US 11,833,098 B1
System and method for knee rehabilitation
Darren Keiser, Gretna, NE (US)
Filed by Darren Keiser, Gretna, NE (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/960,031.
Application 15/960,031 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/606,334, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, granted, now 9,949,885, issued on Apr. 24, 2018.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61H 1/02 (2006.01); A63B 22/00 (2006.01); A63B 23/035 (2006.01); A63B 23/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61H 1/024 (2013.01) [A61H 1/0255 (2013.01); A61H 2001/0207 (2013.01); A61H 2201/0157 (2013.01); A61H 2201/0161 (2013.01); A61H 2201/0192 (2013.01); A61H 2201/1269 (2013.01); A61H 2203/0431 (2013.01); A63B 23/03508 (2013.01); A63B 23/0494 (2013.01); A63B 2022/0094 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for knee rehabilitation, comprising:
a rigid frame consisting of a top member and two reinforced side members including a left side member and a right side member, wherein each of the side members terminate in a base and each base terminates in a free end,
each side member extending in a straight linear fashion between a first end and its respective base, the side members connected solely by the top member extending in a straight linear fashion between the first ends, the top member arranged in a same plane with, and substantially perpendicular to, the two side members;
the top member at least partially covered by a padded portion attached thereto, the padded portion configured to engage a treated leg of a user in a seated position above a floor at or near a rear popliteal space to support a knee of the treated leg in a raised position;
and
wherein each side member includes a transition between the top member and each first end of each side member, each transition including a rubberized grip, each grip being configured for allowing the user to stabilize or position the frame relative to the floor using a hand;
the bases configured to:
1) Provide traction between the side members and the floor;
2) Pivot the side members through a plurality of angles relative to the floor;
and
3) position the side members substantially perpendicular to a thigh of the treated leg;
thus enabling the frame to induce the knee to bend inwards or outwards in response to one or more of gravitational force, user-assisted force, or user-directed force affecting a lower portion of the treated leg.
 
12. A method for improving knee mobility, comprising:
supporting a user proximate to a flat surface in a seated position above the flat surface, the seated position associated with alleviating pressure on a spine of the user;
providing a rigid frame to support a thigh of a treated leg of the user, the rigid frame consisting of:
a top member and two reinforced side members including a left side member and a right side member, wherein each of the side members terminate in a base and each base terminates in a free end,
each side member extending in a straight linear fashion between a first end and its respective base, the side members connected solely by the top member extending in a straight linear fashion between the first ends, the top member arranged in a same plane with, and substantially perpendicular to, the two side members,
the top member at least partially covered by a padded portion configured to engage the treated leg at or near a popliteal space to support a knee of the treated leg in a raised position,
the bases being configured to provide traction between the side members and the flat surface and to allow the side members to pivot through a plurality of angles relative to the flat surface;
and
wherein each side member includes a transition between the top member and each first end of each side member, each transition including a rubberized grip, each grip being configured for allowing the user to stabilize or position the frame relative to the flat surface using a hand;
positioning the side members substantially perpendicular to a thigh of the treated leg;
engaging the treated leg at or near the popliteal space via the padded portion;
and
facilitating utilization of one or more of gravitational force, user-assisted force, or user-directed force to actuate at least one lower portion of the treated leg to bend the knee inwards through a range of motion.