US 2007/0167888 A1 · Physical therapy tool

Abstract

The physical therapy tools, systems, kits and methods described herein may be used to apply gentle, passive and progressive amounts of pressure (including numerous repetitions of small movements) to achieve therapeutic mobilization of a spinal joint. The tools described herein may include a plurality of pads and actuators, where the pressure within each actuator is controlled so that a continuously varying pressure may be applied to mimic the pressure applied by human hands. These tools may also include a controller and one or more user inputs. The physical therapy tools may be operated at different operating modes (e.g., continuously varying pressure modes, step-pulse high frequency modes, step-pulse low frequency modes) for treating a subject's spine, and may be part of a system or kit. Methods of treating a subject using these physical therapy tools are also described herein.

Claims48

Dependent claims

A physical therapy tool for use in treating a spine, comprising:

a plurality of actuators;
two pairs of pads, wherein each pad is connected to an actuator;
and
a controller configured to cyclically apply continuously varying pressure to each actuator so that the pressure within each actuator increases and decreases at a controlled rate.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Physical therapy tool

Life of this patent

Physical therapy tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims48