Developing an intelligent & portable stretching device

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的目的是开发一种具有智能控制的新型便携式康复装置，用于反复拉伸痉挛和/或挛缩的踝关节，以减少神经功能受损患者的痉挛/挛缩。它将关节拉伸到真正的足底和背屈极限，直到达到指定的峰值阻力扭矩，并根据阻力扭矩不断调整拉伸速度。一旦达到峰值阻力扭矩，踝关节将在极端位置保持一段时间，让压力放松，然后再旋转回另一个极端位置。在关节极端位置的拉伸速度将非常缓慢，这使得安全地到达更大的ROM成为可能，并且在中间ROM中拉伸速度将很快，因此大部分拉伸运动不会在挛缩/痉挛不太明显的中间ROM中进行。该装置还将用于评估多个方面的结果，包括被动ROM、关节刚度、粘性阻尼、能量损失和反射增益的变化。此外，功能变化将通过活动ROM和足底和背屈肌的发力能力来评估。该拉伸装置将为治疗师和神经损伤患者提供一个有用的工具。最后，该拉伸装置将具有低成本和便携性，使患者在诊所或家庭使用方便，经济，降低治疗成本。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objectives of this study are to develop a new portable rehabilitation device with intelligent control to stretch a ankle joint with spasticity and/or contracture repeatedly to reduce spasticity/contracture in neurologically impaired patients. It will stretch the joint to true extreme plantar- and dorsi-flexion until a specified peak resistance torque is reached with the stretching velocity adjusted constantly based on the resistance torque. Once the peak resistance torque is reached, the ankle will be held at the extreme position for a period of time to let the stress relax before it is rotated back to the other extreme position. The stretching velocity will be very slow at the joint extreme positions, making it possible to reach a larger ROM safely, and it will be fast in the middle ROM so the majority of the stretching exercise is not spent in the middle ROM where contracture/spasticity is less significant. The device will also be used to evaluate outcome in multiple aspects including changes in passive ROM, joint stiffness, viscous damping, energy loss, and reflex gain. Furthermore, functional changes will be evaluated through the active ROM and plantar and dorsi-flexor muscle force-generating capacity. The stretching device will provide a useful tool to both the therapists and neurologically impaired patients. Finally, the stretching device will be low-cost and portable, making it convenient and economical for patients to use in clinic or home and reduce the costs of their treatment. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The device can be used to treat spasticity/contracture and evaluate outcome in a number of populations. 1) The device will stretch spastic joints with intelligent control, making it more effective than existing devices. 2) The built-in outcome evaluation will provide quantitative measures of its effectiveness. 3) The low-cost and portable device can potentially be used at home/clinic for convenient treatment, making the potential market large.