EP1151739B1 - Whirlpool mit Geräten zur Ultraschallaussendung - Google Patents

Whirlpool mit Geräten zur Ultraschallaussendung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1151739B1
EP1151739B1 EP01110860A EP01110860A EP1151739B1 EP 1151739 B1 EP1151739 B1 EP 1151739B1 EP 01110860 A EP01110860 A EP 01110860A EP 01110860 A EP01110860 A EP 01110860A EP 1151739 B1 EP1151739 B1 EP 1151739B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bath
plate
piezoelectric element
ultrasonic
micromassage
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01110860A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1151739A1 (de
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 EP1151739A1 publication Critical patent/EP1151739A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1151739B1 publication Critical patent/EP1151739B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
    • A61H2203/02—Additional characteristics concerning the patient immersed in liquid

Definitions

  • a whirlpool bath typically comprises a whole-body massage system provided with a plurality of nozzles from which jets of pressurized water are emitted to strike the body of the user, and additionally comprises an ultrasonic micromassage system provided with a plurality of sound wave generation devices.
  • the present invention relates to an element capable of electrically insulating the live parts, in such a way as to prevent any unintended contact between the user's body and the live parts of the ultrasonic micromassage system.
  • Italian patent applications MI93A002341 (a family member of EP-A-0 651 987) and MI95A000778 (a family member of EP-A-0 737 466) disclose a bath provided with whole-body massage and micromassage systems.
  • the micromassage is carried out by means of devices capable of generating beams of ultrasound to be sent into the interior of the bath.
  • Italian patent application MI95A000778 describes a whirlpool bath according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the distribution of the ultrasonic waves is improved by the use of ultrasound emission devices which comprise means for orientating the direction of emission of the ultrasonic waves in a solid angle of not less than 30°, preferably more than 40°, and in particular at least 50°.
  • this type of device for emitting ultrasound in a whirlpool bath represents an indisputable advance towards a better distribution of the ultrasonic waves in a whirlpool bath, it has the problem of bringing the outer surface of the live piezoelectric element into contact with the water in the bath, and therefore, possibly, with parts of the user's body.
  • the present electrical safety standards require that, in installations where no specialized health personnel are in attendance, there shall be no live part which might, even accidentally, come into contact with parts of the user's body immersed in the bath.
  • the problem is one of providing effective electrical insulation of the live parts of each device capable of producing ultrasonic waves to be emitted into the bath.
  • a circular plate of ceramic material, particularly steatite, to be bonded to the piezoelectric element from which the ultrasound is emitted has been considered for this purpose. It has also been discovered that this ceramic plate must have a preferred thickness, in order to prevent negative interference of this resonating plate with the ultrasonic waves emitted from the piezoelectric element.
  • the thickness of the ceramic plate which forms both the insulating element and the resonating element must be one quarter of the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave in the material from which the plate is made.
  • the object of the present invention was to reconcile the requirement to provide effective electrical insulation of the live parts of the device for producing ultrasound with the requirement to provide correct transmission of the ultrasonic waves from the generating piezoelectric element to the water of the bath and then to the user's body.
  • the piezoelectric effect is produced by subjecting a special element to an alternating electrical voltage.
  • the effect of expansion and constriction of the piezoelectric element results in the creation of two ultrasonic waves emitted from the two main faces of the element. It has been found theoretically, and proved experimentally, that optimal results are obtained when the thickness of the piezoelectric element is equal to half of the length of the ultrasonic wave produced within the piezoelectric element. This is because, in this case, a constructive interference is generated between the ultrasonic wave emitted from the front face and that emitted from the rear face.
  • the optimal thickness of the piezoelectric element is 1.35 mm.
  • the thickness of this plate must be made equal to a quarter of the length of the ultrasonic wave within the plate, so that allowance is additionally made for the ultrasonic wave reflected from the water towards the piezoelectric unit.
  • the electronic exciting circuit must be tuned to the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element. Therefore, the insulating resonating plate must also have a resonant frequency equal to that of the piezoelectric element, in such a way that the whole unit consisting of the piezoelectric element and the insulating resonating plate is made to resonate with the electronic exciting circuit.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a bath, using a water jet whole-body massage system and an ultrasonic micromassage system, which is free of the disadvantages described above.
  • a whirlpool bath is constructed as defined in claim 1.
  • Particular embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
  • the number 10 indicates a whirlpool bath on whose walls 11 there is located a first plurality of nozzles 12 for emitting jets of pressurized water mixed with air, these jets being capable of providing the usual whole-body massage effect on a body (not shown) immersed in the whirlpool bath 10.
  • a second plurality of ultrasonic wave devices 13 which are capable of carrying out micromassage.
  • the nozzles 12 are connected in a conventional way to a recirculating pump 14, while the devices 13 are connected electrically to at least one electric generator 15 at ultrasonic frequency.
  • the whirlpool system comprising the nozzles 12 and the micromassage system which consists of the plurality of the devices 13 are of conventional types and will not, therefore, be described here in greater detail.
  • the nozzles 12 controlled by an electronic controller (not shown) emit jets of water mixed with air when so commanded. This produces a beneficial whole-body massage effect on the user's body.
  • the devices 13 for producing ultrasound by means of the electric generator 15, it is possible to associate the aforesaid whole-body massage effect, in a way which is also known, with a micromassage effect due to the impact of the ultrasonic wave on the user's body immersed in the water in the bath 10.
  • the spatial distribution and the uniformity of treatment improve significantly if use is made of ultrasound emission devices capable of emitting wave fronts of greater width than the conventional ones.
  • a beam width of not less than 30°, preferably more than 40°, and in particular at least 50° (for example 60°), with a power advantageously in the range from 100 mW to 3 W supplied to each emitter and a frequency in the range from 0.5 MHz to 5 MHz.
  • the power applied to the immersed body of the user can advantageously be at least 100 mW/cm 2 .
  • Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a device 13 capable of emitting ultrasound, in which the innovative principles of the present invention are applied.
  • the device 13 comprises an essentially box-shaped main body 16 formed by a rear shell 17 and a front cover 18 connected to the rear shell 17 by means of screws 19.
  • the device 13 is fitted in a through hole 11a in the wall 11 of the bath 10, and is fixed in its position by means of a flange 20 of the front cover 18 and a locking nut 21 screwed on to a corresponding threaded portion of the shell 17, in such a way that the edge of the hole 11a is trapped between the flange 20 and the nut 21.
  • a seal 22, preferably made from plastic material, ensures the watertightness of the device 13 in the hole 11a.
  • the front cover 18 is made with its concave surface 23 facing the interior of the bath 10.
  • a piezoelectric element 25 is positioned in the centre of the concave surface 23, in a suitable threaded seat 24, and is supplied with current, in a way described below, by the electric generator 15.
  • This piezoelectric element 25 is bonded ( Figures 4, 5) to an insulating resonating plate 26, whose principal characteristics are described in greater detail below, in such a way as to form a resonating unit 27.
  • This resonating unit 27 rests on an annular seal 28 ( Figure 2) and is held in the threaded seat 24 by a securing collar 29, threaded on its outer surface, which can be screwed into the threaded seat 24.
  • the outer surface of the plate 26 faces a dispersing reflecting element 30 supported by the cover 18 by means of thin radial arms 31.
  • the surface 23, like the element 30, is made from ultrasound reflecting material, in such a way that the beam of ultrasound emitted by the unit 27 with a relatively narrow solid angle is reflected by the convex element 30 on to the concave reflecting surface 23, which, in turn, sends the beam of ultrasound back towards the interior of the bath 10, this time with a relatively large solid angle.
  • the size of this solid angle depends, as will be evident to a person skilled in the art, on the curvature of the surface 23 and on the distance between this surface 23 and the element 30. However, the solid angle is not less than 30°, and is advantageously greater than 50°, which in any case is considerably larger than the natural divergence of the source of ultrasound represented by the unit 27.
  • the presence of the plate 26 makes it possible to electrically insulate the piezoelectric element 25 from the surrounding environment, in such a way as to prevent direct contact of the live parts of the device 13 with portions of the user's body which is immersed in the bath 10. Additionally, the plate 26 permits correct propagation of the ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric element 25 to the water contained in the bath 10.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 show in greater detail the way in which the piezoelectric element 25 is joined to the plate 26. It should be pointed out in the first place that this joining is carried out by bonding to form the resonating unit 27.
  • This resonating unit 27 will preferably have a total thickness which is essentially equal to the sum of a quarter of the length of the ultrasonic wave in the piezoelectric element 25 and half the length of the ultrasonic wave in the plate 26.
  • the piezoelectric element 25 comprises, in addition to a central body 25a, preferably made from a ceramic material, two covering layers 25b and 25c, preferably made from silver, located, respectively, on the visible face of the piezoelectric element 25 and on the concealed face of the said piezoelectric element 25, which is located between the plate 26 and the piezoelectric element 25. Additionally, the covering layer 25b extends over approximately three quarters of the respective visible face of the element 25, while the covering layer 25c covers the whole of the concealed face of the element 25, extends in the direction of the thickness of the element 25, and also occupies a portion essentially equal to the remaining uncovered quarter of the visible face of the piezoelectric element 25.
  • the two silver layers 25b, 25c can easily be connected to the electrical generator 15 by means of the two electrical cables 32, 33 respectively.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Whirlpoolbad (10) mit
    einer Mehrzahl von über die Wände (11) des Bades (10) verteilten Ultraschall-Mikromassage-Geräten (13), wobei jedes der Ultraschall-Mikromassage-Geräte (13) Mittel (23, 30) zum Ausrichten der Ausstrahlrichtung des Ultraschalls in einem Raumwinkel aufweist, und wobei die Geräte (13) mit mindestens einem elektrischen Generator (15) auf Ultraschallfrequenz elektrisch verbunden sind; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    jedes Ultraschall-Mikromassage-Gerät (13) zusätzlich eine Platte (26) aus elektrischer Isolierung aufweist, die mit einem piezoelektrischen Element (25) verklebt ist, um eine mitschwingende Einheit (27) zu bilden,
    wobei die Platte (26) die Ausbreitung der Ultraschallwellen von dem piezoelektrischen Element (25) in dem Wasser im Bad (10) ermöglicht und die Platte (26) zwischen dem piezoelektrischen Element (25) und dem Wasser im Bad (10) angeordnet ist; und wobei die Dicke der Platte (26) der elektrischen Isolierung gleich einem Viertel der Länge der Ultraschallwelle in dem Werkstoff ist, aus dem die Platte (26) hergestellt ist.
  2. Bad (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Gesamtdicke der mitschwingenden Einheit (27), die aus dem piezoelektrischen Mittel (25) für die Erzeugung von Ultraschall und der Platte (26) aus elektrischer Isolierung besteht, im Wesentlichen gleich der Summe der Länge der Ultraschallwelle in dem piezoelektrischen Element (25) und der Länge der Ultraschallwelle in der Platte (26) ist.
  3. Bad (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, wobei eine erste Fläche des piezoelektrischen Elements (25) zu drei Vierteln ihrer Oberfläche mit einer ersten elektrisch leitenden Schicht 25b bedeckt ist, während das verbleibende Viertel der Oberfläche der ersten Fläche mit einer zweiten elektrisch leitenden Schicht (25c) bedeckt ist, die auch einen Abschnitt der Dicke des piezoelektrischen Elements (25) bedeckt und außerdem im Wesentlichen die gesamte Oberfläche einer zweiten Fläche des piezoelektrischen Elements (25) bedeckt.
  4. Bad (10) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die elektrisch leitenden Schichten (25b, 25c) aus Silber hergestellt sind.
  5. Bad (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Platte (26) aus Steatit besteht.
  6. Bad (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Resonanzfrequenz des elektrischen Generators (15) im Wesentlichen gleich der Resonanzfrequenz der mitschwingenden Einheit (27) ist.
EP01110860A 2000-05-04 2001-05-04 Whirlpool mit Geräten zur Ultraschallaussendung Expired - Lifetime EP1151739B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2000BO000250A IT1321183B1 (it) 2000-05-04 2000-05-04 Vasca idromassaggio con dispositivi di emissione di ultrasuoni .
ITBO000250 2000-05-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1151739A1 EP1151739A1 (de) 2001-11-07
EP1151739B1 true EP1151739B1 (de) 2007-03-28

Family

ID=11438444

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01110860A Expired - Lifetime EP1151739B1 (de) 2000-05-04 2001-05-04 Whirlpool mit Geräten zur Ultraschallaussendung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1151739B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE357897T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60127487T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2281386T3 (de)
IT (1) IT1321183B1 (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* 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
US4942868A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-07-24 Malmros Holding, Inc. Ultrasonic treatment of animals
CA2100728C (en) * 1993-07-16 2005-10-11 William H. Kemp Ultrasonic bathing system
IT1266670B1 (it) * 1993-11-04 1997-01-09 Teuco Guzzini Srl Vasca idromassaggio migliorata
IT1273570B (it) * 1995-04-14 1997-07-08 Teuco Guzzini Srl Vasca idromassaggio con dispositivi di emissione di ultrasuoni ad ampia apertura di fascio

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
GERTHSEN, C.; VOGEL, H.: "Physik", SPRINGER VERLAG, BERLIN HEIDELBERG, 17. EDITION, 1993 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60127487D1 (de) 2007-05-10
ES2281386T3 (es) 2007-10-01
ATE357897T1 (de) 2007-04-15
EP1151739A1 (de) 2001-11-07
DE60127487T2 (de) 2008-01-10
ITBO20000250A1 (it) 2001-11-04
IT1321183B1 (it) 2003-12-30

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