EP2076318A2

EP2076318A2 - Device, kit, method and use for performing an endorotation

Info

Publication number: EP2076318A2
Application number: EP07834541A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Lennartz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-14
Filing date: 2007-09-13
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Also published as: WO2008033013A2; WO2008033013A3; NL1033427C1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for performing an endorotation of the hip joint by a person in a sitting position on a seat (7) comprising a frame for supporting the device on a floor, a seating member (7) which is arranged on the frame substantially for seating of the person thereon, the device comprising: - a leg support member (3,4) movable relative to the frame for supporting at least a part of a lower leg of the person during performing of the endorotation of the hip, - a movement definition member (5,6) for providing a movement definition of the leg support member relative to the frame, wherein: - the movement definition member and the leg support member are arranged relative to the seating member such that, after sitting on the seating member and placing at least a part of the lower leg in the leg support member, an endorotation of the hip joint can be brought about by moving the lower leg.

Description

Device, kit, method and use for performing an endorotation

The present invention relates to a device for performing an endorotation of a hip joint. The present invention also relates to a kit for providing an endorotation functionality. The present invention further relates to a method for making an endorotation exercise possible. The present invention also relates to the use of such a device.

A condition or disorder which occurs in relation to the hip joint is known as coxarthrosis. This condition is also referred to as hip arthrosis. This condition is related to damage to the cartilage which covers the joint surface. The disorder develops slowly over many years. Unfortunately, there is no cure possible according to the prior art.

The present invention is based on the insight that frequent unloaded movement of the hip joint enables Λlubrication' of the joint, whereby the consequences of arthrosis can be alleviated. Hip operations can hereby be postponed, this being important since replacement hips have a limited lifespan and a replacement hip can be placed only once or twice in view of the dependence on an individual's own bone parts for placing of a hip. Premature placing of a new hip at a relatively low or young adult age therefore results in an unusable hip once the replacement joints have worn out and the replacement options are exhausted.

In order to obviate, or at least significantly alleviate the stated problems relating to hip arthrosis, the present invention provides a device for performing an endorotation of the hip joint by a person in a sitting position on a seat, wherein the seat comprises a frame for supporting the device on a floor and a seating member which is arranged on the frame substantially for seating of the person thereon, wherein the device comprises :

- a leg support member movable relative to the frame for supporting at least a part of a lower leg of the person during performing of the endorotation of the hip,

- a movement definition member for providing a movement definition of the leg support member relative to the frame, wherein:

- the movement definition member and the leg support member are arranged relative to the seating member such that, after sitting on the seating member and placing at least a part of the lower leg in the leg support member, an endorotation of the hip joint can be brought about by moving the lower leg.

Using such a device it becomes possible to perform an endorotation of a hip joint in unloaded manner in a sitting position. The endorotation can hereby be performed frequently in a seated position which can for instance be taken up at work. Performing of the endorotation hereby becomes possible while other activities are being carried out. This has the advantage for instance that there is less of an association with therapy. The interference in normal life is also minimal, and integration into daily life is possible.

In a first preferred embodiment the movement definition member comprises a rotation member comprising a pivot shaft. An advantage hereof is that a fixation can be provided in simple manner wherein the knee is fixed in the horizontal plane during rotation of the knee. Alternatively, this can be realized by means of for instance a ball joint. Using a ball joint a small movement of the knee in the horizontal plane can be realized.

In a further preferred embodiment the leg support member is suitable for accommodating at least a part of a lower leg in a manner such that the knee can be placed substantially in or in the immediate vicinity of a rotation point, a central rotation line or a rotation area of the movement definition member. A rotation substantially in an axis of the upper leg hereby becomes possible, this bringing about a good endorotation movement .

In alternative manner the movement definition member comprises a guide member such as a guide rail for guiding the leg support member during performing of a rotation or pivoting movement relative to the rotation member. Using such a guide rail, a curvature is possible other than an arcuate curvature defined about a central rotation point. An alternative form of the endorotation is hereby realized.

In such an embodiment the guide members preferably comprise a form such that during performing of the endorotation the knee is held substantially in or close to a rotation point, a central rotation line or a rotation zone of the guide rail. A carriage of the guide member herein travels or slides for instance in a rail of the movement definition member.

In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises :

- a frame for supporting the device on a floor,

- a seating member which is arranged on the frame substantially for seating of the person thereon. This embodiment effectively defines a seat which can be used to perform the endorotation, which seat can be applied at any desired location, workplace or recreational area.

The device preferably comprises angle adjusting means for adjusting an angle of orientation of the leg support. The exercise can hereby be performed in a manner which is as pleasant as possible for each person.

The device more preferably comprises length adjusting means for varying the length of the leg support. The leg support can be embodied as a continuous support or as two or more supports arranged a mutual distance from each other. In both variants a length variation is provided for the purpose of taking into account differences in length of lower legs of different persons. In a further embodiment the device comprises height adjusting means for adjusting the height of the sitting position of the person. The difference in height between the position of the knee and the seat is of particular importance here, although provision is also made for height adjustment of the whole relative to the ground surface.

In order to provide a progression in the exercises, in a further embodiment the present invention preferably provides resistance means for setting a resistance during performing of the endorotation, wherein the resistance means comprise weights and/or hydraulic, electrical or mechanical resistance-causing means. The resistance can be positive or negative in order to make the exercise easier or, conversely, more difficult.

In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises adjusting means for adjusting a leg support on either side of the device for the purpose of alternate exercising of both legs with a leg support and associated adjusting means.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a kit for providing an endorotation functionality according to the present invention on a seating device suitable for mounting or arranging thereof. The functionality according to the present invention can be provided in relatively advantageous manner using such a kit. The kit comprises a small number of components than a complete seat.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for enabling an endorotation exercise by means of performing an endorotation on a hip joint, comprising steps for:

- providing a device according to one or more of the foregoing claims, and

- providing instructions for the use thereof.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a device according to the present invention in conducting a business with therapeutic aims. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow on the basis of non-limitative preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a top view of a further preferred embodiment with a seat omitted;

- Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

^■ In addition to being treated by surgery and replacement of the hip joint, the disorder coxarthrosis is, as indicated in the foregoing, best treated by means of very many endorotation exercises. This brings about alleviation of pain and a decrease in infections, and enhances recovery of the cartilage. There are however such a large number of repetitive exercises required that this causes a substantial intrusion into daily life. Exercises are preferably repeated daily for several tens of minutes to several hours per day. It is per se possible to perform such an exercise while standing on one leg and moving the other foot outward, whereby endorotation of the hip takes place. This is however not feasible for a patient in practice because of the load on the leg on which the patient stands while performing the exercise on the other leg. It is further possible to perform the exercise by lying on the stomach. A drawback hereof is that this position causes too much of an intrusion in daily life since usual activities such as work have to be interrupted. This exercise position is also generally undesirable in the company of others. A preferred embodiment according to the present invention provides a seating device 1 for performing an endorotation of the hip while a person can be in a sitting position during performing of the exercise. The forming of the exercise hereby no longer causes a disruption of usual actions or activities.

Seating device 1 comprises a frame with a central frame tube 8 on a star-shaped foot. A saddle 7 is arranged on the central frame tube 8. The central frame tube 8 is connected in per se known manner to star-shaped seat undercarriage 2 comprising five outward extending legs 9, each provided with a support wheel or a support cap (not shown) .

Two uprights 11, 12 are arranged on two of the protruding legs 9 on the front side of seating device 1. These uprights 11,12 serve to support two leg supports 3,4 in pivotable manner on the front side thereof.

Situated at the rear of the seating device are a guide rail 5 and a guide rail 6 which are manufactured integrally in this embodiment. Such a guide rail serves to support the respective leg support on the rear side of seating device 1 while performing the endorotation exercise which will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow. Three uprights 18 serve to support the guide rail. Uprights 18 are mounted on respective legs of the star-shaped foot. For strengthening purposes the uprights 11 and 12 are fixed to leg 8 by means of strengthening rods 16. A greater number of variants of such strengthening rods is possible. It is for instance possible to also fix the uprights to feet 9 using an inclining strengthening rod. A mutual fixing between uprights 11,12 and/or 18 is also possible. This will of course be readily apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art.

The leg support is rotatable relative to uprights 11,12. A central pin 21,22 arranged rotatably in the uprights can be connected to the leg support for this purpose. It is likewise possible for a ball joint to be applied for this purpose, for instance for the purpose of being able to adjust the angle of the leg support relative to the ground surface, for instance by varying the height of the front uprights 11,12 and the rear uprights 18 relative to each other. Such a height adjustment can be carried out by means of predetermined settings and in continuously variable manner. Such a height adjustment can also be given a manual or motor driven form. The possible angular adjustments desired vary from 180° with a practically straight knee to 45° with a fairly bent knee. A generally agreeable position of use provides an angle of 90°, wherein the lower leg extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the upper leg.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of figure 1 in top view with omission of the saddle. It is hereby possible to see that the leg support can be supported by guide rail parts 5,6 during performing of the rotation. Alternatively, it is possible that support is only provided to the leg support by the guide rail, while this is also suitable for providing the definition of the form of the movement. While in a pivoting embodiment the leg support rotates about the axis of shafts 11,12, in the case where the movement is determined by the guide rail a movement definition is possible with a form which is other than that of a rotation about an axis. Any shape of a described curve can be defined in this case. In such an embodiment a support on the front side of the leg support, substantially close to the knee, is preferably also provided, wherein a ball joint is then preferably applied which makes possible a movement in different directions. A ball joint can be arranged at any height of supports 11,12 in any embodiment in order to enable a desired movement.

In the embodiment of figure 3 a guide rail is omitted and the movement definition and the support are determined wholly by the connection between the leg supports and uprights 11,12. In such an embodiment a more robust embodiment of the strengthening rods and/or additional reinforcements is possible. A resistance-increasing function is also provided. A simple example hereof is shown for instance as a pulley system in the embodiment of Fig. 1. A weight 29 is here suspended from a cord which extends via a pulley wheel 27 and a pulley wheel 28 to a fastening point 30 on the rear side of leg support 4. This pulley system preferably comprises weights in the range of 0-10 kg, preferably 0-8 kg, more preferably 0-6 kg, more preferably 0-4 kg, more preferably 0-3 kg, more preferably 0-2 kg. It is important here that the resistance is felt during the outward movement of the foot. Advanced patients with an improved condition of the hip joint or less serious coxarthrosis symptoms can hereby make the exercises somewhat more arduous .

An alternative for realizing the resistance is by arranging a friction member in the rails or on the uprights for the purpose of making the rotation more difficult. Different options for providing the resistance based on mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or other principles will be apparent to the skilled person within the scope of the present invention as described in this text. Making the movement more difficult in this way can also be achieved by means of a resistance mechanism in the rails. It is also possible here to envisage a per se known technique for braking a movement which can be applied in the rails within the scope of the present invention. It is for instance possible with energy in opposing directions to slow down a magnet in a path by applying a magnetic field. A leg support is preferably provided which can be arranged on either side of vertical tube 8 of the device for alternately performing exercises with the left and right leg. Provided for this purpose are adjusting means (not shown) with which the setting on either side is possible. An advantage of such an embodiment is that a smaller number of components are required for exercise with both legs .

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed described in combination with each other, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document should be included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this text. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims .

Claims

1. Device for performing an endorotation of the hip joint by a person in a sitting position on a seat, wherein the seat comprises a frame for supporting the device on a floor and a seating member which is arranged on the frame substantially for seating of the person thereon, wherein the device comprises:

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement definition member comprises a rotation member comprising a pivot shaft.

3. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the movement definition member comprises a rotation member comprising a ball joint.

4. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the leg support member is suitable for accommodating at least a part of a lower leg in a manner such that the knee can be placed substantially in or in the immediate vicinity of a rotation point, a central rotation line or a rotation zone of the movement definition member.

5. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the movement definition member comprises a guide member such as a guide rail for guiding the leg support member during performing of a rotation or pivoting movement relative to the rotation member .

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide member comprises a form such that during performing of the endorotation the knee is held substantially in or close to a rotation point, a central rotation line or a rotation zone of the guide rail.

7. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the device comprises:

- a frame for supporting the device on a floor,

- a seating member which is arranged on the frame substantially for seating of the person thereon.

8. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising angle adjusting means for adjusting an angle of orientation of the leg support.

9. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising length adjusting means for varying the length of the leg support.

10. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising height adjusting means for adjusting the height of the sitting position of the person.

11. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising resistance means for setting a resistance during performing of the endorotation, wherein the resistance means comprise weights and/or hydraulic, electrical or mechanical resistance-causing means.

12. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the leg support member can be arranged under- the seat and/or adjusting means are provided for adjusting a leg support on either side of the device for the purpose of alternately exercising both legs with a leg support and associated adjusting means.

13. Kit for providing an endorotation functionality as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims on a seating device suitable for mounting or arranging thereof.

14. Method for enabling an endorotation exercise by means of performing an endorotation on a hip joint, comprising steps for:

- providing a device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, and

- providing instructions for the use thereof.

15. Use of a device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims 1-13 in conducting a business with therapeutic aims .