EP0370931A1 - Apparatus for the directional and periodical massage of part of a human body - Google Patents

Apparatus for the directional and periodical massage of part of a human body Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0370931A1
EP0370931A1 EP89430032A EP89430032A EP0370931A1 EP 0370931 A1 EP0370931 A1 EP 0370931A1 EP 89430032 A EP89430032 A EP 89430032A EP 89430032 A EP89430032 A EP 89430032A EP 0370931 A1 EP0370931 A1 EP 0370931A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipes
flexible envelope
inner face
elastic
massaged
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EP89430032A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Perrotin
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Individual
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Individual
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H9/00Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
    • A61H9/005Pneumatic massage
    • A61H9/0078Pneumatic massage with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for directional and periodic massage of one or more parts of the human body, on which it exerts a pressure of adjustable intensity and frequency.
  • these sleeves When these sleeves are placed around a member to be massaged, they make it possible, by injecting a fluid under pressure either into the space delimited by the two walls, or into the various compartments, or into the bundle of elastic pipes, to compress the internal elastic wall in contact with the limb in question and to repel the bodily fluids towards the uncompressed parts of said limb, this operation possibly being done intermittently by simply acting on a regulated variation of the pressure of the admitted fluid.
  • a liquid such as for example, the device described in French patent N ° 2606277
  • the massed part of the body is subjected to a sliding and sequential effect giving excellent results.
  • these types of apparatus comprising a reservoir for storing the massage liquid and various mechanical means for sequentially raising the level of the liquid around the part of the body to be massaged are relatively bulky and heavy, and, consequently, more particularly suitable and intended for sedentary use
  • the present invention proposes, on the contrary, to provide a space-saving and light massage device therefore easily transportable, while seeking to obtain a directional and periodic massage of a part of the human body and in particular of the lower and / or upper limbs by exploiting and by adapting the phenomenon described below:
  • the inner face of said sleeve is lined with a set of pipes of small section, made of a very elastic material, said pipes, open at their ends being arranged parallel to each other and having their ends upstream connected on pressurized gas supplies via a manifold connected to a flexible gas evacuation or recycling pipe.
  • the elastic pipes are tubes fixed to the flexible envelope respectively along their generatrices and oriented along the axis of the member to be massaged.
  • the elastic pipes have an approximately semi-cylindrical shape and are fixed to the interior face of the flexible envelope by their flat faces and oriented along the axis of the member to be massaged.
  • the device comprises an intermediate manifold allowing the junction between upstream pipe elements and downstream pipe elements, when the device is made in two parts.
  • the set of elastic pipes lining the inner face of the envelope flexible is made with a long length hose wound in a spiral, and whose turns are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged.
  • the set of elastic pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope is produced with a very long pipe arranged in a bend alternately to the right and to the left, and whose folds are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged.
  • the elastic pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope are arranged adjacent to each other.
  • the elastic pipes lining the inside face of the flexible envelope are arranged slightly spaced from one another.
  • the spacings between the different pipes preferably comprise beads in a flexible and possibly elastic material. These beads can in particular be formed by a greater thickness of the flexible envelope between the pipes. They can also be produced, for example, with strips glued to the flexible envelope between the pipes.
  • these beads play an important role for the passage of gas in the various pipes by preventing their crushing when they are applied strongly against certain hard parts of a member such as for example the kneecap, or when are bent following certain concave curvatures of a limb such as the hock of a leg.
  • the pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope have constrictions, which leads to an increase tion of the pressure drop in each elastic pipe element, and consequently a reduction in the gas flow required for a given pressure.
  • the morphology of the limb to be massaged such as for example its curvature or the disposition of the muscles and of the bone structure, it may be advantageous to increase or decrease the number of constrictions in a pipe element, or to offset and / or space more or less said constrictions from one pipe element to another or from one zone to another of the flexible envelope, which makes it possible to increase or decrease the losses of load along the same pipe element, and / or from one pipe element to another, or from one zone of pipe elements to another.
  • the gas supply means of the distribution manifold consist of a source of pressurized gas, the outlet pipe of which is fitted with a pressure gauge for controlling the gas pressure, as well as a regulator for adjusting said pressure. and a gas flow adjustment valve which can be controlled directly or remotely, possibly by the patient himself, or even automatically via a programmer.
  • the source of pressurized gas can be, for example, a cylinder containing pressurized air or nitrogen, or a compressor.
  • the massage movement is obtained by the combined action of pressure and gas flow.
  • the pipe of small section and high elasticity locally swells at its upstream end. If the gas flow rate remains low, this bulge remains stationary; on the other hand, if the gas flow increases the bulge progressively gains the entire length of the pipe while at the same time exerting pressure on the member of the body trapped in the flexible envelope.
  • the successive and periodic closing and opening of the gas flow control valve causes the deflation and inflation of the pipes at the same rate according to the phenomenon mentioned above, and consequently causes a periodic and sliding massage movement resulting in great efficiency moving body fluids.
  • the periodicity of the massage is fixed by means of the flow adjustment valve; as for the intensity of the massage, that is to say the pressure exerted locally on the part of the body to be massaged, it depends for an elastic pipe of given internal section, both on the elastic properties and on the thickness of the wall of the pipe as well as the gas pressure, necessary for the inflation of said pipe.
  • the device according to the invention is of simple implementation, and has both a space requirement and a low weight allowing easy storage, transport and use.
  • the flexible envelope depending on whether it is intended for the upper or lower limbs, or another part of the human body such as the back, is: - in the form of gloves with sleeves going up to the elbows or to the armpits; - in the form of boots, waders or clothing going up to the waist. - in the form of a corset or panties
  • the device shown in Figure 1 is a boot suitable for massaging the foot and leg. It is formed by a liner (14) and a gaiter (30) constituted by an external flexible envelope (22) lined internally by a set of adjacent pipes (20) made of a very elastic material such as latex, and arranged in parallel relative to each other.
  • the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are separated, at the ankle, over a part of their periphery in order to facilitate positioning around the foot and the leg.
  • the elastic pipes (20) of the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are oriented respectively along the axis of the foot and along the axis of the leg.
  • the pipes (20) are supplied with pressurized gas via a flexible conduit (10) and a distribution manifold (12) from a bottle (2) equipped with a control manometer ( 6) a regulator (4) and a valve (8) for adjusting the gas flow.
  • An intermediate manifold (16) disposed between the set of pipes (20) of the liner (14) and the set of pipes (20) of the gaiter (30) makes it possible to join and redistribute the gas between the pipes ( 20) of the liner (14) and the pipes (20) of the gaiter (30), the downstream ends of which open into a decompression manifold (18) connected to a flexible conduit (24) for evacuating or recycling the gas.
  • the flexible envelope of the bootie (14) and the gaiter (30) are held around the foot and the leg by a set of hooks (26) and laces (27).
  • the embodiment shown in exploded view in Figure 2 also relates to a boot (21) provided for massaging the foot and the leg.
  • the set of elastic pipes (20) lining the flexible envelope (22) consists of one or more pipes wound in an adjacent spiral.
  • the boot (21) made in one piece and having no means of adaptation and tightening around the patient's foot and leg, is manufactured in different sizes.
  • the gas supply to the distribution manifold (12) is carried out by means of a flexible duct (10) and the gas is removed from the decompression manifold (18) by means of the flexible duct (24)
  • FIG. 3 represents a flexible envelope (22) lined with a set of elastic pipes (20) slightly spaced from one another and obtained by alternating bending to the right and to the left from one or more pipes of large length.
  • the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are separated, at the ankle, on a part of the periphery and comprise a flexible pipe (10) for supplying gas to the distribution manifold (12), an intermediate manifold (16) and a decompression manifold (18) connected to a gas discharge pipe.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the flexible envelope (22) lined with adjacent tubes (20) and fixed on said envelope along their generatrices.
  • FIG. 5 shows a particularly interesting embodiment where the elastic pipes (20) have an approximately semi-cylindrical shape and are slightly spaced from each other.
  • the spacings between the pipes (20) include beads (28) formed by a greater thickness of the flexible envelope (22) between said pipes. These beads prevent the pipes (20) from being completely crushed when they are bent or strongly applied on a hard part.
  • the throttles (50) are regularly spaced from one another and regularly offset from one pipe to the other
  • the throttles (50) are irregularly spaced in the same pipe, and consequently irregularly shifted from one pipe to another.

Abstract

The directional and periodic massage is guaranteed by means of a set of elastic tubes (20) of low cross-section lining the inner face of a flexible envelope (20). The tubes (20) are arranged parallel with respect to one another and have their upstream ends connected to means (2) for the supply of pressurised gas by way of a distribution collector (12) and their downstream ends connected to a decompression collector (18). The pressurised gas supply is controlled by means of a pressure- reducing means (4), a manometer (6) and a valve (8). As a result of the low cross-section of the tube, the flow rate of the gas creates a pressure gradient along the tube which is transmitted to the part of the body being treated. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un appareil de massage directionnel et périodique d'une ou plusieurs parties du corps humain, sur lesquelles il exerce une pression d'intensité et de fréquence réglables.The present invention relates to an apparatus for directional and periodic massage of one or more parts of the human body, on which it exerts a pressure of adjustable intensity and frequency.

Dans l'état actuel de la technique, on connait plu­sieurs appareils de massage qui permettent d'exercer des pres­sions sur les membres du corps humain et de provoquer ainsi le déplacement des fluides corporels. A cet effet, on utilise généralement des manchons destinés à envelopper ou à entourer le membre à traiter et présentant par exemple la forme de bot­tes, de guêtres ou de gants lorsqu'ils doivent s'adapter soit aux membres inférieurs, soit aux membres supérieurs. De tels manchons sont en général à doubles parois étanches, éventuel­lement intérieurement subdivisés en compartiments isolés entre eux en ne comportant chacun qu'une ouverture vers l'extérieur et dont la paroi interne est en matériau élastique ou inté­rieurement tapissé de tuyaux élastiques fermés à l'une de leur extrêmité. Lorsque ces manchons sont placés autour d'un membre à masser ils permettent, en injectant un fluide sous pression soit dans l'espace délimité par les deux parois, soit dans les différents compartiments, soit dans le faisceau des tuyaux élas tiques,de comprimer la paroi élastique intérieure au contact du membre en cause et de refouler les fluides corporels vers les parties non comprimées dudit membre, cette opération se faisant éventuellement de façon intermittente en agissant simplement sur une variation régulée de la pression du fluide admis.In the current state of the art, several massage devices are known which make it possible to exert pressure on the members of the human body and thus to cause the displacement of bodily fluids. For this purpose, one generally uses sleeves intended to wrap or surround the limb to be treated and having for example the shape of boots, gaiters or gloves when they have to adapt either to the lower limbs or to the upper limbs. Such sleeves are generally with double watertight walls, possibly internally subdivided into compartments insulated from each other, each comprising only an opening to the outside and the internal wall of which is made of elastic material or internally lined with elastic pipes closed at the one of their ends. When these sleeves are placed around a member to be massaged, they make it possible, by injecting a fluid under pressure either into the space delimited by the two walls, or into the various compartments, or into the bundle of elastic pipes, to compress the internal elastic wall in contact with the limb in question and to repel the bodily fluids towards the uncompressed parts of said limb, this operation possibly being done intermittently by simply acting on a regulated variation of the pressure of the admitted fluid.

De tels appareils sont décrits entre autres dans les brevets français N° 1.237.183, 2122734 et 2425239, dans les brevets des Etats-Unis d'Amérique N° 2896612 et 4029087 et dans le brevet Britannique N° 2107197. Ils mettent en oeuvre un gaz comme fluide de compression.Such devices are described inter alia in French patents No. 1,237,183, 2,122,734 and 2,425,239, in United States patents No. 2,896,612 and 4,029,087 and in British patent No. 2,107,197. gas as compression fluid.

On notera alors à leur sujet que le ou les membres sur lesquels on les utilise subissent instantanément et si­multanément sur tous les points affectés par les sections actives de ces appareils la même pression, ce qui a pour conséquence de bloquer une partie des fluides corporels.It will then be noted about them that the member or members on which they are used undergo instantaneously and simultaneously on all the points affected by the active sections of these devices the same pressure, which has the consequence of blocking part of the bodily fluids.

Quant aux appareils de massage connus mettant en oeuvre comme fluide de compression, un liquide, comme par exemple, l'appareil décrit dans le brevet français N° 2606277, la partie du corps massée est soumise à un effet glissant et séquentiel donnant d'excellents résultats. Toutefois, ces types d'appareils comprenant un réservoir de stockage du liquide de massage et différents moyens mécaniques de montée séquentielle du niveau du liquide autour de la partie du corps à masser, sont relativement encombrants et lourds, et, en conséquence, plus particulièrement adaptés et destinés à un usage sédentaireAs for known massage devices using as compression fluid, a liquid, such as for example, the device described in French patent N ° 2606277, the massed part of the body is subjected to a sliding and sequential effect giving excellent results. However, these types of apparatus comprising a reservoir for storing the massage liquid and various mechanical means for sequentially raising the level of the liquid around the part of the body to be massaged are relatively bulky and heavy, and, consequently, more particularly suitable and intended for sedentary use

La présente invention se propose de fournir au con­traire un appareil de massage peu encombrant et léger donc fa­cilement transportable, tout en recherchant à obtenir un massage directionnel et périodique d'une partie du corps humain et notamment des membres inférieurs et/ou supérieurs en exploitant et en adaptant le phénomène décrit ci-après :The present invention proposes, on the contrary, to provide a space-saving and light massage device therefore easily transportable, while seeking to obtain a directional and periodic massage of a part of the human body and in particular of the lower and / or upper limbs by exploiting and by adapting the phenomenon described below:

Le demandeur a en effet constaté de façon surprenante que si l'on dispose d'un tuyau de faible section, par exemple, de l'ordre de 0,5 cm de diamètre, de grande élasticité et ouvert à ses deux extrêmités et qu'on y admet un fluide sous une pres­sion constante, il se produit un gonflement local à son extrê­mité amont. Si le débit de ce fluide reste faible, le renfle­ment observé reste stationnaire. Par contre, si l'on augmente le débit de gaz, le renflement gagne progressivement toute la longueur du tuyau. Ainsi donc, si l'on dispose d'une vanne de réglage du débit du fluide admis dans le tube, et qu'on pro­cède à pression constante à la fermeture et à l'ouverture successives et périodiques de cette vanne on assiste au même rythme de fermeture et d'ouverture au dégonflage et au gon­flage du tuyau, suivant le phénomène ci-dessus avec un mouve­ ment de déplacement de la "hernie" ainsi créée le long du tuyau Cette "hernie" si elle est au contact d'une surface exercera sur celle-ci une pression fonction de la pression du fluide admis. On comprend alors que, simultanément au déplacement pé­riodique le long du tuyau par variation du débit du fluide, on peut obtenir une variation de la pression exercée sur cette surface par la variation de la pression dudit fluide admis dans ledit tuyau.The applicant has in fact surprisingly found that if there is a pipe of small cross section, for example, of the order of 0.5 cm in diameter, of great elasticity and open at its two ends and that a fluid is admitted under constant pressure, local swelling occurs at its upstream end. If the flow rate of this fluid remains low, the bulge observed remains stationary. On the other hand, if the gas flow is increased, the bulge gradually gains the entire length of the pipe. Thus, if there is a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid admitted into the tube, and if one proceeds with constant pressure to the successive and periodic closing and opening of this valve, one attends the same rhythm closing and opening to deflate and inflate the pipe, according to the above phenomenon with a movement ment of displacement of the "hernia" thus created along the pipe This "hernia" if it is in contact with a surface will exert on it a pressure depending on the pressure of the admitted fluid. It will therefore be understood that, simultaneously with the periodic displacement along the pipe by variation of the flow rate of the fluid, it is possible to obtain a variation of the pressure exerted on this surface by the variation of the pressure of said fluid admitted into said pipe.

Ce phénomène ayant ainsi été constaté, le demandeur a pensé que l'on pouvait s'en servir et l'exploiter dans le domaine paramédical pour réaliser des massages périodiques et glissants sur une ou plusieurs parties du corps entrainant avec une grande efficacité le déplacement des fluides corpo­rels. C'est ce qui a fait l'objet de la présente invention qui concerne un appareil de massage directionnel et périodique d'une partie du corps humain et notamment des membres inférieurs et/ou supérieurs par application d'une pression à effet glis­sant d'intensité et de fréquence réglables, appareil essen­tiellement caractérisé par le fait qu'il est constitué par une enveloppe ou manchon conformé pour pouvoir être mis en place autour du membre à masser et comportant intérieurement au moins un tuyau de faible section, à paroi très élastique, ouvert à ses deux extrêmités, dont l'une d'elles est munie de disposi­tifs pour le contrôle et le réglage du débitd'un fluide, de dispositifs pour le contrôle et le réglage de la pression d'un fluide et de moyens pour le raccord de cet ensemble à une source dudit fluide.This phenomenon having thus been observed, the applicant thought that it could be used and exploited in the paramedical field to carry out periodic and sliding massages on one or more parts of the body causing with great efficiency the movement of the bodily fluids. This is what has been the subject of the present invention which relates to a directional and periodic massage device of a part of the human body and in particular of the lower and / or upper limbs by application of a pressure with a sliding effect of adjustable intensity and frequency, device essentially characterized in that it is constituted by an envelope or sleeve shaped to be able to be placed around the member to be massaged and internally comprising at least one pipe of small section, with very elastic wall, open at its two ends, one of which is provided with devices for controlling and adjusting the flow of a fluid, devices for controlling and adjusting the pressure of a fluid and means for the connection of this assembly to a source of said fluid.

Suivant un mode de réalisation avantageux, la face intérieure dudit manchon est tapissée par un ensemble de tuyaux de faible section, réalisés en un matériau très élastique, lesdits tuyaux, ouverts à leurs extrêmités étant disposés paral­lèlement les uns aux autres et ayant leurs extrêmités amont branchées sur des alimentations en gaz sous pression par l'in­termédiaire d'un collecteur raccordé à un tuyau souple d'éva­cuation ou de recyclage du gaz.According to an advantageous embodiment, the inner face of said sleeve is lined with a set of pipes of small section, made of a very elastic material, said pipes, open at their ends being arranged parallel to each other and having their ends upstream connected on pressurized gas supplies via a manifold connected to a flexible gas evacuation or recycling pipe.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de cet appa­reil, les tuyaux élastiques sont des tubes fixés sur l'enveloppe souple respectivement le long de leurs géné­ratrices et orientés suivant l'axe du membre à masser.According to a preferred embodiment of this device, the elastic pipes are tubes fixed to the flexible envelope respectively along their generatrices and oriented along the axis of the member to be massaged.

Selon une caractéristique intéressante de l'appa­reil, les tuyaux élastiques ont une forme approximativement hémicylindrique et sont fixés sur la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple par leurs faces planes et orientés suivant l'axe du membre à masser.According to an advantageous characteristic of the device, the elastic pipes have an approximately semi-cylindrical shape and are fixed to the interior face of the flexible envelope by their flat faces and oriented along the axis of the member to be massaged.

Suivant une variante, l'appareil comprend un col­lecteur intermédiaire permettant la jonction entre des éléments de tuyaux amont et des éléments de tuyaux aval, lorsque l'appareil est réalisé en deux parties.According to a variant, the device comprises an intermediate manifold allowing the junction between upstream pipe elements and downstream pipe elements, when the device is made in two parts.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier de l'appa­reil selon l'invention, l'ensemble des tuyaux élastiques tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple est réalisé avec un tuyau de grande longueur enroulé en spirale, et dont les spires sont orientées dans une direction approximativement perpendiculaire à celle de l'axe du membre à masser.In a particular embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the set of elastic pipes lining the inner face of the envelope flexible is made with a long length hose wound in a spiral, and whose turns are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged.

Suivant un autre mode de réalisation de l'appareil, l'ensemble des tuyaux élastiques tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple est réalisé avec un tuyau de grande longueur disposé selon un pliage alternativement à droite et à gauche, et dont les plis sont orientés dans une direction approximativement perpendiculaire à celle de l'axe du membre à masser.According to another embodiment of the apparatus, the set of elastic pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope is produced with a very long pipe arranged in a bend alternately to the right and to the left, and whose folds are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged.

Avantageusement, les tuyaux élastiques tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple sont disposés de façon adjacente les uns par rapport aux autres.Advantageously, the elastic pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope are arranged adjacent to each other.

En variante, les tuyaux élastiques tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple sont disposés de façon légèrement espacés les uns par rapport aux autres.As a variant, the elastic pipes lining the inside face of the flexible envelope are arranged slightly spaced from one another.

Dans cette variante, les espacements entre les différents tuyaux comportent, de manière préférentielle, des bourrelets en un matériau souple et éventuellement élastique. Ces bourrelets peuvent notamment être formés par une épaisseur plus importante de l'enveloppe souple entre les tuyaux. Ils peuvent également être réalisés, par exemple, avec des bandes collées sur l'enveloppe souple entre les tuyaux.In this variant, the spacings between the different pipes preferably comprise beads in a flexible and possibly elastic material. These beads can in particular be formed by a greater thickness of the flexible envelope between the pipes. They can also be produced, for example, with strips glued to the flexible envelope between the pipes.

On comprend aisément que ces bourrelets jouent un rôle important pour le passage du gaz dans les différents tuyaux en empêchant leur écrasement lorsqu'ils sont appliqués fortement contre certaines parties dures d'un membre comme comme par exemple la rotule du genoux, ou lorsqu'ils sont pliés en suivant certaines courbures concaves d'un membre comme par exemple le jarret d'une jambe.It is easy to understand that these beads play an important role for the passage of gas in the various pipes by preventing their crushing when they are applied strongly against certain hard parts of a member such as for example the kneecap, or when are bent following certain concave curvatures of a limb such as the hock of a leg.

Suivant un perfectionnement de l'invention, les tuyaux tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple, présentent des étranglements, ce qui entraîne une augmen­ tation de la perte de charge dans chaque élément de tuyau élastique, et en conséquence une diminution du débit de gaz nécessaire pour une pression donnée.According to an improvement of the invention, the pipes lining the inner face of the flexible envelope have constrictions, which leads to an increase tion of the pressure drop in each elastic pipe element, and consequently a reduction in the gas flow required for a given pressure.

Pour tenir compte de la morphologie du membre à masser, comme par exempje de sa courbure ou de la dis­position des muscles et de la structure osseuse, il peut être avantageux d'augmenter ou de diminuer le nombre des étranglements dans un élément de tuyau, ou de décaler et/­ou d'espacer plus ou moins lesdits étranglements d'un élément de tuyau à l'autre ou d'une zone à l'autre de l'enveloppe souple, ce qui permet d'augmenter ou de diminuer les pertes de charge le long d'un même élément de tuyau, et/ou d'un élément de tuyau à l'autre, ou encore d'une zone d'éléments de tuyaux à une autre.To take into account the morphology of the limb to be massaged, such as for example its curvature or the disposition of the muscles and of the bone structure, it may be advantageous to increase or decrease the number of constrictions in a pipe element, or to offset and / or space more or less said constrictions from one pipe element to another or from one zone to another of the flexible envelope, which makes it possible to increase or decrease the losses of load along the same pipe element, and / or from one pipe element to another, or from one zone of pipe elements to another.

En conséquence, on peut privilégier ou au contraire défavoriser le passage du gaz d'un élément de tuyau à l'autre ou d'une zone à l'autre, et obtenir ainsi la régulation recherchée de l'écoulement du gaz dans les différents tuyaux élastiques.Consequently, it is possible to favor or on the contrary disadvantage the passage of gas from one element of pipe to another or from one zone to another, and thus to obtain the desired regulation of the flow of gas in the different pipes. elastic.

Les moyens d'alimentation en gaz du collecteur de distribution sont constitués par une source de gaz sous pression dont la conduite de sortie est équipée d'un manomètre de contrôle de la pression du gaz, ainsi que d'un détendeur de réglage de ladite pression et d'une vanne de réglage du débit du gaz qui peuvent être commandés direc­tement ou à distance, éventuellement par le patient lui-­même, ou encore d'une manière automatique par l'intermé­diaire d'un programmateur.The gas supply means of the distribution manifold consist of a source of pressurized gas, the outlet pipe of which is fitted with a pressure gauge for controlling the gas pressure, as well as a regulator for adjusting said pressure. and a gas flow adjustment valve which can be controlled directly or remotely, possibly by the patient himself, or even automatically via a programmer.

La source de gaz sous pression peut être par exemple une bouteille renfermant de l'air ou de l'azote sous pression, ou un compresseur.The source of pressurized gas can be, for example, a cylinder containing pressurized air or nitrogen, or a compressor.

Bien entendu, dans les locaux équipés d'une conduite de distribution de gaz sous pression, tel que l'air ou l'azote, il suffit de brancher les moyens de réglage individuel (manomètre-détendeur-électrovanne) sur l'un des raccords de la conduite de distribution.Of course, in rooms equipped with a gas distribution pipe under pressure, such as air or nitrogen, it is enough to connect the individual adjustment means (pressure gauge-regulator-solenoid valve) on one of the fittings of the distribution line.

Le mouvement de massage est obtenu par l'action combinée de la pression et du débit du gaz. En effet, sous l'action de la pression du gaz le tuyau de faible section et de grande élasticité se gonfle localement à son extré­mité amont. Si le débit de gaz reste faible, ce renflement reste stationnaire; par contre, si le débit de gaz augmente le renflement gagne progressivement toute la longueur du tuyau en exerçant en même temps une pression sur le membre du corps emprisonné dans l'enveloppe souple. La fermeture et l'ouverture successives et périodiques de la vanne de réglage du débit du gaz entraine au même rythme le dégon­flage et le gonflage des tuyaux suivant le phénomène évoqué ci-dessus, et provoque en conséquence un mouvement de massage périodique et glissant entraînant avec une grande efficacité le déplacement des fluides corporels.The massage movement is obtained by the combined action of pressure and gas flow. In fact, under the action of the gas pressure, the pipe of small section and high elasticity locally swells at its upstream end. If the gas flow rate remains low, this bulge remains stationary; on the other hand, if the gas flow increases the bulge progressively gains the entire length of the pipe while at the same time exerting pressure on the member of the body trapped in the flexible envelope. The successive and periodic closing and opening of the gas flow control valve causes the deflation and inflation of the pipes at the same rate according to the phenomenon mentioned above, and consequently causes a periodic and sliding massage movement resulting in great efficiency moving body fluids.

Ainsi, la périodicité du massage est fixée par l'intermédiaire de la vanne de réglage du débit; quant à l'intensité du massage, c'est-a-dire la pression exercée localement sur la partie du corps à masser, elle dépend pour un tuyau élastique de section intérieure donnée, à la fois des propriétés élastiques et de l'épaisseur de la paroi du tuyau ainsi que de la pression du gaz, nécessaire au gonflage dudit tuyau.Thus, the periodicity of the massage is fixed by means of the flow adjustment valve; as for the intensity of the massage, that is to say the pressure exerted locally on the part of the body to be massaged, it depends for an elastic pipe of given internal section, both on the elastic properties and on the thickness of the wall of the pipe as well as the gas pressure, necessary for the inflation of said pipe.

L'appareil selon l'invention est d'une mise en oeuvre simple, et présente à la fois un encombrement et un poids faibles permettant un rangement, un transport et une utilisation aisés.The device according to the invention is of simple implementation, and has both a space requirement and a low weight allowing easy storage, transport and use.

Conformément à l'invention, l'enveloppe souple, selon qu'elle est prévue pour les membres supérieurs ou inférieurs,ou une autre partie du corps humain tel que le dos, se présente :
- sous la forme de gants à manches remontantes jusqu'aux coudes ou jusqu'aux aisselles;
- sous la forme de bottes, de cuissardes ou de vêtement remontant jusqu'à la taille.
- sous la forme d'un corset ou d'une culotte
According to the invention, the flexible envelope, depending on whether it is intended for the upper or lower limbs, or another part of the human body such as the back, is:
- in the form of gloves with sleeves going up to the elbows or to the armpits;
- in the form of boots, waders or clothing going up to the waist.
- in the form of a corset or panties

Afin de bien faire comprendre l'invention, on décrira maintenant à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, différents modes de réalisation de l'invention, adaptés aux membres inférieurs du corps humain, en se référant aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • - la figure 1 représente une forme de réalisation préfé­rentielle de l'appareil selon l'invention, adaptée au pied et à la jambe;
  • - la figure 2 représente une vue éclatée d'une variante de réalisation ou le tuyau est enroulé en spirale;
  • - la figure 3 représente une autre variante de réalisation où le tuyau est disposé en plis gauche/droite;
  • - les figures 4 et 5 représentent de façon très schématique deux variantes de réalisation de la structure formée par l'enveloppe souple et les tuyaux élastiques;
  • - la figure 6 représente en coupe un ensemble de tuyaux élastiques pourvus d'étranglements.
In order to clearly understand the invention, there will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, different embodiments of the invention, adapted to the lower limbs of the human body, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • - Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, adapted to the foot and the leg;
  • - Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment or the pipe is wound in a spiral;
  • - Figure 3 shows another alternative embodiment where the pipe is arranged in left / right folds;
  • - Figures 4 and 5 show very schematically two alternative embodiments of the structure formed by the flexible envelope and the elastic pipes;
  • - Figure 6 shows in section a set of elastic pipes provided with chokes.

L'appareil représenté sur la figure 1 est une botte adaptée au massage du pied et de la jambe. Il est formé par un chausson (14) et une guêtre (30) constitués par une enveloppe souple extérieure (22) tapissée intérieu­rement par un ensemble de tuyaux (20) adjacents réalisés en un matériau très élastique tel que le latex, et disposés parallèlement les uns par rapport aux autres. Dans ce mode de réalisation, le chausson (14) et la guêtre (30) sont séparés, au niveau de la cheville, sur une partie de leur pourtour afin de faciliter la mise en place autour du pied et de la jambe. Les tuyaux élastiques (20) du chausson (14) et de la guêtre (30) sont orientés respectivement suivant l'axe du pied et suivant l'axe de la jambe.The device shown in Figure 1 is a boot suitable for massaging the foot and leg. It is formed by a liner (14) and a gaiter (30) constituted by an external flexible envelope (22) lined internally by a set of adjacent pipes (20) made of a very elastic material such as latex, and arranged in parallel relative to each other. In this embodiment, the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are separated, at the ankle, over a part of their periphery in order to facilitate positioning around the foot and the leg. The elastic pipes (20) of the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are oriented respectively along the axis of the foot and along the axis of the leg.

Les tuyaux (20) sont alimentés en gaz sous pression par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit souple (10) et d'un collecteur de distribution (12) à partir d'une bouteille (2) équipée d'un manomètre de contrôle (6) d'un détendeur (4) et d'une vanne (8) de réglage du débit du gaz.The pipes (20) are supplied with pressurized gas via a flexible conduit (10) and a distribution manifold (12) from a bottle (2) equipped with a control manometer ( 6) a regulator (4) and a valve (8) for adjusting the gas flow.

Un collecteur intermédiaire (16) disposé entre l'ensemble de tuyaux (20)du chausson (14) et l'ensemble de tuyaux (20) de la guêtre (30) permet de faire la jonction et la redistribution du gaz entre les tuyaux (20) du chausson (14) et les tuyaux (20) de la guêtre (30) dont les extrémités aval débouchent dans un collecteur de décompression (18) raccordé à un conduit souple (24) d'évacuation ou de recyclage du gaz.An intermediate manifold (16) disposed between the set of pipes (20) of the liner (14) and the set of pipes (20) of the gaiter (30) makes it possible to join and redistribute the gas between the pipes ( 20) of the liner (14) and the pipes (20) of the gaiter (30), the downstream ends of which open into a decompression manifold (18) connected to a flexible conduit (24) for evacuating or recycling the gas.

L'enveloppe souple du chausson (14) et de la guêtre (30) sont maintenues autour du pied et de la jambe par un ensemble de crochets (26) et de lacets (27).The flexible envelope of the bootie (14) and the gaiter (30) are held around the foot and the leg by a set of hooks (26) and laces (27).

Le mode de réalisation représenté en vue éclatée sur la figure 2 concerne également une botte (21) prévue pour le massage du pied et de la jambe. L'ensemble des tuyaux élastiques (20) tapissant l'enveloppe souple (22) est constitué par un ou plusieurs tuyaux enroulés en spirale de façon adjacente.The embodiment shown in exploded view in Figure 2 also relates to a boot (21) provided for massaging the foot and the leg. The set of elastic pipes (20) lining the flexible envelope (22) consists of one or more pipes wound in an adjacent spiral.

La botte (21) réalisée en une seule pièce et ne comportant pas de moyens d'adaptation et de serrage autour du pied et de la jambe du patient, est fabriquée en différentes tailles. L'alimentation en gaz du collecteur de distribution (12) est réalisée par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit souple (10) et l'évacuation du gaz du collecteur de décompression (18) est effectuée au moyen du conduit souple(24)The boot (21) made in one piece and having no means of adaptation and tightening around the patient's foot and leg, is manufactured in different sizes. The gas supply to the distribution manifold (12) is carried out by means of a flexible duct (10) and the gas is removed from the decompression manifold (18) by means of the flexible duct (24)

La figure 3 représente une enveloppe souple(22) tapissée d'un ensemble de tuyaux élastiques (20) légérement espacés les uns par rapport aux autres et obtenus par un pliage alterné à droite et à gauche à partir d'un ou plusieurs tuyaux de grande longueur.FIG. 3 represents a flexible envelope (22) lined with a set of elastic pipes (20) slightly spaced from one another and obtained by alternating bending to the right and to the left from one or more pipes of large length.

Comme dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 1, le chausson (14) et la guêtre (30) sont séparés, au niveau de la cheville, sur une partie du pourtour et comportent un conduit souple (10) d'alimentation en gaz du collecteur de distribution (12), un collecteur intermédiaire (16) et un collecteur de décompression (18) raccordé à un conduit d'évacuation du gaz.As in the embodiment of Figure 1, the liner (14) and the gaiter (30) are separated, at the ankle, on a part of the periphery and comprise a flexible pipe (10) for supplying gas to the distribution manifold (12), an intermediate manifold (16) and a decompression manifold (18) connected to a gas discharge pipe.

La figure 4 illustre une structure de l'enveloppe souple (22) tapissée de tubes (20) adjacents et fixés sur ladite enveloppe le long de leurs génératrices.FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the flexible envelope (22) lined with adjacent tubes (20) and fixed on said envelope along their generatrices.

La structure représentée sur la figure 5 montre un mode de réalisation particulièrement intéressant où les tuyaux élastiques (20) ont une forme approximativement hémicylindrique et sont légèrement espacés les uns des autres.The structure shown in Figure 5 shows a particularly interesting embodiment where the elastic pipes (20) have an approximately semi-cylindrical shape and are slightly spaced from each other.

Les espacements entre les tuyaux (20) comportent des bourrelets (28) formés par une épaisseur plus importante de l'enveloppe souple (22) entre lesdits tuyaux.Ces bourrelets évitent l'écrasement complet des tuyaux (20) lorsqu'ils sont pliés ou fortement appliqués sur une partie dure.The spacings between the pipes (20) include beads (28) formed by a greater thickness of the flexible envelope (22) between said pipes. These beads prevent the pipes (20) from being completely crushed when they are bent or strongly applied on a hard part.

Ainsi dans les tuyaux (20 a) et (20 b) les étranglements (50) sont régulièrement espacés les uns par rapport aux autres et régulièrement décalés d'un tuyau à l'autre Dans les tuyaux (20 c) et (20 d) les étranglements (50) sont irrégulièrement espacés dans un même tuyau, et en conséquence irrégulièrement décalés d'un tuyau à l'autre.Thus in the pipes (20 a) and (20 b) the throttles (50) are regularly spaced from one another and regularly offset from one pipe to the other In the pipes (20 c) and (20 d) the throttles (50) are irregularly spaced in the same pipe, and consequently irregularly shifted from one pipe to another.

Il va de soi que de nombreuses modifications peuvent être apportées aux exemples de réalisation représen­tés et décrits sans sortir pour autant du cadre de l'invention.It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the embodiments shown and described without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Appareil de massage directionnel et périodique d'une partie du corps humain par application d'une pression à effet glissant d'intensité et de fréquence réglables, appareil essentiellement caractérisé par le fait qu'il est sconstitué par une enveloppe ou manchon (22) conformé pour pouvoir épouser le contour du membre à masser et comportant intérieurement au moins un tuyau de faible section, à paroi très élastique (20), ouvert à ses deux extrémités (12 - 24) dont l'une d'elles est munie d'un dispositif pour le contrôle et le réglage du débit d'un fluide (8), d'un dispositif pour le contrôle et le réglage de la pression dudit fluide (6) et de moyens pour le raccord de cet ensemble à une source dudit fluide (2).1. Apparatus for directional and periodic massage of a part of the human body by applying a sliding effect pressure of adjustable intensity and frequency, apparatus essentially characterized in that it is formed by an envelope or sleeve (22 ) shaped to be able to follow the outline of the member to be massaged and internally comprising at least one small section pipe, with a highly elastic wall (20), open at its two ends (12 - 24), one of which is provided with 'a device for controlling and adjusting the flow of a fluid (8), a device for controlling and adjusting the pressure of said fluid (6) and means for connecting this assembly to a source of said fluid (2). 2. Appareil de massage selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que les tuyaux élastiques (20) sont des tubes fixés sur l'enveloppe souple (22) le long de leurs génératrices et orientés suivant l'axe du membre à masser.2. A massage device according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastic pipes (20) are tubes fixed to the flexible envelope (22) along their generatrices and oriented along the axis of the member to be massaged. 3. Appareil de massage selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que les tuyaux élastiques (20) ont une forme approximativement hémicylindrique et sont fixés sur la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) par leurs face planes et sont orientés suivant l'axe du membre à masser.3. A massage device according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastic pipes (20) have an approximately semi-cylindrical shape and are fixed on the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) by their flat faces and are oriented along the axis. of the member to be massaged. 4. Appareil de massage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1, 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble des tuyaux élastiques (20) tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) est réalisé avec un tuyau de grande longueur enroulé en spirale, et dont les spires sont orien­tées dans une direction approximativement perpendiculaire à celle de l'axe du membre à masser.4. A massage device according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the set of elastic pipes (20) lining the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) is made with a large pipe length wound in a spiral, and whose turns are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged. 5. Appareil de massage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1, 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble de tuyaux élastiques (20) tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) est réalisé avec un tuyau de grande longueur disposé selon un pliage alternativement a droite et à gauche, et dont les plis sont orientés dans une direction approximativement perpendiculaire à celle de l'axe du membre à masser.5. Massager according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the set of elastic pipes (20) lining the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) is made with a very long pipe arranged in a bend alternately to the right and to the left, and whose folds are oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the axis of the member to be massaged. 6. Appareil de massage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les tuyaux élastiques (20) tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) sont disposés de façon adjacente les uns par rapport aux autres.6. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic pipes (20) lining the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) are arranged adjacent to each other. 7. Appareil de massage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les tuyaux élastiques (20) tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) sont disposés de façon légèrement espacés les uns par rapport aux autres, et en ce que les espacements entre les différents tuyaux comportent des bourrelets (28) en un matériau souple.7. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic pipes (20) lining the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) are arranged slightly spaced from each other , and in that the spacings between the different pipes include beads (28) made of a flexible material. 8. Appareil de massage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les tuyaux (20) tapissant la face intérieure de l'enveloppe souple (22) présentent des étranglements (50).8. Massage device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipes (20) lining the inner face of the flexible envelope (22) have throttles (50). 9. Appareil de massage selon la revendication 8 caractérisé en ce que les étranglements (50) sont décalés et/ou espacés d'un élément de tuyau (20) à l'autre .9. A massage device according to claim 8 characterized in that the throttles (50) are offset and / or spaced from one pipe element (20) to another.
EP89430032A 1988-11-21 1989-11-20 Apparatus for the directional and periodical massage of part of a human body Withdrawn EP0370931A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8816773 1988-11-21
FR8816773A FR2639221A1 (en) 1988-11-21 1988-11-21 APPARATUS FOR DIRECTIONAL AND PERIODIC MASSAGE OF A PART OF THE HUMAN BODY

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FR2666541A1 (en) * 1990-09-06 1992-03-13 Perrotin Daniel Method of manufacturing volumes of any shape exhibiting surfaces made from at least one malleable, flexible, rigid or semi-rigid material and products resulting therefrom
WO1993010739A1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1993-06-10 Daniel Maunier Hydraulic massage and lymphatic drainage device
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US6572534B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2003-06-03 Abiomed, Inc. System and method for implanting a cardiac wrap
US6595912B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2003-07-22 Paracor Surgical, Inc. Expandable cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure
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US6572534B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2003-06-03 Abiomed, Inc. System and method for implanting a cardiac wrap
US6846296B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2005-01-25 Abiomed, Inc. Apparatus and method for detachably securing a device to a natural heart
US6602182B1 (en) 2000-11-28 2003-08-05 Abiomed, Inc. Cardiac assistance systems having multiple fluid plenums
US6616596B1 (en) 2000-11-28 2003-09-09 Abiomed, Inc. Cardiac assistance systems having multiple layers of inflatable elements
US6547716B1 (en) 2000-11-28 2003-04-15 Abiomed, Inc. Passive cardiac restraint systems having multiple layers of inflatable elements
US6540659B1 (en) 2000-11-28 2003-04-01 Abiomed, Inc. Cardiac assistance systems having bi-directional pumping elements
US6626821B1 (en) 2001-05-22 2003-09-30 Abiomed, Inc. Flow-balanced cardiac wrap
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