Abstract:
A massage table system/method allowing self-application of adjustable compression and stretching is disclosed. The system incorporates a frame support structure (FSS) horizontally supporting a patient support table (PST) and patient face cradle (PFC) permitting a massage patient to receive adjustable massage from a body contact assembly (BCA) positioned using a horizontal slide assembly (HSA) under pneumatic control of a horizontal cylinder assembly (HCA). The patient is massaged via a patient massage roller (PMR) radially articulated by the BCA in response to pneumatic pressure applied by a vertical cylinder assembly (VCA) while the BCA is positioned longitudinally over the patient by the HSA. A control interface box (CIB) provides adjustment of HSA travel speed, position, and applied pressure to the PMR by the VCA. Computer controls within the CIB may permit automated patient massage procedures by pre-programmed/memorized operation of pneumatic valves controlling the HSA and BCA.
Abstract:
A wearable apparatus for the treatment or prevention of osteopenia or osteoporosis, stimulating bone growth, preserving or improving bone mineral density, and inhibiting adipogenesis is disclosed where the apparatus may generally comprise one or more vibrating elements configured for imparting repeated mechanical loads to the hip, femur, and/or spine of an individual at a frequency and acceleration sufficient for therapeutic effect. These vibrating elements may be secured to the upper body of an individual via one or more respective securing mechanisms, where the securing mechanisms are configured to position the one or more vibrating elements in a direction lateral to the individual, and the position, tension, and efficacy of these vibrating elements may be monitored and/or regulated by one or more accelerometers.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a walk-assistive apparatus and a method of controlling the walk-assistive apparatus. The walk-assistive apparatus includes at least one joint that corresponds to at least one joint of a wearer, at least one link that connects the joint, and is rotated in response to rotation of the joint, a spring that is mounted in the link or the joint so that a length of the spring is changed in accordance with rotation of the link or the joint, and a processor that controls the change in the length of the spring to compensate for a weight by gravity when the wearer walks.Accordingly, the walk-assistive apparatus and the method of controlling the walk-assistive apparatus may use a mechanical element such as a spring to reduce energy, and weight compensation having uniform performance may be performed even in an arbitrary posture.
Abstract:
A wearable action-assist device includes a biosignal detection unit detecting a biosignal from a wearer, an action-assist wearing tool having a drive source supplying a torque acting on the wearer around each joint of the wearer as an axis of rotation, a control unit controlling the drive source to generate the torque according to the detected biosignal, a drive torque estimation unit estimating a drive torque generated by the drive source, a joint-angle detecting unit detecting an angular displacement of the joint, and a parameter identification unit identifying kinetics parameters concerned by substituting the estimated drive torque and the detected angular displacement into an equation of motion of an entire system including kinetics parameters intrinsic to the wearer. The control unit is configured to control the drive source according to a predetermined control method based on the equation of motion into which the identified parameters are substituted.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor and may receive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the touch sensor.
Abstract:
The proposed apparatus and method relate to restorative sports medicine and patient rehabilitation with neurological motoric disorders. A patient is positioned in equilibrium by suspension devices for patient's body parts. The suspension devices are moved by actuating mechanisms with an electro-pneumatic drive and actuating components, controlled by a programmed computer, motivating the patient by controlling an object in a virtual gaming environment, to restore movements when there is an initially minimal or a complete absence of physical activity. The effectiveness is judged according to the reduction of energy consumption of the drives. The apparatus includes a base composed of two parallel guides with movable crossbars, on which the actuating mechanisms are pairwise movably arranged, monitoring and control units, the computer, sensors detecting the state of the actuating mechanisms, and power sources. There are units for analyzing the energy consumption of each drive and for assessing the treatment results.
Abstract:
An exercise apparatus includes an adjustable support frame configured be adjusted to raise or lower a waist portion thereof to accommodate users of different heights standing adjacent thereto on a support surface. The exercise apparatus also includes a pivotal upper body support constructed and arranged to pivot relative to the support frame. The upper body support is configured to receive a torso of a user standing adjacent to the adjustable support frame, and facilitate a traction exercise to stretch a spine of the user when the torso of the user engages the pivotal upper body support and bends over the support frame.
Abstract:
A seat (5) includes a sensor (21) mounted on the seat which is arranged to sense the presence of an object, or movement or position of an object in a non-contact manner, within a sensing region around the seat. A processor is arranged to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A processed signal is delivered to a vibro-acoustic transducer mounted within the seat. The processor can also control a lighting effect based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A user can interact with audio in a personal way, to suit the mood of the user. A seated user can move their body (especially arms or hands) to modify audio, such as music. The seat has a nodule (12) which, in use, fits between the legs of a seated user. The nodule can house the sensor (21) and user controls.
Abstract:
A massage cushion assembly for providing a massage to a user resting on the massage cushion assembly is provided. The massage cushion assembly includes a body supporting portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a base portion defining one or more slots extending longitudinally through the base portion, and a massage unit including one or more massage members. Each of the massage members is movable along a length of a particular slot and between a raised position and a lowered position. Each massage member is further positioned in a particular slot such that a head portion of the massage member extends out of the slot and presses against the second surface of the body supporting portion when the massage member is in the raised position.
Abstract:
A back treatment apparatus (10), constituted of: a support member (50) arranged to support a lumbar region (130); a translation mechanism (210); and a control circuitry (100), the control circuitry arranged to control the translation mechanism to translate the support member along a plurality of paths and rotate the support member about at least one axis in a pre-determined range of motion. Preferably, the plurality of paths is constituted of at least: a generally linear path along an axis generally perpendicular in relation to a plane defined by the support member; and a generally linear path along an axis generally parallel in relation to the plane defined by the support member. Preferably, the back treatment apparatus is portable.