Continuous Passive Motion Machine for Elbow Rehabilitation

Continuous Passive Machines (CPM) facilitate patients in eliminating joint stiffness after surgery and lead to a faster and more efficient recovery. However, many previous CPM machined are mechanically complicated, expensive, and lack a user interface. This paper presents a new CPM machine for elbow flexion-extension and forearm pronation-supination. The machine is simple, low-cost, and equipped with Graphical User Interface (GUI). Its mechanism is designed so that it can be used on the left or right arms interchangeably. It is developed using aluminum, perspex, and steel rods. The electrical part of the machine consists of Arduino Uno to drive the motors and a potentiometer to measure the patients’ Range of Motion (ROM). The GUI for setting the exercise parameters and monitoring the patients’ progress has been developed using MATLAB software. The experimental results show that the machine has successfully provided the repetitive desired motions. The machine realizes elbow flexion-extension and forearm pronation-supination movements with 0ᵒ-135ᵒ and 0ᵒ-90ᵒ ranges of motion (ROM), respectively. The machine is also capable of increasing the elbow joint’s ROM by 5ᵒ increments for the therapy. The results show that the machine has the potential to be used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Redesign of a continuous passive motion machine for total knee replacement therapy

Purpose After knee replacement surgery, rehabilitation is needed to recover to normal levels of mobility. A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is usually introduced at this stage to aid rehabilitation. However, the redundant structure and complex mechanism of the existing machine has resulted in irregular use. The purpose of this paper is to redesign the current machine. Design/methodology/approach The mechanical and electrical systems of the current machine were studied alongside interviews with stakeholders. Problems with the existing machine were identified. Related information was gathered in both the engineering and medical aspects. The redesign concept of the equipment was specified following engineering analyses to develop the final model. Finite element analysis was performed to ensure the appropriate size and dimension of the equipment. The prototype of the redesigned CPM was manufactured in-house. Product testing was conducted with 40 volunteers including experienced therapists, nurses, university students and working-age people. Findings Compared to the previous machine, the newly designed model was improved in both functioning and manufacturing costs. The redesigned machine is more durable and consists of a less complex structure. Originality/value The redesigned machine introduces some new features and removes unnecessary functions. As a result, the model costs less and hence, is considered beneficial to the general public. More utilization is expected which could eventually reduce the therapists’ workload at the hospital. This research provides well-defined processes of the product development starting from the users’ requirement analysis to the prototype testing stage.

Selection of Drives for Prototype of Continuous Passive Motion Machine

The paper contains a description of a research into selecting drives for prototype of Continuous Passive Motion machine. Designing and constructing automated rehabilitation devices aims to increase effectiveness as well as shorten the time of a therapy. Information drew from literature, market researches and interviews in Krakow’s rehabilitation centers enabled the assessment of changes that are necessary to improve the ongoing process of automation. The article focuses on problem of designing and appropriate location of drives in accordance with durability calculations. Additionally, designing the universal machine that would allow conducting the ankle, knee and hip joint motion simultaneously, involved proper choice of drives and planning their placement, so they would not disturb the therapy.

Design of Continuous Passive Motion Machine Based on Kinematic Model of Lower Limb

The article presents the design of Continuous Passive Motion machine based on kinematic model of lower limb. The machines are used to prevent the stiffening of joints and allow recovering their full functionality after surgical interventions. The research conducted in rehabilitation centers states, that there is a necessity of using the CPM machines. The types of the machines that are currently used do not provide all the natural movements of a healthy organism, though. Such limitations concern not only motions in particular level, but also ranges of motions. There is a need to modernize already existing models, by introducing brand new functions or improving and re-constructing the functions already implemented. Such information resulted in designing a new solution of a CPM machine for the lower limb exercises.