Rehabilitation device and its use for exercising the shoulder region

Abstract

The invention relates to a rehabilitation device adapted for rehabilitation and/or exercise of the shoulder region, the device being provided with a frame (1), which is connected to a power-generating apparatus (2), a back part (10), a seat part (11), and armrests (21). The rehabilitation device according to the invention is characterised in that it further comprises first support arms (23), second support arms (24), and motion arms (22), which communicate with said corresponding first and second support arms. The rehabilitation device according to the invention is further characterised in that said armrests (21) are articulated in said corresponding motion arms (22), and said power-generating apparatus (2) communicates with said motion arms (22). In addition, the invention relates to the use of the rehabilitation device for exercising the shoulder region.

Claims

1. A rehabilitation device adapted for rehabilitation and/or exercise of the shoulder region, the device being provided with a frame (1), which is connected to a power-generating apparatus (2); a back part (10); a seat part (11); and armrests (21); characterised in that the rehabilitation device further comprises first support arms (23); second support arms (24); and motion arms (22), which communicate with said corresponding first and second support arms; and in that said armrests (21) are connected to said corresponding motion arms (22); and said power-generating apparatus (2) communicates with said motion arms (22) wherein the predetermined trajectory of the armrests is such that the motion arms (22) form mutually an angle β.sub.1 and/or β.sub.2 of 42-52 degrees viewed from above and each motion arm (22) and the back rest form together an angle α.sub.1 and/or α.sub.2 of 88-98 degrees viewed laterally.

2. The rehabilitation device according to claim 1, in which each armrest (21) is movably supported by the corresponding motion arm (22) and the corresponding support arms (23, 24) over a predetermined trajectory.

3. The rehabilitation device according to claim 2, in which said trajectory passes from a rest position to an extreme position and vice versa.

4. The rehabilitation device according to claim 3, in which the armrests (21) can be moved synchronously or asynchronously relative to one another.

5. The rehabilitation device according to claim 3, in which the power-generating apparatus (2) comprises a pulley (31), which can be moved so as to vary the power generated.

6. The rehabilitation device according to claim 3, further comprising a means for transmitting stored data to the power-generating apparatus, and also means for automatic adjustment of at least one of the following on the basis of the stored data: the armrests (21), the motion arms (22), the support arms (23, 24), the back part (10), the seat part (11), the power-generating apparatus (2).

7. The rehabilitation device according to claim 6, in which data are stored in a cloud service and/or contain the personal data of each user for adjusting the device.

8. The rehabilitation device according to claim 3, which is adapted to activate the anterior serratus muscle (m. serratus anterior).

9. The rehabilitation device according to claim 2, in which the armrests (21) can be moved synchronously or asynchronously relative to one another.

10. The rehabilitation device according to claim 2, in which the power-generating apparatus (2) comprises a pulley (31), which can be moved so as to vary the power generated.

11. The rehabilitation device according to claim 2, further comprising a means for transmitting stored data to the power-generating apparatus, and also means for automatic adjustment of at least one of the following on the basis of the stored data: the armrests (21), the motion arms (22), the support arms (23, 24), the back part (10), the seat part (11), the power-generating apparatus (2).

12. The rehabilitation device according to claim 11, in which data are stored in a cloud service and/or contain the personal data of each user for adjusting the device.

13. The rehabilitation device according to claim 2, which is adapted to activate the anterior serratus muscle (m. serratus anterior).

14. The rehabilitation device according to claim 1, in which the armrests (21) can be moved synchronously or asynchronously relative to one another.

15. The rehabilitation device according to claim 1, in which the power-generating apparatus (2) comprises a pulley (31), which can be moved so as to vary the power generated.

16. The rehabilitation device according to claim 1, further comprising a means for transmitting stored data to the power-generating apparatus, and also means for automatic adjustment of at least one of the following on the basis of the stored data: the armrests (21), the motion arms (22), the support arms (23, 24), the back part (10), the seat part (11), the power-generating apparatus (2).

17. The rehabilitation device according to claim 16, in which data are stored in a cloud service and/or contain the personal data of each user for adjusting the device.

18. The rehabilitation device according to claim 1, which is adapted to activate the anterior serratus muscle (m. serratus anterior).

19. A method of using the rehabilitation device according to claim 1, said method comprising the user positioning the arms in the armrests (21) and moving one or both arms between the rest position and the extreme position over a predetermined trajectory, while the armrests (21) support the user's arms wherein the predetermined trajectory of the motion arms is such that the motion arms (22) form mutually an angle β.sub.1 and/or β.sub.2 of 42-52 degrees viewed from above and each motion arm (22) and the back rest form together an angle α.sub.1 and/or α.sub.2 of 88-98 degrees viewed laterally so as to minimise the activation supporting the upper part of the trapezius muscle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in greater detail by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a shows a right-hand lateral view of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(3) FIG. 1b shows a front view of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(4) FIG. 1c shows a left-hand lateral view of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(5) FIG. 1d shows a first illustrative drawing of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(6) FIG. 1e shows a top view of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(7) FIG. 1f shows a second illustrative drawing of the device according to the invention in the rest position;

(8) FIG. 2a shows a right-hand lateral view of the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(9) FIG. 2b shows a front view of the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(10) FIG. 2c shows a left-hand lateral view the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(11) FIG. 2d shows a first illustrative drawing of the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(12) FIG. 2e shows a top view of the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(13) FIG. 2f shows a second illustrative drawing of the device according to the invention in the extreme position of the left hand;

(14) FIG. 3a shows a lateral view of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with the two motion arms pushed into the extreme position;

(15) FIG. 3b shows a front view of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with the two motion arms pushed into the extreme position;

(16) FIG. 3c shows an illustrative drawing of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with the two motion arms pushed into the extreme position;

(17) FIG. 3d shows a detail of the tackle gear formed by the pulleys and the cable of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention, with the two motion arms pushed into the extreme position;

(18) FIG. 4a shows a lateral view of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with one of the motions arms pushed into the extreme position;

(19) FIG. 4b shows a front view of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with one of the motions arms pushed into the extreme position;

(20) FIG. 4c shows an illustrative view of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention with one of the motions arms pushed into the extreme position; and

(21) FIG. 4d shows a detail of the tackle gear formed by the pulleys and the cable of the power-generating apparatus of the device according to the invention, with one of the motion arms pushed into the extreme position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(22) FIGS. 1a-1f show the rehabilitation device according to the invention in the rest position. The back part 10 and the seat part 11 form the seat frame, on which the user is seated. On both sides of the seat frame, there are units supporting the user's arms and consisting of two support arms 23, 24, one motion arm 22 and armrests 21. The support arms 23, 24 are connected with the frame 1 of the device.

(23) FIGS. 2a-2f show the rehabilitation device according to the invention in the extreme and rest position. When set in the extreme position, the unit supporting the user's left arm, which consists of two support arms 23, 24, one motion arm 22 and the armrest 21, optimises the exercise of the user's anterior serratus muscle.

(24) In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the units supporting the arms can move asynchronously between the rest position and the extreme position, as in FIGS. 2a-2f, or synchronously, so that the two lateral units reach the extreme position simultaneously, and resume the rest position simultaneously.

(25) FIGS. 3a-3d show the trajectory of the power-transmission cable 32 through the stationary pulley 30 and the mobile pulley 31, with the two motion arms pushed into the extreme position; in this case mobile pulley 31 settles in the upper position.

(26) FIGS. 4a-4d show the trajectory of the power-transmission cable 32 through the stationary pulley 30 and the mobile pulley 31, with one motion arm 22 pushed into the extreme position and the other motion arm 22 in the rest position. In this case, the mobile pulley 31 corresponding to the motion arm 22 in the rest position settles in the lower position.

(27) The preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention allow controlled and safe exercise of the anterior serratus muscle. The device is bi-functional. It allows both multi-joint motion resembling bench press with extensive load on the upper body (chest press) and also a shoulder blade push-up motion directed accurately to the anterior serratus muscle. Both the exercises are optimised for rehabilitation and exercise of the shoulder joint. Both the exercises can be performed either alternately with each hand or simultaneously with both hands, so that the motion arms 22 move synchronously.

(28) At the start of the multi-joint motion, the user's upper arm, viewed from the front, forms an angle of 50-70 degrees, preferably 55-65 degrees, more preferably 59-61 degrees, most preferably approx. 60 degrees with the body. In the final position of the motion, the upper arm, viewed laterally, forms an angle of approx. 80-100 degrees, preferably 85-95 degrees, more preferably 89-91 degrees, most preferably approx. 90 degrees with the body. Viewed from above, the motion arms 22 in different positions form mutually an angle β.sub.1 and/or β.sub.2, substantially of 42-52 degrees, preferably 46-48 degrees, most preferably approx. 47 degrees. Viewed laterally, the motion arm 22 and the back rest form together an angle α.sub.1 and/or α.sub.2 of substantially 88-98 degrees, preferably 92-94 degrees, most preferably approx. 93 degrees.

(29) The seat part 11 and the back part 10 are in such a mutual angle that enables the user to be comfortably seated on the seat part while leaning on the back part. Typically, such an angle is preferably substantially approx. 100 degrees.

(30) The power transmission of the device according to the invention is configured so that the motion arms 22 can be pre-set in a relatively forward position for shoulder blade push-up, and then the user does not need to push the motion arms 22 upwards to perform shoulder blade push-up alone. This is of particular importance at the initial stage of rehabilitation, at which large push-up motions are often forbidden. In shoulder blade push-up, bending of the elbow joint is prevented with a special armrest 21, i.e. a pad, which is articulated in the motion arm 22 with a special turn mechanism. At the same time, the armrest 21 supports the user's arm in order to minimise the “supporting” activation of the trapezial muscle. This is important, because the upper part of the trapezial muscle of shoulder patients is often hyperactive, while the activation of the anterior serratus muscle is extremely weak. The muscle activation ratio is improved in this manner.

(31) In addition, one can aim at minimising the number of adjustments affecting the exercise position and the device parts can be automatically adjusted by an electric motor on the basis of data stored in a memory. The seat frame formed by the back part 10 and the seat part 11 is thus adjusted in the forward-backward direction and the seat part 11 in the upward-downward direction in order to obtain the optimal shoulder joint angle and exercise position.

(32) In addition, the back part 10 of the device can be designed so as to leave space for the user's shoulder blades to move backwards. This is particularly important for the shoulder blade push-up exercise to be effective. When performing a larger multi-joint push-up, it is also important that the shoulder blades move backwards and towards one another in the initial position of the motion. If this is not the case, the shoulder bone tip will press against the front edge of the socket of the shoulder joint, and may thus cause pain and erosion in repeated exercises.

(33) The device may comprise integrated intelligence and performance data can be collected approx. 25 times per second by means of power and angle sensors. The device allows for isometric measurements, which are expedient in diagnostics and rehabilitation monitoring.

REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE FIGURES

(34) 1 frame 2 power-generating apparatus 10 back part 11 seat part 21 armrest 22 motion arm 23 first support arm 24 second support arm 30 stationary pulley 31 mobile pulley 32 power transmission cable α.sub.1 angle between the motion arm and the backrest in the rest position α.sub.2 angle between the motion arm and the backrest in the extreme position β.sub.1 angle between the motion arms in the rest position β.sub.2 angle between the motion arms in the extreme position