Exercise device to prevent dvt

Abstract

In order to provide an exercise device to give movement of the calf muscles to help pump blood from the legs to the heart and thereby reduce the risk of DVT, an oval or elliptical shaped oscillator is provided which can be used by a seated person by rocking the device backwards and forward underneath the foot. Lift is provided by the dual can effect of the rocking device, reacting with the floor, which increases the angle of the foot so as to flex the calf muscles.

1 . An exercise device comprising a solid body having a first surface for contacting the instep of the foot of a user and a second surface for contacting a floor surface wherein the outer profile of the first and second surfaces correspond to a substantially symmetrical ellipse, an asymmetrical ellipse, an ovoid, oblong or round edge polygon, the first and second surfaces being configured so that rolling the second surface over a floor surface causes at least a part of the first surface to rise with respect to the floor surface, wherein a cross section of a foot contacting zone of the device has a greatest dimension and a least dimension, the ratio between the least dimension and the greatest dimension being in the range 1.0:1.05 to 1.0:2.0.  
   
   
       2 . An oscillating device that functions under the instep that employs an elliptical shape or offset motion, to provide an increase in height or lift for the foot when rocked or rotated in either direction, and wherein a cross section of a foot contacting zone of the device has a greatest dimension and a least dimension, the ratio between the least dimension and the greatest dimension being in the range 1.0:1.05 to 1.0:2.0.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the cross section of the device corresponds to a 20° to 60° ellipse or ellipsoid, preferably a 35-40° ellipse or ellipsoid.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio between the least dimension and the greatest dimension is in the range 1.0:1.15 to 1.0:2.0, preferably 1.0:1.2 to 1.0:1.9, most preferably 1.0:1.4 to 1.0:1.8.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a solid body or a hollow body.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to any preceding claim, comprising two halves which may be releasably fixed together.  
   
   
       7 . An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is in the form of a round edged polygon and the ratio between the least dimension and the greatest dimension is in the range 1:1.5-1.0:2.0.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to any of claims  1 - 6 , where in the solid body corresponds to a substantially symmetrical ellipse, an asymmetrical ellipse or an avoid, wherein the cross section of the device corresponds to a 20° to 60° ellipse or ellipsoid.