Inventor Story

Approximately twelve years ago, my mother suffered a stroke. She was left with partial paralysis on her left side. I was told that exercise would help in her recovery and her long term health. She thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of riding a stationary bicycle in the rehabilitation center. Drawbacks were the feeling of insecurity she felt due to the deficit on her left side as well as the manpower necessary to place her on and off the machine.

After she was able to return to her home, I searched for a machine that would aid in her recovery. My goal was to find something that would help maintain or increase her flexibility, increase circulation, and hopefully maximize her recovery. Since I couldn't find a machine for the physically challenged that I felt would meet her needs, I initially converted a bicycle that allowed her to strap her feet to the pedals. She sat in a chair and pedaled using her legs. Although she enjoyed the exercise and its benefits, it soon became clear that she also needed to keep both her arms and legs moving. I decided moving them simultaneously would be the most natural and helpful.

The only products I could find would either work her upper body or lower body during an exercise session. These products also would not adjust to her size and capabilities and demanded that she be transferred to a chair away from her wheelchair. They also did not work her extremities together. Since necessity is the mother of invention and I had been taught by my father to think things through and if possible, invent something when I found a need, I decided to make a machine that would work both the upper and lower body. (It helps that I am a machinist and inventor by trade).

My mother was able to experience relief from extremity pain and swelling (edema), as well as the return of some muscle tone in her overall body. Before use of the Cyclatone, her left shoulder had partially come out of the socket due to the weight and misuse of her arm, even though she did wear a protective sling. After experiencing the reciprocal cycling motion of the Cyclatone, we noticed that her arm and shoulder muscles were strengthened considerably. Her arm almost returned completely to her shoulder socket which was much more comfortable and allowed her more function. One additional benefit she reported was the feeling of well-being that comes from being able to move her whole body and feel some sense of control. She enjoyed these benefits until her death about two years ago. Since that time, our family has decided to offer these benefits to others interested and willing to improve their compromised or sedentary health status.

Over the past few years, I have received input from various therapists and other health professionals as well as some physically challenged people. The Cyclatone has been improved and refined based on some of those suggestions. Field testing of prototypes have provided health benefits for users over the past three years.

The Cyclatone was designed and developed for the physically challenged and their special needs. It is fully adjustable, multi-directional, and can be configured for many types of challenges. The basic production model and now the motorized unit will help meet the needs of many who have not been able to move their extremities due to accident, illness or disease. Already many suggestions of new users are coming forth that will result in additional accessories for upcoming Cyclatone models. With my new patent, I want to offer this special machine to assist aspiring people to help themselves attain and maintain better health and wellness. I strongly feel the Cyclatone can contribute to preventive as well as restorative health issues.

Cyclatone Inventor, Designer, and Builder