US 2003/0171196 A1Application

Post operative knee flexer

Publication Date:2003-09-11

•5 Claims

•10 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

This machine is solely operated by the paitient under the supervision and coaching of a professional physical therapist. After a total knee replacement a physical therapist is assigned to the paitient to bring back the mobility of the knee function.This is done by the therapist to stretch the tendons and the ligaments to normal flexability. The therapist sits the paitient on a bench and while holding thigh tight to the bench they forcibly push the lower leg with a free hand to achieve the required bend. This causes the paitient a great deal of pain and anxiety. This procedure is necessary to bring the tendons back to normal flexability. My invention allows the paitient to accomplish this without the fear of pain and shortens the time of recovery.

Metadata

Inventor

James Cunningham

Application Information

Application Number:US 09/995,032

Filing Date:2002-02-12

Priority Date:2002-02-12

Patent Drawings (10 sheets)

Description

SPECIFICATIONS

[0001] 1. Structure material of proto-type- primarily wood24 First grade douglas fir. Alternate Aluminum Tubing: 24 reinforced at tension points.

[0002] 2. Galvanized carriage bolt and nuts.

[0003] 3. Galvanized 31 pulley wheels ( with keepers).

[0004] 4. {fraction (5/16)} Nylon cord (woven design).

[0005] 5. 1 Foam rubber covered with vinyl on plywood.

[0006] 6. 14 1 Fir leg drops.

[0007] 7. First grade vinyl covering.

[0008] 8. 2Heavy duty Transport wheels2Hard rubber.

[0009] 10. 2Hand grips, plastic heavy duty.

[0010] 11. 2 Spring loaded hinges for leg support4.

[0011] 12. 4 Metal 1 base support feet.

[0012] 13. 237 mirrors in frames.

[0013] 14. Hand rails copper tubing formed as shown.

[0014] 15. 26 Swing arm protractors.

[0015] 16. Securing straps2 wide Velcro.

[0016] NOTE: Machine is portable and can be fully transported for use in the home of the paitient.

[0017] NOTE: I have a complete working model with safe guards built in for home use.

[0018] NOTE: Machine is adjustable for any size paitient.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS WORKSHEET

Part Name

[0019] DRWG. 1 Sideview base frame

[0020] DRWG. 2 Front view, base frame

[0021] DRWG. 3 Plan head & base frame

[0022] DRWG. 4 Side view of seat

[0023] DRWG. 5 Front view of seat

[0024] DRWG. 6 Plan view of underside, seat

[0025] DRWG. 7 Side view of seat

[0026] DRWG. 8 Aluminum boot

[0027] DRWG. 9 Schematic of P.O.K.E.

[0028] 835 Photographs of unit

Claims

1. The POST OPERATIVE KNEE FLEXER was created by me for the purpose of achieving the normal bending of the knee after total knee replacement surgery.

2. After total knee -replacement surgery, when the wound has sufficiently healed; it is required that the patient's knee bending and movement be reestablished as soon as possible. This is done to stretch the tendons and the ligaments to their normal flexibility. This is achieved under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. The therapist sits the paitient upright on a chair or stool and by pushing on the paitient's ankle bends the knee. This is extremely painful and stressful to the paitient. The paitient tends to resist this proceedure. If a 90 degree bend is not achieved in a reasonable length of time further surgery is necessary.

3. The POST OPERATIVE KNEE FLEXER was developed by me when my wife had a total knee replacement and was assigned a Physical Therapist to help with her rehabilitation at home. She was not responding to the treatment because she feared the pain connected to the therapist bending her knee. The therapist told my wife that the doctor said that if a 90 degr bend was not achieved on the next visit my wife would have to go back to the hospital. The therapist was to come back to our home the following day. After my plan for a machine that might help, I boughtthe material and constructed the unit. When the therapist arrived I told her about this machine. Her comment was What have we got to lose, let's try it. My wife sat in the chair-like machine. The therapist stood back and coached my wife within 30 minutes my wife had achieved the required 90 degree bend. The therapist's comment was, Fantastic.

4. The POST OPERATIVE KNEE FLEXER is totally operated by the paitient under the supervision and coaching of the therapi and is used for the complete rehabilitation after knee replacement.

5. I have added other features to the machine for the paitient's size and safety. The paitient can witness their own degree of bend on a protractor attached to the machine.