FR2652499A1 - Device for stimulating the human body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for stimulating the human body. e e device according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a contact member (6) and means for bringing the said member alternately into and out of contact with the skin (3). Application to treatment of the human body.

Description

The invention relates to a device for stimulating the human body which can receive numerous applications for the local or remote treatment of a very large number of imbalances or ailments.

The human body is made up of approximately 70% water and we find that, under the effect of certain stimulations, it behaves much like a volume of water wrapped in a pocket.

-We know stimulation systems, in particular certain acupuncture points, which plan to apply at one or more points a massage caused by a more or less hard protrusion, tight against the skin, and which is sinking alternately in the skin under the effect of muscle contractions (see US-A1,481,354 and EP-A-0 197 831).

These known systems are intended to act with precision on the chosen point, in particular the acupuncture point, in order to stimulate it. However, the action is limited because it is linked to muscle contractions. In these systems, the projection is permanently in contact with the skin and it is only the pressure which varies alternately. By taking up the previous theory, we note that, as on the surface of a body of water, this reciprocating movement produces only a very localized disturbance, that is to say that the whole body does not not receive the vibratory movement thus generated. In addition, the rhythm and duration of emission are determined by muscle contractions only.

There are also known devices called vibrators which are applied to a localized place on the skin and which, under the action of an electric motor, produce a vibratory movement analogous to the previous massage, that is to say with permanent contact on the skin.

The applicant has been able to observe experimentally that alternative movements applied in one place of the skin, according to which an organ is alternately brought into contact with the skin and separated from the skin by producing a light hammering, are transmitted very far in the body, to the way of a wave maintained on the surface of a body of water.

The present invention aims to create a mechanical stimulation device of the human body creating such alternative movements. The rapid withdrawal of the contact organ represents the most stimulating instant, as on the surface of the water this instant causes the clearest wave.

To this end, the device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a contact member and means for bringing said member alternately into contact and out of contact with the skin.

Preferably, said member is surrounded by a positioning crown on the skin. In this case, the contact member can be advantageously connected to the positioning ring by an elastically deformable membrane.

Advantageously, said means are adjustable in frequency and / or in amplitude of displacement of the contact member.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said means are pneumatic. In this case, the contact member may be integral with a tube sliding in another tube, the assembly being enclosed in a chamber delimited by said crown, said membrane and a closure wall, said chamber comprising an inlet for air from a compressor and modulated by a pressure variator.

According to a variant, said means are mechanical. In this case, they may comprise a cam driven by an elotric motor via a speed variator, said cam acting on said pressure member against the action of said elastic membrane,
The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description made with reference to the appended drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a device according to an example
ple of embodiment of the invention, pneumatically actuated
tick, and figure 2 is similar to figure 1, for
a variant with mechanical actuation.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 1 open at its lower part to form a circular crown 2 for bearing on the skin 3. In the opening 4 of the crown 2 is housed an elastically deformable membrane 5 on which is in support a contact member 6 which can be glued to the membrane 5. The member 6 is integral with a tube 7 which slides in another guide tube 8 of larger diameter fixed to the upper wall of the housing 1.

The housing 1 has a lateral opening 9 to which is connected a flexible pipe 10 connected to an air compressor 11 by means of a pressure variator 12. The housing 1 also comprises an upper air outlet 13 for the compressed air received in the chamber 14 inside the housing 2, as well as the lateral lower exhaust holes 15 for the air trapped between the membrane 5 and the skin 3.

The adjustment of the pressure variator 12 makes it possible to vary the stroke and the frequency of movement of the contact member 6. It has been found that the best results are obtained when the contact is very light and that the withdrawal is very rapid.

In the variant of FIG. 2, the same elements are designated by the same references. The contact member 6 is controlled by a cam 16 driven by the shaft 17 of an electric motor 18, with the interposition of a speed reducer 19. The frequency variations are produced by the reducer 19. The amplitude of the movement of the member 6 can be adjusted by modifying the cam 16.

It is also possible to envisage a hydraulic control which would offer higher precision for the movements of the contact member.

The device according to the invention can be applied at acupuncture points to produce remote stimulation of the corresponding organs or parts of the body. It can also be placed outside these points and produce, for example, a relaxation wave transmitted in a large part of the body surrounding the point of contact, so as to produce, for example, a relaxation of a muscle or of a nervous center.

Claims (9)

Claims 1. Device for stimulating the human body, characterized in that it comprises a contact organ (6) and means for bringing said organ alternately into contact and out of contact with the skin (3). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said member (6) is surrounded by a crown (2) for positioning on the skin (3). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact member (6) is connected to the positioning crown (2) by an elastically deformable membrane (5). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 i 3, characterized in that said means are adjustable in frequency and / or in amplitude of movement of the contact member (6). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said means are pneumatic. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact member (6) is integral with a tube (7) sliding in a tube (8) of larger diameter, the assembly being enclosed in a chamber ( 14) delimited by said crown (2), said membrane (5) and a closure wall, said chamber (14) comprising an air intake (9, 10) coming from a compressor (11) and modulated by a variator pressure (12). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said means are mechanical. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said means comprise a cam (16) trailed by an electric motor (18) by means of a speed variator (19) said cam (16) acting on said pressure member (6) against the action of said elastic membrane (5). 9. Device according to one of claims i to 4, characterized in that said means are hydraulic.