Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Device with applicator having specific movement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2002-12-17
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Device with applicator having specific movement
C601S015000, C601S047000, C601S049000, C601S070000, C601S098000, C601S101000, C601S103000, C601S131000, C601S134000, C601S158000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06494851
ABSTRACT:
This application is based upon Disclosure Document No. 464469, filed Nov. 1, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to relaxation and therapeutic massage apparatuses and, more particularly, to an integrated multi-functional system housed in one ergonomically designed enclosure. The dry, mechanical system closely simulates therapeutic massage provided by manual manipulation of a human massage provider and/or a wet, water based hydrotherapy device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
As the work environment and the complexity of contemporary human interaction are increasingly influenced by technologies such as the use of computers and telecommunications devices, incidences of acute stress are more prevalent. Rejuvenation of the individual through stress relief methods is frequently sought since rest alone is often inadequate to the task. The prior art has addressed stress relief with several devices, systems and methods. The prior art also includes conventional hand-provided massage by a physical therapist or masseuse. However, most simulated massage systems are harshly vibratory and dry, and can irritate injured muscles without providing significant relief, especially for persons with head and neck related injuries such as temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
Moreover, devices which attempt to soften treatment with water filled conduits require complex water pumps. Therefore, there is a need for a simulated massage device which can simulate soft finger and knuckle-applied massage without the use of harsh vibrations of certain mechanical massagers and which can provide simulated water-based hydrotherapy without use of expensive water filled conduits.
Some exemplary patents use mechanical devices to provide massage of various body parts. McCauly (U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,962) describes a foot massager using a plurality of balls attached to a frame engaged with a vibrator. Sugawa et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,727) relates to a massaging chair with an adjustable reclining mechanism and a mechanical back massage element. Yamasaki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,186) is a finger pressure device built into the back of a chair. Using a motor driven long-stroke linear actuator, it drives two wheels up and down the user's spine.
Belanchi's (U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,679) massaging machine uses a motor driven disk to oscillate a plurality of spring biased mechanical fingers built into a chair back to simulate the finger massage of a user's back by a skilled masseur. The prior art also represents attempts to provide massage using fluid techniques. Torii (U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,368) has a massage device driven by a motor which uses the cyclic application of vacuum to various body areas by hose-connected suction cups. This action simulates manual kneading action. In addition, heat and/or low frequency electrical pulses can be applied to the vacuum stimulated sites.
Meserlain (U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,227) details an apparatus for massaging the legs of a horse. A flexible wrap-around pad with hose imbedded in the inner surface is wrapped around the horse's leg and straps are used to secure it in place. Water is circulated through the hose by pumping it from a tank in a closed circuit. An air pump is used to introduce compressed air into the inlet water stream mixing with it to provide a massaging action in addition to a cooling action by controlling the tank water temperature.
Arkans (U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,010) describes a sequential pressure device that has the ability of supplying a sequential wave of cyclic compressive pressure against a patient's limb by virtue of a multi-chambered air tight sleeve that is attached to a controlled source of compressed air controlled by the cycling of solenoid valves.
Risch et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,651) describe a waterproof hydrotherapy bed. Using a gel-filled double layer top membrane to reduce acoustic noise, the user lies upon the bed while pressurized liquid jets impinge from below. A hand-held control pod interacts with a control computer to influence the operation of the linear actuator which moves the array of liquid jets.
Lunter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,206) presents a dry hydromassage chair wherein fluid jets are directed to impinge upon a membrane separating the fluid from the spinal area of the user.
Ricchio (U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,853) describes an apparatus for improved water therapy wherein a person is buoyantly supported in a prone position on a top membrane of a waterbed mattress containing heated water. Arrays of water jets within the mattress impinge on the underside of the top membrane. By mixing air with the water stream, “softer” aspirated jets impinge on the user.
Other prior art patents use alternate means to enhance relaxation. Eakin's (U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,055) somatic acoustic chair incorporates a rigid framework with a resilient support liner to expose the user to vibrations from sound emanating from loudspeakers within.
Hagiwara et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,070) describes a relaxation refreshment apparatus. This is a reclining chair apparatus which uses vibratory, optical, pneumatic, aromatic and acoustic stimuli to help the user to quickly recover from mental fatigue. Controlling these stimuli in a closed-loop feedback fashion by sensing skin electrical resistance or ECG signals, the user need not take an active role in controlling the relaxation program.
Lipowitz (U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,552) relates to a computer controlled massage device. While this device is related to the mechanical massage devices mentioned earlier, the implementation as a robotic arm with three degrees of freedom that can massage the entire body under computer control makes it qualitatively different.
Mrklas et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,112) in her stress reduction system and method uses soothing audio, visual and other sensory effects to reduce stress. Using projection of images on a curved screen, laser image generation, computer control and biofeedback techniques, the method also allows for the use of a human operator interacting with the user via an operator's console.
The present invention has some functions such as mechanical and dry hydromassage which bear some resemblance to prior art, however the apparatus is distinguished. The comprehensive integrated nature of the present invention and its reliance on computer control bears some similarity to other prior art, in this case the operational methods differ and the implementation details of the apparatus are also distinguished.
In addition, the configuration of the massaging motive components, in conjunction with a dry hydrotherapy component, closely simulates human-provided massage without harsh side effects. In addition, the present invention avoids the use of complex software by controlling movement of motive gripping elements (simulating finger massage) with musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) controllers. These MIDI controllers can also control the rhythmic activation of the flow of air bubbles in tubes and a layer of temperature controlled resistive wire adjacent to the motive gripping elements.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to incorporate gripper mechanisms with integral heaters to perform deep massage of the limbs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide dry hydrotherapy with heat and actual water channels.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide vibratory stimulation through the use of wave-like interference patterns of two motor-driven eccentric weights.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a modified Shiatzu massage using wooden balls which spin and move orbitally.
It is yet still another object of this invention to use musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) controlled actuation of grippers and other system actuators by simply mapping their control interfaces as musical notes, thereby avoiding the use of specialized software for control.
It is also an object of this invention to integrate these features and others in an ergonomic relaxation station.
It is an
Brown Michael A.
Koo Benjamin K.
Walker Alfred M.
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