Abstract:
The present invention relates to an exercise method for the elderly, individuals with impaired joint control, and a system for individuals who are suffering from muscular paralysis and who may or may not be confined to a wheelchair by the implementation of an exercise device that can safely provide actively supported standing exercise options to persons who either have limited physical mobility or complete loss of mobility due to muscular paralysis. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a standing wheelchair that is used to passively restrain an operator. The axial and tangential loads that are exerted upon the skeletal system of the operator are derived and recorded from a force-sensing device. Further, an angle or position sensor is situated in contact with the standing wheelchair or standing exercise system in such a manner that the standing angle of an individual or the angle of the standing wheelchair can be logged and stored for long periods of time. Muscle force, through electrical stimulation or voluntary exercise can also be logged and stored in both the standing wheelchair application and in the stationary standing frame application.
Abstract:
A non-invasive method and apparatus are provided for treating orthostatic hypotension and for reducing the effects caused there from. An increase in blood and fluid flow in the lower extremities is achieved by vibrating the lower body of the individual at a frequency in the range of 10-l20Hz. The apparatus includes a strap for being secured to a body part of the individual's lower extremities, e.g., the sole of one's foot, and a displacement sensor which senses any movement of the body part. The displacement sensor continuously sends signals to a processor of the apparatus which indicate whether there was any movement of the body part. If the displacement sensor did not sense any substantial movement of the body part for a predetermined period of time the processor sends a signal to a vibrating mechanism. The signal activates the vibrating mechanism causing vibration of the body part for increasing blood and fluid flow in the lower extremities. The vibrating mechanism causes vibration for a predetermined period of time.
Abstract:
A device for vibratory stimulation on the human body comprises a support platform (10), a panel (13) supported by said platform and forming a standing surface (14) for a person using the device, and a vibrator (16) for imparting to said panel a vibratory movement. Two standards (17) are mounted to the platform at opposite sides of the panel, forming handles (21) for the person standing on the standing surface between the standards to hold on. A sensor (15) is provided for sensing the load on the panel or on the standards exerted by the person standing on the standing surface (14). A control unit (22) is connected with the sensor and the vibrator for controlling the operation of the vibrator in dependence on the load sensed by the sensor.
Abstract:
Bone disorders may be treated by applying a compressive preload and repetitive impacts. The patient may be maintained in a static position and the preload be provided by gravity or compression. The impact load, impact rate, and a number of impacts determined by a physician prior to treatment are chosen to generate electrical signals in the patient's bone such that the majority of energy of the electrical signals lies between 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz, and the peak amplitude values of the electrical signals lie between 15 and 30 Hz.