UPPER EXTREMITY REHABILITATION SYSTEM

Abstract

An upper extremity rehabilitation system comprising a base with one or more pockets, a first pole and a second pole, each pole having a grip and a joint. The joint is removably attached to the pockets on the base to secure the pole from sliding. The grip can be a ball or a ring with a handle that can be selectively vertical or horizontal. The base can have a top and a bottom with a thickness that is half or full circle. The system may also include a band, possibly a resistance band, spanning between the first pole and the second pole and is coupled to the poles with at least one clip. The system also includes a method of applying the system by securing the poles at a predetermined distance, choosing a band with user specified resistance, coupling the band between the poles with a clip, and instructing a user to place their hands on the grips and move the poles away from each other or in a circular motion.

Claims

1. An upper extremity rehabilitation system comprising: a base having one or more pockets; a first pole and a second pole, each pole comprising: a first end and a second end; a grip coupled to the first end; and a joint coupled to the second end wherein the joint is removably attached to the one or more pockets on the base to secure the pole from sliding relative to the base.

2. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the grip is a ball or a ring with a handle stretching between the inner diameter of the ring.

3. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the ring is coupled to the first end by at least one attachment point on the ring allowing for the handle to be selectively vertical or horizontal.

4. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the pockets are a semi-spherical hole or a straight hole.

5. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the base has a top and a bottom having a thickness that is half or full circle.

6. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the joint is a ball and socket with a shank.

7. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, further comprising a band that spanning between the first pole and the second pole and is coupled to the first pole and the second pole with at least one clip.

8. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 7, wherein the band is a resistance band.

9. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 7, wherein the clip couples to the first pole and the second pole at a predetermined distance from the first end or second end.

10. The upper extremity rehabilitation system according to claim 1, wherein the pockets are spaced between 51 cm, 57 cm and 74 cm apart from its opposite pocket.

11. A method of applying a upper extremity rehabilitation system comprising: securing a first pole having a first grip and a second pole having a second grip at a predetermined distance from each other; choosing a band with a user specified resistance; coupling the band between the first pole and the second pole with a clip at a set distance from the first end or second end; and instructing a user to place a first hand on the first grip and a second hand on the second grip and move the first pole and second pole away from each other or in a circular motion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present specification will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 2a is a front view of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 2b is a closeup view of FIG. 2a of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a front view of the pivot point for the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a top view of the base of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0026] FIGS. 6a-6c is a side view of the grip in different positions of the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a front view of the two different types of handles for the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of a shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the base for the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments; and

[0031] FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment of the base for the shoulder rehabilitation system in accordance to one, or more embodiments.

[0032] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0034] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2 and 8, an upper extremity rehabilitation system is shown generally at 10. The upper extremity system 10 can comprise a base 12 having one or more pockets 14. The base 12 can have a top and a bottom wherein the base can have a thickness and can be in the shape of such as, for example, half or full annulus, triangular, rectangular, wedge or the like. The base 12 can be manufactured from such as, for example, wood, plastic, metal, or the like and can have a thickness wherein the base can be flat or angled as shown in FIG. 11. The one or more pockets 14 can be spaced around the base in a circular pattern and in the preferred the pockets can be spaced apart at such as at least 51 cm, at least 57 cm and at least 74 cm as shown in FIG. 5. The pockets 14 can be a semi-spherical hole, threaded hole, or the like, or in other embodiments the pockets can be omitted, and the base can have a hole drilled out with a ball and socket joint coupled to it. The base 12 can have a hinge 50 substantially in the middle of the base allowing the base to be folded in half as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The hinge 50 can be such as, for example, butt hinge, piano hinge, concealed hinge, two-way hinge, or the like.

[0035] The base 12 can be angled from 0 degrees to about 30 degrees. In the preferred embodiment, the angle can be at least 30 degrees with the pockets 14 spaced apart at such as at least 51 cm, at least 57 cm and at least 74 cm. The distance of the pockets on the 30-degree wedge can be at least 6 cm first hole from edge of wedge, at least 17 cm from edge of wedge, and at least 31 cm from edge of base. The pockets 14 can be for male piece of anchor system that is on the distal end of the sticks. The pockets can be numbered for a desired position, either 1, 2, or 3, in the base 12 and can be determined for what position the user is looking for the angle of the humerus and each angle of the humerus provides different muscular influence of the glenohumeral joint.

[0036] The upper extremity rehabilitation system 10 can further comprise a first pole 24 and a second pole 26 wherein both the first pole and second pole comprise a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first pole 24 and the second pole 26 can be a fixed length or an adjustable length allowing the user to adjust the length from the base for different height individuals or for different type of exercises. The user can adjust the length of the pole by moving the first end 34 side into the second end 26 side and locking it in place by a locking device 25 which can be such as for example, twist lock, snap lock, cam lock, collar clamp, pin lock or the like. The first pole 24 and second pole 26 can be a stiff or flexible pole made from such as, for example, plastic, metal, carbon, or the like. The first end 34 of the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 can be coupled to a first grip 28 and a second grip 30 wherein the grip can be coupled to the first end by such as, for example, thread, adhesive, pins, rivets, locks, snaps into the pole or the like.

[0037] The first grip 28 and the second grip 30 can be a ball with a prong 35 that can snap, thread, or be pinned into the second end 36 or in the preferred embodiment the first grip and the second grip can be a ring 31 and can be in the shape of such as, for example, an annulus, a torus, a sphere, or the like as shown in FIGS. 6-7. The first grip 28 and the second grip 30 can have a handle 33 that extends through the middle of the grip and can be coupled to the inner diameter of ring. The handle 33 can be positioned in the ring either vertically or horizontally or both on the grip. The prong 35 extending from the ring 31 can be on at least one side on the outer diameter of the ring wherein in the preferred embodiment the prong can extend from at least two sides 90 degrees apart. In certain embodiments the ball 29 and the ring 31 can be coupled together to form one handle with both a ring and ball as shown in FIG. 8. In embodiments, the prong 35 can be such as, for example, a protrusion, or a hole wherein the protrusion can be removably or permanently coupled by such as, for example, thread, adhesive, weld, snaps, pins, or the like onto or into the first end 34. In certain embodiments, the first grip 28 and the second grip 30 can be movable or stationary on the first end 34 or it can be set at different angles from the first pole 24 and the second pole 26.

[0038] In embodiments, the first pole 24 and the second pole's 26 second end 36 can be removably or permanently coupled to a joint which can be a first joint 15 and a second joint 16. Referring to FIG. 3 the first joint 15 and the second joint 16 can comprise a ball 18 and a socket 19 joint wherein the first joint and the second joint can be removable or permanently attached to the one or more pockets 14 on the base wherein in certain embodiment the ball can have a shaft coupled to it and can be inserted into the pocket. In certain embodiments, the first joint 15 and the second joint 16 can further comprise at least one nut 20 and a shank 22 which can be threaded or unthreaded. The shank 22 can be removably or permanently coupled to the second end 36 by such as, for example, threaded, press fit, loose fit, adhesive or the like as shown in FIG. 4. The socket 19 can contact the pockets 14 and can allow the user to move or rotate the grips 28, 30 and the first pole 24 and second pole 26 within the pockets 14. In certain embodiments, the socket 19 can be inserted into the pockets 14 by such as, for example, threads, press fit, loose fit or the like where the socket can be removed from one pocket and inserted into another pocket.

[0039] Referring back to FIGS. 1-2, the upper extremity rehabilitation system 10 can further comprise a band 32. The band 32 can be such as, for example, elastic, rubber, resistance bands, compact bands or the like. The band 32 can wrap around the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 or it can be coupled to the first pole and the second pole by at least one clip 33. The user can adjust where the band 32 sits on the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 allowing the user to adjust the resistance of the band 32 between the first pole 24 and the second pole 26. The band 32 can be different levels resistant levels such as, for example, between at least 1-Newton to at least 200-newtons wherein the user can increase or decrease the resistance between the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 as the user moves the two poles apart from each other.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 can have at least three locations marked on the first pole and the second pole for the band 32 and clip 33 to be placed wherein each position is marked with a number or letter and each location can provide such as, for example, 10 Newtons of resistance, 20-Newtons of resistance, 30-Newtons of resistance, or the like as shown in FIG. 7. Each resistance area can be at least 20 cm apart from one another with the first area 15 cm from most distal end of the superior area of the first pole 24 and the second pole 26. In other embodiments, the user can add more than one band 32 onto the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 increasing the resistance through adding bands.

[0041] A method of applying an upper extremity rehabilitation system comprising coupling a first pole and a second pole in a pocket opposite from each other at a set length. Choosing a band with a user specified resistance. Placing the band over the first pole and the second pole and coupling the band to the first pole and the second pole with a clip at a set distance from the first end or second end. A user placing its hands over the grip and moving the first pole and second pole away from each other or around in circles. In embodiments, there can be 9 adjustable positions from at least 2 feet to at least 5 feet.

[0042] Once the height has been determined by using the adjustable sticks, the user can use this device as a warm-up product by not using any resistance which can be done by placing the hands on the grip which can be a ball 29 or ring 31 as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the ball 29 can allow for a full forearm position only and can be a starting point. The ring 31 handle can be designed to give the individual the option of exercising the forearm in a neutral position, a full supinated position, or a full pronated position as shown in FIGS. 6a-6c, which allows the user to isolate the muscles for the desired exercise. The positions of the forearm with activate different muscle groups up the kinetic chain of the upper extremities. The first pole 24 and the second pole 26 can be fastened by a first joint 15 and a second joint 16 that allows for a distal ball and socket motion to mimic the glenohumeral joint ball and socket as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Once the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 are at the desired and fixed height, the individual can start the exercise program, which can be a clockwise exercise, counterclockwise exercise, sagittal and frontal or transverse planar motion. It also can mimic a flexion, extension, internal and external, or shoulder adduction and abduction and horizontal shoulder abduction and adduction.

[0043] Once the individual's shoulders are warmed up, one can take the first band 32 of 10 Newtons and place it over the first pole 24 and the second pole 26. The first pole 24 and the second pole 26 can have three areas of identified areas of A, B, or C, 51, to place the band for resistance in a desired plane as shown in FIG. 2a. A position is the most resistance area that one can place the resistance band. B will be the second least, and C will be the least amount of resistance on the 10-Newton band provided. The resistance changes because of the physical lever system that is provided from the joint 15 to the grip 28. Once the individual decides where the loop will go for resistance, it is placed over the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 and two clips 33 will clip the band 32 into the position on each of the poles, whether it will be A, B, or C, and will be noted. These clips 33 allow for a fasten devices so bands do not migrate superior or inferior on the stick, first pole 24 and the second pole 26 when the resistance is challenged. These positions of A, B, and C are designed for documentation to demonstrate progression or no progression. As a user gets stronger, the progression will go from C to B to A. A is the strongest resistance position on the poles.

[0044] As the user uses the first pole 24 and the second pole 26 with the resistance, they can add another 10-Newton resistance band and can add additional bands up to at least three 10-Newton loops can be provided and positioned at A, B, or C with the appropriate clips 33. Each resistance area is 20 cm apart from one another with the A area 15 cm from most distal end of the superior area of the first pole 24 and the second pole 26.

[0045] A method of applying an upper extremity rehabilitation system comprising securing a first pole having a first grip and a second pole having a second grip at a predetermined distance from each other. The user can choose a band with a user specified resistance. The band can be coupled between the first pole and the second pole with a clip at a set distance from the first end or second end. Instructing a user to place a firsthand on the first grip and a second hand on the second grip and move the first pole and second pole away from each other or in a circular motion.

[0046] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

[0047] Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.