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
  • A61H9/00—Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
  • A61H9/005—Pneumatic massage
  • A61H9/0078—Pneumatic massage with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs
• • 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
  • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
  • A61H2201/5007—Control means thereof computer controlled
• • 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
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/10—Leg
• • 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
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/12—Feet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
  • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
  • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
  • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
  • A61N1/36003—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an electro-pneumatic apparatus for stimulating venous and lymphatic circulation, which can be used in localised medical - beauty treatments.
• Venous circulation is mainly naturally allowed by the action of the so-called "Lejars vein foot pump” and by the pumping of the calf muscles.
• the Lejars vein foot pump is a natural pump found in the sole of the foot and which is activated by walking with a pneumatic compression mechanism.
• the calf muscles in turn, contracting compress the short saphenous vein, in which there are small nonreturn valves, and in this way promote the pushing of blood upwards.
• the volume of fat cells present in the interstitial tissue increases , they compress the lymphatic capillaries and make the disposal of toxins by the lymphatic system problematic .
• the larger protein molecules which passed beyond the muscles tend to accumulate between the muscles and the skin and absorb water, increasing in size, becoming impossible for the lymphatic system to access and stagnating in these areas of the body .
• the aim of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages .
• This aim is achieved thanks to an electro-pneumatic apparatus which acts on the lower limbs , simulating the effects of walking .
• the main advantage provided by the present invention is basically the fact that simulating a natural behaviour does not have any negative effect on the parts treated. Moreover, both venous drainage and lymphatic drainage are achieved simultaneously.
• adj ustable devices such as timers , compressors and microprocessors
• Figure 1 is a block diagram of the invention
• Figure 2 illustrates some details of the invention
• Figure 3 illustrates the invention in an operating condition.
• the invention relates to an electro-pneumatic apparatus for venous and lymphatic stimulation.
• the apparatus schematically illustrated in Figure 1, comprises, in combination, a pneumatic device (1), designed to press the Lejars vein foot pump, imitating walking, and an electronic device (2), designed to contract the calf muscle and use electrolysis to break down the water absorbed by the interstitial protein molecules, which caused them to become oversized.
• Venous circulation is stimulated thanks to compression of the Lejars vein foot pump and contraction of the calf muscle, which allows indirect compression of the short saphenous vein; whilst lymphatic circulation is stimulated thanks to the action of the electromagnetic waves on the proteins of the interstitial tissue, reducing their volume and allowing them to return into the lymphatic system.
• the pneumatic device (1) illustrated in Figure 2, comprises at least one shaped shoe (11) , inside which there is an inflatable membrane (12) positioned in such a way that it applies pressure on the Lejars pump when the membrane (12) is inflated, and a compressor (13), designed to inflate and deflate the membrane (12).
• It also comprises a timer (14), designed to control compressor (13) operation, so as to obtain a predetermined membrane (12) inflation and deflation rhythm.
• a timer 14
• the shoe (11) illustrated is open so as to show the position of the inflatable membrane (12) .
• the electronic device (2) schematically illustrated in Figure 1 and visible in Figure 3, comprises an electromagnetic wave generator (21) and actuator means (22), designed to transmit the waves produced by the generator (21) to a patient.
• Generator (21) operation, and therefore the way in which the waves are transmitted to the patient, is regulated by a microprocessor (23) , which can be programmed so as to obtain the desired treatment.
• the microprocessor In a preferred electro-pneumatic apparatus (1) operating mode, the microprocessor
• (23) alternates emission of waves intended to contract the calf muscle with emission of waves intended, to break down the water absorbed by the interstitial protein molecules by an electrolysis process .
• the microprocessor (23) supplies power gradually, pre-heating the muscles treated, and inverts the polarity without voltage on the terminals, so as to avoid subjecting the patient to sudden overvoltages.
• the actuator means (22) comprise at least one pair of terminals
• the actuator means (22) could consist of conductive bands and rubber pads that are conductive or are treated with special gel, used in combination with one another.
• the special type of treatment given to the patient makes the use of two bands (24a, 24b) of conductive material preferable, of which a first band (24a) simultaneously connects the lower limbs of a patient to the same pole of the generator (21) and a second band (24b) connects the patient's torso, if necessary together with the arms, to the other pole of the generator (21) .
• This is particularly useful, since it allows alternation of the most effective lymphatic drainage, obtained by connecting the body surface treated to the negative pole of the generator (21) .
• the treatment cycles involve basic 16 minute periods, with inversion of the polarity of the connection between the generator (21) and the bands (24a, 24b) half way through.
• two continuous waves are emitted, intended to have an essentially lymphatic draining action both on the calf and on the other zones of the lower limbs, followed, during the subsequent two minutes, by the emission of a continuous wave, which continues to exercise the lymphatic draining action, together with a pulsing wave, which contracts the calf muscle, alternating one second of action with two seconds of pause.
• the scan described above is repeated, then the polarity is inverted and the negative pole is connected to the band (24b) in contact with the upper part of the patient's body for eight minutes, during which the same treatment described is repeated twice.
• this type of action allows the muscles treated to be strengthened and toned, thanks to the powerful action induced on the muscles by the electrical stimulus.
• the microprocessor (23) Since the action on the calf must be synchronised with that on the Lejars pump, the microprocessor (23) must also control operation of the pneumatic device (1) . Particularly if the patient requires a specific treatment on the arms, it may be appropriate to use more pairs of terminals (24) and divide the parts of the body treated accordingly, altering the timing in the example provided above.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (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)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Massaging Devices (AREA)

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• 2005
  • 2005-03-31 EP EP05734820A patent/EP1871328A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-03-31 WO PCT/IT2005/000176 patent/WO2006103707A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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