EP2315567A1

EP2315567A1 - Adjustable massage apparatus and method for adjusting massage apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2315567A1
Application number: EP09802543A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tapani Taskinen; Aki Backman
Original assignee: HLD HEALTHY LIFE DEVICES Ltd
Current assignee: HLD HEALTHY LIFE DEVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-30
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Also published as: FI20085752A0; FI120786B; FI20085752A; EP2315567A4; WO2010012857A1

Abstract

In accordance with the method and the massage apparatus according to the present invention, the treatment power of the massage apparatus is based on a suction effect created in connection with a treatment head: The apparatus further comprises a vacuum chamber in which vacuum suction is generated in order to lift the skin tissue. In connection with the treatment head, a nozzle has been provided, which is intended to be placed against the skin and which has a specific treatment area. In connection with the treatment head, an adapter for different nozzles and a detector for detecting the said nozzle connected to the adapter have been provided. The apparatus also comprises a unit for adjusting the treatment power based on the detected nozzle.

Description

ADJUSTABLE MASSAGE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING MASSAGE APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is an adjustable massage apparatus, the therapeutic effect of which is based on the suction effect created in connection with a treatment head, the apparatus further comprising a vacuum chamber in which vacuum suction is generated in order to lift the skin tissue, and, in connection with the treatment head, a nozzle which is intended to be placed against skin. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the massage apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Massage affects skin and muscles in many different ways. Massage is a pressing movement applied to soft tissues for treatment purposes, and it is performed in the form of stroking, rubbing, squeezing and different types of tapping. Traditionally, massage aims at improving the metabolism of musculoskeletal and locomotive systems as well as relaxing the tension of muscles and maintaining working capacity.

Today, massage is more and more often performed by using different types of devices. In addition to the traditional relaxing purposes, these devices can be used for such purposes as plastic and corrective treatment, rheumatic problems, burn injuries, treatment of blood circulation problems, treatment of swelling, removal of cellulite, stimulation of the circulation of lymphatic fluids, for relaxing and firming the tissues and for treating fibromyalgia. Subcutaneous suction massage of fat and connective tissue stimulates metabolism, blood circulation and restores firmness of tissues, also removing cellulite, swelling and muscle tension. The treatment also produces positive results for fibromyalgia pains, scar tissue problems, conditions resulting from sports activities, insomnia and stress. Suction roller treatment is used especially for treating skin problems, such as cellulite. It is performed by using a device that comprises a treatment head which is moved on the skin, the treatment head being connected to the suction device through a flexible tube in order to create a vacuum on the skin as the treatment head is moved against the patient's body.

The suction roller apparatus comprises rollers, between which there is a suction chamber which is open at the bottom and into which the suction creates a bulge in the skin. The fold of skin formed by the bulge is pressed between the rollers against roller surfaces.

Several parts of the body can be massaged, and different methods of touching, as well as varying power and treatment head nozzles are used for different parts of the body.

In massage, the method of touching different parts of the body should be optimal as far as the power and the method of touching are concerned in order to achieve the best result possible. The result of treatment in massage apparatuses in the prior art is highly dependent of the user. The user has to be able to adjust the power of the apparatus to a proper level. The suction roller apparatuses in the prior art are not optimal in regard to user-friendliness, personal treatment technique or personal treatment power.

US patent applications 2004/0260209, US2007/0027411 and 2007/0232962 are cited as prior art.

US patent applications 2004/0260209 and US2007/0027411 disclose a system and a method for the treatment of different parts of the body and face with different nozzles for different treatments. These multipurpose devices have different treatment programs for different treatments, such as phototherapy, ultrasound therapy, magnetic therapy, etc., for example in regard to the required treatment power.

In US patent application 2007/0232962, the treatment provided by an ultrasound device is adjusted in regard to certain control parameters which can be related either to the treatment method or for example to whether the skin is treated directly or via a medium, such as a lint or a lubricant. The device comprises an actuator which reacts to mechanical energy evolved in a processor and sends electrical signals proportional to that energy for device adjusting purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the method and massage apparatus according to the present invention, the treatment power of the massage apparatus is based on the suction effect created in connection with the treatment head: The apparatus further comprises a vacuum chamber in which vacuum suction is generated in order to lift the skin tissue. In connection with the treatment head, there is a nozzle which is intended to be placed against skin and which has a specific treatment area. In connection with the treatment head, there is an adapter for different nozzles and a detector for detecting said nozzle, which has been connected to the adapter. The apparatus comprises also a unit for adjusting treatment power based on the detected nozzle.

The advantageous embodiments of the invention have the characteristics presented in the the subclaims.

The adapter of the treatment head can be used for example for connecting nozzles having a different treatment area, shape, size, material, thickness and weight and the adjustment can be based on the detected treatment area, shape, size, material, thickness and/or weight of the nozzle.

The detector for detecting the nozzle connected to the adapter is an electrical, optical and/or mechanical detector.

Information about the detected nozzle is sent to a unit in connection with the treatment head, where the information about the detected nozzle is combined with used massage intensity and the power of the massage apparatus is adjusted in accordance to the massage efficiency dependant on said information. Different nozzles should be used for different parts of the body and for tissues requiring different manipulation. For example, a face massage differs considerably from a back massage. On the other hand, swollen tissue requires different treatment than normal tissue. Different nozzles can also be used for different skin types. The nozzles can be durable or disposable.

The invention can be used for adjusting the treatment power of the massage apparatus (massage intensity) according to the nozzle connected to the massage apparatus. The detection feature will simplify the user interface of the apparatus, because power and method of treatment can be easily adjusted according to the massaged object. Because of this, the user-dependency of the treatment is reduced, the result of the treatment is improved, and the treatment becomes more personal.

In addition, a cover can be attached to the nozzle and/or to the treatment head for the operation, which cover can be disposable, cleanable or designed to be used for several treatments. The cover attached to the treatment head varies in thickness, material and shape based on the object to be treated. With different covers, a more hygienic treatment can be offered and the treatment result improved, because also the cover affects the method of touching used in the massage.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail by referring to advantageous embodiments and accompanied figures which are presented as examples.

FIGURES

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention_; where the massaged object is a leg.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, where the massaged object is a face.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a nozzle.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a nozzle with suction rollers.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of the connection of a nozzle to the treatment head.

Figure 6 illustrates another example of the connection of a nozzle to the treatment head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, where the massaged object is a leg. The massage apparatus comprises a treatment head 23 and a main module 5, which can be a separate entity or it can be placed in connection with the treatment head. The massage apparatus also has an adapter 21 attached to the treatment head, and in accordance with the invention, different nozzles 2 can be connected to the adapter. The treatment head 23 can be attached to the adapter 21 mechanically for example with threads, or electronically with electric lock or electro-mechanically.

The massage apparatus massages a treatable surface 15, such as skin. A treatment surface 8 is placed against the treatable surface, the area of which varies depending on the size of the nozzle. Reference number 8 illustrates the area of the edge of the nozzle 2, which edge forms a sort of a ring against skin. The area inside the ring is the effective area under vacuum.

In connection with the treatment head 23, there is a vacuum chamber 22 the purpose of which is to lift the skin tissue in the effective area. The vacuum chamber 22 can also be connected to the nozzle 22 or connected to both the nozzle 2 and the treatment head 23.

Different nozzles are suited for massaging treatable objects 15 with different characteristics, and these may be located in different parts of the body or in the same part of the body..

Nozzles of different sizes cover different effective areas of a vacuum chamber, and this effective area is determined by the area of the ring against skin 8. Because of this, with different nozzles a certain amount of vacuum causes a different power of massage, or massage efficiency, which is directed to an object. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a detector sensor for detecting electrically, optically and/or mechanically the nozzle 2 connected to said adapter 21. In advantageous embodiments, the detection is performed optically or electrically.

In optical detection, the detector is for example a photo-sensitive detector, which detects the nozzle 2 connected to the adapter 21 for example by mechanical protrusions attached to it. The light-impermeable mechanical protrusions are arranged and attached in a different manner to the nozzles and therefore light penetrates different nozzles in different ways.

In electrical detection on the other hand, the mechanical protrusions in fact create a signal path for the electronic signal. In this case the detector detects the signals conducted through the mechanical protrusions. This is illustrated in more detail in Figures 5 and 6.

The detector sends information about the detected nozzle 2 to a main module 5, which associates the detected nozzle 2 with its efficient area using a computer program, which calculates the power required for the massage based on the used vacuum and efficient area. Usually, the bigger the used nozzle 2 is, the more power is used.

Thus, the treatment power of the massage apparatus is adjusted based on the nozzle 2 connected to the massage apparatus. Figure 1 is an example of an apparatus according to the invention, to which a nozzle 2 suitable for massaging a leg has been connected. Leg massage requires a large nozzle 2, which is suitable for massaging large muscles. In a normal state, where muscles are not sore and no other problems exist, also the massaging power is generally high compared to massaging other parts of the body.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of use of an apparatus according to the invention, to which a nozzle 2 suitable for face massage has been connected. Face massage requires a small nozzle 2 and usually a considerably lower massaging power than for example leg massage. Figure 3 illustrates an example of the structure of the nozzle 2. In connection with the nozzle, there is a treatment surface 8, which is placed against the skin, and a vacuum chamber 9. In connection with the nozzle 2, there are various mechanical protrusions 1a, 1b and 1c, which function as detection bodies for detection, based on which the nozzle 2 can be detected for example optically, based on for instance whether or not light penetrates the said point in different nozzles. There may be one or more detection bodies 1a, 1b, 1c. The detection of a nozzle 2 is based on the characteristics of the mechanical bodies 1a, 1b and 1c, for example length, shape, thickness, amount or electrical conductivity. The detection can be carried out for example in a way that requires the treatment head 23 to be firmly attached.

Different nozzles 2 return different signals depending on detection bodies 1a, 1 b, 1c or other bodies or components installed/placed in connection with the nozzles, which bodies or components produce different signals depending on their size, etc. Thus, it is possible to detect the type of the nozzle 2 in question.

Figure 4 illustrates another example of the structure of the nozzle 2. The apparatus of Figure 4 is in other respects similar to the apparatus of Figure 3, except that one or more rollers 6a and 6b has been connected to the apparatus for the massage operation. Instead of rollers, also moving or sliding surfaces can be used for intensifying the treatment operation. In addition, the mechanical protrusions 1a, 1b, 1c differ from each other in size, unlike in Figure 3, in which case a photo-sensitive detector detects that light has penetrated this nozzle in a different way than for example the nozzle in Figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of the connection of a nozzle 2 to the treatment head 23, where the detection takes place electrically. After the connection, an electrical circuit is formed between the treatment head 23 and the nozzle 2. In the embodiment of Figure 5, three detection bodies 1a, 1b and 1c have been associated with the nozzle 2. Signal paths 12a, 12b and 12c run from the main module 5 and/or from the treatment head 23 to the nozzle 2 via the detection bodies 1a, 1b and 1c, and signal paths 13a, 13b and 13c run from the nozzle via the detection bodies 1 a, 1b and 1c back to the treatment head 23 or to the main module 5. A leaving signal and a returning signal is able to flow between the treatment head 23 and/or the main module 5 and the nozzle 2 via those detection bodies 1a, 1b and 1c, which have the predetermined characteristics. In the example of Figure 5, the signal is able to flow through those detection bodies 1a, 1b and 1c which are long enough. In other words, if the detection body is long enough, it creates a path for the signal, and the signals that arrive from the detection bodies 1a, 1 b and 1c affect the range that the signal travels in the conductor provided in the treatment head 23 and/or the main module 5.

In Figure 5 the detection bodies 1a and 1c generate a returning signal 13a and 13c, but the shorter detection body 1b does not return a signal 13b. The range that the electric current flows in the conductor can be compared to values stored in the memory and thus determine which treatment head is in question. Treatment power and massage motion are adjusted accordingly.

Figure 6 illustrates another example of how the nozzle 2 is detected as it is connected to the treatment head 23. The detection of the connection takes place in the same way as in the example of Figure 5.

After the connection, an electric circuit is formed between the treatment head 23 and the nozzle 2. In the the embodiment of Figure 6, two detection bodies 11a, 11 b have been provided in connection with the nozzle. The treatment head 23 and the nozzle 2 have connections for signals travelling between the treatment head and the nozzle. A signal path 14a runs from the main module 5 and/or from the treatment head 23 to the nozzle 2 through the detection body 11 a, and a signal path 14b runs from the nozzle through detection body 11b back to the treatment head 23 and/or the main module 5.

In connection with the nozzle 2 between the detection bodies 11a and 11b, there is an object 10, which changes the signal fed from the main module. In Figure 6, the said object is a resistor 10, but it may also be for example a coil, a capacitor, or some other electronic component, or a combination of these. The detection of the nozzle 2 takes place in the main module 5 or elsewhere in the treatment head 23, where the received signal is compared to the values stored in the memory. Through this comparison, the type of the treatment head can be determined. Based on this, the treatment power and massage motion are adjusted based on the vacuum and the nozzle area.

In one embodiment of the invention, the massage apparatus standardizes the treatment power per skin area even if the nozzle is changed. In this embodiment, either, the user does not have to adjust the power of the apparatus manually in connection with a nozzle change.

Claims

1. An adjustable massage apparatus, the therapeutic effect of which is based on the suction effect created in connection with a treatment head (23), the apparatus further comprising a vacuum chamber (22) in which vacuum suction is generated in order to lift the skin tissue and, in connection with the treatment head (23), a nozzle (2) which is intended to be placed against skin, characterized in that in connection with the treatment head (23), also an adapter (21 ) for different nozzles (2) and a detector for detecting the said nozzle (2) connected to the adapter (21 ) have been provided, and in that the apparatus also comprises a unit (5) for adjusting the treatment power based on the detected nozzle (2).

2. A massage apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that nozzles (2) having a different treatment area, shape, size, material, thickness and weight can be connected to the adapter (21) of the treatment head (23).

3. A massage apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment is based on the treatment area, shape, size, material, thickness and/or weight of the nozzle (2).

4. A massage apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the detector for detecting the nozzle (2) connected to the adapter (21) is an electrical, optical and/or mechanical detector.

5. A massage apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the detector is a photo-sensitive detector, which detects the nozzle (2) connected to the adapter (21 ) by light-impermeable mechanical protrusions (1 a, 1 b, 1c) attached to it.

6. A massage apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the detector is an electrically functional detector, the function of which is based on one or more mechanical detection bodies (1a, 1b, 1c) which have been attached to the nozzle (2) and which create a signal path for an electric signal.

7. A massage apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that in connection with the nozzle (2), one or more rollers (6a, 6b) or other elements have been provided which affect the treatment, such as a disc, a rope, a ball or similar.

8. A method for adjusting the power of a massage apparatus, in which the therapeutic effect of the apparatus is based on the suction effect created in connection with a treatment head (23), the apparatus further comprising a vacuum chamber (22) in which vacuum suction is generated in order to lift the skin tissue, and a nozzle (2) in connection with the treatment head (23), characterized in that the nozzle provided in connection with the treatment head (23) and connected to an adapter (21 ) is detected by means of a detector and the treatment power of the apparatus is adjusted according to the detected nozzle (2).

9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the nozzle (2) connected to the adapter (21) is detected electrically, optically and/or mechanically.

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that information about the detected nozzle (2) is sent to the unit (5) in connection with the treatment head, where information about the detected nozzle (2) is combined with the massage intensity to be used and the power of the massage apparatus is adjusted in accordance to massage intensity according to said information.

11. A method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the nozzle (2) connected to the adapter (21) is detected and/or the power of the treatment is adjusted based on the treatment area, shape, size, material, thickness and/or weight of the nozzle (2).