Method and apparatus for enhancing cardiovascular activity and health through rhythmic limb elevation

Abstract

Passive and powered RLE apparatus (,and,, respectively), and method for use therefor, allow and encourage safe aerobic exercise for cardiovascularly handicapped patients by partially balancing or lifting the weight of the limbs. Furthermore, during such aerobic exercise the patient's torso and head are rhythmically flooded with blood, and thus subject to varying blood pressure, as the limbs are rhythmically elevated. It is believed that this enhances cardiovascular activity and health by enabling “collateral circulation” around partially blocked arteries. The passive RLE apparatus (,) comprises an overhead anchor structure (,), and leg supporting extension springs (,) and arm supporting extension springs (,) for partially supporting the limbs via respective leg and arm supporting straps (,and,), and spring hooks (,) during the aerobic exercise. On the other hand, the powered RLE apparatus (,) implements rhythmic elevation of the legs and arms virtually without any effort by the patient unless he, or she, so wishes. This is enabled by a gear motor driven crank mechanism, which elevates and lowers the legs (,) and arms (,) in a nominally sinusoidal manner. Leg and arm tow lines (,and,) are swivelingly attached to a gear motor driven crank (,) and respectively routed through various ball bearing blocks (i.e., in a manner similar to the rigging of a sail boat) in order to lift the legs (,) and arms (,). The legs (,) and arms (,) are, in turn, coupled thereto by respective leg and arm supporting straps (,and,), spring hooks (,), and leg and arm lifting extension springs (,and,, respectively), which actually lift and lower the legs (,) and arms (,) in a rhythmic manner as the crank (,) rotates.