Patent · US Expired

Passive joint movement device and method for using the same

US6673028B1 · kind B1 · utility

127Cited by
19References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 1999
Grant dateJan 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63B23/16
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A passive movement deivce for exercising a patient's joint is provided. The device includes a resilient foam section and a casing enclosing the foam section within a sealed chamber. The patient's joint is held in position relative to the sealed chamber by a suitable retainer. A vacuum pump is operatively connected with the sealed chamber to selectively provide application and non-application of a reduced pressure, i.e. below atmospheric, to the sealed chamber. The application of the reduced pressure causes the foam section to collapse thereby exerting a force on the joint which causes the joint to move or bend from a predetermined position. The non-application of the reduced pressure to the sealed chamber causes the foam section to expand thereby exerting a force on the joint which causes the joint to move or bend toward the predetermined position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.