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

该SBIR第一阶段研究项目将开发一种具有新型枢转和滑动机制的可控和可测量的膝关节训练系统，该系统训练患者改善枢转和滑动的离轴运动中的神经肌肉控制。这种枢转和滑动机构可以潜在地在许多现有的锻炼器械（椭圆机、踏步机和自行车锻炼器）上作为训练附件实施。作为一种强有力的临床评估工具，该系统也有利于目前的研究，膝关节损伤的预防和康复。在这些损伤中，膝关节是最容易受伤的身体部位之一，前交叉韧带（ACL）损伤是最常见的问题，其次是髌股疼痛综合征（PFPS）。在大多数情况下，膝关节损伤涉及整个下肢和躯干，因此训练整个下肢而不是单个关节更有效和高效。所提出的独特的神经肌肉训练系统的蹬伸-滑动机制具有显着的潜力，ACL和PFPS损伤预防/减少后的康复。尤其重要的是为患者提供科学的评估，使他们在手术后有效地恢复。可广泛应用于康复中心的下肢康复和ACL损伤预防。该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111 - 5）资助的。

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).