Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H9/00—Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
  • A61H23/04—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
  • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
  • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
  • B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
  • B01F23/2376—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
  • B01F23/23761—Aerating, i.e. introducing oxygen containing gas in liquids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/30—Injector mixers
  • B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
  • B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/12—Driving means
  • A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/02—Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths
  • A61H33/027—Gas-water mixing nozzles therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
  • A61H33/601—Inlet to the bath
  • A61H33/6021—Nozzles
  • A61H33/6036—Hand-held connected to a supply hose
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL 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
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
  • A61H33/601—Inlet to the bath
  • A61H33/6021—Nozzles
  • A61H33/6057—Comprising means producing pulsating or intermittent streams
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
  • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
  • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids

Definitions

• a HYDRO-AIR VIBRATOR MASSAGE DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a water-air massage device, and more particularly to a massage device in which the massage displacement is generally parallel with the region under massage.
• water massage devices which employed entrained air used a low efficiency splash chamber to mix the air with the incoming water.
• the prior art water massage devices produced an up and down pounding vibration generally perpendicular to the surface of the region under massage.
• the resulting displacement within the tissue under massage was highly localized and intense.
• these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by exposing a high velocity water jet flow to air defining an air-water interface.
• the water flow is passed through a channel for developing a adjacent sheath flow of air.
• the water-air flow is mixed together in a rotor chamber.
• a rotor device rotatably mounted within the chamber is rotationally responsive to the water-air flow about a rotation axis.
• the center of mass of the rotor device is offset from the rotation axis causing a rotational eccentricity sufficient to establish a counter action motion generally parallel to the region under massage.
• a perforated closure member extends across the rotor chamber generally orthoganal to the axis of rotation, forming a plurality of water-air streams.
• a diversion structure directs the water-air mixture from the rotor chamber out the perforations in the closure member.
• a rim cup extending from the closure member defines the region under massage by intensifying the output flow. Resilient protrusions extend from the closure member for engaging and displacing the region under massage along the counter action motion.
• Figure 1A is a sectional top view of a hand held embodiment of the device showing the water source, rotor, and eccentric weight, as viewed downwardly along line IA- IA of Figure IB;
• Figure IB is a sectional side view showing diversion baffles, massage fingers, and pressure cup, as viewed across the line IB-IB of Figure 1A;
• Figure 1C is a bottom view of Figure 1A showing a perforation and finger configuration across the output plate;
• Figure 2A is a sectional top view of a larger massage device as viewed along line IIA-IIA of Figure 2B;
• Figure 2B is a sectional side view as viewed across line IIB-IIB of Figure 2A;
• Figure 2C is a bottom view of Figure 2A;
• Figure 3A is a sectional top view of a contoured massage device showing a curved massage plate
• Figure 3B is a sectional side view as viewed across line IIIB-IIIB of Figure 3A;
• Figure 3C is a bottom view of Figure 3A;
• Figure 4A is a sectional top view of a bath tub massage device as viewed along line IVA-IVA of Figure 4B;
• Figure 4B is a sectional side view as viewed across line IVB-IVB of Figure 4A;
• Figure 4C is a bottom view of Figure 4A.
• FIGS 1A through 1C show a hand held water-air massage unit 100.
• Water source port 104 connects to a suitable supply of water under pressure such as from a household faucet or shower outlet.
• Water oriface 106 with beveled approach 110, provides a high velocity jet 112 across air gap 116, through receiving channel 120, into rotor chamber 122 within housing 126.
• a multi-bladed rotor 130 mounted in chamber 122 rotates rapidly under the kinetic impact of water jet 112 on the rotor blades.
• An eccentric weight 134 creates a counter action massage motion within unit 100. Each blade developes a leading high pressure zone which continuously sweeps away the spent water from the impact area into a spinning water-air mixture.
• Closure plate 146 extends across the bottom of compartments 142. Perferations 150 in closure plate 146 permit the sheared water-air mixture to divert into an open ended massage chamber 152 formed by cup rim 154 to provide a plurality of water-air output streams . Resilient protrusions or fingers 162 extend beyond rim 154 to engage and displace the region under massage. The output flow resistance of perforations 150 causes a water reserve to accumulate in compartments 142 and chamber 122.
• the equilibruim level of the reserve is determined by the input pressure of water source 106 and the flow resistance through unit 100.
• Unit 100 would typically be installed in a shower stall or bath for water capture (and disposal or recycle) convenience.
• Unit 100 may be mounted in an elevated position to function in a pulsating shower mode; or hand held to function in a massage mode.
• the operator holds unit 100 around the body or handle portion 166, and presses rim 154 against the region to be massaged.
• the massage motion and output pulsations (described hereinafter) provide a stimulating gentle massage with the therapeutic benefit of entrained air.
• the penetration of the massage may be increased by pressing unit 100 firmly against the region under massage.
• the engagement between fingers 162 and the region under massage is increased firmly causing more definite massage displacement.
• the pulsations are intensified by water pressure build up within massage chamber 152.
• Air source port 104 is vented to a suitable air supply such as the atmosphere, for providing an air flow 170 for entrainment with water jet 112 in rotor chamber 122.
• Air port 104 is in fluid communication with chamber 122 through air conduit 172, air gap 116, and an air sheath flow 174 around water jet 112 traveling through channel 120.
• An air draw into chamber 122 is created by a differential pressure effect between the atmospheric pressure at gap 116 and a low water pressure zone within chamber 122.
• Water jet 112 impacts on the air and water within housing 124 between the blades of rotor 130. The water-air mixture is pushed away causing the air draw.
• Incoming air sheath flow 174 is throughly mixed with water jet 112 therein.
• Rotor 130 additionally supports the air draw through channel 120 in the embodiment shown. As each rotor blade moves forward under the force of water jet 112, a low pressure trailing zone is created behind the blade which favors the draw of air from port 104 through air sheath 174.
• Rotor 130 functions as a water powered air pump continuously bringing outside air into chamber 122. Air sheath flow 174 is aided by the drag effect of water jet 112 along the water-air interface within channel 120. The major portion of the water-air interface is a cylindrical surface extending through channel 120.
• Massage unit 100 provides a rotational massage motion in a plane parallel to the region under massage causing a lateral tissue displacement.
• the side to side displacement is disbursed over area within, and adjacent to, massage chamber 152.
• the massage motion is generated by eccentric weight 134 on rotor 130 which establishes a center of mass offset from rotation axis 180.
• the entire unit 100 developes a counter action rotation orthoganal to rotation axis 180.
• the frequency of the massage displacement is determined by the rotor speed, and may be varied by adjusting the pressure of water source 106.
• the region under massage may be further stimulated by pulsations in the intensity of output flow 160.
• Entrained air in water-air mixture 182 may be compressed by the high pressure zone created by water jet 112, which extends throughout diversion compartments 142.
• the compressed air expands abruptly upon passing through perforations 150 in closure member 146, causing rapid acceleration of the water in the perforation immediately preceding the expanding air.
• the resulting localized burst of water propagates a small pressure wave towards the region under massage.
• the combined effect of all the water bursts from all of the perforations establishes an incoherent pattern of small pressure transitions.
• a more general output flow pulsation may be provided by the effect of eccentric weight 134 passing through jet 112.
• Weight 134 completely fills the space between to adjacent blades causing a temporary interruption of the water flow through chamber 122 and the high pressure through out diversion compartments 142.
• This step change in flow and pressure conditions establishes a corresponding step change in the intensity of output flow 160 once each rotation of rotor 130 for a time period of 45 degrees.
• a general pulse is propagated across the entire area of chamber 152 toward the region under massage.
• the air entrained within mixture 182 cushions the pulse by reducing the sharp leading and trailing edges of the pulse transition.
• the entrained air absorbs the high freguency component of the pulse edges causing an increase in the pulse transition time.
• the vertical bearing surface between rotor 130 and axial shaft 184 and the horizontal bearing surface between rotor 130 and closure plate 146 may be lubricated by the equilibrium reserve of water-air mixture 182 within chamber 122.
• the thin axial passage between shaft 184 and the surface of the axial bore through rotor 130 fills with the reserve mixture during operation and provides a continuous fluid film bearing.
• the centrifugal force developed by spinning weight 134. tends to maintain rotor 130 in parallel relationship with rotation axis 180 and shaft 184.
• the engagement between rotor 130 and shaft 184 is a rolling contact in which revolves about shaft 184 in opposition to weight 134.
• rotor 130 is formed of a suitable light weight substance to minimize the horizontal bearing contact between the bottom surface or rotor 130 and top surface of closure member 146. During operation, the buoyancy of rotor 130 reduces the downward bearing resistance.
• FIGS 2A through 2C show utility handheld unit 200 with a larger closure plate 246 and massage chamber 252.
• Unit 200 requires a higher water flow, which may be recycled at a controlled-elevated pressure to provide the desired rotor speed.
• Unit 200 may operated from the same water source as unit 100 of Figure 1, at a lower rotational speed.
• Figures 3A through 3C show a special purpose unit 300 with a contoured closure plate 346 and massage chamber 352, suitable for accomodating specifically contoured areas.
• the cylindrical contour shown in Figure 3 is particularly suited for "Charley Horse” applications involving the massage of large muscles such as thighs.
• Figure 4 shows a stationary bath unit 400 with an area type closure plate 446 and massage chamber 452 for back-rest, tub mounting.
• Unit 400 is suitable for massaging large rheumatoidal areas such as the upper and lower back.
• the large massage area will require a larger rotor 430 and eccentric weight 434. The weight could occupy more than one blade position, extending for as much as 120 degrees of the rotor circumference.
• the eccentric weight may be formed by the absence of material from the rotor such as one or more missing blades.
• the rotor may be positioned off center within a cylindrical housing to facilitate passage of the water-air mixture.
• a special therapeutic vapor or substance may be employed with or without air from the atmosphere.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
• Massaging Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22396203

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (10)

• 1981
  • 1981-02-12 JP JP56501165A patent/JPS57500228A/ja active Pending
  • 1981-02-12 WO PCT/US1981/000189 patent/WO1981002253A1/en unknown
  • 1981-02-12 EP EP81900879A patent/EP0045810A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1981-02-12 GB GB8130142A patent/GB2081587B/en not_active Expired

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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