Abstract:
A patient positioning apparatus for examination and treatment that allows an operator to rotate a patient about three body planes, positioning the semi-circular canals of the patient for proper treatment or diagnosis of conditions caused by abnormalities of the vestibular organs. This apparatus accomplishes three dimensional rotations by rotating about two orthogonal axes of rotation. The efficient and compact design of this apparatus allows the apparatus to be used in clinics or offices too small to accommodate a patient rotation device of the prior art.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a diagnosis and treatment apparatus, and more particularly, relating to an apparatus for controlled spatial positioning of a patient for the diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of a medical condition. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of vestibular related conditions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A considerable number of people experience symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, or other serious debilitating conditions related to balance and the lack of stability. Vertigo and its related conditions are often caused by an imbalance or misplacement of anatomical particles around semi-circular canal systems containing fluids that affect the perception of gravity. The misplacement of these particles can cause an abnormality of the vestibular organs in the inner ear. In a healthy patient, the vestibular organs accurately sense the acceleration of a patient&#39;s head and transmit a neurological signal to the central nervous system. The central nervous system will then translate the signal from the vestibular sensory organ into information relating to balance and position of the body. In a patient suffering from vertigo or a related condition, the vestibular organs become displaced from their original position and move into the semi-circular canal system. This displacement causes the vestibular organs to transmit an erroneous signal to the central nervous system, typically causing the patient to perceive a false sense of gravity and rotation. 
         [0003]    In the past, most forms of diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and related conditions relied upon instructing a patient to manipulate his or her head into various positions to facilitate the flow of fluids through the semi-circular canals within the inner ear. This manipulation would allow the physician to isolate the specific dislocated vestibular organ or organs causing the abnormality in perception. For treatment, the patient would be instructed to move his or her head in a manner allowing gravity to reposition the vestibular organs outside of the semi-circular canals and back into their normal positions. 
         [0004]    Although various machines and devices have been created to rotate a user about three dimensions, many of these devices are manually controlled. In entertainment devices, such as a ride at a carnival, this shortcoming is insignificant since the position of the user does not require a high degree of accuracy. Conversely, when spatial manipulation is used to diagnose and treat a medical condition, a high degree of accuracy and programmability is required to effectively assist physicians to diagnose or treat patients. Of the spatial manipulator systems providing a higher degree of control, the construction of these systems relies on an array of circular or elliptical trusses. Truss based systems not only demand a large footprint for deployment in an office or clinic, but also contain a complicated interconnection of moving parts that restrict the device from effectively rotating a patient about a point aligned with a patient&#39;s vestibular organs for proper diagnosis and treatment. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus capable of spatially manipulating a user around point relative to the center of gravity of a patient and in relation to the patient&#39;s vestibular organs being diagnosed or treated. Also, there is a need for an apparatus capable of spatially manipulating a user, such that the apparatus is compact in nature so it can easily fit within an office or clinic. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention allows the spatial manipulation of a patient about the three body planes, with respect to a patient&#39;s semi-circular canals. This invention achieves such rotational freedom by manipulating a patient about two orthogonal axes via the rotation of a connected arm and a connected patient restraint. During rotation of the patient, he or she may be manipulated such that his or her center of gravity is approximately located at the point of intersection between the first and second axes of rotation. This configuration limits the force required to move this patient. Alternately, the patient may be rotated about other center points, such as the organs undergoing treatment by the apparatus. Accordingly, due to the configuration and size of the present invention, it can achieve the required rotational flexibility in a footprint compact enough to fit in a wide variety of spaces otherwise prohibited by a conventional device, such as an office or clinic. 
         [0007]    To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, a patient spatial movement apparatus for moving a patient through space is provided. The patient spatial movement apparatus includes a base and an arm attached to and supported by the base for rotation about a first axis of rotation. A patient restraint is attached to and supported by the arm for rotation about a second axis of rotation. The patient restraint receives a patient such that the second axis of rotation is at a constant and fixed angle relative to the coronal plane of the patient. The first axis of rotation is normal to the sagittal plane of the patient and the first axis of rotation is orthogonal to the second axis of rotation. 
         [0008]    In general, in another aspect, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation intersect about the center of gravity of a patient. 
         [0009]    In general, in another aspect, the constant and fixed angle is about 30 degrees. 
         [0010]    In general, in another aspect, the invention further includes a controller, a first motor operatively connected to the arm and operable to rotate the arm about the first axis of rotation, and a second motor operatively connected to the patient restraint and operable to rotate the patient restraint about the second axis of rotation. The first and second motors are connected to the controller to receive control signals therefrom to effect the operation of the first motor to rotate the arm about the first axis of rotation and to effect the operation of the second motor to rotate the patient restraint about the second axis of rotation. 
         [0011]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0012]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0013]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0014]    For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the patient positioning apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the base, patient restraint, second axis of rotation, and third axis; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , further showing the base, legs, arm, patient restraint, first axis of rotation, and second axis of rotation; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , further showing illustrating the base, arm, legs, and patient restraint; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the arm in the zero/home position, further showing the base, legs, arm, patient restraint, first axis of rotation, and second axis of rotation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the arm and patient restraint in operation, both rotated 180 degrees; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing or illustrating the patient restraint in operation rotated 180 degrees about the second axis of rotation; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an exemplary user input device for use with the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a controller for the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of an example program for controlling the patient positioning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that in this document (including the claims) directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
         [0027]    In  FIGS. 1-4 , there is representatively illustrated an apparatus  10  for use in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of vestibular conditions. It is important to note here, while the following description may be specific in relation to vestibular conditions, one skilled in the art will appreciate the apparatus could be used for the diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of other medical conditions. It will also be appreciated, and while the device is designed for medical use, it could be used in other applications requiring the spatial positioning of a user, for example, such as a patient restraint in a virtual reality environment. 
         [0028]    Broadly, apparatus  10  includes a base  12 , an arm  14 , a patient restraint  18 , and a controller  50 . Base  12  includes a surface  30 , which encompasses base  12  and acts as a cover to isolate and protect the internal components of apparatus  10  from operators or patients. As previously mentioned, apparatus  10  includes a controller  50  that manages the operation of apparatus  10 . This controller  50  could be positioned in base  12 . 
         [0029]    Base  12  acts to stabilize apparatus  10  via the weight and shape of base  12 . Base  12  may further include a pair of legs  13  that each extend in the same general direction from about a bottom edge of the base  12  and terminate at or slightly beyond the patient restraint  18 . Legs  13  provide enhanced stability for apparatus  10  during both idle and operational states by allowing the weight of apparatus  10  to be more evenly distributed. In one embodiment of apparatus  10 , legs  13  may be tapered with the top surface of legs  13  having a more narrow width than the bottom surface of legs  13 . This tapering of legs  13  allows for a larger surface area to make contact with the ground surface. Also, tapering of legs  13  may also reduced the risk of an operator unintentionally tripping or stumbling over legs  13 . 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , arm  14  includes a first arm segment  15  and a second arm segment  16  conjoined at elbow  17 . First arm segment  15  includes opposed first and second ends  15 A and  15 B, respectively. Second arm segment  16  includes opposed first and second ends  16 A and  16 B, respectively. The second end  15 B of the first arm segment  15  and the first end  16 A of the second arm segment  16  are conjoined at elbow  17 . The first arm segment  15  and the second arm segment  16  extend generally normal to each other. 
         [0031]    Arm  14  is attached to and supported by base  12  at the first end  15 A of the first arm segment  15  for rotation about a first axis of rotation A 1 , with the first arm segment extending normal to the first axis of rotation A 1 . In this manner, the second arm segment  16  extends generally parallel to the first axis of rotation A 1 . Arm  14  is attached to and supported by base  12  for rotation through 360-degrees about the first axis of rotation A 1 . A first axis motor  32  is operatively connected to arm  14 , such as, for example at the first end  15 A thereof. Rotational power from the first axis motor  32  is transmitted to the arm  14  causing the arm rotate about the first axis A 1  and thus revolving the second arm segment  16  about the first axis of rotation A 1 . First axis motor  32  can be operated to rotate the arm  14  in both a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction about the first axis of rotation A 1 . 
         [0032]    In an embodiment of apparatus  10 , the first axis motor  32  can be located near the bottom of base  12 . The low placement of the first axis motor  32  gives the apparatus  10  a lower center of mass, and therefore a larger degree of stability during both idle and operational states. The first axis motor  32  can be operatively connected to arm  14  by any suitable intermediate structure  32 A. Examples of intermediate structure  32 A include, but are not limited to, chains, belts, gears, drive shafts, or the like and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the first axis motor  32  can be directly connected to arm  14  in a direct drive relation. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the patient restraint  18  is attached to and supported by the second arm segment  16 , for example at end  16 B thereof, for rotation about a second axis of rotation A 2  that is normal to the first axis of rotation A 1 . The patient restraint  18  is attached to and supported by the second arm segment  16  for rotation through 360-degrees about the second axis of rotation A 2 . A second axis motor  34  is operatively connected to the patient restraint  18  to rotate the patient restraint about the second axis of rotation A 2 . The second axis motor  34  can be operated to rotate the patient restraint about the second axis of rotation A 2  in both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotational directions. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second axis motor  34  is located within the first arm segment  15  of arm  14 , wherein motor  34  operatively connects to the patient restraint by a suitable intermediate structure  34 A. Examples of intermediate structure  34 A include, but are not limited to, chains, belts, gears, drive shafts, or the like and any combinations thereof. Alternately, the second axis motor  34  could also be directly connected to patient restraint  18  in a direct drive relation. In this configuration, second axis motor  34  may be located in other locations, such as within patient restraint  18 . 
         [0034]    In embodiments, the patient restraint  18  can be in the form of a seat  20 , which receives and restrains a patient against movement such that the patient is properly positioned in relation to the first axis of rotation A 1  and the second axis of rotation A 2 . In this manner, a patient is received and restrained by the patient restraint  18  such that the first axis of rotation A 1  and the second axis of rotation A 2  intersect at approximately the center of gravity of the patient at P 1 . Alternatively, P 1  may be located relative to a particular organ that is being treated, such as, for example the center of mass of an organ. Further, the patient is received and restrained by the patient restraint  18  such that the first axis of rotation A 1  is parallel to the transverse plane  42  of the patient and normal to the sagittal plane  38  of the patient, and such that the second axis of rotation A 2  is parallel to the sagittal plane  38  of the patient and is rotated at a constant and fixed angle Ø relative to the coronal plane  40  of the patient, as best seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    Arm  14  rotates about the first axis of rotation A 1  360-degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Similarly, patient restraint  18  rotates about the second axis of rotation A 2  360-degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . By configuring the arm  14  and patient restraint  18  to rotate about first and second axes of rotation A 1  and A 2  respectively, the patient is able to rotate in relation to the three planes of the semicircular canals allowing specific isolation of each canal. These planes, orthoganol to each other, all of which should be familiar to a person of skill in the art. 
         [0036]    The second axis of rotation A 2  is orthogonal to the first axis of rotation A 1 . Patient restraint  18  supports the patient at a third axis A 3 , which is parallel with the patient sagittal  38  plane. The first axis of rotation A 1 , second axis of rotation A 2 , and third axis A 3  intersect at a point P 1 , which may be approximately equal to the patient&#39;s center of gravity. Centering rotation about the patient&#39;s center of gravity reduces the force required to manipulate the patient, thus increasing the efficiency and stability of apparatus  10 . The relationship between axes A 1  and A 2  is best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, the relationship between axes A 2  and A 3  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 5 . 
         [0037]    The orthogonal configuration of first axis of rotation A 1  and second axis of rotation A 2  allows for the proper alignment of the semi-circular canals undergoing diagnosis or treatment. With proper alignment, an operator is able to quickly diagnose and treat conditions related to abnormalities in the semi-circular canals. In one embodiment, proper alignment is provided by an approximately 30-degree offset of the patient restraint  18  from the second axis of rotation A 2  in the forward direction in the sagittal plane  38 , positioning the patient relative to the third axis A 3 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The addition of the 30-degree offset third axis A 3  allows greater accuracy with alignment of the semi-circular canals to be isolated and the spatial position required for the diagnosis or treatment procedure. With this configuration, the patient still rotates about the second axis of rotation A 2 , but the patient is positioned within the patient restraint  18  such that the patient faces forward 30-degrees, instead of being positioned parallel to the second axis of rotation A 2 . Although rotating about only two axes of rotation, the operator is able to rotate the patient about the three planes in which the semicircular canals are orientated. With this capability, the operator can rotate a patient about a plane, which aligns with the specific semi-circular canal the operator wishes to diagnose or treat, without requiring excessive complexity or machinery. 
         [0038]    Additionally, the patient restraint  18  relative to axis A 3  may rotate at point P 1  to become parallel to the second axis of rotation A 2 . With this capability, the operator can rotate a patient in relation to the three primary planes of the human body. These planes include the sagittal plane  38 , the coronal plane  40 , and the transverse plane  42 , all of which should be familiar to a person of skill in the art. Although rotating about only two axes of rotation, the operator is able to rotate the patient about all three orthogonal body planes. 
         [0039]    The ability to isolate each semi-circular canal using only two axes of rotation allows the operating dimensions of apparatus  10  to be considerably smaller than competing devices with comparable functionality, such as a circular or spherical truss device. First, this is because apparatus  10  does not require additional space and structural support to rotate a patient about a third axis of rotation. Second, apparatus  10  does not require a fixed frame about the circumference of the device, as otherwise required to allow rotation about the corresponding axis of rotation for devices in the prior art. 
         [0040]    Additionally, in the clinical setting, apparatus  10  allows the operator to rotate the patient about all dimensions without requiring the patient to manually position the patient&#39;s head or neck. This capability of rotating a patient without requiring head or neck movement allows the operator to examine and diagnose patients with neck or back injuries. These injured patients would otherwise be prohibited from receiving medical assistance, due to their inability to position themselves as required by manual examination. In addition, the fully suspended patient can undergo the prescribed maneuvers in a more rapid and precise manner. 
         [0041]    The patient restraint  18  can include a foot platform  22 , leg restraint  24 , handles  26 , a head restraint  27 , and a torso restraint  28 . In embodiments, the foot platform  22  would be located near the bottom of patient restraint  18 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the inclusion of a leg restraint  24  can provide an extension of patient restraint  18 , capable of being detached from patient restraint  18  while loading and unloading patients. Leg restraint  24  optionally has horizontal extensions  23  that allow apparatus  10  to securely hold a patient&#39;s legs during operation. To detach the leg restraint  24 , the operator would lift a locking leg restraint pin  25  (shown in  FIGS. 2&amp;5 ) that allows the leg restraint  24  to be temporarily detached from patient restraint  18 . After the patient is positioned into the patient restraint  18 , the operator can reattach the leg restraint  24  by lifting the leg restraint pin  25  and reinserting leg restraint  24  into patient restraint  18 . A person of skill in the art will realize that variations to this configuration exist that remains within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0042]    In embodiments, handles  26  attach to patient restraint  18  to provide the patient with additional support and security. Handles  26  can be mounted at approximately 100-degrees offset from the neutral position of the wrist inline with the axis of the forearm, providing maximum ergonomic comfort for the patient. A person skilled in the art will realize that the handles  26 , if included, can be set at different angles without affecting the functional operation of apparatus  10 . 
         [0043]    A person skilled in the art will also realize torso restraint  28  may include any number of fastening straps  29  required to secure the patient for movement with the patient restrain  18 . Fastening straps  29  may be provided in the form of a 5-point harness as illustrated. A person of skill in the art will realize other fastening methods may be used within the spirit and scope of the invention, such as but not limited to a rigid harness or an over-the-shoulder brace. In addition to leg restraint  24  and torso restraint  28 , apparatus  10  may also include a head restraint  27 . Head restraint  27  is provided to secure the patient&#39;s head to the patient restraint  18  and ensure conjoint movement between the patient&#39;s head and the patient restraint  18 . The head restraint  27  also prevents the patient&#39;s head from receiving any shock or unexpected motions during the operation of apparatus  10 . 
         [0044]    In an embodiment the first axis motor  32  and the second axis motor  34  are pulse-width-modulation motors. The first axis motor  32  and the second axis motor  34  may be provided with an error sensing feedback system. Such error feedback systems are well known in the art, and require no description herein. Additionally, the first axis motor  32  and second axis motor  34  may passes through a slip ring  36 , operatively connecting base  12  to arm  14 . Slip ring  36  allows control signals  52  from controller  50  and power transmission to conduct through arm  14  to the second axis motor  34 , which controls the rotation of patient restraint  18 . An additional slip ring  36 B could also be located between arm  14  and patient restraint  18  as required. 
         [0045]    As previously mentioned, apparatus  10  includes a controller  50 , which is capable of transmitting control signals  52  to the first axis motor  32  (via control signal  52 A) and second axis motor  34  (via control signal for  52 B), directing the rotation for arm  14  and patient restraint  18 , respectively. Similarly, controller  50  could receive feedback signals  53  from the first axis motor  32  (via feedback signal  53 A) or second axis motor  34  (via feedback signal for  53 B), reporting error feedback.  FIG. 9  illustrates how controller  50  can connect to and operate first axis motor  32  and second axis motor  34 . Also shown in  FIG. 9 , a user input device  70  may be included to transmit or receive command signals  51  with controller  50 .  FIG. 10  further illustrates control methods that may include options such as manual control, canal specific control, or preset programs. A person of skill in the art will realize that other methods of control may exist that are consistent with the nature of this invention. 
         [0046]    The operator controls the motions of apparatus  10  by providing command signals  51  that are received by controller  50 . A person of skill in the art will realize a variety of methods to interface with controller  50 , which would be encompassed within the scope of the invention. For example, one method of interfacing with controller  50  involves an operator directly controlling apparatus  10  through an interface attached to body  12 . A second example could include a voice control configuration. A third embodiment can include a computer  64  attached to apparatus  10 . In this embodiment, the programming and control of apparatus  10  would be performed on computer  64 , which would then transmit the electronic instructions to apparatus  10  through an operable means known to a person of skill in the art. In yet another embodiment, the operator would control apparatus  10  through a user interface device  70 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . These examples are not meant to be exhaustive, as other similar control methods exist that would be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , and as previously mentioned, apparatus  10  may further include a user input device  70  used to communicate with the controller  50 . The addition of a user input device  70  allows the operator to focus on the patient and the diagnosis/treatment taking place, since the operator is not required to monitor a control interface that may require extra attention. This user input device  70  may contain a multitude of user inputs, such as buttons. In an illustrative configuration, user input device  70  may include user inputs  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86 . A person of skill in the art will realize that the user input device  70  may be of various forms and/or contain various types of input mechanisms, and still fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition to user inputs, the user input device  70  optionally includes a status light  88  to give the operator visual feedback and/or a wrist strap  90  to resist accidents due to the user input device  70  leaving the operator&#39;s hand. Also, the user interface device  70  may be connected to a controller  50  through an optional intermediary computer  64 . User input device  70  may communicate with controller  50  through a wired or wireless connection of a type known to a person of skill in the art. If a wireless connection is used, the user input device  70  and controller  50  will require a receiver/transmitter pair  66 . Examples of a receiver/transmitter pair  66  include, but are not limited to, a wireless radio or infrared communications device. If an intermediary computer  64  is wirelessly connected, the computer  64  will require a receiver/transmitter pair  66 , potentially replacing the requirement of the receiver/transmitter pair  66  in controller  50 . 
         [0048]    As previously mentioned, in one embodiment a user input device  70  connects to a computer  64  wirelessly. In order for the computer  64  to receive and transmit wireless data with the user input device  70 , the computer  64  will require a receiver/transmitter pair  66 . A person skilled in the art will recognize that if the receiver/transmitter pair  66  contains a wireless radio, it will also contain an antenna designed appropriately to transmit and receive wireless signals at the appropriate frequency and the control logic necessary to communicate with the user input device  70 . The wireless connection could be established via either a proprietary wireless protocol or an open standard, such as IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.15.1 Bluetooth. One embodiment connects wirelessly within the 2.4 to 2.5 GHz spectrum band, but a person skilled in the art would recognize that a wireless connection could be established in any open or licensed frequency range. In order to keep costs relatively low, the wireless link between the user input device  70  and computer  64  would benefit from connecting through an open wireless protocol. 
         [0049]    In an alternate embodiment, the user input device  70  could be connected to controller  50  or computer  64  through a wired connection and protocol capable of transmitting a signal between the two devices. As an example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection could be used for wired communication. A person skilled in the art will recognize other protocols and connections capable of providing a means of communication between the user input device  70 , controller  50 , and/or computer  64  within the scope of this invention. 
         [0050]    In operation, it now can be understood that apparatus  10  facilitates the effective diagnosis and treatment of a patients conditions arising from abnormalities with the vestibular organs. This effectiveness is due to the manner in which apparatus  10  is capable of rotating a patient about the same plane as the patient&#39;s semi-circular canal corresponding with the particular abnormality of the vestibular organs. Also, since apparatus  10  is capable of rotating a patient about all three necessary body planes and planes of the semicircular canals with rotation about two axes, apparatus  10  provides an operator with an excellent tool for diagnosis and treatment of patients without the burdensome requirement of excessive space or unnecessary complexity. In addition, the fully suspended patient can undergo the prescribed maneuvers in a more rapid and precise manner. 
         [0051]    To treat a patient using apparatus  10 , an operator will load a patient into the patient restraint  18 . To ensure safety during operation of apparatus  10 , the patient will be secured to patient restraint  18  via a torso restraint  28 , and optionally via a leg restraint  24  and/or a head restraint  27 . Once the patient has been securely fastened into the patient restraint, the operator may begin using apparatus  10  to diagnose or treat the patient conditions. 
         [0052]    Apparatus  10  may be pre-programmed with a set of tests for diagnosis and treatment of patients with vestibular organ abnormalities. After an initial configuration of the controller  50 , the operator may quickly and efficiently run diagnostic tests on a patient without requiring the patient to comprehend the operator&#39;s instructions. Hence, the operator does not waste time correcting a patient that misunderstands the operator&#39;s instruction. Also, due to the nature of diagnosing conditions caused by an abnormality of the vestibular organs, the use of apparatus  10  allows the operator to efficiently diagnose and treat the patient without having to continually compensate for patient awareness of the tests performed. 
         [0053]    With the inclusion of a user input device  70 , the operator may elect to control apparatus  10  via the device  70 . By using the user input device  70 , the operator is able to keep his focus on the patient since he or she is not required to interact with apparatus  10  through an interface located elsewhere, such as on apparatus  10  or on a computer  64 . The enhanced communication provided by the operator&#39;s increased focus, since using a user input device  70  allows the operator to focus on the patient, facilitates greater awareness of the patient&#39;s responses and reactions to the diagnosis or treatment being performed with apparatus  10 . 
         [0054]    To operate apparatus  10  via the user input device  70 , the operator will be able to press user inputs, such as buttons, on the surface of the user input device  70  which will be mapped to corresponding functions contained within the controller  50 . In the following embodiment, the user inputs are buttons and assigned functions. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the user inputs may be configured differently and maintain the same operable functionality. Input or button assignments could be as such:  72 , power on the user input device  70 ;  74 , activate or pause the program loaded into the controller  50  of apparatus  10 ;  76 , rotate the device counter-clockwise under manual operation;  77 , rotate the device clockwise under manual operation;  78 , decrease speed of rotation under manual operation;  80 , increase speed of rotation under manual operation;  82 , stop or reset apparatus  10  to the home or zero position;  84 , select arm  14  rotation direction; and  86  select chair rotation direction. The button assignments of this embodiment are given for illustrative purposes, and a person of skill in the art will recognize that user inputs and functions may be added or deleted without changing the nature and functionality of the user input device  70 . 
         [0055]    If the operator is controlling apparatus  10  through an intermediary computer  64 , the operator will connect apparatus  10  to a computer interface program  68  running on the computer  64 . Through use of the computer interface program  68 , the operator may control apparatus  10  manually or upload a predetermined program. 
         [0056]    A person of skill in the art will recognize the following embodiment is not exclusive, as variations in the computer interface program  68  may exist within the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, the operator will select between three primary modes of operation: manual operation, canal control, or preset maneuver control. Besides a persistent home chair input  201 , which returns apparatus  10  to the home or zero position, the three modes of operation function exclusive of each other. For manual operation of apparatus  10 , the operator will select manual control from a function list  100 . The corresponding manual control window  102  will contain selectors for patient restraint  18  controls and arm  14  controls, as well as a rotation velocity selector  108 . Through manipulating the patient restraint  18  controls  104 , the operator can select whether to rotate the patient restraint  18  in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Similarly, the operator can select whether to operate the arm  14  in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by adjusting the arm controls  106 . Both arm  14  and patient restraint  18  controls can be set to clockwise, counter-clockwise, or off (no rotation). In addition, the manual control window  102  features a rotation velocity selector  108 , which controls the velocity at which the selected arm  14  or patient restraint  18  rotates. After the operator selects his or her state of manual operation, he or she will instruct the computer interface program  68  to upload the instructions to apparatus  10 . 
         [0057]    Also, to diagnose or treat a specific semi-circular canal, the operator will select canal control from the function list  100 . On the canal control window  110 , the operator can use the canal selector  112  menu to select whether to focus diagnosis or treatment on the anterior, posterior, or horizontal semi-circular canal. The operator can also use a left/right selector  114  to select whether the left or right side of the patient will undergo diagnosis or treatment. Finally, the operator may use a diagnosis/treatment selector  116  to choose between diagnosing and treating the patient. After the operator selects a specific canal, and whether to diagnose or treat the selected canal, the operator will instruct the computer interface program  68  to upload the instructions to apparatus  10 . 
         [0058]    Finally, in this embodiment, the operator could select the preset maneuver control option from the function list  100 . On the preset maneuver control window  120 , the operator is presented with a list of presets  122 , containing an assortment of preconfigured maneuvers. Such maneuvers may include, but are not limited to, Brandt&#39;s exercise, Dix Hallpike exercise, Semont exercise, or the Epply exercise. The operator would then instruct the computer interface program  68  to upload the instructions to apparatus  10 . A person who is skilled in the art will be aware that other maneuvers can be programmed into the computer interface program  68 . Also, a person who is skilled in the art will recognize organizational and syntax variations could exist within the implementation of the computer interface program  68 , and the design and operation of the computer interface program  68  should not be confined to this embodiment. 
         [0059]    After the selected mode of operation has been uploaded to the controller  50 , the program monitors inputs entered by the user and manipulates apparatus  10  accordingly. During operation, computer interface program  68  generates a variety of outputs, such as status, time, angle of seat, angle of arm, and rotational velocity. In one embodiment, computer interface program  68  also generates a graph that visually represents two output signals, such as angle of seat/arm versus time. Before computer interface program  68  completes operation, the user will be provided with an option to save the output graph. After optionally saving the graph, and completion of all other operations, the computer interface program  68  returns user to the selected control window to await a user input selecting a new mode of operation. 
         [0060]    It is intended that any alternative embodiments of the present invention that may result from changes in the application or method of operation, manufacture, shape, size, material, or use that have not been explicitly characterized or described in the foregoing written description be considered obvious to a person skilled in the art, and remain within the scope of the invention. 
         [0061]    Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, a person of skill in the art will recognize that changes in form, style, and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention claimed in this patent application. It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.