EP0135202A2 - Device for controlling headaches - Google Patents

Device for controlling headaches Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0135202A2
EP0135202A2 EP84200637A EP84200637A EP0135202A2 EP 0135202 A2 EP0135202 A2 EP 0135202A2 EP 84200637 A EP84200637 A EP 84200637A EP 84200637 A EP84200637 A EP 84200637A EP 0135202 A2 EP0135202 A2 EP 0135202A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure
pads
ear
accordance
headache
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP84200637A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0135202A3 (en
Inventor
Hendrik Adolf Solleveld
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SOLLEVELD, HENDRIK ADOLF
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from NL8301618A external-priority patent/NL8301618A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0135202A2 publication Critical patent/EP0135202A2/en
Publication of EP0135202A3 publication Critical patent/EP0135202A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A61H39/00—Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture
    • A61H39/04—Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu or Acupressure
    • 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
    • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
    • A61H2205/02—Head
    • A61H2205/027—Ears

Definitions

  • the following description concerns an invention which relieves headache or makes headache disappear.
  • acupressure/ acupuncture it has been known for a long time that headache can be made to disappear by exerting pressure on the appropriate places on the ear-lobe. This is done manually.
  • a device has been invented which by reason of its form and applicability can be placed on the ear-lobe, rendering pressure with the fingers unnecessary.
  • the underlying principle of the invention is that if a strong surface pressure is achieved by adjusting the pressure-pads using an adjusting screw between the two arms, no pressure point can arise and stop or restrict the flow of blood.
  • the invention has become an aid which anyone can use without special instruction in order to relieve headache.
  • the span and thus the gripping power of the clip can be adjusted.
  • the invention can be used by various people with various shapes of ear and ear-lobes of varying thicknesses.
  • the invention is of universal use not only because of the data mentioned above but also because of the shape of the pressure-pad. This is adapted to the anatomical shape of the ear-lobe.
  • the pressure-pad has a specially curved top which ensures that the only points that are affected are those that correspond to the headache area.
  • the clip is shaped more in accordance with the anatomy. Pressure at one point is bound to restrict the blood-flow to a certain extent.
  • FR-A-2466244 is a clip the sole purpose of which is to keep in place a magnet that is used for treatment. It is presumed that the treatment will be magnetic. Magnetism has a different effect on the body than pressure.
  • a clip which is supposed to be able to remove pain by means of acupressure, the clip being placed on some part of the body, but not specifically on the ear.
  • One of the arms of this clip has a rounded end which cannot possibly give an evenly distributed surface pressure.
  • FRA-2419063 concerns a device resembling a pair of scissors which will never be able to produce surface pressure. Furthermore, the pressure is not adjustable.
  • the device 1 depicted in figures 1 to 3 consists of a sprung brace (2) with two arms (3), each bearing a pressure-pad (4) at the open end.
  • a pin (5) passes through screwless holes (not drawn) in both arms (3) and is kept in place by a milled bolt (6) outside and against one of the two arms (3) and by another milled nut (7), screwed on to the pin (5), outside and against the other arm.
  • Each pressure-pad (4) has a flat surface (8) so that an ear-lobe (9) can be caught in between with an even thickness, whereby a surface pressure, distributed evenly over each pad-surface (8), is exerted on the ear-lobe (9).
  • each pressure-pad (4) has been given an undulate upper edge (10).
  • the pressure-pads (4) have rounded edges (13) to prevent sharp and painful pinching at the edges.
  • the device is attached to one of the ear-lobes (9) of the person who has a headache.
  • the headache is found to be less sever e ,zr better still, to have disappeared completely, one leaves the device (1) in position on the ear-lobe at that particular pressure or opened to that precise distance, for instance, for 20-30 mins, judging according to experience how long is needed to reduce the headache.
  • the clip must be kept on the ear-lobe for at least 20 minutes and it is advisable for the patient to rest during this time. If the headache does not disappear when the clip is attached, apply the clip to the other ear-lobe (9). For each person only one of the two ear-lobes (9) is suitable for treatment.
  • Device 21 depicted in figures 4 and 5 differs from device 1, in that a screw-fixture (23), for adjusting over the surfaces the surface pressure that the patient requires, consists of a milled disc (22) with projecting screw-ends (24) at each side, one with a left thread and the other with a right thread, which are fixed to the nuts (25) soldered to the arms (3) which are thus coupled with the pressure-pads (4).
  • a screw-fixture (23) for adjusting over the surfaces the surface pressure that the patient requires, consists of a milled disc (22) with projecting screw-ends (24) at each side, one with a left thread and the other with a right thread, which are fixed to the nuts (25) soldered to the arms (3) which are thus coupled with the pressure-pads (4).
  • the invention is not restricted to the model shown and described. For instance, one can make the pressure-pads out of hard plastic or flexible material or provide them with a soft cushioned covering.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A device for controlling headaches which comprises a spring clip having a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted for being applied under spring bias onto a human ear.
The gripping jaws may be adjustable in gripping width or gripping power and may have an inclined arcuately recessed edge at their free end.

Description

  • The following description concerns an invention which relieves headache or makes headache disappear. In the field of acupressure/ acupuncture it has been known for a long time that headache can be made to disappear by exerting pressure on the appropriate places on the ear-lobe. This is done manually. Using this knowledge a device has been invented which by reason of its form and applicability can be placed on the ear-lobe, rendering pressure with the fingers unnecessary. The underlying principle of the invention is that if a strong surface pressure is achieved by adjusting the pressure-pads using an adjusting screw between the two arms, no pressure point can arise and stop or restrict the flow of blood. The invention has become an aid which anyone can use without special instruction in order to relieve headache. With the hand - the method used hitherto - it is almost impossible to maintain this same constant pressure, in that intermittent interruptions occur in the therapy. Tests with the invention have shown that the pressure-pads can produce the pressure needed to make the headache go away and can keep this pressure constant. Here too the basic idea is that the surface pressure can be adjusted.
  • The span and thus the gripping power of the clip can be adjusted. This means that the invention can be used by various people with various shapes of ear and ear-lobes of varying thicknesses.
  • The invention is of universal use not only because of the data mentioned above but also because of the shape of the pressure-pad. This is adapted to the anatomical shape of the ear-lobe. The pressure-pad has a specially curved top which ensures that the only points that are affected are those that correspond to the headache area.
  • From DE-A-2915500 a clip is known which does in fact cause a pressure point, either by means of a ring ending in a point or by means of the small surface area. Consquently with this clip it is not possible to achieve the constant (adjustable) pressure.
  • Furthermore, if the layman uses this clip it is almost impossible for him to find the precise spots on the ear where it should be fixed. Therefore in my invention the clip is shaped more in accordance with the anatomy. Pressure at one point is bound to restrict the blood-flow to a certain extent.
  • FR-A-2466244 is a clip the sole purpose of which is to keep in place a magnet that is used for treatment. It is presumed that the treatment will be magnetic. Magnetism has a different effect on the body than pressure.
  • From DE-A-2703315 and PCT 81/00202 a clip is known which is supposed to be able to remove pain by means of acupressure, the clip being placed on some part of the body, but not specifically on the ear. One of the arms of this clip has a rounded end which cannot possibly give an evenly distributed surface pressure.
  • DE-A-427041 and GBA 385.992.
  • These applications concern a method of treatment which involves putting pressure on the nose. The pressure-pads are not flat. In neither invention can the pressure be increased.
  • FRA-2419063 concerns a device resembling a pair of scissors which will never be able to produce surface pressure. Furthermore, the pressure is not adjustable.
  • The description of the invention will be clarified below, with the help of drawings.
  • The drawings show schematically the following:
    • Figures 1 and 2: a side-view and a view from an angle of the invented device in the preferred design,
    • figure 3: the device of figure 1 when fixed to the ear, and
    • figures 4 and 5: a frontal- and side-view respectively of the invented device according to a different preferred design.
  • The device 1 depicted in figures 1 to 3 consists of a sprung brace (2) with two arms (3), each bearing a pressure-pad (4) at the open end. A pin (5) passes through screwless holes (not drawn) in both arms (3) and is kept in place by a milled bolt (6) outside and against one of the two arms (3) and by another milled nut (7), screwed on to the pin (5), outside and against the other arm. Each pressure-pad (4) has a flat surface (8) so that an ear-lobe (9) can be caught in between with an even thickness, whereby a surface pressure, distributed evenly over each pad-surface (8), is exerted on the ear-lobe (9). To fit the ear, i.e. to prevent catching in parts of the ear which contain cartilage, each pressure-pad (4) has been given an undulate upper edge (10). The pressure-pads (4) have rounded edges (13) to prevent sharp and painful pinching at the edges.
  • The device is attached to one of the ear-lobes (9) of the person who has a headache. Whenever as a result of increasing the pressure by tightening nut (7) the headache is found to be less severe,zr better still, to have disappeared completely, one leaves the device (1) in position on the ear-lobe at that particular pressure or opened to that precise distance, for instance, for 20-30 mins, judging according to experience how long is needed to reduce the headache. The clip must be kept on the ear-lobe for at least 20 minutes and it is advisable for the patient to rest during this time. If the headache does not disappear when the clip is attached, apply the clip to the other ear-lobe (9). For each person only one of the two ear-lobes (9) is suitable for treatment. The reason for this is that the definition of laterality is different for everyone. However, you can attach a device (1) to both ear-lobes at the same time. In figure 3 the points (11) corresponding to those on the ear which are related to the headache are marked with dots. Device 21 depicted in figures 4 and 5 differs from device 1, in that a screw-fixture (23), for adjusting over the surfaces the surface pressure that the patient requires, consists of a milled disc (22) with projecting screw-ends (24) at each side, one with a left thread and the other with a right thread, which are fixed to the nuts (25) soldered to the arms (3) which are thus coupled with the pressure-pads (4).
  • The invention is not restricted to the model shown and described. For instance, one can make the pressure-pads out of hard plastic or flexible material or provide them with a soft cushioned covering.

Claims (6)

1. Device (1) for the relief of headache, characterised by two pressure-pads (4) which can be clipped tightly to the ear; there is a means available to adjust the pressure-pads (4), which exert surface pressure on the ear-lobe, so that this pressure is in principle distributed evenly over the surfaces of the pressure-pads.
2. Device (1) in accordance with conclusion 1, with this special feature: the span between the pressure-pads (4) is adjustable.
3. Device (1) in accordance with conclusion 1 or 2, with this special feature: the pressure exerted by the pressure-pads (4) is adjustable.
4. Device (1) in accordance with conclusions 1, 2 or 3, with this special feature: both of the pressure-pads (4) have a curved upper edge.
5. Device (1) in accordance with conclusion 4, with this special feature: the curved upper edge (10) dips slightly towards the middle.
6. Device (21) in accordance with one of the foregoing conclusions, characterised by a screw (23) which via a left or a right thread is fixed to the two arms that hold the pressure-pads (4).
EP84200637A 1983-05-06 1984-05-04 Device for controlling headaches Withdrawn EP0135202A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL8301618A NL8301618A (en) 1983-05-06 1983-05-06 Clamp for combating migraine - has bolt actuated adjustable clamp jaws pressing on ear lobes
NL8301618 1983-05-06
US52260783A 1983-08-12 1983-08-12
US522607 1983-08-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0135202A2 true EP0135202A2 (en) 1985-03-27
EP0135202A3 EP0135202A3 (en) 1985-05-15

Family

ID=26645861

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84200637A Withdrawn EP0135202A3 (en) 1983-05-06 1984-05-04 Device for controlling headaches

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0135202A3 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7077855B2 (en) * 1999-06-25 2006-07-18 Curtis Patrick M Pressure clamp for relieving a headache
FR2964315A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-09 Franck Dufau Adjustable auricular acupressure device for use during auriculotherapy to e.g. control appetite, has spring plate to assure flexible pressure in its closed position, and screw to individually regulate pressure exerted on ear

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE427041C (en) * 1925-01-21 1926-03-23 Julius Schwabe Sleep clamp
GB385992A (en) * 1931-07-04 1933-01-04 Georges Klass A device to relieve and soothe nervous headache and insomnia
GB722242A (en) * 1952-11-12 1955-01-19 Thornton Ltd Ag Improvements in or relating to mathematical drawing instruments
FR2039954A5 (en) * 1969-03-26 1971-01-15 Helander John
DE2703315A1 (en) * 1977-01-12 1978-07-13 Peter Posner Pressure exertion appts. for human body - comprises spring stirrup with gap adjusted using screw mechanism(s)
FR2419063A1 (en) * 1978-03-09 1979-10-05 Agronomique Inst Nat Rech Skin grip pincers producing immobility reflex in animals - have elastic faced jaw with interlocking teeth for holding them in fixed relative position
DE2915500A1 (en) * 1978-04-17 1979-10-25 Evelyn Lee Sun Medical treatment device for stimulating portion of ear - is split loop with flanges at free end and point on one flange
WO1981000202A1 (en) * 1979-07-16 1981-02-05 K Noergaard An akupressure implement
FR2466244A1 (en) * 1979-10-05 1981-04-10 Skovajsa Joseph Medical appliance for treating surface of ear - comprises U-frame supporting two small magnets to be applied to opposite surfaces of ear

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE427041C (en) * 1925-01-21 1926-03-23 Julius Schwabe Sleep clamp
GB385992A (en) * 1931-07-04 1933-01-04 Georges Klass A device to relieve and soothe nervous headache and insomnia
GB722242A (en) * 1952-11-12 1955-01-19 Thornton Ltd Ag Improvements in or relating to mathematical drawing instruments
FR2039954A5 (en) * 1969-03-26 1971-01-15 Helander John
DE2703315A1 (en) * 1977-01-12 1978-07-13 Peter Posner Pressure exertion appts. for human body - comprises spring stirrup with gap adjusted using screw mechanism(s)
FR2419063A1 (en) * 1978-03-09 1979-10-05 Agronomique Inst Nat Rech Skin grip pincers producing immobility reflex in animals - have elastic faced jaw with interlocking teeth for holding them in fixed relative position
DE2915500A1 (en) * 1978-04-17 1979-10-25 Evelyn Lee Sun Medical treatment device for stimulating portion of ear - is split loop with flanges at free end and point on one flange
WO1981000202A1 (en) * 1979-07-16 1981-02-05 K Noergaard An akupressure implement
FR2466244A1 (en) * 1979-10-05 1981-04-10 Skovajsa Joseph Medical appliance for treating surface of ear - comprises U-frame supporting two small magnets to be applied to opposite surfaces of ear

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7077855B2 (en) * 1999-06-25 2006-07-18 Curtis Patrick M Pressure clamp for relieving a headache
FR2964315A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-09 Franck Dufau Adjustable auricular acupressure device for use during auriculotherapy to e.g. control appetite, has spring plate to assure flexible pressure in its closed position, and screw to individually regulate pressure exerted on ear

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0135202A3 (en) 1985-05-15

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Effective date: 19860116