Patent Publication Number: US-2016228743-A1

Title: Portable physical therapy and exercising device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division and claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/723,057, filed Dec. 20, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that it is not conflicting with the present application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to apparatuses for physical therapy and exercising and particularly to a foot and a hand apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Every joint in the body has a “normal” range-of-motion (ROM). Joints maintain their normal range-of-motion by being moved. It is therefore very important that a person, especially surgical patients, elderly, people with disability, and the like, to move all of her joints every day. Stiff joints can cause pain and can make it hard for the person to do her normal daily activities. Currently, with a prescription, a doctor can either send a person to an outpatient clinic to see a physical therapist or have one come to her home to help her design a personalized exercise program. People with arthritis often follow a therapeutic exercise program and also take part in active leisure or recreational exercise. Therapeutic exercise is exercise recommended by a doctor, a physical therapist or an occupational therapist. It includes specific exercises designed to meet individual needs and achieve specific goals. 
     It is well known that, due to inactivity, blood clots may develop, which may cause serious medical issues and even death. Furthermore, because of a patient&#39;s lack of movement due to post-surgical procedures or someone&#39;s sedentary lifestyle, there is a need to safely bring movement to the leg or hand area to avoid potential blood clots. 
     It is also known that home care costs are increasing in large measure because there is no effective therapeutic device the patient can use on their own to increase or maintain their range-of-motion. Typically, when a person has mobility issues with the knee(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s), and/or elbow(s), they have to go to a physical therapist for the proper equipment to help in their rehabilitation. That is very costly for insurance companies, the government and/or the person. 
     It is known as well that because of the trauma post-surgical knee patients undergo during surgery, they need a gentle approach to after care in a way as not to aggravate their new knee. 
     In addition, for many years, it was thought that people with arthritis should not exercise because it would damage their joints. Now, doctors know that when the arthritis is under control, people with arthritis can improve their health and fitness through exercise, without hurting their joints. 
     Thus, if a person has arthritis, she has more reasons to exercise: to keep her joints from becoming too stiff; to keep the muscles around her joints strong; to keep bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy; to improve her overall fitness. 
     There appear to be a limited number of portable medical/therapeutic devices available on the market to be used for physical therapy purposes, i.e., to assist in gaining strength, mobility, and range-of-motion from a surgically repaired knee, ankle, shoulder, and/or elbow, joint replacement, normal wear and tear, general injury, and the like. 
     Furthermore, the available devices seem to fail to provide a simple, convenient, safe and economical way to help people with limited mobility issues strengthen and increase range-of motion in their knee(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s), elbow(s) and/or the like. 
     Thus, there is a need for a new and improved physical therapy and exercising apparatus that solves the problems described above. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The portable physical therapy and exercising apparatus was created to assist the physical therapist and patient in active and passive therapy for gaining or maintaining range-of-motion (ROM), increase muscle strength, and increase blood flow. The apparatus can aid the physical therapist, the at-home health care personnel, and/or the person undergoing care (under a doctor/therapist directive) to increase their range-of-motion, mobility, and strength. As it will be described in detail later, the apparatus conforms and attaches to the foot (in one embodiment) or the hand (in another embodiment) of a person and facilitates controlled, low friction sliding on flat surfaces. 
     With the assistance of a resistant band as an attachment, this is an easy-to-use device that operates to strengthen a knee, ankle, shoulder, and/or elbow when muscles have been weakened. Some common injured sites are: after one has had knee surgery to repair a ligament, meniscus, and/or total knee replacement, the muscles are weakened and/or atrophied; a frequent site of pain in the elderly from years of wear and tear; and with athletes from the tremendous forces their joints endure, to name a few. 
     The apparatus provides a simple way to bring movement to the leg or hand area without stress, thereby helping avoid potential blood clots due to sedentary activity or from post-surgical inactivity. It helps alleviate home care costs because the patient is able to conduct their own therapy (under a physical therapist or doctor directive) almost anywhere. 
     The apparatus is also a non-invasive, gentle approach to therapy from trauma caused by injury, prior surgery, wear &amp; tear, and/or natural signs of aging that cause range-of-motion issues having to do with the knees(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s), and/or elbow(s). 
     The apparatus is a portable device solving issues of not being able to go to a physical therapist, as it can be used at home and/or in office settings as an exercise device increasing muscle movement and mobility. Because it is portable and can be used at home, there is less of an issue of having to pay (via governmental aid/independent insurance companies/or personally) the cost of home health care. 
     The apparatus services all people, including but not limited to: (1) pre-surgical patients, (2) post-surgical patients, (3) non-surgical general population, (4) senior citizens, (5) the handicapped, (6) athletes, and (7) adults and children. 
     The apparatus assists anyone who has had surgically repaired and/or injured knees, ankles, shoulders, and/or elbows, with increased range-of-motion. 
     By promoting increase in blood flow, the apparatus helps prevent blood clots and the serious medical problems, or even death, they may cause. 
     The apparatus can aid in the prevention of further muscle atrophy. It is a non-evasive type of exercise to help people who have had surgically repaired and/or injured knees, ankles, shoulders, and/or elbows with increased range-of-motion. 
     The apparatus provides an inexpensive way (as compared with machines typically used for rehabilitation and/or seeing a physical therapist) for physical therapy to bring back proper range-of-motion in knees, ankles, shoulders and/or elbows. It is an alternative to the common physical therapy methods, which is simple to use. 
     The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top-perspective view of a foot physical therapy apparatus, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1 a    illustrates another (different angle) top-perspective view of the foot physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 1  (without the pad  101 ). 
         FIG. 1 b    is a side view of the foot physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 1 c    illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the foot physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top-perspective view of a hand physical therapy apparatus, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 2 a    illustrates another (different angle) top-perspective view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2 b    is a top view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2 c    is aside view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2 d    is a back view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2 e    illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the top-perspective view of a foot physical therapy apparatus, according to one embodiment, is shown. It should be apparent that the foot physical therapy apparatus (“foot apparatus”) depicted in  FIG. 1  is configured to fit and to be attached to someone&#39;s foot when the foot is in need of physical therapy and/or exercising (and then be removed), as it will be explained in more detail below. 
     The foot apparatus may be made of materials such as plastic (e.g., polyurethane, HDPE, Somos®, carbon fiber, etc.) or other suitable flexible materials. The foot apparatus has several unique features that allow easy front and back, side-to-side movement of the foot. First, as shown in  FIG. 1   c,  there is a custom bevel at the bottom of both the tip ( 115 ) and heel ( 117 ) of the foot apparatus. Second, for support of flat feet and falling arches, a strategically shaped arch ( 116 ,  FIG. 1 c   ) is carved in the center of the bottom surface of the foot apparatus. It should be apparent that, due to the bevels  115  and  117  and the arch  116 , only a portion of the bottom surface of the foot apparatus will become in contact with a flat surface when the foot apparatus is placed on such surface. Thus, a non-stick and/or low-friction contact is created, which allows the person (e.g., a patient in need of physical therapy) using the foot apparatus to glide or move front to back or side-to-side with no or minimum friction. Such gliding may be done on flat surfaces such as the floor of a room. 
     The foot apparatus may be equipped with four holes or openings  107 : one in the front tab  109 , one in the back tab  108 , one in the left flap  103  and one in the right flap  111 . These holes may be used as necessary to add resistant bands  110 , such as Thera-Band® bands, bungee cord and so on, to the foot apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 1 , such resistant bands  110  may be fitted with hooks at each end, for easy and quick fastening into the holes  107  at one end, and to a suitable structure or object, such as a fixed or quasi-fixed object (e.g., heavy furniture), at the other end. Gliding with one or more resistant bands  110  attached, will require more effort/force, and thus, additional and/or specific therapeutic benefits may be obtained such as building muscle and/or increasing blood flow. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the holes  107  may be reinforced for additional strength such as by using additional material to make them, for example, taller than the front and back tabs  109  and  108 . The additional material may be the same as the one used to make the foot apparatus, or a different one, such as carbon fiber. 
     As an added safety feature, the side flaps  103  and  111  may each have a slot  104  and  112 , which may be used to secure the foot onto the foot apparatus, by using a safety strap  105  made out of, for example, Velcro®. Furthermore, the top surface of the foot apparatus may be surrounded by a (beaded) rounded edging  102  for holding in a removable pad  101  of neoprene/foam or equivalent material, for providing additional support and cushion to the foot. This is important as, typically, people with foot injuries will have sores or bruises. Also, for added safety and for keeping the foot in place when gliding backwards or sideways, a rounded heel stop  106  may be provided, preferably, as an integral part of the foot apparatus. It should also be noted that the foot apparatus may have rounded edges  113  (right and left side flaps) and  114  (top and bottom perimeter) for additional safety (e.g., to prevent cuts), increased performance (rounded edge of bottom perimeter may facilitate easy, low-friction gliding), and/or, very importantly, for ornamental purposes (i.e., the round edges, together with the other ornamental features of the foot apparatus, contribute to its overall esthetic and pleasant appearance). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 a   - b,  the upper surface of the foot apparatus, upon which the foot sits, may be configured to be other than flat, in order to better conform to the foot, such as by having a raised portion  125  and two transitional portions  125   a  (front) and  125   b  (back). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top-perspective view of a hand physical therapy apparatus, according to another embodiment, is shown. It should be apparent that the hand physical therapy apparatus (“hand apparatus”) depicted in  FIG. 2  is configured to fit and to be removably attached to and work with someone&#39;s hand for such purpose as physical therapy and/or exercising. 
     The hand apparatus may also be made of materials such as plastic (e.g., polyurethane, HDPE, Somos®, carbon fiber, etc). The hand apparatus has several unique features that allow easy front and back and side-to-side gliding movements of someone&#39;s hand when using the hand apparatus. First, as shown in  FIGS. 2 c    and  2   e,  there is a gliding/sliding pad  210  at the bottom of both the front and the back of the hand apparatus. It should be apparent that the area of the sliding pad  210  is smaller than the total area of the bottom surface of the hand apparatus (see  FIG. 2 e   ). The remaining of the bottom surface of the hand apparatus is raised (see  FIG. 2 c   ) such that it does not come in contact with the contact surface on which the hand apparatus glides. Only the sliding pad  210  will come in contact with the contact surface. The purpose of this configuration is to reduce friction when sliding over a contact surface such as a tabletop, a floor or wall surface. It should be understood that the shape, size and/or location of the sliding pad  210  could be modified as needed (e.g., to correlate with the amount of friction desired), without departing from the scope and essence of the invention. 
     Furthermore, the hand apparatus is equipped with four holes/openings  206  (see  FIG. 2 ) as follows: one in the front tab  207 , one in the back tab  207   a,  one in the left support rail  203  and one in the right support rail  203   a.  These holes may be used as necessary to add bands (not shown), such as Thera-Band® bands, bungee cord and so on, to the hand apparatus. Again, as described above when referring to the foot apparatus, such resistant bands may be fitted with hooks at each end, for easy and quick fastening into the openings  206  at one end and to a fixed or quasi-fixed structure (e.g., heavy furniture) at the other end. Gliding with one or more resistant bands attached, will require more force, and thus, additional and/or specific therapeutic benefits may be obtained such as building muscle and/or increasing blood flow. Also as described earlier, the openings  206  may be reinforced for additional strength to prevent breakage, such as by using additional material to make them taller/wider than the tab or the support rail in which they are located. The additional material may be the same as the one used to make the hand apparatus, or a different one, such as carbon fiber. 
     As an added safety feature, the side support rails  203  and  203   a  may each have a slot  209  and  209   a,  which may be used to secure the hand onto the hand apparatus, by using a safety strap (not shown) made out of, for example, Velcro®. Furthermore, the top surface of the hand apparatus may be surrounded by a reinforced border  201  for holding in a removable support pad (not shown) in location  205 . The support pad may be made of neoprene/foam or equivalent material to provide additional support and cushion to the hand. This is important as, typically, people with hand injuries will have sores or bruises. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a center hand rest  204  and a fingers rest  202  is also provided to be used by the person using the hand apparatus to rest her hand and, if any strength is present in the hand and/or fingers, hold on to the apparatus. Whether or not strength in the hand and/or fingers is present, the safety strap described earlier may be used for additional safety. 
     It should also be noted that the hand apparatus may also have rounded edges for additional safety (e.g., to prevent cuts), increased performance (rounded edge of bottom perimeter may facilitate easy, low-friction gliding), and/or, very importantly, for ornamental purposes (i.e., the round edges, together with the other ornamental features of the hand apparatus, contribute to its overall esthetic and pleasant appearance). 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the invention.