Control device for the therapeutic mobilization of joints

A method of controlling a therapeutic motion and splinting device, the device having at least one movable portion that moves relative to a fixed portion and one of the at least one movable portion and the fixed portion having at least one component that is capable of deformation and the device being adapted for use with a patient whereby movement of the at least one moveable portion creates a load between the patient and the at least one component, comprising the steps of:

• defining a first maximum limit of range of motion in a first direction for the device;
• defining a second maximum limit of range of motion in a second direction for the device;
• defining a maximum reverse on load for the device;
• monitoring a reverse on load on the at least one component of the device including monitoring the deformation of the at least one component and interpreting the load created between the patient and the at least one component;
• first moving the at least one movable portion of the device in the first direction of travel to a first position defined by one of the first maximum limit and the lesser of a predetermined sequential target reverse on load and a predetermined maximum safe load;
• second moving the at least one movable portion of the device in the second direction of travel to a second position defined by the second maximum limit and the lesser of a predetermined sequential target reverse on load and a predetermined maximum safe load;
• and
• repeating the first and second moving steps:
• wherein the first moving step includes pausing at the first position for a predetermined length of time and monitoring the load, wherein the load decreases due to a relaxation response of the patient, determining if the relaxed load is less than a predetermined relaxation load and if less than the predetermined relaxation load then moving the at least one movable portion of the device to an extended first position defined by one of the first maximum limit and the lesser of an extended reverse on load and the maximum safe load and if the load between the patient and the at least one component is not less than the predetermined relaxation load then proceeding to the next step and wherein the second moving step further includes pausing at the second position for a predetermined length of time and monitoring the load, wherein the load decreases due to a relaxation response of the patient, determining if the load between the patient and the at least one component is less than a predetermined relaxation load and if less than the predetermined relaxation load then moving the at least one movable portion of the device to an extended second position defined by one of the second maximum limit and the lesser of an extended reverse on load and the maximum safe load and if the load between the patient and the at least one component is not less than the predetermined relaxation load then proceeding to the next step.