Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Device with applicator having specific movement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2001-07-03
DeMille, Danton D. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Device with applicator having specific movement
C601S152000, C601S044000, C417S412000, C417S413100, C137S565160
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254556
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a medical device used to apply repetitive compression forces to the body of a person to aid blood circulation, to loosen and eliminate mucus from the lungs of a person, or to relieve muscular and nerve tensions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Artificial respiration devices for applying and relieving pressure on the chest of a person have been used to assist in lung breathing functions, and loosening and eliminating mucus from the lungs. Subjecting the person's chest and lungs to pressure pulses or vibrations decreases the viscosity of lung and air passage mucus, thereby enhancing fluid mobility and removal from the lungs. These devices use vests having air-accommodating bladders that surround the chests of persons. Mechanical mechanisms, such as solenoid or motor-operated air valves, supply air under pressure to the bladders in regular patterns of pulses. J. D. Ackerman et al in U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,192 disclose an artificial respiration apparatus having a chest vest supplied with air under pressure with an air pump. Solenoid-operated valves control the flow of air into and out of the vest in a controlled manner to pulsate the vest, thereby subjecting the person's chest to repeated pressure pulses. W. J. Warwick and L. G. Hansen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,505 disclose a chest compression apparatus having a chest vest surrounding a person's chest. A motor-driven rotary valve allows air to flow into the vest and vent air therefrom to apply pressurized pulses to the person's chest.
R. S. Dillion in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,925 uses an inflatable enclosure to cover a portion of a person's extremity, such as an arm or leg. The enclosure is connected to a fluid control and pulse monitor operable to selectively apply and remove pressure on the person's extremity. R. L. Weber in U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,354 discloses a rest inducing device having an air mattress supplied with air in pulses from an air pump at the frequency of the person's heartbeat.
C. N. Hansen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,453,081 and 5,569,170 discloses an air pulsating apparatus for supplying pulses of air to an enclosed receiver, such as a vest and air mattress. The apparatus has a casing with an internal chamber containing a diaphragm. A solenoid connected to the diaphragm is operated with a pulse generator to move the diaphragm to pulse the air in the chamber. A hose connects the chamber with the vest to transfer the air pulses to the vest. This apparatus requires a sizeable solenoid which is relatively heavy and uses considerable electrical power. The solenoid generates heat and noise. The body pulsating apparatus of the present invention overcomes the weight, noise and heat disadvantages of the prior air pulsating apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a jacket used to apply repetitive pressure pulses to a human body and a pulsator for generating air pressure pulses that are transmitted to the jacket. The jacket has an outer cover attached to a flexible liner. An air core of flexible material located between the cover and liner is connected with a hose to a pulsator operable to generate sequential air pressure pulses which are transmitted to the air core. The air pressure pulses subjected to the air core create repetitive pressure pulses that are transmitted to the body of a person wearing the jacket. The pulsator has a casing with an internal chamber in air communication with the hose. A diaphragm open to the internal chamber is connected to a motion transmitting mechanism which moves the diaphragm relative to the internal chamber to sequentially increase and decrease the pressure of the air in the internal chamber thereby generating air pressure pulses. An electric motor drives the motion transmitting mechanism which moves the diaphragm. A motor control regulates the speed of the motor to control the air pressure pulse rate.
The preferred embodiment of the pulsator has a casing with an internal chamber with first and second diaphragms. A check valve, such as reed or flapper valve, mounted on the casing allows air to flow into the chamber responsive to movements of the diaphragms. A motion transmitting mechanism driven with an electric motor has a pair of eccentric cams and cam followers connected to the diaphragms operable to reciprocate the diaphragms thereby generating air pressure pulses in the internal chamber. The air pressure pulses are transferred to the air core of the vest which applies repetitive pressure pulses to the body of the person. A motor control regulates the speed of the motor to control the air pressure pulse rate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2588192 (1952-03-01), Akerman et al.
patent: 2780222 (1957-02-01), Polzin et al.
patent: 2869537 (1959-01-01), Chu
patent: 3310050 (1967-03-01), Goldfarb
patent: 4120297 (1978-10-01), Rabischong et al.
patent: 4590925 (1986-05-01), Dillon
patent: 4682588 (1987-07-01), Curlee
patent: 4838263 (1989-06-01), Warwick et al.
patent: 4840167 (1989-06-01), Olsson et al.
patent: 4928674 (1990-05-01), Halperin et al.
patent: 4977889 (1990-12-01), Budd
patent: 5056505 (1991-10-01), Warwick et al.
patent: 5235967 (1993-08-01), Arbisi et al.
patent: 5245990 (1993-09-01), Bertinin
patent: 5370603 (1994-12-01), Newman
patent: 5453081 (1995-09-01), Hansen
patent: 5490820 (1996-02-01), Schock et al.
patent: 5569170 (1996-10-01), Hansen
patent: 5674269 (1997-10-01), Augustine
patent: 5769797 (1998-06-01), Van Brunt et al.
patent: 5769800 (1998-06-01), Gelfand et al.
patent: 616173 (1949-01-01), None
patent: 361244884 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 143165 (1953-10-01), None
U.S. application No. 09/267,593, Duncan et al., filed Jan. 1995.
Hansen Craig N.
McNamara George E.
LandOfFree
Repetitive pressure pulse jacket does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Repetitive pressure pulse jacket, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Repetitive pressure pulse jacket will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2442622