Methods and apparatuses for rehabilitation and training

Abstract

A rehabilitation apparatus with at least three degrees of freedom of motion, comprising: a plurality of brakes; a motor, wherein the motor is operationally connected to the brakes; a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of a plurality of the surfaces correlates to a brake; and, wherein when the motor is activated, the brakes are selectively advanced to make contact with the surfaces causing friction between the brakes and the surfaces and thus causing variable resistance in the three degrees of freedom to the apparatus based on the extent of advancement of the brakes.

1 . A rehabilitation apparatus with at least three degrees of freedom of motion, comprising: 
 a plurality of brakes;    a motor, wherein said motor is operationally connected to said brakes;    a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of a plurality of said surfaces correlates to a brake; and, wherein when said motor is activated, said brakes are selectively advanced to make contact with said surfaces causing friction between said brakes and said surfaces and thus causing variable resistance in the three degrees of freedom to said apparatus based on the extent of advancement of said brakes.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein variable resistance on a first surface causes variable resistance on at least one axis.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein variable resistance on a second surface causes variable resistance on at least a second axis.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pedal adapted and constructed to be operated by a foot of a user.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor is activated manually by a patient using said apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor is activated automatically.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first surface is a curved surface.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said second surface is a rotating disk which is operatively connected to a z axis moving shaft.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one brake is tipped with a friction inducing substance.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said friction inducing substance is rubber.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one brake is biased to provide additional variable resistance power.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor and at least one brake are used to provide frictional force against a patient during exercise.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said frictional force is applied in accordance with patient ability.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spring to compensate for inaccuracy between the motor and at least one of said brakes.  
     
     
         15 . A rehabilitation apparatus with at least three degrees of freedom of motion, comprising: 
 a handle adapted and constructed to be used simultaneously by a plurality of users during a rehabilitation exercise;    a motorized actuator adapted to support a movement by said plurality of users via said handle by at least one of resisting motion, guiding motion and causing motion;    a controller configured to control said actuator; and,    wherein, said controller is programmed to provide rehabilitation exercising for at least one of said plurality of users in at least one of said at least three degrees of freedom.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user is a patient.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user is a therapist.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user is a family member of a patient.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user is a friend of the patient.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user actively participates in said rehabilitation exercise and a user passively participates in said rehabilitation exercise.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said users actively participate in said rehabilitation exercise.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said users passively participate in said rehabilitation exercise.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a user provides motive force for the exercise.  
     
     
         24 . A method of rehabilitating a patient using an apparatus provided with at least three degrees of freedom, comprising: 
 commencing patient exercise on said apparatus;    activating a motor located on said apparatus, wherein said motor is operatively connected to a plurality of brakes, each brake associated with a surface and at least one said degree of freedom;    selectively advancing at least one brake using said motor to create friction between said brake and said surface and to resist movement in at least one degree of freedom.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein advancing at least one brake is based on patient ability.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein advancing at least one brake is based on a predetermined exercise program.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein advancing at least one brake is based on measured patient performance.