EP0935957A2 - Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée - Google Patents

Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0935957A2
EP0935957A2 EP99108340A EP99108340A EP0935957A2 EP 0935957 A2 EP0935957 A2 EP 0935957A2 EP 99108340 A EP99108340 A EP 99108340A EP 99108340 A EP99108340 A EP 99108340A EP 0935957 A2 EP0935957 A2 EP 0935957A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bath
hydromassage
ultrasonic
ultrasounds
transducers
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Withdrawn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
EP99108340A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0935957A3 (fr
Inventor
Virgilio Guzzini
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.)
Teuco Guzzini SpA
Original Assignee
Teuco Guzzini SpA
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
Application filed by Teuco Guzzini SpA filed Critical Teuco Guzzini SpA
Publication of EP0935957A2 publication Critical patent/EP0935957A2/fr
Publication of EP0935957A3 publication Critical patent/EP0935957A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
    • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H23/0245—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
    • 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
    • A61H33/6063—Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls
    • 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
    • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
    • A61H2201/0173—Means for preventing injuries
    • A61H2201/0176—By stopping operation
    • 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
    • A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
    • A61H2203/02—Additional characteristics concerning the patient immersed in liquid
    • 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
    • A61H33/0087—Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
    • A61H33/0091—Water agitated by means moving in the bath, i.e. without water connections to an outside pump circuit

Definitions

  • This invention refers to an innovative bath having ultrasonic hydromassaging means.
  • the general scope of this invention is to provide an innovative hydromassage bath which practically and effectively provides a micromassaging action produced by generation of ultrasonic waves.
  • hydromassage bath comprising, in combination, disposed on the surface of the bath, a plurality of nozzle which emits jets of water for a macromassage action and a distributed plurality of transducer elements which emit ultrasonic waves for a micromassage action; hydromassage bath characterized by the fact that said bath is at least partially made of material transparent to ultrasounds, the transducer elements being fitted on the external wall of said bath with their ultrasound emitting face directed towards the inside of said bath through the thickness of said bath itself.
  • figure 1 shows a schematic view of a bath, generically indicated by reference 10, advantageously comprising a known hydromassage system composed of apertures 11 for intake and emission of water, mixed with air, disposed between the intake and delivery of a pump 12.
  • a system of this kind, together with its control circuits, is easily imaginable by the expert in the field and therefore will not be further described or shown herein.
  • the bath further comprises the conventional accessories such as drain, overflow, etc.
  • the bath can be advantageously made of plastic material, for example, composite material, with supporting structure made of metal tubes, as will be obvious to the expert in the field.
  • ultrasonic transducers 13 facing on to the inner surface of the bath are ultrasonic transducers 13 which emit ultrasounds in the internal volume of the bath.
  • the transducers for example of the piezoelectric type, are disposed in such a way as to be submerged when the bath is filled and are advantageously distributed so as to generate a generically uniform ultrasonic intensity in the water in the bath.
  • they can be evenly distributed along the lateral wall of the bath and if necessary on the bottom of it.
  • the transducers are connected to a pilot circuit 14, which generates pilot voltages with a suitable pattern.
  • the circuit 14 is also advantageously connected to a control panel 15, for example with a keyboard and associated display, which enables the user to control the various functions of the bath, such as modulating the power emitted by the transducers and obtaining information on its operation, with emission of optic and/or acoustic signals.
  • the control circuit 14 can be a known generator of electric signals of suitable frequency.
  • the control panel is also of substantially known technique, for example with a suitably programmed microprocessor, and can control both the ultrasonic massage system and the conventional hydromassage system.
  • Both the pilot circuit 14 and the control circuit 15 are per se well know to the expert in the field and will therefore not be further described or shown herein, since they are easily imaginable by the expert, especially in the light of the following operative description.
  • the bath is also fitted with an ultrasonic microphone 16 connected to the control circuit to detect the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducers.
  • the control circuit can thus modulate the power emitted by the transducers in relation to the signals picked up by the microphone element.
  • the microphone 16 can perform a safety function as well as that of checking the operation of the ultrasonic system.
  • the control circuit can shut off the generator and warn the user in the event of irregular operation of the system whenever the microphone fails to detect a level of ultrasounds above a threshold which is pre-established as being the minimum for efficient operation of the system (for example due to breakdown of the generator or because the bath is not filled with a sufficient amount of water to cover the emitters properly).
  • the control circuit can shut off the generator and warn the user of irregular operation of the system whenever the microphone detects a level of ultrasounds above a threshold which is pre-established as being the maximum level of ultrasounds permissible for its use.
  • the microphone 16 can be obtained either by means of a special device, or by making one of the ultrasound emission transducers work "backwards". In this latter case, it is possible to economize by using the transducer either as an emitter or as a microphone. Moreover, it is also possible to use several transducers 13 cyclically either as emitters or as microphones, so as to measure the ultrasonic level in various areas of the bath, for example in order to have an idea of the spatial power distribution of the ultrasounds in the volume of water. On the basis of the values measured and correlated to the spatial power distribution the control circuit can thus modulate the power emitted by each transducer in order to obtain pre-established ultrasonic power distributions in the water.
  • Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of a transducer 13.
  • the transducer comprises a casing 17 having a rim 18 radially protruding at its front ultrasonic emitting end.
  • the rim 18 is received, with interposition of a gasket 19, in a complementary housing 20 made in the wall 21 of the bath, so that the front end is substantially flush with the wall of the bath, while the casing of the transducer protrudes rearwardly through a hole at the rear of the housing 20 and is locked by a ring nut 22.
  • the ultrasound emitting element Disposed in the casing 17, close to its front end, is the ultrasound emitting element, for example composed of a known piezoelectric element 23, connected to the device 14 by means of a cable 26.
  • the emitting element can be protected by a screen 24 made of material transparent to ultrasounds.
  • the casing 17 can be filled with shielding material 25 to prevent unnecessary diffusion of ultrasounds towards the rear.
  • one key of the keyboard starts up the conventional hydromassage, while a second key starts up the ultrasound system.
  • the control panel it is possible for example to set the duration of the conventional hydromassage as well as that of the ultrasound micromassage and the operating mode.
  • Operating mode is understood for example as being the possibility of adjusting the operating frequency and/or intensity of the transducers.
  • each frequency that can be selected can be indicated by its use (for example, relaxing, bracing massage, etc.) instead of by its actual frequency value, thereby making the apparatus easier to use.
  • the emission power can be regulated by steps, in the same way as the frequency, between a maximum and minimum value.
  • the emission power is obviously divided among the various transducers. For example, in the event of four transducers it is preferable to have a maximum power value for each transducer not exceeding 0.5W/cm 2 .
  • the emission from the various transducers can also be regulated in order to obtain particular ultrasonic power density conditions in different areas of the bath (for example, higher in the area of the legs or the chest, etc.), also by using the feedback of the microphone 16, as described above. Similar adjustments can be made to the conventional hydromassage system in order to carry out combined treatments (pre-programmed in the control device 15 or carried out directly by the user).
  • control of the transducers by the device 14 can be advantageously intermittent instead of continuous, for example by alternating emission periods and non-emission periods with a ratio ranging from 1/10 to 1/2, in particular in the region of 1/5.
  • emission periods ranging from 0.1 to 5ms and non-emission periods ranging from 2 to 10ms.
  • the emission periods can have a duration in the region of 1ms and the non-emission periods can have a duration in the region of 5ms.
  • a combination of this kind has been found to be highly effective in obtaining a far greater relaxing and bracing action than can be obtained in normal baths with just the conventional hydromassage, the user receiving a massage produced by the stream of water as well as a massage produced by the component of ultrasonic waves conveyed by the water itself.
  • the bath can also comprise a localized ultrasonic hydromassaging device (in figure 1 schematized in reference 27) of the type described in the co-pendent patent application on behalf of the same Applicant.
  • a localized ultrasonic hydromassaging device in figure 1 schematized in reference 27 of the type described in the co-pendent patent application on behalf of the same Applicant.
  • the ultrasonic emission elements can be incorporated in the apertures 11, so as to limit the number of holes in the bath and reduce the assembling operations.
  • the transducers can obviously be fitted on the external wall of the bath with their ultrasound emitting face directed towards the inside of the bath through the thickness of the bath itself.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
  • Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
EP99108340A 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée Withdrawn EP0935957A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT93MI002341A IT1266670B1 (it) 1993-11-04 1993-11-04 Vasca idromassaggio migliorata
ITMI932341 1993-11-04
EP94203142A EP0651987A3 (fr) 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée.

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94203142A Division EP0651987A3 (fr) 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0935957A2 true EP0935957A2 (fr) 1999-08-18
EP0935957A3 EP0935957A3 (fr) 1999-11-17

Family

ID=11367145

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94203142A Ceased EP0651987A3 (fr) 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée.
EP99108340A Withdrawn EP0935957A3 (fr) 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94203142A Ceased EP0651987A3 (fr) 1993-11-04 1994-10-28 Baignoire d'hydromassage améliorée.

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0651987A3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1266670B1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130265270A1 (en) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-10 Kohler Co. User interface device for a bath or shower
CN103356103A (zh) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-23 科勒公司 用于控制转换器来提供振动声学体验的系统和方法
RU2560781C1 (ru) * 2014-08-05 2015-08-20 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ТММ" Устройство для проведения физиотерапевтических процедур
WO2016103119A1 (fr) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-30 Leo Zaccherini Baignoire comprenant un accessoire de gymnastique et des émetteurs d'ultrasons

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1273570B (it) * 1995-04-14 1997-07-08 Teuco Guzzini Srl Vasca idromassaggio con dispositivi di emissione di ultrasuoni ad ampia apertura di fascio
GB9714621D0 (en) * 1997-07-14 1997-09-17 Subacoustech Limited Dislodging or loosening mucus in a person's lungs
DE19902875C1 (de) * 1999-01-25 2000-07-20 Ideal Standard Piezoschallwandler und Badewanne mit einem Piezoschallwandler
IT1321183B1 (it) * 2000-05-04 2003-12-30 Teuco Guzzini Spa Vasca idromassaggio con dispositivi di emissione di ultrasuoni .
EP1797855A1 (fr) * 2005-12-13 2007-06-20 TEUCO GUZZINI S.p.A. Procédé et appareil pour hydrater la peau par ultrasons
US8226584B2 (en) 2008-03-19 2012-07-24 Kohler Co. Shielded transducer for plumbing fixture
US9504625B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2016-11-29 Kohler Co. Vibroacoustic water system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3550586A (en) * 1967-03-10 1970-12-29 Ultrasonic Systems Ultrasonic treatment method and device for fertilized ova and live embryos
US3585991A (en) * 1969-11-14 1971-06-22 Ultrasonic Systems Psychophysiosonic system with multisensory aids
DE4034912C1 (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-05-27 Steindorf, Susanne Ruth, 2875 Ganderkesee, De LF ultrasonic therapeutic appts. - has device(s), preventing standing ultrasonic wave in liq. . consisting of injector, stirrer, and/or vibrator

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3499437A (en) * 1967-03-10 1970-03-10 Ultrasonic Systems Method and apparatus for treatment of organic structures and systems thereof with ultrasonic energy
DE3033598A1 (de) * 1980-09-06 1982-04-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Verfahren zur ultraschalltherapie
DE3207892A1 (de) * 1982-03-05 1983-09-15 Frenkel, Walter, 7483 Inzigkofen Fussbadewanne mit ultraschallbehandlungsgeraet
ES285113Y (es) * 1984-03-13 1986-09-01 Conti Francesco Dispositivo para hidromasajes
US4942868A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-07-24 Malmros Holding, Inc. Ultrasonic treatment of animals
US4945901A (en) * 1989-03-22 1990-08-07 Burcke Jr Harry J Hand therapy apparatus and method therefor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3550586A (en) * 1967-03-10 1970-12-29 Ultrasonic Systems Ultrasonic treatment method and device for fertilized ova and live embryos
US3585991A (en) * 1969-11-14 1971-06-22 Ultrasonic Systems Psychophysiosonic system with multisensory aids
DE4034912C1 (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-05-27 Steindorf, Susanne Ruth, 2875 Ganderkesee, De LF ultrasonic therapeutic appts. - has device(s), preventing standing ultrasonic wave in liq. . consisting of injector, stirrer, and/or vibrator

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130265270A1 (en) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-10 Kohler Co. User interface device for a bath or shower
CN103356103A (zh) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-23 科勒公司 用于控制转换器来提供振动声学体验的系统和方法
CN103356098A (zh) * 2012-04-04 2013-10-23 科勒公司 用于浴池或淋浴器的用户接口装置
EP2647363A3 (fr) * 2012-04-04 2013-12-04 Kohler Co. Systèmes et procédés pour commander des transducteurs pour fournir une expérience vibro-acoustique
US8847913B2 (en) * 2012-04-04 2014-09-30 Kohler Co. User interface device for a bath or shower
US9180067B2 (en) 2012-04-04 2015-11-10 Kohler Co. User interface device for a bath or shower
US9314397B2 (en) 2012-04-04 2016-04-19 Kohler Co. Systems and methods for controlling transducers to provide a vibracoustic experience
CN103356098B (zh) * 2012-04-04 2016-08-31 科勒公司 用于浴池或淋浴器的用户接口装置
CN103356103B (zh) * 2012-04-04 2016-12-28 科勒公司 用于控制转换器来提供振动声学体验的系统和方法
RU2560781C1 (ru) * 2014-08-05 2015-08-20 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ТММ" Устройство для проведения физиотерапевтических процедур
WO2016103119A1 (fr) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-30 Leo Zaccherini Baignoire comprenant un accessoire de gymnastique et des émetteurs d'ultrasons

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0651987A3 (fr) 1995-09-20
IT1266670B1 (it) 1997-01-09
ITMI932341A0 (it) 1993-11-04
EP0935957A3 (fr) 1999-11-17
ITMI932341A1 (it) 1995-05-04
EP0651987A2 (fr) 1995-05-10

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