Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a medical rehabilitation apparatus and method, and in particular but not exclusively, to a medical rehabilitation apparatus and method to assist in the rehabilitation of a person post trauma and/or surgical intervention.

Background of the Invention

For effective rehabilitation of a person post trauma and/or surgical intervention of a limb or part of a body through which the body's weight is transferred to a limb, it is often desirable for the person and a medical or health care practitioner to measure and control the amount of weight transferred through the limb. For example in the case of hip or knee surgery, a rehabilitation program may require the person to progressively increase the amount of weight transferred through the corresponding limb over a period of weeks or months. Moreover, newly developed surgical treatments rely on a person not exceeding recommended weight bearing limits. Current practice relies on proprioception where a patient measures the required weight to be beared by stepping onto a set of bathroom scales and trying to replicate this through muscle memory. However this is a particularly unreliable method.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a medical rehabilitation apparatus comprising: a support configured to contact a limb of the human body; and, a weight gauging system coupled to the support, the weight gauging system configured to provide a measure of a person's weight applied to the support through the limb at at least two spaced apart locations.

The weight gauging system may be configured to measure maximum dynamic weight at the at least two spaced apart locations. The weight gauging system may be configured to produce a single measure of weight, the single measure being a highest of the weights measured at each of the at least two spaced apart locations.

The medical rehabilitation apparatus may comprise a signaling system which provides the person with a signal indicative of weight being applied through the limb.

In one embodiment the signaling system is incorporated in the support.

However in an alternate embodiment the support system is separate from, and in wireless communication with, the support.

In either embodiment the signaling system may produce an audible signal.

Alternately or additionally the signaling system may produce a visual signal.

Alternately or additionally the signaling system may produce an electrical stimulus applied to a portion of the body of the person.

The weight gauging system may be adjustable to trigger the signaling system to produce the signal at different threshold weights.

The signaling system may be configured to produce a signal of a magnitude in proportion to weight measured by the weight gauging system in excess of the threshold weight.

In an embodiment where the limb is a leg, the weight gauging system may comprise at least one first weight sensor located at a position to measure weight applied through the heel of the foot, and at least one second weight sensor located to measure weight applied through the ball of the foot.

The at least one first weight sensor may comprise a single weight sensor having a peripheral edge substantially coextensive with a footprint of the heel. The at least one second weight sensor may comprise a single second weight sensor wherein the second weight sensor has a peripheral edge substantially coextensive with a footprint of the ball of the foot.

Alternately the at least one first weight sensor may comprise two or more first weight sensors and wherein the weight gauging system is configured to use a highest weight sensed by the two or more first weight sensors as the maximum dynamic weight applied by the heel through the support.

In another embodiment the at least one second weight sensor may comprise a plurality of second weight sensors and wherein the weight gauging system is configured to use a highest of the weights sensed by the two or more second weight sensors as a maximum dynamic weight applied by the ball of the foot through the support.

The support may comprise an orthoses.

Alternately the support may comprise a sock. In this embodiment the sock may comprise a pressure sock which applies pressure to the foot, ankle and lower leg.

The sock may incorporates an orthoses.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of rehabilitating a patient comprising: constructing a medical rehabilitation apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; juxtaposing the medical rehabilitation apparatus relative to a limb of a person wherein weight applied on the limb is transmitted to the medical rehabilitation apparatus; and, operating the medical rehabilitation apparatus to produce a signal received by the person when maximum dynamic weight applied on the limb exceeds a threshold weight.

In the method, operating the medical rehabilitation apparatus may comprise adjusting medical rehabilitation apparatus to vary the threshold weight. Constructing the medical rehabilitation apparatus may comprise constructing a heel sensor for measuring weight applied on the limb through the heel wherein the heel sensor is made of a shape having a peripheral edge substantially coextensive with a footprint of the heel.

Constructing the medical rehabilitation apparatus may comprise moulding an orthoses wherein the heel sensor is moulded into the orthoses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the medical rehabilitation apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the medical rehabilitation apparatus; and

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electronic system incorporated in embodiments of the medical apparatus.

Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments

With reference to figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a medical rehabilitation apparatus (hereinafter referred to in general as "apparatus") 10 comprises a support 12 which is configured to contact a limb of the body such as a persons leg and, more particularly in this embodiment, their foot; and, a weight gauging system 14 which is coupled to the support 12 and provides a measure of a persons weight applied to the support 12 through the limb at at least two spaced apart locations. In the present instance, where the support 12 is applied to a person's foot, the two spaced apart locations comprise a first location 16 which corresponds to the location of a person's heel, and a second location 18 that corresponds with the location of the ball of the person's foot.

The weight gauging system 14 in this particular embodiment comprises: a single first weight sensor 20 for sensing weight applied through the heel of a person's leg, a plurality (four) second sensors 22 for providing a measure of weight applied through the ball of the person's foot; and, an electronic system 24 which receives signals from the sensors 20 and 22. With reference to Figure 4, the electronic system 24 may typically comprise a processor or other electronic circuit 26, a transceiver 28, and a signaling system 30 in the present instance, shown as a auditory signaling system (i.e. a buzzer or speaker). The sensor 20 communicates with the processor 26 via one or more conductors 32 while the second sensors 22 communicate with the processor 26 via conductors 34. Links 27, 29 and 31 between the processor 26, transceiver 28 and signaling system 30 may be either hardwired or wireless or a mixture of both. Also one or more of the links may be a virtual link. In one example the links 27 and 29 are hardwired and link 31 is a virtual link, with transceiver 28 communicating with system 30 via the processor 26. In another example link 27 may be wireless, link 31 hardwired and link 29 virtual with the processor 26 communicating with the system 30 via the transceiver 28.

The weight gauging system 14 may be arranged to measure maximum dynamic weight at the two spaced apart locations 16 and 18. To do this, the processor 26 is programmed or otherwise hardwired so as to interrogate the weight measurements from sensors 20 and 22 to determine the maximum weight sensed by each of the sensors, and use that maximum as a measure of weight applied by a person through their limb onto the support 12. In this embodiment where there are four second sensors 22, the processor 26 will use the highest reading from each of the sensors 22 as the maximum dynamic weight applied at the location 18. Thus for example if the weight measured by a sensor 20 at location 16 is for example 40kg and the maximum weight sensed by individual ones of the sensors 22 is 30kg then the system 14 will determine that the maximum dynamic weight applied through the limb of a person is 40kg.

The apparatus 10 can signal, via its signaling system 30, to a person when weight applied through their limb exceeds a recommended level depending on the rehabilitation program for the person. For example, where the person has undergone matrix induced autologous chondrocyte implantations (MACI) surgery to repair their hyaline articular cartilage a rehabilitation program may specify that the person apply graduated proportions of their body weight through their leg over say a 12 week period. For example, Jay Ebert (PhD MAAEESS) of Hollywood Functional Rehabilitation Clinic suggests following MACI surgery that a person apply no more than 20% of their body weight through weeks 1 - 3 following the surgery; increasing to 30% of body weight for weeks 4 and 5; 40 - 50% of body weight by week 6; 60% of body weight for week 7; 70 - 90% for weeks 8 - 10; 90 - 100% for week 11 ; and 100% body weight from week 12.

The processor 26 may be programmed wirelessly by (via the transceiver 28) to control the signaling system 30 to emit a signal when the maximum weight sensed by the weight gauging system 14 exceeds a threshold level. This level can be changed as and when required by remote programming of the processor 26 via the transceiver 28. Take for example a situation where the person undergoing rehabilitation has a body weight of 100kg. Utilising the above rehabilitation program suggested by Jay Ebert, the weight gauging system 14 is programmed for weeks 1 - 3 to emit a signal to the user when the maximum weight sensed by any one of the sensors 20 and 22 exceeds 20kg. The person can then adjust the proportion of body weight transmitted through the leg in question to ensure compliance with the rehabilitation program.

The sensor 20 in this particular embodiment is a single sensor made of a shape having a peripheral edge 36 that is substantially coextensive with a foot print of a heel of the person using the apparatus 10. In order for the sensor 20 to have this configuration, it is custom made to suit the person in question. However it is not an essential requirement that the sensor 20 be either a single sensor or a sensor of this particular configuration. Indeed the sensor 20 may be replaced by one or more smaller first sensors 20' depicted in phantom in Figure 1. In such an embodiment, each of the smaller sensors 20' communicate with the electronic system 24 via respective conductors 32. The weight gauging system 14 will take the highest reading from each of the sensors 20' as the maximum dynamic weight applied at the first location (heel position) 16.

Similarly, it is not an essential requirement that there be four second sensors 22. In alternate embodiments, a single point sensor 22 may be used. Alternately, a single larger sensor having a peripheral edge substantially coextensive with a footprint of the ball of the foot may be used.

The signaling system 30 is also depicted as being part of the electronic system 24 embedded in or otherwise attached to the support 12. However in an alternate embodiment, the signaling system 30 may be remote from the support 12. For example, the signaling system may be worn like a bracelet or watch and communicates with the remainder of electronic system 24 via the transceiver 28. Indeed in a further embodiment both the transceiver 28 and signaling system 30 may form a single unit which can be worn like a bracelet or watch. In such an embodiment there may be a hard wired link between the transceiver 28 and system 30. In such an embodiment, when the person applies more weight through their limb than the current specified threshold level, by the processor 26 via the transceiver 28 sends a signal to the remote signaling system 30 which produces a sensory signal that can be detected by the person. The sensory signal may be one or a combination of an audible signal such as a "beeping" noise, a visual signal such as a flashing light or LED, or an electrical stimulus such as a mild electric current applied by an electrode in contact with the person's skin.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support 12 is in the form of an orthoses. The orthoses may be made by first making a cast of a person's foot then using standard techniques to form the orthoses. However in order to construct the apparatus 10, when the orthoses is being made the sensors 20 and 22 and the electronic system 24 may be placed in the mould and moulded into the orthoses. Depending on the type of sensors 20, 22 used, the sensors may first be also custom made to suit the person in question prior to moulding into the orthoses. By forming the support 12 as an orthoses, the apparatus 10 will be worn under the foot thus supporting and correcting the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. The orthoses will thus increase the stability in any unstable joint through preventing over pronation.

In a variation to the above method, the orthoses can be moulded with cavities into which the sensors 20 and 22, and the electronic system 14 can be fitted. The cavities for the sensors 20 and 22 may also be filled with a gel through which a person's weight is transferred onto the sensors.

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment 10a of the medical rehabilitation apparatus. The apparatus 10a differs from the apparatus 10 only in the form of the support 12a. In this embodiment, the support 12a is in the form of a pressure sock, the pressure sock 12a may incorporate a flexible sole 38. The weight gauging system 14 comprising the sensors 20 and 22 and the electronic system 24 is incorporated in the sole 38. The system 14 operates in an identical manner to that described above in relation to the apparatus 10. The support 12a being in the form of a pressure sock applies pressure to the foot, ankle and lower leg to reduce oedema.

Now that embodiments of the invention have been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the apparatus 10, 10a is described and depicted in relation to a support worn or contacted by a person's foot. However for shoulder or say elbow surgery, the apparatus 10 may be incorporated in an arm splint or a glove again used to provide a measure of weight applied through the arm onto the splint or glove. Further, the system 14 can be programmed or otherwise arranged or constructed so as to increase the intensity of the signal issued by the signaling system 30 in proportion to the maximum dynamic weight sensed over the threshold level.

All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and the appended claims.