Physical therapy assistance device

Abstract

A physical therapy assistance device includes a base having a non-slip portion, a spring extending between a first end and a second end and having a first height in a fully expanded condition and a partially compressed condition, the spring being coupled to the base at the first end, and a cone extending between a first end having a first diameter, and a second end having a second diameter, the cone having a cone height, and at least partially housing the spring therein so that in the fully expanded condition of the spring, the first height of the spring is larger than the cone height.

Claims

1. A physical therapy assistance device comprising: a base having a non-slip portion; a spring extending between a first end and a second end and having a first height in a fully expanded condition and a partially compressed condition, the spring being coupled to the base at the first end; a cone extending between a first end having a first diameter, and a second end having a second diameter, the cone having a peripheral lip and a cone height, and at least partially housing the spring therein so that in the fully expanded condition of the spring, the first height of the spring is larger than the cone height; and a cap disposed over a portion of the spring, the cap having a recess for mating with the peripheral lip of the cone.

2. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein the first height of the spring is between eight and thirteen inches.

3. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein the spring includes a metallic member that is coiled, the metallic member having a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.4 inches.

4. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein the base is cylindrical, and the non-slip portion is formed as an outer ring on a periphery of the base.

5. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein the base is cylindrical, and the non-slip portion is formed as a secondary layer applied to a bottom of the base.

6. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein the base defines a receptacle for receiving a portion of the spring.

7. The physical therapy assistance device of claim 1, wherein in the fully expanded condition, the cone is spaced from the base by a distance of between two and four inches.

8. A physical therapy assistance device comprising: a base having a non-slip portion; a spring extending between a first end and a second end and having a first height in a fully expanded condition and a partially compressed condition, the spring being coupled to the base at the first end; a cone extending between a first end having a first diameter, and a second end having a second diameter, the cone having a cone height, and at least partially housing the spring therein so that in the fully expanded condition of the spring, the first height of the spring is larger than the cone height; and a shaft disposed within the spring, the shaft having a shaft height that is equal to or less than the cone height.

9. A method of manufacturing a physical therapy device comprising: providing a base having a non-slip portion; coupling the base to a spring that extend between a first end and a second end and having a first height in a fully expanded condition and a partially compressed condition, the spring being coupled to the base at the first end; and placing a cone over the spring, the cone extending between a first end having a first diameter, and a second end having a second diameter, the cone having a cone height, and at least partially housing the spring therein so that in the fully expanded condition of the spring, the first height of the spring is larger than the cone height; and placing a cap on the second end of the spring, the cap having a central recess capable of mating with a portion of the cone.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the spring has a length of between eight and thirteen inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(1) Various embodiments of the presently disclosed connectors are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a physical therapy assist device according to one embodiment;

(3) FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the physical therapy assist device of FIG. 1A in the compressed state;

(4) FIG. 1C is a schematic top view of the physical therapy assist device of FIG. 1A without the cone;

(5) FIG. 1D is a schematic side view of another example of a spring coupled to a base;

(6) FIG. 1E is a schematic partial view of the top of a cone and the spring; and

(7) FIG. 1F is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spring disposed within an optional housing.

(8) Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the invention and are therefore not, to be considered limiting of its scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Despite the various improvements that have been made to physical therapy devices, conventional methods suffer from some shortcomings as discussed above.

(10) There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices and methods used to help the rehabilitation, balance, and/or stability of patients. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.

(11) FIG. 1A illustrates a physical therapy assistance device 100 extending between a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104, the device generally having a base 110, a spring 120 and a therapy cone 140. The device 100 is shown in the expanded state in FIG. 1A, and in the compressed state in FIG. 1B.

(12) Base 110 may be formed of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material capable of supporting the spring and cone. In at least some examples, base 110 may be formed of a metal, a plastic, wood, dense rubber or other suitable combination of materials. Base 110 may be generally circular (FIG. 1C), and may include a receptacle 111 for receiving and coupling to one end of a spring. Optionally, an outer ring 112 of material is coupled to base 110. Outer ring 112 may be formed of a rubber, a plastisol product, a silicone product, non-slip polymers, softex grip substance or suitable combination of materials, and may be configured so as to include a non-slip surface 113 having a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of base 110 to prevent the base from sliding when being used by a patient. In at least some examples, base 110 may be partially or completely formed of the same material as outer ring 112. Alternatively, instead of forming an outer ring, the material of the non-slip portion may instead be coupled to the lower end of base 110 so that a two-layered base is formed including the rigid portion and the non-slip surface as shown in FIG. 1D.

(13) Turning back to FIG. 1A, spring 120 is coupled to base 110 via receptacle 111 or other suitable means on one end, and may extend longitudinally away from the upper surface of base 110. Spring 120 may include a number of windings, and may have a spring height s1 of between 8 and 13 inches in the fully expanded state (e.g., when no force is exerted on one end of the spring). In one example, a spring may be formed of MusicWire. It will be understood that other materials may be used for the spring, and that the spring may be oil tempered, hard drawn, stainless, chrome silicon, beryllium copper and phosphor bronze. In at least some embodiments, height s1 may be equal to the height c1 of cone 140 plus an additional distance d1 which is the distance between the bottom of the cone and the upper surface of base 110 (i.e., s1=c1+d1).

(14) In at least some examples, spring 120 may have a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.4 inches. It will be understood that the thicker the spring, the more difficult it will be to compress it. Thus, a thinner spring may be initially used during rehabilitation, and devices with thicker springs may be progressively used as the patient's rehabilitation continues, increasing the level of difficulty. In at least some examples, the spring 120 may be selected from springs divided into a number of groupings, such as for example, three groupings. The three groupings may include novice, intermediate, and difficult. The spring constant K1 of the novice spring may be between 5.0 and 100.0. The spring constant K2 of the intermediate spring may be between 100.0 and 250.0. The spring constant K3 of the difficult spring may be between 250.0 and 500.0. Thus, devices may be formed having different degrees of difficulty based on the spring constant of the selected spring.

(15) The diameter of spring 120 may also be modified as necessary. In at least some examples, the diameter of spring 120 may be between 1.25 and 2.0 inches, which is small enough to fit within the top of cone 140.

(16) In at least some examples, cone 140 may include a peripheral lip 141 that extends from a top surface of the cone down toward the interior of the cone, and spring 120 may include an option cap 125 as shown in FIG. 1E. Cap 125 may be formed of a metal, wood, a plastic or any other polymer or suitable combination of materials, and may be generally cone-shaped have a width that is slightly larger than the width of the top of a spring. Cap 125 may also have a recess 127 that is configured and arranged to accept and mate with the peripheral lip 141 of cone 140 so that the cone is stabilized over the cap. In addition to providing a larger flat surface on which cone 140 will rest, cap 125 may also be used to prevent injury from spring 120. Cap 125 may be affixed to spring 120, and spring 120 including cap 125 may be separable from cone 140 so that different cones may be used as desired. Alternatively, spring 120 and/or cap 125 may be directly adhered, affixed or attached, or otherwise coupled to the inside of cone 140.

(17) In one embodiment, instead of a simple cap, a housing may be formed around the spring 120 as shown in FIG. 1F. Housing 128 may prevent the spring from being exposed to the air and the elements. In at least some examples, housing 126 includes an upper portion 129a and a lower port 129b that fits within upper portion 129a, the two portions being moveable relative to one another so that they do not prevent the spring from compressing properly.

(18) An optional shaft 130 may be disposed inside the windings of spring 120 to aid in stabilizing the spring. Shaft 130 may be coupled to base 110 as shown, and may have a height equal to or less than the height of the cone c1, so that when the device is compressed, the shaft 130 does not protrude or extend upward further than the cone 140.

(19) Cone 140 may be formed and configured in the shape of a typical physical therapy cone, and may have a height c1 of between six and eight inches. Cone 140 may generally have a circumference of between 3.5 and 6.0 inches on top, and a base circumference of between 5.5 and 8.5 inches. Additionally, cone 140 may have a sidewall 142 that slopes at a degree a1 of 86.0 with respect to the transverse axis t1.

(20) As discussed above, device 100 may include springs of different spring constants, and thus, stiffnesses, and devices may be divided in categories of novice, intermediate and difficult based on the spring constant. Additionally, the cones may be colored to indicate the difficulty of the device. For example, a device having a relatively small spring constant may have a green colored cone, a device having an intermediate spring constant may have a blue colored cone, and a device having a relatively large spring constant may have a black colored cone. Thus, the difficulty level of the device may be quickly identified by cone color without having to test the device.

(21) To use the device 100, the user may place his hand on the top of the cone 140 and apply a force F1 to compress the spring 120. As the spring compresses, the cone 140 may travel toward the base 110 until it contacts the base. The user may then release the cone so that the spring causes it to return to its expanded state. Thus, one repetition of the exercise is completed, and the user may continue to perform a predetermined number of repetitions as a part of their physical therapy. It will be understood that instead of using his hand, a user may instead step on the cone and perform repetitions with their lower body. In this manner, the user may use the device to improve joint stability and rehabilitate said joints, as well as to strengthen key dexterity muscles. For example, muscles responsible for fine motor skills and/or dexterity, such as peroneals muscle and posterior tibialis, which stabilize the ankle may be exercised. FIG. 1B shows the device in the compressed state after a force F1 has been applied.

(22) It will be understood that instead of a metallic coil spring, other analogous mechanisms may be used. For example, an air suspension system may be used. Thus, as shown, a device may include a base, an outer ring, a cone and an air suspension mechanism having a piston disposed within a gas-filled compartment. Though the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

(23) It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments.