EP3439608A1

EP3439608A1 - Rehabilitative walker

Info

Publication number: EP3439608A1
Application number: EP16791087.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Valerijus DENISOVAS
Original assignee: Uab "vildoma"
Current assignee: Uab "vildoma"
Priority date: 2016-03-17
Filing date: 2016-09-22
Publication date: 2019-02-13
Also published as: WO2017158411A1; LT6471B; LT2016041A

Abstract

Rehabilitative walker is designed to perform physical exercises helping to recover the lost or nurture the lacking abilities to walk, keep the balance, or other similar abilities. The walker is new due to the fact that the patient is suspended in the walker so that there is not a single suspension point but two suspension points and they are moved into walker's sides and supported by pneumatic cylinders with the ability to control the air supply to the cylinders, allow a suspension to replicate the patient's hip movements with higher precision, facilitate or exacerbate waddling of the patient's hips, such an arrangement enables to measure load on the legs and keep track of the suitability of the procedures to the patient during rehabilitation with sufficient accuracy. The walker accurately simulates and effectively stimulates natural movements of the human when walking. The suspension mechanism is attached to the walker through the ball joint connection, due which the patient can not only freely waddle from side to side but also rotate around a vertical axis. The suspension mechanism has removable handholds. Back support is attached in a way that when determining the correct angle of inclination of the patient's back at the same time remains tight-fitting to the patient's back and does not restrict his movements. Method of attachment of metal leg joints enables the legs to not respond to the patient's waddle at the waist from side to side. The new method of attachment of the stable handhold enables one person quickly and easily immovably attach the stable handhold to the walker frame or remove it.

Description

REHABILITATIVE WALKER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Technical field of the invention - rehabilitation equipment, in particular - rehabilitative walker intended to develop the lost or nurture the lacking walking, marching, balancing and similar abilities.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The patent US6733018B2 (published on 1 1/05/2004) presents the walker, where the patient suspension device in respect of the patient is located in the front. This document presents two pneumatic cylinders intended to lift a patient, but there is no possibility to lean on elbows, it is also impossible to attach leg motion synchronization device. The only mean for securing a patient in the walker is a suspended soft saddle, but this mean is too loose and uncontrolled and makes it difficult to secure the patient properly, there is no possibility to select the back inclination angle. Patient lifting lever is located between the arm and the body, which could hinder arm control, comfortable hold on a walker and general discomfort using a walker.

The application WO2014145789 (published 18/09/2014) presents the walker, where the patient is secured by belts attached above the patient, therefore the patient may begin to swing. When a patient is walking the walker may start lagging behind the patient due to long attaching belts, which can irritate the patient. It is also not possible to accurately determine the back angle of inclination. In addition, the patient is secured in the walker significantly higher than the human center of gravity, which greatly restricts the engagement of the patient's center of gravity, the back muscles are not trained, therefore, the rehabilitation becomes less efficient.

As to the technical level, the closest analogue is the patent application WO2014001853A1 (published on 03/01 /2014), which describes the rehabilitative walker. The described rehabilitative walker has a frame - base with wheels that rest against the floor or another horizontal surface. Other elements comprising the walker are mounted on said frame: knees and feet area control mechanism; stable handhold for a patient to lean on elbows, hold on with hands; lifting mechanism; suspension device, etc. The frame described in this document, together with the connected knees and foot area control mechanism reminds a hollow rectangle, where the wheels are mounted near the corners of the rectangle. After removing a knees and feet area control mechanism, the walker by its frame can wheel to a chair with the patient. When a patient is secured in the walker, it is difficult to remove the chair, because the walker itself obstructs from three sides, and the patient - from the fourth, so it is very difficult to remove it and get ready with the patient for exercises. In the case where a patient becomes unconscious during the procedure in the walker, the patient's removal from the walker is very complicated. Detachable handhold for a patient to lean or cling on is stably attached to the walker frame. After removing the handhold, the patient has no hand support. Often a handhold is necessary to grip on and hold the position of the body, but in certain patient's healing stages a stable handhold no longer stimulates the progress because the patient can firmly hold onto the handhold, in this case a mobile, unstably attached handhold would be much more beneficial. The lifting mechanism of the walker described in this application has a pneumatic cylinder, which is designed to lift and lower the patient, it also acts as a shock absorbing device. Said pneumatic cylinder, together with the lifting mechanism, holds the suspension mechanism. The described walker has a lifting mechanism comprising: a single vertical mechanism and a single pneumatic cylinder, due to which a suspension device is attached at a single point that it can swing around. This way the mentioned anchorage point is hindering a patient from shifting the weight from one foot to the other as it is necessary to move the weight over this anchorage point. The weaker the patient, the greater the discomfort becomes, the more the efficiency of rehabilitation is minified.) In the walker described the suspension mechanism can rotate about horizontal axes, i.e., the patient together with the suspension device attached at the torso area can swing from side to side, can also bend forward and backwards, but cannot rotate around its vertical axis. The back support angle can be changed just before the beginning of the procedure or after the removal of the patient from the walker. This is extremely inconvenient, as it is almost impossible to determine the right angle of the back support of the patient in advance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention introduces a rehabilitative walker designed to perform physical exercises helping to recover the lost or nurture the lacking abilities to walk, keep the balance, or other similar abilities.

Presented here is a rehabilitative walker comprising: a frame (4), connector (2), connections via ball joints (3), two pneumatic cylinders (1 ), joints (5) the patient's back support angle adjustment mechanism (9), the patient's suspension mechanism with the handhold (I), stable handhold (7), leg control mechanism (10), pneumatics control unit (16), fasteners and other elements.

The walker is new due to the fact that the patient is suspended in the walker so that there is not a single suspension point but two suspension points and they are moved into walker's sides supported by pneumatic cylinders with the ability to control the air supply to the cylinders allowing to monitor the patient's hip movements with higher precision, facilitate or exacerbate the patient's waddling during walk, it is possible to measure the load per leg with a sufficient accuracy and observe the suitability of the procedures for the patient during rehabilitation. The suspension mechanism is attached to the walker through the ball joint connection, this is why the patient can not only freely waddle from side to side but also rotate around a vertical axis. Back support is designed so that in the course of the procedure it is possible to adjust and set the desired angle of inclination of the patient's back, at the same time the back support remains tight-fitting and replicates the patient's waddle during walking without restricting his movements. In the new design constructional parts are positioned in more comfortable and ergonomic way, i.e. the connector (2) and the handhold (6), thanks to which the accompanying person (physical therapist) being on the side or front of walkers can adjust the gait, help to waddle and pull the walker during the procedure. The method of attachment of metal leg joints allow legs do not respond to patient's waddle from side to side at the torso. The new method of attachment of a stable handhold allows one person to attach immovably the stable handhold to or remove from the walker's frame quickly and easily.

The walker described much more accurately simulates normal human walking movements than analogous walkers, does not hinder the patient's freedom of movement and effectively contributes to the patient's rehabilitation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 provides an overall view of the walker from the front corner.

Fig. 2 provides an overall view of the walker from the rear corner.

Fig. 3 provides an overall view of the patient's suspension device with a handhold from the front corner.

Fig. 4 provides functioning of a back support adjustment mechanism from the side.

Fig. 5 provides a fragment of the walker from the front corner along with the enhanced unit of attachment of a stable handhold to the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The rehabilitation walker is aimed to perform physical exercises, which will help to restore abilities of patients with partial loss of leg movement, unable to keep the balance or with other disorders related to leg movement. The patient is secured in the walker from a sitting (or standing, or lying) position at the torso and thighs by the patient' hugging harnesses and straps; he is raised to the required height to provide the proper load on the legs, while ensuring the stability. A leg control device can be used for additional leg stimulation. The walker supports the vertical position of the patient; it is possible to adjust the load on the legs. The patient secured in the walker can begin to get used to perform the necessary actions helping to restore walking.

This description uses the X, Y and Z axes to define more convenient position of objects in three-dimensional space. X-axis is parallel to the horizontal base, which the walker is used on, the direction of the X axis passes lengthwise the walker, i.e. the patient secured in the walker, when walking straight, follows the directions of the X-axis. Y-axis is parallel to the horizontal base, which the walker is used on, the direction of the Y-axis is perpendicular to the direction of the X-axis. Z-axis is perpendicular to the horizontal base, which the walker is used on, and also the direction of the Z-axis is perpendicular to each of the abovementioned axes X and Y.

Rehabilitative walker presented in this description shall have at least the following elements:

frame (4) comprising wheels and an arch-shaped element; connector (2) comprising a horizontal elongated element and elongated supporting elements;

connections via ball joints (hereinafter - a ball joint) (3),

two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) including pistons and air flow holes;

joints (5),

patient's back support angle adjustment mechanism (hereinafter - an angle adjustment mechanism) (9) comprising a handle, outer element, inner element and mounting axles;

the patient's suspension mechanism with a handhold (I) including a attaching element of the metal leg sling, bands used to secure the soft part and the bearing unit;

stable handhold (7);

leg control mechanism (10);

pneumatics control unit (16) including controls, a panel and air flow regulation valves;

fasteners or other ancillary elements.

The frame of the walker (4) (Fig. 1 , Fig. 2) rests on the horizontal base by the wheels attached to it. The wheels are attached so as to rotate around the attaching axis of the wheels attaching element, i.e. the walker can change the direction of movement both by the front part and the rear part. The wheels also have the locking opportunity of the rotation around the attaching axle of the wheel attaching element. Then the walker can roll forward and backward, turns are not possible. Each wheel has a brake that can be activated when it is necessary the wheel would not turn, i.e. the walker would not move. In the description, wheels can be referred to as the front wheels (directed in the forward direction of the walker) and rear wheels - when the walker is moving forward, they follow the front wheels.

The frame (4) is made from the elongated metal element, rod, tube by bending it or by implementing the bend using some elongated elements and joining them via additional junctions. From the anchorage point of one of the front wheels the elongated element extends toward the rear wheels, close to the front wheel there is a stable handhold (7) anchorage point (8); extending towards the rear wheels there is a pneumatic cylinder (1 ) anchorage point, behind it there is a frame (4) that is bent up, back wheel is attached at the bending point, the frame (4) rises up to such a height that it would be possible to pass a chair, couch or other object, which the patient is lifted from, through the arch formed by the elevation; when the frame (4) reaches required height, it is bent to the opposite side of the walker, where approximately in the middle of the horizontal raised part of the frame (4) (upper part of the frame's (4) arch) an angle adjustment mechanism (9) is attached. The frame (4) that is extending further to the other side from the angle determination mechanism (9) replicates already described bends and shapes of one side. In other embodiment, yet another elongated element with a shape similar to the part of the frame (4) extending from one rear wheel to the other rear wheel is attached close to the elevation located by the rear wheel. Another elongated element is necessary to ensure the strength and rigidity of the walker frame. Every elongated and bent element located next to each other by the shape reminds an arch. One of these frame (4) elements extending from one rear wheel to the other rear wheel is attached centrally to the angle adjustment mechanism (9). Another arch-shaped elongated element of the frame (4) is permanently attached to the horizontal element of the elongated connector (2) which is firmly attached to the said angle adjustment mechanism (9). The shape of the frame (4) is symmetrical in respect of the plane containing the X and Z axes situated in the middle of the walker, i.e. the shape of the frame (4) on one side of said plane repeats the form on the other side of said plane.

Said two elongated arch-shaped frame (4) elements enable the walker to pass over the base (e.g., a chair, object intended to lie on, etc.) that a patient is on. When the walker moves, said base the patient is sitting or lying on passes below the two elongated arch-shaped frame (4) elements, passes through the inner part of the arch.

Angle adjustment mechanism (9). An angle adjustment mechanism (9) is attached to the two elongated arch-shaped frame (4) elements. As described, one of the arch-shaped frame (4) elements can be attached to the connector (2) itself and the latter can be attached to the angle adjustment mechanism (9). The angle adjustment mechanism (9) by its outer element reminds rectangular parallelepiped without one of the large walls; its transverse cross-section is reminiscent of a rectangle without one long side. One of the elongated arch-shaped frame (4) elements is attached to the cross- section of the existing longer side wall, also there is a hole on the longer side, which the back support angle adjustment handle is passed through. Walls of the side adjacent to the said longer side wall have holes, which an axle in the direction of the Y-axis is forced through. The described part of the angle adjustment mechanism (9) comprises an outer member of the entire mechanism (9), which the frame (4) and connector (2) is attached to, and through said axle a smaller inner element, which is similar in shape and easily fits within the outer element, is placed inside the outer element without touching the side walls of the outer element. Another joint (5) is attached to the lower element of the inner angle adjustment mechanism (4).

The projection of joint (5) (Fig. 4) direction in the horizontal plane coincides or is similar to the direction of the X-axis. Joints (5) are mutually attached by elements located at their ends, which via few joints (5) attached to one another at a single point allow to force through axles or pins in the direction perpendicular to the joints (5) so that the joints (5) can flex and rotate in respect of one another in a single plane. Joint system (5) comprises at least 5 joints (5) and their fasteners - an inner element of the angle adjustment mechanism (9) and back support (1 1 ). Thus, at least all seven elements are combined so as to form at least two parallelograms connected by a single common side. Handle of the angle adjusting mechanism (9) is attached on the lower part of the angle adjustment mechanism (9) so as to be rotatable around its longitudinal axis, and by rotating the handle, the distance between the inner and outer parts of the angle adjustment mechanism (9) changes. Axle located in the upper part of the angle adjustment mechanism (9) holds the entire joint (5) system. When the distance between the edges of the element of the internal and external angle adjustment mechanism (9) is changed, the angle between two interconnected joints (5), i.e. between two adjacent sides of the parallelogram, is changing. By turning the handle and thus changing the angle of one of the sides of the parallelogram formed by the joints (5) in respect of the Z- axis, said change of the angle through the system of two parallelograms is passed to the back support (1 1 ).

A back support (1 1 ) element is part of the patient suspension mechanism (I) and is no different from the support element as described in the document of the closest analogue (WO2014001853A1 ). As described above, said joint (5) system that is attached to the back support element (1 1 ) through ball joints enables the back support element (1 1 ) move together with the patient's suspension mechanism (I), i.e. back support (1 1 ) always moves firmly attached to the patient's back, replicating the patient's movements when waddling and always maintains the set inclination angle, when in the document of the closest analogue the back support could not waddle and replicate the movements of the patient, the patient's suspension mechanism (I) being immovably attached to the patient. Angle adjustment mechanism (9) makes it possible to adjust the inclination angle of the patient's back not only continuously, without steps, but also without removing the patient from the walker during the procedure.

The connector (2) connects the walker frame (4) to the patient's suspension mechanism (I), and together with the pneumatic cylinders (1 ) holds the entire patient's suspension mechanism (I). The length of the elongated element of the horizontal connector (2) is approximately equal to the average width of the human shoulders. As mentioned above, the elongated element of the horizontal connector (2) is attached centrally to the angle adjustment mechanism (9). The outer ends of the horizontal elongated element of the connector (2) terminate in pulled-over bearings, onto which elongated supporting elements of the connector (2) are attached by theirs ends, at the other end of which than the bearings, the patient's suspension mechanism (I) is attached. Bearings allow the elongated supporting elements to rotate easily around longitudinal axle of the horizontal element. To each elongated supporting element, closer to the element's end where the ball joint is attached on, the pneumatic cylinder (1 ) is anchored pivotally by its own supporting elements. Supporting elements of the connector (2) are fastened in the walker so that they would sufficiently protrude to the sides of the walker. Parameters and the position in the walker of the elongated and horizontal supporting elements of the connector (2) are such that the person looking after the patient in the walker can freely, comfortably and ergonomically hold the walker on the connector (2) and help the patient to do rehabilitation exercises in the walker.

Connection of the constituent elements of the connector (2) by bearings enables the accurate measurement of force, which the patient rests on a stable base with, response of the walker to the patient's movements and better adaptation to the patient's movements. If said component parts were connected together by the elements (bearings in this case) ensuring a low friction, thus it would be difficult to measure the said force accurately due to the friction force resulting from the said component elements.

Interconnection by ball joints (hereinafter - ball joints) (3). Connection (2) via ball joints (3) holds the patient's suspension mechanism (I). Ball joint (3) contains at least these constituent parts: a ball head mounted at the end of elongated supporting element of the connector (2), on which a sleeve located at the end of the elongated ball joint (3) element is pulled over, its inner shape repeats the shape of the ball head. At the other end of the elongated element of the ball joint (3) there is another sleeve that is pulled over the head and is attached to the patient's suspension mechanism (I). The ball head of the ball joint (3) can rotate in the sleeves around the longitudinal axle of the elongated ball joint (3) element as well as the elongated joint (3) element can flex in respect of the sleeve. Patient's suspension mechanism (I) attached to the connector (2) by such ball joints (3) can move in all directions (i.e., to pivot around each of the X, Y, Z axes) to the extent allowed by the characteristics of the ball joint (3). In case of the present invention, a ball joint (3), the length of the elongated joint element of which can range from 7 to 15 cm, is used. The possibility for the suspension mechanism (I) to pivot around the Z-axis is particularly important: such movement ensures the possibility of the patient to turn the hip, when taking a step, around an axis coinciding with the spine.

Patient's suspension mechanism (I). The suspension mechanism (I) is analogous to the closest analogue described in the document (WO2014001853A1 ) except that it has easily detachable handholds. The handhold (6) by its shape reminds the "L" shape, wherein the terminal part of the longer side is slightly inclined in the direction perpendicular to the plane containing both sides forming the handhold (6). The said bend is formed to make it more comfortable to grip on the handhold (6) and for the wrist of the arm slightly bent at the elbow to remain as straight as possible. A part of handhold, a handle made of rubber, plastic or similar material is pulled over said inclination, which the patient can have a good grip on. The handhold (6) is attached to the suspension mechanism (I) at two points. The short-side end of the handhold (6) is hollow, and the suspension mechanism (I) has a hump by its shape matching the inner shape of the cavity of the short-side end. This way the short side of the handhold (6) is pulled over the said hump of the suspension mechanism (I). Another attachment point of the handhold (6) is realized on the longer side of the handhold (6), further from the angle formed by the conjoined sides. Crosswise the long side of the handhold (6) there is a hole, which a bolt is passed through (12) (Fig. 3), the bolt is screwed to the attaching mechanism. When the bolt (12) is screwed in the suspension mechanism (I), the bolt (12) with its head presses the handhold (6) to the suspension mechanism (I). There is another possible way to attach the handhold (6) to the suspension mechanism (I). The handhold (6) not only allows the patient to grip better and feel stronger, but also enables additional hip control by hands. The patient when walking and tilted to the side, can angle hip joint by pressing the handhold (6) down or raising it up by hand. This way it is possible to help with the implementation of the waddle taking place during walking by pressing down or raising up by hands the handhold (6) that is immovably and stably attached to the suspension mechanism (I). Mentioned hip control steps and other assistance to the patient may also be carried out by a person looking after the patient in the walker. The handhold (6) is designed and mounted in the walker so that the person accompanying the patient would be able unhindered, comfortably and economically get hold of the handhold (6). Handholds (6) and connectors (2) as well as other elements of the walker help a person accompanying the patient in the walker (e.g. the physical therapist) to control and help to perform the patient's actions properly.

Unlike the closest analogue in the descriptive document (WO2014001853A1 ), the patient's suspension mechanism (I) in the present invention has a different fastening unit (13) of metal leg splints. In the aforementioned closest analogue, a metal leg splint is attached to the patient's suspension mechanism (I) by screw directly to the patient's suspension mechanism (I) itself. In the present invention there is an additional element between the patient's suspension mechanism (I) and metal leg splint - a metal leg splint fastening unit (13). The fastening unit (13) by its shape reminds a rectangle without one long side. The fastening unit (13) is attached pivotally to the patient's suspension device (I) approximately half way of its long side. The fastening unit (13) may rotate around the anchorage point, swing in respect of the horizontal plane. This way a possibility is created allowing the metal leg splint move in respect of the patient's suspension mechanism (I). When the patient is walking, his torso and the torso fastening mechanism moves in respect of the leg, and the design described above provides the possibility of such movement.

Pneumatic cylinder (1 ) consists of elongated air tank having at least one air inlet and one air outlet opening located close to the ends of the cylinder (1 ), a piston and other elements. When the air is supplied through one of said openings, the increased air pressure in the tank pushes the piston, one of the parts of which forms one of the walls of the tank. In this embodiment, supplying the air through the lower hole, the resulting higher pressure pushes the piston and the part of the connector attached to the piston up. This way part of the connector (2) is raised. The pneumatic cylinder (1 ) by one end is attached pivotally around X, Y, Z-axes to the walker frame (4), the other end is attached to the elongated supporting element of the connector (2), closer to the end, where the ball joint (3) is attached. In case of this invention at least two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) attached on different sides of the walker, and to the different elongated supporting elements of the connector (2) are used. Pneumatic cylinders (1 ) not only raise or lower the patient but also act as shock-absorbing element, and, depending on the pneumatics connection method, as constricting or permitting free waddle during walking. When person is walking, the hips are moving up and down; it is exactly the movement that requires shock absorption, and pneumatic cylinders (1 ) greatly contribute to that.

Pneumatic cylinders (1 ) via the air flow channels (e.g. hoses, tubes and various connections, etc.), wherein air can flow, are connected through the pneumatics control unit (16) with a device increasing the air pressure (e.g. it may be a pump operated by manual effort, a pump, an electric compressor, etc.) (hereinafter - pump). Pneumatic cylinders (1 ) are connected together via the air flow channels and through the pneumatics control unit (16). The pneumatics control unit (16) is incorporated into the pneumatic system of the walker so that it would be able to perform the following functions:

could open the way for air to flow from the pump to the pneumatic cylinders (1 ), to seal off the air leak from the pneumatic cylinders (1 ),

interconnect or disconnect pneumatic cylinders (1 ).

When the pump is pumping air into the pneumatic cylinders (1 ), and the patient is raised to the necessary height, air flow channels are closed to maintain a constant amount of air in the pneumatic cylinders (1 ). In one case, when the pneumatic cylinders (1 ) are not interconnected, the patient is held by the same force that is created by the pressure in the pneumatic cylinders (1 ). Each pneumatic cylinder (1 ) contains the amount of air, which has no possibility to change. In this case, when the patient tilts to one side or lifts one leg, pneumatic cylinder (1 ) located on the side of the raised leg will hold the patient - such connection of the pneumatic cylinder (1 ) may be required to perform certain rehabilitation exercises. Pneumatic cylinders (1 ) operate as two separate springs of equal resilience. Alternatively, the pneumatic cylinders (1 ) are interconnected via air flow channels. In this case pneumatic cylinders (1 ) contain an amount of air that can freely distribute between the two pneumatic cylinders (1 ), e.g. air can flow freely from one pneumatic cylinder (1 ) to another. For example, when the patient is walking and lifts one leg, the air will flow from the pneumatic cylinder (1 ) located on the side of the raised leg to another pneumatic cylinder (1 ), this creates real walking conditions for the patient, one leg cannot be lifted for a long time, it must be placed and create a support for the body. On the other hand, the common amount of air in both pneumatic cylinders (1 ) remains the same, so the patient will always be held in a vertical position. When the air can circulate between the two pneumatic cylinders, when a person accompanying the patient on one side of the walker presses said supporting element of the connector (2) or the handhold (6) downwards or moves it upwards, the supporting element or the handhold (6) on the other side of the walker will be raised or lowered by pneumatic cylinders, respectively, i.e., for example, when the element on one side of the walker is raised, the element on the other side of the pneumatic cylinder will be lowered and vice versa.

Another important function of the walker, which can be accomplished only by two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) and the air moving between them - suspension of the patient in the walker without a single suspension point. In the walker presented in the document of the closest analogue (WO2014001853A1 ) the patient's suspension mechanism is mounted on the walker at a single point located the middle of the suspension mechanism. This way, when patient shifts weight from one leg to the other it is also necessary to shift the weight over the anchorage point of said suspension mechanism. It's a bit like riding a bicycle with the seat raised too high, when the cyclist in order to shift the weight from one pedal to the other has to jump by his center of gravity over the seat raised high. In the walker presented in the present invention this unnatural movement is eliminated because the patient's suspension mechanism (I) being mounted to the walker at two points minimum about a human shoulder width apart. Said mounting of the suspension mechanism (I) and two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) create conditions in the walker very similar to natural walking movements.

Two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) and an interconnection of connector's (2) elements by bearings used in the walker provide a fairly accurate measurement of the air pressure in both pneumatic cylinders (1 ) individually. This way it is possible to calculate the force, which the patient rests on the floor with, for each leg individually and follow the deterioration or improvement in the support functions of the patient's leg when using some or other rehabilitation exercises.

Pneumatics control unit (16) is designed for controlling of air flows in the pneumatics system. The pneumatics control unit (16) comprises valves located in the air flow channels and handles operating the valves, which are installed on the front panel of the pneumatics control unit (16). In case of one embodiment two handles are used. One handle is designed to open/close the pneumatics system, by opening the system the amount of air within can be changed, by closing the system the escape of air from the system being prevented. Another handle is designed for interconnection and disconnection of the pneumatic cylinders (1 ).

Stable handhold (7). A stable handhold (7) is immovably mounted on the frame (4) at the front part of the walker (Fig.5). Stable handhold (7) is for the patient to grip to and lean on elbows. The stable handhold (7) of the present invention is analogous to the closest analogue presented in the document (WO2014001853A1 ), except for the stable handhold (7) mounting unit (8) on the walker frame and the lower part of the stable handhold (7). The lower part of the stable handhold (7), which it is attached to the walker frame (4) by, unlike presented by the document of the closest analogue, has two elongated elements, which are connected by two horizontal elongated elements, thereby forming a shape of the stable handhold (7) base resembling a rectangle. Stable handhold (7) by said short side of a rectangular shape presses into the fastening unit (8) located in the frame. One corner of the short side has a hole that a hump of the frame presses into and whose external shape is close to the internal shape of the hole. In other embodiments the hump can be in the corner of the walker's handhold (7) base, and the hole, which the hump is inserted into - in the unit attached to the frame (4). In other embodiments, in the corner of the handhold (7) attachment base there is a curved plane that is protruding outwards and which, after inserting the handhold into its attachment point, is tucked behind the elongated element attached to the frame (4). This way one corner of the stable handhold (7) base is anchored. By bending the stable handhold (7) to the opposite side than the anchored corner, the other part of a rectangular base is inserted into the fastening unit (8) located in the frame (4); the fastening unit (8) has a revolving pin. Said rectangular base of the stable handhold (7) has a hole in its corner, the internal shape of which is close to the external shape of said revolving pin. Once the stable handhold (7) base is inserted into the base fastening unit (8), the pin is rotated and slides in the hole located in the corner of the stable handhold (7).

Leg control mechanism (10) can be attached to the walker presented in this description. The design and method of attachment of the leg control mechanism (10) are the same as described in the document of the closest analogue (WO2014001853A1 ).

A system a soft saddle and soft thigh slings (belts), which the patient is secured into and which the patient is fastened to the patient's suspension mechanism (I), being fixed to the patient's suspension mechanism (I). The entire system and its method of attachment to the patient's suspension mechanism (I) are the same as described in the document of the closest analogue (WO2014001853A1 ). In said soft part there are the two bands (17) sewed in (Fig. 3) they are fastened into the pockets (14) located in the suspension mechanism.

Arched elements of the walker frame (4), the angle adjustment mechanism (9), horizontal elongated element of the connector (2) in the other embodiment may consist of two equal parts obtained by dividing the described entire parts in half by a plane containing X and Z axes. In this case, the obtained two separate halves of parts are constructed so as to make them easy to secure and to make a single element, for example, by screwing the two parts together with bolts. Such connection of said elements makes it possible to divide the walker in half, for example, for easier transportation. The entire rehabilitative walker, once the patient's suspension element (I) and leg control mechanism (10) is removed, can be disassembled for easy transportation by undoing the screws securing the frame (4) and the two components of the connector's (2) fastening element. This way the rehabilitation walker can be divided into symmetrical parts divided by a plane containing X and Z axes.

The walker described by its entire design, if compared with the closest analogue described in the document, is much better suited for rehabilitation, less restricts the patient's movements, places more effective load on the necessary to train muscles and is more convenient to use.

The above description of the preferred embodiments is provided in order to illustrate and describe the present invention. This is not an exhaustive or limiting description, seeking to determine the exact form or embodiment. The above description should be considered more like an illustration, rather than a limitation. It is evident that numerous modifications and variations may be obvious to the specialists of that field. Embodiment is chosen and described so that the experts of this field in the best way clarify the principles of this invention and the best practical application for various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular use or application of the embodiment. It is intended that the scope of the invention is defined in the claim appended thereto and its equivalents, where all of the said terms have meaning within the widest range, unless indicated otherwise.

In the embodiment options described by the specialists of this field changes can be created without deviations from the scope of this invention as specified in the following claim.

Claims

1 . A rehabilitative walker comprising:

frame (4) with wheels, which are resting against the horizontal base, and other constituent parts of the walker are mounted on;

the patient's suspension mechanism (I) designed to secure the patient in the walker; stable handhold (7) the patient can lean on elbows, hold on with hands; leg control mechanism (10) helping to form the leg movements required for walking;

characterized in that the patient's suspension mechanism (I) is mounted on the frame (4) via connector (2) and at least two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) in order to avoid a single suspension point, which the patient should shift his weight over, when the body weight is shifted from one leg to another during walking, also such method of attachment enables the accurate measurement of the force, which the patient rests on the floor, for both legs separately and increase of the space for work and means needed to have the patient seated or removed from the walker.

2. The rehabilitative walker according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connector (2) comprises at least one horizontal elongated element and at least two elongated supporting elements secured to its ends by bearings, to the other end of the elongated supporting element than said fastening of the horizontal elongated element, the patient's suspension mechanism is mounted via ball joint connection.

3. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that at least two pneumatic cylinders (1 ) may be connected to one another via pneumatics control unit (16) so that the air being in the pneumatics system can flow between them freely and disconnected from one another so that the air between them can no longer flow freely.

4. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that each pneumatic cylinder (1 ) has gas pressure measuring devices attached.

5. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the back support (1 1 ) via ball joints is connected to joints (5), the joints between

15 themselves and with the back angle adjustment mechanism (9) are connected by axles, wherein the joints (5) are connected to the parallelogram elements in such a way that irrespective of the patient's suspension height and position, the back support remains vertical or maintains set inclination angle.

6. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the handle rotated about its longitudinal axis pushes the part of the inner element of back inclination angle (9) and by this push an angle between two adjacent joints (5) that is transferred to the back support (1 1 ) fasteners is being changed, and thus a continuous change of the back support (1 1 ) angle is realized during the procedure and without removing the patient from the walker.

7. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that handholds (6) are attached to the patient's suspension device (I) with the option to remove them.

8. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the stable handhold (7) is attached to the frame (4) by the fastening unit (8).

9. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the connector (2) and handhold (6) is designed and secured in the walker so that the person accompanying the patient can freely, comfortably and economically have a hold onto them and help the patient to perform rehabilitation exercises properly.

10. The rehabilitative walker according to claim 9, characterized in that when the air contained in the system of pneumatic cylinders is circulating between the two pneumatic cylinders, and the handhold (6) or supporting element of the connector (2) is pressed downwards or moved upwards, the supporting element or the handhold (6) on the other side of the walker will be raised or lowered by pneumatic cylinders, respectively, i.e., for example, when the element on one side of the walker is raised, the element on the other side of the pneumatic cylinder will be lowered and vice versa.

1 1 . Rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that metal leg splints are attached to the patient's suspension mechanism (I) via the

16 metal leg splint fastening unit (13), which in its middle part is pivotally attached to the patient's suspension device (I) and can freely swing and rotate around the X-axis.

12. The rehabilitative walker according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the walker frame (4) at the rear part of the walker reminds an arch-shaped element and is formed so that, when the walker is moving forward, the patient's sitting or lying on object can fit through said arch.

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