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Knee rehabilitation deviceRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Force Resistance Generated By User OnlyKnee rehabilitation device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070149368, Knee rehabilitation device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Patent application No. 60/739,167, filed Nov. 25, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Knee injuries are an unfortunate byproduct of today's emphasis on sports and physical fitness; however, effective surgical techniques have been developed to repair injuries such as to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other components of the knee. In addition, many members of our aging population are candidates for total knee replacement surgery because of disease and/or injury. All of these surgical procedures must be followed by a period of rehabilitation in order for recovery to be complete. Furthermore, some injuries to the knee may not require surgery but instead may require an extensive rehabilitation period. Such rehabilitation generally requires that the knee be flexed and the leg be extended such as occurs in normal walking; however, it is frequently undesirable for a recovering patient to bear weight on his leg while rehabilitating his knee. In addition, when a knee has suffered a trauma or other injury, or after surgery, a person often lacks the necessary muscle control, strength or will to flex his knee and straighten his leg. [0003] It is known that regular exercise to restore your knee mobility and strength and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery. For example, after a total knee replacement a physical therapist is assigned to the patient to bring back the mobility of the knee function. This is done, in part, by the therapist to stretch the tendons and the ligaments to normal flexibility. [0004] One such exercise is known as bed-supported knee bends, where a patient bends his or her knee as much as possible while sliding their foot on the bed. Typically, the patient will hold their knee in a maximally bent position for 5 to 10 seconds and then straighten. This is repeated several times until your leg feels fatigued or until they can completely bend their knee. [0005] Another exercise is assisted knee bends, where a patient lies on his or her back, places a folded towel or sheet over the operated or injured knee, and dropping the towel to your foot. The knee is bended and pressure is gradually applied through the towel to increase the bend. The position is typically held for 5 to 10 seconds and repeated until the patient is fatigued. [0006] However, there are problems with this method. For example, conducting knee exercises with a towel or sheet provides a user with a lack of support around the foot, and the exercise itself is much less controlled. Additionally, a danger exists that the towel can slip from around the knee and cause the knee to return to an extended position too quickly, which can cause pain and even damage to the knee. [0007] Consequently, there is a need for a rehabilitation device that can be used to mobilize the joint over period of time as a part of the orthopedic care which follows an injury, illness or surgical procedure. [0008] Several devices are known in the art that provide for knee-bending functions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,605,792, to Simmons, discloses an exercise device that comprises conjoined slippers that are attached to a pair of adjustable straps. This device cannot be used with methods of the present invention at least because this device is designed to exercise the two legs together, particularly for waistline reducing exercises. This device cannot support a foot for knee rehabilitation exercises. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,767, to Hamm, discloses a therapeutic device for relieving tension or spasms in the lower back. It comprises a foot engaging part having an upper portion and a lower portion for forming a foot engaging enclosure. It further comprises a securing strap to be placed around a user's leg. The straps are attached to, or make up part of, the foot receiving portion and are connection to the leg piece. This device, geared toward stretching, is not suitable for the flexing exercises of the present invention. [0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0180767, to Carmell et al. discloses an exercise device that comprises a resistance tube that can be secured to a portion of the user's body. Like the '767 patent discussed above, this device is not suitable for controlled, knee flexing exercises. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,258 to Emlaw discloses a stretch exercise system that comprises a strap. The strap has a loop to receive a shoe on a user's foot. The system in place to adjust this loop to receive a user's shoe is not easily adjustable. Additionally, the strap/handle system is not a s user friendly as the one of the present invention. Many of the same deficiencies are applicable concerning the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,418 to Sheeler, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,930 to Kroke. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,844, to Azar, discloses a shoe-like foot support that comprises a stiff bottom and wheels, so that the foot can roll along the floor. There are many disadvantages to this system, including the fact that it would not work well on many surfaces, including a bed. [0013] In view of the deficiencies in the devices described above, it is easily appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new more versatile exercise/rehabilitation device which is hand portable, easy to handle and to use in the process of human rehabilitation. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rehabilitation device that assists in the rehabilitation of the knee and that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. The devices of the present invention help increase knee mobility following surgery, injury or other physical condition. The device is particularly useful in rehabilitation following knee surgery. [0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the rehabilitation of the knee that is safe and simple to use in a wide range of applications in the physical rehabilitation process. [0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable rehabilitation device that is easy to use and accommodates the physical conditions of all users. [0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a rehabilitation device for the knee that stabilizes the foot during an exercise. [0018] One embodiment of the present invention is a knee rehabilitation device that comprises a foot support. To help ensure proper support of the foot, the foot support should have a width that substantially covers the arch of a patient's foot. Also, the foot support has a closure device that allows the support to adjustably and snugly receive and support the foot. Hook and loop fasteners are good examples of the types of closures that can be used with this and other embodiments. Also, this embodiment comprises at least one strap detachably attached to the foot support. The strap comprising a fastener to allow a loop to be formed in the length of the strap. [0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is a medical device for knee flexing and rehabilitation that has an adjustable foot cradle to snugly engage and support the arch of a user's foot, a first elongate handle that terminates with a loop to be gripped by a user's hand, and a second elongate handle that terminates in a loop to be gripped by a user's hand. The two loops can be gripped and used to pull the foot toward the user's body with arm strength. [0020] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of performing knee rehabilitation, comprising providing a rehabilitation device as described herein, snugly securing the support around the users foot by hook and loop attachment, and then using arm strength to pull the strap in a manner that causes the foot to move toward the user's body. This movement causes the knee to flex, and imparts flexibility to an injured knee. [0021] Of course, other objects, advantages, embodiments, etc., of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. That is, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Continue reading about Knee rehabilitation device... Full patent description for Knee rehabilitation device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Knee rehabilitation device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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