when a joint is extended; for example, when a knee is straightened, which is often medically described as “extended”.
The described apparatus may also have alternatives that are made of other materials, but otherwise capable of providing similar rehabilitative resistance and benefits. Such spring like material may be fabricated of or with metal, alloys, or other materials, such as plastics of various types, fiberglass, Kevlar or other aramid fibers may be used, or other composites of a suitable material, or some combination of any of these materials capable of providing sufficient structural support for a brace device for any joint on a human body. Natural materials such as wood laminates or bamboo and bamboo laminates may be included as spring like elastic resistance materials utilized with the described brace embodiments.
The instant device provides resistance to a joint, extending the joint along its entire range (or a portion of that range) of motion. The instant device performs several functions, including, but not limited to a strengthening mode and a stretching mode. A strengthening mode for the knee joint occurs when the brace is installed on the back, rear, of the leg or the posterior portion of the leg or knee. These terms are all interchangeable and mean the same thing for the purposes of this disclosure; and, it provides resistance to straightening of the knee. The exercise is to start with a bent knee, and then the user actively straightens it. This movement with the resistance from the spring, exercises and strengthens the quadriceps muscle, primarily the vastus medialus oblique. These parts of the quadriceps muscle are weak due to inactivity during and after the surgery. This activity is important to restore strength so the leg can properly support the knee and body.
The stretching mode of the instant device occurs when the brace is installed on the front or anterior portion of the leg, along the side of the knee where the patella is located, and it passively pushes the knee straight in the extended position. The tightening device (could be a ratcheting device for example) allows a user to turn a knob or other control mechanism to shorten the strap attaching the spring to a leg, which in turn bends the spring more which results in a greater force exerted on stretching of the knee joint. This is a static stretch where the brace can be left on a user's leg for hours at a time. The purpose of this stretching is to break apart and/or prevent formation of post-operative scar tissue. If left intact, the scar tissue will reduce the range of motion of the knee which will interfere with normal walking or knee mobility and function.
The described devices may be utilized by a person of almost any size except perhaps small infants with underdeveloped joint function, which generally means a body weight just under to greater than 30 pounds. It may be possible to adapt the instant device to a lighter weight person, but the materials of the device would need to be very thin and flexible or otherwise adapted to smaller, weaker physiques and smaller functioning joints. Thus, any person of any weight, height, or size may utilize the instant devices adapted to fit them so long as they possess a sufficiently developed joint function. For this reason, the instant invention is configurable to support each of individuals in any size range. Basically, if a person is ambulatory and capable of walking, the device may be adapted to fit them and to be utilized by them. A person may be currently incapable of walking due to injury or being in a non-weight bearing orientation, but may still utilize the device in positions other than standing and walking in a weighted stance. One may still bend the knee in the directions knees may bend and still utilize the device described herein without necessarily standing in a weight bearing position.
Disclosed herein is a device to provide a knee rehabilitation and exercise that allows a person to strengthen leg muscles after knee surgery. The device is shown to perform this function with the various designs described herein.
Another object of the invention is to provide a knee rehabilitation exercise device that helps increase the range of knee joint motion.
Another object of the invention is to provide a knee rehabilitation exercise device that can be easily used by a person without the need for assistance, or additional help from a caregiver.
A further object of the invention is to provide a knee rehabilitation exercise device that is lightweight, portable, and can be adjusted to fit a variety of leg lengths and diameters.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a knee rehabilitation exercise device that can be fastened to a user's leg quickly and easily. It should be evident that devices designed to fit joints other than the knee (not shown) will also be adapted to fasten and unfasten quickly and easily as well. One method shown to perform this function is a ratcheting tension adjustment feature. Another method might be to utilize adjustable retention buckles or straps common to backpacking release straps and the like. The retention need only be accomplished in easy to use method for a user of the device. The strap (for example what is shown in
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings; wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Though not shown, it should be obvious that the device and designs described herein may also be applied to joints other than the knee. These joints include, but are not limited to the wrist, ankle, elbow, shoulder, hip, and even the spine and torso area. Additionally, there is no restriction to its possible veterinary applications with valued animals such as racing horses, or other breeding stock and the like.
The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several arrangements of the present invention.
In the drawings:
Referring to
Additionally, when figures or descriptions describe attachment to a “leg”, this term is meant to describe attachment to one or more points or places along the leg, regardless of whether the upper or lower leg are the locations of attachment. Medically, the term “upper leg” and “lower leg” together define the entire leg on either side of the knee joint (and ankle and foot). The use of “leg” is not meant to ignore these distinctions in any way.
FIG. A is a side view of a knee brace with a resistance bungee or other similar elastic type spring member, 101. The knee brace is comprised of the upper half, 102, the lower half, 104, the hinge, 103, and the rear knee support, 111. The upper half of the brace, 102, straps to the upper leg, 105, and the lower half of the brace, 104, straps to the lower leg, 106. The resistance bungee, 101, exerts a force pulling the upper brace half, 102, and the lower brace half, 104, together. The rear knee support, 111, straps onto the hinge, 103, with connector straps, 112, and provides support, which reassures the patient during the exercise. The purpose of this device is for the user to repeatedly straighten their leg, doing so overcomes the force from the bungee, 101. This exercise fires the quad muscles and helps them rebuild strength after knee surgery. Torsion springs could also be attached to the brace hinge, 103, to create a resistance torque around the knee.
It should be apparent that the spring shown, 804, may also be another type of spring member such as an elastic spring member akin to a bungee; or a modified leaf type spring with various levels adjustment for length and resistance levels as options. Additionally, such spring members may be adjustable in themselves, or replaceable, to tailor the resistance force of the spring member.
While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed herein.
Claims
1. A joint rehabilitation device comprising: a spring member; and attaching members that secure the device on either side of a user's joint, the spring member providing resistance when the joint is extended.
2. The device of claim 2 wherein: the joint is a knee; and the attaching members are configured to secure the device onto both the upper leg and lower leg of the user.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the attaching members are straps.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the straps are adjustable.
5. The device of claim 3, further comprising at least one support configured to generally separate the spring member from the user's knee joint and substantially prevent the spring member from contacting the user's knee joint.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one support is made of a resilient material.
7. The device of claim 2, further comprising: straps to secure the device onto both the upper and lower leg of the user; and supports that generally separate the spring member from substantially contacting the knee joint, the spring member providing resistance when the knee joint is extended.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the spring is configured for attachment to the front of the user's leg and knee joint to help stretch the leg.
9. The device of claim 7, wherein the spring is attached to the rear of the leg and knee joint to help strengthen the leg.
10. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a hinged brace secured to a leg at least one elastic spring member connected to the brace at both the upper and lower leg, and the elastic spring member is orientated along at least one side of the leg, wherein: the elastic spring member exerts force pulling the upper and lower leg portions of the brace towards each other, such that when the knee joint is straitened the quadriceps muscle is engaged.
11. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a hinged brace secured to a leg a tightening device to extend the leg orientated along the front of the knee joint, wherein: the tightening of the device causes the knee to stretch into an extended position.
12. The device of claim 2, further comprising: a post and beam leg stretching device, and an upper slider with extending handle grips a mid section with an extending lower rail and an extending upper rail on which the sliders may adjust upon a lower slider an elastic cord member wrapped around the lower leg and connected to the lower slider, wherein: the upper slider may be pushed down towards the lower slider in order to stretch the leg by extending the knee joint.
13. The device of claim 2, comprising a post and beam leg stretching device, and an upper slider with extending handle grips a mid section with an extending lower rail and an extending upper rail on which the sliders may adjust upon a lower slider an elastic cord member wrapped around the lower leg and connected to the lower slider, an elastic cord member wrapped around the upper leg and connected to the upper slider, wherein the knee is extended in order to strengthen leg muscles.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the elastic spring member is wrapped around the back of the leg and attached to the mid section.
15. The device of claim 6, wherein the spring member is a flat leaf spring that can be bent and flexible enough to permit a range of motion up to and including a full range of motion for the knee joint.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the spring may be orientated along either the front or back of the knee.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein, when the spring is orientated along the front of the knee, such that, when the knee is extended, the leg is stretched.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein, when the spring is orientated along the back of the knee, such that, when the knee is extended, the leg muscles associated with the knee are strengthened.
19. The device of claim 15, further comprising a ratcheting adjustment device, permitting the leaf spring knee brace to be tightened to adjust attachment to the leg.
20. The device of claim 7, comprising a spring loaded linkage, made of at least one pad oriented adjacent to the pivot point which touches the back of the knee, two adjustable rigid bars with slid-able pins and pin holes, which are connectable to a pivot pin an extension spring attachable to the two bars which exerts force when stretched, wherein the leg muscles are strengthened.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the rigid bars have more than one set of parallel pin holes that permit adjustment of the spring tension.
22. The device of claim 20 wherein the springs may are replaceable to a adjust tension level.
23. The device of claim 20 wherein the spring is adjustable.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 1, 2019
Publication Date: May 21, 2020
Inventors: Mark W. Publicover (Saratoga, CA), Jebodiah Burns (San Jose, CA), Jon Patton Hylbert (Los Gatos, CA)
Application Number: 16/459,517