EP3590488B1

EP3590488B1 - Treatment table provided with pressing means adapted to assume appropriate positions in a programmable manner

Info

Publication number: EP3590488B1
Application number: EP19184260.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilio Brusaferri
Original assignee: Brusaferri and C Srl
Current assignee: Brusaferri and C Srl
Priority date: 2018-07-06
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-03
Also published as: HUE058670T2; IT201800006982A1; PL3590488T3; DK3590488T3; PT3590488T; EP3590488A1; ES2915600T3

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a table with adjustable height, of the type used for massage, physiotherapy, aesthetic and similar treatments. More in particular, the invention relates to a table provided with pressing means adapted to assume appropriate positions in a programmable manner, for the treatment and stimulation of the muscle bands located along the spinal column.

Background art

States of particular physical fatigue, psycho-emotional stress, postural stress caused by maintaining an inappropriate position at length, physical traumas such as whiplash, but also degenerative pathologies such as hernias, etc., are all conditions that can cause inflammation or pain of the muscles at the sides of the spinal column.
A first treatment for these disorders can be carried out by physiotherapists or operators specialized in the field, who exert pressure on particular bony protrusions of the vertebrae or on appropriate muscle bands of the patient who is lying on a table.
The tables used for said treatments and massages substantially comprise a supporting frame and a soft and flexible mattress on which the subject to be treated lies.
An alternative to these manual massages is the passive use of instruments, such as elongated tubular elements or spheres made of substantially rigid material, such as golf or tennis balls, to be positioned at the sides of the spinal column underneath the subject lying on a table in a supine position.
When the subject suffering lies on table with positioning of these tubular or spherical elements, this creates a sort of pressure and massage on the muscle bands at the sides of the spinal column and hence causes general relaxation of the whole spinal column, also benefiting the internal organs that are connected to each single back segment.
During a single treatment session these instruments must be moved repeatedly by the operator to be able to act on all the points of the area along the spinal column to be treated.
Although these simple instruments to be positioned on top of the treatment table and underneath the subject treated are efficient, they have some limits and drawbacks.
The greatest difficulty for the operator is to position the instruments correctly, at the right distance from the spinal column and in symmetrical position with respect thereto, to treat the two muscle bands at the sides of the column homogeneously.
The greatest difficulty for the subject treated is instead that of maintaining these instruments in perfect position during the whole of the treatment: their tubular or spherical shape tends, with the slightest movement, to cause them to slip and move away from each other, distancing them from the spinal column even in a disarranged manner, and therefore eliminating the benefit of the massage technique and of relaxation.
Moreover, the intensity of the pressure exerted, with the same weight of the subject treated, depends exclusively on the dimension of these elongated elements or of these spheres; to increase or decrease this intensity, instruments of various dimensions must be alternated, with the disadvantage of having to pay particular attention each time to their positioning along the spine.
Document WO 01/26580 A2 discloses a thermal therapeutic table comprising:

a frame;
a mattress comprising a flexible support surface for the body of a subject to be treated, provided with a plurality of pressurised bedsprings for the body to be treated;
a lifting plate for a part of the said bedsprings suitable to cooperate with a portion of the said mattress;
kinematic means of horizontal movement for said lifting plate;
kinematic means of vertical movement for said lifting plate;
a control unit for said horizontal and vertical kinematic means.

Said lifting plate can selectively assume an active position and a resting position by means of said horizontal and vertical kinematic means, in order to cooperate or not, in a contact relationship, with a specific portion of said mattress so that part of its bedsprings work on the body of the subject under treatment.
Document WO 2006/027277 discloses an apparatus for physiotherapeutic manipulation comprising:

a frame;
a flexible support towel for the body of a subject to be treated,
pressure means positioned on the opposite side of the body of the subject to be treated with respect to said flexible support towel;
kinematic means of movement in a horizontal plane for said pressure means in two directions orthogonal to each other;
kinematic means of vertical movement for the said pressure means;
a control unit for said horizontal and vertical kinematic means.

Said pressure means can selectively assume an active position and a rest position by means of said means for horizontal and vertical movement, in order to cooperate or not, in a contact relationship, at least indirectly, with appropriate points of the body of the subject under treatment.
Said pressure means comprise four punches, coupled two by two and arranged symmetrically in relation to a vertical plane passing through a median longitudinal axis of said support towel.
Said kinematic means for horizontal movement include:

a slide to which are permanently coupled said pressure means;
a first guide with two rails running parallel to and symmetrically in relation to a median longitudinal axis of said sheet;
a second guide with two rails which develop orthogonally to the two rails of said first guide;
a first worm screw parallel to the median longitudinal axis of said towel;
a second worm screw placed orthogonally to said first worm screw;
a first and a second nut to which said slide is permanently associated;
first and second motor means for determining the rotation of said first and second worms screw,

Said kinematic means for vertical movement include an electric motor for each punch so that their vertical movement is independent.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to produce a treatment table that internally integrates pressing means, and that these pressing means are movable according to suitable or predefined programs, to be positioned easily along the spinal column of the patient and exert the correct degree of pressure.
Another object of the invention is to produce a table that is reliable, comfortable, long-lasting, automated and programmable.
These objects are achieved with a treatment table provided with pressing means adapted to assume appropriate positions in a programmable manner, comprising:

a frame;
a mattress comprising a flexible supporting surface for the body of a subject to be treated,
pressing means positioned on the opposite side from the body of the subject to be treated with respect to said flexible supporting surface and comprising a first and a second punch arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through a median longitudinal axis of said mattress;
kinematic means for horizontal movement of said pressing means;
kinematic means for vertical movement of said pressing means;
a control unit for said means for horizontal and vertical movement,

where said pressing means are adapted to selectively assume an active position and an idle position by means of said means for horizontal and vertical movement, so as to coact, or not, in a relationship of indirect contact, with appropriate points of the body of the subject being treated,
where said kinematic means for horizontal movement comprise:
- a slide with which said pressing means are permanently associated;
- a guide with two tracks that extend parallel to said median longitudinal axis of said mattress and symmetrically with respect thereto;
- a worm screw arranged parallel to the median longitudinal axis of said mattress;
- a lead screw with which said slide is permanently associated;
- motor means adapted to determine the rotation of said worm screw,
where said slide slides along said tracks as a result of the screw-lead screw coupling,
where said kinematic means for vertical movement comprise:
- a "scissors" lifting system comprising at least a first and a second rod connected to each other by a central pin and each having a first and a second end;
- an actuator connected between said frame and said "scissors" lifting system,
where said first ends of at least said first and said second rod coact with said frame and said second ends of at least said first and said second rod coact with said kinematic means for horizontal movement,
and wherein:
- said first end of at least said first rod is hinged to said frame and said first end of at least said second rod is slidingly associated with said frame, coacting with said actuator;
- said second end of at least said second rod is hinged to at least one of said tracks and said second end of at least said first rod is slidingly associated with at least one of said tracks.

In a particularly preferred variant of the invention, said mattress comprises:

a rigid board permanently associated with said frame and comprising at least one slot adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means;
a first layer of elastically yielding soft material arranged above said board;
a finishing sheath adapted to act as supporting surface for the body of the subject to be treated.

Even more advantageously, said mattress further comprises a second layer of elastically yielding soft material arranged between said first layer of elastically yielding soft material and said board and also comprising at least one slot adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means.
The invention has numerous advantages.
The pressing means associated with the treatment table and movable with respect to the surface of the mattress on which the subject to be treated lies, so as to assume suitable and programmable positions, allows a precise stimulation in points of the area to be treated while the patient remains comfortably lying down.
The mechanized movement of the pressing means, managed by a control unit, facilitates the work of the operator and allows precise programming of all the necessary movements.
The kinematic means for horizontal movement allows the pressing means to be moved along the spinal column of the subject, to reach the right point to be treated and if necessary vary the treatment position without the subject requiring to get up from the table.
The kinematic means for vertical movement allow the pressing means to selectively assume, and only when required, the active operating position on the subject, while remaining idle, i.e., under the flexible supporting surface, when not required by the treatment, without encumbering or causing discomfort or annoyance.
The control unit can manually or automatically manage all the movements and the times and also allow programming of the horizontal and vertical movements of the pressing means, to define specific and personalized treatments, without the operator always requiring to remain to hand and close to the subject during treatment.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other advantages of the invention will be more apparent below, in the description of a preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, and with the aid of the figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates, in a partially transparent axonometric view, a treatment table provided with pressing means adapted to assume appropriate positions in a programmable manner according to the invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates, in a partially transparent side view, the table of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively in a partially transparent side view and front view, the table of Fig. 1 in a particular configuration of use;
Fig. 5 illustrates, in a partially transparent side view, the table of Fig. 1 during use by a subject to be treated;
Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate, respectively in cross section along a vertical plane and in a top plan view, a component of the treatment table according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the figures, the invention concerns a treatment table 1, of the type normally used for massage, physiotherapy, aesthetic treatments and for similar purposes.
Said table 1 essentially comprises a frame 2 and a mattress 3 having a flexible supporting surface 4 on which a subject S to be treated may comfortably lie.
In the variant illustrated said frame 2 comprises a lower half-frame 22 forming a base that rests on the ground and an upper half-frame 23 forming a support for the mattress 3.
Said table 1 comprises motorized lifting means of known type, such as telescoping columns 24, adapted to allow the movement of said upper half-frame 23 with respect to said lower half-frame 22, to facilitate lifting and lowering of the subject S being treated and to take the mattress 3 to the correct operating height for the operator.
Said table 1 comprises pressing means P positioned on the opposite side of the flexible supporting surface 4 with respect to the body of the subject S to be treated. Therefore, said pressing means P are not in direct contact with the body of the subject S, but the flexible supporting surface 4 of the mattress 3 is always interposed.
As is apparent from the figures, said pressing means P comprise a first 5 and a second 6 punch arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane π passing through a median longitudinal axis x of said mattress 3.
Each punch 5, 6 has a rod 5', 6' and a shaped head 5", 6".
Said head 5", 6" has a substantially hemispherical shape, but could assume different shapes, even of elongated type, according to needs.
Said table 1 further comprises:

kinematic means for horizontal movement of said pressing means P, 5, 5;
kinematic means for vertical movement of said pressing means P, 5, 6;
a control unit for said means for horizontal and vertical movement means.

Said pressing means P, 5, 6 are in fact movable with respect to the flexible supporting surface 4 of the mattress 3 and are adapted to selectively assume an active position or an idle position by means of said means for horizontal and vertical movement, so as to coact, or not, with the body of the subject S.
With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said kinematic means for horizontal movement are illustrated.
Said kinematic means for horizontal movement essentially comprise:

a slide 7 with which said pressing punches 5, 6 are permanently associated;
a guide with two tracks 8, 9 that extend parallel to a median longitudinal axis x of said mattress 3 and symmetrically with respect thereto;
a worm screw 10 arranged parallel to the median longitudinal axis x of said mattress 3;
a lead screw 11 with which said slide 7 is permanently associated.

Said kinematic means for horizontal movement also comprise motor means 12 adapted to allow the screw-lead screw coupling 10, 11.
This screw-lead screw coupling 10, 11 allows the sliding of said slide 7 along said tracks 8, 9 and the consequent horizontal movement of said punches 5, 6 in the direction of the longitudinal axis x of the mattress 3.
With particular reference to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, said kinematic means for vertical movement are illustrated.
Said kinematic means for vertical movement essentially comprise:

a "scissors" lifting system 13 comprising at least a first 14 and a second 15 rod hinged and connected to each other by a central pin 16 and each having a first 14', 15' and a second 14", 15" end;
an actuator 17 connected between said upper half-frame 23 for supporting the mattress 3 and said "scissors" lifting system 13.

In the variant illustrated, said "scissors" lifting system 13 also comprises a third 25 and a fourth 26 rod hinged and connected to each other by a central pin 27 arranged symmetrically to said first 14 and said second 15 rod with respect to the vertical plane π passing through the median longitudinal axis x of said mattress 3
Said third 25 and said fourth 26 rod also each comprise a first 25', 26' and a second 25", 26" end.
Said first 25 and said second 26 rod are respectively connected to said third 14 and said fourth 15 rod by cross members 28.
Said first ends 14', 15', 25', 26' of said first 14, second 15, third 25 and fourth 26 rod coact with said upper half-frame 23.
Said second ends 14", 15", 25", 26" of said first 14, second 15, third 25 and fourth 26 rod instead coact with said kinematic means for horizontal movement.
In detail:

said first ends 14', 25' of said first 14 and third 25 rod are hinged to said upper half-frame 23;
said first ends 15', 26' of said second 15 and fourth 26 rod are slidingly associated with said upper half-frame 23.

Only said first end 15' of said second rod 15 coacts with said actuator 17, transferring the sliding movement to said first end 26' of said fourth rod 26 by means of the connecting cross members 28.
Said second ends 14", 25" of said first 14 and third 25 rod are slidingly associated with said tracks 8, 9 inside slots 30.
Said second ends 15", 26" of said second 15 and fourth 26 rod are hinged to said tracks 8, 9.
Said actuator 17 is of telescoping type, comprising a cylinder and a moving rod sliding inside the cylinder, and is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner.
Sliding of said actuator 17 causes opening or closing of said "scissors" lifting system 13 and the consequent lifting or lowering of said tracks 8, 9.
Lifting or lowering of said tracks 8, 9 in turn determines lifting or lowering of the slide 7 and of the pressing means P, 5, 6 associated therewith, so that these pressing means selectively assume, as stated above, an active position or an idle position to coact, or not, with the body of the subject S.
Sliding of the actuator 17 to a greater or lesser extent determines opening of the "scissors" lifting system 13 to a greater or lesser extent: this variable allows the upward projection of the punches 5, 6 to be modified to exert a diversifiable pressure on the subject S.
The telescoping actuator 17 is advantageously of electric type, with worm screw mechanism. The invention is described and exemplified in an embodiment that provides a single actuator, but it is clear to those skilled in the art that it could be produced in the same way with more than one actuator acting in parallel on said first and second rod and on said third and fourth rod, or also with linear actuators of different type but substantially with the same use.
The movement and the operating time of the pressing means P can advantageously be programmed by means of said control unit.
With particular reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the structure of said mattress 3 is instead illustrated.
Said mattress 3 comprises:

a rigid board 18 permanently associated with said upper half-frame 23 and comprising at least one slot 18', 18" adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means 5, 6;
a finishing sheath 19 adapted to act as supporting surface 4 for the body of the subject S to be treated.

a first layer of elastically yielding soft material 20 arranged under said sheath 19;
a second layer of elastically yielding soft material 21 arranged between said first layer of elastically yielding soft material 20 and said board 18 and comprising at least one slot 21', 21", adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means 5, 6.

In the variant of embodiment illustrated, said board 18 and said second layer of elastically yielding soft material 21 comprise two slots 18', 18", 21', 21" parallel to each other, one for each punch 5, 6.
The length of said slots 18', 18", 21', 21" is correlated to the maximum horizontal movement of said pressing means 5, 6 along the spinal column of the subject S.
In a preferred variant:

said rigid board 18 is made with a plywood plank;
said first layer of elastically yielding soft material 20 is made of memory foam rubber;
said second layer of elastically yielding soft material 21 is made of rubber with a density of 40Pa.

Advantageously, a protective film 29 is placed between said first 20 and said second 21 layer of elastically yielding material to better distribute the pressure of the punches 5, 6 in points of the first memory foam layer 20.
Said mattress 3 can be provided with electrical heating elements so that the treatment table 1 is also heated.
The operation of the invention is described below.
The subject is lying on the table 1 in contact with the flexible supporting surface 4 of its mattress 3 and the pressing means 5, 6 are in their idle position.
By means of the control unit, the operator programs the movement of the pressing means 5, 6 as a function of the treatment to be carried out.
In detail, the control unit firstly controls the motor means 12 of the kinematic means for horizontal movement to move the punches 5, 6 along median longitudinal axis x of the mattress 3 and consequently along the spinal column of the subject S being treated.
After identifying the area of the spinal column to be treated, the punches 5, 6 must assume the active position to exert the right pressure in the point identified.
The control unit then controls the actuator 17 of the kinematic means for vertical movement that opens the "scissors" lifting system 13, pushing the punches 5, 6 upward, lifting the flexible supporting surface 4 of the mattress 3 in points.
After the treatment the punches 5, 6 withdraw to their idle position.

Claims

Treatment table (1) provided with pressing means adapted to assume appropriate positions in a programmable manner, comprising:
- a frame (2);

- a mattress (3) comprising a flexible supporting surface (4) for the body of a subject (S) to be treated,

- pressing means (P) positioned on the opposite side from the body of the subject (S) to be treated with respect to said flexible supporting surface (4) and comprising a first (5) and a second (6) punch arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through a median longitudinal axis (x) of said mattress (3);

- kinematic means for horizontal movement of said pressing means (P);

- kinematic means for vertical movement of said pressing means (P);

- a control unit for said means for horizontal and vertical movement, where said pressing means (P) are adapted to selectively assume an active position and an idle position by means of said means for horizontal and vertical movement, so as to coact, or not, at least in a relationship of indirect contact, with appropriate points of the body of the subject (S) being treated,

where said kinematic means for horizontal movement comprise:
- a slide (7) with which said pressing means (P) are permanently associated;

- a guide with two tracks (8, 9) that extend parallel to a median longitudinal axis (x) of said mattress (3) and symmetrically with respect thereto;

- a worm screw (10) arranged parallel to the median longitudinal axis (x) of said mattress (3);

- a lead screw (11) with which said slide is permanently associated (7);

- motor means (12) adapted to determine the rotation of said worm screw (10),
where said slide (7) slides along said tracks (8, 9) as a result of the screw-lead screw coupling (10, 11),

where said kinematic means for vertical movement comprise:
- a "scissors" lifting system (13) comprising at least a first (14) and a second (15) rod connected to each other by a central pin (16) and each having a first (14', 15') and a second (14", 15") end;

- an actuator (17) connected between said frame (2) and said "scissors" lifting system (13),
where said first ends (14', 15') of at least said first (14) and said second (15) rod coact with said frame (2) and said second ends (14", 15") of at least said first (14) and said second (15) rod coact with said kinematic means for horizontal movement,

and wherein:
- said first end (14') of at least said first rod (14) is hinged to said frame (2) and said first end (15') of at least said second rod (15) is slidingly associated with said frame (2) coacting with said actuator (17);

- said second end (15") of at least said second rod (15) is hinged to at least one of said tracks (8) and said second end (14") of at least said first rod (14) is slidingly associated with at least one of said tracks (8, 9).
Treatment table (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mattress (3) comprises:
- a rigid board (18) permanently associated with said frame (2) and comprising at least one slot (18', 18") adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means (P);

- a first layer of elastically yielding soft material (19) arranged above said board (18);

- a finishing sheath (20) adapted to act as supporting surface (4) for the body of a subject (S) to be treated.
Treatment table (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said mattress (3) further comprises a second layer of elastically yielding soft material (21) arranged between said first layer of elastically yielding soft material (19) and said board (18) and also comprising at least one slot (21', 21"), adapted to allow the passage of said pressing means (P).