Supine ergometer brace

Abstract

A leg support for a supine bicycle echocardiography table is provided which maintains proper alignment of the patient's leg with the bicycle or ergometer portion of the table during lateral tilting of the table.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A supine bicycle echocardiography table that is tiltable about its longitudinal axis and having a crank and a pedal arm for operating the bicycle portion, the table comprising a leg support having a first end for capturing a patient's leg and a second end for rotatable connection about the bicycle pedal arm.  
     
     
         2 . The table as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a strap for securing the leg to the support.  
     
     
         3 . The table as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a pad covering the support.  
     
     
         4 . A supine bicycle echocardiography table tiltable about its longitudinal axis and having a crank and a pedal for operating the bicycle portion, the table comprising a leg support having a first end for capturing a patient's leg and a second end for rotatable connection with the bicycle crank.  
     
     
         5 . The table as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising a strap for securing the leg to the support.  
     
     
         6 . The table as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising a pad covering the support.  
     
     
         7 . A leg holder for attachment to the bicycle crank assembly of a laterally tiltable supine bicycle echocardiography table said leg holder following the movement of the crank assembly as the bicycle is operated by a user comprising: 
 a support for attachment to the leg of a user,    a housing,    a bearing in said housing said bearing being connected to the crank assembly for rotation with the crank assembly,    a receiver attached to said housing, and    a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said leg support and said shaft second end connected to said receiver.    
     
     
         8 . Leg support for attachment to the bicycle crank of a laterally tiltable supine bicycle echocardiography table comprising: 
 a leg pad,    a bearing rotatably attached to the crank, and    a support rod connecting said bearing to said pad.    
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a strap for securing the leg to the pad.  
     
     
         10 . A leg support for attachment to the crank of a laterally tiltable supine bicycle echocardiography table comprising: 
 a leg pad,    a bearing comprising a housing said housing rotatably supporting the bicycle pedal arm therein, and    a support rod connecting said bearing to said pad.    
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a strap for securing the leg to the pad.  
     
     
         12 . A method of reducing the strain on the knee and hip joints of a patient on a supine bicycle echocardiography table during the tilting of the table comprising the steps of: 
 securing the leg of a patient to a support device to maintain a generally perpendicular alignment between the patient's leg and the bicycle peddle; and    tilting the patient and table.    
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing the strain on the knee and hip joints of a patient while pedaling a bicycle of a supine bicycle echocardiography table during the tilting of the table comprising the steps of: 
 placing the foot of the patient on the pedal of the supine bicycle,    attaching a first end of a support device to the leg of the patient,    securing a second end of said support device to the crank assembly of the supine bicycle.