FR2617397A1 - APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE BODY BY CYCLIC PRESSURES AND CONSTITUENT MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of parts of the body, by sequential cyclic pressures for providing drainage, in particular lymphatic drainage. This device comprises means for distributing an inflation fluid via a conduit 2 and means for distributing a control fluid via a conduit 3 to a treatment accessory made up of juxtaposed inflatable cells, for example massage thigh straps 1. The inflation duct 2 is connected to each cell of the treatment accessory via distributors 4 also receiving the control fluid. Each distributor comprises a movable closure member, in particular a membrane, so as to allow the inflation fluid to pass downstream when the local inflation pressure reaches a value which is a function of the pressure of the control fluid. The cells of the massage accessory are thus inflated in cascade one after the other, which ensures a drainage effect on the parts of the body to which they are applied.

Description

APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE BODY BY CYCLIC PRESSURE

AND CONSTITUENT MEANS

  An apparatus for treating body parts by sequential cyclic pressures to provide drainage along the treated portion (s). It extends to a distributor intended to equip said apparatus. The invention can in particular be applied for the execution of massage

  lymphatic drainage or to make anti-fatigue mattresses

  bedsores. Many massage machines are known, which include a treatment accessory (thigh, abdominal belt ...) to be placed in contact with a part of the body of a patient to perform on it a succession of local compressions. progressing in the direction of drainage to be performed. This accessory is generally composed of a plurality of juxtaposed inflatable cells which are successively inflated and then deflated in a defined cycle. See for example the following patents which have such devices: patents FR Nos. 2,511,241, 2,405,708, US Pat. Nos. 4,111,135, 3,167,067 and GB 2,062,235, 483,111. In these devices, the massage accessory surrounds the limb to be treated and its inflatable cells are connected by a bundle of ducts to an air distribution installation comprising in particular a rotary or drawer distributor or a plurality of solenoid valves, this installation being able to successively deliver the pneumatic pressure to each cell through the conduit associated therewith. However, these systems are complex, cumbersome and impractical to use, mainly because of the presence of the many pneumatic ducts required (one per inflatable cell) and the complexity of the distribution installation intended to ensure the sequences

desired inflation.

  The present invention proposes to considerably simplify devices of this type and to provide a treatment apparatus having a reduced number of ducts and distribution means much simpler. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus permitting, in a very flexible manner, an adjustment of the characteristics of the massage (pressure value,

  drainage speed, amplitude of the pressure wave ...).

  The invention can be applied both in the aforementioned field of massage and to perform any other treatment requiring drainage (including anti-decubitus treatment), the treatment accessory being adapted to the part of the body treated and the type of treatment to be treated. apply. The treatment apparatus according to the invention comprises means for dispensing an inflation fluid at an inflation pressure Pg, and at least one treatment accessory composed of juxtaposed inflatable cells adapted to be placed in contact with the part of the body to be treated. According to the present invention, said treatment apparatus is characterized in that: (a) an inflating duct is associated with the treatment accessory for extending along and near the inflatable cells, said duct being connected to the means for distributing the inflation fluid, (b) distributors are interposed on said inflation duct at the level of the inflatable cells, each distributor associated with a cell comprising: an upstream orifice connected to the inflation duct upstream side, a connected downstream orifice to the inflating duct on the downstream side, - an inflation orifice connected to the inflatable cell and communicating with the upstream orifice, - and a movable shutter member subjected, on the one hand, to the local pressure of the inflation fluid, on the other hand, at the opposite pressure of a control fluid, said movable shutter member being arranged to open the communication between the downstream orifice and the upstream ports and the inflatable orifice; ge when the local pressure of the inflation fluid becomes greater than K times the pressure of the control fluid (o K is a multiplying coefficient depending on the geometry of the distributor) to allow a passage of the inflation fluid downstream and, in the opposite case, to isolate the downstream orifice with respect to the upstream orifice and the inflation orifice, (c) means for distributing the control fluid are provided for delivering said control fluid to a control pressure Pc, (d) a control conduit connected to the control fluid distribution means is arranged to dispense said control fluid to each distributor and subject the movable closure member of each of these

at the control pressure Pc.

  Thus, whatever the number of cells that one wishes to inflate successively, the apparatus comprises

  only an inflation line and a control line.

  The control conduit receives the control pressure Pc before the inflation fluid is dispensed: the downstream orifices of all the distributors are then closed since the control pressure Pc which prevails at these distributors is greater than the local pressure. inflation (relative pressure of zero inflation before distribution of the inflation fluid). When the inflation fluid is distributed at the pressure Pg, the first cell inflates to the exclusion of others which are isolated by the distributors; when, at this first cell, the local inflation pressure reaches a pressure equal to K.Pc, the distributor associated with said first cell opens and the inflation fluid is distributed to the second cell. Gradually, cells are inflated, ensuring drainage of the body from the areas in contact with the first cell to the areas in contact with the last. It should be noted that the coefficient K which depends on the geometry of the distributor will generally be greater than 1 but may also be equal to or less than 1. It may be different from one distributor to another. The fluid distribution means are of very simple structure in the apparatus of the invention and can be reduced to essentially two solenoid valves mounted one on the inflation line, the other on the control line, these solenoid valves being enslaved to an electronic unit for cyclically controlling their opening and closing, with an opening delay time for the solenoid valve placed on the inflation line (to allow a setting of the control pressure Pc at the beginning of each cycle, prior to the distribution of the

inflation fluid).

  It should be noted that, in most applications, the treatment accessory is a pneumatic accessory, the inflation fluid and the control fluid being preferably constituted by air. However, the invention extends to hydraulic devices, fluids

  being then liquids including water.

  In the case of massage apparatuses, the means for distributing the inflation fluid and the control fluid distribution means advantageously comprise a common compressed air source, connected to two pneumatic inflation and control lines, to which are respectively connected to the inflation line and the control line. The inflation line is equipped with a pressure regulator for obtaining the inflation pressure Pg, while the control line itself is equipped with a pressure regulator for

  obtaining the control pressure Pc (Pc <Pg).

  Of course, several treatment accessories may, if necessary, be arranged in series to be inflated successively, for example a thigh and abdominal belt. Similarly, several accessories may be arranged in parallel so that their cells are inflated synchronously, for example two waders intended to be applied around the two lower limbs. The invention can be applied whatever the type of the accessory: accessory with cells located at the end of

  tip, accessory with cells arranged in scales ...

  Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, each of the distributors associated with each of the inflatable cells comprises: a first chamber with which the upstream, downstream and inflating orifices communicate, a second chamber having a channel communicating with the duct; control, - a membrane separating said chambers, - and a bearing arranged to serve as a support for said membrane, so that in this position, the membrane isolates the downstream orifice of the upstream and inflating ports. Such dispensers of very simple structure are inexpensive and compact and can be

  subject easily to inflatable cells.

  The invention extends, as such, to such dispensers may be used in all cases where it is desired to obtain a cascade inflation of a series of elements. Such a dispenser is essentially characterized in that it comprises a hollow body which is provided with three tubular branches and which delimits a compartment, these branches and compartment being arranged so that: one of the branches, said upstream, communicates with a secant branch, called inflation, located opposite the compartment, - said upstream leg and inflation branch open into said compartment by a light surrounded by the scope already mentioned, - the third branch, called downstream, is isolated from both and communicates with the compartment through a

  light located on the periphery of said litter, -

  the compartment contains the above-mentioned membrane, which divides it into a first chamber located on the side of the span and a second chamber opposite to the latter, said membrane being adapted to be able to bear tightly against said span, the compartment is closed by a sealed cover provided with means for connecting a control fluid, for delivering it to the second chamber. The invention having been exposed in its general form, other features, purposes and advantages of

  this will become apparent from the following description with reference

  annexed drawings, which show by way of non-limiting example one embodiment; on these drawings which

  an integral part of this description:

  FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic overall view of a treatment apparatus according to the invention, intended to ensure the massage of a lower limb, FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view, FIGS. 3a and 3b. are sectional views of a dispenser associated with an inflatable cell,

  respectively in the closed position and in the open position.

  The massage apparatus shown by way of example in the figures essentially comprises a massage accessory I adapted to be applied around a leg, an inflation duct 2 and a control duct 3 extending along and close to the massage accessory 1, a plurality of dispensers such as 4 interposed on these conduits and secured on the massage accessory, and a

  sequential compressed air distribution unit 5.

  The massage accessory 1 is in particular of the type described in FR No. 85.09764, comprising two flexible walls 6 and 7 which are joined together to form several juxtaposed housings in which are inserted airtight inflatable pockets 8 of a material elastic. The shape of all the cells thus formed is adapted to be able to close around the member to be treated and marry the contours thereof, straps 9, thongs or equivalent means (partially shown) being provided for the maintenance of the accessory

around the member.

  Of course, any other type of accessories may be provided in the device of the invention (in particular cell accessory arranged in flakes). Similarly, the accessory can simply be constituted by two

  locally welded walls to form the cells.

  The distributors 4 are, in the example, arranged in alignment with each other in the vicinity

  a longitudinal edge of the massage accessory 1.

  A distributor 4 is secured on each cell 8 so as to allow the inflation thereof. As illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, these distributors can in particular be sealed on one side of the inflatable cell; in the example, this fixation is carried out thanks to a reinforcement piece 34, called nipple, which is glued on the flexible wall of the cell. This pacifier comprises an enlarged head housing 34a in which is snapped

  sealingly an inflation nozzle 13 of the dispenser.

  Each distributor 4 in the general shape of T is in the example composed of a hollow body 33 which delimits a compartment 10 and comprises three tubular branches: an upstream branch 11, a downstream branch 12 located in alignment with the upstream branch, and an inflation branch 13 orthogonal to the other two, located opposite the compartment 10. These branches are molded in one piece with the body 33 (where appropriate they can be reported and glued into it). The compartment 10 is surmounted by a tight cover 14 which in the example is screwed into the

  body 33 so as to close the compartment 10.

  This cover 14 is provided with means for connecting the control conduit 3, constituted by two male joining ends 15 and 16 located substantially in alignment with one another. These tips are molded with the lid 14 (or if necessary reported and glued in it). The lid 14 is pierced with a channel 14a so that the pressure Pc of the control fluid is established in the

compartment 10.

  The latter contains a flexible membrane 17 made of elastomer or other material of the same type, the edges of which are sealed in the compartment 10 during screwing of the lid. This membrane 17 separates the compartment 10 into two chambers 10a and 10b: it is subjected on its upper face to the pressure Pc of the control fluid which prevails in the chamber lob and on its underside to the local pressure of the inflation fluid which prevails in room 10a. Where appropriate, this membrane may be subjected to external forces exerted either by a damping system or by a spring system, in particular to avoid

vibration.

  The upstream tubular branch 11 forms a male joining end (delimiting the upstream orifice 11a) and

  communicates with the secant branch of inflation 13 which itself

  same form a male connector end (defining the inflation port 13a). These two branches 11 and 13 open into the chamber loa compartment 10 by a light 18a surrounded

  a bearing surface 18 of the membrane.

  The downstream branch 12 forms a joining end piece (delimiting the downstream orifice 12a) and is isolated from the first two: it communicates with the chamber li0a by a light 18b located at the periphery of the scope

18.

  The inflating duct 2 is connected to the branches 11 and 12 (the inlet located on the side of the dispensing unit being connected to the upstream branch 11 and the outlet situated on the opposite side being connected to the downstream branch 12). The control duct 3 is itself connected to the

junctions 15 and 16.

  When the membrane 17 is applied against the bearing surface 18, it is subjected, on the one hand, to the local inflation pressure on a section s (defined by the bearing surface 18), on the other hand, to the control pressure Pc on a section S (corresponding to the diameter of the membrane). The S / S ratio is designated by multiplying coefficient K. When the control pressure Pc is established in the chamber 10b, the distributor remains in the closed state as long as the local inflation pressure prevailing in the branches 11 and 13 remains below K.Pc (Figure 3a). In this position, the diaphragm 17 bears on the bearing surface 18 and the downstream branch 12 is isolated from the upstream branch 11 and the inflation branch 13: the inflation fluid is not

  forwarded to cells downstream.

  When the inflation pressure in the cell considered reaches and exceeds K.Pc, the membrane 17 deviates from its range and opens the communication to the downstream branch 12 (FIG. 3b). The inflation fluid is delivered to the next cell. Inflation is thus done step by step since the first cell of the accessory of

massage until the last.

  The inflation ducts 2 and control duct 3 are connected to the unit 5 comprising means for distributing the inflation fluid and means for distributing the control fluid. In the example shown in Figure 2, a compressor 19 supplies high pressure compressed air a tank 20 equipped with a safety valve 21 and a pressure gauge 22. The tank 20 is connected to a pneumatic line of inflation 23 and to a line

Pneumatic control 24.

  The inflation line 23 to which the inflation duct 2 is connected essentially comprises an adjustable pressure reducer 25 reducing the pressure to an inflation pressure Pg, a solenoid valve 26 in the example of the three-way type to allow venting. In addition, a buffer reservoir 35 may be provided on this inflation line in order to dampen the inflation of the first cells, particularly when - have a lower volume, as is the case for a leggings extending at the level of the foot; this tank 35 may optionally introduce the inflation delay time mentioned later. In the example, the inflating duct 2 is open at its end 2a located downstream of the last inflatable cell so that the deflation takes place at the end of sequence by this end and by the solenoid valve 26. The deflation can if so be obtained so

  different, especially by a special solenoid valve.

  The control line 24 to which the control duct 3 is connected essentially comprises an adjustable pressure reducer 29 reducing the pressure to a control pressure Pc <Pg, a solenoid valve 30 of the three-way type so as to allow the air to vent freely. leads from

  command 3, and a control manometer 31.

  The control duct 3 is closed at its end 3a located downstream of the last inflatable cell so that its pressurization ensures an establishment.

  stable control pressure Pc.

The solenoid valves 26 and 30 are

26 7397

  electrically controlled by an electronic control unit 32 adapted to cyclically control the opening and closing thereof (that is to say the pressurization of the ducts 2 and 3, and venting them) ; the unit 32 is adapted to impose a time delay on opening to the solenoid valve 26 so that the control pressure Pc is established beforehand in the control conduit 3 and the

10Ob rooms of the distributors.

  The duration of the closing / opening cycles and the duty cycle are adjusted according to the nature of the massage to be performed. The setting of the outlet pressure of the regulator 25 (inflation pressure Pg) and outlet pressure of the regulator 29 (control pressure Pc) makes it possible to adjust the characteristics of the compression wave which ensures the lymphatic drainage (the drainage speed , that is to say the speed of displacement of the pressure front from one cell to another, as well as the amplitude of this pressure front are

  functions of the difference Pg - K.Pc).

  At the end of each compression sequence, the control duct 3 is depressurized and the cells deflate by the open end of the duct 2a and by

the solenoid valve 26.

  If the duration of the inflation sequence exceeds the time required to inflate all the cells, the air will escape through the last distributor which then behaves like an exhaust valve, the pressure can never exceed the control pressure. If the duration of the inflation sequence is less than the time required for the inflation to reach the last cells, they will not be inflated: it is thus possible to inflate only a fraction of the massage accessory, the number of uninflated cells that can be adjusted by an adjustment

  the duration of the inflation sequence.

  In addition, the range 18 of the various distributors 4 may have a different diameter: by adjusting the section -s- of the various distributors, one can vary the multiplier coefficient K from one distributor to another; the cells can thus be made to undergo different inflation pressures (K.Pc), ill even higher than the K coefficient of the cell in question will be higher. The invention makes it possible to perform differential pressure massage adapted to the areas of the body to which the cells apply. Of course, the order of inflation of the cells is a function of the order in which they are connected to the inflation duct 2. This order may be the geometric order of succession of these, but it may

also be different.

Claims (9)

  1 / - Apparatus for treating the body part by cylindrical pressures, comprising means (19, 20, 23) for dispensing an inflation fluid at an inflation pressure Pg, and at least one treatment accessory (1) composed juxtaposed inflatable cells (8) adapted to be placed in contact with the part of the body to be treated, said treatment apparatus being characterized in that: (a) an inflation duct (2) is associated with the treatment accessory ( 1) for extending along and near the inflatable cells (8), said duct being connected to the inflating fluid distribution means, (b) distributors (4) are interposed on said inflation duct (2) at inflatable cell level (8), each distributor associated with a cell comprising: - an upstream orifice (11a) connected to the inflating duct (2) upstream side, - a downstream orifice (12a) connected to the inflating duct (2) downstream side, - an inflation port (13a) connected to the inflatable cell and communicating with the upstream orifice (la), and a movable shutter member (17) subjected, on the one hand, to the local pressure of the inflation fluid, on the other hand, to the opposite pressure a control fluid, said movable shutter member being arranged to open the communication between the downstream orifice (12a) and the upstream orifice and the inflation orifice (11a, 13a), when the local pressure of the inflation fluid becomes greater than K times the pressure of the control fluid (where K is a multiplying coefficient as a function of the distributor geometry) in order to allow a passage of the inflation fluid downstream and, if not, to isolate the orifice downstream (12a) from the upstream port and inflation port, (c) control fluid distribution means (24) are provided for supplying said control fluid to a control pressure Pc, (d) a control line (3) connected to the control fluid distribution means t arranged to distribute said control fluid to each distributor (4) and so m mtretre movable shutter member (17) of each of them to the pressure of Pc command.   2 / - Treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for dispensing the inflation fluid and the control fluid distribution means comprise a common compressed air source (19, 20) connected to two pneumatic lines , said inflation (23) and control (24), to which are respectively connected the inflation duct (2) and the control duct (3), the inflation line (23) being provided with a pressure reducer (25) for obtaining the inflation pressure Pg, while the control line (24) is provided with a pressure reducer (29) for obtaining   control pressure Pc such that Pc <Pg.   3 / - Treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the regulators (25, 29) of the inflation line and control line are of the pressure type adjustable output.   4 / - Treatment apparatus according to one of   2 or 3, characterized in that the lines of   inflation (23) and control line (24) comprise solenoid valves (26, 30) slaved to an electronic control unit (32) adapted to cyclically control the opening and closing of said solenoid valves, with a delay time of opening for the solenoid valve (26) placed on the   inflation line compared to that of the command line.   / - Treatment device according to claim 4, characterized in that the inflation duct (2) opens to the open air downstream (2a) of the last inflatable cell.   6 / - Treatment apparatus according to one of   Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the solenoid valves   (26, 30) of the inflation lines and control line are of the three-way type in order to free air for deflation.   7 / - Treatment apparatus according to one of   claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that   each distributor (4) comprises: - a first chamber (10a) with which the upstream (11a), downstream (12a) and inflating (13a) ports communicate, - a second chamber (10b) provided with a channel (14a) communicating with the control conduit (3), - a membrane (17) separating said chambers, - a bearing (18) arranged to serve as a support for said membrane, so that, in this position, the membrane isolates the downstream orifice (12a) of the upstream orifices and inflation (11a, 13a).   8 / - Treatment apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that each distributor (4) comprises three tubular branches (11, 12, 13) and a compartment (10) containing the membrane (17), said branches and said compartment being arranged so that - one of the branches (11) delimiting the upstream orifice (11a) communicates with the secant branch (13) delimiting the inflation orifice (13a), - these two branches (11, 13) open out in the aforementioned compartment (10) by a lumen (18a) surrounded by the diaphragm bearing surface (18), - the third leg (12) delimiting the downstream orifice (12a) is isolated from the first two and communicates with the compartment (10) by a light (18b)   located on the periphery of the span (18).   9 / - Treatment apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the compartment (10) is closed by a sealed cover (14) provided with means (15, 16) for connecting the arrival and departure of the control duct (3) , said cover being pierced with the channel (14a) in order to bring the pressure Pc of the control fluid to be established   in the second chamber (lob) of the compartment (10).   / - Treatment apparatus according to one of   Claims 1 to 9, wherein the accessory of   treatment (1) comprises, on the one hand, two flexible walls (6, 7) secured together to form juxtaposed housings, on the other hand, airtight inflatable pockets (8) inserted into said housing to form the inflatable cells. 11 / - Distributor likely to equip a   treatment apparatus according to one of claims 1   at 10, characterized in that it comprises a hollow body (33) provided with three tubular branches (11, 12, 13) and delimiting a compartment (10), arranged so that: - one of the branches, called upstream (11) communicates with a branch secant, called inflation (13), located opposite the compartment (10), - said branch.amont (11) and inflation branch (13) open into said compartment (10) by a light (18a) surrounded by a seat (18),   the third branch, called downstream (12), is   isolated from the first two (11, 13) and communicates with the compartment (10) by a lumen (18b) located at the periphery of the span (18), - the compartment (10) contains a membrane (17) dividing it into a first chamber (la) located on the side of the seat (18) and a second chamber (lob) opposite thereto, said membrane (17) being adapted to be able to bear tightly on said seat, - the compartment (10) ) is closed by a cover (14) sealed with means (15, 16) for connecting a control fluid, to deliver it to the second chamber (lob).   12 / - Dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that the three tubular branches (11, 12, 13) are adapted to form male joining ends, the upstream branches (11) and downstream (12) being substantially in the alignment of the other, while the control fluid connection means are constituted by two terminal junctions mles (15, 16) substantially in the alignment of each other.