Saturday, January 25, 2014

Def'n: Anti-Gravity Treadmill

Section:

  1. Weight-Bearing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  2. Space Medicine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  3. AlterG - Physical Therapy Treadmills for Outpatient Rehabilitation

SSTattler: 
  1. Does it work?? Probable - it is the early days but at least you can try it for stroke survivors if you want to. 
  2. We will a sub-set for stroke survivors but you can look at the whole article specifically the NASA Space Medicine.

Weight-Bearing From Wikipedia,
      the free encyclopedia


In orthopedics, weight-bearing is the amount of weight a patient puts on the leg on which surgery has been performed. In general, it is described as a percentage of the body weight, because each leg of a healthy person carries the full body weight when walking, in an alternating fashion.

After surgery of the hip, or of the bones of the leg, ankle, or foot, it is of the utmost importance for recovery to get the right amount of weight-bearing when moving around with crutches or frames.

The grades of weight bearing for each phase of recovery will be determined by the surgeon. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill can allow testing of weight bearing by lowering effective body weight in 1% increments from 20% - 100% of body weight.

Grades


  • Non-weight-bearing (NWB): The leg must not touch the floor and is not permitted to support any weight at all. The patient may hop on the other leg or use crutches or other devices for mobility. In this grade, 0% of the body weight may be rested on the leg.
  • Touch-down weight-bearing or Toe-touch weight-bearing: The foot or toes may touch the floor (such as to maintain balance), but not support any weight. Do not place actual weight on the affected leg. Imagine having an egg underfoot that one is not to crush.
  • Partial weight-bearing: A small amount of weight may be supported by the affected leg. The weight may be gradually increased up to 50% of the body weight, which would permit the affected person to stand with his body weight evenly supported by both feet (but not to walk).
  • Weight-bearing as tolerated: Usually assigned to people that can support from 50 to 100% of the body weight on the affected leg, the affected person independently chooses the weight supported by the extremity. The amount tolerated may vary according to the circumstances.
  • Full weight-bearing: The leg can now carry 100% of the body weight, which permits normal walking.



See the original article:
      Weight-Bearing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Space Medicine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Space medicine is the practice of medicine on astronauts in outer space whereas astronautical hygiene is the application of science and technology to the prevention or control of exposure to the hazards that may cause astronaut ill health. Both these sciences work together to ensure that astronauts work in a safe environment. The main objective is to discover how well and for how long people can survive the extreme conditions in space, and how fast they can adapt to the Earth's environment after returning from their voyage. Medical consequences such as possible blindness and bone loss have been associated with human spaceflight.

History


Hubertus Strughold (1898–1987), a former Nazi physician and physiologist, was brought to the United States after World War II as part of Operation Paperclip. He first coined the term "space medicine" in 1948 and was the first and only Professor of Space Medicine at the School of Aviation Medicine (SAM) at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. In 1949 Strughold was made director of the Department of Space Medicine at the SAM (which is now the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas). He played an important role in developing the pressure suit worn by early American astronauts. He was a co-founder of the Space Medicine Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association in 1950. The aeromedical library at Brooks AFB was named after him in 1977, but later renamed because documents from the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal linked Strughold to medical experiments in which inmates of the Dachau concentration camp were tortured and killed.

Who Benefits from Space Medicine Research?


Astronauts are not the only ones who benefit from space medicine research. Several medical products have been developed that are space spinoffs, that is practical applications for the field of medicine arising out of the space program. Because of joint research efforts between NASA, the National Institutes on Aging (a part of the National Institutes of Health), and other aging-related organizations, space exploration has benefited a particular segment of society, seniors. Evidence of aging related medical research conducted in space was most publicly noticeable during STS-95 (See below).

  • Medical space spinoffs (pre-Mercury through Apollo)
  • Radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer: In conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic, the cyclotron at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio was used in the first clinical trials for the treatment and evaluation of neutron therapy for cancer patients.
  • Foldable walkers: Made from a lightweight metal material developed by NASA for aircraft and spacecraft, foldable walkers are portable and easy to manage.
  • Personal alert systems: These are emergency alert devices that can be worn by individuals who may require emergency medical or safety assistance. When a button is pushed, the device sends a signal to a remote location for help. To send the signal, the device relies on telemetry technology developed at NASA.
  • CAT and MRI scans: These devices are used by hospitals to see inside the human body. Their development would not have been possible without the technology provided by NASA after it found a way to take better pictures of the Earth’s moon.
  • Muscle stimulator device: This device is used for ½ hour per day to prevent muscle atrophy in paralyzed individuals. It provides electrical stimulation to muscles which is equal to jogging three miles per week. Christopher Reeve used these in his therapy.
  • Orthopedic evaluation tools: Equipment to evaluate posture, gait and balance disturbances was developed at NASA, along with a radiation-free way to measure bone flexibility using vibration.
  • Diabetic foot mapping: This technique was developed at NASA’s center in Cleveland, Ohio to help monitor the effects of diabetes in feet.
  • Foam cushioning: Special foam used for cushioning astronauts during liftoff is used in pillows and mattresses at many nursing homes and hospitals to help prevent ulcers, relieve pressure, and provide a better night’s sleep.
  • Kidney dialysis machines: These machines rely on technology developed by NASA in order to process and remove toxic waste from used dialysis fluid.
  • Talking wheelchairs: Paralyzed individuals who have difficulty speaking may use a talking feature on their wheelchairs which was developed by NASA to create synthesized speech for aircraft.
  • Collapsible, lightweight wheelchairs: These wheelchairs are designed for portability and can be folded and put into trunks of cars. They rely on synthetic materials that NASA developed for its air and space craft.
  • Surgically implantable heart pacemaker: These devices depend on technologies developed by NASA for use with satellites. They communicate information about the activity of the pacemaker, such as how much time remains before the batteries need to be replaced.
  • Implantable heart defibrillator: This tool continuously monitors heart activity and can deliver an electric shock to restore heartbeat regularity.
  • EMS communications: Technology used to communicate telemetry between Earth and space was developed by NASA to monitor the health of astronauts in space from the ground. Ambulances use this same technology to send information—like EKG readings—from patients in transport to hospitals. This allows faster and better treatment.
  • Weightlessness therapy: The weightlessness of space can allow some individuals with limited mobility on Earth—even those normally confined to wheelchairs—the freedom to move about with ease. Physicist Stephen Hawking took advantage of weightlessness in NASA's Vomit Comet aircraft in 2007. This idea also led to the development of the Anti-Gravity Treadmill from NASA technology.


This is a sub-set of the full article:
      Space Medicine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia




AlterG - Physical Therapy Treadmills for Outpatient Rehabilitation


Take your practice to the next level.

The AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill® enhances therapist’s ability to help patients recover faster and increases the marketability of their practice. Our unique and patented technology:

  • Allows patients to rehabilitate with less pain while reducing the risk of further injury, which may enable patients to heal faster.
  • Provides physical therapists a precise way to track patient progress, keeping patients engaged and motivated during rehab.
  • Helps clinics, therapists and trainers set themselves apart by offering the most advanced physical therapy technology available.
  • Acts as both a rehab device and wellness tool that gets patients excited to continue using it for training beyond short term rehab.


The Anti-Gravity Treadmill in Action


The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is ideal for PT clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and wellness centers. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill should be used with patients looking to regain mobility, develop strength and fitness, and increase range of motion and natural movement – all while minimizing stress on injuries.

Therapy with AlterG


Our physical therapy equipment easily integrates into any clinic setting. It can be used for:

  • Rehabilitation following an injury or surgery on a lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle or foot)
  • Rehabilitation after total joint replacement
  • Gait training and strengthening for neurological patients
  • Strengthening and conditioning in a fall-safe environment for older patients
  • Weight-loss programs
  • Injury prevention during sport specific conditioning and fitness improvement programs


Success Beyond the Treadmill


While supporting patients during their recovery, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill will also drive business to your practice or clinic. The only training equipment of its kind, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill can help you generate revenue and build recognition among your local community and doctors.

See the full article:
      AlterG - Physical Therapy Treadmills for Outpatient Rehabilitation

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