Patent ID: 9271864
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: A61F,A61H,A61N

Claim Text:
1. A non-invasive apparatus for rehabilitating a joint, limb, and muscles of a patient recovering from surgery on the joint, the apparatus comprising: a continuous passive motion (CPM) device having a frame, at least one support member for supporting and securing the limb to the frame, at least one hinge coupled to the at least one support member, and at least one actuator for providing reciprocating motion of the at least one support member about the at least one hinge; a plurality of electrodes configured to be disposed on the limb, wherein the plurality of electrodes transmit at least the following four modalities: functional electrical stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), temperature therapy stimulation, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylactic stimulation; and a control unit controlling the at least one actuator and the plurality of electrodes according to a coordinated sequence of the reciprocating motion and transmission of the tour modalities; wherein the control unit comprises: a microcontroller, an input unit for programming and adjusting the coordinated sequence into the microcontroller; a neuromuscular feedback component for adjusting the FES modality according to a response in the muscles and the coordinated sequence; a neurofeedback mechanism for adjusting the TENS modality according to an activity of nerves in the limb and the coordinated sequence; and a biomechanical component for monitoring and analyzing a biomechanical response and range of motion of the joint and for adjusting one or more of the four modalities according to the biomechanical response and the coordinated sequence; and wherein each of the plurality of electrodes comprises: a signal generator for supplying an electrical current needed to generate the four modalities according to the coordinated sequence; a transmission layer for receiving the electrical current and providing one of the four modalities; a temperature unit configured to be in contact with the limb, the temperature unit being adapted to receive the electrical current, provide the temperature therapy stimulation, and monitor a temperature of the temperature unit and a temperature of the limb; and further comprising at least one electrode having a detection layer for monitoring venous blood flow and pain experienced in the patient, wherein the detection layer comprises an ultrasound Doppler for measuring a blood flow in the limb and communicating the blood flow measurement to the control unit, the control unit adjusting the coordinated sequence to effect a desirable blood flow.