US 5,211,161 AGranted

Three axis passive motion exerciser

AssigneeCompagnie Generale de Materiel Orthopedique

InventorFrancine Stef

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Abstract

A three axis passive motion exerciser which moves the patient's foot in dorsal/plantar, valgus/varus and abduction/adduction movements. A microprocessor provides signals to control motors which drive cradles and a plate in the desired motions. Potentiometers provide positional feedback information about the actual location of the cradles and the plate, with series resistors providing feedback of the actual motor drive current values. The microprocessor monitors the positions of two motions versus a master motion to keep the movements in synchronization. The movements are synchronized so that the end of the travel limit is reached for each axis simultaneously. The microprocessor further monitors the drive currents to prevent overcurrent conditions and the speeds to limit travel rates. A display and keyboard are provided to allow the operator to monitor and change operating parameters, such as travel limits, force limits and session times.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multiple axis passive motion exerciser, comprising:

means for receiving the portion of the patient to be moved, said receiving means being movable in at least two axes of movement of the joint of interest;
a first motor connected to said receiving means to cause said receiving means to move about a first axis;
a first feedback means connected to said receiving means to monitor the position of said receiving means about said first axis;
a second motor connected to said receiving means to cause said receiving means to move about a second axis;
a second feedback means connected to said receiving means to monitor the position of said receiving means about said second axis;
means connected to said first and second motors for providing drive energy to said motors;
and
means connected to said first and second position feedback means and to said motor drive means for controlling the activation of said first motor to move said receiving means about said first axis within first axis predetermined limits and for controlling the activation of said second motor to move said receiving means about said second axis within second axis predetermined limits and within a predetermined tolerance of a desired position defined by the relative position of said receiving means about said second axis within said second axis predetermined limits being equal to the relative position of said receiving means about said first axis within said first axis predetermined limits, so that said receiving means reaches substantially said first and second axes predetermined limits at substantially the same time.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.