LT6527B - A device for promoting blood circulation in the limbs and method for causing low frequency virrations - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed method and apparatus in the event of a beating generates frequencies of 1 to 10 Hz and amplitudes of 1 to 50 mm displacement, thus creating a sufficient amount of force to create the required limb displacement. The device according to the invention comprises: a frame structure (1); a lying position on the surface of the human body (2); a changeover support (3) of the upper body or at least part of the upper body with a support surface (2); adjustable leg support (4); adjustable adjuster (5) of the adjustable leg feet (4) with the support surface (2) and its locking support (6); vibration generation source (7); and vibration generator control means (not shown in the drawing).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to low frequency vibrating devices, and more particularly to devices for vibrating parts of the human body.

Description of the Related Art

More than 10% of the population suffers from diseases such as diabetes or arthritis that cause circulatory problems. Pathological processes often interfere with the function of the arterioles and capillaries, causing an increase in blood pressure and impairing the supply of tissue with the necessary substances. For these reasons, the modern medical world requires non-invasive technologies to address the issues of healthy aging and circulatory disorders. Circulatory problems in the legs, especially in the feet, are a very pressing problem in people with diabetes, people with paralyzed legs and other diseases such as arthritis, Rhine disease or peripheral arterial disease. Circulatory problems in the legs can interfere with wound healing and, at worst, lead to amputation. Research confirmed [Manual of Medical-Surgical Nursing Care: Nursing Interventons; Pamela L. Swearingen; 2003], that raising the patient's feet about 20-30 cm above the heart level activates blood circulation in them. Similarly, it is reported in the literature that exposure to external vibrations stimulates circulation in the limbs.

Stimulating blood circulation with vibration devices is not a new phenomenon.

Vibration therapies are applied to the human body with the aim of reducing bone loss (stopping the loss of bone density), as well as vibrations causing the muscles to contract and relax, and can stimulate osteoblast production, e.g. promote bone growth. There are two types of vibration therapy: whole body and topical. Full-body vibrators operate the wearer's body while standing or sitting on it. Such devices use high-frequency vibration devices, which ensure that the vibrations affect most of the user's body elements. According to ISO regulation no. At ISO 2631-1, the potential adverse effects of vibration on the human body are the increased risk of spinal, neck, shoulder and nervous system disorders with prolonged exposure to whole body vibration in an upright position. In this case, a horizontal displacement and torsional motion of the spine segments is created, which creates mechanical loads and interferes with the delivery of nutrients to the intervertebral tissue and can cause degenerative processes (spondylosis deformans, osteochondrosis intervertebralis, arthrosis deformans). Whole body vibrations can also worsen certain endogenous pathological disorders of the spine and may lead to the development of a hernia. All of the human internal organs have their own frequencies, so the effect on the whole body can cause resonance between the external vibrations and the internal organs, which can have negative consequences. The literature [EU Good Practice Guide WBV Pneumatic http://resource.isvr.soton.ac.uk/HRV/VIBGUIDE/ 2008_1 L08% 20WBV _Good_practice_Guide% 20v6.7h% 20English.pdf] indicates that whole body vibrations can have a negative effect for the female reproductive system. It is also regulated in [ISO Standards - ISOITC 108 SC 4. Human Exposure to Mechanical Vibration and Shock] that vibration disease is more commonly diagnosed in people who work with machines that produce vibrations above 40 Hz.

Most full-body vibrators / exercise machines, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. US8012067B2, U.S. Pat. US7367957B2, U.S. Pat. No. 13 / 671,606, U.S. Pat. 121111,295, the operation is based on sinusoidal oscillations characterized by frequency, amplitude, and phase angle. Such platforms are characterized by acceleration levels and application of vibrations, with operating frequencies ranging from 12 to 40 Hz and amplitudes between 0.7 and 5 mm. The disadvantage of all devices is that at least the vibrations are transmitted to other parts of the body, which can cause unwanted effects on unintended parts of the body.

There are known local vibration devices that are designed to be active in certain areas of the body. International Application No. PCT / GB02 / 00705 is a disclosed portable vibration device for circulatory activation. The unit can generate oscillations from 15 to 75 Hz and amplitudes from 0.1 to 0.5 mm. Three-axis vibrations are concentrated in the limb, thereby accelerating wound healing, venous thrombosis and lymphoedema. The main drawbacks of the device are the high operating frequencies and small amplitudes of vibrations, which are inconvenient to use.

JA V Pat. US4570616 discloses a low frequency vibration device consisting of two rotating disk motors with eccentric masses. The discs are of different diameters in width and interconnected. Beating frequency is obtained during operation of the unit. However, the design of this device is uncomfortable to use, does not provide the required angle between the upper part of the body and the feet, and it is not possible to adjust the amplitude of the vibrations. The closest analogue is disclosed in European patent application no. 05020407.2. A massage device that is designed to activate the bloodstream using mechanical vibrations includes vibration-inducing elements. Specific areas of the body are exposed to oscillations at frequencies between 5 and 30 Hz and amplitudes of oscillations between 0.5 and 2 mm. Although the use of low frequencies is revealed, the design of the devices allows only a narrow range of oscillation amplitude and the legs are placed in a horizontal position during the procedure.

During the investigations it was found that under the influence of external vibrations the highest pressure changes in the channel were recorded at low frequency oscillations and at vibrations higher than 10 Hz the vibration effect was insignificant. According to the results, the most efficient frequencies are in the range of 2-5 Hz and in the range of 4-20 mm motion.

The disclosed device removes the drawbacks of the above analogs and is designed to effectively activate blood circulation in the human limbs: generates a sufficient amount of force on the hands and feet for low-frequency oscillation by causing the beating phenomenon

Brief Description of the Invention (Summary of Invention)

The proposed method and device generate frequencies of 1 to 10 Hz and displacement amplitudes of 1 to 50 mm in the limb support during the beating phenomenon, thereby generating a force of sufficient magnitude to produce the required limb displacement. The device according to the invention comprises a frame structure (1); the surface of the supine position of the human body (2); a support (3) for changing the upper body or at least part of the upper body angle with the support surface (2); adjustable footrest (4); adjustable means (5) for adjusting the angle of the footrests (4) with the support surface (2) and its locking support (6); a vibration generating source (7); and vibration generator control means (not shown in the drawing).

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention are described in the detailed description of the invention with reference to the following drawings:

Fig. is a general view of the device design. Figure 2 is the position of the feet on the device.

Before referring to the detailed description of the invention, with reference to the drawings in which the invention is exemplified, it is to be understood that identical elements are designated by the same numerals throughout the drawings.

Detailed Description of the Invention (and Embodiments thereof)

It should be understood that many specific details are set forth to provide a full and comprehensible description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the detailed nature of the embodiments of the invention does not limit the implementation of the invention, which may be practiced without such specific guidance. The well-known techniques, procedures, and ingredients have not been described in detail to avoid the confusion of exemplifying embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, this description is not to be construed as limiting the examples provided, but merely as an implementation thereof.

The device according to the invention comprises: a frame structure (1); the surface of the supine position of the human body (2); a support (3) for changing the upper body or at least part of the upper body angle with the support surface (2); adjustable footrest (4); an adjustable footrest (4) for adjusting the angle (5) of the reclining foot (2) and its locking support (6); a vibration generating source (7); Vibration generator control means (not shown).

Electromechanical motors (7.1) with unbalanced masses (7.2) mounted on rotary axes of rotors, which may be in the form of a partial cylinder, may be used to create the impact phenomenon and the low frequency vibrations. The motors (7.1) are low-speed electric motors, such as those rated at 1000 rpm. The unbalance masses (7.2) are mounted on the rotor of the motor and are shaped such that, when rotated, the rotor is subjected to centrifugal force. As an example, 615 g of SVOrlO unbalanced mass (7.2), which is partially cylindrical, may be used. The vibration sources (7.1) are fixed to the free end of the adjustable footrest (4), along the positions to be positioned and without any clearance between the vibration sources (7.1) and the footrest (4) so that the unbalanced masses are at the foot the centrifugal force they produce is closest to the object for which the effect is desired. The operating modes of the motors (7.1) are set via the control panel (not shown in the drawing), which allows to adjust the supply voltage of each motor, to set working time norms or to set specific operating modes.

The adjustable footrest (4) includes: a foot restraint device (4.1), an elastic, high-motion moving plate (4.5), an anchorage area (4.3) for vibration-generating devices, preferably located at the distal edge of the adjustable footrest (4). 4.4), adjustable footrests (4) brackets (8), in which the moving plate (4.5) is fixed so that one end is rigidly fixed to the brackets and the other end, with vibration sources (7.1), can oscillate. The part of the frame structure (1) which comprises an adjustable footrest (4) is isolated by means of vibration damping from the part of the frame structure (1) comprising the surface (2) of the recumbent human body. The movable plate (4.5) of the adjustable footrest (4) can be made of a material such as textolite or other materials having similar mechanical properties. The material of the moving plate (4.5) is chosen to withstand the loads corresponding to the masses of the patient's legs, components and motors with imbalances under dynamic action at amplitudes up to 50 millimeters. Amplitude plays an extremely important role in combination with low frequency oscillations and, thus, blood flow intensification. In the case of a 0.485 x 0.400 x 0.004 m textolite plate with electromechanical motors attached to it and a 75 kg total body weight patient's foot positioned, the plate resonates at a vibration frequency of 3.3 Hz and generates a force of 180 N . Accordingly, the other dimensions of the plate require a conversion, taking into account its inherent frequencies and potential resonance, together with the additional load so that the native frequencies (which are low frequencies) of the moving plate (4.5) are compatible with the motor generated frequencies. sufficient effect on human limbs. The position of the plate can be varied in the longitudinal direction of the patient's feet to provide comfort to people of various anthropometric data. The feet on the moving plate (4.5) may be stabilized by a mechanism which enables the feet to be pressed against the moving plate (4.5) in a supine position. The position of this plate (4.5) with respect to its positioning feet is controlled such that the person's feet are raised between 20 and 30 cm above the plane of the support surface (2) of the person's back. The clamping can be done using a rope and pulley mechanism, which is conveniently located while the patient is lying down and placing his feet on a vibrating plate. With sufficient tension, the cable is locked to ensure leg stability throughout the vibratory therapy. Other means, such as clamps operated by electric motors, pneumatic or hydraulic devices, may also be used.

The movable plate (4.5) of the adjustable footrest (4) is fixed to the frame structure (1) at the other end of the plate other than the vibration sources (7.1) so that the anchors (8) cover at least part of the edges of the movable plate (4.5) so that no undesirable vibrations occur at the junctions and the frequency is not distorted. In the fasteners, the position of the plate is varied by adjusting the device to the patient's height. The parts of the frame structure (1) in contact with the substrate on which the frame structure is located include vibration damping elements, thereby damping the transmitted vibrations and eliminating possible resonance. The design of the device allows for minimal transmission of vibrations to the human body, as the patient is resting on a frame part with a support surface (2) acting as a cushioning part, which also allows to absorb the vibrations transmitted by the vibration sources. The vibration sources (7.1) are individually controlled, allowing variations in the voltage of each of the motors, the use of predefined modes to generate beat frequencies and the control of exposure time. The Frequency Identification Module allows for a more accurate adaptation of device operating modes to patient anthropometric data. This module includes an accelerometer and / or gyroscope which are mounted on or adjacent to the vibration source [not shown in the drawing].

There are three ways to self-calibrate your device:

1. Inputting a patient's body weight into a system / control unit that calculates leg mass using theoretical formulas to select engine operating modes;

2. Evaluating the weight of the patient's legs, which is calculated from the deflection of the flexible plate using a tensor sensor;

3. When the patient is lying down and the motors start to rotate at a predetermined supply voltage, the plate's oscillation frequency and amplitude are evaluated, and corrections are made until the desired frequency is determined.

While many features and advantages have been enumerated in the description of the invention, together with the structural details and features of the invention, the description is exemplary of the invention. Changes may be made to the details, in particular the shape, size and layout of the materials, without departing from the principles of the invention, in accordance with the most widely understood meanings of the terms used in the claims.

Claims (2)

1. a device for stimulating blood flow to the limbs, comprising: a frame structure (1), a reclining support surface (2), a displacement support (3) for the upper body or at least a part of the upper body angle to the recumbent support surface (3), a foot support (4), vibrations generating source (7), characterized in that the footrest (4) is an adjustable elastic support, the proximal end of which is fixedly attached to a part of the frame structure (1), which is isolated by vibration damping means from the frame part with the human body lying the support surface (2), and low frequency vibration sources (7.1) are attached to the far free end and where the proximal end is below the far end. 2. A method of generating low frequency vibrations in a device for stimulating blood flow to the limbs, comprising generating low frequency beat vibrations at least two rotating centrifugal masses, characterized in that the low frequency vibrations are caused by an elastic limb support (4) at free end which can oscillate at resonant frequency. with rotating centrifugal masses.