NEURO-MUSCULAR REHABILITATION DEVICE FOR QUADRUPEDS AND EQUINES

Abstract

A neuro-muscular rehabilitation device for quadruped animal, specifically canine and equine animal. Said device comprising elastic compression bands to be worn laterally around the length of the quadruped animal and around its midsection. The device providing mild compression upon the contacted muscle groups to facilitate tension force transfer between moving parts of the animal.

Claims

1: A rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal comprising: a closed loop elastic band wearable laterally around a quadruped animal, surrounding the front chest, the mid-section and the rear portion of said quadruped animal in straight lateral path, said closed loop elastic band comprising smooth soft nonviscous elastic fabric material extendable by 10% to 20% of its original gauge length, said closed loop elastic band being no less than two inches wide, said closed loop elastic band having a circumference that when worn around the lateral body of a quadruped animal is extended 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal having no hard material attachment or protrusion inwardly compressible against the body of said quadruped animal, said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal not comprising braided rope or linked chain.

2: Said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal according to claim 1 further comprising a bottom elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner across the bottom side of said closed loop elastic band such that said bottom elastic band wraps around the midsection of said quadruped when worn, said bottom elastic band comprising smooth soft breathable nonviscous elastic fabric material that is extendable by 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, said bottom elastic band having a length that when worn around the bottom mid-section of a quadruped animal is extended 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, said bottom elastic strap being no less than two inches wide, said bottom elastic band band not comprising braided rope or linked chain, said bottom elastic band and means for detachably connecting said bottom elastic band to said closed loop band having no hard material attachment or protrusion inwardly compressible against the body of said quadruped animal.

3: Said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal according to claim 1 further comprising one or more top elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner at the top side of said closed loop elastic band such that said one or more top elastic band wraps across the back of said quadruped to maintain said closed loop elastic band laterally in position when worn by said quadruped, said one or more top elastic band comprising smooth soft breathable nonviscous elastic fabric material that is extendable by 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, each said one or more top elastic band having a length that when worn over the quadruped animal is extended 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, said one or more top elastic band being no less than two inches wide. said one or more top elastic band not comprising braided rope or linked chain, each said one or more top elastic band and means for detachably connecting said one or more top elastic band to said closed loop band having no hard material attachment or protrusion inwardly compressible against the body of said quadruped animal.

5: Said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal wherein each said one or more top elastic band and bottom elastic band are each detachably connectable to said closed loop elastic band by hook and loop means.

6: A rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal comprising: a closed loop elastic band wearable laterally around a quadruped animal, surrounding the front chest, the mid-section and the rear portion of said quadruped animal in straight lateral path, a bottom elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner across the bottom side of said closed loop elastic band such that said bottom elastic band wraps around the midsection of said quadruped when worn, one or more top elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner to the top side of said closed loop elastic band such that said one or more top elastic band wraps across the back of said quadruped to maintain said closed loop elastic band laterally in position when worn by said quadruped, said closed loop elastic band, bottom elastic band and said one or more top elastic band each comprising smooth soft breathable nonviscous elastic fabric material having an elasticity that is extendable by 10% to 20% beyond its original gauge length, said closed loop elastic band, bottom elastic band and said one or more top elastic band each being no less than two inches wide, said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal having no protrusion inwardly compressible against the body of said quadruped animal.

7: Said rehabilitation device for a quadruped animal according to claim 6 comprising a first, second and third top elastic band, said first elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner across the front top side of said closed loop elastic band, said second elastic band detachably connectable in cross sectional manner across the rear top side of said closed loop elastic band, said third top elastic band extending from said bottom elastic band and wrappable around the top central arch of said quadruped animal, said first top elastic band positionable over the front quarter shoulder of said quadruped animal and said second top elastic band positionable over the rear hind quarter of said quadruped and said third top elastic band positionable over the top central arch of said quadruped animal when said device is worn by said quadruped animal,

8: A system and method for rehabilitating quadruped skeletal muscle tone and postural movement comprising: a device according to claim 6, wherein said device is worn by said quadruped such that said quadruped is wrapped between its front quarter, mid-section, hind quarter and abdomen in compressed manner, said device having a compression strength against said animal such said device is extendable by 10% to 20% beyond than its original gauge length when worn by said animal, said compression of said device against the skeletal muscles of said quadruped animal being non-restrictive of movement or blood flow when worn, wherein said device is wearable by said quadruped with and without a rider or handler present, wherein said quadruped animal adjusts to shifting compression force against its skeletal muscles between said closed loop elastic band, bottom elastic band and said one or more top elastic band in response to its own movements, wherein said quadruped animal compensates in its postural coordination between its front quarter, mid-section, hind quarter and abdomen in response to shifting compression force against its skeletal muscles by and between said closed loop elastic band according to its own movement against said device.

9: A system and method for rehabilitating quadruped skeletal muscle tone and postural movement according to claim 8 wherein the length of each said closed loop elastic band, bottom elastic band and one or more top elastic band is separately adjustable such that tightening or loosening of each said length tightens or loosens compression against the skeletal muscle in contact with said adjusted portion and further tightens or loosens compression between said front quarter, mid-section, hind quarter and abdomen of said quadruped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 A side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0027] FIG. 2 A front right perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0028] FIG. 3 A front left perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0029] FIG. 4 A rear side plan perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0030] FIG. 5 A front side plan perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0031] FIG. 6 A right side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0032] FIG. 7 A left side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0033] FIG. 8 A top forward plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

[0034] FIG. 9 A top rear plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention as provided herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] A preferred embodiment of the invention 100 herein being specifically geared for equine and canine use. In regards to equine use, the closed loop elastic band when worn should have an extended length ranging from 14.2 hands to 16.2 hands. The elements of this invention 100 being adjustable to achieve the same or similar effect for various sized animals, comprising a first closed loop elastic band 101 of a given length connected to create a closed loop elastic band, as provided in FIG. 1, having a tensity of 110% beyond its original gauge length when worn. Said closed loop elastic band 101 is preferably 10 inches wide but no less than 2 inches wide. The circumference of said closed loop elastic band 101 should be such that when worn, it completely encircles the lateral length of the quadruped animal with 110% elongation from its original gauge length, give or take an additional difference of 10% from its original gauge length. The closed loop elastic band 101 intended to be wrapped along the lateral length of an equine 100 between a front end 102 immediately above the pectorals, below the neck, and encircling the mid body and encompassing the mid buttocks. The band has a minimal tension against the animal's body when worn with a mild compression against the area of contact. Gauge tension may be tightened or loosened at different location on this device to achieve the particular therapy objective. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, means for adjusting the overall circumference of the closed loop elastic band 103 may be located at either or both right 201 and left rear sides 202 of the device, but may be located anywhere along the length and circumference of the band. Said adjustment means 201, 202 may comprising any known means that otherwise does not contain hard material or any protrusions otherwise compressible against the animal's body to cause chronic injury from localized rubbing. The closed loop elastic band may comprise any known smooth soft nonviscous elastic fabric material, preferably of a breathable fabric-like texture and composition. Ideally, the material should not catch on the animal's skin or hair to avoid injury from excessive rubbing. The material further having a preferred tensile strength for purposes of maintaining long term elastic strength from multiple reuse as well as to provide the desired level of resistance training. When in use, the closed loop elastic band 101 stretches between the animal's front portion 104 and hind portion 105 in a parallel horizontal or lateral manner relative to the animal's body. The elastic pressure laterally against the animal's body creates a heightened sense of awareness to the coordination of movement between these two more disparate sections of the body through its midsection.

[0036] A second elastic band 203, 106, also referred to as the bottom elastic band, is located in the vertical position at a cross section around the bottom side of said closed loop elastic band and optionally looping full circle around the midsection of the quadruped animal over the arch of its back. When worn, the bottom elastic band wraps around the bottom midsection 107 or abdomen of the quadruped animal. The bottom elastic band 203, 106 is intended to encourage proper spinal posture and arch 109 in the equine animal by causing a lifting pressure against the abdominal area of the midsection. The bottom elastic band 203, 106 is preferably six inches wide and should be no less than 2 inches wide. Said bottom elastic band 203, 106 should be long enough to extend around the bottom girth of the quadruped animal 107, 108 with 110% extension beyond its original gauge length when worn. The bottom elastic band 201, 109 is attached to the closed loop elastic band 101 by a connection means located near the lower midsection area 108 of the animal's body. The fluctuating compression against the animal's body during movement between the forequarter, midsection, and hindquarter by the closed loop elastic band 101 and bottom elastic band 203 creates a synchronous pattern of stimulation during movement that helps to improve muscle tone, gate and posture. By causing a lift to the spine, space is increased in the vertebrae column, which helps alleviate central neurological symptoms. Spinal alignment further helps lower the neck to a more neutral balanced position.

[0037] An alternative embodiment having the same components as the preferred embodiment described above, further comprising a first 111 and second top elastic band 110 connected to the top side of said closed loop elastic band. When worn, said first and second top elastic bands being in contact with the upper front shoulder 104 (resting over the animal's lower neck region) and upper hindquarter 105 of the quadruped animal, as provided in FIG. 1. The first and second top elastic bands 111 are detachably connectable to the closed loop elastic band 101 at either it's left or right sides or both sides. See FIG. 1. Either first and second top elastic band 111 being no less than four inches in width but no less than 2 inches in width. Said first and second top elastic band having a length sufficient to wrap around the top side of the quadruped animal (at the respective front quarter and hind quarter 105) with 110% elongation from its original gauge length and with an additional 10% extension or compression length beyond the 110% stretch capability. The purpose of the first 111 and second 110 top elastic band is primarily to hold the closed loop elastic band and bottom elastic band in place on the horse's body during use. The respective lengths (or tensile) of each said first 111 and second 110 top elastic bands may be adjusted at their respective location of connection by their connection means. The connection means in this case also preferably a hook and loop device (i.e. Velcro), not containing hard material or protrusions otherwise compressible against the animal's body to cause chronic local injury. The first and second elastic band is comprised of the same type of material as that of the closed loop elastic band and the bottom elastic band.

[0038] The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 6, 7, 8 and 9 provides for lateral adjustments to the rear on both sides of the device and attachment points for the vertical bands on the right side of the device, as worn by the animal. FIGS. 4 and 5 provide a plan view of the device from rear and front sides, respectively. Alternative methods of design accomplishing this same effect would be considered inherent to this invention. The device overall and in general should not have any protrusion or attachment that compresses into the skeletal muscle of the quadruped animal. The device is preferably flat in nature and attachable between its various parts by hook and loop means. The device should not create additional artificial pressure or stimulus upon the area of contact beyond the natural compression and force exerted by the quadruped animal's own movement upon and through the device worn. The device therefore should not contain hard material attachments that can protrude or compress onto the skeletal muscle of the quadruped animal.

[0039] The overall benefit and effect of this tool is multifaceted. Benefits include but are not limited to the following: 1) enhanced skeletal muscle and tone development in response to activity demands, 2) improved neuro-physiological awareness and communication between distal regions of the body, 3) improved inter-muscular coordination, 4) improved posture and gate, 5) improved independence and confidence, 5) means for diagnosing areas of weakness and muscle isolation.

[0040] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described by way of summary, detailed description and illustration. The specific embodiments disclosed in the above drawings are not intended to be limiting. Implementations of the present invention with various different configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.