Therapeutic Device for Performing Passive Shoulder Rotation

Abstract

A therapeutic device that surrounds and firmly grips the upper part of the arm and which allows the therapist to apply a pair of opposing tangential forces (13) to the protrusions or protuberances (6) and (7) of the device in order to perform passive internal and external shoulder rotation exercises without transmitting any force to the elbow. This means of applying forces directly to the upper part of the arm prevents the forearm from having to be used as a lever to perform rotations, which can damage or affect the elbow during the therapeutic process. In addition, the device allows the greatest possible force to be applied to the shoulder to maximize recovery. The alternative design of the device allows a variable speed motor to be coupled by incorporation of coupling parts (14), (15).

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A therapeutic device for performing passive shoulder rotation exercise, comprising: a main piece (1) that surrounds a patient's upper arm and tightens it firmly; and at least one projecting piece or hand grip (6) (7), which are joined to the main piece (1), and on which forces (13) are applied.

13. The therapeutic device of claim 12, wherein the main piece (1) is made of leather.

14. The therapeutic device of claim 12, wherein the main piece (1) is made of synthetic material.

15. The therapeutic device of claim 12, wherein the main piece (1) firmly tightens the patient's upper arm by using a closure system (10) (2), to create friction with the upper arm and transmit the efforts generated during the application of forces (13)

16. The therapeutic device of claim 15, wherein the closure system is done using straps (10) and buckles (2).

17. The therapeutic device of claim 15, wherein the closure system is done by the use of cable tie straps (10).

18. The therapeutic device of claim 12, further comprising: protective pieces (3) (4), that protect the patient's skin from scratches and improve the transfer of the generated efforts.

19. The therapeutic device of claim 12, further comprising: covers (8) (9) of the projecting parts or hand grips (6) (7), that improve the grip of the therapist.

20. The therapeutic device of claim 12, further comprising: holes (12) incorporated in the projecting part (7) for entering the straps surplus.

21. The therapeutic device of claim 12, further comprising: coupling parts (14) incorporated to the projecting parts (6) (7); and a variable speed motor with complementary couplings (15), that allows connecting the device with the motor, which applies the pair of forces (13).

22. The therapeutic device of claim 12, further comprising: coupling parts (14) joined to the main part (1); and a variable speed motor with complementary couplings (15), that allows connecting the device with the motor, which applies the pair of forces (13).

23. The therapeutic device of claim 12, wherein the grip pieces (6) (7) have an ergonomic design to promote a therapist's non-slip grip and minimize slippage from his hand when applying tangential forces (13).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1. Isometric of the patient using the device

[0016] FIG. 2. Southeast isometric of the armed device

[0017] FIG. 3. Southwest isometric of the armed device

[0018] FIG. 4A. Front view of the armed device

[0019] FIG. 4B. Frontal view of the device armed with the applied pair of forces.

[0020] FIG. 5. Southeast isometric extended device.

[0021] FIG. 6. Perspective view of the disarmed device

[0022] FIG. 7. Top view of the dimensioned device

[0023] FIG. 8. Section A-A of the cut of the dimensioned device

[0024] FIG. 9. Top view of the dimensioned device, including the coupling part to the motor.

[0025] FIG. 10. Section B-B of the dimensioned device, including the part of the motor coupling.

[0026] FIG. 11. Front view of the armed device, including the part of the motor coupling and the torque applied.

[0027] FIG. 12. Buckle: isometric, disassembled piece, top view, section C-C.

[0028] FIG. 13. Engine coupling part: Isometric, disassembled piece, side and front views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The therapeutic device for performing passive shoulder rotation exercise allows the forces to be applied directly on the upper arm, without stress being transmitted through the elbow. It avoids affecting or injuring the elbow, and also helps maximize the efforts received in the shoulder. The device wraps the upper arm, allowing it to be adjusted to the patient's arm and tightened enough by means of four straps (10) and their buckles (5). The closure prevents the device from sliding around the arm when applying the tangential forces (13) on the protrusions of the device (6) (7). The therapist applies the necessary forces on the protuberances to produce the internal or external rotation of the shoulder.

[0030] In the alternate design of the device (FIGS. 9, 10, 11) the tangential forces (13) are applied by a variable speed motor that can be attached to the device through the coupling part (14) (15).

[0031] The main material of the device needs to be flexible to adapt to the shape of the arm to wrap the patient's arm (1) (3) (4) (10). It must be resistant to traction to withstand the stresses to which it will be subjected and must create enough friction with the patient's arm to transmit the efforts generated during therapy. This material can be made of 2 mm thick leather or some synthetic material that emulates its properties. The coatings of the projecting parts where the tangential stress (8) (9) are applied are also of the same material.

[0032] Another element used in the construction of the device consists of rigid pieces with rounded edges (6) (7). The rigid pieces serve as a grip for the therapist to apply the pair of forces (13). The applied forces will be transmitted to the shoulder to perform the rotations. The material thereof can be made of wood or from a rigid plastic material. The rounded shape is used to preserve the covers (8) (9), and prevent them from breaking with use. Furthermore, metal buckles (2) are used in the construction of the device. The buckles are attached to the main piece (1) by wrapping the short strips (11) to one of the central axes of the buckles. They are fixed in place with the rivets (5) that hold the mentioned buckles (2). The rivets keep in place the leather protector (3) that separates the buckles from the arm.

[0033] The buckles (2) can be seen in detail in FIG. 12 and are configured with a double central axis. The first axis contains the rotary nail (18) that engages and secures the belts (10). The other central axis (17) is embraced by the short strip (11) that joins the buckles (2) to the main piece (1). In addition, one of the external axes has a hollow cylinder (16) that freely rotates and facilitates the tightening of the belts (10).

[0034] The FIG. 13 shows details of coupling parts (14). The FIG. 11 shows coupling (14) and the counterpart coupling (15), where both couplings connect the device to the variable speed motor. The coupling piece (14) is like a screw that passes through the grips of the device (6) (7). At one end the coupling piece consists of a nut (20) and a washer (19), while the opposite end has a hexagonal hole to use an Allen key. The coupling (14) in its main head has a cylindrical shape, whose axis in its central part reduces its diameter, serving the hollow formed for the coupling with the piece (15); and in the inner end of the head there is an integrated washer.

[0035] The device can be observed in FIG. 1 in a patient's arm, in FIGS. 2 and 3 it is presented armed in southwest and southeast isometric views. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side view of the armed device, where FIG. 4B adds the direction of the pair of forces applied (13). FIG. 5 shows a southeast isometric view of the extended device, FIG. 6 presents an isometric view with all the pieces of the device disassembled. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the top view and the lateral section A-A of the extended device, showing its main measurements. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show the alternate design of the device, which incorporates the coupling parts (14) (15) so that the forces are provided by a variable speed motor. FIGS. 12 and 13 present details of the buckle (2) and the coupling part (14) to the variable speed motor. The dimensions of the device shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 are designed for arms whose biceps tightened by the device are between 24.9 to 33.3 centimeters.

[0036] The device during its construction process is armed in the following way: [0037] a) The main piece of the device (1) is leather (or other equivalent synthetic material), 2 mm thick, and wraps around the upper arm. It has at one end four straps or long strips (10) with multiple holes at short separation. On the other end it has four short strips (11) to which the metal buckles (2) will be fastened with the use of rivets (5). The long strips (10) enter the buckles (2) and tighten as much as possible to have a strong grip of the upper arm with the device, so when applying the tangential forces there is no slip between the arm and the device. [0038] b) Several pieces of leather (4) (3) are incorporated to protect the patient's skin. It helps to improve the contact area between the leather and the arm. It also increase the friction force between the device and the arm, under the four long strips (10) and the four short strips (11), that will accommodate the buckles (2). Both pieces are sewn to the main piece (1) and also joined with glue. [0039] c) The rivets used (5) secure the short strips (11) around one of the two central axes (17) of the buckles (2). The rivets also fix in place the protective piece (3). [0040] d) Wood pieces with rounded edges (6) (7) or from another rigid plastic material are placed on top of the main leather piece (1). The wood pieces are fixed to it by means of leather wraps (8) (9), which are sewn to the main leather piece (1), leaving inside the pieces of wood. The piece of wood (6) is solid, while the other piece of wood (7) is crossed by two holes of rectangular entry (12). The holes will accommodate the excess of straps or long central strips (10) of the device when it is adjusted to the patient's arm, to avoid its interference in the grip of the piece by the therapist.

[0041] Next we describe the device when it is used by the therapist and when it is used with a variable speed motor: [0042] The first action is to place the device around the upper arm and tighten it firmly by using the straps (10) and the buckles (2) as shown in FIG. 1; then place the patient on the table with the upper arm on the same plane formed by the stretcher and perpendicular to the patient's column, with the forearm flexed and pointing to the ceiling. The therapist grasps with each hand one of the protuberances of the device (6) (7). Then the therapist exerts a pair of tangential and opposite forces, as indicated by the arrows (13) in FIG. 4B, and generates the internal or external rotation on the patient's shoulder. [0043] The alternating design of the device modifies the projections (6) (7) to incorporate the coupling part (14) that allows connecting the device with a variable speed motor. The motor exerts the pair of tangential and opposite forces that will produce the rotation of the shoulder. In addition, the wood piece (7) is solid and does not incorporate the holes (12).