EP3164104B1 - Massage apparatus comprising a stack of inflatable and deflatable cells inclined and overlapping one another - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of massage techniques or lymphatic drainage of the human or animal body. More specifically, the invention relates to a pressotherapy apparatus using an inflatable / deflatable cell system connected to means for pressurizing the cells, which may be substituted for the use of mercurial pressure therapy.

As will be explained in more detail below, the absence of coherent pressure therapy with a high pressure gradient, especially as described in the state of the art described below, has revealed the need to improve the existing pneumatic pressotherapy. . Thus, therapeutic needs have been defined that entail unavoidable physical requirements, structurally modifying the existing pneumatic pressotherapy means.

The invention can be applied in many applications in the fields of comfort, well-being, aesthetics and, of course, in the medical field (with higher pressures as will be explained in more detail). thereafter).

In the field of aesthetics, an apparatus according to the invention can be used with the aim of remodeling, obtaining a thin leg, the elimination of cellulite (thigh and pelvis), as part of post-surgery care , or for other aesthetic treatments. The device can in this context be used individually or institute for example.

In the field of comfort, an apparatus according to the invention can be used in thalassotherapy, spa, but also in the aeronautical field (crew and / or passengers) and in the field of tourism. In this context, the device can be used as an institute, individually, or on board aircraft, at airports, in supermarkets, or in some companies or in certain tourism activities.

In the field of well-being the apparatus according to the invention can be used in case of feeling of heavy legs, "swollen" legs, vis-à-vis the evening edema of the end of the day (which tends , without particular care, to evolve towards a definitive edema), vis-à-vis aches ... In this context, the device can be used as an individual or institute. It should be noted that the device can also be used in the field of sport and physical recovery after exercise.

• pathologies veineuses post-phlébitiques et variqueuses : douleurs, lourdeurs, oedème, indurations (hypodermites), ulcères rebelles et récidivants ;
• pathologies lymphatiques parmi lesquels :
  • oedèmes primaire saisonnier et permanent ;
  • oedèmes secondaires radio-chirurgicaux des cancers, parasitaires (filariose de toute la ceinture tropicale du globe), traumatiques, post-érysipèles et infections ;
• pathologie veino-lymphatique ;
• pathologie post-traumatique : douleurs et oedèmes post-fractures, post-entorses et déchirures, algoneurodystrophies, hématomes tissulaires superficiels et profonds ;
• pathologie musculaire (douleurs rebelles) ;
• pathologie rhumatismale périphérique des membres, engelures et pathologie micro circulatoire ;

In the medical field, the device can be used in particular with respect to the following pathologies:

• post-phlebitic and varicose venous pathologies: pain, heaviness, edema, indurations (hypodermitis), rebel and recurrent ulcers;
• lymphatic pathologies including:
  • seasonal and permanent primary edema;
  • radio-surgical secondary edema of cancers, parasitic (filariasis of the entire tropical belt of the globe), traumatic, post-erysipelas and infections;
• veno-lymphatic pathology;
• post-traumatic pathology: post-fracture pain and edema, post-sprains and tears, algoneurodystrophies, superficial and deep tissue hematomas;
• muscular pathology (rebellious pains);
• peripheral rheumatic pathology of the limbs, frostbite and microcirculatory pathology;

It should be noted that an apparatus according to the invention can also be used on the animal body, for example in the equine field, and in particular in racing stables, breeding stables or sports stables.

In the medical field of the invention, it has been known for more than thirty years to perform vascular massage, in addition to manual lymphatic drainage techniques, which are not very effective, which act theoretically on the lymphatic flow, but which, in practice, are insufficient to absorb encrusted edema. Vascular massage has a complementary purpose, which is to de-infiltrate the tissues of the limbs, by moving the excess tissue fluids centripetally where they are resorbed into the remaining operative proximal lymphatic vessels, limb roots, axillary and inguinal ganglion areas. , and anastomoses of the trunk where one can help manual drainage maneuvers.

In the 1970s, at a time when pressure therapy was practiced with a single pouch, Dr. Claude-Julien Cartier had the idea of using the liquid state and the high density of mercury metal to drain the limbs by placing them vertically in a rigid enclosure (in the shape of a boot or arm sheath) and causing the mercury to rise along the limb (protected by a neoprene membrane) at variable heights, and at varying speeds and times in function of the pathology to be treated.

The work of Dr. Cartier has been the subject of two patent applications published under the applications FR-2,572,651 and FR-2,639,222 .

• « le moyen mercure » : moulage annulaire ascendant progressif parfait, à gradient de pression élevée ;
• « l'effet mercure » : action sur les tissus superficiels et profonds se traduisant par :
  • une chasse veineuse immédiate ;
  • une libération lymphatique tissulaire ;
  • une dilatation artérielle secondaire ;
  • une thérapie eutrophique de l'interstitium (tissu de soutien) ;
  • « le profil mercure » : efficacité musculaire et ostéoligamentaire, remodelage esthétique du membre, action rapide, action durable ;
  • « la stratégie mercure » : traitement ambulatoire, utilisation simple, « va plus vite et plus loin », résultat concret, manipulations courtes, protocoles précis.

Mercury pressotherapy brings certain advantages to the therapeutic field, due to the application on the limbs of a large pressure gradient for the desinfiltration, resulting in the following set:

• "Medium mercury": perfect progressive annular molding, with a high pressure gradient;
• "Mercury effect": action on superficial and deep tissues resulting in:
  • immediate venous hunting;
  • tissue lymphatic release;
  • secondary arterial dilatation;
  • eutrophic therapy of interstitium (supportive tissue);
  • "Mercury profile": muscular and osteoligamental efficacy, esthetic remodeling of the limb, fast action, lasting action;
  • "The mercury strategy": ambulatory treatment, simple use, "goes faster and further", concrete result, short manipulations, precise protocols.

However, under the ecological thrust, it has become unwise to use mercury, and imperative to obtain the same effects without mercury.

Parallel to this work, Dr. Cartier, because of his research, has introduced in the minds of manufacturers of pneumatic pressotherapy equipment the need to move from the single chamber to the juxtaposition of several rooms, then to make a gradient the pressure gradient is 1.33322 kPa for maximum pressures of 2.66644 kPa).

These techniques use inflatable / deflatable cells connected to a pressurizing system, consisting in practice of a compressor.

Several devices according to this principle have been proposed by the prior art.

In particular, a massage sleeve described by the patent document published under the number FR-2 511 241 . The described sleeve has a plurality of cells disposed along the length of the sleeve, which can be inflated and deflated to exert a clamping pressure on a limb of the body when that limb is surrounded by the sleeve.

The sleeve includes a flexible outer shell having a plurality of individual compartments each of which is provided to encircle the limb when surrounded by the sleeve, and a plurality of airbags each of which can be received individually in one of the compartments of the limb. the flexible outer shell. Each of these bags has an orifice fitting that passes through a opening formed in the flexible outer casing to inflate and deflate the bags.

Such a device is designed and made to facilitate the repair of existing pressotherapy devices by avoiding to provide a sleeve consisting of membranes forming cells integral with each other. The bags being independent of each other, it is easy to replace them if necessary.

With such a device, according to the patent, the cells are flat in the deflated state and cylindrical in the inflated state. This results in a coil of cells one above the other, leaving between the strands areas with low pressure, or without pressure. The massage, and thus the drainage, of the treated body surfaces is thus made very imperfectly.

In practice, the cells of such an apparatus receive low pressures in absolute value, with maximums of the order, of 10.66576 kPa and the pressure gradient, when it exists, remains very low ranging from 10.66576 kPa. kPa at 0 Pa spread over the entire limb is about 80 cm. And this device prohibits increasing pressures without accentuating strangulation by the embroidery of the device.

The patent document published under the number FR-2,950,245 describes another pressotherapy device, according to which an enclosure forms a sleeve intended to cover a part of the body, this enclosure comprising a plurality of compartments isolated by partitions, these partitions being each joined at the periphery to the inner and outer walls of the enclosure . In addition, the partitions are each provided with a series of perforations designed to create a pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet of the enclosure.

• la fabrication de l'enceinte avec ses cloisons internes fixées en leur périphérique à la paroi interne de l'enceinte, apparaît relativement complexe ;
• les perforations des cloisons internes peuvent ne pas présenter une résistance suffisante à des pressions relativement importantes, si l'on veut augmenter l'efficacité thérapeutique ;
• la paroi interne de l'enceinte, une fois celle-ci en pression, peut, comme précédemment, se présenter sous forme de boudins successifs qui nuisent à un drainage efficace.

Such a device has several disadvantages among which:

• the manufacture of the enclosure with its internal partitions fixed in their periphery to the inner wall of the enclosure, appears relatively complex;
• the perforations of the internal partitions may not have sufficient resistance to relatively high pressures, if one wishes to increase the therapeutic effectiveness;
• the inner wall of the enclosure, once it under pressure, can, as previously, be in the form of successive tubes that interfere with effective drainage.

Pressotherapy devices are still known as described in the patents published under the numbers EP1213002A1 , DE8530876U1 , DE8620269U1 , FR2144971A5 and FR2511241A1 ). These devices use sleeves consisting of a plurality of cells (or bags) which have, in a cross section, a profile comparable to that of a parallelogram, a rhombus or an almond. Thus, these cells make it possible to obtain a partial overlap, ideally of the order of 1/3, resulting in these devices not having any discontinuity of pressure zones.

More specifically, these cells allow these devices not to present zones in which no pressure would apply on a body part.

However, as explained above and unlike mercurial pressure therapy, these cells are embossed when used with high pressures, thus causing a discontinuity of pressure gradient along the part of the body on which one of these devices is used.

Since the experiment and the use of mercury have convinced the usefulness of high pressures and their safety in human therapy, the purpose of the invention is in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, by applying in a very uniform manner progressive pressures that can be high (maximum of 66.661 to 106.6576 kPa / cm2).

More specifically, the objective of the claimed invention is to propose a pressotherapy device, of the type employing inflatable / deflatable cells, which makes it possible to apply a pressure on a body part which is exerted linearly over the height. the device, that is to say without discontinuity unlike the device of the prior art which generates a phenomenon of successive strands.

The invention also aims to provide such a device that allows to obtain a pressure gradient, similar to the mercurial pressure therapy.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a pressotherapy apparatus comprising a device intended to form a treatment chamber to be placed around a part of the body, the device comprising inflatable / deflatable cells having an upper membrane and a lower membrane interconnected, the cells being carried by an outer wall opposite to a body surface of the device, characterized in that the cells are arranged in a stack between two cells of end, the cells between the end cells being stacked overlappingly in an inclined position between an upper end in the vicinity of the outer wall and a lower end in the vicinity of the body surface, the cells of the stack having an active portion of the upper membrane extending from the lower end not covered by the lower membrane of an upper adjacent cell.

As will be explained in more detail below, in a pressotherapy device according to the invention, the active portions of the upper membranes of the uncovered cells will, when the cells are inflated, come to be in the extension of each other , thereby creating a continuous pressure surface on the member, such as to transmit the pressure linearly over the height of the device.

This avoids the formation of successive strands in this way, which will significantly improve the tissue drainage with a device according to the invention.

Such a device is therefore designed to replace mercurial pressotherapy, while reproducing its effectiveness without using mercury become target of ecology.

It is further recalled that this pressure gradient must involve high pressure ranges to act on deep tissues and muscle compartments.

It is recalled that the application of a high pressure gradient on a body surface is a major requirement for the superficial and deep efficacy of a pressotherapy.

However, given the impossibility of continuing to use the compressive medium of high density mercury, the device according to the invention allows to recreate a compressive environment that drowns the surface to be treated in a pressure gradient as regular as possible and as close as possible to that of mercury.

In addition, it should be noted that the effectiveness of the compressive principle is no longer linked to the gravity, therefore to the verticality of the limb to be treated, a device according to the invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of the trunk of the abdominal belt. lumbar areas, where mercurial pressotherapy was not applicable.

• les différentes cellules compressives, avantageusement plates lorsqu'elles sont dégonflées, présentent ensemble, à l'état gonflé, une surface compressive continue, en alignant bout à bout des portions actives de membranes supérieures plates ou quasiment ;
• maintenues les unes contre les autres, les différentes cellules compressives peuvent conserver les parois fines tout en recevant des pressions pouvant être élevées selon leur niveau le long du gradient de pression réalisé (de l'ordre de 66,661 kPa/cm2 dans le bien-être et de 106,6576 kPa/cm2 dans le domaine médical) ;
• les pressions contenues dans les chambres compressives superposées sur un même endroit du corps ne s'additionnent pas en cet endroit, comme le ferait la superposition de tours de bandes élastiques, mais « inter communiquent » harmonieusement leurs effets compressifs pour se rapprocher d'un gradient linéaire.

The device according to the invention is therefore advantageous for the following reasons:

• the various compressive cells, advantageously flat when they are deflated, together exhibit, in the inflated state, a continuous compressive surface, by aligning end-to-end active portions of flat or nearly flat upper membranes;
• maintained against each other, the various compressive cells can retain the thin walls while receiving pressures that can be elevated according to their level along the pressure gradient achieved (of the order of 66.661 kPa / cm2 in the well-being and 106.6576 kPa / cm 2 in the medical field);
• the pressures contained in the compressive chambers superimposed on one and the same place of the body do not add up in this place, as would the superimposition of elastic bands, but "inter communicate" harmoniously their compressive effects to approach a linear gradient.

As a result, as in the case of mercurial pressure therapy, high pressures are transmitted from the body surface to subcutaneous cellulitic tissues and deep muscle and tendino-articular tissues, operating evacuator massages impossible without pressure and pressure gradients. such as those brought by mercurial pressotherapy.

The peripheral intensity of the pressures applied also generates arteriolar vasodilatation secondary to the cessation of compression, increasing blood turnover at each peripheral microcirculatory unit where the arterial blood is "sucked" into the arterial capillaries, then pushed in a venous network at zero pressure because emptied of any content by the prior evacuating compression: such a privileged beneficial circulatory situation does not spontaneously exist in nature and occurs only through such a method of drainage and massage.

Preferably, the cells are essentially flat in the deflated state.

In this way, being flat in the deflated state, the active portion of the upper membrane of each uncoated cell will, after inflation of the corresponding cell, keep, after moving, a flat configuration or almost.

In addition, thanks to the invention, the cells remain flat in a controlled manner during inflation, avoiding their transformation into inflation beads whose shape would be inappropriate on the treated body part, for the reasons mentioned above.

Preferably, the cells have a cross section identical to each other.

Thus, the cells can be manufactured in series, all identical, which reduces their manufacturing cost, and therefore that of the pressotherapy device according to the invention.

According to the invention, the stacked cells overlap with an overlap of two adjacent cells 2/3 in height, and can be up to 9 / ^10th .

With such overlaps, and preferably with that providing two thirds of recovery, it promotes the transfer of pressure to the lower end of the cells which can deform to the body surface, while the rest of the cell is constrained by the adjacent cells . As indicated above, the overlapping of the cells between them does not generate juxtaposition of the pressures but, on the contrary, optimally transfers the inlet pressure to the body surface, which thus makes it possible to perfectly control the pressure applied.

In other words, each active portion of the cell exerts a cutaneous contact on a part of the body for which the pressotherapy device according to the invention is used, the pressure resulting from this cutaneous contact resulting from the overlap (or stacking) of three different cells.

Thus, according to the principle of the invention and unlike the prior art, the active portion of a first cell deforms under the effect of the swelling of this first cell, but also under the effect of swelling from minus two other cells underlying this first cell. The overlap of the cells thus induces a relative stacking of at least three cells per active portion, thus making it possible to optimize the linear application of a pressure on a body part via a plurality of active portions of cells. a sleeve according to the invention.

• un chevauchement de deux cellules adjacentes de 2/3 en hauteur induit de retrouver pour chaque zone de pression, selon une coupe transversale du dispositif, une première cellule présentant une portion active et deux autres cellules sous-jacentes à la première cellule ;
• un chevauchement de deux cellules adjacentes de 9/10^ème en hauteur induit de retrouver pour chaque zone de pression, selon une coupe transversale du dispositif, une première cellule présentant une portion active et neuf autres cellules sous-jacentes à la première cellule.

More precisely, the architecture (overlapping, stacking, etc.) of the cells of a device according to the invention enables these cells, even at high pressures, unlike the devices of the art. prior, to have a continuity of pressure zones and a continuity of pressure gradient through the active portions of the cells. Indeed, the inflation of a cell of a stack (or overlap) also allows it to produce a positive effect and sheathing on the other cells of the stack (or overlap). The contant and sheathing effect of each cell of a device according to the invention thus allows each of these cells to have an active portion which, not resulting from the simple swelling of a single cell, does not produce a phenomenon of during an inflation in the operating pressure range of the device according to the invention. According to practical examples:

• an overlap of two adjacent cells 2/3 in height induces to find for each pressure zone, in a cross section of the device, a first cell having an active portion and two other cells underlying the first cell;
• an overlap of two adjacent cells 9 / ^10th in height induced to find for each pressure zone, in a cross section of the device, a first cell having an active portion and nine other cells underlying the first cell.

Advantageously, the cells comprise a chamber made of a deformable waterproof material capable of withstanding a pressure of at least 66.661 kPa / cm 2.

A pressotherapy device thus designed can be used both for well-being and for medical applications.

In addition, by virtue of this feature, the cascading and sheathing effect of one cell relative to other adjacent cells is enhanced. Thus, the capacity of the active portion to deform (elastic deformation) is optimized to obtain the continuity of pressure zones combined with the continuity of pressure gradient.

According to a particular embodiment, said chamber is coated with a textile cladding.

According to a preferred embodiment, the chambers are coated, on the side of the body surface, with an inner wall connected to the outer wall to form a pocket inside which the chambers are arranged, the inner wall being adapted to act as a pressure distributor.

In this way, the body surface side coating acts as a pressure distribution wall on the surface of the treated limb, helping to apply pressure continuously and linearly. In other words, the inner wall helps to prevent the appearance of flanges on the side of the body surface.

Advantageously, the cells are secured in pairs and individually to the outer wall (flexible and inextensible)

In this way, the cells are held in position relative to each other, thus preventing them from sliding on each other, which would lead to reduce the active portion of the upper membrane not covered, which would harm the effectiveness of the device.

In this case, the cells are preferably joined to each other in an area comprised in the first third of their height from the outer wall, at their contact for the air inlets / outlets.

Thus, it advantageously preserves the displacement of the active portion not covered with the upper membrane of the cells when they are swollen.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cells are connected individually or in series to a pressure transmission circuit.

In this case, the circuit extends from an input cell to a terminal cell, and includes means for loss of charge between the cells between the input cell and the terminal cell.

In this way, a pressotherapy device according to the invention advantageously reproduces the characteristics of the mercurial pressotherapy according to the prior art.

According to a preferred solution, each cell with the exception of the terminal cell is connected to the next cell, going from the input cell to the terminal cell, by an intermediate cell of pressure drop.

In this way, the pressure drop can be perfectly controlled from one cell to another, and therefore over the entire height of the device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate loss-of-charge cells are bidirectional.

According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for closing the pressure transmission circuit, allowing a sequential pressure increase of the circuit.

This sequential pressure rise may correspond, as explained below, to an inflation of the cells in a step-by-step sequence, from one end of the sleeve to another end. According to another example of application, the sequential pressure rise may correspond to an inflation of groups of adjacent cells, according to a predefined sequence, the compression allowed by the device then having a sectoral character.

Thus, for example, it is possible to treat individually, sectorally, the foot-ankle, calf, knee or thigh, using a device according to the invention which would cover a whole member inferior.

Advantageously, the device takes a flat shape and is intended to be wound to form a sleeve around a part of the body, the device comprising adjustable means for keeping the sleeve in shape

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues partielles en coupe d'un dispositif de pressothérapie selon l'invention, vue respectivement à l'état dégonflé et à l'état gonflé ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique en coupe d'une cellule de perte de charge destinée à équiper un dispositif de pressothérapie selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un dispositif selon l'invention, dans sa configuration enroulée pour former une enceinte de traitement.

Other features and inventions will become more clearly apparent on reading the following of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are partial sectional views of a pressotherapy device according to the invention, seen respectively in the deflated state and in the inflated state;
• the figure 3 is a schematic sectional representation of a pressure drop cell for equipping a pressotherapy device according to the invention;
• the figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, in its configuration wound to form a treatment chamber.

• une pluralité de cellules 2 gonflables/dégonflables, présentant chacune une membrane supérieure 20 et une membrane inférieure 21 reliées entre elles pour former une chambre susceptible d'être gonflée ;
• une paroi externe 3 souple et inextensible, portant les cellules gonflables/dégonflables, et destinée à occuper une position opposée au côté du dispositif formant la surface corporelle 4 susceptible d'être amenée en contact d'une partie de corps à traiter ;
• un compresseur 6, couplé au dispositif de façon à pouvoir gonfler les cellules gonflables/dégonflables de celui-ci (un manomètre 60 permettant de contrôler la pression transmise au dispositif).

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 a pressotherapy apparatus according to the invention comprises a device 1 intended to form a treatment chamber as will be described later, to be placed around a part of the body, the device 1 comprising:

• a plurality of inflatable / deflatable cells 2, each having an upper membrane 20 and a lower membrane 21 interconnected to form a swellable chamber;
• a flexible and inextensible outer wall 3, carrying the inflatable / deflatable cells, and intended to occupy a position opposite to the side of the device forming the body surface 4 capable of being brought into contact with a body part to be treated;
• a compressor 6, coupled to the device so as to inflate the inflatable / deflatable cells thereof (a pressure gauge 60 for controlling the pressure transmitted to the device).

According to the principle of the invention, the cells 2 are arranged in a stack between two end cells 25, 26, the cells being stacked in overlapping manner and inclined between an upper end 201 in the vicinity of the outer wall 3 and a second one. low end 202 near the body surface.

In addition, the cells of the stack have an active portion 200 of the upper membrane not covered by the lower membrane of the adjacent cell, this active portion 200 extending from the lower end 202, that is to say say from the vicinity of the body surface.

It is noted that the cells are stacked so that, at the level of each autonomous circular cutaneous contact, there exist according to the invention three cells stacked one on the other. In other words, with an overlap of one-third of two adjacent cells, one obtains, on each height of 9 cm on which a cell extends obliquely, three consecutive zones of compression of 3 cm in height, each for one active portion of a cell (this aspect is not scaled on the Figures 1 and 2 ).

Inflatable / deflatable cells of a stacked pressure therapy device in accordance with the principle of the invention will behave in the following manner.

When the compressor is running and pressurizes the inflatable / deflatable cells, each cell between the end cells 25, 26 is pressed on its upper membrane 20 and on its lower membrane 21 by the adjacent cells between which the corresponding cell is sandwiched. As a result, in the lower part of these cells, that is to say in the vicinity of the body surface, only the portion of the cell extending along the length of the active portion 200 of the upper uncoated membrane can to be deformed during pressurization of the cell, tending to inflate it.

The swelling of this part of the cell is illustrated by the figure 2 .

As it appears on the figure 2 , the swelling of the cells between the end cells 25, 26 results in a deformation of the cell in its lower part, in the vicinity of its lower end, which causes the displacement of the upper uncoated membrane towards the body surface such as than symbolized by the arrow F.

In other words, the cell inflates in the only free portion between the upper membrane of the deflated cell, the body surface and the adjacent cell placed above.

As illustrated by figure 2 all the active portions 200 of uncovered membranes of the cells will behave identically. Therefore, the uncovered active portions 200 of the upper membranes will move to align with each other so as to form a continuous pressure surface or substantially at the body surface of the device.

In addition, according to the invention, the stacked cells overlap with an overlap of two-thirds of the upper membrane of each cell, this overlap may however be up to 9 / ^10th .

The importance of overlap contributes to achieving a flat 200 active portion or almost against the body surface and approaching a linear gradient at each autonomous circular skin contact.

In addition, it increases the assurance of achieving this result by using cells 2 of substantially flat shape in the deflated state.

In other words, as shown by the cross section of the cells 2 illustrated by the figure 1 , in the deflated state, the cells present an upper membrane and a lower membrane parallel to each other and extending essentially rectilinearly between the upper end and the lower end of the corresponding cell, and being in the vicinity of each other in the deflated state .

As a result, the active portion 200 of the upper uncoated membrane is itself relatively flat, or at least straight, and keeps its short distance due to the overlap, this rectilinear profile once the cell inflated.

Moreover, as is apparent from the figure 1 , the cells have all the same cross section.

Moreover, as is apparent from the figure 1 , the cells have all the same cross section.

• elles comprennent une chambre 22 en un matériau déformable étanche, tel que le néoprène ou le polyuréthane, apte à résister à une pression d'au moins 66,661 kPa/cm2 ;
• chaque chambre 22 est revêtue d'un gainage textile 23 ;
• les cellules sont solidarisées deux à deux, dans une zone 24 comprise dans le premier tiers de leur hauteur en partant de la paroi externe 3 ;
• l'extrémité haute de chaque cellule est accrochée sur la paroi externe 3 au niveau de l'entrée/sortie d'air du circuit de circulation d'air ;
• les cellules sont revêtues, du côté de la surface corporelle 4 d'une paroi interne 40 reliée à la paroi externe pour former une poche à l'intérieur de laquelle les cellules sont disposées.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cells 2 are produced in the following manner:

• they comprise a chamber 22 made of a deformable waterproof material, such as neoprene or polyurethane, capable of withstanding a pressure of at least 66.661 kPa / cm 2;
• each chamber 22 is coated with a textile sheath 23;
• the cells are secured in pairs, in an area 24 in the first third of their height starting from the outer wall 3;
• the upper end of each cell is hooked on the outer wall 3 at the air inlet / outlet of the air circulation circuit;
• the cells are coated, on the side of the body surface 4 of an inner wall 40 connected to the outer wall to form a pocket inside which the cells are arranged.

The inner wall 40 constitutes an intermediate element between the treatment chamber and the cutaneous surface. It can be derived from silicone (or be silicone), a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and wound on the member. Such an intermediate element makes it possible to homogenize the pressures applied and to play a role of "pressure distributor" thanks to its elasticity conditions making it possible to diffuse the pressure it receives at a point on a larger skin area.

In other words, the flexible and inextensible inner wall acting as a "pressure distributor" makes it possible to smooth between them the juxtaposed pressures exerted by the active portions of the cells, thus making it possible to optimize the capacity of the pressotherapy device, according to FIG. invention, to reproduce the linear pressure gradient applied by mercurial pressotherapy.

Moreover, it is worth noting the interlocking of textile sheaths 23 which surround the inflatable cells: resistant and diagonal seams of the surfaces facing the textile sheathing sheathing the inflatable cells (or any other solid means of attachment, for example by welding), on the upper 2/3 of their front wall and the 2/3 lower of their posterior wall, as well as the same type of fixation of these textile sheathings on the outer wall of the treatment chamber at the upper 1/3 of the posterior face of each of them and on the entire posterior wall of the lowest pocket.

According to an advantageous optional feature, the inner wall incorporates heating means.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cells are connected in series by a pressure transmission circuit 5, the circuit extending from the input cell 25 to the terminal cell 26.

Advantageously, this circuit includes means of loss of charge between the input cell 25 and the terminal cell 26.

As it appears on the figure 1 , each cell except the terminal cell is connected to the next cell (going from the input cell to the terminal cell) by an intermediate cell 50 of pressure drop.

• un corps creux 500 communiquant avec un conduit d'entrée 501 et avec un conduit de sortie 502 ;
• un clapet 503, pourvu d'un orifice 504 plus petit que l'orifice 502, le clapet 503 étant déformable entre une position de réduction du passage (perte de charge) de la cellule (lorsque l'air circule du conduit d'entrée vers le conduit de sortie), et une position de circulation libre lorsque l'air circule du conduit d'entrée vers le conduit de sortie.

With reference to the figure 3 , the pressure drop cells 50 comprise:

• a hollow body 500 communicating with an inlet duct 501 and with an outlet duct 502;
• a valve 503, provided with an orifice 504 smaller than the orifice 502, the valve 503 being deformable between a reduction position of the passage (pressure drop) of the cell (when the air flows from the inlet duct to the outlet duct), and a free circulation position when the air flows from the inlet duct to the outlet duct.

Such a pressure drop cell provided with this valve is bidirectional, between free movement in one direction and pressure loss in the other direction.

Thus, by going from the outlet ducts to the inlet ducts and by closing the circuit after the input cell (this using any appropriate means allowing the closure of the circuit), a rapid inflation is effected. cells with low pressure, this pressure balancing between all the cells.

If the circulation in the circuit is reversed, the pressure gradient settles, due to the loss of charge from one cell to another, from the input cell to the terminal cell.

In addition, on command, when the circuit operating in the direction of the establishment of the gradient, is closed beyond the terminal cell or at any other level, it is possible to continue the rise in pressure upstream of the closure to simulate a powerful massage, such as that which would be exercised by several physiotherapists simultaneously.

By opening the circuit again, the pressure gradient is reinstalled, following which we can again simulate a powerful massage by closing the circuit as described above, then open the circuit, and so on.

The opening of the circuit upstream of the input cell causes the pressure drop, which can be accelerated by a depression which deflates the cells.

With a device as described above, it is possible to apply relatively high pressures, of the order of 66.661 kPa / cm 2 in the field of well-being and of the order of 106.6576 kPa / cm 2 in the field. medical.

It should be noted that the pressure drop preferably integrated in the operation of the device can be obtained according to other possible embodiments. For example, each cell is individually powered by a device with increasing pressure drops from the input cell to the terminal cell.

In addition, a pressotherapy apparatus according to the invention allows, on command, to raise, sequentially or not, the maximum pressure of the lower part upward progression along the part the body covered by the pressure therapy device, towards its upper part, to simulate a real manual massage equivalent to the action of three to four masseurs physiotherapists acting together on the same patient.

In another example, the pressotherapy apparatus according to the invention allows, on command, to apply a predefined pressure sequentially or not, on a specific part of the body. In other words, the pressotherapy apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to sectorise the application of pressure on a body part, and, in particular, to target the ankle, calf, knee or knee. thigh.

In addition, as in the case of mercurial pressure therapy, the high pressures are reflected from the body surface to the subcutaneous cellulitic tissues, muscle tissues and tendino-articular deep, operating evacuator massages through high pressures and gradients of pressure.

According to another characteristic of the invention illustrated by the figure 4 , the device takes a flat shape and is intended to be wound to form a sleeve around a body part. In addition, the device comprises adjustable means 7 for holding the device in the form of a sleeve, these means being able to take the particular form of self-gripping or zipper strips.

Claims (13)

1. Compression therapy apparatus comprising a device (1) intended to form a treatment enclosure to be placed around a part of the body, the device comprising inflatable/deflatable cells (2) having an upper membrane (20) and a lower membrane (21) that are interconnected, the cells being borne by an outer wall (3) opposite a body surface (4) of the device,
   the cells (2) being arranged in a stack between two end cells (25, 25), the cells between the end cells being stacked while overlapping in the inclined position between an upper end (201) in the vicinity of the outer wall (3) and a lower end (202) in the vicinity of the body surface (4), the cells (2) of the stack having an active portion (200) of the upper membrane extending from the lower end not covered by the lower membrane of an adjacent higher cell,
   characterised in that the stacked cells (2) overlap with an overlap of two adjacent cells of 2/3 in height, and may be up to 9/10th.
2. Compression therapy apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the cells (2) are essentially flat in shape in the deflated state.
3. Compression therapy apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the cells (2) have an identical cross-section therebetween.
4. Compression therapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cells (2) comprise a chamber (22) made of an impervious deformable material capable of withstanding a pressure of at least 500 mmHg/cm2.
5. Compression therapy apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the chambers (22) are coated, on the side of the body surface (4), with an inner wall (40) connected to the outer wall (3) to form a pocket inside which the chambers (22) are arranged, the inner wall (40) being suitable for acting as a pressure distributor.
6. Compression therapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the cells (2) are secured in pairs.
7. Compression therapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the cell (2) are secured to the outer wall (3), the outer wall being flexible and inextensible.
8. Compression therapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the cells (2) are connected individually or in series to a pressure transmission circuit.
9. Compression therapy apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the circuit extends from an entry cell (25) to an end cell (26), and includes pressure drop means between the entry cell and the end cell.
10. Compression therapy apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that each cell with the exception of the end cell, is connected to the next cell, from the entry cell to the end cell, via an intermediate pressure drop cell (50).
11. Compression therapy apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that each cell is supplied individually by a device with increasing pressure drops from the entry cell to the end cell.
12. Compression therapy apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the device (1) takes on a flat shape and is intended to be wrapped around to form a sleeve about a part of the body, the device comprising adjustable means (7) for holding the shape of the sleeve.
13. Compression therapy apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that it comprises means for closing the pressure transmission circuit, enabling a sequential pressure rise in the circuit.

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