Fluid motion device (FMD) for exercising the temporomandibular joint

A method for controllably exercising a small joint which connects two body parts, at least one of said body parts being movable relative to the other, the steps comprising:

• holding first and second members together s that at least said first member is movable relative to said second member;
• positioning an expandable and contractible fluid reservoir between said first and said second members, such that said members will move relative to each other when said fluid reservoir expands a nd contracts;
• positioning at least one of said first and second members to be able to move at least one of said body parts when said fluid reservoir expands and contracts;
• and
• periodically expanding said fluid reservoir by forcing fluid from a fluid source into said fluid reservoir, thereby moving said at least one body part to exercise said small joint.

A fluid motion device for exercising the temporomandibular joint which connects the upper and lower jaws, comprising:

• a fluid source;
• first and second members;
• hinge means for holding said first and second members together while permitting at least said first member to move relative to said second member;
• an expandable and contractible fluid reservoir positioned between said first and second members;
• a fluid channel connecting said fluid source and said expandable and contractible fluid reservoir, said fluid channel providing fluid communication between said fluid source and said fluid reservoir;
• said first and second members with said expandable and contractible fluid reservoir therebetween being insertable between said jaws for moving at least one of said jaws when said fluid reservoir expands and contracts;
• and
• means for forcing fluid from said fluid source into said fluid reservoir to expand said fluid reservoir, thereby moving apart said first and second members and moving said at least one of said jaws to exercise said temporomandibular joint.

A fluid motion device for exercising a small joint which connects two body parts, at least one of which is movable relative to the other, comprising:

• a fluid source;
• first and second members;
• hinge means for holding said first and second members together while permitting at least said first of said members to move relative to said second member;
• a expandable and collapsible fluid reservoir positioned between said first and second members;
• a fluid channel connecting said fluid source and said expandable and contractible reservoir;
• means on at least one of said first and second members for positioning and moving at least one of said body parts as said expandable and contractible fluid sources expands and contracts;
• and
• means for forcing fluid from said fluid source into said fluid reservoir to expand said fluid reservoir thereby moving said at least one of said first and second members to move said at least one body part to exercise said joint.