Rehabilitation leg press apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for rehabilitation of a patient sitting in a wheelchair, the apparatus having a passive support, an active support, a vertical motion restricting device, a wheelchair securing device, a horizontal motion device with respect to the passive support, and a horizontal motion device with respect to the vertical motion restricting device. Also, a method for rehabilitation of a patient when the patient is sitting in a wheelchair, the method having the steps of passively supporting the wheelchair, actively supporting the wheelchair, vertically restricting motion of the wheelchair, securing the wheelchair, and horizontally moving the wheelchair.

1 . An apparatus for rehabilitation of a patient sitting in a wheelchair, the apparatus comprising:
 a means for passive support;   a means for active support;   a means for restricting vertical motion of the means for active support;   a means for securing the wheelchair;   a means for horizontal motion with respect to the means for passive support; and   a means for horizontal motion with respect to the means for restricting vertical motion of the means for active support.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for passive support comprises the means for restricting vertical motion of the means for active support. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for active support comprises the means for securing the wheelchair. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for active support comprises the means for horizontal motion with respect to the means for passive support. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for active support comprises the means for horizontal motion with respect to the means for restricting vertical motion of the means for active support. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for dynamic resistance and a means for static resistance; and wherein the means for dynamic resistance is provided between the means for passive support and the means for active support. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein apparatus further comprises a means for dynamic resistance and a means for static resistance; and wherein the means for static resistance is provided between the wheelchair and the means for active support. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for rehabilitation of a patient sitting in a wheelchair, the apparatus comprising:
 a support structure;   a carriage;   a carriage vertical motion restrictor device;   a receiver for the wheelchair;   a first rolling device for horizontal motion with respect to the support structure; and   a second rolling device for horizontal motion with respect to the carriage vertical motion restrictor device.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure comprises the carriage vertical motion restrictor device. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the carriage comprises a selected one of the receiver for the wheelchair and the first rolling device for horizontal motion with respect to the support structure. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the entire apparatus is at an angle so that the lower plate is disposed at an incline and so that the wheelchair rolls back and forth in a direction that is not horizontal. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the carriage comprises the second rolling device for horizontal motion with respect to the carriage vertical motion restrictor device. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a dynamic resistance device and a static resistance device; and wherein the dynamic resistance device is provided between the support structure and the carriage. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a dynamic resistance device and a static resistance device; and wherein the static resistance device is provided between the wheelchair and the carriage. 
   
   
       15 . A method for rehabilitation of a patient when the patient is sitting in a wheelchair, the method comprising the steps of:
 passively supporting the wheelchair;   actively supporting the wheelchair;   vertically restricting motion of the wheelchair;   securing the wheelchair; and   horizontally moving the wheelchair.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of passively supporting the wheelchair comprises the step of a selected one of horizontally and vertically restricting motion of the wheelchair. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step of actively supporting the wheelchair comprises the step of securing the wheelchair. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the entire apparatus is at an angle so that the lower plate is disposed at an incline and so that the wheelchair rolls back and forth in a direction that is not horizontal. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , the method further comprising steps of providing dynamic resistance to the wheelchair; providing static resistance to the wheelchair; and attaching a means for dynamic resistance between a passive support means and a means for active support. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , the method further comprising steps of providing dynamic resistance to the wheelchair; providing static resistance to the wheelchair; and attaching a means for static resistance between the wheelchair and a means for active support.