SBIR Phase IB: Developing a Pivoting-sliding Elliptical Machine for Knee Injury Prevention/Rehabilitation

该SBIR第一期研究项目将开发一种可控、可测量的膝关节训练系统，具有新颖的枢转和滑动机制，训练患者改善枢转和滑动离轴运动的神经肌肉控制。这种枢转和滑动机构可以作为训练配件应用在许多现有的健身器材（椭圆机、踏步机和自行车训练器）上。作为一个强大的临床评估工具，该系统也有利于当前膝关节损伤预防和康复的研究。在这些损伤中，膝盖是最容易受伤的身体部位之一，其中前十字韧带（ACL）损伤是最常见的问题，其次是髌股疼痛综合症（PFPS）。大多数情况下，膝关节损伤涉及整个下肢和躯干，因此训练整个下肢比训练单个关节更有效和高效。所提出的独特的旋转滑动机制神经肌肉训练系统对于预防/减少 ACL 和 PFPS 损伤后的康复具有巨大的潜力。为患者提供科学的评估并使其术后有效康复尤为重要。可广泛应用于康复中心下肢康复和ACL损伤预防。该奖项根据 2009 年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法 111-5）提供资金。

This SBIR Phase I research project will develop a controllable and measurable knee training system with a novel pivoting and sliding mechanism, which trains patients to improve neuromuscular control in off-axis motions of pivoting and sliding. This pivoting and sliding mechanism can be potentially implemented on many existing exercise machines (elliptical machine, step machine and bicycle exerciser) as a training accessory. As a powerful clinical evaluation tool, this system also benefits the current study of knee injury prevention and rehabilitation. Among those injuries, the knee is one of the most easily injured body areas, with injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) as the most frequent problem overall followed by the PatelloFemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). In most cases the knee injury involves the entire lower limb and trunk, so it is more effective and efficient to train the whole lower limb, instead of an individual joint. The proposed unique neuromuscular training system on the pivoting-sliding mechanism has significant potential for rehabilitation after ACL and PFPS injury prevention/reduction. It is especially important to provide the patients a scientific evaluation and make them recover efficiently after their surgeries. It can be used widely in rehabilitation centers for lower limb rehabilitation and ACL injury prevention. This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).