EP0824908A1 - Apparatus for spine therapy - Google Patents

Abstract

The leg location (2) takes the form of a saddle roof with two limb locations (5,6) inclined towards one another through approximately 70 to 110 deg. The leg location is vertically adjustable by means of a first motor drive on vertical guides (21) of a slide (30) which for its part is displaceable in common with the leg location on horizontal guides (41) of a support frame parallel to a horizontal lying surface by means of a second motor drive relatively to the lying surface in its longitudinal direction. The drive devices of the two motor drives are reversible. The two motor drives are remotely controllable separately by means of hand switches. The vertical adjustment path of the leg location is limited to approximately 25 to 35 cm.

Description

The invention relates to a therapy device for relief and stretching the human spine, with a vertical adjustable leg rest, which can be laid on loosely one of the two lower legs and the two thighs Patients two each in the manner of a gable roof about 70 ° to 110 ° to each other inclined leg supports having.

It is already a device for stretching and setting up the spine with an electric motor Winch and a support attached to the winch rope for the patient's lower legs are known (DE-OS 23 28 939), with which the patient touched the Legs with head hanging down can be pulled. For guiding and fixing the pad in their raised position are on the winch frame Bottom-facing guide pins arranged in lateral Engage the guide holes in the support.

Dosing of the stretching force is not possible because the patient's entire body weight is on the pad hangs.

In a known stretch couch (DE 44 13 752 A1), the one pivotable about a horizontal axis in a frame Frame with a lying surface and a leg holder the lying surface is attached to a slide, which is movable on the frame in the longitudinal direction. The leg holder is with one protruding upwards from the frame Support column provided, angled at the upper end a lower leg rest is attached. This The support bar is adjustable in length but in each case set length rigidly fixed. The postponement the sled on the frame is adjustable due to its Inclination.

It is also a movement therapy movement device known (DE 36 18 686 C2), in which one according to Art a parallelogram, built from an oblique edition for the thighs and a horizontal support for the lower legs of a patient lying on his back existing leg rest by means of an electric motor Drive is pivotable. The drive movement through on the muscle parts of the limbs to be moved attached myoelectrodes affected, which for Derivation of myopotentials are provided.

This device is neither for spinal treatment suitable still provided.

The invention has for its object a simple, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and location-independent usable therapy device of the aforementioned Way to create a one that is gentle on the one hand and on the other hand effective, long-lasting therapy, especially for self-users.

This object is achieved in that the leg rest by means of a first motor drive vertically adjustable on the vertical guides of a slide is, in turn, together with the leg rest on horizontal guides of a support frame essentially parallel to a horizontal lying surface by means of a second motor drive relative to the bed surface is displaceable in the longitudinal direction.

According to the latest medical knowledge, the following prerequisites should be fulfilled for spinal therapy:
The patient should lie on his back on a level surface so that the spine is also level.
The hollow cross must be completely removed. The patient's body should be as completely relaxed as possible; in particular, all muscles in the spinal area should not show any tension. Therefore, the patient should not make any mechanical movements or operate levers or similar devices during the treatment.
In this completely relaxed position, in order to relieve the spine of any tension and pressure in the longitudinal direction, a slight pull should be exerted in such a way that the muscles do not contract reflexively.
A sustainable extension of the spine is only possible when the back muscles are completely relaxed. Due to the capillary action that occurs when the spine is stretched or stretched, the intervertebral discs regenerate through new fluid absorption with simultaneous thickening. This enables the intervertebral discs to at least approximate their original shape and position. In order to achieve a certain stability in this regenerated form, it is necessary for the patient to remain in this stretched spinal column position for a certain time and for this spinal column stretching to be repeated at regular intervals.

The therapy device designed according to the invention is ideal suitable to be used under the conditions mentioned will. The therapy device can both on the floor and set up and used on a couch or the like will. It is particularly advantageous that an initial vertical movement of the leg rest by lifting the legs that are slightly angled on the leg rest, the lower back of the back patients lying on the floor or on the couch is lifted slightly from the surface until the patient only with the upper back, i.e. with the Shoulder blades. Then in this position the stretching motion is turned on, which causes the leg rest differs from the rest on which the patient with his back on, pushed away: doing it it is also important that this horizontal shift the leg rest slowly and gently, each around small, Movement distances adapted to the individual patient he follows. The patient feels a clear relaxation and relief throughout the spine. In that this horizontal shift as well previous vertical change of position of the leg rest relative to the edition on which the patient with his Back rests with the help of a motor drive done by a therapist or the patient himself The patient can operate using a hand switch not disturbed in his completely relaxed constitution.

It is also important that this therapy device can be manufactured easily and inexpensively, that it can be easily transported and thus used anywhere.
Ease of use and high functional reliability as well as basic adjustability to the conditions and requirements of the individual patient are also important.

The embodiments of claims 2 serve these purposes until 20.

Fig. 1

eine Behandlungsliege, auf der ein Therapiegerät der erfindungsgemäßen Art aufgestellt ist;

Fig. 2

das Therapiegerät der erfindungsgemäßen Art auf dem Fußboden stehend mit einer Auflage für den Patienten;

Fig. 3

das Therapiegerät in Seitenansicht bei auf maximale Höhe ausgefahrener Beinauflage;

Fig. 4

die gleiche Ansicht wie Fig. 3 mit der tiefsten Position der Beinauflage;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt V-V aus Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt VI-VI aus Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

einen Teilschnitt VII-VII aus Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

einen Teilschnitt VIII-VIII aus Fig. 6;

Fig. 9

eine Kraftbegrenzungseinrichtung in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 10

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Montageschiene der Beinauflage mit einem Distanzelement;

Fig. 11

in geschnittener Darstellung als Teilausschnitt eine andere Ausführung der Verbindung zwischen dem zweiten Kraftantrieb und dem horizontal beweglichen Schlitten;

Fig. 12

einen Schnitt XII-XII aus Fig. 11;

Fig. 13

in isometrischen Darstellung eine andere Ausführungsform des Traggestells;

Fig. 14

in isometrischer Darstellung den zum Traggestell der Fig. 13 passenden Schlitten;

Fig. 15

in teilweise geschnittener Isometrie die Beinauflage mit ihrer Montageschiene.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a treatment couch on which a therapy device of the type according to the invention is set up;

Fig. 2

the therapy device of the type according to the invention standing on the floor with a support for the patient;

Fig. 3

the therapy device in side view with the leg rest extended to the maximum height;

Fig. 4

the same view as Figure 3 with the lowest position of the leg rest.

Fig. 5

a section VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

a section VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

a partial section VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

a partial section VIII-VIII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9

a force limiting device in side view;

Fig. 10

in perspective a mounting rail of the leg rest with a spacer;

Fig. 11

in a sectional representation as a partial section, another embodiment of the connection between the second power drive and the horizontally movable slide;

Fig. 12

a section XII-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13

in an isometric view another embodiment of the support frame;

Fig. 14

in an isometric representation the slide matching the support frame of FIG. 13;

Fig. 15

in partially cut isometric view, the leg rest with its mounting rail.

The therapy device 1 shown in the drawing serves to relieve and stretch the human spine. It is provided with a vertically adjustable leg rest 2, on which the two lower legs and thighs of a patient can be placed at an angle so that both the thighs and the lower legs each assume an inclined position. For this purpose, the leg rest 2 has a somewhat shorter leg rest 5 for the lower legs and a somewhat longer leg rest 6 for the patient's thighs. This leg rest 2 has the shape of a gable roof. it is provided on the top with a padding 3 and fastened on a trapezoidal profiled mounting rail 7, preferably by means of several screws 4 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).
This mounting rail 7 is provided on the underside with two threaded pins 8 and 9 which are fixedly arranged in the end sections and each protrude through a spacer 62 and a horizontal support 14, to which they are fastened by means of threaded nuts 12 and 13 screwed on the underside. The spacer elements 62, each provided with through bores, each consist of block-shaped blocks which are interchangeably available with different heights, so that the starting height of the leg rest 2 can be changed.

The carrier 14, which has a flat cross section and is preferably made of metal, is fastened in a horizontal position on two vertical support plates 15 and 16 of a carriage 30 which has a horizontal, rectangular base plate 31. On the two opposite narrow sides of this foot plate 31, the two vertical support plates 15 and 16 are attached to each other and run parallel to one another by means of screws 17. On the underside, this footplate 31 is provided with four sliding shoes 34, 35, 36 and 37, each of which is laterally adjustable by means of screws 38, and which are each guided in pairs by means of horizontal bores 39 on horizontal guides 40 and 41. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, these horizontal guides 40, 41 consist of cylindrical guide rods. These guide rods are fastened in vertical bearing blocks 26 and 27 of a support frame 50 running parallel to one another and each arranged on a cross member 48 or 49 of the generally rectangular support frame consisting of a tubular profile. The two longitudinal spars 48 ' and 49 ' of the support frame 50 are each provided with non-slip foot elements 51 which give the support frame a good hold on the respective base.

With the help of vertical guides 20 and 21, the leg rest 2 can be adjusted continuously and vertically together with the support 14 to which it is attached. The vertical guides 20, 21 each consist of a cylindrical guide column 22 which is fixedly fastened in the carrier 14, and of a guide cylinder 23 which in turn is fixedly fastened with the lower end in the footplate 31 (see FIG. 5).
For vertical adjustment, a first motor drive 10 is provided, which consists of a geared motor 24 and a worm 25, which is in engagement with a worm wheel 28. This worm wheel is fastened to the lower end of a vertical threaded spindle 72 which is rotatably mounted on the base plate 31 of the slide 30 and is in engagement with a threaded tube 71, the upper end of which is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner in the carrier 14. This threaded tube 71 has at its lower end portion an internal thread 73 which is in self-locking engagement with the threaded spindle 72, which means that the threaded spindle 72 cannot be rotated by the weight of the leg rest 2, but only by the motor drive.
As can be seen from FIG. 8, the threaded spindle 72 is supported on the base plate 31 by means of an axial thrust bearing 74 and centered in a vertical bore 76 of the base plate 31 by means of a bearing pin 77 and secured in the axial direction by means of a locking washer 79.

The electric motor 24 of the first motor drive 10 can be driven in either direction of rotation, so that both the upward movement and the downward movement the leg rest 2 is carried out in a controlled manner can.

Also for the horizontal longitudinal movement of the slide 30 is in the two directions of the double arrow 66 Second motor drive 65 is provided. This points a geared motor 67, the output shaft 68 at a first embodiment via a coupling sleeve 69 rigidly connected to a horizontal threaded spindle 47 is. This threaded spindle 47 is rotatable and axially fixed in the middle between the two horizontal guides 40 and 41 rotatably supported in the bearing block 26.

On the underside of the foot plate 31 of the carriage 30 is a driver 45 in the form of one with a horizontal threaded bore 46 provided metal block, the rigidly connected to footplate 31 by screws 38 is (see Fig. 8). By caused by the gear motor 67 Rotation of the output shaft 68 or with it rigidly connected threaded spindle 47 in one or the other Direction, the sled 30 will be attached to it Legrest 2 in one direction or the other of the double arrow 66 moves. Is for this purpose the direction of rotation of the geared motor 67 can also be selected.

For the control of the two motor drives 10 and 65, a switch box 87 is provided, the manually operable, for switching the two geared motors on and off 24 or 67 includes key switches 88 and the one via a cable 89 with one on the carriage 30 attached electrical or electronic ballast 90 is connected, via which the two geared motors 24 and 67 can be controlled independently of one another. This ballast 90 can be an electronic, preferably contain programmable control unit with which the sliding movements of the carriage 30 both regarding their length as well as their speed and their time intervals are adjustable. In this case is then also the manually operable switch box 87 with provided accordingly adjustable switching elements.

11 and 12 is another embodiment of the Connection between the driver 45 and the foot plate 31st or the carriage 30 shown. Here is the driver 45 not rigidly screwed to the footplate 31, but slidably in a longitudinal slot 91 of the footplate 31 out. There is a non-positive connection between the driver 45 and the carriage 30 or its Base plate 31 via a helical compression spring 92, which coaxial to the threaded spindle 47 between the driver 45 and a stop tab 93 is arranged. Also the Stop tab 93 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction Longitudinal slot 91 of the foot plate 31 out. It stands in Thread engagement with a threaded pin 94 which is horizontal Parallel position to the base plate 31 or to the longitudinal slot 91 or to the threaded spindle 47 in a bearing block 95 is rotatably mounted. This threaded pin 94 is with provided a manually operable control button 96 by its rotation in one direction or the other the stop tab 93 in the longitudinal direction relative to the driver 45 can be adjusted to the preload of the compression spring 92 to change or set as it is for the treating patients is optimal. With the help of this non-positive connection between the driver 45 and the slide 30 can be used to stretch the spine Power dosed and gradually fed be so that the stretching process is gentle and gentle can be carried out.

It can also be useful and advantageous for this purpose be, the threaded spindle 47 via a force limiting device 75 to drive, for example from a Slip clutch can exist, its maximum transmission torque is adjustable in certain areas. With the help of this force limiting device it is possible ensure a specific one, for the patient tolerable tensile force is not exceeded. Also when using this force limiting device 75 the output shaft 68 of the geared motor 67 is not directly with the threaded spindle 47, but possibly via a gear wheel or worm wheel 78.

As already mentioned and can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 is, the therapy device 1 can both on a treatment couch can also be used on the floor. It is expedient here, the lying surface 81 of the treatment couch 82 at least in the area in which the The patient's upper back rests with a non-slip Cover 83 to be provided so that the patient at the Stretching movement of the leg rest 2 of the therapy device 1 not moved. When using the therapy device 1 on the floor it is appropriate for the patient to be treated to provide a pad 84, which is also a smooth lying surface 81 'and one in the shoulder area has non-slip covering 83.

It is also expedient and advantageous to provide the lying surface 81 of the bed 82 or the lying surface 81 'of the support 84 in the region of the lower back with one or more pressure switches 100, which switch the manually switched on first motor drive 10, which controls the upward movement of the Leg rest 2 causes to switch off as soon as the lower back is lifted from the lying surface 81 or 81 ' to such an extent that it is free and an extension or extension of the spine by a subsequent longitudinal movement of the leg rest 2 in the direction of arrow 99 can no longer be a hindrance can.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, it may be appropriate to stabilize the position of the therapy device 1 on the lying surface 81 of the bed 82 to provide anchoring elements 80, which hung on the frame of the support frame 50 and the Grasp the cross edge of the bunk bed like a hook.

13, 14 and 15 is another embodiment of the therapy device 1 according to the invention shown at which is a support frame consisting of a rectangular tube frame 50/1 either with non-slip studs 86 or with height-adjustable support feet 85 is provided. With the Height-adjustable support feet 85 can be the basic height the legrest 2 individually.

The horizontal guides 40/1 and 41/1 provided here consist of U-rails 42 and 43, in which Sliding shoes 32 and 33 of a horizontal foot plate 31/1 of the slide 30/1 are guided horizontally. In the longitudinal center of the support frame 50/1 is in storage brackets 105 and 106, respectively, on the cross bars 107 and 108 of the support frame 50/1 are attached, the threaded spindle 47 stored by motor drive 65/1, the out an electric motor 109 and a gear transmission 110, is driven. As with the first one Embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 is also here Base plate 31/1 provided with a driver 45 on the underside, through a threaded bore 46 with the threaded spindle 47 is engaged.

But it can also be the non-positive connection to the Carriage 30/1 according to FIGS. 11 and 12 and / or a force limiting device 75 can be provided according to FIG. 9.

On the top of the foot plate 31/1, a vertical threaded spindle 72 is arranged in the middle between two vertical guides 20/1 and 21/1, which also consist of U-rails 52 and 53, and is driven by a first motor drive 10/1, namely via a Worm wheel 28 can be driven in one direction or the other by a reversible electric motor 24. As in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10, this threaded spindle 72 is in threaded engagement with a vertical threaded tube 71 which is mounted on the upper edge 111 of a vertical support plate 58 by means of a horizontal support bracket 112. This vertical support plate 58 is guided in the vertical U-rails 52 and 53 so as to be vertically adjustable by means of sliding shoes 54 and 55. As a support and connecting means for two spacer elements 62 and the mounting rail 7 of the leg support 2, the support plate 58 is provided with two angle brackets 61, each having two vertical bores 63 and 64. These vertical bores 63 and 64 serve to receive two threaded bolts 8 and 8 ' or 9 and 9 ' , which are fastened to the mounting rail 7 and which with the threaded nuts 12 and 13 with the interposition of the spacer elements 62 also provided with two vertical bores on the angle brackets 61 can be screwed.

With the help of plug pins 114, which are optionally available in multiple existing vertical bores 115 of the two U-rails 42 and 43 can be plugged in, it is possible to set the maximum Stretching movement of the slide 30/1 in the support frame Limit 50/1 differently.

It is advisable to adjust the height of the leg rest 2 limit to about 25 cm to 35 cm.

In order to be able to transport the therapy device manually more easily overall, the carrying frame 50 or 50/1 is provided with a carrying handle 56.
It is also expedient and advantageous for the transport of the device if the carriage 30 or 30/1 can be removed from the support frame 50 or 50/1.

The advantages with which the described invention Therapy device for prophylactic or therapeutic Treatment of spine can be used already described at the beginning.

Claims (21)

Therapy device (1) for relieving and stretching the human spine, with a vertically adjustable leg rest (2), which is used to loosely lay the two lower legs and the two thighs of a patient, each in the manner of a gable roof, two thigh rests inclined to each other by approximately 70 ° to 110 ° (5, 6) has
characterized,
that the leg rest (2) by means of a first motor drive (10; 10/1) on vertical guides (20, 21; 20/1, 21/1) of a carriage (30; 30/1) is vertically adjustable, which in turn together with the leg rest (2) on horizontal guides (40, 41; 40/1, 41/1) of a support frame (50; 50/1) essentially parallel to a horizontal lying surface (81) by means of a second motor drive (65; 65/1 ) can be moved in the longitudinal direction (arrow 66) relative to the lying surface (81). Therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive directions of the two motor Drives (10, 65; 10/1, 65/1) are reversible. Therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the two motor drives (10, 65; 10/1, 65/1) each separately using hand switches (88) are remotely controllable. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized that the vertical adjustment the leg rest (2) limited to about 25 cm to 35 cm is. Therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame (50/1) by means of adjustable Support feet (85) is adjustable in height. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized in that the support frame (50, 50/1) is provided with a carrying handle (56). Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized characterized that the first motor drive (10; 10/1) of the leg rest (2) by means of a or several optionally activatable on the relief the bed surface (81) reacting switch (100) can be switched off. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized characterized that for the horizontal adjustment movement of the slide (30; 30/1) a maximum Adjustment distance is adjustable. Therapy device according to claim 8, characterized in that the maximum adjustment distance in several Parts can be subdivided. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized characterized in that the power transmission in Extension direction of the second motor drive (65; 65/1) on the slide (30/1) via an adjustable Spring force (helical compression spring 92) takes place. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized characterized in that the power transmission in Extension direction of the second motor drive (65, 65/1) on the slide (30/1) via a force limiting device (75) takes place. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized characterized that for gradual control the movement of the slide (30; 30/1) in the stretching direction a programmable or preprogrammed electronic Control unit (90) is provided with the both the movement lengths and their temporal Distances are adjustable. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized characterized in that the leg rest (2) from Sled (30; 30/1) is removable. Therapy device according to claim 13, characterized in that the carriage (30, 30/1) from the support frame (50, 50/1) is removable. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized characterized in that the leg rest (2) by two guide columns (22) attached to it in two Guide cylinders (23) of the carriage (30) guided and through a threaded pipe (71) attached to it with a motor-driven, in the carriage (30) pivoting threaded spindle (72) in self-locking Intervention stands. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized characterized in that the carriage (30) by a driver (45) attached to it with a threaded bore (46) with one in the supporting frame (50, 50/1) rotatably mounted and motor-driven threaded spindle (47) is in self-locking engagement. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized characterized in that for linear guidance of the Sled (30/1) in the frame (50/1) or the leg rest (2) on the slide (30/1) in pairs on the frame or on the slide (30/1) in parallel position U-rails (42, 43; 52, 53) are provided, in each of which sliding shoes (32, 33; 54, 55) of a horizontal base plate (31; 31/1) of the slide (30/1) or a vertical Support plate (58) of the leg rest (2) are guided. Therapy device according to claim 16, characterized in that that the leg rest (2) has a trapezoidal profile Has mounting rail (7) by means of releasable Threaded pin (8, 9) and threaded nuts (12, 13) on a horizontal support (14) of the slide (30) is fixed to which the guide columns (22) are attached are. Therapy device according to claim 18, characterized in that the horizontal top edge (111) of the vertical Carrying plate (58) angle bracket (61) has those with the trapezoidal profiled mounting rail (7) provided by means of threaded pins (8, 8 '; 9, 9 ') and threaded nuts (12, 13) releasably attached is. Therapy device according to claim 15 or 19, characterized in that that between the mounting rail (7) and the support (14) or the angle supports (61) in each case interchangeable spacer elements (62) are arranged. Therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized characterized in that the support frame (50) the side facing away from the lying surface (81) Anchoring means (80) is provided, through which the support frame (50) on a couch (82) or base the lying surface can be attached.

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