# US 12,758,826 B2 · Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling a hydraulic treadmill apparatus by medical personnel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,826 B2 - Document ID: US12758826B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/894,174 - Filed: 2024-09-24 - Published: 2025-01-09 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-05-05 - Applicants: Douglas F. Leavitt - Inventors: Douglas F. Leavitt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758826B2 ## CPC - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 22/0264: {hydraulically} - A63B 2225/60: Apparatus used in water - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A treadmill system for aquatic therapy, including: a control unit having programmed logic computer (PLC) and a HMI (HMI-1) located at the power unit on the pool deck, designed for physical therapists having a set of controls and override capabilities; a mechanism allowing the physical therapist to set and adjust the maximum speed of the treadmill through the HMI-1, which ensures the treadmill speed remains within safe limits; a control unit with a database storing patient-specific settings; an interface allowing input of a patient's name or code to retrieve previously stored settings; a feature enabling control of the speed settings based on the retrieved data, wherein the system personalizes treatment for each patient and enhances the consistency of therapy sessions; a 12-volt patient control pad located on the treadmill; and a display driven by a HDMI-2 is dedicated to displaying patient-specific data and feedback and providing entertainment for the patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, comprising: a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill having a control pad operatively connected to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the control pad is configured to operate using 12 volts; and a power unit having a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein the power unit is connected to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill and located remotely from the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, and wherein the power unit further comprises; a first programmable human-machine interface (HMI) operatively connected to the PLC, a first display which is controlled by a headless HMI, and which is operatively connected to the power unit, a second display, wherein the second display is configured to allow a medical personnel to set and adjust a maximum speed such that a patient is not able to exceed the maximum speed, and a variable frequency drive (VFD) operatively connected to the PLC. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, according to claim 1, wherein the control pad further comprises: a waterproof housing having an adhesive tactile switch pad located on an upper side of the waterproof housing; a plurality of buttons located along a portion of the adhesive tactile switch pad; a light ring located around each of the plurality of buttons; and a cable operatively connected at one end to the control pad and at the other end to the power unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, according to claim 1, wherein the system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill further comprises: a third display operatively connected to the power unit, wherein the third display is configured to provide entertainment and patient feedback overlayed on the entertainment, and wherein the third display is controlled by the headless HMI. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, according to claim 1, wherein the variable frequency drive is configured to convert a single phase 120-Volt input current to 3-phase 220V output current and control a flow rate of hydraulic fluid to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, according to claim 1, wherein the power unit further comprises: a virtual private network (VPN) router operatively connected to the PLC. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The system for monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of buttons further comprises: a raised area located on each of the plurality of buttons, wherein the raised area is configured to assist the patient in finding and pressing each of the plurality of buttons and to provide tactile feedback that each of the of the plurality of buttons has been activated. ### Claim 7 A method of constructing a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill system, comprising: providing a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill having a control pad operatively connected to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the control pad is configured to operate using 12 volts; and connecting a power unit to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the power unit is located remotely from the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the power unit includes a programmable logic controller (PLC), and wherein the power unit further comprises; attaching a first programmable human-machine interface (HMI) to the PLC, attaching a first display to the power unit, wherein the first display is controlled by a headless HMI, attaching a second display to the power unit, wherein the second display is configured to allow a medical personnel to set and adjust a maximum speed such that a patient is not able to exceed the maximum speed, and attaching a variable frequency drive (VFD) to the PLC. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method, according to claim 7, wherein the control pad further comprises: providing a waterproof housing having an adhesive tactile switch pad located on an upper side of the waterproof housing; locating a plurality of buttons along a portion of the adhesive tactile switch pad; attaching a light ring around each of the plurality of buttons; and attaching a cable at one end to the control pad and at the other end to the power unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method, according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises: attaching a third display to the power unit, wherein the third display is configured to provide entertainment and patient feedback overlayed on the entertainment, and wherein the third display is controlled by the headless HMI. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method, according to claim 7, wherein the variable frequency drive is configured to convert a single phase 120-Volt input current to 3-phase 220V output current and control a flow rate of hydraulic fluid to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method, according to claim 7, wherein the power unit further comprises: attaching a virtual private network (VPN) router to the PLC. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method, according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of buttons further comprises: attaching a raised area on each of the plurality of buttons, wherein the raised area is configured to assist the patient in finding and pressing each of the plurality of buttons and to provide a tactile feedback that each of the of the plurality of buttons has been activated. ### Claim 13 A method of monitoring and controlling a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, comprising: providing a hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill having a control pad operatively connected to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the control pad is configured to operate using 12 volts; connecting a power unit to the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the power unit is located remotely from the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the power unit includes a programmable logic controller (PLC), and wherein the power unit further comprises; attaching a first programmable human-machine interface (HMI) to the PLC, attaching a first display to the power unit, wherein the first display is controlled by a headless HMI, and wherein the first display is configured to provide real-time feedback to a patient on various exercise metrics, including speed, distance, and time of the patient, attaching a second display to the power unit, wherein the second display is configured to allow a medical personnel to set and adjust a maximum speed such that the patient is not able to exceed the maximum speed, and attaching a variable frequency drive (VFD) to the PLC; interacting, by the medical personnel, with the second display to set and adjust a maximum speed of the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill; and enabling the patient to engage in physical activities while on the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill and allowing the patient to interact with the control pad in order to allow the patient to control functions of the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill, wherein the power unit, the first programmable human-machine interface (HMI), the first display, the second display, and the variable frequency drive (VFD) are used to monitor and control the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill while the patient is using the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method, according to claim 13, wherein the control pad further comprises: a waterproof housing having an adhesive tactile switch pad located on an upper side of the waterproof housing; a plurality of buttons located along a portion of the adhesive tactile switch pad, wherein the plurality of buttons is configured to control the functions of the hydrotherapy, hydraulic treadmill; a light ring that is located around each of the plurality of buttons, wherein the light ring is configured to illuminate an area around each of the plurality of buttons; and a cable that is operatively connected at one end to the plurality of buttons in the control pad and at the other end to the power unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method, according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: a third display that is operatively connected to the power unit, wherein the third display is configured to provide entertainment and patient feedback, wherein the third display is configured to provide entertainment and patient feedback overlayed on the entertainment, and wherein the third display is controlled by the headless HMI. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method, according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises; recording, in a database, patient data, including treadmill speed, treadmill on time, and treadmill distance during a plurality of patient therapy sessions; and accessing the database to access the patient's plurality of therapy sessions; reviewing the patient's plurality of therapy sessions; and determining, based upon the review, whether or not to maintain, decrease or increase the patient's treadmill speed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method, according to claim 13, wherein the power unit further comprises: a virtual private network (VPN) router that is operatively connected to the PLC, wherein the VPN is configured to assist with internet connectivity.