AU727695B3 - Therapeutic treatment apparatus and methods - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: KENNETH JOHN ILLIDGE KENNETH JOHN ILLIDGE CULLEN

CO.,

Patent Trade Mark 239 George Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

Attorneys, Invention Title: THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHODS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHODS TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to therapeutic treatment apparatus and methods and has particular relevance to the treatment of bronchial illnesses and apparatus capable of alleviating the dangers of mucus build up in air passages.

BACKGROUND ART Various forms of treatment for bronchial illnesses have been proposed in the past including the use of mechanical vibration devices, massage, physiotherapy and the like.

The use of vibration devices as opposed to manual clapping is that therapy may be self-administered, in many cases giving the patient more independence. Mechanical vibrators have to date tended to be complex and expensive, and require regular maintenance.

An alternative form of treatment available from American Bio- Systems Inc. is known as an ABI VestTM is an airway clearance system comprising a portable device consisting of an inflatable vest attached to an air pulse generator. The generator, a compressor-like device rapidly inflates and deflates the vest compressing and releasing the chest wall to create air flow within the lungs. Because ABI VestTM system is expensive it tends to be used only by institutions.

An object of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus for treating bronchial and like conditions which is portable, relatively inexpensive and maintenance free.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method treatment comprising the steps of fitting a vest having a plurality of vibrating devices within pockets thereof to the chest of a person and activating the vibrating devices to provide a vibration to predetermined

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The predetermined positions in which the pockets are positioned adjacent to the person'slung(s).

The vest can comprise a bodice, a plurality of upright pockets for housing vibrating devices and means for tightening the bodice about the chest of a wearer.

A further aspect of the present invention there is provided a therapeutic treatment apparatus comprising a housing having a flat base, a vibration device fixed within the housing and to the base, characterised in that lo the vibration device comprises an electric motor the output of which supports and suspends an eccentric cam.

A resilient membrane can be fixed between the electric motor and the base.

The body can be elongate and include a portion fashioned into a handgrip positioned opposite to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1. 2 and 3 are a front perspective, plan view and a side perspective view of a device according to the present invention, and Figure 3a is an end view of a motor mounting arrangement, and Figures 4 and 5 are side views of vests according to further aspects of the present invention, and Figures 6, 7 and 8 are bottom and top perspective, views and a side view of a treatment table according to still further aspects of the present invention.

With respect firstly to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the present invention provides a therapeutic treatment apparatus comprising a housing generally indicated by arrow 1.

The housing has a generally rectangular flat base 2, and a vibration device generally indicated by arrow 3 fixed within the housing 1 and S,,ST to the base 2.

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The vibration device comprises an electric motor 4 having an output shaft 5 which supports and suspends an eccentric cam 6.

The electric motor 4 can be a d.c. or a.c. motor. A suitable d.c.

motor is one which is capable of 18000 RPM drawing 2 amps 3 to 5.5 volts.

The eccentric cam 6 can be fabricated from stainless steel and weight approximately 44 grams and have an off-set distance of approximately 4 millimetres. The apparatus may be readily coupled to a 240V 50 HZ transformer with adjustable output controls.

The longitudinal axis of the cam 6 is offset in relation to the axis of the motor output 5 by distance to provide a predetermined degree of vibration.

As is indicated by figure 3a a resilient material 7 is positioned between a bracket 8a footings 8 of the motor 4 and the base of the device 1.

A suitable material for this purpose is Dual lock 3M TM tape.

Because the cam 6 is suspended during the operation of the device as well as creating vibration a regular "pulsation" is created by the rotating cam which I believe enhances the effect of the device.

When the motor is running and the device gripped by handle 9 opposite the bas 2 self-treatment can begin by placing the base of the device flat on the soft flesh of the lower back just on or below the bottom lobe for a few minutes either side.

The device can then be moved up the side of the chest slowly keeping the device still for a minute or two on each area then moved to front right on to centre of the breast bone, the bottom of rib cage for a minute or so then the therapy repeated again. Best results are achieved when the device is resting on rib cage bones.

The treatment sequence should be for approximately 10 minutes per side 5 minutes one side then 5 minutes other side then repeated each side making a total of 10 minutes per side. The device should be held firmly against side of rib cage focusing pressure on end face of where cam is.

Vibration will be stronger at that end. If the device should be held reasonably firmly on side of rib cage structure so that vibration penetrates more efficiently to the lungs to pulsate sputum for dislodgement after approximately 2 to 1 hours. Airways will clear immediately.

For chronic lung disease the therapy should be repeated 3 times daily.

My own trials with the device are shown that it disrupts bacterium and, in my case, keeps infection at bay.

Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate two alternative forms of vests indicated by arrow 10 which can be worn by a patient during treatment. Each of the vests have pockets for accommodating elongate versions of vibration devices previously described.

In the figure 4 embodiment vest 10 is in the form of a singlet comprising two complementary bodice parts 11 shoulder straps 12 and a plurality of strategically positioned pockets 13 for accommodating the vibration devices 1. The free ends of each bodice section can be provided with joining means (not shown) such as overlapping Velcro TM strips.

In the figure 5 embodiment the vest comprises a wrap around bodice section 14 the free ends 15 of which overlap and can be joined using joining means such as Velcro TM strips. Shoulder straps 6 can also be provided. Again a plurality of strategically positioned pockets (not shown) can accommodate vibration devices 1.

With respect to figures 6 to 8 of the drawings treatment and patient comfort can be enhanced by the use of a therapy table generally indicated by arrow The table 20 can comprise head and leg sections 21, 22 which are hinged together by hinges 23. Each of the sections 21, 22 are provided with fold-away legs, one or more of which can have telescopic extension portions to enable the user to alter the inclination of the table as required.

As is apparent from the description the table 20 can be folded into a compact form for storage and transport.

Table section 21 can be provided with a headrest 26, and a cup holder 27.

Facilities such as buckles and straps 28 can be provided for attachment to vests.

Where the device of the present invention is hand-held the comfort of the user can be enhanced by the use of a foam backed handle cover 9a.

My trials have indicated that transformer settings which give best results vary depending on the type of treatment. Where the apparatus is hand held the most effective treatment is provided by a transformer voltage up to 5.5 volts, whereas where the apparatus is used with a vest a voltage setting of between 2.6 to 3.9 volts gives the best results.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. A method treatment comprising the steps of fitting a vest having a plurality of vibrating devices within pockets thereof to the chest of a person and activating the vibrating devices to provide a vibration to predetermined positions on the person's chest characterised in that the vibrating devices each have an elongate base with a suspended motor driven eccentric cam mounted thereon and that the vibrating devices extend substantially throughout the depth of a chest region of the vest.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined positions in lo which pockets are positioned are adjacent to the person's lung(s).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vest comprises a bodice, a plurality of upright open pockets for housing the vibrating devices and means for tightening the bodice about the chest of a wearer. DATED this 12th day of October 2000 KENNETH JOHN ILLIDGE By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.