EP0824908B1 - 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.

DE 32 12 280 A1 discloses a therapy device according to the preamble of claim 1

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, one should Spine therapy meets the following requirements his:

The patient should sit on his back on a flat surface lie in such a way that the spine is also level rests.

The hollow cross must be completely removed. The patient's body should be as completely relaxed as possible in particular, all muscles should be in the spine area have no tension. Therefore the patient should not experience any mechanical problems during treatment Carry out movements or levers or similar devices serve.

In this completely relaxed location, then, should too the spine in from every tension and pressure Relieve longitudinal direction, exerted a slight pull in such a way that the muscles do not become reflective tense.

A sustainable extension of the spine is only in completely relaxed back muscles possible. Through the Capillary action that occurs when the stretching or stretching of the Spine arises, the intervertebral discs regenerate due to new liquid absorption with simultaneous thickening. This enables the intervertebral discs to at least approximately their original shape and Take position. To in this regenerated form To achieve certain stability, it is necessary that the patient stretched in this for a period of time Spinal column position persists and that this spinal column extension is repeated at regular intervals.

The therapy device designed according to the invention is ideal suitable to be used under the conditions mentioned become. The therapy device can both on the floor and set up and used on a couch or the like become. 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 lies with his back, is pushed away. there 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 is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, that it is easy to transport and thus can be used anywhere. Easy to use and high functional reliability as well as a basic adjustability to the circumstances and requirements of the individual patient significant.

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

a perspective view of 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 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 element 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 preferably consists of metal, is in a horizontal position on two vertical support plates 15 and 16 of a carriage 30 attached to a horizontal, rectangular Has base plate 31. On the two opposite Narrow sides of this base plate 31 are the two vertical support plates 15 and 16 parallel to each other attached by means of screws 17. underside is this footplate 31 with four sliding shoes 34, 35, 36 and 37 provided, each by means of screws 38 laterally are adjustably attached, and that by means of horizontal Holes 39 on horizontal guides 40 and 41, respectively are guided in pairs. In the in the 1 to 10 shown embodiment exist these horizontal guides 40, 41 made of cylindrical guide rods. These guide rods are in vertical pillow blocks 26 and 27 of a support frame 50 parallel to each other continuously attached and each on a cross bar 48 or 49 of the total rectangular, from a tubular profile existing support frame arranged. The two Longitudinal bars 48 'and 49' of the support frame 50 are each with Non-slip foot elements 51 provided the support frame give a good hold on the respective surface.

With the help of vertical guides 20 and 21, the leg rest 2 is vertically continuously adjustable together with the support 14 on 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 back top the patient 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 for the lying surface 81 of the bed 82 or the bed surface 81 'of the support 84 in the lower back with one or to provide several pressure switches 100, which the manually switched on first motor drive 10, which causes the upward movement of the leg rest 2 to switch off, as soon as the lower back of the bed 81 or 81 so far that it is free and stretching or stretching the spine a subsequent longitudinal movement of the leg rest 2 in Direction of arrow 99 can no longer be a hindrance.

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 footplate 31/1 is in the middle between two also consisting of U-rails 52 and 53 Vertical guides 20/1 and 21/1 a vertical threaded spindle 72 arranged by a first motor Drive 10/1, namely via a worm wheel 28 from a reversible electric motor 24 optionally in one or other direction is drivable. This lead screw 72 stands as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 in threaded engagement with a vertical threaded tube 71, which by means of a horizontal support bracket 112 on the Upper edge 111 of a vertical support plate 58 mounted is. This vertical support plate 58 is by means of sliding shoes 54 and 55 in the vertical U-rails 52 and 53 vertical adjustable led. As a support and lanyard for two spacers 62 and the mounting rail 7 of the leg rest 2 is the support plate 58 with two angle brackets 61 provided, each with two vertical holes 63 and 64. These vertical bores 63 and 64 each serve to receive two threaded bolts 8 and 8 'or 9 and 9', which are attached to the mounting rail 7 are and with the threaded nuts 12 and 13 under Intermediate layer also with two vertical holes provided spacer elements 62 on the angle brackets 61 can be screwed tight.

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.

To make it easier to transport the therapy device overall manually to be able to, the support frame 50 or 50/1 with provided a handle 56. Useful and advantageous for the transport of the device it is also when the slide 30 or 30/1 from the support frame 50 or 50/1 is removable.

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)

1. Therapy device (1) for relieving and stretching the human spinal column, with a vertically adjustable leg rest (2) which has two upper leg or lower leg rests (5, 6) respectively inclined towards one another by about 70° to 110° for loosely supporting both lower legs and both thighs of a patient in the manner of a saddleback, characterised in that the leg rest (2) is vertically adjustable 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) which is in turn displaceable relative to the reclining surface (81) in the longitudinal direction (66) thereof, together with the leg rest (2) on horizontal guides (40, 41; 40/1, 41/1) of a carrying frame (50; 50/1) substantially parallel to a horizontal reclining surface (81) by means of a second motor drive (65; 65/1).
2. Therapy device according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive devices of the two motor drives (10, 65; 10/1, 65/1) are reversible.
3. Therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the two motor drives (10, 65; 10/1, 65/1) can be remote controlled, separately in each case, by means of hand switches (88).
4. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the vertical adjustment path of the leg rest (2) is limited to about 25 cm to 35 cm.
5. Therapy device according to claim 1, characterised in that the carrying frame (50/1) is height-adjustable by means of adjustable support feet (85).
6. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the carrying frame (50, 50/1) is provided with a carrying handle (56).
7. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the first motor drive (10; 10/1) of the leg rest (2) can be switched off by means of one or more optionally activatable switches responding to the load relief of the load on the reclining surface (81).
8. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a maximum adjustment path can be adjusted for the horizontal adjustment movement of the carriage (30; 30/1).
9. Therapy device according to claim 8, characterised in that the maximum adjustment path can be divided into a plurality of part sections.
10. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the force is transmitted in the extension direction from the second motor drive (65; 65/1) to the carriage (30/1) via an adjustable spring force (92).
11. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the force is transmitted in the extension direction from the second motor drive (65, 65/1) to the carriage (30/1) via a force limiting device (75).
12. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that for the stepped control of the movement of the carriage (30; 30/1) in the extension direction, a programmable or pre-programmed electronic control device (90) is provided with which both the movement lengths and the time intervals thereof can be adjusted.
13. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that leg rest (2) can be detached from the carriage (30; 30/1).
14. Therapy device according to claim 13, characterised in that the carriage (30, 30/1) can be detached from the carrying frame (50, 50/1).
15. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the leg rest (2) is guided by two guide columns (22) fastened thereto in two guide cylinders (23) of the carriage (30) and owing to a threaded pipe (71) fastened to the leg rest (2) is in self-locking engagement with a motor-driven threaded spindle (72) rotatably mounted in the carriage (30).
16. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the carriage (30), owing to a carrier (45) with a threaded hole (46) fastened thereto, is in self-locking engagement with a threaded spindle (47) which is rotatably mounted in the carrying frame (50, 50/1) and is motor-driven.
17. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that, provided for the linear guidance of the carriage (30/1) in the frame (50/1) or of the leg rest (2) on the carriage (30/1) are U-rails (42, 43; 52, 53) arranged in pairs respectively on the frame or on the carriage (30/1) and lying parallel to one another, in which U-rails (42, 43; 52, 53) respective sliding blocks (32, 33; 54, 55) of a horizontal footplate (31; 31/1) of the carriage (30/1) or of a vertical support plate (58) of the leg rest (2) are guided.
18. Therapy device according to claim 16, characterised in that the leg rest (2) has an assembly rail (7) profiled in a trapezium-like manner which is fixed by means of detachable threaded journals (8, 9) and threaded nuts (12, 13) on a horizontal carrier (14) of the carriage (30) on which the guide columns (22) are fastened.
19. Therapy device according to claim 18, characterised in that the horizontal upper edge (111) of the vertical support plate (58) has angle carriers (61) on which the [leg rest (2)?] provided with the assembly rail (7) profiled in a trapezium-like manner is detachably fastened by means of threaded journals (8, 8'; 9, 9') and threaded nuts (12, 13).
20. Therapy device according to claim 15 or 19, characterised in that respective replaceable spacers (62) are provided between the assembly rail (7) and the carrier (14) or the angle carriers (61).
21. Therapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the carrying frame (50) is provided on the side remote from the reclining surface (81) with anchoring means (80), by means of which the carrying frame (50) can be fastened to a couch (82) or support of the reclining surface.

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