FR2665631A1 - Apparatus for rehabilitation and re-education of the joint areas of a patient - Google Patents

Abstract

This apparatus is distinguished by the fact that it comprises at least one pneumatic module (1) defining a cylinder shape associated via a control element (2) to inflation and deflation means (3) which are capable of being activated by the patient himself or by independent means.

Description

 apparatus for the rehabilitation and rehabilitation of the articulation parts of a patient.

The invention relates to the technical sector of rehabilitation equipment, in particular for the joints of the limbs of an individual,
To allow the rehabilitation of the limbs of a person, for example, the knee or the shoulder, complex and costly devices or materials are currently used, referring to the use of mechanical means or of rigid plastic support means. Such means are impractical for use.

 The aim sought after according to the invention was to propose a device of simple and inexpensive design, light, and which can be very easily actuated by the individual, or according to a pre-established programming cycle.

 This object and still others are achieved by the apparatus which is the subject of the invention.

 According to a first characteristic, the apparatus for the rehabilitation and reeducation of the articulation parts of a patient, is remarkable in that it comprises at least one pneumatic module associated by a command with inflation or deflation means capable of '' be operated by the patient himself or by independent means.

 According to another characteristic, the inflation and deflation means are assigned to a programmer authorizing, according to a preset cycle, the volume modifications of the pneumatic module.

 According to another characteristic, the device comprises three inflatable modules arranged in a pyramid, the base of which comes into contact with the support plane, said modules being associated with each other by any suitable means.

These and other characteristics will emerge. well from the rest of the description,
To fix the object. of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings where;
Figure i is a perspective view in a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in its application to the rehabilitation of the knee.

FIG. 2 is a front view in section of an apparatus according to the invention in a second embodiment, in the same application as FIG. 1,
Figure 3 is. a side view showing the use of the device according to Figure 2.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings,
The apparatus according to the invention is intended to temporarily mobilize, in an adjustable manner in position, a part of a member of an individual such as a knee, a shoulder, to allow a controlled and preset variation of the given angulation to the two members associated with said joint. More precisely, the device is. consisting of at least one pneumatic module (1) defining for example a cylindrical shape associated by a control (2) suitable for inflation or deflation means (3) capable of being actuated by the patient himself or by independent means. This module thus has at least one valve or other means (4) authorizing the connection of a conduit C5) associated with the inflation or deflation means (3), the latter can be a compressed air compressor or any other source of compressed fluid or equivalent means. The patient can intervene manually. on the command (2) defined for example by a pear or equivalent means for ensuring and controlling the inflation or deflation functions as required,
As a variant, the inflation and deflation means can be associated with a programmer not shown, thus authorizing, according to a predetermined cycle, the volume modifications of the air module or cushion on which the knee or other part of the patient's body rests. '' depending on the inflation of the cushion, the position of the joint and of the knee in particular will be more or less high compared to a support plane thus modifying the angulation of the leg part compared to the thigh part and the part thigh relative to the trunk part. It is thus possible to regulate either by the patient or according to an established programming the different positions of the knee and thus to follow an appropriate therapy and rehabilitation continuously.

 In a particular implementation illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the device comprises three inflatable modules (6, 7, 8) arranged in a pyramid, the base of which comes into contact on a support plane (P). These three modules can be of identical or different dimensions or volumes. Their pyramidal arrangement gives them greater stability. These modules are associated with each other, by connecting means arranged lcunsaitudinally and capable of ensuring definitive or temporary fixing. These connecting means (9) can be of the Velcro type, or by press button, strap or others.

As a variant, the modules may have longitudinal edges allowing their attachment and fixing by any suitable means. The inflation regulation between the three modules can be homogeneous or different as required and can be ensured by one or more inflation or deflation means operating simultaneously or independently.

 The implementation of the device illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 has advantages, in particular in terms of its st.ability, and the height generated between the support plane and the upper generator of the upper module, allowing large amplitudes movements of the joint.

 It can be used, while remaining within the scope of the invention, a different arrangement of the modules to adapt to the morphology of each patient.

 The advantages emerge clearly from the invention, and in particular the simplicity of the apparatus is emphasized, both in its design and in its manufacture, it allows self-regulation by the user without any particular difficulty which can therefore perform therapy and rehabilitation directly at home The different cushions can be adapted to the conditions of use. They are washable and easy to maintain and are made of all suitable materials.

 Besides, the device is easily.

storable

Claims (1)

 CLAIMS -1- Apparatus 1 for the rehabilitation and reeducation of the articulation parts of a patient, characterized in that it comprises at least one pneumatic module (1) defining a cylinder shape associated by a control (2) with inflation or deflation means (3) capable of being actuated by the patient himself or from independent means, -2- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pneumatic module has at least one valve (4) or any other equivalent means authorizing the connection of a conduit (5) associated with the inflation or deflation means, apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the inflation or deflation means is an air compressor, or any other source of compressed fluid, -4- Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the raw inflation means for deflation is controlled manually by the user. -5- Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the inflation and deflation means are associated with a programmer authorizing according to a predetermined cycle the volume changes of the inflatable module (s), -6- Apparatus according to any one of Claims i to S, characterized in that it comprises three inflatable modules (6, 7, and 8) arranged in a pyramid, the base of which comes into contact with the support plane (P), said modules being associated with one another others by any appropriate means of liaison. -7- Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the modules (6, 7, and 8) are inflatable or deflatable independently of each other. -8- Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the modules (6, 7 and 8) are inflatable or deflatable simultaneously.