EP1871328A1

EP1871328A1 - An electro-pneumatic apparatus for stimulating venous and lymphatic circulation

Info

Publication number: EP1871328A1
Application number: EP05734820A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tiziana Rossi
Original assignee: M&T SRL
Current assignee: M&T SRL
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2005-03-31
Publication date: 2008-01-02
Also published as: WO2006103707A1

Abstract

An electro-pneumatic apparatus for venous and lymphatic stimulation 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 subcutaneous protein molecules. The pneumatic device (1) comprises at least one shaped shoe (11), inside which there is an inflatable membrane (12) positioned in such a way as to apply pressure on the Lejars pump when the membrane (12) is inflated, and a compressor (13), designed to inflate and deflate the membrane. The electronic device (2) comprises an electromagnetic wave generator (21) and actuator means (22), designed to transmit the waves produced by the generator (21) to a patient according to methods regulated by a microprocessor (23).

Description

An electro-pneumatic apparatus for stimulating venous and lymphatic circulation

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electro-pneumatic apparatus for stimulating venous and lymphatic circulation, which can be used in localised medical - beauty treatments.

Background Art

In recent decades, the growing possibilities of cosmetic medicine have increasingly stimulated the search for correlations with the pathological manifestations that cause many aesthetic imperfections.

For example, it has been demonstrated that situations involving chronic venous and lymphatic stasis of the lower limbs are closely linked to the onset of manifestations of fibrosclerotic aedemas of the adipose membrane, commonly known as cellulitis. This has allowed an integrated therapeutic approach to both the venous - lymphatic pathology and the aesthetic appearance related to it, allowing the achievement of important results in the solution of the problem at microvascular level and, consequently, achievement of a significant aesthetic improvement . Put more simply, it was noticed that circulatory difficulties in the lower limbs are often linked to the presence of cellulitis.

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 use of many types of footwear, especially those with a high heel, obstructs normal venous circulation, since the natural operation of the Le j ars pump is not activated and the calf muscle is kept constantly tight .

When, due to an incorrect diet , sedentary lifestyle , or for other reasons , 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 . For example, 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 .

Attempts have been made to overcome this absence or reduction of drainage even using methods that are only apparently beneficial or are not effective enough. With regard to this, it is important to mention the use of pressure therapy and of electro-stimulation . The former often acts with pressures higher than those that can normally be supported by lymphatic vessels , therefore, although contributing to moving the fatty deposits , may damage the lymphatic system; the latter, acting on the muscles close to the areas to be treated, is not powerful enough to break down the cellulitis .

Disclosure of the Invention

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.

Finally, the use of adj ustable devices, such as timers , compressors and microprocessors, provides the flexibility needed to allow the apparatus to be used in a vast range of therapeutic situations .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention are more apparent in the detailed description which follows , with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred, non- limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:

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.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, 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. In Figure 2b 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. 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 .

Moreover, 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

(24) made of a conductive material. Although not illustrated in this embodiment, 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.

More precisely, starting with the negative pole connected to the band (24a) in contact with the lower limbs, for two minutes 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. In the following four minutes 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.

In addition to the advantages already indicated, 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.

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.

The invention described may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted with technically equivalent elements.

Obviously, in practice, modifications and/or improvements are possible without departing from the scope of the inventive concept described in the claims herein.

Claims

1. An electro-pneumatic apparatus for venous and lymphatic stimulation, characterized in that it 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 designed to break down the water in the interstitial protein molecules by an electrolysis process.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the pneumatic device (1) 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 vein foot pump when the membrane (12) is inflated, and a compressor (13) , designed to inflate and deflate the membrane (12) , and also characterised in that the electronic device (2) comprises an electromagnetic wave generator (21) and actuator means (22), designed to transmit the waves produced by the generator (21) to a patient.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the pneumatic device (1) 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 vein foot pump when the membrane (12) is inflated, and a compressor (13), designed to inflate and deflate the membrane (12) .

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the pneumatic device (1) also comprises a timer (14), designed to control operation of the compressor (13) , giving a predetermined membrane (12) inflating and deflating rhythm.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 4, characterised in that the electronic device (2) comprises an electromagnetic wave generator (21) and actuator means (22) designed to transmit the waves produced by the generator (21) to a patient.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a microprocessor (23) designed to regulate operation of the generator (21) in a predetermined way.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the microprocessor (23) also controls operation of the pneumatic device (1), simplifying synchronisation of the actions on the Lejars vein foot pump and on the calf muscle.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 or 7, characterised in that the actuator means (22) comprise at least one pair of terminals (24) made of a conductive material.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the microprocessor (23) alternates generator (21) emission of waves intended to contract the calf muscle with emission of waves intended to break down the water in the interstitial protein molecules by an electrolysis process.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the actuator means (22) comprise at least two bands (24a, 24b) made of conductive material, designed to connect respectively the lower limbs and the torso of a patient to the generator (21) poles.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the actuator means (22) comprise two or more pairs of terminals (24) made of conductive material, also allowing treatment of the upper limbs of a patient.