EP1009354A1 - Massage apparatus - Google Patents

Massage apparatus

Info

Publication number
EP1009354A1
EP1009354A1 EP98907980A EP98907980A EP1009354A1 EP 1009354 A1 EP1009354 A1 EP 1009354A1 EP 98907980 A EP98907980 A EP 98907980A EP 98907980 A EP98907980 A EP 98907980A EP 1009354 A1 EP1009354 A1 EP 1009354A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
active surface
axis
massage device
tissue
massage
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP98907980A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1009354B1 (en
Inventor
Ulrich G. Randoll
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1009354A1 publication Critical patent/EP1009354A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H23/00Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
    • A61H23/02Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H23/0254Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with rotary motor
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H7/00Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for
    • A61H7/007Kneading
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H2201/00Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/01Constructive details
    • A61H2201/0119Support for the device
    • A61H2201/0153Support for the device hand-held
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H2201/00Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/12Driving means
    • A61H2201/1207Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H2201/1215Rotary drive
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H2201/00Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/12Driving means
    • A61H2201/1253Driving means driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61HPHYSICAL 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
    • A61H2201/00Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/16Physical interface with patient
    • A61H2201/1657Movement of interface, i.e. force application means
    • A61H2201/1676Pivoting
    • A61H2201/1678Means for angularly oscillating massage elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a massage device for the treatment of acute and chronic microcirculation diseases in warm-blooded animals.
  • a massage device which carries an active surface pivotably connected to the housing about an axis on a housing which can be held and guided in the hand.
  • This active surface is cylindrical, the axis of rotation of the cylinder coinciding with the pivot axis.
  • DE 44 43 756 Dl describes a massage device with an active surface, the radius of which, measured from a pivot axis of the device, is different in different directions.
  • This device is a large-sized free-standing device in which the patient places an entire body part, such as a lower leg, on the active surface, so that the body part to be treated essentially follows the movement of the active surface as a whole. Since the position of the patient relative to the device cannot be changed easily during a treatment, that of the device movement transferred to the part of the body to be treated is always the same during a treatment.
  • the aim of the present invention is to create a flexibly applicable and therapeutically highly effective massage device. This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are defined in the dependent claims.
  • the present invention makes it possible to change the amplitude of the pivoting movement by simply changing the orientation of the active surface of the massage device in relation to the tissue to be treated. Surprisingly, this amplitude modulation enables a significantly more sustainable and in-depth therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases associated with disorders of the microcirculation than the conventional techniques. Trials have shown significant relief to the disappearance of the symptoms, even in patients who did not respond to conventional procedures.
  • Indications of the device according to the invention are therefore given for painful or tense muscles, musculoskeletal diseases of the nervous, supporting and musculoskeletal system, long-term alcohol, drug and drug abuse, acute trauma, after surgery, but also for chronic diseases of the rheumatic type, psychiatric disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, gout, diabetes, cellulite, Sudeck, intracranial pressure, dizziness, Menier, circulatory disorders, pain, tumors, apoplexy, sensitive and sensory hypoesthesia and paresthesia, sensitive stimulation, environmentally related stimulation Diseases and all changes affecting the matrix. It is preferred that the radius of the active surface changes continuously over at least a region thereof.
  • the invention can be carried out as a free-standing device and as a device to be guided by hand. It is a special advantage of the device to be guided by hand that its user can grasp the hardening of the treated tissue with the same hand that guides the device and by simply rotating the massager around the axis of the active surface, the amplitude of the massage movement on each set recorded degree of hardening or the amplitude can vary rhythmically.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 each show a perspective view of a massage device according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 and FIG. 4 each a top view of a massage head of a massage device according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross section through a massage head parallel to the pivot axis thereof; 6 shows a schematic illustration of the mode of operation of the massage device according to the invention;
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 further variants of massage heads.
  • the massage device shown in FIG. 1 is a free-standing device which is mounted with the aid of second arms 50 on rails 51 on the wall of a treatment room so as to be height-adjustable.
  • the arms 50 carry at their ends a roller-shaped massage head 4, the outer surface of which forms an active surface, and a housing 1, in which an electric motor is accommodated, which drives the massage head in an oscillating pivoting movement about an axis A.
  • the amplitude of the swiveling movement is selected as a function of the average radius of the head so that a typical amplitude of a point on the surface of the head 4 is approximately 4 to 7 mm.
  • a patient For treatment e.g. the lower leg muscles, a patient lies on his back in front of the device and places the lower leg on the top of the massage head 4 set at a suitable height.
  • the unit consisting of the housing 1 and the massage head 4 can be rotated with the aid of a swivel arm about the axis A through an angle of up to 360 °, so that different zones of the active surface of the head 4 can be brought into contact with the lower leg, as desired, in order to do so under- to vibrate different amplitude depending on the radius of the zone.
  • the rails 51 are not mounted on a wall but on a movable carriage.
  • Such a mobile device is particularly suitable for the treatment of bedridden patients.
  • the massage device shown in FIG. 2 has a housing 1 which can be held and guided in the hand and has a diameter in the range from 3 to 8 cm.
  • the housing 1 contains an electric motor which is supplied with energy by a power supply unit (not shown) via a supply cable 2.
  • An eccentric gear in the housing 1 converts a rotary movement of the motor into an oscillating pivoting movement of a shaft 3.
  • the shaft 3 carries a massage head 4, the edge surface of which forms an active surface 5 for laying on the skin of a patient.
  • the course of the active surface in a cross section perpendicular to the axis A is the same in the devices from FIGS. 1 and 2 and is shown in more detail in FIG. 3.
  • the active surface of the massage head shown there comprises two sections 10, 11 arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another, each of which has the shape of an Archimedean spiral around the axis A.
  • the two spirals intersect at a point that forms a region 12 of the active surface that is remote from the axis.
  • a region tangential to both spirals 10, 12 forms a region 13 close to the axis.
  • the distance of the region 13 close to the axis from the axis A is approximately 3 to 10 mm, that of the region 12 remote from the axis is 15 to 100, preferably 20 to 50 mm.
  • 4 shows a second embodiment of a massage head in cross section perpendicular to the axis A. Its active surface comprises only a spiral area 10 and a straight-line delimiting section 14.
  • Fig. 5 shows a treatment head in cross section parallel to the pivot axis A. Since the pivot axis A does not pass through the center of gravity of the massage head, this has an imbalance which can lead to the massager running unevenly, which is particularly the case with a hand-held one Device is interfering.
  • a counterweight can be provided on the shaft 3, optionally in the housing 1, to compensate for the unbalance of the massage head. Such a counterweight can also be embedded in the massage head itself.
  • the massage head should be light and constructed with a low moment of inertia.
  • the 4 therefore includes a sleeve 20 which is positively attached to the shaft 3 and is detachably fastened thereon, a circumferential surface 21 running around the shaft and a disk 22 which connects the sleeve and the circumferential surface.
  • the disc can be perforated or reduced to individual spokes.
  • the sleeve 20, lateral surface 21 and disk 22 are preferably formed from a solid plastic.
  • the outer surface 21 can simultaneously form the active surface of the massage head.
  • a cover 23 made of a flexible material such as soft polyurethane, foam rubber, textile or the like.
  • FIG. 6 The mode of operation of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • This figure shows three different phases of the pivoting movement of the in Fig. 4 shown massage head.
  • the height of the axis A above the skin 30 of the patient to be treated is the same in all three phases.
  • the massage head 4 is deflected maximally clockwise, there is no or only insignificant contact between the massage head and the patient's skin 30.
  • the massage head begins to pivot counterclockwise and first reaches a central position b.
  • the skin 30 and underlying muscle areas are shifted a few millimeters to the right in the figure, and the tissue is pressed down at the same time.
  • the interaction of the pressure from above on the tissue with its simultaneous shifting to the right in the figure has the result that a zone 31 is formed on the right below the massage head 4, in which the pressure of the tissue fluid is increased.
  • phase c of the movement in which the massage head 4 has reached its maximum deflection in the counterclockwise direction, this effect is intensified; the skin and tissue are visibly bulged at 32. Since the path to the left in the figure is obstructed by the massage head 4, tissue fluid can preferably escape from zone 31 in the direction to the right in the figure. In this way, a directional flow through the tissue is achieved, which significantly improves its supply.
  • the limbs of a patient By sweeping the limbs of a patient from distal to proximal, they can be dewatered as a whole with the device according to the invention and the tissue can thus be strengthened and strengthened.
  • This effect can also be used to treat environmentally induced tissue damage.
  • the toxic heavy metal cadmium preferentially deposits in the connective tissue.
  • the treating person can selectively produce the pumping action described in FIG. 6 in opposite directions, simply by rotating the device about the axis A or an axis parallel to it and thus either section 10 or brings section 11 into contact with the patient's skin. In the device from FIG. 1, this rotation takes place with the aid of the lever 52, in the hand-held device from FIG.
  • the operator can also select the zone of section 10 or 11 to act on the patient's skin. You will choose a zone with a larger radius, the stronger the muscle layer to be treated.
  • a typical value for the movement amplitude of a point on the active surface is approx. 4 to 7 mm.
  • the oscillation frequency of the active surface can be set in a range from 5 to 25 Hz.
  • Body mass represents the largest organ of the human body, function-dependent depending on its own oscillations are known, e.g. muscle tremors for heat production in the cold, chills in the event of illness or hard exertion, such as when lifting weights.
  • This tremor itself makes an active contribution to the fluid flow through the tissue by rhythmically compressing the vessels, nerves and connective tissue spaces and, if the valve system of the veins and lymph vessels is intact, ensures that liquid is removed from the tissue more quickly.
  • the massage device according to the invention expediently at the same frequency which is in the range from 8 to 12 Hz.
  • FIG. 7 shows a further development of the massage device according to the invention.
  • Housing 1 and power supply are the same as in the device shown in Fig. 2.
  • the shaft 3 of the further development carries a bevel gear 40 which is in engagement with two further bevel shafts 41 and 42 and drives them in opposite directions.
  • the tapered shafts 41, 42 are supported by second shafts 43, which are rotatably mounted in a cap 44 which is plugged onto the housing 1 and each have a massage head 4 at their ends emerging from the cap 44.
  • These massage heads move in opposite phase and thus, in addition to the pressure and displacement effect described with reference to FIG. 5, exert a shear force on tissue lying between them.
  • This further development is particularly suitable for paradorsal treatment.
  • the housing 1 is supported by a support arm 50 with a plurality of lockable joints 53, which allow the massage head 4 to be largely positioned anywhere in the room.
  • This further development is particularly suitable for self-treatment in areas of the body that are hardly accessible without the muscle tension that is detrimental to the treatment success, such as in the neck or in the thoracic spine area.
  • the magnets are embedded with a field axis parallel to the swivel axis A and alternating orientation.
  • the effect of this massage head on the tissue corresponds to that of the head from FIG. 9.
  • the alternating fields act in particular on the nerve pathways in the tissue and thus act in particular on the natural disposition of the muscle tissue, controlled by the nerves, to tremble. This is expected to further reinforce the fluid exchange in the tissue achieved with the massage device according to the invention.
  • the massage head can also be circular with a swivel axis offset from the center of the circle, ovoid or elliptical, can have archimedean or logarithmic spiral sections and combinations of circular, elliptical, straight or spiral sections, etc.
  • a plurality of massage heads can be provided to adapt to different applications , which are detachably and interchangeably attached to the device, e.g. by screwing on the shaft or by a bayonet mechanism.
  • the energy supply of the massage device can also take place via an accumulator or batteries built into the housing instead of via the supply cable; an on-off switch and a regulator for the oscillation frequency can be provided on the housing or, if appropriate, on the power supply.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A versatile and highly effective massage device has an active surface for bringing into contact with tissue to be treated, and means for driving the active surface in an oscillating pivoting movement about an axis. The active surface has, in cross section, different radii perpendicular to the axis in different directions and can be rotated parallel to the axis in order to bring in each case different zones of the active surface into contact with the tissue.

Description

Massagegerät Massager
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Massagegerät zur Behandlung von akuten und chronischen Mikrozirkulationserkrankungen bei warmblütigen Lebewesen.The present invention relates to a massage device for the treatment of acute and chronic microcirculation diseases in warm-blooded animals.
Aus DE-A 44 08 867 ist ein Massagegerät bekannt, das an einem in der Hand halt- und führbaren Gehäuse eine mit dem Gehäuse um eine Achse schwenkbar verbundene Wirkoberfläche trägt. Diese Wirkoberfläche ist zylinderförmig, wobei die Drehachse des Zylinders mit der Schwenkachse zusammenfällt. Wenn die Wirkoberfläche an eine zu behandelnde Körperregion angedrückt wird, wird die von der Wirkoberfläche berührte Haut sowie darunterliegendes Gewebe durch Reibung parallel zur Körperoberfläche in Oszillation versetzt. Dabei ist die Amplitude der Oszillation durch die Konstruktion des Massagegeräts vorgegeben.From DE-A 44 08 867 a massage device is known which carries an active surface pivotably connected to the housing about an axis on a housing which can be held and guided in the hand. This active surface is cylindrical, the axis of rotation of the cylinder coinciding with the pivot axis. When the active surface is pressed against a region of the body to be treated, the skin touched by the active surface and the underlying tissue are caused to oscillate by friction parallel to the surface of the body. The amplitude of the oscillation is predetermined by the construction of the massage device.
In DE 44 43 756 Dl ist ein Massagegerät mit einer Wirkoberfläche beschrieben, deren Radius, von einer Schwenkachse des Geräts aus gemessen, in verschiedene Richtungen unterschiedlich ist. Dieses Gerät ist ein großformatiges Standgerät, bei dem der Patient einen ganzen Körperteil wie etwa einen Unterschenkel auf die Wirkoberfläche legt, so daß der zu behandelnde Körperteil im wesentlichen als Ganzes der Bewegung der Wirkoberfläche folgt. Da die Position des Patienten relativ zum Gerät während einer Behandlung nicht ohne weiteres geändert werden kann, ist die vom Gerät auf den zu behandelnden Körperteil übertragene Bewegung während einer Behandlung immer dieselbe.DE 44 43 756 Dl describes a massage device with an active surface, the radius of which, measured from a pivot axis of the device, is different in different directions. This device is a large-sized free-standing device in which the patient places an entire body part, such as a lower leg, on the active surface, so that the body part to be treated essentially follows the movement of the active surface as a whole. Since the position of the patient relative to the device cannot be changed easily during a treatment, that of the device movement transferred to the part of the body to be treated is always the same during a treatment.
Ziel der vorliegenden Erfindung ist, ein flexibel anwendbares und therapeu- tisch hochwirksames Massagegerät zu schaffen. Diese Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen definiert.The aim of the present invention is to create a flexibly applicable and therapeutically highly effective massage device. This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are defined in the dependent claims.
Die vorliegende Erfindung gestattet es, durch eine einfache Änderung der Orientierung der Wirkoberfläche des Massagegeräts in bezug zum zu behandelnden Gewebe die Amplitude der Schwenkbewegung zu verändern. Erstaunlicherweise ermöglicht diese Modulation der Amplitude eine deutlich nachhaltigere und tiefergehende therapeutische Wirkung bei der Behandlung von mit Störungen der MikroZirkulation zusammenhängenden Erkrankungen als die herkömmlichen Techniken. Versuche ergaben deutliche Linderung bis hin zum Verschwinden der Beschwerden selbst bei Patienten, die auf die herkömmlichen Verfahren nicht ansprachen.The present invention makes it possible to change the amplitude of the pivoting movement by simply changing the orientation of the active surface of the massage device in relation to the tissue to be treated. Surprisingly, this amplitude modulation enables a significantly more sustainable and in-depth therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases associated with disorders of the microcirculation than the conventional techniques. Trials have shown significant relief to the disappearance of the symptoms, even in patients who did not respond to conventional procedures.
Indikationen des erfindungsgemäßen Geräts sind daher gegeben bei schmerz- hafter oder verspannter Muskulatur, muskulo-skelettalen Erkrankungen des Nerven-, Stütz- und Bewegungsapparates, langjährigem Alkohol-, Medikamenten- und Drogenabusus, akuten Traumata, nach operativen Eingriffen, aber auch bei chronischen Erkrankungen des rheumatischen Formenkreises, psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrom, Osteoporose, Multipler Sklerose, Gicht, Diabetes, Cellulite, Sudeck, Hirndruck, Schwindel, Menier, Durchblutungsstörungen, Schmerz, Tumoren, Apoplexie, sensiblen und sensorischen Hypästhesien und Parästhesien, sensibler Stimulation, umweltbedingten Erkrankungen und allen die Matrix beeinflussenden Veränderungen. Dabei ist bevorzugt, daß sich der Radius der Wirkoberfläche über wenigstens einen Bereich von ihr hinweg kontinuierlich ändert. Dies gestattet es, zusätzlich zur oberflächenparallelen Bewegung einen oszillierenden Druck gleicher Frequenz auf das Gewebe auszuüben. Dieser Druck ist über die die Wirkoberfläche berührende Köφeroberfläche des Patienten nicht gleichmäßig verteilt, sondern nimmt in Richtung größerer Radien der Wirkoberfläche hin zu. Auf diese Weise wird im Gewebe rhythmisch ein Druckgefälle erzeugt, durch das Gewebeflüssigkeit durch das Gewebe parallel zur Oberfläche gepumpt wird. Diese Pumpwirkung gestattet es, den Durchsatz von Körperflüssigkeiten wie Blut oder Lymphe durch die behandelten Gewebezonen zu steigern und so die Versorgung des Gewebes mit Nährstoffen und den Abbau von Stoffwechselabfallprodukten signifikant zu verbessern.Indications of the device according to the invention are therefore given for painful or tense muscles, musculoskeletal diseases of the nervous, supporting and musculoskeletal system, long-term alcohol, drug and drug abuse, acute trauma, after surgery, but also for chronic diseases of the rheumatic type, psychiatric disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, gout, diabetes, cellulite, Sudeck, intracranial pressure, dizziness, Menier, circulatory disorders, pain, tumors, apoplexy, sensitive and sensory hypoesthesia and paresthesia, sensitive stimulation, environmentally related stimulation Diseases and all changes affecting the matrix. It is preferred that the radius of the active surface changes continuously over at least a region thereof. This allows an oscillating pressure of the same frequency to be exerted on the tissue in addition to the surface-parallel movement. This pressure is not evenly distributed over the patient's body surface touching the active surface, but rather increases in the direction of larger radii of the active surface. In this way, a pressure drop is created rhythmically in the tissue, through which tissue fluid is pumped through the tissue parallel to the surface. This pumping action makes it possible to increase the throughput of body fluids such as blood or lymph through the treated tissue zones and thus significantly improve the supply of the tissue with nutrients and the breakdown of metabolic waste products.
Die Erfindung kann als Standgerät sowie als mit der Hand zu führendes Gerät ausgeführt werden. Dabei ist ein besonderer Vorzug des mit der Hand zu führenden Geräts, daß sein Benutzer mit derselben Hand, die das Gerät führt, die Verhärtung des behandelten Gewebes erfassen und durch ein einfaches Drehen des Massagegeräts um die Achse der Wirkoberfläche die Amplitude der Massagebewegung auf den jeweils erfaßten Verhärtungsgrad einstellen oder die Amplitude rhythmisch variieren kann.The invention can be carried out as a free-standing device and as a device to be guided by hand. It is a special advantage of the device to be guided by hand that its user can grasp the hardening of the treated tissue with the same hand that guides the device and by simply rotating the massager around the axis of the active surface, the amplitude of the massage movement on each set recorded degree of hardening or the amplitude can vary rhythmically.
Weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der Erfindung werden deutlich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen mit Bezug auf die begleitenden Zeichnungen. Es zeigen:Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:
Fig. 1 und 2 jeweils eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Massagegeräts; Fig. 3 und 4 jeweils eine Draufsicht auf einen Massagekopf eines erfindungsgemäßen Massagegeräts;1 and 2 each show a perspective view of a massage device according to the invention; Fig. 3 and FIG. 4 each a top view of a massage head of a massage device according to the invention;
Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt durch einen Massagekopf parallel zu dessen Schwenkachse; Fig. 6 eine schematische Darstellung der Wirkungsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Massagegeräts;5 shows a cross section through a massage head parallel to the pivot axis thereof; 6 shows a schematic illustration of the mode of operation of the massage device according to the invention;
Fig. 7 und 8 jeweils eine Weiterentwicklung des erfindungsgemäßen Massagegeräts; und Fig. 9 und 10 weitere Varianten von Massageköpfen.7 and 8 each show a further development of the massage device according to the invention; and FIGS. 9 and 10 further variants of massage heads.
Das in Fig. 1 gezeigte Massagegerät ist ein Standgerät, das mit Hilfe zweiter Arme 50 an Schienen 51 an der Wand eines Behandlungsraums höhenverstellbar montiert ist. Die Arme 50 tragen an ihren Enden einen walzenförmigen Massagekopf 4, dessen Mantelfläche eine Wirkoberfläche bildet, und ein Gehäuse 1 , in dem ein Elektromotor untergebracht ist, der den Massagekopf in einer oszillierenden Schwenkbewegung um eine Achse A antreibt. Die Amplitude der Schwenkbewegung ist in Abhängigkeit vom mittleren Radius des Kopfes so gewählt, daß eine typische Amplitude eines Punkts auf der Oberfläche des Kopfes 4 ca. 4 bis 7 mm beträgt.The massage device shown in FIG. 1 is a free-standing device which is mounted with the aid of second arms 50 on rails 51 on the wall of a treatment room so as to be height-adjustable. The arms 50 carry at their ends a roller-shaped massage head 4, the outer surface of which forms an active surface, and a housing 1, in which an electric motor is accommodated, which drives the massage head in an oscillating pivoting movement about an axis A. The amplitude of the swiveling movement is selected as a function of the average radius of the head so that a typical amplitude of a point on the surface of the head 4 is approximately 4 to 7 mm.
Zur Behandlung z.B. der Unterschenkelmuskulatur legt ein Patient sich vor dem Gerät auf den Rücken und legt den Unterschenkel auf die Oberseite des in geeigneter Höhe eingestellten Massagekopfes 4.For treatment e.g. the lower leg muscles, a patient lies on his back in front of the device and places the lower leg on the top of the massage head 4 set at a suitable height.
Die Einheit aus Gehäuse 1 und Massagekopf 4 ist mit Hilfe eines Schwenkarms um die Achse A über einen Winkel von bis zu 360° drehbar, so daß verschiedene Zonen der Wirkoberfläche des Kopfes 4 nach Wahl mit dem Unterschenkel in Kontakt gebracht werden können, um diesen mit unter- schiedlicher Amplitude je nach Radius der Zone in Schwingungen zu versetzen.The unit consisting of the housing 1 and the massage head 4 can be rotated with the aid of a swivel arm about the axis A through an angle of up to 360 °, so that different zones of the active surface of the head 4 can be brought into contact with the lower leg, as desired, in order to do so under- to vibrate different amplitude depending on the radius of the zone.
Bei einer Variante des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Geräts sind die Schienen 51 nicht an einer Wand, sondern auf einer fahrbaren Lafette montiert. Ein solches fahrbares Gerät eignet sich besonders zur Behandlung bettlägeriger Patienten.In a variant of the device shown in FIG. 1, the rails 51 are not mounted on a wall but on a movable carriage. Such a mobile device is particularly suitable for the treatment of bedridden patients.
Das in Fig. 2 gezeigte Massagegerät hat ein in der Hand halt- und führ- bares Gehäuse 1 mit einem Durchmesser im Bereich von 3 bis 8 cm. Das Gehäuse 1 enthält einen Elektromotor, der über ein Zuleitungskabel 2 von einem Netzgerät (nicht gezeigt) mit Energie versorgt wird. Ein Exzentergetriebe im Gehäuse 1 setzt eine Drehbewegung des Motors in eine oszillierende Schwenkbewegung einer Welle 3 um. Die Welle 3 trägt einen Massagekopf 4, dessen Randfläche eine Wirkoberfläche 5 zum Auflegen auf die Haut eines Patienten bildet. Der Verlauf der Wirkoberfläche in einem Querschnitt senkrecht zur Achse A ist bei den Geräten aus Fig. 1 und 2 derselbe und ist in Fig. 3 genauer gezeigt.The massage device shown in FIG. 2 has a housing 1 which can be held and guided in the hand and has a diameter in the range from 3 to 8 cm. The housing 1 contains an electric motor which is supplied with energy by a power supply unit (not shown) via a supply cable 2. An eccentric gear in the housing 1 converts a rotary movement of the motor into an oscillating pivoting movement of a shaft 3. The shaft 3 carries a massage head 4, the edge surface of which forms an active surface 5 for laying on the skin of a patient. The course of the active surface in a cross section perpendicular to the axis A is the same in the devices from FIGS. 1 and 2 and is shown in more detail in FIG. 3.
Die Wirkoberfläche des dort gezeigten Massagekopfes umfaßt zwei spiegelsymmetrisch zueinander angeordnete Abschnitte 10, 11 , die jeweils die Form einer archimedischen Spirale um die Achse A haben. Die zwei Spiralen schneiden sich in einem Punkt, der einen achsfernen Bereich 12 der Wirkoberfläche bildet. Ein zu beiden Spiralen 10, 12 tangentialer Bereich bildet einen achsnahen Bereich 13.The active surface of the massage head shown there comprises two sections 10, 11 arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another, each of which has the shape of an Archimedean spiral around the axis A. The two spirals intersect at a point that forms a region 12 of the active surface that is remote from the axis. A region tangential to both spirals 10, 12 forms a region 13 close to the axis.
Die Entfernung des achsnahen Bereichs 13 von der Achse A beträgt ca. 3 bis 10 mm, der des achsfernen Bereichs 12 15 bis 100, vorzugsweise 20 bis 50 mm. Fig. 4 zeigt eine zweite Ausgestaltung eines Massagekopfes im Querschnitt senkrecht zur Achse A. Dessen Wirkoberfläche umfaßt nur einen spiralförmigen Bereich 10 sowie einen geradlinigen Begrenzungsabschnitt 14.The distance of the region 13 close to the axis from the axis A is approximately 3 to 10 mm, that of the region 12 remote from the axis is 15 to 100, preferably 20 to 50 mm. 4 shows a second embodiment of a massage head in cross section perpendicular to the axis A. Its active surface comprises only a spiral area 10 and a straight-line delimiting section 14.
Fig. 5 zeigt einen Behandlungskopf im Querschnitt parallel zur Schwenkachse A. Da die Schwenkachse A nicht durch den Schwerpunkt des Massagekopfes verläuft, weist dieser eine Unwucht auf, die dazu führen kann, daß das Massagegerät unruhig läuft, was insbesondere bei einem in der Hand geführten Gerät stört. Um dem entgegenzuwirken, kann an der Welle 3, gegebenenfalls im Gehäuse 1 , ein Gegengewicht zum Kompensieren der Unwucht des Massagekopfes vorgesehen sein. Ein solches Gegengewicht kann auch in den Massagekopf selber eingelassen sein. Um die Unwucht aber von vornherein gering zu halten, sollte der Massagekopf leicht und mit geringem Trägheitsmoment konstruiert sein. Der in Fig. 4 gezeigte Massa- gekopf umfaßt deshalb eine Hülse 20, die formschlüssig auf die Welle 3 aufgesteckt und daran lösbar befestigt wird, eine um die Welle herum verlaufende Mantelfläche 21 sowie eine Scheibe 22, die Hülse und Mantelfläche verbindet. Die Scheibe kann, soweit die Stabilität des Massagekopfes dies zuläßt, durchbrochen oder auf einzelne Speichen reduziert sein. Die Hülse 20, Mantelfläche 21 und Scheibe 22 sind vorzugsweise aus einem festen Kunststoff gebildet.Fig. 5 shows a treatment head in cross section parallel to the pivot axis A. Since the pivot axis A does not pass through the center of gravity of the massage head, this has an imbalance which can lead to the massager running unevenly, which is particularly the case with a hand-held one Device is interfering. In order to counteract this, a counterweight can be provided on the shaft 3, optionally in the housing 1, to compensate for the unbalance of the massage head. Such a counterweight can also be embedded in the massage head itself. In order to keep the imbalance low from the start, the massage head should be light and constructed with a low moment of inertia. The massage head shown in FIG. 4 therefore includes a sleeve 20 which is positively attached to the shaft 3 and is detachably fastened thereon, a circumferential surface 21 running around the shaft and a disk 22 which connects the sleeve and the circumferential surface. As far as the stability of the massage head allows, the disc can be perforated or reduced to individual spokes. The sleeve 20, lateral surface 21 and disk 22 are preferably formed from a solid plastic.
Bei einer einfachen Ausgestaltung kann die Mantelfläche 21 gleichzeitig die Wirkoberfläche des Massagekopfes bilden. Bei der in Fig. 4 gezeigten Ausgestaltung ist sie jedoch mit einem Überzug 23 aus einem nachgiebigen Material wie etwa Weichpolyurethan, Moosgummi, Textil oder dergleichen, versehen.In a simple embodiment, the outer surface 21 can simultaneously form the active surface of the massage head. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, however, it is provided with a cover 23 made of a flexible material such as soft polyurethane, foam rubber, textile or the like.
Die Wirkungsweise der Erfindung wird anhand von Fig. 6 verdeutlicht. Diese Figur zeigt drei verschiedene Phasen der Schwenkbewegung des in Fig. 4 gezeigten Massagekopfes. Die Höhe der Achse A über der Haut 30 des zu behandelnden Patienten ist in allen drei Phasen gleich. In Phase a ist der Massagekopf 4 maximal im Uhrzeigersinn ausgelenkt, es besteht kein oder nur unwesentlicher Kontakt zwischen dem Massagekopf und der Haut 30 des Patienten.The mode of operation of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. This figure shows three different phases of the pivoting movement of the in Fig. 4 shown massage head. The height of the axis A above the skin 30 of the patient to be treated is the same in all three phases. In phase a, the massage head 4 is deflected maximally clockwise, there is no or only insignificant contact between the massage head and the patient's skin 30.
Aus dieser Position beginnt der Massagekopf, im Gegenuhrzeigersinn zu schwenken und erreicht zunächst eine Mittelstellung b. In dieser Stellung sind die Haut 30 und darunterliegende Muskelbereiche um einige Millimeter nach rechts in der Figur verschoben, gleichzeitig wird das Gewebe nach unten zusammengedrückt. Das Zusammenwirken des Drucks von oben auf das Gewebe mit seiner gleichzeitigen Verschiebung nach rechts in der Figur führt dazu, daß sich rechts unterhalb des Massagekkopfes 4 eine Zone 31 ausbildet, in der der Druck der Gewebeflüssigkeit erhöht ist. In Phase c der Bewegung, in der der Massagekopf 4 seinen maximalen Ausschlag in Gegenuhrzeigerrichtung erreicht hat, ist dieser Effekt noch verstärkt, Haut und Gewebe sind bei 32 sichtbar aufgestaucht. Da der Weg in der Figur nach links durch den Massagekopf 4 behindert ist, kann Gewebeflüssigkeit aus der Zone 31 vorzugsweise in Richtung nach rechts in der Figur entwei- chen. Auf diese Weise wird also eine gerichtete Durchströmung des Gewebes erreicht, die dessen Versorgung deutlich verbessert.From this position, the massage head begins to pivot counterclockwise and first reaches a central position b. In this position, the skin 30 and underlying muscle areas are shifted a few millimeters to the right in the figure, and the tissue is pressed down at the same time. The interaction of the pressure from above on the tissue with its simultaneous shifting to the right in the figure has the result that a zone 31 is formed on the right below the massage head 4, in which the pressure of the tissue fluid is increased. In phase c of the movement, in which the massage head 4 has reached its maximum deflection in the counterclockwise direction, this effect is intensified; the skin and tissue are visibly bulged at 32. Since the path to the left in the figure is obstructed by the massage head 4, tissue fluid can preferably escape from zone 31 in the direction to the right in the figure. In this way, a directional flow through the tissue is achieved, which significantly improves its supply.
Durch Überstreichen der Gliedmaßen eines Patienten von distal nach proxi- mal können diese mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Gerät als Ganzes entwässert und das Gewebe so gefestigt und gestärkt werden.By sweeping the limbs of a patient from distal to proximal, they can be dewatered as a whole with the device according to the invention and the tissue can thus be strengthened and strengthened.
Dieser Effekt läßt sich auch zur Behandlung umweltinduzierter Gewebeschäden nutzbar machen. So ist z.B. bekannt, daß das giftige Schwermetall Cadmium sich vorzugsweise im Bindegewebe ablagert. Durch Anwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Geräts, vorzugsweise in Verbindung mit Infusionen,This effect can also be used to treat environmentally induced tissue damage. For example, known that the toxic heavy metal cadmium preferentially deposits in the connective tissue. By using the device according to the invention, preferably in connection with infusions,
BERICHTIGTES BLATT (REGEL 91) ISA / EP etwa mit physiologischer Kochsalzlösung, lassen sich derartige Ablagerungen ausspülen und das belastete Gewebe reinigen.CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP such as with physiological saline, such deposits can be rinsed out and the contaminated tissue cleaned.
Bei Verwendung des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Massagekopfes kann die behandeln- de Person die anhand von Fig. 6 geschilderte Pumpwirkung wahlweise in entgegengesetzte Richtungen erzeugen, einfach indem sie das Gerät um die Achse A oder eine dazu parallele Achse dreht und so entweder den Abschnitt 10 oder den Abschnitt 11 mit der Haut des Patienten in Berührung bringt. Beim Gerät aus Fig. 1 erfolgt diese Drehung mit Hilfe des Hebels 52, beim Handgerät aus Fig. 2 durch eine freihändige Drehung.When using the massage head shown in FIG. 3, the treating person can selectively produce the pumping action described in FIG. 6 in opposite directions, simply by rotating the device about the axis A or an axis parallel to it and thus either section 10 or brings section 11 into contact with the patient's skin. In the device from FIG. 1, this rotation takes place with the aid of the lever 52, in the hand-held device from FIG.
Indem die behandelnde Person das Gerät um die Achse A dreht, kann sie ferner die Zone des Abschnitts 10 oder 11 wählen, der auf die Haut des Patienten wirken soll. Dabei wird man eine Zone mit um so größerem Radius wählen, je stärker die zu behandelnde Muskelschicht ist. Ein typischer Wert für die Bewegungsamplitude eines Punktes auf der Wirkoberfläche sind ca. 4 bis 7 mm.By rotating the device about axis A, the operator can also select the zone of section 10 or 11 to act on the patient's skin. You will choose a zone with a larger radius, the stronger the muscle layer to be treated. A typical value for the movement amplitude of a point on the active surface is approx. 4 to 7 mm.
Die Oszillationsfrequenz der Wirkoberfläche ist in einem Bereich von 5 bis 25 Hz einstellbar. Bei der quergestreiften Muskulatur, welche mit 40%The oscillation frequency of the active surface can be set in a range from 5 to 25 Hz. With the striated muscles, which with 40%
Körpermasse das größte Organ des menschlichen Köφers darstellt, sind funktionszustandsab häng ige eigene Oszillationen bekannt, z.B. Muskelzittern zur Wärmeproduktion in der Kälte, Schüttelfrost im Krankheitsfall oder bei harter Anstrengung, wie etwa beim Gewichtheben. Dieses Zittern selbst leistet einen aktiven Beitrag zur Flüssigkeitsdurchströmung des Gewebes, indem es Gefäße, Nerven und Bindegewebsräume rhythmisch komprimiert und bei intaktem Klappensystem der Venen und Lymphgefäße für einen beschleunigten Abtransport von Flüssigkeit aus dem Gewebe sorgt. Um diese köφereigenen Dispositionen zum Zittern und die damit verbundene verbesserte Gewebeversorgung nutzbar zu machen und anzuregen, arbeitet das erfindungsgemäße Massagegerät zweckmäßigerweise bei derselben Frequenz, die im Bereich von 8 bis 12 Hz liegt.Body mass represents the largest organ of the human body, function-dependent depending on its own oscillations are known, e.g. muscle tremors for heat production in the cold, chills in the event of illness or hard exertion, such as when lifting weights. This tremor itself makes an active contribution to the fluid flow through the tissue by rhythmically compressing the vessels, nerves and connective tissue spaces and, if the valve system of the veins and lymph vessels is intact, ensures that liquid is removed from the tissue more quickly. To harness and stimulate these body's dispositions to tremor and the associated improved tissue supply works the massage device according to the invention expediently at the same frequency which is in the range from 8 to 12 Hz.
Fig. 7 zeigt eine Weiterentwicklung des erfindungsgemäßen Massagegeräts. Gehäuse 1 und Energieversorgung sind dieselben wie bei dem in Fig. 2 gezeigten Gerät. Anstelle eines Massagekopfes trägt die Welle 3 der Weiterentwicklung aber ein Kegelrad 40, das mit zwei weiteren Kegelwellen 41 und 42 im Eingriff ist und diese gegensinnig antreibt. Die Kegelwellen 41 , 42 sind von zweiten Wellen 43 getragen, die in einer auf das Gehäuse 1 aufgesteckten Kappe 44 drehbar gelagert sind und an ihren aus der Kappe 44 austretenden Enden jeweils einen Massagekopf 4 tragen. Diese Massageköpfe bewegen sich entgegenphasig und üben so zusätzlich zu der anhand von Fig. 5 beschriebenen Druck- und Verschiebungswirkung eine Scherkraft auf zwischen ihnen liegendes Gewebe aus. Diese Weiterentwicklung eignet sich insbesondere zur paradorsalen Behandlung.7 shows a further development of the massage device according to the invention. Housing 1 and power supply are the same as in the device shown in Fig. 2. Instead of a massage head, the shaft 3 of the further development carries a bevel gear 40 which is in engagement with two further bevel shafts 41 and 42 and drives them in opposite directions. The tapered shafts 41, 42 are supported by second shafts 43, which are rotatably mounted in a cap 44 which is plugged onto the housing 1 and each have a massage head 4 at their ends emerging from the cap 44. These massage heads move in opposite phase and thus, in addition to the pressure and displacement effect described with reference to FIG. 5, exert a shear force on tissue lying between them. This further development is particularly suitable for paradorsal treatment.
Fig. 8 zeigt eine zweite Weiterentwicklung. In dieser ist das Gehäuse 1 von einem Tragarm 50 mit mehreren feststellbaren Gelenken 53 getragen, die es gestatten, den Massagekopf 4 weitgehend beliebig im Raum zu positionieren. Diese Weiterentwicklung eignet sich besonders zur Selbstbehandlung an Körperstellen, die ohne dem Behandlungserfolg abträgliche Muskelanspannung kaum zugänglich sind, so etwa im Genick oder im Brustwirbelsäulenbereich.8 shows a second further development. In this, the housing 1 is supported by a support arm 50 with a plurality of lockable joints 53, which allow the massage head 4 to be largely positioned anywhere in the room. This further development is particularly suitable for self-treatment in areas of the body that are hardly accessible without the muscle tension that is detrimental to the treatment success, such as in the neck or in the thoracic spine area.
Fig. 9 und 10 zeigen eine dritte, den Massagekopf 4 betreffende Weiterentwicklung. In dem in Fig. 9 im Querschnitt zur Achse A gezeigten Massagekopf sind Permanentmagnete 60 mit in der Schnittebene im wesentlichen parallel zur Wirkoberfläche 5 laufender Feldachse eingelassen. Diese Magnete induzieren im behandelten Gewebe ein elektromagnetisches Wechsel- feld, das mit der Oszillationsfrequenz des Massagekopfes oszilliert und elektrische Potentiale im Gewebe induziert.9 and 10 show a third development relating to the massage head 4. In the massage head shown in cross section to the axis A in FIG. 9, permanent magnets 60 are embedded with a field axis running essentially parallel to the active surface 5 in the sectional plane. These magnets induce an alternating electromagnetic field in the treated tissue, which oscillates with the oscillation frequency of the massage head and induces electrical potentials in the tissue.
BERICHTIGTES BLATT (REGEL 91)CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91)
ISA / EP Beim Massagekopf nach Fig. 10 sind die Magnete mit zur Schwenkachse A paralleler Feldachse und jeweils abwechselnder Orientierung eingelassen. Die Wirkung dieses Massagekopfes auf das Gewebe entspricht derjenigen des Kopfes aus Fig. 9. Die Wechselfelder wirken insbesondere auf die Nerven- bahnen im Gewebe und wirken so insbesondere auf die durch die Nerven gesteuerte natürliche Disposition des Muskelgewebes zum Zittern. Hiervon wird eine zusätzliche Verstärkung des mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Massagegerätes erzielten Flüssigkeitsaustausches im Gewebe erwartet.ISA / EP In the massage head according to FIG. 10, the magnets are embedded with a field axis parallel to the swivel axis A and alternating orientation. The effect of this massage head on the tissue corresponds to that of the head from FIG. 9. The alternating fields act in particular on the nerve pathways in the tissue and thus act in particular on the natural disposition of the muscle tissue, controlled by the nerves, to tremble. This is expected to further reinforce the fluid exchange in the tissue achieved with the massage device according to the invention.
Die vorliegende Erfindung läßt zahlreiche, hier nicht im einzelnen beschrie bene Varianten zu. So kann der Massagekopf auch kreisförmig mit gegen den Kreismittelpunkt versetzter Schwenkachse, eiförmig oder elliptisch sein, kann archimedisch oder logarithmisch spiralförmige Abschnitte sowie Kombinationen von kreisförmigen, elliptischen, geraden oder spiralförmigen Abschnitten aufweisen etc. Zur Anpassung an unterschiedliche Anwendungen kann eine Mehrzahl von Massageköpfen vorgesehen werden, die lösbar und austauschbar am Gerät befestigt werden, z.B. durch Verschrauben an der Welle oder durch einen Bajonettmechanismus. Die Energieversorgung des Massagegeräts kann statt über das Zuleitungskabel auch über einen im Gehäuse eingebauten Akkumulator oder Batterien erfolgen; ein Ein-Aus- Schalter und ein Regler für die Oszillationsfrequenz können am Gehäuse oder gegebenenfalls am Netzgerät vorgesehen sein. The present invention permits numerous variants not described here in detail. For example, the massage head can also be circular with a swivel axis offset from the center of the circle, ovoid or elliptical, can have archimedean or logarithmic spiral sections and combinations of circular, elliptical, straight or spiral sections, etc. A plurality of massage heads can be provided to adapt to different applications , which are detachably and interchangeably attached to the device, e.g. by screwing on the shaft or by a bayonet mechanism. The energy supply of the massage device can also take place via an accumulator or batteries built into the housing instead of via the supply cable; an on-off switch and a regulator for the oscillation frequency can be provided on the housing or, if appropriate, on the power supply.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Massagegerät mit einer Wirkoberfläche (5) zum Inkontaktbringen mit einem zu behandelnden Gewebe und einem Mittel zum Antreiben der Wirkoberfläche in einer oszillierenden Schwenkbewegung um eine Achse1. Massager with an active surface (5) for bringing it into contact with a tissue to be treated and a means for driving the active surface in an oscillating pivoting movement about an axis
(A), wobei die Wirkoberfläche (5) im Querschnitt senkrecht zur Achse (A) in verschiedene Richtungen unterschiedliche Radien aufweist und die Wirkoberfläche (5) ferner parallel zur Achse (A) um einen Winkel drehbar ist, um jeweils unterschiedliche Zonen der Wirkoberfläche (5) mit dem Gewebe in Kontakt zu bringen.(A), the active surface (5) having different radii in cross-section perpendicular to the axis (A) in different directions, and the active surface (5) can also be rotated through an angle parallel to the axis (A), in each case to different zones of the active surface ( 5) to bring into contact with the tissue.
2. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 1 , bei dem der Winkel größer als die Amplitude der Schwenkbewegung ist.2. Massage device according to claim 1, wherein the angle is greater than the amplitude of the pivoting movement.
3. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem sich der Radius über wenigstens einen Abschnitt (10, 11) der Wirkoberfläche (5) hinweg monoton ändert, um einen Pumpeffekt im Gewebe" hervorzurufen.3. Massage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radius changes monotonically over at least a portion (10, 11) of the active surface (5) to produce a pump effect in the tissue.
4. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 1 , 2 oder 3, dessen Wirkoberfläche (5) jeweils einen achsnahen (13) und einen achsfernen Bereich (12) aufweist, die entlang der Wirkoberfläche (5) durch Abschnitte (10, 11) mit monoton zunehmendem Radius verbunden sind.4. Massage device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the active surface (5) each having a near-axis (13) and an off-axis region (12) connected along the active surface (5) by sections (10, 11) with a monotonically increasing radius are.
5. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Radien des achsnahen und des achsfernen Bereichs zueinander im Verhältnis des goldenen Schnitts oder einer Potenz dieses Verhältnisses stehen. 5. Massage device according to claim 4, wherein the radii of the near-axis and the far-axis region are in relation to one another in the ratio of the golden ratio or a power of this ratio.
6. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, bei dem der Radius des achsnahen Bereichs (13) im Bereich 3 bis 10 mm und der des achsfernen Bereichs (12) im Bereich 15 bis 100, vorzugsweise 20 bis 50 mm liegt.6. Massage device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the radius of the near-axis area (13) in the range 3 to 10 mm and that of the off-axis area (12) in the range 15 to 100, preferably 20 to 50 mm.
7. Massagegerät nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dessen Wirkoberfläche (5) bezüglich einer durch den achsnahen und den achsfernen Bereich ( 12, 13) verlaufenden Ebene spiegelsymmetrisch ist.7. Massage device according to one of claims 4 to 6, the active surface (5) of which is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane extending through the region near the axis and the region remote from the axis (12, 13).
8. Massagegerät nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 7, bei dem jeder Abschnitt (10, 11) im Schnitt senkrecht zur Achse im wesentlichen die Form einer Spirale hat.8. Massage device according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each section (10, 11) in section perpendicular to the axis has essentially the shape of a spiral.
9. Massagerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, mit einem in der Hand führbaren Gehäuse (1), in dem ein Motor zum Antreiben der9. Massage device according to one of the preceding claims, with a hand-guided housing (1) in which a motor for driving the
Schwenkbewegung angeordnet ist, wobei das Gehäuse (1) von Hand um den Winkel ( ) drehbar ist.Pivoting movement is arranged, the housing (1) being rotatable by hand through the angle ().
10. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 9, mit einem die Wirkoberfläche (5) tragenden und lösbar mit dem Gehäuse verbundenen Kopf (4).10. Massage device according to claim 9, with a the active surface (5) carrying and detachably connected to the housing head (4).
11. Massagegerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dessen Wirkoberfläche (5) aus einem nachgiebigen Material gebildet ist.11. Massage device according to one of the preceding claims, the active surface (5) of which is formed from a flexible material.
12. Massagegerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Wirkoberfläche (5) mit einer Frequenz im Bereich von 5 bis 25, vorzugsweise 8 bis 12 Hz oszilliert. 12. Massage device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the active surface (5) oscillates at a frequency in the range from 5 to 25, preferably 8 to 12 Hz.
13. Massagerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Bewegungsamplitude eines Punktes der Wirkoberfläche (5) 4 bis 7 mm beträgt.13. Massage device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the movement amplitude of a point of the active surface (5) is 4 to 7 mm.
14. Massagegerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche mit einer zweiten Wirkoberfläche (5), wobei die Wirkoberflächen in einem festen Phasenverhältnis zueinander oszillieren.14. Massage device according to one of the preceding claims with a second active surface (5), the active surfaces oscillating in a fixed phase relationship to one another.
15. Massagegerät nach Anspruch 9, mit einem frei im Raum positionier- baren Tragarm (50), der das Gehäuse (1) trägt.15. Massage device according to claim 9, with a freely positionable support arm (50) which carries the housing (1).
16. Verwendung eines Massagegeräts nach einem der vorhergehenden An- Sprüche zur Behandlung von Muskel- und Bindegewebe warmblütiger Lebewesen.16. Use of a massager according to one of the preceding claims for the treatment of muscle and connective tissue of warm-blooded organisms.
17. Massage verfahren, bei dem ein Stück Oberfläche von zu behandelndem Gewebe rhythmisch parallel zur Oberfläche bewegt und einem in Richtung der Bewegung kontinuierlich variierendem Druck ausgesetzt wird. 17. Massage procedure in which a piece of the surface of the tissue to be treated is moved rhythmically parallel to the surface and is exposed to a pressure which varies continuously in the direction of the movement.
EP98907980A 1997-01-23 1998-01-23 Massage apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP1009354B1 (en)

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TR199901709T2 (en) 1999-09-21
ATE253345T1 (en) 2003-11-15
DE59810100D1 (en) 2003-12-11
EP1009354B1 (en) 2003-11-05
WO1998032409A1 (en) 1998-07-30
US6579251B1 (en) 2003-06-17

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