Abstract:
A lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system for exercising the legs of a paralyzed user which incorporates electrical stimulation of leg muscles. The device is portable, light-weight and functional. The device is placed in front of a user who is sitting in a chair. The user&#39;s legs may be placed on moveable leg supports. An electric motor rotates a bicycle crank assembly which moves the legs of a user in a back and forth bending motion. Electrical stimulation is then activated which contracts or relaxes the leg muscles. The stimulation is sequentially activated by a Master Processor and a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) unit. The present invention is designed to stop the deterioration of the leg muscles and restore the functionality of the legs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/283,878, filed Sep. 15, 2015 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise apparatuses and more specifically relates to a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. Paralysis is most often caused by damage in the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson&#39;s disease, ALS, botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Countless injuries occur each year leaving many people paralyzed or handicapped condition. 
     Various therapy methods have been tried to assist people in maintaining muscle tone in such situations. One of these methods is to treat muscles with exercise and electrical stimulation. It has been found that treating muscles with electrical stimulation can induce functional motor responses. Several devices are used for rehabilitation of muscles. However, these devices are expensive, non-portable, and beyond the ability of a single person to use. A suitable solution is desired. 
     Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0172093 to Patrick Rummerfield, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,836 to Charles Laenger; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,842 to Thomas Charters. This art is representative of exercise apparatuses. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Preferably, an exercise apparatus should provide a portable device designed for simulating and exercising leg muscles of said paralyzed patient and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known exercise apparatus art, the present invention provides a novel exercise apparatus. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system. 
     A lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly having at least one leg support each including a thigh support, a calf support, a fixed leg support axle, a leg support hinge, and a plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters, a leg support axle, a wheel guide, a lower exerciser frame support, at least one caster, a wheel guide for leg supports, a middle support brace, a bicycle crank assembly having a lower-bicycle crank, and an upper-bicycle crank, a motor axle, a switch cam, and electrode switches, an electric motor, a cam support, and a rotating cam, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit having a plurality of electrode wires, and at least one electrode gel pad, an exerciser cover, a display, a keypad, a switch, a power source, at least one electrical cord, a housing, a rotary encoder, a position encoder, and a master controller, a microcontroller, and a motor controller, a front vertical frame, a rear vertical frame, a horizontal frame, and at least one mounting bracket. 
     The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system may comprise the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly. The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly may comprise the at least one leg support, the leg support axle, the wheel guide, the lower exerciser frame support, the at least one caster, the middle support brace, the bicycle crank assembly, the motor axle, the electric motor, the cam support, the rotating cam, the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit, the exerciser cover, the display, the keypad, the power source, the at least one electrical cord, the housing, the rotary encoder, the position encoder, the master controller, the front vertical frame, the rear vertical frame, the horizontal frame, and the at least one mounting bracket. 
     Each of the at least one leg support may comprise thigh support, the calf support, the fixed leg support axle, the leg support hinge, and the plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters. The bicycle crank assembly may comprise the lower-bicycle crank and the upper-bicycle crank. The motor axle may comprise the switch cam and the electrode reed switches. 
     The source of electrical stimulation is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit. The electrical stimulation is adjustable based on preference of the user. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit provides low voltage signals of less than 60 volts. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit may comprise the plurality of electrode wires and the at least one electrode gel pad. The at least one electrode gel pad may comprise adhesive properties for attaching to a surface. 
     The master controller may comprise the microcontroller and the motor controller. The calf support may comprise a plurality of leg support casters which allow the at least one leg support to move back and forth within parameters of the wheel guide. The wheel guide directs movement of the at least one leg support and the bicycle crank assembly which rotates in a circular motion. The bicycle crank is connected to the at least one leg support and moves the leg supports in a back and forth motion which also causes the leg supports to bend upward at a knee location. The bicycle crank assembly provides motion to the at least one leg support. The housing encloses inner components of the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly. 
     The lower exerciser frame support is located at a base of lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly for providing stabilization. The at least one caster is located at an end of the lower exerciser frame support allowing a user to easily roll and move the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly providing ease of portability. The motor axle is a pivot that turns the bicycle crank assembly which provides the circular motion. The power source supplies electric power to the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly. The power source may comprise an AC wall power supply. 
     The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly is supported by an H-shaped pattern made by the front vertical frame, the rear vertical frame, and the horizontal frame. A rear of the at least one leg support is fastened to the leg support axle. A front of the at least one leg support is mounted on the plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters which allow the leg supports to move back and forth. The at least one leg support rotates and bends about an axis. The at least one leg support contours to the leg and the thigh of the user. The wheel guide keeps the leg-support-wheel-casters moving in a prescribed lane such that the at least one leg support moves straight back and forth. 
     The electric motor powers the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly by giving the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly rotational motion. The electric motor may comprise a 110-volt electric motor. The electric motor, the rotational cam, and the bicycle crank assembly are held in place by the middle support brace. 
     The keypad and the display are attached to a rear of the housing attached to the exerciser cover for simplicity of handling and programming by a paralyzed patient, the user. The keypad may comprise a switch. The key pad may comprise the switch having an on option and off option. The key pad may comprise patient-input means for amplitude of the electrical stimulus. The display may comprise a liquid crystal display panel. 
     The master controller and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit are braced to the horizontal frame. The rotating cam turns, the rotating cam makes contact with the electrode reed switches a slower rotation causes more stimulus to be applied to legs of the patient. The at least one mounting bracket are able to be rotated such that the stimulus is applied at varying degrees allowing the stimulus to be applied to a top of thigh muscles of the patient causing the muscles to contract and pull a leg upward, as the leg begins to lower, the stimulus is applied to a bottom of the thigh muscle causing the muscle to contract and straighten the leg. 
     The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly produces a leg-motion in which a distance between feet and hips of the patient increases and decreases alternately. The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly is a portable device designed for simulating and exercising leg muscles of the paralyzed patient. The lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly is useful for exercising leg muscles of the paralyzed patient. 
     A method of use is also disclosed herein in including the steps of: plugging in lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly; turning on the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system using a switch; entering parameters for speed of rotation and amplitude of electrical stimulus; and exercising. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system comprising a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view illustrating the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view illustrating the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4B . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an exercise apparatus and more particularly to a lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system as used to improve the ability for a paralyzed patient user to exercise his/her legs and prevent muscle atrophy. 
     Generally speaking, lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system is a portable exerciser having a capability of exercising legs of a paralyzer patent user. 
     Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system comprises position encoder which determines a position of a limb being exercised. This is driven by an electric motor. The position information of the position encoder is read by the microcontroller. The microcontroller is controlled by a user interface of a display and a keypad. The microcontroller outputs signals to control both a drive motor and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit is applied to the human user via gel pad electrodes. A variable number of gel pad electrodes may be used depending on the muscles desired to be stimulated. The user first sets the desired speed of the motor to move the limb of the human user. The user then sets the amount of stimulation desired for each pair of gel pad electrodes as well as the timing of the stimulation. The motor moves the limb of the human user and the limb would also be stimulated according to the timing determined by the user. 
     The present invention induces electrical stimulation in the leg muscles of a paralyzed person and combines with a rotational motion of the electric motor. This device is portable and may be placed in front of a user in a wheel chair. The user may place one&#39;s legs on the leg supports and the motor is then activated which causes a bicycle-type crank to turn and cause the legs to move back and forth in a bending motion. As the leg moves upward a momentary electrical stimulus is applied to the front of the upper thigh muscles. Thus causing the muscles to contract which raises the leg. The wheel crank moves in a rotary motion which then causes the leg to move in a downward motion. An electrical stimulus is applied to the rear of the upper thigh muscles. These muscles contract and the leg moves downward. The movement of a user&#39;s legs is similar to the motion of riding a bicycle. 
     The electric motor is variable allowing the speed of rotation to be adjusted depending on the use of the patient. The electrical stimulus may also be adjusted. The device is powered by an electric motor and the muscle stimulation is provided by a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit. The motor provides a rotational motion to an axle which turns a primary crank which then turns a secondary crank providing an orbital motion to the leg supports. The leg supports then moves a patients legs with a back and forth motion. As the legs move, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit gives an electrical stimulation to the leg muscles which makes the muscles contract or relax. The combination of electrical stimulus and the manual movement of the legs will help prevent the atrophying of the legs. 
     The present invention produces a bicycle crank type of motion in which a patient legs rest on leg supports which causes a leg motion in which the distance between the feet and hips increases or decreases. The device provides a means for of electrical stimulation that causes the muscles to contract or relax. The source of electrical stimulation is a TENS unit. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4B , lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system  100  comprising: lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  having at least one leg support each including thigh support  116 , calf support  118 , fixed leg support axle  120 , leg support hinge  122 , and plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters  124 , wheel guide  126 , lower exerciser frame support  128 , at least one caster  130 , middle support brace  132 , bicycle crank assembly  134  having lower-bicycle crank  136 , and upper-bicycle crank  138 , motor axle  142 , switch cam, and electrode switches  146 , electric motor  148 , cam support, and rotating cam  154 , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156  having a plurality of electrode wires  158 , and at least one electrode gel pad  160 , exerciser cover  162 , display  164 , keypad  166 , switch  168 , power source  170 , at least one electrical cord  171 , housing  172 , rotary encoder  174 , position encoder, and master controller, microcontroller  180 , and motor controller  182 , front vertical frame  184 , rear vertical frame  186 , horizontal frame  188 , and at least one mounting bracket  190 . 
     Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  has at least one leg support each including thigh support  116 , calf support  118 , fixed leg support axle  120 , leg support hinge  122 , and plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters  124 , wheel guide  126 , lower exerciser frame support  128 , at least one caster  130 , middle support brace  132 , bicycle crank assembly  134  having lower-bicycle crank  136 , and upper-bicycle crank  138 , motor axle  142 , switch cam, and electrode switches  146 , electric motor  148 , cam support, and rotating cam  154 , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156  having a plurality of electrode wires  158 , and at least one electrode gel pad  160 , exerciser cover  162 , display  164 , keypad  166 , switch  168 , power source  170 , at least one electrical cord  171 , housing  172 , rotary encoder  174 , position encoder, and master controller, microcontroller  180 , and motor controller  182 , front vertical frame  184 , rear vertical frame  186 , horizontal frame  188 , and at least one mounting bracket  190 . 
     Each of the at least one leg support(s)  114  comprises thigh support  116 , calf support  118 , fixed leg support axle  120 , leg support hinge  122 , and a plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters  124 . The bicycle crank assembly  134  comprises lower-bicycle crank  136  and upper-bicycle crank  138 . The motor axle  142  comprises switch cam and electrode reed switches  146 . The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156  comprises plurality of electrode wires  158  and at least one electrode gel pad  160 . Keypad  166  comprises switch  168 . Master controller comprises microcontroller  180  and motor controller  182 . 
     Calf support  118  comprises a plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters  124  which allow at least one leg support  114  to move back and forth within parameters of wheel guide  126 . Wheel guide  126  directs movement of at least one leg support  114  and bicycle crank assembly  134  which rotates in a circular motion. Bicycle crank assembly  134  is connected to at least one leg support  114  and moves leg supports  114  in a back and forth motion which also causes leg supports  114  to bend upward at a knee location. Housing  172  encloses inner components of lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110 . The lower exerciser frame support  128  is located at a base of lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  for providing stabilization. 
     The at least one caster  130  is located at an end of lower exerciser frame support  128  allowing a user to easily roll and move lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  providing ease of portability. Motor axle  142  is a pivot that turns bicycle crank assembly  110  which provides the circular motion. Power source  170  supplies electric power to lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110 . 
     Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  is supported by an H-shaped pattern made by front vertical frame  184 , rear vertical frame  186 , and horizontal frame  188 . A rear of at least one leg support  114  is fastened to leg support axle  120 . A front of at least one leg support  114  is mounted on the a plurality of leg-support-wheel-casters  124  which allow leg supports  114  to move back and forth. Wheel guide  126  keeps leg-support-wheel-casters  124  moving in a prescribed lane such that at least one leg support  114  moves straight back and forth. The electric motor powers lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  by giving lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  rotational motion. 
     Electric motor  148 , rotating cam  154 , and bicycle crank assembly  110  are held in place by middle support brace  132 . Keypad  166  and display are attached to a rear of housing  172  attached to the exerciser cover for simplicity of handling and programming by paralyzed patient-user  140 . Master controller and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156  are braced to horizontal frame  188 . As rotating cam turns  154 , rotating cam  154  makes contact with electrode reed switches  146  a slower rotation causes more stimulus to be applied to legs of patient-user  140 . 
     At least one mounting bracket  190  is able to be rotated such that the stimulus is applied at varying degrees allowing stimulus to be applied to a top of thigh muscles of patient-user  140  causing muscles to contract and pull leg  141  upward, as leg  141  begins to lower, stimulus is applied to a bottom of the thigh muscle causing the muscle to contract and straighten leg  141 . Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  is useful for exercising leg muscles of a paralyzed patient-user  140 . 
     Power source  170  comprises an AC wall power supply. Power supply  170  comprises batteries. Display  164  comprises a liquid crystal display panel. Electric motor  148  comprises a 110-volt electric motor. Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  produces a leg-motion in which a distance between feet and hips of patient-user  140  increases and decreases alternately. Source of electrical stimulation is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156 . Electrical stimulation is adjustable based on preference of patient-user  140 . Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit  156  provides low voltage signals of less than 60 volts. 
     Bicycle crank assembly  134  provides motion to at least one leg support  114 . At least one leg support  114  rotates and bends about an axis. At least one leg support  114  contours to leg  141  and thigh of patient-user  140 . Key pad  166  comprises switch  168  having an on option and off option. Key pad  166  comprises patient-input means for amplitude of the electrical stimulus. At least one electrode gel pad  166  comprises adhesive properties for attaching to a surface. As such, lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly  110  is a portable device designed for simulating and exercising leg  141  muscles of paralyzed patient-user  140 . 
     Lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4B . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , plugging in lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise assembly; step two  502 , turning on said lower body electrical muscle stimulation exercise system using a switch; step three  503 , entering parameters for speed of rotation and amplitude of electrical stimulus; and step four  504 , exercising. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.