Physical therapy apparatus

Abstract

A physical therapy apparatus comprising an at least partially flexible vessel and a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is associated with the at least partially flexible vessel. The pressure gauge is configured to monitor the change in pressure of the at least partially flexible vessel. The at least partially flexible vessel is inflated to a pressure which permits a patient to compress the flexible vessel between two limbs or other parts of the body of a patient, to selectively increase the pressure therewithin.

1 . A physical therapy apparatus comprising: 
 an at least partially flexible vessel;    a pressure gauge associated with the at least partially flexible vessel, the pressure gauge configured to monitor the change in pressure of the at least partially flexible vessel, wherein the at least partially flexible vessel is inflated to a pressure which permits a patient to compress the flexible vessel between two limbs or other parts of the body of a patient, to selectively increase the pressure therein.    
   
   
       2 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least partially flexible vessel comprises a substantially spherical configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pressure gauge includes means for signaling to a user that a desired pressure has been reached.  
   
   
       4 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the signaling means comprises at least one of a visual indication and a audible indication.  
   
   
       5 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the visual indication comprises one of an analog gauge or a digital gauge.  
   
   
       6 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the audible indication comprises one of the group consisting of: audible tones and synthesized speech.  
   
   
       7 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pressure gauge further includes means for storing data pertaining to pressure readings.  
   
   
       8 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the data storing means includes means for linking with a computer, to transfer the data from the data storing means to a computer for processing thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The physical therapy apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the signaling means is positionable remote of the at least partially flexible vessel, while maintaining electronic communication therewith.  
   
   
       10 . A method for determining the relative strength of a portion of a patient's body comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a physical therapy apparatus between two limbs of a patient, the physical therapy apparatus comprising an at least partially flexible vessel and a pressure gauge associated with the at least partially flexible vessel;    allowing the patient to move the two limbs to, in turn, increase the pressure within the at least partially flexible vessel;    providing an indication corresponding the increase in pressure of the at least partially flexible vessel; and    allowing the patient to move the two limbs, to, in turn, reduce the pressure within the at least partially flexible vessel.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of: 
 storing data pertaining to the increase in pressure.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of: 
 analyzing the stored data.