[0001] The present invention relates to a rehabilitation unit. In particular, the present
invention relates to a rehabilitation unit comprising a plurality of stations for
assisted walking. In particular, the present invention relates to a rehabilitation
unit comprising a plurality of stations for assisted walking that are movable along
an annular path.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] As it is well known, in the field of rehabilitation of patients with walking troubles
it is crucial for the patients to train their lower limbs. Moreover, it is understood
that patients suffering from hemiplegia shall also restore their ability of controlling
and balancing the functions of their own torso, what is usually not deemed crucial
by various rehabilitation approaches and is therefore disregarded, usually focussing
attention mainly on the recovery of the paralysed limb. Equipment are well known,
provided with harnesses carried by a guide extending along a given path, whose function
is to support the patients unable to walk autonomously.
[0003] The use of this type of equipment put the patient in conditions very different than
the real walking conditions, as the patient cannot control again the correct posture
to manage his/her body on the legs in static and dynamic conditions in order to keep
his/her balance autonomously. Therefore, this kind of equipment, in addition to engage
significant portions of the areas destined to walking training, are unsatisfactory
as regards the recovery of paralysed limbs and, in particular, the recovery of the
mobility ability.
[0004] Moreover, in order to maximise the treatment efficiency and to achieve the expected
results, the equipment shall be used by the users under the continuous control and
with the aid of specialized therapists able to continuously modulate their intervention
according to the patients' needs. It is easily understood that, in order to do this,
the rehabilitation departments for treating patients affected by reduced mobility
of the lower limbs shall have a high number of specialised therapists in order to
assist every patient individually during rehabilitation with this equipment. This
procedure entails very high costs due to the need for performing rehabilitation for
many days under the continuous control of specialized therapists. Moreover, as a therapist
cannot manage more patients simultaneously, not all hospitals or care centres can
ensure continuous rehabilitation as they do not have a sufficient number of specialized
professionals available.
[0005] In view of what above, the problem of having a unit for immobilized patients rehabilitation
allowing to perform the operations described above without the intervention of an
operator is actually unsolved, and represents an interesting challenge for the Applicant.
[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to have available a rehabilitation unit that, in
addition to allow limiting and possibly overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art,
defines a new standard for this kind of units.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a rehabilitation unit. In particular, the present
invention relates to a rehabilitation unit comprising a plurality of stations for
assisted walking. In particular, the present invention relates to a rehabilitation
unit comprising a plurality of stations for assisted walking that are movable along
an annular path.
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a rehabilitation unit allowing
the patient to move the lower limbs safely.
[0010] According to the present invention a rehabilitation unit is provided, whose main
features will be described in at least one of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the rehabilitation unit of the invention
will be more apparent from the description below, set forth with reference to the
attached drawings, that illustrate some examples of embodiment, where identical or
corresponding parts of the system are identified by the same reference numbers. In
particular:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a rehabilitation
unit according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 shows a detail of Fig. 1 in enlarged scale and with some parts removed for
the sake of clarity;
- Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic plan views in reduced scale of some variants of a detail
of Fig. 1;
- Figs. 6 and 7 are front views in different scales of variants of Fig. 1;
- Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective schematic views of a detail of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0012] In Fig. 1, number 1 indicates a rehabilitation unit for patients with walking trouble,
who shall recover muscle strength and the ability to move autonomously their weight
from a leg to the other. The unit 1 comprises a frame 10 that is provided with a base
2 that is profiled in order to define a first annular flat path 30 of given shape.
The base 2 is carried by a plurality of pillars 2' and is peripherally delimited by
a respective first edge 12, which is so designed as to support at least one carriage
20 (coupled to the frame 10) in a sliding manner through bilateral constraint members
40. The constraint members 40 comprise a first flat guide 42 laterally carried by
the first edge 12 and geometrically shaped like the first annular path 30. The base
2 is delimited, at the top in Fig. 1, by a substantially horizontal plane 21, and
also the first guide 42 is horizontal, without however limiting the scope of the present
invention.
[0013] Each carriage 20 has a structure comprising a base 200 and a plate 200' supporting,
outside the projection of the base 2, a box-shaped support shaped like an overturned
L, to which the patient can rest the flank and an arm so as to be laterally supported.
The first guide 42 is longitudinally delimited by opposite coplanar flanks 420, shaped
in a given manner, and each base 200 of a respective carriage 20 carries further constraint
members 40 constituted by pulleys 43 (only one of which is visible in Fig. 3) arranged
at opposite sides from the first guide 4242. Each pulley 43 is provided with respective
grooves, whose section is shaped in conjugated manner with the flanks 420 in order
to couple in an angularly fixed and freely sliding manner to the first guide 42.
[0014] The support 22 is carried by the plate 200' through the interposition of a vertical
rod 240 shown in Fig. 3. The rod 240 is coupled to the plate 200' in a manner adjustable
in height through a crank mechanism 242 embodied in a known manner and provided with
a toothed wheel 242' engaging a toothing 242" longitudinally coupled to the rod 240
in a rigid manner in order to be vertically moved.
[0015] Each support 22 is externally delimited by a panel extending above and at the side
of the first guide 42, as it is shown in Fig. 3. The panel is externally delimited
by a L-shaped smooth surface 220, comprising a first flat part 222 substantially parallel
to the first guide 42, and a second flat part 224 substantially transverse to the
first guide 42. The first part 222 and the second part 224 are connected together
by means of a curved part 226, whose purpose is to optimize the contact with a patient's
armpit and to avoid to constrain him/her, so as to stimulate the patient's ability
to find autonomously a balance condition, gradually loading a paralysed limb where
he/she has reduced sensitivity.
[0016] If necessary, vacuum cushions can be associated with the panel, in order to optimize
the contact especially during the rehabilitation first steps, when the patient resting
on the carriage 20 has the impression of needing more support. For instance, vacuum
cushions 23' like the "Stabilo" cushions can be associated with the panel, as schematically
shown only in Fig. 3, where the cushions have been indicated with a broken line.
[0017] In Figs. 1 and 2, the carriages carried by the frame 10 are two and are arranged
at opposite sides from the annular path 30.
[0018] With reference only to Fig. 3, each carriage 20 is provided with a digital communication
device 50 suitable for electronic data wireless exchange, an electronic computer 60
electronically connected to the communication device 50 and a monitor 62 connected
to the electronic computer 60.
[0019] Moreover, sensors 222S, 224S and 226S are respectively associated with the first
part 222, the second part 224 and the curved part 226 of the surface 220 and are connected
(in a wired known manner, not shown for the sake of drawing economy) to the electronic
computer 60 in order to detect the pressure acting onto the panel, as exerted by a
patient interfacing the support 22.
[0020] The rehabilitation unit 1 comprises a central computer 64 carried by the frame 1
(only in Fig. 1) and so designed as to receive and process information from the electronic
computers 60 of each carriage 20 through the respective communication devices 50.
The electronic connections between the components 60 and 64 are known and have not
been shown for the sake of drawing economy.
[0021] With reference to Figs. 1, 8 and 9, the unit 1 comprises a detection device 80 for
detecting the pressure exerted on the ground by the patient at the side of each carriage
20 and therefore of the frame 10 during a rehabilitation session resting on a carriage
20. The detection unit 80 comprises at least one plate 82 shaped substantially as
an insole in order to be inserted inside a patient's shoe.
[0022] Each plate 82 is provided with at least one sensor 820 suitable to detect the pressure
exerted by the moving patient. The detection unit 80 is electronically connected (in
a known and therefore not shown manner) to the electronic processing means 60 remotely
and wireless.
[0023] With reference to Fig. 9, the detection unit 80 is provided with a box-shaped body
81 containing a processing unit 822 electronically connected to each sensor 820. The
box-shaped body 81 has fastening members 810, in particular a pair of laces 811 that
can be associated to a patient's leg in order to measure the variable load that can
be applied to the at least one plate 82 during a rehabilitation session on the unit
1.
[0024] The use of the rehabilitation unit 1 is clearly apparent from the description above
and does not require further explanations. However, it should be useful to specify
that the use of the rehabilitation unit 1 allows a patient to find a mechanical support
for walking adequate to his/her anthropometric measures and physical conformation
since the first steps of rehabilitation for recovering his/her mobility. Moreover,
the fact of having provided the panel and the plate 82 with sensors allows the users
to verify on the monitor 62 the trend of the rehabilitation session, so as to match
it to the therapeutic indications received. Moreover, a rehabilitation therapist can
contemporaneously control the trends of rehabilitation treatments of more patients
through the processing device 64 communicating with the computers 60 carried on board
of the carriages 20 of each rehabilitation unit 1.
[0025] Obviously, by connecting more rehabilitation units 1 to the processing device 64
it will be possible to monitor even more users performing rehabilitation sessions
contemporaneously. By providing the carriages 20 of the various rehabilitation units
1 connected to the processing device 64 with audio equipment, it will be possible
to communicate with the patients and to help them to improve the rehabilitation sessions.
[0026] Lastly, it is clearly apparent that variants and modifications can be done to the
rehabilitation unit described and illustrated herein without however departing from
the protective scope of the invention.
[0027] In particular, in Figs. 4a) and 4b) the frame 10 may be of the modular type and may
comprise at least one first support 14, delimited by rectilinear edges 12', and at
least two second supports 16, delimited by a curved edge 12'', in order to provide
annular paths whose shape can be defined at will.
[0028] In Fig. 4a) a frame 10 is illustrated like that of Fig. 1, divided into parts, and
in Fig. 4b) a frame 10 is illustrated composing two first supports 14, three second
supports 16 and a third, substantially T-shaped, joining support 17. Obviously, also
the guide 42 is modular and composed of segments associated with the rectilinear and/or
curved edges of the various supports composing the desired version of the frame 10.
[0029] Fig. 5 shows an annular frame 10 having a second annular path 30' inside and parallel
to the first path 30. In this way, the frame 10 is so designed as to carry a second
guide 42', substantially identical to the first guide 42, so that the frame 10 is
suitable to support the carriages 20 (illustrated only schematically) on parallel
tracks of substantially identical geometry. A given moving direction for the respective
carriages 20 corresponds to each path 30 and 30'.
[0030] With reference to Fig. 6, the rehabilitation unit 1 can be modified by providing
carriages 20 supporting a U-shaped arm 201 provided with a supplemental support 22'
aligned with the support 22 carried by the plate 200. In this way, a patient with
high mobility difficulties can rest both arms on the carriage 20, being therefore
supported on both the right and left flank.
[0031] Alternatively, in Fig. 7 the rehabilitation unit 1 of Fig. 6 may be simplified and
may have an arm 201' for each carriage 20 provided with only one ascending branch
202 ending with an end portion 203 that supports a harness 204 through a crutch 205.
[0032] In view of what described above, the rehabilitation unit 1, in the embodiments described
above, solves the problem of having available a rehabilitation unit for immobilized
patients allowing them to perform rehabilitation sessions autonomously under the remote
control of an operator safely, minimizing the times necessary to recover autonomous
mobility.
1. A rehabilitation unit (1) for assisted walking comprising a frame (10), at least one
carriage (20), coupled to said frame (10) and configured for at least partially supporting
a patient, wherein said frame (10) is peripherally delimited by a respective first
edge (12) that defines a first annular path (30) and supports the at least one carriage
(20), bilateral constraint means (40) for coupling said at least one carriage (20)
to said frame (10) in a sliding manner along said first annular path (30), wherein
said bilateral constraint means (40) comprise a first guide (42) carried by said first
edge (12) and shaped like said first annular path (30); wherein each said at least
one carriage (20) comprises a support (22) externally delimited by a panel (222, 224,
226) that extends over a first side of said first guide (42), opposite said frame
(10), and that extends over a second side of said first guide (42), substantially
perpendicular to said first side, and adjusting means (240, 242) for adjusting the
position of said panel (222, 224, 226) with respect to said first guide (42).
2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (10) is modular and comprises at least one first support (14), delimited
by at least one rectilinear edge (12'), and at least two second supports (16), delimited
by a curved edge (12"), in order to provide annular paths whose shape can be defined
at will.
3. Unit according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising a plurality of carriages (20) arranged along said first path (30).
1. Rehabilitationseinheit (1) für unterstütztes Gehen, die einen Rahmen (10), mindestens
ein Gestell (20), das mit dem Rahmen (10) gekoppelt und konfiguriert ist, um einen
Patienten mindestens teilweise zu stützen, wobei der Rahmen (10) umfänglich von einer
jeweiligen ersten Kante (12) begrenzt ist, die einen ersten ringförmigen Weg (30)
definiert, und das mindestens eine Gestell (20) trägt, zweiseitige Einschränkungsmittel
(40) zum Koppeln des mindestens einen Gestells (20) an dem Rahmen (10) auf eine gleitende
Art entlang des ersten ringförmigen Wegs (30), wobei das zweiseitige Einschränkungsmittel
(40) eine erste Führung (42) umfasst, die von der ersten Kante (12) getragen wird
und wie der erste ringförmige Weg (30) geformt ist; wobei jeder des mindestens einen
Gestells (20) einen Träger (22) umfasst, der extern von einer Platte (222, 224, 226)
begrenzt ist, die sich über eine erste Seite der ersten Führung (42), dem Rahmen (10)
entgegengesetzt, erstreckt, und sich über eine zweite Seite der ersten Führung (42)
im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der ersten Seite erstreckt, und Einstellmittel (240,
242) zum Einstellen der Position der Platte (222, 224, 226) in Bezug auf die erste
Führung (42).
2. Einheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rahmen (10) modular ist und mindestens einen ersten Träger (14) umfasst, der
von mindestens einer geradlinigen Kante (12') begrenzt ist, und mindestens zwei zweite
Träger (16), die von einer gekrümmten Kante (12") begrenzt sind, um ringförmige Wege
bereitzustellen, deren Form nach Wunsch definiert werden kann.
3. Einheit nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Vielzahl von Gestellen (20), die entlang des ersten Wegs (30) eingerichtet
sind, umfasst.
1. Unité de rééducation (1) pour la marche assistée, comprenant un cadre (10), au moins
un chariot (20), couplé audit cadre (10) et configuré pour supporter au moins partiellement
un patient, ledit cadre (10) étant délimité de manière périphérique par un premier
bord respectif (12) qui définit un premier chemin annulaire (30) et supporte l'au
moins un chariot (20), des moyens de contrainte bilatérale (40) pour coupler ledit
au moins un chariot (20) audit cadre (10) de manière coulissante le long dudit premier
chemin annulaire (30), lesdits moyens de contrainte bilatérale (40) comprenant un
premier guide (42) porté par ledit premier bord (11) et conformé comme ledit premier
chemin annulaire (30) ; chacun dudit au moins un chariot (20) comprenant un support
(22) délimité extérieurement par un panneau (222, 224, 226) qui s'étend sur un premier
côté dudit premier guide (42), opposé audit cadre (10), et qui s'étend sur un second
côté dudit premier guide (42), sensiblement perpendiculaire audit premier côté, et
des moyens d'ajustement (240, 242) pour ajuster la position dudit panneau (222, 224,
226) par rapport audit premier guide (42).
2. Unité selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que ledit cadre (10) est modulaire et comprend au moins un premier support (14), délimité
par au moins un bord rectiligne (12'), et au moins deux seconds supports (16), délimités
par un bord courbe (12"), afin de fournir des chemins annulaires dont la forme peut
être définie à volonté.
3. Unité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée par le fait qu'elle comprend une pluralité de chariots (20) disposés le long dudit premier chemin
(30).