GB2366206A

GB2366206A - Limb massaging device

Info

Publication number: GB2366206A
Application number: GB0021003A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William George Lyne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-26
Filing date: 2000-08-26
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0021003D0

Abstract

The invention provides a mechanical device for stimulating the blood flow through the blood vessels of a human limb 1, wherein a pressurising member 2 is caused to pass in a continuous path firstly over the surface of the limb in a direction from the lower to the upper part of the limb, a moderate pressure meanwhile being applied by the pressurising member to the surface of the limb, and then to complete the continuous path out of contact with the limb. Member 2 may take the form of a bar or a rotatable roller with a concave surface. Member 2 may be advanced along the continuous path by a reciprocating mechanism or supported on an endless belt of chain.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> LIMB MASSAGING DEVICE This invention concerns a mechanical device for stimulating the blood flow through the veins and arteries of a human limb. The flow of blood through the circulatory system of a human body is often found to be hindered as a result of constriction, or thickening of the walls, of blood vessels as a consequence of disease or ageing. It has been found that massaging a limb, especially a leg, in such a way as to apply gentle pressure first at a point near the lower extremity of the limb, and then to move the point of application of the pressure progressively up the limb, stimulates the flow of blood up the veins towards the heart. It is desirable to provide such a massaging action by automated means so that the patient and medical staff are freed to perform other activities while the treatment is in progress.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device which will apply massaging treatment of the type described above continuously and automatically.

The invention provides a mechanical device for stimulating the blood flow through the blood vessels of a human limb, wherein a pressurising member is caused to pass in a continuous path firstly over the surface of the limb in a direction from the lower to the upper part of the limb, a moderate pressure meanwhile being applied by the pressurising member to the surface of the limb, and then to complete the continuous path out of contact with the limb.

The pressurising member may be, for example, a bar which is orientated transversely to the limb. A membrane of a resilient and/or flexible material may be interposed between

the pressurising member and the surface of the limb. Preferably the pressurising member is a rotatable profiled roller. More preferably a plurality of profiled rollers is caused to pass in a continuous path of the type described above.

Advantageously, the or each roller is formed in the shape of a barrel having inwardly curved side walls. Rollers formed with such a profile are found to provide greater support for the limb and to maximise the surface area of the roller which is in contact with the surface of the limb. Preferably, the or each roller is formed with an axial rigid spindle surrounded by a coaxial sleeve of a soft resilient material.

The or each pressurising member may be advanced along the continuous path by means of a reciprocating mechanism. For example, the pressurising member(s) may be caused to pass over the surface of the limb in a direction from the lower to the upper part of the limb in an outward stroke of the mechanism, and to return to its starting point along a path on which it is out of contact with the limb in a return stroke. Alternatively the or each pressurising member on a drive means in the form of a continuous loop. The drive means may be a belt passing around at least two pulley wheels or a chain passing around at least two sprocket wheels. At least one of the pulley wheels or of the sprocket wheels is driven in a manner such as to advance the pressurising member(s) along the continuous path.

The following is a description of one embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, and is illustrated by means of the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a limb massaging device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a roller for a device in accordance with the invention.

In Figure 1, a human leg 1 is shown resting on a limb massaging device in accordance with the invention. A continuous train of rollers 2 (only three shown)is provided, each roller being supported at each end of an axial shaft 3 in a bearing (not shown). Each bearing is connected to and supported by a chain indicated by the dashed line 4 passing over two sprocket wheels (not shown), one of which is driven by an electric motor to advance the chain in an anti-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow S.

Each of the rollers 2 comprises a rigid axial shaft 3 surrounded by a profiled sleeve 6 of a soft resilient material such as a latex or plastics foam. The profile of the sleeve 6 is such as to give the roller the shape of a barrel having inwardly curved side walls. A roller having a profile of this type is found to provide improved comfort for the user and to maximise the surface area of the roller which is in contact with the user's leg.

In operation, a user rests his leg on the rollers which are supported in such a way that vertical displacement of the rollers when the weight of the leg bears upon them is minimised. As a result, the weight of the leg bearing on the rollers causes the rollers to exert an upward pressure on the under surface of the leg, which is the part of the leg in which the major blood vessels are concentrated. When the continuous train of rollers is set into motion, points of pressure are applied to the under surface of the user's leg,

and these points of pressure travel continuously up the leg from the lower part to the upper part. The massaging action generated by this upward movement of points of pressure along the leg has been found to be beneficial in stimulating the flow of blood through the veins towards the heart.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A mechanical device for stimulating the blood flow through the blood vessels of a human limb, wherein a pressurising member is caused to pass in a continuous path firstly over the surface of the limb in a direction from the lower to the upper part of the limb, a moderate pressure meanwhile being applied by the pressurising member to the surface of the limb, and then to complete the continuous path out of contact with the limb.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurising member is a bar which is orientated transversely to the limb.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a membrane of a resilient and/or flexible material may be interposed between the pressurising member and the surface of the limb.
4. A device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the pressurising member is a rotatable profiled roller.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of profiled rollers is caused to pass in a continuous path firstly over the surface of the limb in a direction from the lower to the upper part of the limb, a moderate pressure meanwhile being applied by the rollers to the surface of the limb, and then to complete the continuous path out of contact with the limb.
6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each roller is formed in the shape of a barrel having inwardly curved side walls.

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7. A device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the or each roller is formed with an axial rigid spindle surrounded by a coaxial sleeve of a soft resilient material.
8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each pressurising member is advanced along the continuous path by means of a reciprocating mechanism.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each pressurising member is supported at each end on a belt passing around at least two pulley wheels, at least one of which is driven in a manner such as to advance the roller(s)along the continuous path.
10. A device according to any one of claims I to 7, wherein the or each pressurising member is supported at each end on a chain passing around at least two sprocket wheels, at least one of which is driven in a manner such as to advance the roller(s)along the continuous path.
11. A mechanical device for stimulating the blood flow through the veins of a human limb as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.