Methods Of Providing DVT Prophylactic Therapy Using A Passive Motion Machine

A method for providing simultaneous passive motion therapy and deep vein thrombosis prophylactic therapy to a limb of a human patient, comprising;

• supporting the limb of the patient using one or more limb supports connected to one or more hinged frame rails, the one or more hinged frame rails being operatively coupled to a base, each hinged frame rail having a hinge, wherein each hinged frame rail pivots about its hinge, and wherein the limb of the patient is supported such that a joint of the limb of the patient is positioned proximate the hinges of the one or more hinged frame rails;
• reciprocally moving the one or more hinged frame rails through a range of motion relative to the base between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position of the one or more hinged frame rails corresponds to a bent position of the limb of the patient, and wherein the second position of the one or more hinged frame rails corresponds to a straight position of the limb of the patient;
• and
• during reciprocal movement of the one or more hinged frame rails through the range of motion, providing directional mechanical deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis to the limb of the patient using a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising one or more rollers, wherein the roller assembly is rotatably coupled to the one or more hinged frame rails.

A method for providing both passive movement and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis to a leg of a human patient, comprising:

• supporting the leg of the patient using at least one limb support connected to at least one hinged frame rail, each hinged frame rail having a hinge, wherein each hinged frame rail pivots about its hinge, and wherein the leg of the patient is supported such that the knee of the leg of the patient is positioned proximate the hinges of the at least one hinged frame rail;
• reciprocally moving the at least one hinged frame rail through a range of motion to pivot each hinged frame rail about its hinge between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position of the at least one hinged frame rail corresponds to a bent position of the knee of the patient, and wherein the second position of the at least one hinged frame rail corresponds to a straight position of the knee of the patient;
• and
• rotating a roller assembly relative to at least one suspension structure, the at least one suspension structure being coupled to the at least one hinged frame rail;
• and
• during rotation of the roller assembly and reciprocal movement of the at least one hinged frame rails through the range of motion, contacting the leg of the patient with the roller assembly to provide deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis to the leg of the patient.

A method for providing deep vein thrombosis prophylactic therapy to a leg of a human patient comprising:

• supporting the leg of the patient using at least one limb support connected to at least one hinged frame rail, each hinged frame rail having a hinge, wherein each hinged frame rail pivots about its hinge, and wherein the leg of the patient is supported such that the knee of the leg of the patient is positioned proximate the hinges of the one or more hinged frame rails;
• reciprocally moving the at least one hinged frame rail through a range of motion to pivot each hinged frame rail about its hinge between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position of the at least one hinged frame rail corresponds to a bent position of the knee of the patient, and wherein the second position of the at least one hinged frame rail corresponds to a straight position of the knee of the patient;
• rotating at least one roller, the at least one roller being rotatably connected to first and second hubs, the first and second hubs being rotatably connected to first and second suspension structures, the first and second suspension structures being coupled to the at least one hinged frame rail;
• and
• during rotation of the at least one roller and reciprocal movement of the at least one hinged frame rail through the range of motion, contacting the leg of the patient with the at least one roller to provide deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis to the leg of the patient.