# US 6,296,595 B1 · Method of optimizing isometric exercise

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- Number: US 6,296,595 B1
- Document ID: US6296595B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 08/520,802
- Filed: 1995-08-30
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1990-02-21
- Assignees: IZEX Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: John G. Stark; Richard G. Lund; Cecil H. Nelson; Brynn D Rogers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296595B1

## CPC

- A61B 5/4528: {Joints (A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/1071: {measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers (A61B5/1123 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/411: {Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance}
- A61F 5/01: Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces
- A63B 21/4025: {Resistance devices worn on the user's body (A63B21/065 takes precedence)}
- A63B 24/00: Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; {Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances}
- A61B 5/0002: {Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network (endoradiosondes A61B5/07)}
- A61B 5/6812: {Orthopaedic devices}
- A61B 5/6828: {Leg}
- A61B 5/702: {Posture restraints}
- A63B 21/0023: {for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion}
- A63B 21/0056: {using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes}
- A63B 21/0057: {using electromagnetic clutches}
- A63B 23/0494: {primarily by articulating the knee joints (A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence)}
- A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children
- A63B 2220/16: Angular positions
- A63B 2220/17: Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
- A63B 2220/54: Torque
- A63B 2225/30: Maintenance
- Y10S 482/902: Employing specific graphic or video display
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

An instrumented orthopedic restraining device is provided. The device includes an ambulatory housing, including first and second distal end portions, and restraining means for restraining movement of the first and second distal end portions relative to one another. The restraining device preferably includes an elongated restraining bar equipped with a stress sensing mechanism for sensing stress on the restraining bar. A control unit is provided for indicating sensed stress based upon outputs from the stress sensing mechanism. Preferred embodiments include a plurality of strain gauges attached to the elongated restraining bar and interconnected with the control unit which preferably includes a recording mechanism and a microprocessor mechanism. The elongated restraining bar alternately includes an adjustable hinge interconnecting distal end sections of the elongated restraining bar, wherein the angle between the respective distal end sections can be adjusted relative to one another. The adjustable hinge is preferably an electromechanical hinge which can be at least partially controlled by software read by the microprocessor mechanism. Methods of using embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of optimizing isometric exercises comprising:
(a) engaging first and second flexibly connected body portions of the individual in an orthopedic restraining device having at least one strain gauge;
(b) designing a target exercise routine based on the physical condition of the patient;
(c) monitoring the exercise activities of the individual from the reading of the strain gauge; and
(d) determining the deviation of the actual exercise routine from the target routine.