EP2642962B1 - Massage appliance for massaging the human or animal body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for massaging the human or animal body of a living subject to be treated, said apparatus comprising, in the first place, a hollow body intended to be supported on the skin by suction means and, secondly, support elements to act by localized compression on the deep layers of the skin to be treated.

Many patents have already proposed massage devices similar to that of the present invention. The massage devices disclosed in the state of the art essentially use suction means to create a vacuum in a suction chamber, the thus sucked skin coming into contact with support elements, which, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the skin to be treated, are fixed with respect to the suction direction.

In the Swiss patent 168279 it is stated that the apparatus comprises a hollow body in which there is a member which exerts a mechanical action on the part of the skin, which is subjected to the depression, which has been created by an aspiration and which reigns in said body hollow; said member may be a protuberance integral with the hollow body or a roller whose axis is carried by the hollow body or a membrane bearing reliefs; and in any case, the compression of the skin on the support member is exclusively generated by the depression in the suction chamber. Since the depression to which the skin can be subjected without generating lesions is necessarily of limited importance, it follows that the compression of the skin in the areas in contact with the support member is also necessarily limited. , so that one can not act with such an apparatus on the deep layers of the skin or on the underlying tissues or muscle zones.

In the French patent application 2,880,799 , the support member compressing a skin area is a roller and, again, the compression by the roller is essentially a function of the vacuum established in the suction chamber, this apparatus being nevertheless capable of being used dynamic way because of the presence of the roller.

In the European patent application EP 0 800 812 the edges of two suction chambers are used as support members, so that, again, the compression of certain areas of skin can only be limited since the partitions delimit the suction chambers and that in addition, the edge of a partition has a limited surface, which prevents the use of a significant depression because of the risk of skin lesions.

The same drawback is presented by the apparatuses described in the two patent applications WO2010 / 095855 and WO2010 / 095856 in the French patent application 2785177 , in the Russian patent 2128491 in the patent application US 2007/0027411 and in the German utility model 20 2007 016179U1 .

Finally, in the French patent 1,501,054 there is provided a simple construction apparatus having a plurality of suction chambers separated from one another by parallel bars therebetween; nothing is proposed to have an effect on the deep layers of the skin, the only support members being the separating bars of the different suction chambers and the use of the apparatus being carried out manually by application of 'moderate' pressure on the part of the body to be massaged; the device must be moved on the skin to treat to produce a ripple of the epidermis, which assumes a sliding of the device on the skin and it is also indicated that the portion to be massaged is coated with a lubricant to facilitate this sliding. It is clear that the pressure that can be applied by hand on such a device can be only light since it must slide on the skin, resulting in the compression at the right of the separation bars between two chambers suction is necessarily weak and can not act on the deep layers of the skin.

According to the invention, it has been sought to apply simultaneously to the skin to be treated, on the one hand, an aspiration as described in any one of the patents of the state of the art mentioned above and, on the other hand, on the other hand, a localized compression applied in a continuous (but not necessarily constant) manner during the suction as described in the patent EP 1 800 644 . In this patent EP 1 800 644 the Applicant has already described a modular apparatus for applying pressure to an animal or human body; this apparatus may comprise in particular on the one hand, an elongated pylon adapted to receive fastening means, on the other hand, a plurality of pressure bases each being a component that can be attached to one end of the pylon to deliver to the pylon; the pressure to be applied to the animal or human body, said bases being able to receive various anatomical parts of the therapist; and finally, a pressure head attached to the other end of the pylon, to apply to the animal or human body the pressure transmitted to the pylon by the pressure base.

The apparatuses described in this patent 1 800 644 allow continuous pressure massage that is to say that they use a large compressive force on certain localized parts of the body of the patient to be treated, which makes it possible to produce beneficial effects on the deep tissues of the body. In general, such devices do not generate significant pain because the compression is carried out gradually so that the skin to be treated is not abruptly subjected to a significant force; in addition, the pressure head is not moved relative to the skin as the pressure is applied, which avoids any pain related to friction on the skin. This results in a possibility of treating the deeper layers of the skin is the underlying tissues without generating pain difficult to withstand for the subject to be treated.

The applicant has now found that the massage of a living subject can be done by combining suction means with means generating significant localized compression on the skin of said subject. As a result of tests, the applicant found, not only from his observations but also from the feelings of the subjects treated, that such a combination produced surprising effects; the blood circulation is improved, the "orange peel" effects are attenuated, the underlying muscle tissues are stimulated, which in particular gives relief to subjects suffering from myalgia.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a device for massaging a living subject to be treated, this apparatus comprising a hollow body delimiting an internal volume by a side wall and a connecting wall, said lateral wall extending between the connecting wall and a peripheral border intended to be statically supported on an area of the skin of the subject to be treated, said internal volume being connected to a suction system to constitute, by pressing the peripheral edge on the skin, at least one suction chamber capable of being depressed with respect to the environment of the apparatus, said hollow body comprising, in its internal volume, at least one internal support element able to act by compression on the skin of the subject to be treated when the internal volume is connected to the reduced treatment pressure established by the suction system, characterized in that the hollow body is secured to an actuator whose moving part can exert on the skin, via said hollow body, a compression force F applied continuously, variable or not, the value of which does not depend pressure P ₁ .

For the purposes of the present application, an actuator may exert the force F by any means and, especially as will be described below in the various embodiments exemplifying the invention, by mechanical transmission of a force exerted by a operator or pneumatic action, but also by hydraulic, electrical or magnetic means.

The force F, which makes it possible to apply a localized continuous compression to certain areas of skin, is exerted by means of at least one actuator. It is the presence of this independent actuator of the suction system, which makes it possible to obtain the particularly interesting results of the combination of the two parts of the state technique, namely that relating to the use of a vacuum system. suction and that relating to the use of a force F applied by means of an actuator. In a preferred embodiment, such a actuator exerts a force F of a value independent of the pressure established by the suction system.

In a first variant, it can be provided that the support elements are fixed inside the hollow body; advantageously, the internal support elements comprise at least one projecting finger and / or at least one elongated boss, whose free end is at an adjustable distance from a continuous smooth surface passing through the peripheral edge of the side wall .

In another variant, at least some internal support elements are movable in the hollow body through an actuator, in a direction of translation substantially perpendicular to a continuous smooth surface passing through the peripheral edge of the side wall of the hollow body; in such a case, it can be provided that a movable support element is constituted by a rectilinear finger, whose free end, facing outwardly of the hollow body, is rounded.

The internal volume can be divided into several suction chambers separated from each other by at least one inner wall, each inner wall having a free edge located substantially at a continuous smooth surface passing through the peripheral edge of the side wall hollow body; alternatively, the vacuum chambers of the hollow body are subjected, independently and / or sequentially, to one or more reduced pressure (s) by means of a distribution member; each inner wall can be connected to the side wall of the hollow body so that its free edge connects to the peripheral edge of said side wall.

In another variant, the hollow body constitutes the pressure head of an actuator comprising a pylon, one end of which is mechanically connected to said body hollow and the other end receives a pressure base, which delivers to the pylon the force F continues to apply by the (or) element (s) bearing on the (or) area (s) of skin submitted ( s) with continuous compression; the force F acting on the hollow body may be applied by a pressure base adapted to receive a part of the therapist's body, which treats the subject by means of the apparatus; the pressure base may be a removable connection linked to equipment worn by the therapist.

According to a second embodiment, the force F acting on the hollow body is applied by a clamping means, which is supported on the subject to be treated.

In a third embodiment, the displacement of a movable support element by the actuator, is obtained by the variation of an independent pressure control pressure P2 reduced pressure P1, which acts in the internal volume of the hollow body.

Advantageously, the hollow body comprises externally, carried by its side wall, at least one deformable flexible enclosure resting on the skin of the subject to be treated, the deformation of said enclosure being obtained by a variation of pressure in said enclosure and producing a pinch said skin to secure the hollow body with the skin on which it is based.

In a variant, the hollow body externally carries at least one external support element capable of acting on the skin in an additional continuous compression, said additional continuous compression exerting on an area of the skin of the subject to be treated located outside the skin. the peripheral edge of the side wall of the hollow body and being of insufficient intensity to remove the support of said border peripheral on the skin. But it could also be provided that the hollow body externally carries at least one external support member capable of acting, in an additional continuous compression, on a skin area of the subject to be treated located outside the peripheral edge of the wall lateral of the hollow body, the additional continuous compression, whatever its intensity, never being able to remove the support of the peripheral edge of the hollow body on the skin of the subject to be treated, by means of a clamping device acting externally on the hollow body and bearing on the subject to be treated.

According to another embodiment, the force F generated by the actuator (s) exerts on the side walls of the hollow body a deformation sufficient to reduce the depression in the internal volume permanently or pulsatingly depending on the elasticity of the side wall; the elasticity of the side wall can be chosen so that the depression in the internal volume causes a small leak to generate a mechanical oscillation of said side wall and a vibration at the peripheral edge of the hollow body.

To better understand the object of the invention will now be described, based on purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing.

• les figures 1 à 6 représentent un premier mode de réalisation d'un appareil selon l'invention. La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de l'ensemble formé par un actuateur et son corps creux associé : l'actuateur est un appareil du type de celui qui est décrit et protégé par le brevet EP 1800644 ; le corps creux qui est associé à cet actuateur est celui représenté en détail sur les figures 2 à 6 de la présente demande ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'intérieur du corps creux de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en plan du dessous du corps creux de la figure 2, vue selon la flèche R1 de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon V-V de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 4.
• la figure 7 est une coupe longitudinale d'un corps creux selon une variante du premier mode de réalisation correspondant aux figures 1 à 6, la coupe étant réalisée selon VII-VII de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 8 est une coupe transversale du corps creux de la figure 7, selon VIII-VIII de ladite figure 7 :
  • la figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'une autre variante du corps creux du premier mode de réalisation correspondant aux figures 1 à 6 ;
  • la figure 10 est une vue en plan du dessous du corps creux de la figure 9 ;
  • la figure 11 est une coupe du corps creux de la figure 10 selon XI-XI de ladite figure 10 ;
  • la figure 12 est une coupe du corps creux de la figure 11 selon XII-XII de la figure 11 ;
  • la figure 13 est une vue en perspective d'un thérapeute porteur d'un équipement agissant sur un patient au moyen d'un appareil selon l'invention (actuateur plus corps creux), ledit appareil étant associé à un corps creux sans actuateur ;
  • la figure 14 représente, en perspective, la jambe d'un patient traité par un corps creux sur lequel la force F est générée par une sangle entourant la jambe du patient ;
  • la figure 15 représente schématiquement en coupe un corps creux dont l'actuateur est un système d'aspiration et déplace des doigts saillants, le maintien du corps creux sur la peau étant assuré par une ou plusieurs enceinte(s) soumise(s) à une pression interne ;
  • la figure 16 est une vue en coupe d'une variante de l'enceinte périphérique dont est équipé le corps creux de la figure 15, cette variante pouvant s'adapter sur tout type de corps creux et notamment sur celui de la figure 15 ;
  • la figure 17 représente une coupe schématique d'une autre variante de l'enceinte périphérique, dont est équipé le corps creux de la figure 15, cette variante permettant de régler la compression obtenue par les éléments de l'enceinte.

On this drawing :

• the Figures 1 to 6 represent a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention. The figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembly formed by an actuator and its associated hollow body: the actuator is an apparatus of the type of that which is described and protected by the patent EP 1800644 ; the hollow body that is associated with this actuator is the one represented in detail on the Figures 2 to 6 of the present application;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the hollow body of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of the hollow body of the figure 2 , seen according to the arrow R1 of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view according to VV of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 is a sectional view according to VI-VI of the figure 4 .
• the figure 7 is a longitudinal section of a hollow body according to a variant of the first embodiment corresponding to the Figures 1 to 6 , the section being made according to VII-VII of the figure 8 ;
• the figure 8 is a cross-section of the hollow body of the figure 7 , according to VIII-VIII of said figure 7 :
  • the figure 9 is a perspective view of another variant of the hollow body of the first embodiment corresponding to the Figures 1 to 6 ;
  • the figure 10 is a plan view of the underside of the hollow body of the figure 9 ;
  • the figure 11 is a cut of the hollow body of the figure 10 according to XI-XI of said figure 10 ;
  • the figure 12 is a cut of the hollow body of the figure 11 according to XII-XII of the figure 11 ;
  • the figure 13 is a perspective view of a therapist carrying a device acting on a patient by means of an apparatus according to the invention (actuator plus hollow body), said apparatus being associated with a hollow body without actuator;
  • the figure 14 represents, in perspective, the leg of a patient treated with a hollow body on which the force F is generated by a strap surrounding the patient's leg;
  • the figure 15 schematically shows in section a hollow body whose actuator is a suction system and moves protruding fingers, the holding of the hollow body on the skin being provided by one or more chamber (s) subjected (s) to an internal pressure;
  • the figure 16 is a sectional view of a variant of the peripheral enclosure which is equipped with the hollow body of the figure 15 , this variant can be adapted to any type of hollow body and in particular to that of the figure 15 ;
  • the figure 17 represents a schematic section of another variant of the peripheral enclosure, which is equipped with the hollow body of the figure 15 , this variant for adjusting the compression obtained by the elements of the enclosure.

• d'une part un pylône allongé 11 constitué de deux demi-tiges 11a, 11b reliées entre elles par un dynamomètre 11c susceptible de mesurer l'effort que l'on exerce entre les deux demi-tiges 11a et 11b pour les rapprocher l'une de l'autre. La demi-tige 11b comporte à son extrémité libre une plaque 12 appelée « base de pression » ; la base de pression 12 est conformée de façon à recevoir diverses parties anatomiques du thérapeute susceptibles d'appliquer un effort sur la demi-tige 11b pour la rapprocher de la demi-tige 11a. La demi-tige 11a est reliée par son extrémité opposée au dynamomètre 11c à un corps creux désigné par 10 dans son ensemble.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6 it will be seen that the apparatus according to this first embodiment of the invention comprises an actuator as described in the patent EP1800644 ; this actuator essentially comprises three parts:

• on the one hand an elongated pylon 11 consists of two half-rods 11a, 11b connected together by a load cell 11 c capable of measuring the force that is exerted between the two half-shafts 11a and 11b for bring them closer to each other. The half-rod 11b has at its free end a plate 12 called "pressure base"; Pressure base 12 is shaped to receive various anatomical parts of the therapist may apply a force on the half-shaft 11b to approach the semi-rod 11 a. The half-rod 11 a is connected by its end opposite the dynamometer 11 c to a hollow body designated 10 in its entirety.

The hollow body 10 delimits an internal volume by a side wall 3 and a connecting wall 4. The side wall 3 extends between the connecting wall 4 and a peripheral edge 2. The peripheral edge 2 is the free end of the side wall 3, which is connected, on the opposite side, to the connecting wall 4. The peripheral edge 2 defines a substantially flat opening, which puts the outside in communication with the internal volume of the hollow body 10; it is intended to be supported on the skin of the subject to be treated. Advantageously, the connecting wall 4 is substantially planar and forms an acute angle with the plane defined by the peripheral edge 2. The connection of the half-shaft 11a with the hollow body 10 is made by implementing the threaded free end of the half-rod 11 has a threaded bore 16 formed in the connection wall 4.

The internal volume is connected to a suction system (not shown) by a channel 13, which passes through the connecting wall 4 and thus allows to connect the internal volume and a suction pipe 14; the internal volume of the hollow body 10 thus constitutes a suction chamber 5. The suction system is optionally coupled to a computer module for programming the pressure in the suction chamber 5.

The hollow body 10 also comprises, in its internal volume, internal support elements, which are housed in the suction chamber 5 and consist of four protruding fingers 6 and four elongate bosses 7. The bosses 7 are arranged longitudinally at the front of the suction chamber, that is to say in the area of the hollow body, which is furthest away from the connecting wall 4; they extend towards the skin of the subject to be treated so that their free edges are substantially at the plane defined by the peripheral edge 2. The free edge of the bosses 7 has a rounded shape and adapted to come into contact with the skin of the subject to be treated without causing damage to the skin.

Other bearing elements could be envisaged as long as their skin-contacting surface does not hurt the skin, when the suction in the suction chamber 5 applies the hollow body 10 to the skin. on the Figures 1 to 6 in this respect, an additional boss 15 has been shown arranged outside the suction chamber 5, on the side where the bosses 7 of elongate shape are not located.

The projecting fingers 6 have one end carried by the connecting wall 4, their other end being free substantially at the plane of the peripheral edge. These fingers are, in the embodiment described, screwed into corresponding bores of the connecting wall 4, which allows adjustment of the position of their free end relative to the plane of the peripheral edge 2.

The side wall 3 and the connecting wall 4 are made of a sufficiently resistant material to withstand the force F applied on the hollow body 10 by the half-shaft 11a, and transferring said force to the skin of the subject to be treated. Nevertheless, it is possible to envisage making certain parts of the peripheral edge 2 in a sufficiently deformable material to adapt the hollow body 10 to reliefs of the skin to be treated and thus ensure the sealing of the chamber suction 5 during the massage. Similarly, the fingers and the bosses are made of a sufficiently strong material to transfer said force F to the skin of the subject to be treated. However, it is possible to envisage bosses made of a deformable material depending on the physical conditions so that the suction allows for slight pinching of the skin of the subject to be treated under given conditions: for example by increasing the temperature. One can also consider a shape memory material.

The outer face of the connecting wall 4 includes two ports: one is the outlet of the threaded bore 16 adapted to receive the threaded end of the half-shaft 11a of the pylon 11, the other corresponds to the mouth of channel 13 to which the suction pipe 14 is connected.

In addition, the hollow body of the apparatus which has just been described may, in addition, comprise means (not shown) for heating and / or cooling the skin of the subject to be treated, for example a resistance heating or an air circuit independent of the suction chamber for injecting hot air or cold air. Hot air stimulates blood circulation and perspiration, and facilitates treatment; alternating hot air / cold air stimulates the immune system known manner and thus improves the general well-being of the subject to be treated. The hollow body of the apparatus may also include means for electrostimulation of the skin to be treated to promote treatment, for example by contractions of the muscles located under the skin to be treated. Other means of stimulation are conceivable, such as infrared waves or ultrasound whose effects are known in the state of the art.

According to the use that is provided for the apparatus according to the invention, the hollow body 10 can be made in different configurations, associating a shape and dimensions adapted to a specific part of the body of the subject to be treated and / or to a specific treatment. By way of example and in a nonlimiting manner, a hollow body whose circumferential edge is of circular shape allows a massage of the shoulder, while a rectangular hollow body is better for massage of flat areas of the body such as the back . The hollow body of an apparatus according to the invention can be made in a sufficiently large size to cover a large part of the body of the subject to be treated.

The apparatus according to the invention is able to treat a living subject, and preferably the man or the equidae; the treatment associates support phases, phases of depression and / or displacement phases of the hollow body: the different phases are performed for specified periods. The suction chamber 5 is generally hermetically closed when the hollow body 10 is applied to the skin, which creates by depression a drive of the skin to be treated against the protruding fingers 6 and the elongate bosses 7; the aspirations are carried out by means of a suction system (not shown) via the channel 13 and the pipe 14.

The use of the apparatus according to the invention is preferably done with the intervention of a therapist. The therapist using the device must apply a force F continuously but not necessarily constant, on at least one of the support elements of the hollow body 10 towards the skin of the patient. subject to be treated. The force F can be applied by any appropriate means and, in particular, either mechanically by a physical action of the therapist, or by a hydraulic or pneumatic action driven by the therapist. In the case of a physical action of the therapist by an actuator of the type described in the patent EP 1 800 644 , the force F can be between 10 and 250 Newton and preferably between 30 and 200 Newton and it can be maintained continuously for a time between 5 seconds and 3 minutes. The same values can be retained for a different actuator, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic. The force F thus applied by the therapist is sufficiently important to produce effects on the deepest layers of the skin without injuring the subject to be treated.

The treatment with the apparatus according to the invention is made on specific points of the body, some of which are disclosed in the patent. EP 1 800 644 . When the device is pressed against the skin of the subject to be treated, the projecting fingers allow support at a point of said skin, while the elongate bosses allow support on a band. If the support is combined with the movement of the device along the skin, the depth treatment is performed on a line by means of the protruding fingers, and on a surface by the bosses. It is possible to envisage supporting elements that would support a surface. The effects of the suction on the skin to be treated are improved by the force F which makes a support on the skin to be treated: indeed, it is noted that, surprisingly, the effect of the support elements on the deep tissues The skin is favored by aspirations that stimulate the superficial circulation and promote the drainage of subcutaneous fatty tissue. When the suction source is coupled to a computer system, the aspirations can be programmed, that is to say that it is possible to adjust the suction intensities and / or program continuous or discontinuous aspirations and / or set the duration of each operation of the suction program.

The adjustable height of the projecting fingers 6 also makes it possible to adapt the hollow body 10 to a particular zone of the body and / or to a particular treatment: by way of example and in a nonlimiting manner, the treatment of zones of the body, where the Bony reliefs are superficial, requires the use of fingers not exceeding the area defined by the peripheral edge 2 of the side wall. In addition, the configurations of the hollow body 10 associate a number and position of the protruding fingers 6 and / or elongate bosses 7, which are also adapted to a specific part of the body of the subject to be treated and / or to a specific treatment.

The combination of means of this variant of the invention produces beneficial effects in the superficial layers and deep layers of the skin and connective tissue, but also on subcutaneous muscle tissue, bone tissue and / or joints. Indeed, the aspirations, combined with the support of the fingers and bosses, stimulate the skin in a superficial way and make it possible to improve the blood circulation and to mobilize the subcutaneous tissue. In this way it is possible to improve the quality of the skin, especially by reducing the effects "orange peel". In addition, the combination of the effects of aspiration with those of force F stimulates the subcutaneous muscle tissue, which provides lasting relief for subjects suffering from myalgia such as fibromyalgia. The treatments with the apparatus according to the invention also make it possible to improve the posture of the subjects, for example in cases of kyphosis.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 it will be seen that the massage apparatus according to this variant of the invention comprises a hollow body 10 a similar to that of the variant of the Figures 1 to 6 of the invention: the reference numbers of the various parts of the hollow body 10 a have been chosen identical to those of the corresponding parts of the hollow body 10 but are followed by the index a . The hollow body 10 a is composed of a housing 17 and a sole 18. The sole 18 laterally delimits the inner space 5a, which constitutes a suction chamber. The part of the device 2 the edge a of the side wall 3 is in abutment against the subject's skin to be treated is constituted by the sole 18, but it could be envisioned to produce the hollow body 10a in which this portion is constituted by the housing 17.

The suction chamber 5a is connected to a suction source (not shown) via a channel 13a formed in the flange 18 and in the housing part 17 forming the connecting wall 4a. A suction pipe 14 a is connected to the channel 13a and enables communication between the suction chamber 5a and the suction system (not shown).

In a similar way to the realization of Figures 1 to 6 , The apparatus further comprises support elements of the hollow body 10 has on the skin of the subject to be treated consist of projecting fingers 6a, elongate bosses 7 and has a rounded boss 15 a; said means are an integral part of the sole 18. The projecting fingers 6a are adjustable in height. The housing 17 and the sole 18 are made of a material sufficiently strong to withstand the force applied to the hollow body 10 a and transferring said force to the skin of the subject to be treated. The housing 17 receives the pylon of an actuator according to the patent EP 1 800 644 as shown on the figure 1 of this application, the half-rod connected to the hollow body 10 a is screwed into a threaded hole 16a formed in the housing 17.

The sole 18 may consist of a flexible thermoplastic polymer or shape memory. Aspirations can be provided to move the elongated bosses by deformation. The sole may comprise at least one compound capable of a biological activity on the skin of the subject to be treated, for example a cosmetic compound and / or a medicament, in particular with delayed release.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 12 it can be seen that the apparatus according to this variant of the invention comprises a hollow body 10b similar to that of the preceding variants. As before, the reference numbers of the different parts of the hollow body 10b have been chosen identical to those of the corresponding parts of the hollow body 10 but are followed by the index b . The internal volume of the hollow body 10b is divided by two internal walls 19 to define a central suction chamber 20 and two lateral suction chambers 21. The suction chambers are connected to a suction system (not shown) by independent channels 130, 131, 132 connected to independent suction pipes. The central aspiration chamber 20 is connected to said suction system by a central channel 131 and the lateral chambers 21, by two channels 130, 132; The suction system makes it possible to generate reduced pressures of distinct values in each suction chamber.

The apparatus according to this variant of the invention also includes projecting fingers 6 b, 7 b of elongated bosses preferably provided in the central suction chamber and rounded bosses 15 b.

The use of the apparatus according to this variant of the invention is similar to that of the previous variants with, in addition, the use of different depressions in each suction chamber. It is therefore possible to generate greater aspirations in the side chambers to create skin folds of different heights. This results in a new way of performing massage type palpate-rolling if you move the device relative to the skin to be treated.

In the first embodiment described above, the actuator used was that described in the patent EP 1 800 644 schematically represented on the figure 1 ; the force applied to a support element in a continuous manner is obtained by the thrust exerted by a therapist on a pressure base forming part of the actuator. However, according to the action to be exercised on the hollow body and according to the physiological constitution of the therapist, it may be useful not to always use the same pressure base. In addition, it may be useful to use simultaneously on the same patient several associated hollow bodies, at least for one of them, an actuator of the type described above. Therefore, it has been proposed according to the invention, a device corresponding to that shown on the figure 13 .

On the figure 13 , we see that a therapist 23 is wearing a vest 24 to treat a patient 25. The vest 24 carries a plurality of female fasteners 26 in which may snap the ends of half-rods 11b of equipment towers such as that shown on the figure 1 and described in the present description. The figure 13 shows a half-shaft 11b fixed to a female fastener 26, the half-shaft 11a of this actuator being connected to a hollow body 10 (or 10 a) described above; inside the hollow body is subjected to a vacuum through the tube 14. The patient 25 can simultaneously be treated with other similar hollow body to the first, also subjected to an internal depression but not subject to an actuator (11, 11b ).

According to another embodiment of the invention, the actuator, which exerts a continuous force F on the hollow body subjected to depression is a simple strap tight around the body of the patient and bearing on the hollow body; this realization is represented on the figure 14 . In this figure, we see that a hollow body 10 is placed on the body of a patient 27 and subjected to an internal vacuum through the tube 14, which connects the hollow body to a suitable system (not shown). A strap 28 surrounds the body 27 of the patient and the hollow body 10 to apply the latter with a continuous force F to the area of the body of the patient 27 where the depression due to the hollow body 10 is exerted.

The figure 15 represents a cross section of an apparatus 100 according to the invention comprising an actuator and a hollow body. The reference numbers of the different parts of the hollow body have been chosen to be identical to those of the corresponding parts of the hollow body 10 but are followed by the index c . In the apparatus 100, the actuator 211 is a pneumatic system operated by a control pressure P2; in this apparatus, the hollow body 10c defining a suction chamber is located below the actuator 211, the assembly consisting of the hollow body and the actuator being placed on the skin area to be treated.

The lower part of the apparatus 100, that is to say the one which is adjacent the skin 103 is a hollow body 10 c formed of a cylindrical side wall 2c and a ceiling 101, a suction chamber 5 c being defined by said hollow body when the device is placed on skin 103. the suction chamber 5 c is defined between the side wall 2c, the ceiling 101 and the skin 103, on which rests the lower part of the side wall.

The ceiling 101 is crossed by projecting fingers 6c susceptible of translation with respect to the ceiling 101; fingers 6c slide in bores, sliding of the sealing being obtained by means of sealing rods 102. The projecting fingers 6c are distributed over the entire surface of the ceiling 101; their lower part located in the vicinity of the skin to be treated 103 is rounded to allow localized compression of the skin without causing any lesion thereof. The upper ends of the fingers 6c , that is to say those furthest from the skin 103, are integral with a movable plate 104; the plate 104 can slide in the interior space 105 defined by the cylindrical upper part of the side wall of the apparatus 100, this space being delimited by a cover plate 106 secured to the upper end of said side wall, the plate 106 constituting a connecting wall at the level of the upper part of the side wall. The movable plate 1045 is subjected to a reduced pressure P ₂ on its face opposite the ceiling 101 to cause the fingers 6 c to move towards the skin 103.

The upper ends of the fingers 6c comprise thrust washers 107, which form a limitation of the travel of the plate 104 in the direction of the ceiling 101. The sealing of the sliding of the plate 104 in the space 105 is ensured by a snap ring. sealing 108. Springs 109 are placed between the plate 104 and the cover plate 106, these springs exerting a return force on the plate 104 and tending to bring it back to the cover plate 106, so that the projecting fingers 6 c are recalled in the retracted position in the suction chamber 5 c to no longer compress the skin 103.

The lower part of the apparatus 100, that is to say one which is substantially at the suction chamber 5 c externally includes one or more flexible enclosures 110 may be provided, as shown in figure 15 a single flexible enclosure, which is hooked on the lower part of the side wall of the hollow body 10c by means of two snap-fastening beads 111; such a flexible enclosure forms therefore, in the embodiment shown, a surrounding belt of the lower part of the suction chamber 5 c; it would be possible to provide that the flexible enclosure is not circular but consists of several evenly distributed portions around the axis of the device in which case the snap beads would be replaced by the bonding beads. The flexible enclosure 110 is connected to a pump which provides a sufficient air flow to establish in the enclosure a pressure P0 greater than atmospheric pressure. The enclosure 110 is, for example, made of a plastic material but the thickness of this enclosure varies so that the establishment of the pressure P0 in the enclosure causes a similar the lower part of the enclosure in the direction of the axis of the apparatus 100. A pinching of the skin is thus effected in the direction of the axis of the treated zone, which results in a maintenance of the apparatus 100 at the right of the selected area on the skin 103.

The suction chamber 5 c is connected by a pipe 112 to a vacuum pump capable of establishing in the suction chamber 5 c a pressure _P1 less than the ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the lower edge 2 c of the side wall of the hollow body is in substantially tight abutment on the skin 103, the establishment of the reduced pressure P ₁ in the suction chamber 5 c causes a deformation of the skin in the direction ceiling 101.

The chamber 114 defined between the ceiling 101 and the plate 104, is connected by a pipe 113 to a vacuum pump, which establishes in the chamber 114 a reduced pressure P ₂ lower than the atmospheric pressure; under these conditions, since the chamber 114 is substantially sealed due to the sealing ring 108, the plate 104 moves towards the ceiling 101 so that the protruding fingers 10c , which descend towards the skin 103, create on the skin localized continuous compression, which is independent of the depression established in the suction chamber 5 c and can therefore achieve a high value compression capable of treating the deep layers of the skin in points. The plate 104 is displaced by stretching the springs 109, which are in an area directly connected to the atmosphere by a bore 115.

The therapist, by means of this apparatus, can thus treat the skin by aspiration in a known manner and simultaneously apply a treatment by compressions. localized continuous value adjustable by the pressure P ₂ .

In a variant shown on the figure 16 The apparatus according to the invention may, instead of the peripheral enclosure 110, which has been described above, include an outer support member 116 which is hung on the edge of the side wall 2 c of the hollow body 10 c . The external support element 116, if it is established on all the periphery of the apparatus, can be fixed as for the apparatus of the figure 15 by means of two snap beads 111; but if it is only set up on different portions of the periphery, the snap beads are replaced by bonding beads. This external support element may be made of a solid plastic or formed of a chamber as for the realization of the figure 15 . This external support element has a shape different from that of the figure 15 for its extremity, which is applied to the skin, has a curvature which distances it from the axis of the apparatus; in this way, when the apparatus according to the invention is applied to the skin 103 by means of the reduced pressure P ₁ , the element 116 presses on the skin as would the fingers of a therapist using the apparatus manually the invention, the compression thus obtained being directed along the arrow S towards the deep layers of the skin 103.

According to another variant represented on the figure 17 , there is provided a device for modulating the compression forces made with external support elements of the type described for the figure 16 . In the case of figure 17 , the external support elements 117 similar to those 116 of the figure 16 , are connected to a piston 118 disposed in a cylinder body 19 where they slide; sliding is effected in a sealed manner by the sealing rods 120. The cylinder body 119 is fixed on the outer edge of the lower part of the side wall 2 c of the suction chamber by means of two bonding beads 121. The space defined in the cylinder body 119 above the piston 118 is connected by a pipe 122 to a pump capable of establishing in this part, a compressed air pressure P ₃ ; on the contrary, the part, which is below the piston 118, is in the open air because of the clearance 123 formed between the external support element 117 and the cylinder body 119; it is possible to provide an elastic return away from the skin 103 the external support element 117 when the pressure P ₃ is suppressed.

The therapist, when using the apparatus according to the invention, can establish a more or less important pressure P ₃ , it being understood that the force applied by the external support element 117 is limited to prevent the chamber suction 5 c is no longer tight due to the lifting of the peripheral rim 2 c . It should be noted that this type of embodiment can provide both an arrangement of the cylinder body 119 over the entire periphery of the suction chamber or an arrangement only on certain portions of this periphery.

In a very simplified embodiment of an apparatus of the type represented on the figure 15 , one could replace the pneumatic control due to the use of the pressure P ₂ by a purely mechanical control of the displacement of the projecting fingers. In this case, the portion of the projecting fingers remote from the skin would be threaded and a threaded wheel, external to the hollow body 10 could, by simple rotation, move the corresponding finger to the skin to generate a localized continuous compression. The actuator would be constituted by said knobs and the therapist who maneuver.

Claims (15)

1. Device for massaging a living subject to be treated, comprising a hollow body (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) delimiting an internal volume (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) by a lateral wall (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) and a connecting wall (4, 106), whereby the lateral wall extends between the connecting wall and a peripheral edge (1, 2a, 2b, 2c) intended to be held on an area of the skin of the subject to be treated, the internal volume being connected to a suction system in order to constitute, by holding the peripheral edge against the skin, at least one suction chamber (5, 5a, 5c) capable of being placed under negative pressure relative to the environment of the device, the hollow body including, in its internal volume, at least one internal support (6, 7, 6a, 7a, 6b, 7b, 6c) capable of compressing the skin of the subject to be treated when the internal volume is connected to the reduced treatment pressure P₁ established by the suction system,
   characterized in that:

   the hollow body (10,10a, 10b , 10c) is secured to an actuator (11,28,211) having a movable portion which may apply on the skin , through said hollow body, a compression force F applied in a continuous manner, variable or not, the value of which does not depend on the pressure P1.
2. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the internal supports (6, 7, 6a, 7a, 6b, 7b) are affixed inside the hollow body (10, 10a, 10b).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the internal supports include at least one protruding finger (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) and/or at least one elongated boss (7, 7a, 7b), the free end of which is at an adjustable distance from a regular, continuous surface passing through the peripheral edge (2, 2a, 2b) of the lateral wall.
4. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least some internal supports are mobile (6c) in the hollow body (10c) due to an actuator (211) in a translation direction substantially perpendicular to a regular, continuous surface passing through the peripheral edge (2c) of the lateral wall.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that a movable support is formed by a rectilinear finger (6c), the free end of which, orientated towards the outside of the hollow body (10c), is rounded.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the internal volume may be divided into various suction chambers (20, 21), separated by at least one internal wall (19), whereby each internal wall has a free edge substantially at the level of a regular, continuous surface passing through the peripheral edge (2b) of the lateral wall.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the suction chambers (20, 21) of the hollow body (19) are subject, independently and/or sequentially, to one or more reduced pressure(s) by means of a distribution device.
8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the hollow body (10) constitutes the pressure head of an actuator (11) including a pylon (11a, 11b), one end of which is mechanically connected to the hollow body (10) and the other receives a pressure base (12), which delivers to the pylon the continuous force F to be applied via the internal support(s) (6, 7) to the area(s) of skin that are under continuous compression.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the force F acting on the hollow body (10) is applied by a pressure base (12) suited to receive part of the body of the therapist treating the subject by means of the device.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the pressure base (12) is a mobile connection (26) connected to a piece of equipment carried by the therapist (23).
11. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the force F acting on the hollow body (10) is applied by clamping means (28) supported by the subject to be treated.
12. Device according to any of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that a mobile support (6c) is moved by the actuator (211) by varying a control pressure P₂ independent of the reduced pressure P1, acting in the internal volume of the hollow body (10c).
13. Device according to any of claims 1 - 12, characterised in that the hollow body (10c) includes on its outside, borne by its lateral wall, at least one flexible enclosure (110) that is deformable by pressing it against the skin (103) of the subject to be treated, whereby the deformation of the enclosure is obtained by varying the pressure Po within the enclosure and causing pinching of the skin in order to join the hollow body (10c) with the skin on which it is held.
14. Device according to any of claims 1 - 13, characterised in that the hollow body has on its outside at least one external support suited to act on the skin via an additional continuous compression, whereby the additional continuous compression acts on an area of the skin of the subject to be treated from outside the peripheral edge (2c) of the lateral wall of the hollow body and has insufficient intensity to cancel out the pressure of the peripheral edge (2c) on the skin (103).
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the additional continuous compression, with any degree of intensity, is not capable of cancelling out the pressure of the peripheral edge (2c) of the hollow body on the skin (103) of the subject to be treated due to a clamping means acting externally on the hollow body and supported by the subject to be treated.

Images