GB2436064A

GB2436064A - Remote controls for back treatment device

Info

Publication number: GB2436064A
Application number: GB0605046A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Stobart; Peter Herman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-14
Filing date: 2006-03-14
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Also published as: WO2007104928A1; GB0605046D0

Abstract

Controls for a hand-held electro-pneumatic physiotherapy device in which the controls are fitted to the handset device itself. Preferably the controls are co-axial with the control conductors and air supply hose. The control signals may be based on voltage or amperage level or amplitude or frequency modulated wave forms. A solenoid valve may be controlled by changing signal polarity thorough diode circuits or by direct switching. The physiotherapy device may also include a rubber cover to protect the operator from reciprocating work-related injuries. The handset may be computer controlled.

Description

1 2436064 Remote Controls For Back Treatment Device This invention

relates to the provision of remote controls to electro- pneumatic physiotherapy equipment commonly used for spinal mobilization and specifically in relation to electro-pneumatic versions of the equipment described in patent no. GB2223 175.

The equipment described in patent no. GB2223 175 is a hand-held device for the treatment of spinal disorders, this device has four pneumatically driven reciprocating feet that operate in diagonally opposed pairs in order to counter rotate adjacent vertebrae by exerting force on the transverse processes.

The equipment consists of a base unit which supplies the compressed air and the handset, which the operator holds and is connected to the base unit by umbilical hose or hoses.

The treatment has a wide range of parameters allowing the operator to manipulate the spine slowly and progressively, to use a rapid hammer like treatment to stimulate muscular responses and to be used for more general massage.

The original equipment, (as described in patent no. GB2223 175), was pneumatically powered and controlled. A rotary restrictor valve was incorporated in the handset for speed control, a sprung pilot valve started and stopped the device and a regulator on the base unit controlled the pressure.

This invention relates to more recent electro-pneumatic controlled designs.

In this type of equipment the handset is computer controlled, this gives a greater range of performance characteristics, these can include the ramping up and down of pressure during the stroke cycle and the ability to pause between rapid strikes.

This type of device has miniature solenoid valves fitted inside the handset to enable the high speeds and sensitive responses required, this has necessitated the use of two supply hoses, one to supply the air and one to carry the electrical conductors, these are sited on one side of the handset and the exhaust air outlet is on the opposite side.

Because the handset fits in the palm of the one hand it requires two opposing faces for the operator to grip and this makes it very difficult to fit any controls to it and therefore existing electro-pneumatic versions of this equipment have had all the operating controls sited on the base unit.

The invention overcomes these problems by a combination of innovations that allow the operator to stop and start the handset and adjust the speed and pressure remotely while still holding the handset.

Adjustments can be made while the handset is running or while it is in standby mode, provision is made on the base unit to change the mode of operating cycle.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows two drawings of a handset indicating the position of the controls.

Figure 2 shows the components that make up the pressure control and the hose assembly.

Figure 3 shows the components that make up the speed control, the stop start control and the rubber cover.

Figure 4 shows the angled sides of the handset rubber cover.

Figure 5 shows a schematic electrical diagram of the control circuit.

A single hose 5,6, supplies air and electrical control signals to and from the handset, this passes through the centre of a rotary pressure control knob 2.

At the opposite end of the handset there is an identical rotary control knob 11 that controls the speed, in the centre of this knob there is a push button 10 that starts and stops the unit, exhaust air is ducted under this knob through a low profile silencer 17 such that the exhaust air does not hit the patient or operator.

The provision of a moulded rubber cover I enables the handset to be held comfortably in one hand while providing the operator with protection from reciprocating work related injuries and also allowing access to the controls with the free hand.

This cover has radiused top edges 18 and swept sides 19 such that it is narrower at the base, this makes it easier to hold with one hand because the hand has to be opened slightly before the unit can be released. This also gives a high degree of protection to the operator with minimal increase in overall size.

In the centre of the coaxial hose six electrical conductors 6 are earned in a sealed plastic sleeve, special gland fittings 8 at either end of the hose allow the sleeved conductors to be separated from the air flow-path.

The fitting that anchors the hose to the handset 7 passes through the centre of the pressure control knob 2, a six position knob detent mechanism 4 and a rotary potentiometer 3, it is then locked into the air cavity while the conductor sleeve emerges into the valve cavity through a gland fitting 8.

On the opposite side of the unit the startlstop button plunger 10 passes through the centre of the speed control knob 11, a return spring 12, the knob detent mechanism 13 and potentiometer track 14. A metal disc 15 is fitted to the end of the plunger and when pressed forwards against the contacts pins 16 forms a momentary switch.

The knob assemblies are locked into the handset housing by two vertical pins 9 at either end. To prevent full rotation of the knobs stop pins are fitted in the detent mechanism.

The computer software interprets what position both knobs are in by measuring the voltage across their respective potentiometers. Each knob has six detent positions that correspond to six programmed parameter settings.

Light emitting diode displays on the base unit indicate what position each knob is in and also displays the speed and pressure selected In reference to figure 5 item 21 indicates the electrical circuit inside the handset while indicates the base unit computer, the pneumatic circuit of the handset has not been shown.

The base unit computer controls the air output to the handset and the triggering signals to the electro-pneumatic solenoid valves 27.

Inductive spikes are caused when switching the solenoid valve coils, to prevent interference to the control conductors two dedicated conductors are used for the solenoid valves, these conductors are connected to the solenoid coils via diodes 26 and are connected in opposite directions, switching is achieved by changing the polarity of the signal. When there is no signal the handset feet stay in the retracted position.

The pressure control signal is generated as a variable voltage by potentiometer 23 the computer senses the voltage and determines the pressure setting based on preset voltage ranges. The speed control signal is generated as a variable voltage by potentiometer 24 the computer senses the voltage and determines the speed setting based on preset voltage ranges.

The momentary closure of switch 25 causes the handset to stop if it is running or start if it is stopped.

Claims

Claims 1. The controls for hand-held electro-pneumatic physiotherapy

devices similar to that outlined in patent no. GB2223 175 in which the controls are fitted to the handset device itself.

2. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim 1 that are co-axial with the control conductors and air supply hose.

3. A rubber cover for hand-held electro-pneumatic physiotherapy devices similar to that outlined in patent no. GB2223 175 that protect the operator from reciprocating 4. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim 1 where control signals are based on voltage level.

5. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim 1 where control signals are based on amperage level.

6. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim 1 where control signals are based on amplitude or frequency modulated wave forms.

7. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim I where solenoid valve control is by changing signal polarity through diodes circuits.

8. Controls for physiotherapy devices according to claim I where solenoid valve control is by direct switching.