CA3116491A1 - Modular body tempering/instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (iastm) roller system - Google Patents

Abstract

As a modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) roller system, this is characterized by a base roller with an inner cavity, one end of which is closed. The closed end comprises an end cap, containing a magnetic retainer to retain a weighted insert inside the inner cavity. This allows the total weight of the system to be incrementally heavier than the base roller. The weighted insert could be a simple, weighted cylinder or an elongated, individual, stand-alone instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization tool used for targeted, pressure-point treatment or body tempering/compression on smaller muscle groups.

Description

MODULAR BODY TEMPERING/INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE
MOBILIZATION (IASTM) ROLLER SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
100011 The invention, through the use of compression, relates generally to devices used to provide and maintain good soft-tissue health for the body, no matter the age of the user. It is advantageous to a user as it is quick and effortless. The invention can also be applied to self by the user or by a practitioner.
BACKGROUND
100021 Body massage of muscles, tendons, and ligaments provides therapeutic benefit in addressing soft-tissue injuries, muscle tightness, lack of flexibility, knots, scar tissues, and soft-tissue adhesions. Kneading and modifying the muscle tissue acts beneficially on the nerves which, in turn, improves blood circulation and removes or eliminates toxic waste material from the muscle and connective tissues.
100031 Tight muscles are a common condition, whether among athletes and other active persons, but also people sitting all day at a desk. This can be the result of many factors including overuse, whereby small micro tears form and cause muscles to tighten, or poor stretching routines, whereby muscles may adaptively shorten, if not stretched to its natural length. Even bad posture can lead to muscle tightness.
100041 Industries have come into existence to address these issues by developing numerous tools and massage aids, which provide a mechanical advantage for relieving pain and discomfort associated with tight muscles and other muscle or connective-tissue ailments.
These include trigger points, foot pain, Achilles-tendon ailments, plantar fasciitis, calf and heel pain, and carpel-tunnel syndrome, lower-back pain, hip pain and thigh pain, without limitation.

19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 100051 Large-scale devices have been utilized, such as a large tube or a ball, in which the weight of the body is applied to the device. Positioning the body in various orientations, with respect to the tube or the ball, and rolling the body across the device, such that the device rolls on a supporting surface, provides greater force to be applied to the affected tissue. Similarly, massage rollers have also been widely used. They are often foam rollers.
There are also instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization tools that are often smaller and lighter in weight, which are placed on the body part and provide release through the movement of the tool. The depth of the treatment is dependent upon the pressure exerted by the user or practitioner. This exertion by the user or practitioner can be exhausting.
Neither, of these devices, will allow the user to fully relax and receive treatment.
100061 One known device is nothing more than a tubular roller formed of foam material on which a user balances their body, typically in a reclining position, either on their back, side, or stomach. The roller has a smooth outer surface and is not supported on the ends. Some of these devices have textured surfaces to improve the effect of compression on the soft tissue beneath the skin.
100071 Many of the body tempering or heavy Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) rollers, on the market produced by Rogue, bodytempering.com and BigHesStrength.com are singularly weighted in size and weight. This requires separate, multiple tools to be used on the various body parts of an individual. This is also true when shared by multiple users of varying size and muscle density or preference of weight or intensity.
100081 Compression is an effective technique performed by applying and moving weight on top of a muscle area and letting the weight push down onto the tissues, then lifted and moved to a different area and repeated. The pressure of compression can range from light to very deep. Compression can also be performed with a slight rocking or throttling movement that can encourage the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation.
100091 Compression of muscles creates a deep hyperaemia in tissues, increasing vasodilation, temperature and circulation, allowing muscles to lengthen, decreasing

2 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 tightness and acute pain by reducing inflammation, thus flushing out excess fluids and relieving pressure. Improved blood circulation in the muscles is beneficial to improving tissue conditions and preparing muscles for activity.
100101Additionally, compression stimulates cellular exchange in body tissues.
Initially, compression constricts the blood flow and muscle fibers. The tightening force onto the venous and lymph channels push out waste products and toxins, which cause tissue irritation. On release, the increase of oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood is filtered back into the muscles.
100111As a result of compression, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes stimulated, releasing hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which aids muscle and body relaxation.
100121Compression can help increase healing to damaged tissues, accelerating the healing process by increasing oxygen and nutrients into the tissues. Oxygen and nutrients work to repair and heal any damaged cells. Increasing the healing process can help speed up recovery.
100131The compression provided by the modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) roller system applies direct pressure onto muscles and soft tissues by pushing down and holding pressure onto a muscle. Pressure is then released and repeated in a different area. This is used to help relieve tight muscles, decrease pain and promote relaxation. The physiological effects of compressions are increased vasodilation, increased hormones and increased cellular exchange. Because of the diversity of clientele through economics, gender, weight, age, activity, this modular invention can combine instruments to suit each individual situation. Instead of a one-size-fits-all scenario, this invention encapsulates and considers all vantage points.
100141Many different types of massage rollers and IASTM tools have been developed for various purposes. The following references are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

3 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 100151U.S. Pat. No. 9668933 - Exercise and massage roller [00161A roller which an individual may use to perform a variety of self-applied exercises for massage, myofascial release and other exercises. The roller is cylindrical having a resilient outer surface on which are a plurality of axially spaced, circumferentially extending bands of similar projections which manipulate the body of the individual when the individual rolls against the surface of the roller. The projections are equally circumferentially spaced in each band extending around the cylindrical body.
The material and shape of the projections are selected to provide greater resistance to bending or flexing to forces applied axially than to tangentially applied forces.
100171U.S. Pat. No. 20140128786 - Massage Roller [00181A massage apparatus includes coaxially nested rollers, which may be frictionally engaged. Each roller includes a tubular frame, raised rolling bands, and a plurality of massaging protuberances, wherein the height of the bands is at least the height of the protuberances. The protuberances on each nested roller may be identical, but differ from the protuberances on each of the other rollers. Protuberances may be smaller on each successively nested roller. The bands and protuberances may be flexible and pliable, and made from rubber, silicone, neoprene or foam. The bands and protuberances may be formed directly in a sleeve covering the tubular frame. A removable cap may cover each end of the nested rollers.
100191U.S. Pat. No. 20190060160 - Massage Roller 100201The massage roller includes a generally cylindrically-shaped core having a central axis, an overlay formed around an outer surface of the cylindrically-shaped core and having a size and shape to facilitate rolling engagement with myofascial tissue, and at least one cavity formed from the outer surface of the cylindrically-shaped core, that reduces a mass of the massage roller while the massage roller simultaneously maintains substantially the same structural rigidity for rolling engagement with myofascial tissue.
100211U.S. Pat. No. 20170216133 - Massage Roller

4 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 [00221A massage roller includes a cylindrical tube body having an inner surface; a supporting core attached on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube body to form a cylindrical cavity; and a filing unit disposed inside the cylindrical cavity to improve the strength of the massage roller.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 20170071817- Massage Foam Roller Apparatus and System [00241A therapeutic roller apparatus comprised of at least two replaceable resilient therapeutic massage pads and an associated pad substrates adapted to mate together to form a cylindrical roller body, and a pair of cylindrical end caps provided to lockingly mate with and enclose the ends of the roller body. The diameter of the end caps may be substantially greater than that of the roller so that user weight applied to the roller body is transferred to the end caps. The interior space of the roller body may be used as a storage chamber for storing sundry items. In addition, a detachable carry strap may be affixed to the end caps to accommodate transport of the device.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 20060142677 - Versatile massage roller [0026] A massage tool to enable people to speed up the massaging action in various parts of the human body and is convertible to one handle roller.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 9656112 - Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device [0028] A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 20160166459 - Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization tool [0030] A tool for use in assisting soft tissue mobilization and bodily tissue amelioration, such as stimulation of superficial tissue, deep tissue mobilization, breaking up scar tissue, and soft tissue massaging, are described. The tool comprises a device for application to 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 bodily tissue that includes a body having a substantially teardrop shape in a vertical section.
In a longitudinal aspect, the body includes a first and a second portion. The first portion of the device corresponds at least in part to a substantially bulbous handle part of the teardrop shape of the vertical section and is adapted for ease of grasping and manipulation at the first end. The second portion of the device corresponds at least in part to a substantially tapered converging double-beveled linear edge of the teardrop shape of the vertical section and is adapted for facilitated application of the device to bodily tissue at the second end.
100311U.S. Pat. No. 20150265486 - Instrument for the massage and mobilization of the soft tissue of the human body 100321An instrument for massaging human body portions having an elongated rod-like body having multiple treatment edges upwardly extending therefrom and bendable into a wide variety of U-shaped configurations.
100331Each of the references above has inherent disadvantages, including not achieving sufficient compression to achieve its respective desirable benefits, the requirement to purchase multiple-sized rollers in order to treat multiple body parts or users, not allowing the user to fully relax and thereby reduces the desired benefits, requiring more time and effort by the user or practitioner or just being marginally effective.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) roller system that is all encompassing, enabling a user/practitioner to perform a range of compression options from light to very deep through active movement, static placement or specific target pressure point activation, is simple in design, economical to purchase and effective for the user and/or practitioner.
Summary 100341The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing, in a first embodiment, a modular, body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) roller system that includes a base roller with an inner cavity, 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 one end of which is closed. The closed end has an end cap that contains a magnetic retainer to retain a weighted insert inside the inner cavity. This allows the total weight of the system to be incrementally heavier than the base roller. The weighted insert could be a simple, weighted cylinder or an elongated, individual, stand-alone instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization tool used for targeted, pressure-point treatment or body tempering/compression on smaller muscle groups.
Description of the Drawings 100351 The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
100361 FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of the modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobility (IASTM) roller system including the base roller and two weighted inserts (one of them a specially made IASTM
roller) in accordance with the present invention;
100371 FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view of one embodiment of the base roller with a weighted insert being placed inside the base roller's inner cavity;
100381 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional longitudinal view of the base roller in accordance with the present invention;
100391 FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the several components of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
100401 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal view of one embodiment of a weighted insert;
100411 FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a user sitting in an upright position actively employing the modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobility (IASTM) roller system according to the present disclosure;

19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 [0042] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a user lying in a horizontal position receiving active treatment from a practitioner employing the modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobility (IASTM) roller system according to the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a user lying in a horizontal position receiving target tempering or pressure point bodywork treatment from a practitioner employing the specially made IASTM weighted insert, according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in more detail. In one aspect, the modular body tempering/Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobility (IASTM) roller system comprises a base elongate roller 10, a weighted insert 12 or 14, as depicted in FIG 1. In this aspect, the base roller 10 may weigh between 40 and 250 pounds.
[0045] In this aspect, the base elongate roller 10 may be of generally cylindrical shape. The base roller 10 made of rigid, high-density material (e.g. aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, PVC & foam, cast iron). In this aspect, the base cylindrical roller 10 is made of steel, which has the ability to retain a weighted insert 14 inside an inner cavity 20 as depicted in FIG 2. The roller 10 may have an inner core length that extends from a closed end to the open end.
[0046] FIG 3 illustrates a surface of the base roller 10, which may be smooth, textured or undulating and may have a radial groove 32 centered in the middle of the base roller 10 that is sufficiently indented so that the radial groove 32 is deep and wide enough to create a region of reduced compression that may generally align with the user's vertebrae when the roller is in use. The base roller may have an inner cavity 20 that may be closed at one end and open-ended at an opposite end. The closed end may have an axial end cap that is inset 34 from the edge of the roller that may provide a handle for the user to aid in grasping and maneuvering the base roller 10. The handle may comprise an inset within the inner 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 cavity 20 of the roller 10 to form an area where the practitioner may place their fingers.
The closed end may house a magnetic retainer. The closed end may have one side that faces the inner cavity 20 and interfaces with the weighted insert and the other side will have a switch that may interface with the user and turns the magnetic retainer on or off as described in further detail below.
[00471A lip 30 may be created to enhance the grip and maneuverability of the roller. The small lip 30 at each end of the roller 10 may be created by decreasing the thickness of the wall on the other side of the lip 30 in order to aid the grip and maneuverability of the base roller 10. The open end may have a corresponding handle space 34 and lip 30.
100481As seen in FIG 4, an insert interface 22 may be made of a rigid, nonmagnetic material (e.g. aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, plastic). In this aspect, the insert interface 22 is made of nonmagnetic stainless steel that is attached to the wall of the inner cavity 20. The insert interface 22 may contain a switchable or fixed magnetic retainer. In this aspect, a switchable magnetic retainer is depicted. The switchable magnetic retainer 23, 24A, 24B & 26 attaches to the nonmagnetic stainless steel interface 22 that attaches to the inner cavity and also retains diametrically magnetized magnets 24A & 24B
that can have their magnetic force switched on or off. The one diametrical magnet 24A
may be permanently attached to the switchable magnetic retainer 23 while the other 24B may be permanently attached to a switch disk 26. The switch disk 26 may have two holes 28 that the user may use their fingers to rotate the disk and, thereby, the magnet 24B
180 degrees in order to turn the switchable magnet on or off There may be an upper chamber above the first magnet 24A that has room for a portion of a second magnet. This upper chamber may have a slightly larger diameter than the magnet so that the second magnet can rotate.
100491When the magnetic poles of 24A & 24B align, the magnetic force is on and the insert 12 or 14 is retained inside the inner cavity 20. When the magnetic poles of 24A &
24B are opposed, the magnetic force is off and the insert 12 or 14 is no longer retained by magnetic force. The magnetic force when the magnetic switch is on is greater than the 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 weight of the insert 12 or 14. In another aspect, the inner cavity created by one permanently closed end and the other end may be mechanically closed.
100501The weighted insert 12 or 14 may be made of high density material (e.g.
aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, cast iron), such as preferably steel, with a flat interface 42 on the ends to allow maximum magnetic attraction as seen in FIG 5. The insert 12 or 14 may be longitudinally shaped with a maximum diameter equal to or less than the inner cavity 20 and may be of maximum length, so as not to interfere with the area designated for the handle 34. When not used as an incremental weight inside the base roller 10, the insert 12 or 14 can be used for active or static body tempering as shown in FIGs 6-8 or the insert that is a IASTM tool 14 can be used for target tempering or pressure point bodywork as shown in FIG 8. The surface of the weighted insert 12 and 14 may be smooth, textured including knurling or undulating and may have a radial groove 44 centered in the middle of the insert 14 that is sufficiently indented so that the radial groove 44 is deep and wide enough to create a region of reduced compression that may generally align with the user's vertebrae when the insert is in use.
100511Referring next to FIG 6 of the drawings, the application of the body tempering/IASTM roller system can be self-administered by actively rolling on top of the body 90 or as in the roller system can be statically placed on top of the body to compress the tissue and realize the benefits discussed above.
100521Referring next to FIG 7 of the drawings, the application of the body tempering/IASTM roller system can be administered by a practitioner by actively rolling on top of the body 90 or the roller system can be statically placed by the practitioner on top of the body to compress the tissue and realize the benefits discussed above.
Additionally, a specially made IASTM insert 14 can be used by a practitioner to do target tempering or pressure-point bodywork as depicted in FIG 8.
100531Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible.
Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the 19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28 preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
What is claimed is:
1. A modular roller for soft tissue mobilization comprising:
an elongate roller having a cavity therein with a closed end and an open end;
a magnetic retainer disposed at the closed end;
a weighted insert received by the cavity and retained by the magnetic retainer; and an end cap for closing the closed end of the inner cavity.
2. The modular roller of claim 1, wherein the magnetic retainer selectively retains the weighted insert within the cavity.
3. The modular roller of claim 2, wherein the magnetic retainer comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, each having a pair of diametric magnetic poles, thereby producing one of: an attractive force or a neutral force with the weighted insert.
4. The modular roller of claim 3, wherein when the neutral force is present between the first magnet and the second magnet, a removal of the weighted insert is permitted;
and when the attractive force is present between the first magnet and the second magnet retains the weighted insert.

5. The modular roller of claim 4, further comprising a switch disk retained within the elongate roller thereby closing the cavity at the closed end; wherein the switched disk moves the second magnet in relation to the first magnet.

19999904v1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-28

Claims (5)

preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
What is claimed is:

1. A modular roller for soft tissue mobilization comprising:
an elongate roller having a cavity therein with a closed end and an open end;
a magnetic retainer disposed at the closed end;
a weighted insert received by the cavity and retained by the magnetic retainer; and an end cap for closing the closed end of the inner cavity.

2. The modular roller of claim 1, wherein the magnetic retainer selectively retains the weighted insert within the cavity.

3. The modular roller of claim 2, wherein the magnetic retainer comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, each having a pair of diametric magnetic poles, thereby producing one of: an attractive force or a neutral force with the weighted insert.

4. The modular roller of claim 3, wherein when the neutral force is present between the first magnet and the second magnet, a removal of the weighted insert is permitted;
and when the attractive force is present between the first magnet and the second magnet retains the weighted insert.

5. The modular roller of claim 4, further comprising a switch disk retained within the elongate roller thereby closing the cavity at the closed end; wherein the switched disk moves the second magnet in relation to the first magnet.