CA2183150A1 - Apparatus and method for continuous passive motion of the lumbar region - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for continuous passive motion of the lumbar regionInfo
- Publication number
- CA2183150A1 CA2183150A1 CA002183150A CA2183150A CA2183150A1 CA 2183150 A1 CA2183150 A1 CA 2183150A1 CA 002183150 A CA002183150 A CA 002183150A CA 2183150 A CA2183150 A CA 2183150A CA 2183150 A1 CA2183150 A1 CA 2183150A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- force
- person
- engaging surface
- force applying
- applying apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H9/00—Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
- A61H9/005—Pneumatic massage
- A61H9/0078—Pneumatic massage with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus ; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
- A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
- A61H1/0292—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising for the spinal column
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/01—Constructive details
- A61H2201/0173—Means for preventing injuries
- A61H2201/018—By limiting the applied torque or force
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
- A61H2203/04—Position of the patient
- A61H2203/0425—Sitting on the buttocks
- A61H2203/0431—Sitting on the buttocks in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
- A61H2203/04—Position of the patient
- A61H2203/0443—Position of the patient substantially horizontal
- A61H2203/0456—Supine
Abstract
Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis. The apparatus includes a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person and a force applying apparatus (18) disposed between the static structure and the back of the person. The force applying apparatus includes a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface so as to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis. A transducer (54) has an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back and the output of the transducer is utilized by the force applying apparatus to control the force applied to the back. Timing circuitry (24) provides a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back up to a preselected maximum and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back. A period of substantially constant force may be provided between the force increasing period and the force decreasing period.
Description
WO95/22307 21 ~3 31 50 r~ 4~
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS
PASSIVE MOTION OF THE LVMBAR REGION
' of the Invention This invention relates to method and apparatus for providing c.",li,.. ,u~
passive motion to the body and more particularly to the lumbar region of the spine.
U.S. Patent No. 4,9~1,131 issued to one of the inventors herein disclosed apparatus for cycling the lumbar region of the spine through a 10 sllhctq-ltiql range of lordosis for the purpose of relieving low back pain. The teachings of this patent are ill~Ul~UU ' I by reference herein. In this patent, an inflatable bladder rn contact with the back is ~l~oouliL~d and d~ oouliL~
to effect the cllhSton~iql change in lordosis. There was no provision, however, to measure and cont}ol the force applied to the person's back Lluu~.blluuL the 15 inflate and deflate cycles. Therefore, the teachings in this patent could not readily ~c~.."",~-~l variations in a person's spinal c~ posture and position during the spinal "--1-;1;~-1;-.,- Nor did this patent teach a-lj~
ûf the location of the bladder to ~ different illdividudls.
SUmll1A~ V of the Tnvention The apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a 5llhctqntiql range of lordosis includes a sllhctqn~iqlly static stTucture adjacent to the back of a person and a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back. The force applying apparatus includes a back 25 engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface, thereby to cycle thelower back through the range of lordosis. A Llauodu~ is provided havmg an output lI,o,UUlloiVt~ to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back. The force applying apparatus is l~o~lUlloi~, to the output of the 30 Ll~uo.lu~ to control the force applied to the back. In a preferred ... l.o(li.. l the apparatus further includes ,u.. ~., .. ~l,lr circuitry for controlling the force to be a ~u~o~ L~d function of time. In this l ..,l o~
wog~lz2307 2 1 ~31 sa r~ S 6 tne apparatus includes timing circuitry to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a ~ D~IC~ maximum and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back. A third, sllhrt~ntiAIIy constant force period may be provided between the force increasing period and 5 the force decreasing period.
In one "l.o~ , the force applying apparatus incl~des an inflatable and deflatable bladder and the transducer responds to pressure within the bladder. ~ pump supplies a fluid for inflating the bladder and a valve ~....,..1,.: -l;"~ with the bladder is provided for deflating the bladder. It is10 preferred that the location of the back engaging surface be adjustable in height so that the force engaging surface may be adapted to the lumbar region of a particular person.
In yet other ~ ~"I,o~li",~ , the force applying apparatus includes a rack and pinion or a mPrhAni~l cam Al IAIIL,. 'Il. ''I for cyclically increasing and 15 decreasing the force on the person's back. In these mP~hAr';'^AI, ...l.~l;"....,~
the force hAllDdu~ is a load cell.
The force feedback of the present invention allows a maximum force to be ~ D~ d by the user to Al ~ ' for that particular user's spine ~`IIIlllli;AIII ~ and other factors.
Brief l)~D~I;r'- of the Drawin~
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an r-~ - -l of the apparatus disclosed herein.
Fig. 2 is a schematic ill~ r~ti~ n of layout of the c~lll,l..~ .'~ for the 25 apparatus of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a schematic illll~trPri-m of the functional 1~l ~;""~l,;l, among of the apparatus of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a graph of support pressure as a function of time.
Fig. 5 is a logic diagram for the force feedback.
WO95122307 2 1 ~31 50 I~ 01946 Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams of the main program loop and the interrupt process loop.
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of a cam operated , ho~ of the invention.
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a rack and pinion, ~ 1 of the present invention.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are ~ ,U.,~,IiV~ views of an ~ "I,o~ .. - .l of the invention permitting ~ ., .l of the location of the inflatable bladder.
Fig. 13 is a ~ iYe view of an ~ ..,l~o~ .l of the invention 10 including multiple bladders.
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the ~ .o~ ,l of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a ~ ,u~live view of an ~ ...I.o~ of the invention permitting mPrh7n;~71 ~ lj..~l..,. -l of the location of the inflatable bladder.Fig. 16 is cross-sectional view of the l ...l..).l;....; of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an ~ for supine use.
D~ of the P,refer,red F ~ "
With reference first to Fig. 1 a person 10 is seated in a seat 12 havmg a bottom support 14 and a backrest portion 16. The seat 12 may typically be an 20 automobile or other vehicle (airplane, boat) seat, or, for example~ an office chair. Disposed between the person 10 and the backrest 16 in this o-~ is a c~ passive motion device 18. As will become clear below, the device 18 includes apparatus for cyclically moving the lumbar region 20 of the person 10 so as to cycle the lower back or lumbar region 20 25 tbrough a 5--h5t7nti71 range of lordosis.
As discussed in detail in applicant's prior U.S. Patent No. 4,981,131, research indicates that ~ passive motion of the lower back through a ~I-hct7nti71 range of lordotic I--U~ -.,llL ,..~-. I;""-t- ` lower back pain. Such motion is not massage which relates merely to s~rPffi~i~l tissues but motion of vertebrae with respect to one another. Because spinal WO9~/22307 2 1 831 ~0 PCTIUS95/~1946 c~ varies among individuals of a pfp~ tif~n, a force suitable for one individual may be i, ~ rr;~ . ..1 or excessive for another person. The present mvention recognizes these dir~ ,...,cs and provides ~ .,t~,~ force versus time patterns to ~ such variations in the general population.
S Fig. 2 is a schematic ~ .;,c.lL~liul. of the layout used in a CU~ u~l.,;dl version ~lllbod~illg the present invention and available from Ergomedics, Inc.
of Winooski, Vermont, assignee of the present ,l.~ ;..., In this a pump 22, available from Appollo Fntprrricp~ Inc., Ontario, California, model 5000, is preferably a 12 volt alternating current (AC) pump 10 similar to those used for aerating fish tanlcs. It is preferred that the pump 22 be AC because AC pumps are less expensive than their direct current uuull;.,~ . A control or processor circuit board 24 ~yll~ll~,.,i~.,~ d~lu~Jlia~
AC power which is supplied to the pump 22 through c,....l,.. 1..l~ 26. The processor board 24 operates on 12 volts DC supplied, for exarnple, through 15 the cigarette lighter in an - ~ f.~ . The processor 24 converts the 12 volts DC to a four phase AC square wave for pump 22 operation.
The four phase square wave switches from plus 12 volts for 6.92 msec.
to 0 volts for 1.54 msec. to minus 12 volts for 6.66 msec., to 0 volts for 1.54 msec., back to plus 12 volts, etc. By this process is created a s-~hsr~nti:lliy 60 20 Hz wave torm. Suitable pumps may be in the 10-150 Hz range. It is preferred that the flow rate be in the 4~ liters per minute flow rate range witha minimum pressure of 150 millimf-tPr~ of mercury. The pump 22 supplies air to a bladder 28 through a flexible tube 30. A valve 32 ~ with the tube 30 and when open allows air to flow out of the bladder 28. A suitable 25 valve 32 is available under the fi~ ;f l. part number B6673 from Bicron Electronics Company of Canaan, CfmnPc~irll~ This valve is normally opened and closed when a voltage is applied. It includes a return spring for positive opening.
The apparatus 18 includes a pressure transducer 34 which is in fluid 30 ~..,,,.,..1,,;. ~1;.", with the bladder 28 through tubmg 36. A preferred pressure wo g~/22307 2 1 8 3 1 5 0 PCTiUS95/01946 l-duD~u-~l 34 is a silicon wafer providing a control voltage l~lU~VlLiUlldl to the pressure in the bladder 28. A suitable pressure LldllDdu~ is available from Fujikura Ltd., Japan, type FPN-07PG.
With reference now to Fig. 3, the apparatus 18 includes operator S controls such as a timer 40, ON and OFF buttons 42 and 44 and a pressure control 46. A light emitting diode (LED) 48 may be provided to indicate when the unit is operating.
An important aspect of this invention is the ability to control the force applied to the lumbar region to take into account variations m a user's spinal 10 C-.,.-l,1;A.~. e and other factors such as variations in seating position. Accordmg to this 1 ..~1,.)-1;.". ..1 of the invention, upon turning on the unit, the pump 22 begins supplying air to the bladder 28 causing the pressure in the bladder 28 torise. This pressure is ~ y monitored by the pressure transducer 34.
Because the pressure LlduDdu-~ 34 c~ with the bladder 28 through 15 a line separate from that utilized by the pump 22, the pressure transducer 34 is isolated from the low level pressure n~ generated by the operation of the pump 22. The operator adjusts the desired pressure setting using the pressure control 46. The ,ul-D~le~t ~ pressure set by the user will be lllA;llIA;., I within plus or minus 4 ",ill;,.,. ~ of mercury with respect to the 20 nominal set point. This pressure hysteresis is illustrated in Fig. 4. Lines 50 and ~2 bound the nominal ~I~D~ pressure which is adjustable to be in the range from 10 millimPtP~ mercury to 140 millimPtPrc of mercury. In order to assure dlJ~UlU~ ` ' r( ll l l IAl l~ ~ the pressure LlauD-lu~-,l 34 should have a sensitivity to pressure changes within the bladder 28 of 2 --.11;--~ of 25 mercury.
As shown in Fig. 4 the system cycles between two states, namely, an inflation period and a deflation period. A typical inflation profile is D~,IILcd by the curve 54. During this segment, pressure and hence force on the back mcreases to fall generally within the band defined by the lines 50 30 and 52. There may be some small amount of overshoot and ulld-lDl~ouL
WO95/2230~ 21 ~31 5 0 r~ o.s~
depending on, for example, motion of the user. The time for inflation which is to the left of a line ~6 and that for deflation which is to the right of the line 56 may be adjusted by the user using the timer control 40. A typical profile is 60 seconds of inflation followed by 60 seconds of deflation.
During the time-controlled inflation pbase to the left of the line 56 in Fig. 4, the pump 22 fills the bladder to a pressure within the band around the preselected set point. The systeln will adjust the volume of air in the bladder in order to maintain a constant pressure in the bladder even if the user moves forward or backward in the seat. At the beginning of the cycle the pump 22 10 turns on to start fillimg the bladder 28 so as to increase the force to the back to provide the cllhct~nti~ll change in the extent of lordosis. If, for example, theuser were to move backward against the bladder during this filling phase thereby increasing pressure above the pre-set pressure level, the valve 32 is opened to reduce the pressure until the pressure is within the ~ L,~ band.
15 Similarly, if the user moves forward, away from the bladder 28, thereby reducing the pressure in the bladder below the pre-set pressure level, the pump 22 is activated to increase the pressure until the pressure is again within the le.,~d band. At the end of the inflation period, the pump 22 is turned off and the valve 32 is opened to the a.ll~ allowing air to flow out of the 20 bladder 28 allowing the spine to relax to its "neutral" condition.
Fig. S is a block diagram illl~ rl;l,~ the logic described above with respect to Fig. 4. The logic illustrated in Fig. 5 is .,lll,l ". ~ ~ by a main program loop shown in Fig. 6 and an interrupt process loop shown irl Fig. 7.
The ~ of a preferred l .. I.o~l;.. l of the BackCyclerlY will 25 now be described. When the ON button 42 is activated by the user the inflate cycle will begin. An optional sound Lld.L,du~. (not shown) will generate beeps at a frequency of ~l~ '!' 600 H~ with a duration of 0.13 seconds and with an interval between beeps of 0.083 seconds. If the ON button 42 is depressed while the unit is already on, the timer 40 will reset a cycle counter 30 to the beginning of the inflate cycle. Depressing the OFF button 44 will turn W095122307 2 1 831 53 ~ 3~ils4~
off the unit and this may be signalled by a smgle beep having a duration of 0.13 seconds to alert the user that the unit has been turned off. The desired pressure in the bladder 28 is adjusted by the pressure control 46 which is an adjustable linear ~,ut....... ,lil.. ,.. t . in this ~."I~o,l;.. 1 5 The pu~ in the pressure control 46 can be adjusted between l and 5, for a total resolution of 130 discrete points over the full scale. One on the scale represents 10 millimPtPr.c of mercury and S represents 140 miliimPtPrc of mercury on this linear scale. The pressure control ~...t -:;,.." '~ 46 may be adjusted while the unit is operatmg. In this case, if tbe put~ -li(--l.- t~ is10 adjusted in the negative direction by any amount, the valve 32 will lly open to decrease pressure thereby to decrease force on the back.
Conversely, if the p,JI.. ,1;.. t . is adjusted in the positive direction by any amount, the pump 22 will ~ .1.,...-~;- ~lly increase pressure in the bladder 28,regardless of the cycle phase at which the urlit is then currently operatmg.
15 The light emitting diode (LED) 48 is turned on when the unit itself is turnedon. Once on, the LED indicator 48 remair~s on until the unit is turned off or is ~ lly turned off. The time cycle can be adjusted by the timer 40 between 10 seconds and an infinite period. When the timer 40 is set to the infinite inflation time period the force applying apparatus acts as a static 20 support which actively controls the amount of force to the back. In this state, force will be controlled c~ as long as the device is turned on. The time cycle is defined as a complete inflate and deflate cycle and Witil the infinite settmg tbe unit can be used as a static lumbar support.
The processor board 24 is powered by a 12 volt DC source and while the unit is turned off the processor is c .. l;.. l..... ~ly running in an idle mode.
Maxirnum current draw in the idle mode is less than or equal to ~1,1l '.
15 milli:~mrc At this level of draw, a typical car battery would last 1500 hours. The processor board 24 performs on-board diagnostic testing to assure ~J~IIU~ il, p~lrUllll~ e. In a test mode, the followmg ~ are 3û checked: processor, ram check, valve check, pump check, speaker check, W095/22307 21 ~31 sa r l,~.. 1946 zero calibration lookup table setup, 100 millimeter mercury r~ hr~rj(m test, and a check to confirm that the full range of 0 to 140 millimPtPrc of mercury can be read. The unit also includes voltage protection. In particular, a voltage above 18 volts ~vill be clamped and will cause a fuse (not shown) to S blow. If voltage should drop below 9.8 volts, the processor board 24 turns the pump 22 off to provide field effect transistor (FET) protection (not shown). The valve 32 and pressure transducer 34 will remain operative under these c-~n~iti~nc If voltage drops below 4.6 volts on a 5 volt line to the processor board 24, then the processor is reset and held until the voltage goes 10 above 4.6 volts. Oncc the voltage is greater than 4.6 volts, a delay of 0.2 seconds is observed before restarting the processor. Radio frequency (RF) noise :~u~ l;oll is provided on the FET during 60 Hz ~ ;.,.. of the pump 22. A capacitor (not shown) is provided to act as a 60 Hz noise :~U~ iul~ filter. Arl automatic shut off may be provided if a person is not 15 sitting again~st the bladder 28 for a selectable period of time such as for 12 seconds.
With reference rlow to Fig. 8 a ' ' i-,.. l;.. ~ passive motion device 60 includes a motor 62 which drives a cam 64. The cam 64 moves a flexible panel 66 in and out to apply movement to the lumbar region of the 20 spine. A load cell 68 measures the force between the flexible panel 66 and the back of a person (not shown). The cam 64 is driven by a belt 70 in contact with the motor 62.
Yet another mPrh~ -o~ 1l of the invention is shown in Fig.
9. The apparatus 90 includes a motor 92 which driYes a belt 94. The belt 94 25 turns a pinion 96 which engages a rack 98. By this means, a movable surface 100 can be moved in a~d out to engage the lumbar region of the spine of a user (not shown). A load cell 102 responds to force on the surface 100.
The mP~h~n~ l devices illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 operate in s~hc~nti~lly the same way as the pneumatic ~ . .l-oll;~ ..( described above. As before, force increases for a period followed by a period of Ic~ ,~ force so as to move the lumbar spine through cllhcf*nfi*l ranges of lordosis.
With respect now to Figs. lO, 11 and 12, an ~ .o~ is described which allows the location of the force applying member to be adjusted to ....... ,.. n.l l different individuals, or the particular ~I~,f~ ,c of a given individual. In these figures, a bracket 110 is adapted to receive a sleeve 112 which bears, in this P..ll,o,li., ..~ an inflatable bladder unit 114. The bracket 110 includes an extension portion 116 which is wedged between a seat cushion 118 and a seat back 120 of a seat which may be found in, for example, an 10 *llf~mnbilP The upright portion of the bracket 110 is curved l~dlvv~ldly so that it engages a seat back 120 when the extending portion 116 is properly wedged between a seat cushion 118 and the seat back 120. The bracket 110 and sleeve 112 include CQu~ adhering structures (not shown) such as hook and loop structures commonly known as Velcro~ so as to fix the location lS of the sleeve 112 with respect to the bracket 110 in the vertical direction as shown in these figures. With reference to Fig. 12, the location of the sleeve 112 may be adjusted by inserting the fingers between the bracket 110 and the sleeve 112 at its lower portion to release the hook and loop material after which the sleeve 112 is moved to a different vertical location vh~ u~ull the 20 hook and loop structure is engaged yet again. In this way, the location of the force applying section 114 may be adjusted as desired by a user. The bracket is fully l~,llluv~l~ from the sleeve 112 so that the sleeve 112 may be plæed on a $l~hcf~nfi*lly horizontal surface such as a bed or floor for use in a supine position as described below in . ; with Fig. 17.
Yet another, -,I-o-l;-"- .,1 of the invention which provides a selectable location for the force applying member is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. This .,l-Q-l;.., ,~ is particularly designed to be built into a seat such as fhe backrest portion 120 of an ~ . This ~ l;",.: includes a plurality of separate, spaced apart bladders 122, 124, 126, and 128. The user can select 30 which one of the bladders to activate so as IO adjust the height of the force WO 95122307 2 1 831 5 0 PCT/US95/01946 ~
applying surface as desired. The operation of each of the spaced apart bladders is the same as the single bladder, .,.l,.~,l;.l.. ,l described in with the earlier figures in this ~ . ;ri. -~;,...
Yet another l .,llo~ of the invention is shown in Figs. 15 and 16.
5 This design is also pd~Lil-lllally suited to a built in c~ ';.." within the seat back 120 of a vehicle seat or other form of chair. A bladder 130 is fixed to a feL~ible material 132 which engages a rotatable shaft 134. The shaft 134 rn~y be turned manually using a knob 136. As the knob 136 is rotated, the location of the bladder 130 moves up and down as shown by the arrows irl Fig. 15 10 thereby to adjust the location of the bladder with respect to a user.
Fig. 17 illustrates the use of the present invention when the user is in a supine position. As shown in the figure, a person 10 is Iying on his back on a 5~lh~t~nti~11y hori~ontal structure such as a bed 150. The force applyirlg apparatus 118 applies force in the lumbar region 20 of the individual 10. The 15 force applying apparatus 118 operates as described in, ; with the other figures in this ~l~c~ ;.... As with the other ~ l.v.l;. ~ the force applying apparatus 118 moves the spine in the lumbar region 20 through a cllhct~nti:li range of lordotic movement while the person 10 is Iyirlg down.
It is ll,.,U~ that ",---l;f~ and variations of the present 20 invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art arld it is intended that all such mrfiifir~tirn~ and variations be included within the scope of the claims.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS
PASSIVE MOTION OF THE LVMBAR REGION
' of the Invention This invention relates to method and apparatus for providing c.",li,.. ,u~
passive motion to the body and more particularly to the lumbar region of the spine.
U.S. Patent No. 4,9~1,131 issued to one of the inventors herein disclosed apparatus for cycling the lumbar region of the spine through a 10 sllhctq-ltiql range of lordosis for the purpose of relieving low back pain. The teachings of this patent are ill~Ul~UU ' I by reference herein. In this patent, an inflatable bladder rn contact with the back is ~l~oouliL~d and d~ oouliL~
to effect the cllhSton~iql change in lordosis. There was no provision, however, to measure and cont}ol the force applied to the person's back Lluu~.blluuL the 15 inflate and deflate cycles. Therefore, the teachings in this patent could not readily ~c~.."",~-~l variations in a person's spinal c~ posture and position during the spinal "--1-;1;~-1;-.,- Nor did this patent teach a-lj~
ûf the location of the bladder to ~ different illdividudls.
SUmll1A~ V of the Tnvention The apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a 5llhctqntiql range of lordosis includes a sllhctqn~iqlly static stTucture adjacent to the back of a person and a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back. The force applying apparatus includes a back 25 engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface, thereby to cycle thelower back through the range of lordosis. A Llauodu~ is provided havmg an output lI,o,UUlloiVt~ to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back. The force applying apparatus is l~o~lUlloi~, to the output of the 30 Ll~uo.lu~ to control the force applied to the back. In a preferred ... l.o(li.. l the apparatus further includes ,u.. ~., .. ~l,lr circuitry for controlling the force to be a ~u~o~ L~d function of time. In this l ..,l o~
wog~lz2307 2 1 ~31 sa r~ S 6 tne apparatus includes timing circuitry to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a ~ D~IC~ maximum and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back. A third, sllhrt~ntiAIIy constant force period may be provided between the force increasing period and 5 the force decreasing period.
In one "l.o~ , the force applying apparatus incl~des an inflatable and deflatable bladder and the transducer responds to pressure within the bladder. ~ pump supplies a fluid for inflating the bladder and a valve ~....,..1,.: -l;"~ with the bladder is provided for deflating the bladder. It is10 preferred that the location of the back engaging surface be adjustable in height so that the force engaging surface may be adapted to the lumbar region of a particular person.
In yet other ~ ~"I,o~li",~ , the force applying apparatus includes a rack and pinion or a mPrhAni~l cam Al IAIIL,. 'Il. ''I for cyclically increasing and 15 decreasing the force on the person's back. In these mP~hAr';'^AI, ...l.~l;"....,~
the force hAllDdu~ is a load cell.
The force feedback of the present invention allows a maximum force to be ~ D~ d by the user to Al ~ ' for that particular user's spine ~`IIIlllli;AIII ~ and other factors.
Brief l)~D~I;r'- of the Drawin~
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an r-~ - -l of the apparatus disclosed herein.
Fig. 2 is a schematic ill~ r~ti~ n of layout of the c~lll,l..~ .'~ for the 25 apparatus of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a schematic illll~trPri-m of the functional 1~l ~;""~l,;l, among of the apparatus of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a graph of support pressure as a function of time.
Fig. 5 is a logic diagram for the force feedback.
WO95122307 2 1 ~31 50 I~ 01946 Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams of the main program loop and the interrupt process loop.
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of a cam operated , ho~ of the invention.
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a rack and pinion, ~ 1 of the present invention.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are ~ ,U.,~,IiV~ views of an ~ "I,o~ .. - .l of the invention permitting ~ ., .l of the location of the inflatable bladder.
Fig. 13 is a ~ iYe view of an ~ ..,l~o~ .l of the invention 10 including multiple bladders.
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the ~ .o~ ,l of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a ~ ,u~live view of an ~ ...I.o~ of the invention permitting mPrh7n;~71 ~ lj..~l..,. -l of the location of the inflatable bladder.Fig. 16 is cross-sectional view of the l ...l..).l;....; of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an ~ for supine use.
D~ of the P,refer,red F ~ "
With reference first to Fig. 1 a person 10 is seated in a seat 12 havmg a bottom support 14 and a backrest portion 16. The seat 12 may typically be an 20 automobile or other vehicle (airplane, boat) seat, or, for example~ an office chair. Disposed between the person 10 and the backrest 16 in this o-~ is a c~ passive motion device 18. As will become clear below, the device 18 includes apparatus for cyclically moving the lumbar region 20 of the person 10 so as to cycle the lower back or lumbar region 20 25 tbrough a 5--h5t7nti71 range of lordosis.
As discussed in detail in applicant's prior U.S. Patent No. 4,981,131, research indicates that ~ passive motion of the lower back through a ~I-hct7nti71 range of lordotic I--U~ -.,llL ,..~-. I;""-t- ` lower back pain. Such motion is not massage which relates merely to s~rPffi~i~l tissues but motion of vertebrae with respect to one another. Because spinal WO9~/22307 2 1 831 ~0 PCTIUS95/~1946 c~ varies among individuals of a pfp~ tif~n, a force suitable for one individual may be i, ~ rr;~ . ..1 or excessive for another person. The present mvention recognizes these dir~ ,...,cs and provides ~ .,t~,~ force versus time patterns to ~ such variations in the general population.
S Fig. 2 is a schematic ~ .;,c.lL~liul. of the layout used in a CU~ u~l.,;dl version ~lllbod~illg the present invention and available from Ergomedics, Inc.
of Winooski, Vermont, assignee of the present ,l.~ ;..., In this a pump 22, available from Appollo Fntprrricp~ Inc., Ontario, California, model 5000, is preferably a 12 volt alternating current (AC) pump 10 similar to those used for aerating fish tanlcs. It is preferred that the pump 22 be AC because AC pumps are less expensive than their direct current uuull;.,~ . A control or processor circuit board 24 ~yll~ll~,.,i~.,~ d~lu~Jlia~
AC power which is supplied to the pump 22 through c,....l,.. 1..l~ 26. The processor board 24 operates on 12 volts DC supplied, for exarnple, through 15 the cigarette lighter in an - ~ f.~ . The processor 24 converts the 12 volts DC to a four phase AC square wave for pump 22 operation.
The four phase square wave switches from plus 12 volts for 6.92 msec.
to 0 volts for 1.54 msec. to minus 12 volts for 6.66 msec., to 0 volts for 1.54 msec., back to plus 12 volts, etc. By this process is created a s-~hsr~nti:lliy 60 20 Hz wave torm. Suitable pumps may be in the 10-150 Hz range. It is preferred that the flow rate be in the 4~ liters per minute flow rate range witha minimum pressure of 150 millimf-tPr~ of mercury. The pump 22 supplies air to a bladder 28 through a flexible tube 30. A valve 32 ~ with the tube 30 and when open allows air to flow out of the bladder 28. A suitable 25 valve 32 is available under the fi~ ;f l. part number B6673 from Bicron Electronics Company of Canaan, CfmnPc~irll~ This valve is normally opened and closed when a voltage is applied. It includes a return spring for positive opening.
The apparatus 18 includes a pressure transducer 34 which is in fluid 30 ~..,,,.,..1,,;. ~1;.", with the bladder 28 through tubmg 36. A preferred pressure wo g~/22307 2 1 8 3 1 5 0 PCTiUS95/01946 l-duD~u-~l 34 is a silicon wafer providing a control voltage l~lU~VlLiUlldl to the pressure in the bladder 28. A suitable pressure LldllDdu~ is available from Fujikura Ltd., Japan, type FPN-07PG.
With reference now to Fig. 3, the apparatus 18 includes operator S controls such as a timer 40, ON and OFF buttons 42 and 44 and a pressure control 46. A light emitting diode (LED) 48 may be provided to indicate when the unit is operating.
An important aspect of this invention is the ability to control the force applied to the lumbar region to take into account variations m a user's spinal 10 C-.,.-l,1;A.~. e and other factors such as variations in seating position. Accordmg to this 1 ..~1,.)-1;.". ..1 of the invention, upon turning on the unit, the pump 22 begins supplying air to the bladder 28 causing the pressure in the bladder 28 torise. This pressure is ~ y monitored by the pressure transducer 34.
Because the pressure LlduDdu-~ 34 c~ with the bladder 28 through 15 a line separate from that utilized by the pump 22, the pressure transducer 34 is isolated from the low level pressure n~ generated by the operation of the pump 22. The operator adjusts the desired pressure setting using the pressure control 46. The ,ul-D~le~t ~ pressure set by the user will be lllA;llIA;., I within plus or minus 4 ",ill;,.,. ~ of mercury with respect to the 20 nominal set point. This pressure hysteresis is illustrated in Fig. 4. Lines 50 and ~2 bound the nominal ~I~D~ pressure which is adjustable to be in the range from 10 millimPtP~ mercury to 140 millimPtPrc of mercury. In order to assure dlJ~UlU~ ` ' r( ll l l IAl l~ ~ the pressure LlauD-lu~-,l 34 should have a sensitivity to pressure changes within the bladder 28 of 2 --.11;--~ of 25 mercury.
As shown in Fig. 4 the system cycles between two states, namely, an inflation period and a deflation period. A typical inflation profile is D~,IILcd by the curve 54. During this segment, pressure and hence force on the back mcreases to fall generally within the band defined by the lines 50 30 and 52. There may be some small amount of overshoot and ulld-lDl~ouL
WO95/2230~ 21 ~31 5 0 r~ o.s~
depending on, for example, motion of the user. The time for inflation which is to the left of a line ~6 and that for deflation which is to the right of the line 56 may be adjusted by the user using the timer control 40. A typical profile is 60 seconds of inflation followed by 60 seconds of deflation.
During the time-controlled inflation pbase to the left of the line 56 in Fig. 4, the pump 22 fills the bladder to a pressure within the band around the preselected set point. The systeln will adjust the volume of air in the bladder in order to maintain a constant pressure in the bladder even if the user moves forward or backward in the seat. At the beginning of the cycle the pump 22 10 turns on to start fillimg the bladder 28 so as to increase the force to the back to provide the cllhct~nti~ll change in the extent of lordosis. If, for example, theuser were to move backward against the bladder during this filling phase thereby increasing pressure above the pre-set pressure level, the valve 32 is opened to reduce the pressure until the pressure is within the ~ L,~ band.
15 Similarly, if the user moves forward, away from the bladder 28, thereby reducing the pressure in the bladder below the pre-set pressure level, the pump 22 is activated to increase the pressure until the pressure is again within the le.,~d band. At the end of the inflation period, the pump 22 is turned off and the valve 32 is opened to the a.ll~ allowing air to flow out of the 20 bladder 28 allowing the spine to relax to its "neutral" condition.
Fig. S is a block diagram illl~ rl;l,~ the logic described above with respect to Fig. 4. The logic illustrated in Fig. 5 is .,lll,l ". ~ ~ by a main program loop shown in Fig. 6 and an interrupt process loop shown irl Fig. 7.
The ~ of a preferred l .. I.o~l;.. l of the BackCyclerlY will 25 now be described. When the ON button 42 is activated by the user the inflate cycle will begin. An optional sound Lld.L,du~. (not shown) will generate beeps at a frequency of ~l~ '!' 600 H~ with a duration of 0.13 seconds and with an interval between beeps of 0.083 seconds. If the ON button 42 is depressed while the unit is already on, the timer 40 will reset a cycle counter 30 to the beginning of the inflate cycle. Depressing the OFF button 44 will turn W095122307 2 1 831 53 ~ 3~ils4~
off the unit and this may be signalled by a smgle beep having a duration of 0.13 seconds to alert the user that the unit has been turned off. The desired pressure in the bladder 28 is adjusted by the pressure control 46 which is an adjustable linear ~,ut....... ,lil.. ,.. t . in this ~."I~o,l;.. 1 5 The pu~ in the pressure control 46 can be adjusted between l and 5, for a total resolution of 130 discrete points over the full scale. One on the scale represents 10 millimPtPr.c of mercury and S represents 140 miliimPtPrc of mercury on this linear scale. The pressure control ~...t -:;,.." '~ 46 may be adjusted while the unit is operatmg. In this case, if tbe put~ -li(--l.- t~ is10 adjusted in the negative direction by any amount, the valve 32 will lly open to decrease pressure thereby to decrease force on the back.
Conversely, if the p,JI.. ,1;.. t . is adjusted in the positive direction by any amount, the pump 22 will ~ .1.,...-~;- ~lly increase pressure in the bladder 28,regardless of the cycle phase at which the urlit is then currently operatmg.
15 The light emitting diode (LED) 48 is turned on when the unit itself is turnedon. Once on, the LED indicator 48 remair~s on until the unit is turned off or is ~ lly turned off. The time cycle can be adjusted by the timer 40 between 10 seconds and an infinite period. When the timer 40 is set to the infinite inflation time period the force applying apparatus acts as a static 20 support which actively controls the amount of force to the back. In this state, force will be controlled c~ as long as the device is turned on. The time cycle is defined as a complete inflate and deflate cycle and Witil the infinite settmg tbe unit can be used as a static lumbar support.
The processor board 24 is powered by a 12 volt DC source and while the unit is turned off the processor is c .. l;.. l..... ~ly running in an idle mode.
Maxirnum current draw in the idle mode is less than or equal to ~1,1l '.
15 milli:~mrc At this level of draw, a typical car battery would last 1500 hours. The processor board 24 performs on-board diagnostic testing to assure ~J~IIU~ il, p~lrUllll~ e. In a test mode, the followmg ~ are 3û checked: processor, ram check, valve check, pump check, speaker check, W095/22307 21 ~31 sa r l,~.. 1946 zero calibration lookup table setup, 100 millimeter mercury r~ hr~rj(m test, and a check to confirm that the full range of 0 to 140 millimPtPrc of mercury can be read. The unit also includes voltage protection. In particular, a voltage above 18 volts ~vill be clamped and will cause a fuse (not shown) to S blow. If voltage should drop below 9.8 volts, the processor board 24 turns the pump 22 off to provide field effect transistor (FET) protection (not shown). The valve 32 and pressure transducer 34 will remain operative under these c-~n~iti~nc If voltage drops below 4.6 volts on a 5 volt line to the processor board 24, then the processor is reset and held until the voltage goes 10 above 4.6 volts. Oncc the voltage is greater than 4.6 volts, a delay of 0.2 seconds is observed before restarting the processor. Radio frequency (RF) noise :~u~ l;oll is provided on the FET during 60 Hz ~ ;.,.. of the pump 22. A capacitor (not shown) is provided to act as a 60 Hz noise :~U~ iul~ filter. Arl automatic shut off may be provided if a person is not 15 sitting again~st the bladder 28 for a selectable period of time such as for 12 seconds.
With reference rlow to Fig. 8 a ' ' i-,.. l;.. ~ passive motion device 60 includes a motor 62 which drives a cam 64. The cam 64 moves a flexible panel 66 in and out to apply movement to the lumbar region of the 20 spine. A load cell 68 measures the force between the flexible panel 66 and the back of a person (not shown). The cam 64 is driven by a belt 70 in contact with the motor 62.
Yet another mPrh~ -o~ 1l of the invention is shown in Fig.
9. The apparatus 90 includes a motor 92 which driYes a belt 94. The belt 94 25 turns a pinion 96 which engages a rack 98. By this means, a movable surface 100 can be moved in a~d out to engage the lumbar region of the spine of a user (not shown). A load cell 102 responds to force on the surface 100.
The mP~h~n~ l devices illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 operate in s~hc~nti~lly the same way as the pneumatic ~ . .l-oll;~ ..( described above. As before, force increases for a period followed by a period of Ic~ ,~ force so as to move the lumbar spine through cllhcf*nfi*l ranges of lordosis.
With respect now to Figs. lO, 11 and 12, an ~ .o~ is described which allows the location of the force applying member to be adjusted to ....... ,.. n.l l different individuals, or the particular ~I~,f~ ,c of a given individual. In these figures, a bracket 110 is adapted to receive a sleeve 112 which bears, in this P..ll,o,li., ..~ an inflatable bladder unit 114. The bracket 110 includes an extension portion 116 which is wedged between a seat cushion 118 and a seat back 120 of a seat which may be found in, for example, an 10 *llf~mnbilP The upright portion of the bracket 110 is curved l~dlvv~ldly so that it engages a seat back 120 when the extending portion 116 is properly wedged between a seat cushion 118 and the seat back 120. The bracket 110 and sleeve 112 include CQu~ adhering structures (not shown) such as hook and loop structures commonly known as Velcro~ so as to fix the location lS of the sleeve 112 with respect to the bracket 110 in the vertical direction as shown in these figures. With reference to Fig. 12, the location of the sleeve 112 may be adjusted by inserting the fingers between the bracket 110 and the sleeve 112 at its lower portion to release the hook and loop material after which the sleeve 112 is moved to a different vertical location vh~ u~ull the 20 hook and loop structure is engaged yet again. In this way, the location of the force applying section 114 may be adjusted as desired by a user. The bracket is fully l~,llluv~l~ from the sleeve 112 so that the sleeve 112 may be plæed on a $l~hcf~nfi*lly horizontal surface such as a bed or floor for use in a supine position as described below in . ; with Fig. 17.
Yet another, -,I-o-l;-"- .,1 of the invention which provides a selectable location for the force applying member is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. This .,l-Q-l;.., ,~ is particularly designed to be built into a seat such as fhe backrest portion 120 of an ~ . This ~ l;",.: includes a plurality of separate, spaced apart bladders 122, 124, 126, and 128. The user can select 30 which one of the bladders to activate so as IO adjust the height of the force WO 95122307 2 1 831 5 0 PCT/US95/01946 ~
applying surface as desired. The operation of each of the spaced apart bladders is the same as the single bladder, .,.l,.~,l;.l.. ,l described in with the earlier figures in this ~ . ;ri. -~;,...
Yet another l .,llo~ of the invention is shown in Figs. 15 and 16.
5 This design is also pd~Lil-lllally suited to a built in c~ ';.." within the seat back 120 of a vehicle seat or other form of chair. A bladder 130 is fixed to a feL~ible material 132 which engages a rotatable shaft 134. The shaft 134 rn~y be turned manually using a knob 136. As the knob 136 is rotated, the location of the bladder 130 moves up and down as shown by the arrows irl Fig. 15 10 thereby to adjust the location of the bladder with respect to a user.
Fig. 17 illustrates the use of the present invention when the user is in a supine position. As shown in the figure, a person 10 is Iying on his back on a 5~lh~t~nti~11y hori~ontal structure such as a bed 150. The force applyirlg apparatus 118 applies force in the lumbar region 20 of the individual 10. The 15 force applying apparatus 118 operates as described in, ; with the other figures in this ~l~c~ ;.... As with the other ~ l.v.l;. ~ the force applying apparatus 118 moves the spine in the lumbar region 20 through a cllhct~nti:li range of lordotic movement while the person 10 is Iyirlg down.
It is ll,.,U~ that ",---l;f~ and variations of the present 20 invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art arld it is intended that all such mrfiifir~tirn~ and variations be included within the scope of the claims.
Claims (16)
1. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further inlcuding programmable circuitry for controlling the force to be a preselected function of time.
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further inlcuding programmable circuitry for controlling the force to be a preselected function of time.
2. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further including timing circuitry to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a preselected maximum value, and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back.
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further including timing circuitry to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a preselected maximum value, and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back.
3. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further adapted to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a preselected maximum value and to maintain the force value during operation of the apparatus.
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back and further adapted to provide a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back to a preselected maximum value and to maintain the force value during operation of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a substantially constant force period between the force increasing period and the force decreasing period.
5. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back, the force applying apparatus comprises an inflatable and deflatable bladder.
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back, the force applying apparatus comprises an inflatable and deflatable bladder.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a pump for supplying a fluid for inflating the bladder and a valve communicating with the bladder deflating the baldder.
7. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back whereinthe location of the back engaging surface is adjustable in height.
a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person;
a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and a transducer having an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back, the force applying apparatus responsive to the output of the transducer to control the force applied to the back whereinthe location of the back engaging surface is adjustable in height.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the transducer comprises a silicon wafer adapted to provide a voltage signal proportioned to pressure.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 including a fluid pump for supplying fluid to the bladder
10. The apparatus of claim 5 further including an electrically operated valve for deflating the bladder.
11. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and descrease force on the lower back thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and apparatus for adjusting the location of the back engaging surface with respect to the back of the person.
a force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and descrease force on the lower back thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis; and apparatus for adjusting the location of the back engaging surface with respect to the back of the person.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the adjusting apparatus comprises:
a bracket including means for securing the bracket to a seat structure;
and a sleeve including the force applying apparatus adapted to slide over the bracket, the sleeve and bracket including at least two spaced apart, cooperatingadhering structures whereby the position of the sleeve with respect to the bracket is adjustable.
a bracket including means for securing the bracket to a seat structure;
and a sleeve including the force applying apparatus adapted to slide over the bracket, the sleeve and bracket including at least two spaced apart, cooperatingadhering structures whereby the position of the sleeve with respect to the bracket is adjustable.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the bracket is removable from the sleeve allowing the force applying apparatus to be used on a substantially horizontal surface.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the adhering structures comprise hook and loop elements.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the adjusting apparatus comprises:
a flexible material surrounding and engaging a rotatable shaft, the flexible material bearing the force applying apparatus; and a gripping structure affixed to the shaft for rotating the shaft thereby to adjust the location of the force applying apparatus.
a flexible material surrounding and engaging a rotatable shaft, the flexible material bearing the force applying apparatus; and a gripping structure affixed to the shaft for rotating the shaft thereby to adjust the location of the force applying apparatus.
16. Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis comprising:
a force applying apparatus inlcuding at least two spaced apart back engaging surfaces each cyclically movable to increase and decrease force on the lower back thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis;
and selection logic for selecting one of the at least two spaced apart surfaces for cyclic motion, whereby the location of the back engaging surface is adjustable.
a force applying apparatus inlcuding at least two spaced apart back engaging surfaces each cyclically movable to increase and decrease force on the lower back thereby to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis;
and selection logic for selecting one of the at least two spaced apart surfaces for cyclic motion, whereby the location of the back engaging surface is adjustable.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/199,784 | 1994-02-22 | ||
| US08/199,784 US5624383A (en) | 1992-05-26 | 1994-02-22 | Method of and means for providing force feedback in continuous passive motion systems |
| US08/255,086 US5637076A (en) | 1992-05-26 | 1994-06-07 | Apparatus and method for continuous passive motion of the lumbar region |
| US08/255,086 | 1994-06-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2183150A1 true CA2183150A1 (en) | 1995-08-24 |
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ID=26895151
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002183150A Abandoned CA2183150A1 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1995-02-14 | Apparatus and method for continuous passive motion of the lumbar region |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5637076A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0746299A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH09510373A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1877295A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9506860A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2183150A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI963215A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9603571A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO963485L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995022307A1 (en) |
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-
1994
- 1994-06-07 US US08/255,086 patent/US5637076A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-02-14 CA CA002183150A patent/CA2183150A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-02-14 AU AU18772/95A patent/AU1877295A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-02-14 JP JP7521905A patent/JPH09510373A/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-02-14 WO PCT/US1995/001946 patent/WO1995022307A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-02-14 BR BR9506860A patent/BR9506860A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-02-14 EP EP95911013A patent/EP0746299A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-08-16 FI FI963215A patent/FI963215A/en unknown
- 1996-08-21 NO NO963485A patent/NO963485L/en unknown
- 1996-08-22 MX MX9603571A patent/MX9603571A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1877295A (en) | 1995-09-04 |
| NO963485L (en) | 1996-10-10 |
| EP0746299A1 (en) | 1996-12-11 |
| MX9603571A (en) | 1998-01-31 |
| FI963215A0 (en) | 1996-08-16 |
| NO963485D0 (en) | 1996-08-21 |
| WO1995022307A1 (en) | 1995-08-24 |
| FI963215A (en) | 1996-10-14 |
| BR9506860A (en) | 1997-09-23 |
| JPH09510373A (en) | 1997-10-21 |
| US5637076A (en) | 1997-06-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |