Abstract: A patient positioning system for computer controlled muscle exercising machine allows for automatic positioning of large numbers of patients prior to exercises and evaluations. The patient positioning system simplifies the patient positioning process by allowing the seat and actuator to be moved, manually or automatically, in both the horizontal and vertical direction relative to each other. This is accomplished by indicating the direction in which the seat and actuator are to be moved based upon optimum exercise positions stored in a data storage means. The directions are indicated adjacent to a four way switch and on a display device for selecting the direction of movement. In response to this prompt, the direction of movement of the seat and/or actuator is selected by pressing the four way switch for the seat or the four way switch for the actuator in the direction indicated adjacent to the switch and on the display device.

Abstract: A facial mask for use in effecting toning of a wearer's facial muscles includes two spaced layers of flexible sheet material secured together along their outer margins, and a quantity of freely movable particles of a filling material in the space between the two layers. When the mask is to be worn, suction is applied to the space between the two layers in order to effectively rigidify the mask according to the configuration of the wearer's face. The mask is pressed against the wearer's facial muscles by pressurizing an expansible chamber engageable with the back of the wearer's head, and/or by pressurizing a chamber formed by the flexible sheet layer wall and a front rigid wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 10 are disclosed for allowing exercise of an appendage of patient 22 by means of a series of objects 42. More specifically, patient 22 is directed to receive or grasp a series of objects 42 in a manner which will exercise the impaired appendage and which will provide statistical data to a trained occupational therapist and which will enable the therapist to gauge the current dysfunction of the affected appendage as well as to track improvement over a series of exercises.

Abstract: A cervical traction and exercise device adapted to be secured about the head and neck for imparting the desired lordotic shape into the cervical region of the spine and manipulating the spine and surrounding tissue to promote fluid and cellular exchange in and around the intervertebral discs. The device includes a frame, an upstanding neck support carried by the frame, an inflatable elongated bladder carried by the neck support, restraining straps for securing the device to the user's head such that the bladder is disposed below and adjacent the user's neck, and means for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder to force the cervical spine to curve forwardly and apply angular traction to the spine.

Abstract: A therapeutic method for rehabilitating the temporomandibular joint by induction of translatory motion of the joint either post-operatively or as therapy for a variety of conditions, the invention also contemplates apparatus capable of practicing the present method by continuously and passively moving the joint in a translatory sense.

Abstract: An exercise device, especially suitable for zero gravity workouts, has a collapsible chamber which generates negative pressure on the lower portion of a body situated therein. The negative pressure is generated by virtue of leg, hand and shoulder interaction which contracts and expands the chamber about the person and by virtue of air flow regulation by valve action.

Abstract: An exercise monitoring device ( 10, 10A, 10B) comprising a pressure pad (11) in the form of a flexible bladder or bag which comprises a plurality of substantially separate compartments ( 12, 12A, 12B). There is also included pumping means in the form a pressure bulb or air bulb (24). There is also included feedback means in the form of an aneroid dial (18, 19). The feedback means permits monitoring or metering of pressure biofeedback transmitted to the pressure pad from the body part of the patient (34) in use. The feedback means may also comprise an analogue meter, digital readout or visual display device VDU which are all associated with the pressure transducer. There also may be provided valve means (21) in the form of a regulating screw which may regulate air flow between the air bulb (24) and aneroid dial (18, 19).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the working condition of muscles, and to a measuring and training system for measuring the working condition of muscles and muscle training. Muscles are loaded with mechanical devices, the working condition of muscles is measured with measuring equipment, and the obtained results are registered. According to the invention, from among a number of separate, independent muscle training devices, there is chosen one, whereby the muscles are loaded, and the working condition of muscles is measured by means of the sensors provided therein. The sensors of the training device are connected, by means of a connector element, to a data processing unit, and the chosen type of training device is identified to the data processing unit, whereafter the measuring program, corresponding to the training device in question, is activated.