Mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly

Abstract

A mechanical loading apparatus having an oscillating platform and a signal modulating assembly for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating platform for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue condition, as well as postural instability. The signal modulating assembly modulates the operating signal such that the oscillating platform oscillates at frequency which simulates human activities, such as, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc. The mechanical loading apparatus further includes a control panel having control knobs or buttons for manually selecting a desired activity to be simulated by the mechanical loading apparatus.

1 . An apparatus for therapeutically treating tissue in a body, the apparatus comprising:
 a platform configured to support the body;   an oscillating actuator configured to receive an operating signal for oscillating the platform at a first frequency; and   a modulating assembly operably connected to the oscillating actuator for modulating the operating signal of the oscillating actuator to change the oscillation of the platform from the first frequency to a second frequency.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a capacitor assembly positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the weight of the body being supported on the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel operably connected to the modulating assembly for controlling the modulation of the operating signal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein oscillation of the platform at the first frequency simulates a first human activity and oscillation of the platform at the second frequency simulates a second human activity. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second human activities are selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a processor assembly for controlling the modulating assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the processor assembly stores at least one treatment program capable of simulating at least one human activity when executed by said processor assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the control panel includes a custom button for customizing a treatment program for simulating at least one human activity during a treatment duration. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the control panel includes a control button for manually controlling the modulation assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating signal is selected from the group consisting of triangular, square, sinusoidal, half-sinusoidal, trapezoidal, saw-tooth, staircase, continuous ramping, sweeping vibrational signal, bursts with relaxation time and without relaxation time, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for engaging the platform; and   support means operatively connected to the means for engaging for supporting the patient on the platform.   
     
     
         12 . A method for therapeutically treating tissue in a body, the method comprising:
 supporting the body on a platform;   oscillating the platform at a first frequency to simulate a first human activity; and   oscillating the platform at a second frequency to simulate a second human activity.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of determining the weight of the body supported on the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second human activities are selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of controlling the oscillation of the platform from a control panel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of customizing a treatment program for simulating at least one human activity during a treatment duration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of displaying the distance the patient would have traveled if actually performing the simulated first and second human activities. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting treatment data from a platform site via a communications medium to a remote monitoring station. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of controlling a modulating assembly operably connected to an oscillating actuator for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating actuator for performing the oscillating steps. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the duration of each oscillating step is determined according to a stored treatment program. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second frequencies are different for simulating human activities selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing.