Medical rehab lift system and method with horizontal and vertical force sensing and motion control

摘要

A body-weight support system for supporting a person is disclosed, including a track, a movable support unit operatively attached to the track, a first drive moving the support unit along a path defined by the track, and an improved lift system and method. The lift system includes an actuator and a second drive for driving a rotatable drum upon which a first end of a strap is attached and wound in an overlapping coil fashion with a second end of the strap attached to support the person. Also included is a control system, responsive to at least first and second signals to control the position of the support unit and the vertical force applied to the person via the strap, the drum and second drive providing a selected amount of assistance to the person. The system enables not only the support of patients undergoing rehab therapies, but including exercise modes that are both customizable and dynamic in nature, as well as a the track system, wherein the system is capable of providing alternative functionality at differing locations along the path. Other features disclosed include a system by which a movable support unit tracks or follows a patient, dynamically adjustable and variable supportive forces for users based upon, for example, a percentage of sensed body weight, and a user-interface that may be employed in a mobile, wired or wireless manner and will allow the use of multiple lift systems on a single, looped track system.