JP2005536247A - Body position sense / motor sense device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A training method and apparatus for body position sensation or motor sensation is described. In one embodiment, a treadmill is described that includes a foot contact running surface that rotates about a set of spaced apart pulleys. The foot contact travel surface includes one or more protrusions protruding upward from the foot contact travel surface. Body position sense training surfaces, training bicycles, steppers, skiing devices, rowing devices and elliptical training devices are described.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for training, developing and improving body position and motor sensory capabilities, neuromuscular control and central stability.

  Body position sense refers to the ability to know where a body part is located in space and the ability to recognize the movement of body parts (eg, fingers, toes, feet, hands, legs and arms). Motor sensation is a related term that refers to a sense by which position, weight, muscle tension and movement are understood. In some medical literature, body position sensation refers to conscious and unconscious sensing of joint position, while kinematic sensation refers to joint velocity and acceleration. Body position sensation is often used interchangeably with kinesthetic sensation and is similar in this document, and the term will be used interchangeably. (In the specification and claims, the term “body position sensation” will be used to encompass body position sensation, motor sensation, center stability, and the like.

  The body's neuromuscular control system integrates peripheral sensation to joint loads and processes these signals into a harmonized motor response. This muscle action serves to protect the joint tissue from excessive tension.

  Several mechanoreceptors exist in the soft tissue of the musculoskeletal system that interacts with the central nervous system and regulates body movement, posture adjustment, and balance. Mechanical receptors are placed on muscles, tendons, cords, joint capsules and skin. These neural tissues provide information to the brain regarding the state and function of the musculoskeletal system. Mechanical receptors send electrical signals along the peripheral nerve to the spinal cord. Electrical signals are sent through the spinal cord to the brain that reads the signals to recognize body part movements, muscle stretches, movements, and the like.

  Some examples of mechanical receptors that control muscle systems include muscle spindles. It was found that the muscle spindles were scattered in the contracted tissue of skeletal muscle with the highest density in the central part of each muscle. Muscle spindle tissue responds to changes in muscle length. These nerve endings provide the central nervous system with information used to maintain muscle stretch and tension of the corrective muscles on both sides of each joint.

  The fibrous tissue that surrounds and protects many joints generally includes various sensory nerve endings of body position and motor sensations. Input from these sensory nerve endings provides information to the central nervous system regarding joint position, extension, compression, tension, acceleration and rotation.

  The foot is the anatomical site in the body that contains the second most sensory organs of body position or kinesthetic sense (the spine has the most).

  Body position sensation and motor sensation training and training devices are well known for improving agility, balance and coordination, and for human rehabilitation where position sensation capabilities are impaired after injuries, illnesses, and the like. One type of training device includes a board with a ball attached to the underside or a tilting board that stands on a similar platform. The board does not become horizontal due to the presence of the ball, which challenges the patient's ability to balance and perform movement on the platform. Repetitive training on an inclined board can be used to develop and restore patient body position sensation and neuromuscular control, as well as strengthen muscles, tendons and connective tissue in the foot area.

  Other known body position and kinesthetic training devices include shoes having a single ball attached to the underside of the sole. The shoe having the ball is used in the same manner as the inclined board. Another type of shoe has a rod attached to the underside of the sole that is used to strengthen the dorsiflexor.

  Furthermore, another body position and kinesthetic training device is described in US Pat. No. 6,283,897 to Patton. The device consists of one or more nails protruding upward from the base board. The nail has a semicircular top and is located in a concave recess (indentation) on the bottom of an overshoe shaped like a sandal. In particular, the bottom of the shoe sole has three indented hemispherical indentations, one of which is located in the heel part, the other is directly below the mother and child spheres of the foot, and the other is in the middle. Is arranged. The elastomeric band can support the user's foot when the user rotates the foot and / or buttocks to develop physical strength, range of motion, and ankle and buttocks body position sensations.

  The present invention seeks to provide a new body position and kinesthetic training device that provides significant advantages over prior art devices such as tilt boards or shoes having a single protrusion. As described in more detail hereinbelow, in one embodiment of the present invention, instead of a single ball of a prior art board or shoe, two bulbous protrusions projecting from its lower surface. Footwear having a part is provided. The extra protrusions can sufficiently increase the likelihood, enable walking, and promote and improve the outcome of the body position sensation and kinesthetic treatment plans. Other body position and kinesthetic training devices are provided, such as the novel treadmill, training surface, training bicycle, training stopper, ski device or elliptical training device described in detail herein below.

  The device of the present invention can be used for body position sensation neuromuscular control, harmonious training and training for children and athletes to develop and improve body position sensation and motor sensation capabilities. The present invention can be used to train and train to prevent injury to athletes and non-athletes. The present invention can be used to address central stability that stabilizes the back and buttocks area to deter and reduce back pain. The present invention can be used to train and train humans with ankle, knee, buttocks and back injuries (or other injuries) to prevent such injuries from recurring in the future. Can. The present invention can be used to train or train a human having a physical handicap (eg, brain or neurological illness or other physical disorder). The user of the training device of the present invention moves in six degrees of freedom (translational movement in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation around their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)) Can do. All training and training periods involve instability in humans during exercise, especially translational walking, running or other exercises.

  Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a foot contact surface adapted to support a user's foot thereon, an actuator adapted to move the foot contact surface during a training plan, and a foot contact A training device is provided comprising a bumping mechanism that acts to disrupt the user's balance on the surface.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bumping mechanism acts to move the user in six degrees of freedom with translation in three mutually orthogonal directions and rotation about their axes.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided that comprises performing body position sensation training that includes overcoming forces that disrupt balance during exercise in translation.

  Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, including initially training with a training device that lacks the power to disrupt the balance and deliberately applying a force to disrupt the balance during training with the training device. A method is provided.

  The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

  Reference is made to FIGS. 1-4 which illustrate footwear 10 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The footwear 10 can be supplied as one or more sets of shoe-like devices or alternatively as one of the shoe-like devices.

  The footwear 10 preferably includes a support member 12 having a shoe-shaped peripheral edge having an upper surface 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 14 is recessed by the peripheral ridge 16, but it will be appreciated that other shapes of the top surface 14 are within the scope of the present invention. Footwear 10 may be attached to a user's foot (not shown) by fasteners 20 such as, but not limited to, boots 18 and / or Velcro straps, buckles, shoelaces, and the like. The boot 18 is configured to be attached to the user's foot with or without the fastener 20. Similarly, the fastener 20 can be utilized to attach the footwear 10 to a user's foot without using the boot 18.

  Two bulbous protrusions 22 can protrude from the bottom surface 24 of the support member 12. Alternatively, the bulbous protrusion 22 can protrude from the upper surface 14 of the support member 12. Each protrusion 22 can have a curved outer contour 26. A cross-section of the outer contour 26, ie a cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis 28 (FIG. 4) of the support member 12 (corresponding to the shape seen in FIG. 2); The cross section taken along the horizontal axis 30 (FIG. 4) or other cross section may have a curved shape. For example, the outer contour 26 can have a conic shape, ie, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a parabolic shape, or a hyperbolic shape. The various cross sections of the outer contour 26 of the protrusion 22 can be formed identically or differently.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, one protrusion 22 can be disposed behind the other protrusion 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusions can be disposed on the common longitudinal axis of the support member 2, such as the center line 28 of the support member 12, and on both sides of the horizontal axis 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear protrusion 22 can be disposed substantially directly below the rib (heel and ankle) support portion 23 of the support member 12. The metatarsal support portion 25 and / or the phalange support portion 27 may be disposed substantially directly below.

  Alternatively, as shown by the dashed line 33 in FIG. 4, one of the protrusions 22 (eg, the front protrusion) can be aligned on a longitudinal axis 34 that is offset from the centerline 28, and The rear protrusion 22 can be offset from the axis 34, such as on the center line 28. It will be appreciated that the above description is some examples of the arrangement of the protrusions 22 and that many other possibilities exist within the scope of the present invention.

  The protrusion 22 may be formed of an appropriate material such as, but not limited to, an elastomer, a metal, or a combination of materials, and may have various characteristics. For example, the protrusions can have different elasticity or hardness so as to have different elastic properties or Shore hardness. The protrusion 22 can protrude from the bottom surface 24 of the support member 12 by various amounts.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more protrusions 22 can be slidably attached to the support member 12. For example, the protrusion 22 can be mounted on a track 36 (FIG. 2) formed on the bottom surface 24 of the support member 12 and can be selectively positioned and fastened to the track anywhere along the track. . The track 36 can extend along a portion of the sole or the entire length of the sole. Alternatively or additionally, the protrusion 22 is attached to the support member 12 with a threaded fastener 38 (FIG. 3) and the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 22 is adjusted, such as by tightening or loosening the threaded fastener 38. Can do.

  In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in addition to the bulbous protrusion 22, one or more non-bulb shaped protrusions 39 shown in FIG. 3 may be provided. The protruding portion 39 can be formed in a shape such as a nail, a hook, a needle, or a diver, but the present invention is not limited to these shapes. The protrusion 39 can be rigid or flexible. Similar to the protrusion 22, the protrusion 39 can have various elasticity or hardness to have various elastic properties or Shore hardness and can protrude from the bottom surface 24 of the support member 12 by various amounts. it can. As described above, the protruding amount of the protruding portion 39 can be adjusted. The protrusion 39 can be provided at any place on the bottom surface 24 of the support member 12.

  Features described above, such as the protrusion 22 being slidably attached to the support member 12, may be implemented in alternative embodiments in which the bulbous protrusion 22 protrudes from the upper surface 14 of the support member 12. it can. For example, the footwear 10 may have a normal outer shoe sole and a sliding / moving mechanism for the protrusion 22 inside the shoe sole of the footwear 10. This sliding / moving mechanism can comprise, but is not limited to, a mechanism that floats on an adhesive substrate (eg, fluid in a chamber formed in the sole) or a mechanism that is suspended by an internal cable.

  Please refer to FIG. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footwear 10 may include a flange 40 that extends outwardly from the periphery of the support member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 40 extends laterally outward from the periphery of the support member 12, but it will be appreciated that the flange 40 can extend forward or backward, and in any direction. The flange 40 can be provided on one side of the footwear 10 as shown, or can be provided on both sides. The flange 40 can supplement the range of body position sensation training possible with the footwear 10 by providing an additional support surface while tilting and manipulating the footwear 10.

  The flange 40 can be composed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, elastomers, metals, or combinations of materials, and can have portions 42 with various characteristics. For example, the portion 42 can have different elasticity or hardness so as to have different elastic properties or Shore hardness. The portions 42 of the flange 40 have different curvilinear contours. The flange 40 can be adjustably attached to the support member 12 so that the amount that the flange 40 extends from the support member 12 can be adjusted.

  The user can put the footwear 10 on the foot and can perform various operations in the body position and / or motor sense training plan for the lower leg, upper leg, upper torso, other body parts and organs. . For example, the footwear 10 may be used to restore neuromuscular control during joint rehabilitation, to restore structural and functional stability of the neuromuscular system, so as to advance (feedforward) and reflex (feedback) neuromuscular. Can be used to improve and restore the control mechanism and to restore and improve balance, posture balance and center stability.

  Reference is made to FIG. 5 illustrating a treadmill constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

  The treadmill 50 can include a foot contact running surface 52 that rotates about a set of spaced apart pulleys. The traveling surface 52 can include one or more protrusions 56 that protrude upward from the traveling surface 52. The protrusions 56 can be different or the same shape (eg, height, size, shape and / or slope). The protrusions 56 can have a constant size / shape, or alternatively various sizes / shapes. Various sizes / shapes are achieved by constructing the protrusion 56 with an inflatable element that can be inflated pneumatically with water or hydraulically with a liquid (eg, water or oil). be able to. A controller 58 that controls the expansion and contraction of the protrusion 56 can be provided. The protrusions 56 and / or the running surface 52 can have different or the same material properties. For example, they can have different or the same elasticity or viscosity (in an inflatable version) and can be made of different or the same material.

  The protrusion 56 can be movable. For example, one or more of the protrusions 56 can be translated (eg, forward, backward, laterally or obliquely) on a track 57 and / or rotated about its own axis or other axis. Or a combination of these movements. A protective strap (not shown) can be provided to maintain the user in the vertical column position and to prevent accidental falls.

  Reference is made to FIG. 6 illustrating a training surface 60 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The training surface 60 can include one or more protrusions 62 that protrude upwardly from the upper surface (in contact with the foot) and / or the lower surface (in contact with the floor) of the training surface 60. The protrusions 62 can be different or the same shape (height, size, shape and / or slope). The protrusion 62 can have a constant size / shape, or alternatively a variable size / shape. The variable size / shape is achieved by constructing the protrusion 62 with an inflatable element that can be inflated pneumatically with water or hydraulically with a liquid (eg, water or oil). be able to. A controller 58 that controls the expansion and contraction of the protrusion 62 can be provided. The protrusions 62 can have different or the same elasticity or viscosity (in an inflatable version) and can be made of different or the same material.

  The protrusion 62 can be movable. For example, one or more protrusions 62 can be translated (eg, forward, rearward, laterally or obliquely) on a track 66, and / or rotated about its own axis or other axis. Or a combination of these movements. Thus, the user of the training surface 60 can move in six degrees of freedom (translational movements in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation about their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)). Can do.

  Reference is made to FIG. 7 illustrating a fixed training bicycle 70 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The training bicycle 70 can be comprised of a device having a pedal, wheels and sensors (eg, speedometer, odometer, etc.) or can be moved by the user while the bicycle is stationary. It can consist of an indoor bicycle trainer standing and riding a bicycle. The training bicycle 70 can include a bumping structure 72 connected to the front axle 74 or the rear support 75 of the bicycle 70 and / or a bumping structure 76 connected to a seat 78 of the bicycle 70. The bumping structure can vibrate, swing, bump (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7), and can disrupt the balance of the user of the training bicycle 70. The bumping structure can move the rider in six degrees of freedom (reciprocating in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotating around their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)) . The bumping structure of this embodiment, like the other embodiments of the present invention, can include a plate to which the training bicycle 70 is attached, which provides a bumping action with six degrees of freedom.

  The training bicycle 70 is used to train neuromuscular control of the back, buttocks, pelvis, ankles, knees and other body parts by bumping while riding, which can mimic riding on rough roads. Can be done. A controller 77 can be provided to control the operation of the bumping structure 72.

  Reference is made to FIG. 8 illustrating a training stepper 80 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The training stepper 80 includes a controller 82 that changes the resistance provided by the pedal 84 of the stepper 80. Also, the controller 82 can change the angle of the pedal 84, such as to cause abduction and adduction as shown by the arrows in FIG. In this embodiment as well, the controller 82 moves the pedal 84 in six degrees of freedom (translational movement in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation about their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation). ).

  Reference is made to FIG. 9 illustrating a ski device 90 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ski device 90 can include a controller 92 that changes the resistance force generated by the ski base 94 of the ski device 90. Further, the controller 92 can change the angle of the ski base 94, for example, to cause abduction and adduction as shown by the arrows in FIG. The controller 92 can move the ski base 94 with six degrees of freedom (translational movement in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation about their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)). it can.

  Some trained personnel have noticed some shortcomings of prior art training devices. For example, a fixed training bicycle may use only a relatively small number of muscles through a fairly limited range of motion. A cross-country ski device can train more muscles than a fixed bicycle, but the device's substantially horizontal movement of shuffling the legs may limit the range of exercise of the muscles being trained . A device that climbs stairs can train more muscles than a fixed bicycle, but a limited lifting range of motion cannot train leg muscles through a wide range of motion.

  In response to these problems, the developed elliptical training device mimics natural walking and running movements and trains multiple muscles through a wide range of movement. This device provides a variable and flexibly adjusted elliptical movement of the leg muscles. An example of many prior art elliptical training devices is described in US Pat. 5848954.

  Reference is made to FIG. 10, which illustrates an elliptical training device 100 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The elliptical training device 100 is described in U.S. Pat. Although shown with components similar to those of 5848954, it is emphasized that the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In any case, the features of body position sensation are described in US Pat. Not found in 5848954 or any prior art.

  The elliptical training device 100 can include a frame 102 and a link assembly 104 movably attached to the frame 102. The link assembly 104 can move generally relative to the frame 102 so as to relate the rotation of the flywheel 106 to the generally elliptical movement of the force receiving member or skate 108. Further, the frame 102 can include a base 110, a front column or vertical column 112, and a rear column or vertical column 114.

  The term “elliptical motion”, in a broad sense, describes a closed curve motion having a relatively long first axis and a relatively short second axis (extending perpendicular to the first axis). Please note. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the left and right components are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis, and the right component is 180 degrees out of phase with the left component. However, if the same reference number is used to indicate both the right and left portions of the elliptical training device 100 and the reference is made to one or more parts on only one side of the device, It should be understood that corresponding parts are located on the opposite side of the device.

  The front strut 112 can extend vertically upward from the base 110 and supports a telescoping tube or strut 116. The pair of handles 118 are pivotally attached to the support column 116 by a rotation shaft 119. The handle 118 can have a grip portion 120. The display 122 is disposed on the support column 116. The skate 118 can slide on the rail 124. The user can place his / her foot on the foot contact surface 126 of the skate 108.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the elliptical training device 100 may include one or more bumping structures 130 coupled to the front support 132 and / or the rear support 134 of the rail 124. The bumping structure 130 can disrupt the user's balance of vibration, rocking, bumping and elliptical training device 100. The bumping structure 130 can move the user in six degrees of freedom (translational movement in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation around their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)). . A controller 136 can be provided to control the operation of the bumping structure 130.

  Reference is made to FIG. 11 illustrating a rowing device 150 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The rowing device 150 includes a rail 152 on which a seat 154 is slidably attached. The rail 152 can have a rear support 155. The rail 152 can extend from a tension drum 156 attached to the front, and the tension drum 156 can be attached to the front support 157. The string 158 can be wound around the tension drum 156. The cord 158 can be provided with a handle 159. The footrest 160 can be attached to the rail 152.

  A user (not shown) can sit on the seat 154, place his / her foot on the footrest 160, grasp the handle 159, and pull the string 158 outward of the tension drum 156 and behind the rowing device 150. This movement mimics the action of pulling a rowboat oar. The seat 154 can slide backward and forward on the rail 152 during the rowing motion. The tension drum 156 resists the action of pulling the string 158, thereby training the muscles used for rowing. The tension of the tension drum 156 can be adjusted to match the desired level of training. A controller 162 that changes the resistance provided by the tension drum 156 can be provided.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the rowing device 150 can include one or more bumping structures 164 coupled to the front support 157 and / or the rear support 155 of the rail 152 or to the seat. The bumping structure 164 can disrupt the user's balance of vibration, rocking, bumping and rowing device 150. The bumping structure 164 can move the user in six degrees of freedom (translational movement in three mutually orthogonal directions (x, y, z) and rotation about their axes (azimuth, altitude and rotation)). . The controller 162 can control the operation of the bumping structure 164.

  It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not specifically shown and limited by what has been described herein. Rather, the scope of the invention will be found to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, as well as those not found in the prior art, as well as including both combinations and subcombinations of features described herein. Including changes and modifications.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of footwear constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of the footwear of FIG. 3 is a simplified rear view of the footwear of FIG. FIG. 4 is a simplified top view of the footwear of FIG. 1 and illustrates features of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a stepping wheel constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of a training surface constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of a training bicycle constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of a training stepper constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of a ski device constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of an elliptical training device constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram of a rowing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (19)

A training device,
A foot contact surface adapted to support the user's foot thereon;
An actuator adapted to move the foot contact surface during a training plan;
A training apparatus, comprising: a bumping mechanism that acts to disrupt a user's balance on the foot contact surface. The training device according to claim 1,
The said bumping mechanism acts so that a user may be moved by six degrees of freedom consisting of the translation movement to three mutually orthogonal directions, and the rotation centering on those axes. The training device according to claim 1,
The training apparatus further comprising a controller adapted to control the operation of the bumping mechanism. The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface rotates about a set of spaced pulleys, thereby forming a stepping wheel, and the bumping mechanism comprises at least one protrusion protruding upward from the foot contact surface. Training equipment. The training device according to claim 4,
The training apparatus further comprising a plurality of the protrusions, wherein at least two of the protrusions have different shapes. The training device according to claim 4,
The training apparatus further comprising a plurality of the protrusions, wherein at least two of the protrusions have a deformable shape. The training device according to claim 4,
The training apparatus further comprising a plurality of the protrusions, wherein at least two of the protrusions have different material properties. The training device according to claim 4,
The training device, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises an inflatable element. The training device according to claim 8,
A training device further comprising a controller adapted to control expansion and contraction of the at least one protrusion. The training device according to claim 4,
The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is movable by at least one of a translational movement and a rotational movement. The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface is a part of a pedal forming a training bicycle, and the bumping mechanism is connected to at least one of a front axle, a rear support portion, and a seat of the training bicycle. . The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface forms part of a training stepper;
The training stepper comprises a pedal and a controller that acts to change the resistance provided by the pedal. The training device according to claim 12,
The training apparatus, wherein the controller changes an angle of the pedal. The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface forms part of a ski device;
The ski device includes a ski base and a controller that operates to change a resistance force applied by the ski base. The training device according to claim 14, wherein
The training apparatus, wherein the controller changes an angle of the ski base. The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface constitutes a part of an elliptical training device. The training device according to claim 1,
The foot contact surface constitutes a part of a rowing device. A method comprising performing body position sensation training including overcoming a force that disrupts balance during exercise in translation. First training with a training device lacking the power to disrupt the equilibrium,
Deliberately applying a force that disrupts balance during training with the training device.

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