A physiotherapeutic apparatus includes a bed, a sliding mechanism, and a connecting rod combination; the bed has thereon a threaded rod, an actuating device for causing rotation of the threaded rod, and a circuit controller for controlling motion of the actuating device; the bed has two lateral rails, and a lengthways-extending rail, which are parallel to the threaded rod; the sliding mechanism has rolling wheels thereon, which fit in and roll along each one of the rails for increasing motion smoothness and steadiness, preventing tilting and reducing wear; a threaded sleeve is secured to the sliding mechanism and positioned around the threaded rod so that rotation of the threaded rod will cause forward and backward motion of the sliding mechanism; the connecting rod combination is foldable and used to fix a user's lower limbs, and it is pivoted to the bed and the sliding mechanism two ends thereof.

A device for producing a continuous passive motion machine for the bending and stretching of the jointed limb of a person, according to a predetermined motion cycle. The device includes a driving element capable of moving to-and-fro along a linear path defined as a base element and an upper and lower element supporting a jointed limb, linked for pivoting about an axis x--x that is substantially transverse relative to said path. A linking element connects the upper element to the driving element. The linking element is mounted so as to pivot in relation to both said upper support element and the driving element about axes that extend substantially transverse relative to the path. The lower element supporting the limb is adapted to be retained in sliding engagement against the linking element.

The invention concerns a therapeutic device comprising a mechanical orthotic element (2, 3, 4) designed to constitute a contact surface with at least the patient's lower limbs and a neuromuscular stimulation element (33) including at least a pair of electrodes (37, 38) designed to act on the muscle or muscular group concerned of said patient's limb. The orthotic element comprises two orthoses including each three segments (2, 3, 4) designed to co-operate (11, 13; 12, 14; 15) with respectively the patient's thigh, leg and foot. The first segment is connected at one of its ends through a first motorised articulation (9) to an element (10) designed to co-operate with the patient's body at his hips and at its other end through a second motorised articulation (7) to one of the ends of the second segment. The other end of the second segment is linked through a third motorised articulation (8) to the third segment. Each of the articulations (6, 7, 8) is provided with an angular sensor and force and torque sensors, coupled to the control member (31) of the stimulation device so as to enable feedback control by closed loop adjustment of the stimulation device.

An orthotic apparatus for use in providing improved range of motion is provided which allows the amount of stretch to be hydraulically powered and measured by the device, but controlled by the user. Because the apparatus accurately calculates the amount of stretch, the user, together with the user's physician and therapist, can develop a rehabilitation plan based on accurate measurements. Progress is based on tangible results rather than the user's ability to tolerate pain. This knowledge provides the incentive the user needs to work toward and achieve the user's goal.

A therapeutic device may be used in providing physical therapy for a patient's knee by moving the patient's leg through a plurality of cycles of motion in each of a number of treatment sessions. The device includes a progressive range of motion feature that permits an automatic decrease in the flexion angle (or an automatic increase in the extension angle) over a period of time as rehabilitation progresses. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriage holding the patient's leg is decelerated, at a controlled rate over a controlled distance, from the operational speed to zero, as the carriage approaches the extension or flexion limit, and the carriage is accelerated in the same fashion as the carriage moves away from the extension or flexion limit.