Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Device with applicator having specific movement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-07-10
DeMille, Danton D. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Device with applicator having specific movement
C601S159000, C601S169000, C601S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06258049
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to application of water pressure for massage.
BACKGROUND-DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
Two different methods are employed to utilize water pressure for massage: direct-contact method and indirect-contact method. In the direct-contact method pressurized water is projected directly onto the subject's body surface; JACUZZI and HAND HELD TAP WATER POWERED WATER DISCHARGE APPARATUS (Melvyn L. Henkin and Jordan M. Laby, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,888, Filed Jun. 3, 1997) are examples of the direct-contact method of massagers. The indirect-contact method places a flexible diaphragm between the projected water and the subject's body surface. BODY MASSAGE APPARATUS (David B. Marlin and Earl B. Marlin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,256, Filed Jun. 20, 1989), HAND HELD DRY HYDRO-MASSAGE UNIT FOR A SPA (Jonathan Watldns, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,510, Filed May 22, 1990), and HYDROMASSAGER (the present invention) are all examples in this category.
In the direct-contact method the pressurized water is directly projected onto the skin of the subject. This may aggravate skin lesions. It also removes natural oils and moisturizers of the skin, causing sin dryness. In this method of massage the subject has to undress that may not be practical all the times.
Hydromassagers also can be classified into open-system and closed-system massagers according to the source of water they utilize. The closed-system massagers are those that are self-contained all the water they need to operate. They do not require any pluming for water inlet or outlet. Examples in this category include BODY MASSAGE APPARATUS (Marlin) and HYDROMASSAGER (the present invention). The open-system massagers are those that have to be connected to an external source of water to operate. Examples in this category include JACUZZI, HAND HELD TAP WATER POWERED WATER DISCHARGE APPARATUS (Henkin), and HAND HELD DRY HYDRO-MASSAGE UNIT FOR SPA (Watkins). Hydromassagers also can be classified according to the mobility of the massaging unit (the part of the apparatus that will be in contact with the subject's body). Accordingly, the massaging unit can be stationary (JACUZZI and BODY MASSAGE APPARATUS) or mobile (both HAND HELD massagers mentioned in this application, and HYDROMASSAGER). In summary, the HYDROMASSAGER is an indirect massager that operates in a closed-system and has a mobile massaging head. The closest invention to HYDROMASSAGER is Watkins' that is an open-system massager.
BODY MASSAGE APPARATUS (David B. Marlin and Earl B. Marlin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,256, Filed Jun. 20, 1989) is a closed-system massager that uses the indirect method for massage. This apparatus looks like a bed. Water pumps are located in the place of the matters and the flexible diaphragm is located in place of the bed cover. The subject lies on the flexible diaphragm, then the pressured water is projects on the flexible diaphragm The subject can adapt either prone or supine positions. These two body positions restrict the areas of the body that can receive massage. For example, the SCM muscle (in front of the neck) can not receive massage from this device. Jacuzzi and Body Massage Apparatus are bulky and often need a large and permanently allocated location. The Hydromassager is designed to avoid these problems and to offer more.
HANDHELD DRY HYDRO-MASSAGE UNIT FOR A SPA (Jonathan Watkins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,510, Filed May 22, 1990) is an open-system massager that employs the indirect method of massaging. In this apparatus, inside a massaging head the pressurized water is directed towards a flexible surface that is in contact with the subject's body surface. The water to the massaging head is supplied by an external source, in this case a spa tub. Thus the apparatus is an open-system massager, an external source of water has to provide water to this massager. This limits the operating location of the apparatus to vicinity of a water source.
HANDHELD TAP WATER POWERED WATER DISCHARGE APPARATUS (Melvyn L. Henidn and Jordan M Laby, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,888, Filed Jun. 3, 1997) is an open-system massager that utilizes the direct-contact method. In this apparatus the tap water is directly projected onto the subject's skin surface. Like the Jacuzzi water projection on the skin can irritate the skin lesions and can result into the skin dryness. Besides, a large amount of hot and cold water is consumed in the process of massaging.
SUMMARY
The hydromassager is a closed-system massager with a mobile massaging head It retains and carries all the water it needs to operate. It does not need water inlet or water outlet. It retains all the water as long as there is no opening in the system. A water pump that is placed in a water reservoir pressurizes and directs water from the reservoir towards a portable massaging head via a flexible hose. From the massaging head water returns to the reservoir via a second flexible hose, thus the subject can adapt different body positions as desires and place himself close to the reservoir to have access to the controlling panel that is located on the water reservoir. Through the control panel the subject can control the operating time of the pump, the pressure of the pump, and the temperature of the water. As an option, the reservoir can be equipped with a heating element, a cooling device and other features that may be useful in this apparatus.
This device does not require pluming or allocation of a permanent site. The subject can adapt different body positions as desires and remain dressed during the massage.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4926510 (1990-05-01), Watkins
patent: 5634888 (1997-06-01), Henkin et al.
DeMille Danton D.
Koo Benjamin
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