Passive joint movement device and method for using the same

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising:

• a. a first foam section shaped to fit about the extension side of the joint;
• b. a second foam section shaped to fit about the flexion side of the joint;
• c. a first casing enclosing the first foam section to provide a first sealed chamber about the first foam section;
• d. a second casing enclosing the second foam section to provide a second sealed chamber about the second foam section;
• and
• e. joint positioning means for positioning the joint relative to the first and second sealed chambers,
• the first and second sealed chambers adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for separately providing an application and non-application of a reduced pressure to the first and second sealed chambers to selectively contract and expand the first and second foam sections to controllably move the joint.

A method for passively exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning the joint relative to a foam section enclosed within a sealed chamber;
• b. applying a reduced pressure to the sealed chamber, causing the foam section to collapse and the joint to move from a predetermined position;
• and
• c. restoring the pressure within the sealed chamber to atmospheric pressure, causing the foam section to expand and the joint to move toward the predetermined position.

A method for passively exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning a first foam section within a first sealed chamber on the extension side of the joint;
• b. positioning a second foam section within a second sealed chamber at the flexion side of the joint;
• c. applying a reduced pressure to the first sealed chamber to evacuate the first sealed chamber below atmospheric pressure causing the first foam section to collapse and the joint to move from a first position;
• d. restoring pressure within the first sealed chamber toward atmospheric pressure to inflate the first sealed chamber causing the first foam section to expand and the joint to move toward the first position;
• e. applying a reduced pressure to the second sealed chamber to evacuate the second chamber below atmospheric pressure, causing the second foam section to collapse and the joint to move from a second position;
• and
• f. restoring the pressure within the second sealed chamber toward atmospheric pressure to inflate the second sealed chamber causing the second foam section to expand and the joint to move toward the second position.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, said device comprising:

• a. a bendable foam section including a plurality of sections having different degrees of stiffness for positioning at different locations relative to a joint to control movement of the joint;
• b. joint positioning means for holding a joint at a desired position relative to the device;
• and
• c. a casing enclosing the foam section to provide a sealed chamber about the foam section, the casing adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for selectively providing application of a reduced pressure to the sealed chamber to contract and bend the foam section to move the joint from a predetermined position toward a selected position and for selectively removing the reduced pressure from the sealed chamber to enable the foam to expand and move the joint back toward the predetermined position.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, said device comprising:

• a. a foam section;
• b. at least one strut embedded within the foam section at a selected location relative to a joint to prevent contraction of the foam section in a transverse direction relative to the joint;
• c. joint positioning means for securing the joint at a desired position relative to the foam section;
• and
• d. a casing enclosing the foam section to provide a sealed chamber about the foam section, the casing adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for selectively providing application of a reduced pressure to the sealed chamber to contract the foam section to move the joint from a predetermined position toward a selected position and for selectively removing the reduced pressure from the sealed chamber to enable the foam to expand and move the joint back toward the predetermined position.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising:

• a. a first foam section shaped to fit about the extension side of a joint, the first foam section including a plurality of sections having different degrees of stiffness for positioning at different locations relative to the joint to control movement of the joint;
• b. a second foam section shaped to fit about the flexion side of the joint;
• c. a first casing enclosing the first foam section to provide a first sealed chamber about the first foam section;
• d. a second casing enclosing the second foam section to provide a second sealed chamber about the second foam section;
• and
• e. joint positioning means for securing the joint at a desired position relative to the first and second sealed chambers,
• the first and second sealed chambers adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for separately providing an application and non-application of a reduced pressure to the first and second sealed chambers to selectively contract and expand the first and second foam sections to controllably move the joint.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising:

• a. a first foam section shaped to fit about an extension side of a joint;
• b. a second foam section shaped to fit about a flexion side of the joint, the second foam section including a plurality of sections having different degrees of stiffness for positioning at different locations relative to the joint to control movement of the joint;
• c. a first casing enclosing the first foam section to provide a first sealed chamber about the first foam section;
• d. a second casing enclosing the second foam section to provide a second sealed chamber about the second foam section;
• and
• e. joint positioning means for securing the joint at a desired position relative to the first and second sealed chambers,
• the first and second sealed chambers adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for separately providing an application and non-application of a reduced pressure to the first and second sealed chambers to selectively contract and expand the first and second foam sections to controllably move the joint.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising:

• a. a first foam section shaped to fit about an extension side of a joint;
• b. at least one strut embedded within the first foam section at a selected location relative to the joint to prevent contraction of the first foam section in a transverse direction relative to the joint
• c. a second foam section shaped to fit about a flexion side of the joint;
• d. a first casing enclosing the first foam section to provide a first sealed chamber about the first foam section;
• e. a second casing enclosing the second foam section to provide a second sealed chamber about the second foam section;
• and
• f. joint positioning means for securing the joint at a desired position relative to the first and second sealed chambers,
• the first and second sealed chambers adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for separately providing an application and non-application of a reduced pressure to the first and second sealed chambers to selectively contract and expand the first and second foam sections to controllably move the joint.

A passive movement device for exercising a patient's joint, the joint having a flexion side and an extension side, comprising:

• a. a first foam section shaped to fit about an extension side of a joint;
• b. a second foam section shaped to fit about a flexion side of the joint;
• c. at least one strut embedded within the second foam section at a selected location relative to the joint to prevent contraction of the second foam section in a transverse direction relative to the joint;
• d. a first casing enclosing the first foam section to provide a first sealed chamber about the first foam section;
• e. a second casing enclosing the second foam section to provide a second sealed chamber about the second foam section;
• and
• f. joint positioning means for securing the joint at a desired position relative to the first and second sealed chambers,
• the first and second sealed chambers adapted to be operatively connected to a pump for separately providing an application and non-application of a reduced pressure to the first and second sealed chambers to selectively contract and expand the first and second foam sections to controllably move the joint.