IT201800007015A1 - Remote mechanical stimulation treatments - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to the sector of applications to the body. More specifically, this invention relates to the stimulation of body parts.

Technological context

The background of the present invention is introduced hereinafter with the discussion of techniques relating to its context. However, even when this discussion concerns documents, deeds, artifacts and the like, it does not suggest or recognize that the techniques discussed are part of the known art or are general knowledge in the relevant sector for the present invention.

Stimulation of human body parts is commonly used in a variety of applications (for example, in the medical field). For this purpose, stimulations of various kinds can be applied to the parts of the body; for example, stimulations can be mechanical (or physical), chemical, electrical, thermal.

In particular, mechanical stimulation involves the application of stimulations to the parts of the body based on mechanical actions; for example, such mechanical stimulations may include pressure, traction, friction, flexion, puncture. Typical applications of mechanical stimulation are massages, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture.

Typically, mechanical stimulation is performed manually by corresponding operators. In this way, provided that the operators are sufficiently qualified, it is possible to obtain high quality results, for example, in terms of the effectiveness of the corresponding treatments.

However, the need to contact qualified operators involves non-negligible expenses for such treatments. Furthermore, in general, the execution of the treatments requires people to go to the professional offices of the operators (and therefore to wait for their own turn); this can be incompatible with various personal commitments, and in any case it causes considerable waste of time.

Stimulating devices (mechanical) are available to apply mechanical stimulation automatically; for example, massaging devices can be used to apply pressures of a programmable type and intensity. In general, the stimulating devices are based on mechanical elements (for example, spheres, rollers) which are set in motion, by means of a corresponding electric motor, so as to apply the desired pressures; mechanical stimulators can also be equipped with heating elements (for example, electric coils) to apply heat in combination with mechanical stimulations, so as to increase their effectiveness.

The stimulatory devices simulate the action of the corresponding operators. In this way, it is possible to substantially reduce costs (with the corresponding treatments which become practically free once the purchase cost of the stimulatory devices has been amortized); moreover, this allows the treatments to be carried out comfortably at home, at any time and without any further waste of time.

However, the quality of the treatments performed using the stimulating devices is not comparable with the quality of the treatments performed by the (qualified) operators. In fact, the mechanical stimulations that are applied by the stimulatory devices are generally unnatural. Consequently, the results provided by the stimulator devices are significantly worse than those that can be obtained by addressing the operators. This involves a substantial reduction in the effectiveness of the corresponding treatments.

Also, the types of mechanical stimulation that can be applied by stimulator devices are limited. In fact, these types of mechanical stimulations are strongly dependent on the moving mechanical elements (for which they are generally limited to pressures, at most of varying intensity). Therefore, stimulating devices are generally specific only for particular treatments to particular parts of the body (and are not for general use); this entails an increase in costs in the case in which it is desired to treat parts of the body that require different types of mechanical stimulation.

Summary

A simplified summary of the present invention is presented herein in order to provide a basic understanding thereof; however, the sole purpose of this summary is to introduce some concepts of the invention in simplified form as a prelude to its following more detailed description, and it is not to be interpreted as an identification of its key elements or as a delimitation of its scope.

In general terms, the present invention is based on the idea of performing remote mechanical stimulation treatments.

Specifically, one aspect provides a treatment system for performing a treatment on a person's body part from a distance. The treatment system includes a local unit for use by the person and a remote unit for use by an operator. The remote unit is used by the operator to perform a mechanical action that simulates a mechanical stimulation to be applied to the body part; the remote unit transmits a stimulation signal representative of the mechanical action to the local unit. The local unit applies mechanical stimulation to the body part in accordance with the stimulation signal.

A further aspect provides a remote unit for use in this treatment system.

A further aspect provides a local unit for use in this treatment system.

A further aspect provides a central processor for use in this treatment system.

A further aspect provides a remote processor for use in this treatment system.

A further aspect provides a local computer for use in this treatment system.

A further aspect provides a corresponding method.

A further aspect provides a computer program for performing such a method.

A further aspect provides a corresponding computer program product.

More specifically, one or more aspects of the present invention are indicated in the independent claims and advantageous features thereof are indicated in the dependent claims, with the text of all claims being incorporated herein by reference (with any advantageous features provided by reference to each specific aspect that applies mutatis mutandis to any other aspect).

Brief description of the figures

The solution of the present invention, as well as further characteristics and relative advantages, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limiting indication, to be read in conjunction with the attached figures (in which, for simplicity, corresponding elements are indicated with the same or similar references and their explanation is not repeated, and the name of each entity is generally used to indicate both its type and its attributes - such as value, content and representation). In this regard, it is expressly understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale (with some details that may be exaggerated and / or simplified) and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are simply used to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described. . In particular:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative representation of a treatment system stimulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 shows an illustrative representation of a treatment system stimulator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative representation of a treatment system simulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows an illustrative representation of a treatment system simulator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 shows an example of application of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG.7 shows an example of application of the solution in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative representation of a treatment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 9 shows the main software components that can be used to implement the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG.10A-FIG.10B show an activity diagram that describes the flow of activities related to an implementation of the solution in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

With reference in particular to FIG.1, a schematic representation of a treatment system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The treatment system 100 is used to perform remote treatments on a part of the body of a person, referred to below as the user (not shown in the figure); the treatments are based on the application of mechanical or physical stimulation to the part of the body to be treated.

The treatment system 100 comprises a local unit 105 for use by the user on which the treatments are performed and one or more remote devices 110 for use by operators who control the execution of the treatments (a distance), for example, masseurs / masseuses, physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, beauticians / beauticians, instructors, companions / companions or actors / actresses.

Each remote unit 110 (only one shown in the figure) includes the following components.

A simulator 115 is used by the corresponding operator to perform a mechanical action that simulates a mechanical stimulation to be applied to the body part (as described in detail below). A controller 120 is coupled to the simulator 115 to receive an electrical signal generated by the mechanical action; the controller 120 generates a stimulation signal (for example, digital) which represents the mechanical action. A (remote) communication device, for example, a transceiver 125 is coupled to the controller 120 to receive the stimulation signal and transmit it to the local unit 105 (for example, via the Internet).

Local unit 105 includes the following components.

A (local) communication device, such as a similar transceiver 130 receives the stimulation signal from the remote unit 110. A stimulator 135 is designed to be applied to the part of the body to be treated. A controller 140 is coupled to the transceiver 130 to receive the stimulation signal and is coupled to the stimulator 135 to control it so as to apply mechanical stimulation to the body part in accordance with the stimulation signal (as described in detail below). .

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative representation of the stimulator of the treatment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The stimulation, differentiated with the reference 200, comprises a support 205 capable of adapting to the part of the body to which it is to be applied, indicated with the reference 210 (for example, in the shape of a band to be wrapped around it). The support 205 is provided with a housing 215, which has an elastic wall 220 (or more) intended to be arranged in correspondence with the body part 210 to be treated; the elastic wall 220 (for example, made of rubber) deforms under the action of a force, still returning to its original shape in the absence of the same under normal conditions of use.

In this embodiment, the housing 215 contains a magnetic fluid 225. In general, magnetic fluids are colloidal suspensions, in which solid particles (solute) of ferromagnetic material are suspended in a fluid vehicle (solvent); for example, the (ferromagnetic) particles can be of magnetite or hematite coated with a surfactant (to prevent their agglomeration) and the fluid carrier can be organic material or water. Magnetic fluids are magnetically polarized in the presence of magnetic fields; in general, magnetic fluids have superparamagnetic behavior, and therefore a high magnetic susceptibility (so they can also be magnetized by magnetic fields of small intensity). Consequently, in the presence of magnetic fields, the magnetic fluids vary their rheological characteristics (ie, deformation characteristics, and in particular flow characteristics with respect to the surrounding environment); typically, magnetic fluids are non-Newtonian, or amorphous (that is, with a variable viscosity according to an applied stress). Magnetic fluids are distinguished (according to the size of the ferromagnetic particles) into ferrofluids, in which the ferromagnetic particles have dimensions at the nanometer level (of the order of 5-20 nm) and magnetorheological fluids (MRF), in which the ferromagnetic particles have dimensions at the micrometric level (of the order of 0.1-10 µm); ferrofluids always remain in the fluid state, while magnetorheological fluids can also solidify.

An electromagnetic structure, for example, one or more electromagnets 230 are associated with the support 205 to act on the magnetic fluid 225 (for example, with the electromagnets 230 arranged along the support 205). The electromagnets 230 are selectively activated (by the corresponding controller, not shown in the figure) by circulating a current through a solenoid wound around a ferromagnetic core of each of them (as schematically illustrated in the figure by corresponding field lines). The activated electromagnets 230 generate a magnetic field which surrounds at least a portion of the magnetic fluid 225, which becomes magnetized; the magnetized portion of the magnetic fluid 225 deforms accordingly, thereby applying a corresponding mechanical stimulation to the body part 210.

For this purpose, the electromagnets 230 can be activated in different ways, both individually (by varying the intensity of the current flowing through their solenoid) and globally (by varying their sequence). For example, each electromagnet 230 can be activated with a relatively high intensity current to thicken and / or harden the magnetic fluid 225 locally, thereby applying a corresponding pressure on the body part 210. Conversely, each electromagnet 230 can be activated with a current of relatively limited intensity to create surface ripples of the magnetic fluid 225 (thanks to a phenomenon known as normal field instability), so as to apply a corresponding brushing on the body part 210. In both cases, each electromagnet 230 can be activated and alternately deactivated with a relatively high frequency (for example, 1-10 Hz), so as to apply a corresponding more or less intense vibration to the body part 210. Furthermore, each electromagnet 230 can be activated with an impulsive current to generate needles pointed in the magnetic fluid 225, so as to apply corresponding punctures on the part of c orpo 210. In any case, the electromagnets 230 can be activated in succession, so as to create a displacement effect of the mechanical stimulation along the body part 210. In particular, if the electromagnets 230 are activated with a current of relatively high intensity, the displacement of the corresponding pressures creates the effect of a friction on the body part 210; on the contrary, if the electromagnets 230 are activated with a current of relatively limited intensity, the displacement of the corresponding touches creates the effect of a caress on the part of the body 210. In any case, if the magnetic fluid 225 is ferrofluid, the mechanical stimulations are more localized and soft while if the magnetic fluid 225 is magnetorheological the mechanical stimulations are more widespread and intense.

With reference now to FIG.3, an illustrative representation of the stimulator of the treatment system is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The stimulation, differentiated with the reference 300, is similar to that described above. However, in this embodiment the elastic wall, differentiated with the reference 320, comprises magnetic material; for example, the elastic wall 320 is of magnetized plastoferrite, also known as magnetic rubber. The housing 215 contains a generic fluid, differentiated with the reference 325 (for example, mineral oil). In this case, the activated electromagnets 230 generate a magnetic field which surrounds at least a portion of the elastic wall 320. The magnetic force thus applied to the portion of the elastic wall 320 deforms it (for example, by attracting it); the deformation of the elastic wall 320 causes a corresponding displacement of the fluid 325 in the housing 215, thereby applying a corresponding mechanical stimulation to the body part.

Again, the electromagnets 230 can be activated in different ways (both individually and globally). For example, each electromagnet 230 can be activated with a relatively high intensity current to create a significant concentration of the magnetic fluid 325 locally (so as to apply a corresponding pressure on the body part 210) or with a relatively low intensity current to create a slight concentration of the fluid 325 (so as to apply a corresponding brushing on the body part 210). In both cases, each electromagnet 230 can be activated and deactivated alternatively with a relatively high frequency (so as to apply a corresponding vibration to the body part 210) or with an impulsive current (so as to apply corresponding pricks on the body part 210). . In any case, the electromagnets 230 can be activated in succession, so as to create an effect of displacement of the mechanical stimulation along the body part 210 (in particular, creating the effect of a friction or a caress on the body part 210). .

The use of the fluid (magnetic or not) controlled by the electromagnets (directly or through the elastic wall) allows to obtain a high quality of the treatments.

Furthermore, the types of mechanical stimulations that can be applied are many (variable simply by activating the electromagnets in a different way to create corresponding effects in the fluid). This makes the treatment system very versatile; in particular, the same stimulator can be used for various parts of the body and / or to perform various types of treatments.

The treatments are controlled (remotely) by the operators. Consequently, the treatments are very natural, with results comparable to those that can be obtained by directly addressing the operators.

The above involves a substantial increase in the effectiveness of the treatments. This result is obtained without the need to go to the operators' offices, with a consequent saving of money and time.

The proposed solution allows to perform treatments (of different types) in various applications. For example, the treatment system can be used in the therapeutic (such as for curative, preventive and rehabilitation purposes), cosmetic, virtual reality (such as for simulation and recreational purposes), erotic (such as by remote couples, in services online) and so on.

With reference now to FIG.4, an illustrative representation of the simulator of the treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The simulator comprises a tactile tablet 400. The tactile tablet 400 has a (rigid) base 405, which is equipped with a (lower) wall to rest it, for example, on a table 410. A sensitive membrane, in particular an elastic membrane 415 (for example, rubber) is mounted on a (upper) wall of the base 405, opposite to the one used to support it. The operator can act not his own hands on the elastic membrane 415 (for example, by pressing or touching it in various points) substantially as he would on a part of the body during a corresponding treatment. A series of sensors arranged at the elastic membrane 415 (not visible in the figure) measure the mechanical actions performed by the operator on it and convert them into the corresponding electrical signal (such as a voltage modulated electrical signal); for example, the sensors are capacitive (to detect touches of the elastic membrane 415) and / or piezoelectric (to detect sinking of the elastic membrane 415 inside the base 405).

With reference now to FIG.5, an illustrative representation of the simulator of the treatment system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The simulator includes a sliding structure, in particular a telescopic structure 500. The telescopic structure 500 has a piston 505 and a (hollow) cylinder 510 mutually sliding (with the piston 505 inside the cylinder 510) along their axial direction. The operator can act not with his own hands by sliding the cylinder 510 with respect to the piston 505 (or vice versa) substantially as he would do on a part of the body during a corresponding treatment. As described in detail below, a series of sensors arranged on the piston 505 and on the cylinder 510 measure the mechanical actions performed by the operator on them and convert them into the corresponding electrical signal (as a voltage modulated electrical signal in this case too) .

With reference now to FIG.6, an example of application of the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The sensors of the telescopic structure 500 comprise a magnet 605 which is mounted to the free end of the piston 505 (located inside the cylinder 510) and a series of magnetic switches 610 which are mounted along the cylinder 510. The magnet 605 generates a field magnetic which winds the magnetic switch 610 in proximity to it, thereby activating it; therefore, the activated magnetic switch 610 indicates the (axial) position of the piston 505 along the cylinder 510.

The stimulator 200 (with magnetic fluid) comprises a band 615. The band 615 is sleeve-shaped (ie, generally cylindrical) to be fitted on the body part to be treated (not shown in the figure); for example, the 615 band has a length of 20-50 cm and an internal diameter of 4-20 cm. The band 615 is made of flexible material, so as to conform to the body part; for example, such material is fabric (natural or synthetic). The material of the band 615 is also elastic, so as to adapt to the body part; for example, under normal conditions of use the 615 band can widen (in diameter) by 50-200%. The band 615 contains the support 205, with the housing 215 for the magnetic fluid 225; the support 205 is also in the shape of a sleeve (to be fitted on the body part), and is made of flexible material (so as to conform to the body part) and elastic (so as to adapt to the body part in width). The elastic wall 220 (intended to come into direct contact with the body part) is exposed within the band 615; the elastic wall 220 is soft and hypoallergenic (for example, made of cotton), so as to avoid any risk of irritation. The 615 band also contains the electromagnets 230, outside the support 205; the electromagnets 230 (for example, 10-100) are evenly distributed across the support 205 (for example, at a mutual distance of 1-5 cm).

The figure shows a condition of use of the telescopic structure 500 and the stimulator 200 at different instants (from t1 to t6). In particular, the operator slides the cylinder 510 along the piston 505 (downwards in the figure). In this way, the magnet 605 activates the magnetic switches 610 in succession (from bottom to top in the example in question). Consequently, the electromagnets 230 are activated similarly in succession (in reverse order, from top to bottom in the example in question). The corresponding enlargement of the magnetic fluid 225 then moves along the band 615 (thereby creating the effect of a friction / caress on the body part).

With reference now to FIG.7, an example of application of the solution is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The structure is completely similar to that described above, with the only difference between the stimulator 300 and the elastic wall 320 (of magnetic material) which contains the (generic) fluid 325.

Also in this case, the electromagnets 230 are activated in succession (in response to the activation in succession of the magnetic switches 610 caused by the sliding of the cylinder 510 along the piston 505). The corresponding deformation of the elastic wall 320 (and therefore the displacement of the fluid 325) then moves along the band 615 (thereby creating the effect of a friction / caress on the body part).

Referring now to FIG. 8, an illustrative representation of a treatment system 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The remote unit 110 includes a base 805 (which incorporates the controller and the transceiver) and the simulator 115 (represented in the form of a touch tablet), which is connected to the base 805 (for example, wireless as via Bluetooth). In addition, the remote unit 110 includes a video camera 810 for taking pictures of the operator, a microphone 815 for recording an operator's voice and a loudspeaker 820 (or more) for reproducing audio, which are also connected to the base. 805 (for example, still wireless like via Bluetooth). The operator is also equipped with a personal processing, for example, a (smart) telephone, or smartphone, 825. The base 805 and the telephone 825 are connected to an Internet-based (telecommunication) network 830, for example, via Wi-Fi via an access point, or access point (not shown in the figure).

The local unit 105 includes a base 835 (which incorporates the controller and the transceiver) and the stimulator 135 (shown in the band form), which is connected to the base 835 (for example, wireless as via Bluetooth). In addition, the local unit 105 includes an 840 helmet (for virtual reality applications), which is also connected to the 835 base (for example, still wireless as via Bluetooth). The 840 helmet can be worn by the user, and is equipped with an 845 viewer (for example, 3D type) to reproduce a video, one or more 850 speakers to reproduce an audio and an 855 microphone to record voice of the user. The user is also equipped with a personal computer, for example, another (smart) phone, or smartphone, 860. The base 835 and the phone 860 are also connected to the 830 network, for example, again via Wi-Fi via an access point (not shown in the figure).

Furthermore, the processing system 800 comprises a central computer, for example, a (service) server 865 of a manager of a processing service, which can be accessed on the Internet via the network 830.

Each of the aforementioned processing machines (i.e., base 805, telephone 825, base 835, telephone 860 and service server 865) comprises various units which are connected to each other via a bus structure having one or more levels (not shown in the figure ), with an architecture that is suitably scaled according to the type of processing machine. In particular, one or more microprocessors control the functioning of the processing machine; a non-volatile memory (ROM) contains basic code for starting the processing machine and a volatile memory (RAM) is used as working memory by the microprocessors. The processing machine is equipped with a mass memory for storing programs and data (for example, a flash memory E <2> PROM for the 805,835 bases and for the 825,860 phones and storage devices of a data processing center in which the 860 service server is implemented). Furthermore, the processing machine comprises several peripheral controllers, or input / output (I / O) units; for example, the peripherals of the 805,825 bases include a Bluetooth type network card to communicate locally and a Wi-Fi type network card to connect to access points, the 825,860 phone peripherals include a transceiver to connect to a mobile phone network, a Bluetooth type network card to communicate locally, a Wi-Fi type network card to connect to access points and a touch screen (touch-screnn) to view information and enter commands, and 865 service server peripherals include a network card to connect to the data processing center and then to a console for its control (for example, a personal computer, also equipped with a unit for reading / writing storage units devices, such as optical discs such as DVDs) and to a switch / router subsystem for its communication with the 830 network.

With reference now to FIG. 9, the main program components (software) that can be used to implement the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. In particular, all the software components (programs and data) are indicated as a whole with the reference 900. The software components are typically stored on the mass memory and loaded (at least in part) in the working memory of each processing machine (telephones of the 825 users, 860 operator phones and 865 service servers) when programs are running, in addition to an operating system and various application programs (not shown in the figure). Programs are initially installed on mass storage, for example, from removable storage drives or from the network. In this regard, each program can represent a module, segment or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logic function.

Starting from the 865 service server, it includes a 905 reservations interface to book treatments that are provided by the treatment service manager. The 905 reservations interface accesses (for reading) a 910 user database which stores information relating to users registered with the processing service manager; the 910 user database has a registration for each user, which includes user data, provided that the necessary consent has been provided (such as name, surname, address, telephone and any payment instruments) and authentication data (such as username and password). The 905 reservations interface accesses (in reading) a processing database 915 which stores information relating to the types of processing that are offered by the processing service manager; the treatment database 915 has a record for each type of treatment, which includes a description, a maximum possible duration and a category; the category can be real-time treatment when the treatment is currently generated by an operator or registered treatment when the treatment was previously generated. The 905 reservations interface accesses (in reading) a 920 registration database which stores the registered treatments; the record database 920 has a record for each treatment (recorded), which comprises a command signal that combines a stimulation signal, a video signal and an audio signal of the treatment. The 905 reservations interface accesses (for reading) a 925 multimedia database that stores recorded multimedia files, that is, videos and / or music, which can be associated with treatments. The 905 reservations interface accesses (read / write) a 930 operators database which stores information relating to the operators of the processing service manager; the 930 operator database has a registration for each operator, which includes operator data (such as name, surname, telephone) and the types of treatments that the operator can perform (with or without images and / or voice). The 905 reservations interface accesses (read / write) a 935 calendar database which stores a calendar of treatments; the 935 calendar database has a record for each treatment booked, which indicates the user, the type of treatment, the operator (if the treatment is in real time), an intensity of the treatment, a multimedia of the treatment, the date / time of the treatment and an indicator of the completion of the treatment (performed / not performed). The intensity of the treatment is defined, for example, around a standard value of 1, such as 0.5 to 1.5. Multimedia is defined by corresponding indicators of association of images of the operator, voice of the operator, recorded video and / or music recorded at the treatment (asserted / deasserted). In addition, the 865 service server includes a 940 treatment manager that manages the execution of the treatments. The 940 treatment manager accesses the user database 910 (reading), the treatment database 915 (reading), the registration database 920 (reading), the multimedia database 925 (reading), the operators database 930 (for reading) and to the calendar database 935 (for reading / writing).

The 825 telephone of each operator (only one shown in the figure) includes a mobile application (app) simulations 945 that manages the treatments that are simulated by the operator. The 945 simulations app communicates with the 940 treatment manager (of the 865 service server). The 945 simulation app accesses (read / write) a calendar file (operator) 950 which stores the part of the calendar relating to the operator; the 950 calendar file has a record for each treatment by the operator, which indicates the type of treatment, the date / time of the treatment and the completion indicator.

The 860 telephone of each user (only one shown in the figure) includes a mobile application (app) 955 treatments that manages the user's treatments. The 955 treatments app communicates with the 905 reservations interface and with the 940 treatment manager (of the 865 service server). The 955 treatments app accesses (read / write) a calendar file (user) 960 which stores the part of the calendar relating to the user; the 960 calendar file has a record for each user treatment, which indicates the type of treatment (with its category), the possible operator (if the treatment is in real-time), the intensity of the treatment, the multimedia of the treatment, the date / time of the treatment and the indicator of completion of the treatment.

With reference now to FIG.10A-FIG.10B, an activity diagram is shown that describes the flow of activities related to an implementation of the solution in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, the diagram represents an exemplary process that can be used to manage the treatments with a 1000 method. In this regard, each block can correspond to one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logic function on the relevant processing machines.

Starting from the phone lane of a generic user (registered with the treatment service manager), the user at block 1003 accesses the treatments app to book a treatment on a specific date / time. For this purpose, the treatments app interacts with the booking interface of the service server to authenticate the user (through his username and password of the user database) and allow him to select a desired type of treatment (among those of the treatment database, for which there is at least one operator available at the date / time in accordance with the calendar database if in real-time); in this phase, the user can also select a specific operator (among those of the operators database available at the date / time) if the treatment is in real time, the duration of the treatment (within its maximum value indicated in the treatment database ), the intensity of the treatment (within the minimum and maximum acceptable values), the multimedia of the treatment, that is, images of the operator, voice of the operator, recorded video and / or recorded music (among those of the multimedia database), eventually accepting pre-defined choices. Once a corresponding payment has been made (for example, by credit card), in the service server lane, the reservations interface at block 1006 updates the calendar database accordingly (adding a new registration with the completion indicator equal to not -executed). The booking interface at block 1009 confirms the treatment on the user's phone. In response to this, in the user's phone lane the treatments app at block 1012 adds a corresponding new registration to the user calendar file. At the same time, if the treatment is in real time in the service server lane, the booking interface at block 1015 notifies the treatment on the operator's phone (indicated in the operators database). In response to this, in the operator's phone lane the simulations app at block 1018 adds a corresponding new recording to the operator calendar file.

Returning to the service server lane, the treatment manager at block 1021 continually checks whether there is a treatment that is planned shortly in the calendar database (for example, within 10-15 minutes). If not, the process returns to block 1021 in a wait cycle. On the contrary, the treatment manager in block 1024 sends a notification to the user's phone (indicated in the user database). In response to this, in the user's phone lane, the treatments app at block 1027 issues a notice relating to the treatment. At the same time, if the treatment is in real time in the service server lane, the treatment manager at block 1030 sends a notification to the operator's phone (indicated in the operators database). In response to this, in the operator's phone lane the simulations app at block 1033 issues a warning relating to the treatment. Returning to the service server lane, the process continues from block 1030 to block 1036, in which the treatment manager enters a cycle of waiting for the confirmations necessary to perform the treatment. In particular, the treatment manager is waiting for a confirmation that the user is ready, that is, he has worn the stimulus and the helmet (manually entered by the user in the treatments app that transmits it to the service server); moreover, if the treatment is in real time, the treatment manager is also waiting for a confirmation that the operator is ready (manually entered in the simulations app that transmits it to the service server).

As soon as the treatment manager has received all the necessary confirmations, the process continues to block 1039, where the flow of activities divides according to the type of treatment. If the treatment is in real time, the treatment manager at block 1042 sends a start message to the operator's phone. In response to this, the process splits into two branches which are run in parallel. In a first branch, the simulations app at block 1045 measures (through the corresponding sensors) the electrical signal generated by the mechanical actions performed by the operator on the simulator. The simulations app at block 1048 converts the electrical signal into the corresponding stimulation signal (or, alternatively, receives the stimulation signal directly from the simulator). At the same time in the second branch, if foreseen for the treatment (as indicated in the operator calendar file), the simulations app at block 1051 receives the video signal that represents the images of the operator taken by the video camera and / or the audio signal that represents the operator's voice recorded by the microphone. The process rejoins block 1054, in which the simulations app synchronously combines the stimulation signal and any video and audio signals into the command signal; the simulation app then transmits (in streaming) the command signal to the service server. The simulations app checks in block 1057 if the treatment is completed. If not, the process returns to blocks 1045 and 1051 to repeat the same actions over and over. With reference again to block 1039 in the lane of the service server, if the treatment is registered, the treatment manager at block 1060 extracts the corresponding command signal from the registration database. The process then continues at block 1063 from block 1054 or block 1060. At this point, the treatment manager modifies the command signal in order to adapt its stimulation signal to the intensity of the treatment selected by the user; for example, for this purpose the treatment manager scales the stimulation signal by multiplying its amplitude by the intensity indicator. In addition, if necessary, the treatment manager adds to the command signal the video signal defined by the video chosen by the user and / or the audio signal defined by the music chosen by the user (extracted from the multimedia database as indicated in the calendar database). The treatment manager at block 1066 transmits the command signal thus modified (in streaming) to the user's phone. By switching to the user's phone lane, the treatments app at block 1069 receives the command signal, and extracts the stimulation signal and any video and audio signals from it. The treatments app in block 1072 controls the stimulator in accordance with the stimulation signal (in order to apply the mechanical stimulation corresponding to the mechanical action performed by the operator). At the same time, if necessary, the treatments app at block 1075 commands the helmet viewer to reproduce the video corresponding to the video signal and the helmet speakers to reproduce the audio corresponding to the audio signal (in synchrony with the mechanical stimulation ). The combination of mechanical stimulation with video and / or audio further improves the effectiveness of the treatment. In particular, the images and / or the operator's voice make the treatment even more realistic (providing an experience comparable to the actual presence of the operator in person). Movies and / or music add further stimuli; for example, it is possible to associate videos of natural landscapes with new-age music with relaxing treatments to increase their relaxing effect, action scenario videos with corresponding dialogues with virtual reality treatments to increase their realism, erotic videos with persuasive music to increase their exciting effect. In addition (not shown in the figure) the user can record his own voice (via the helmet microphone) and transmit a corresponding (additional) audio signal to the service server which forwards it to the operator's phone to play it through its loudspeaker ; in this way, the user can submit special requests to the operator or send a reply to the treatment in progress.

Returning to the operator's phone lane, the process passes from block 1057 to block 1078 as soon as the treatment has been completed (as indicated by a command entered manually by the operator in the simulations app). In response to this, the simulations app updates the calendar file by setting the treatment completion indicator equal to performed. The simulations app at block 1081 notifies the completion of the treatment to the service server. In response to this, in the service server lane the treatment manager at block 1084 updates the calendar database accordingly (setting the treatment completion indicator equal to performed). The treatment manager in block 1087 forwards the notification of completion of the treatment to the user's phone. In response to this, in the user's phone lane, the treatments app at block 1090 issues a corresponding alert and updates the calendar file accordingly (setting the completion indicator equal to done).

Changes

Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, a person skilled in the art can make numerous logical and / or physical modifications and variations to the present disclosure. More specifically, although such disclosure has been described in some level of detail with reference to one or more embodiments thereof, it is clear that various omissions, substitutions and changes in form and detail as well as other embodiments are possible. In particular, various embodiments of the present disclosure can be put into practice even without the specific details (such as numerical values) set forth in the previous description to provide a more complete understanding of them; on the contrary, well-known features may have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary details. Furthermore, it is expressly understood that specific elements and / or method steps described in connection with each embodiment of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any other embodiment as a normal design choice. Furthermore, elements presented in the same group and different embodiments, examples or alternatives should not be interpreted as de facto equivalents of each other (but they are separate and autonomous entities). In any case, any numeric value should be read as modified by the term about (if not already done) and any range of numeric values should be understood as expressly specifying any possible number along the continuum within the range (including its extremes ). Furthermore, ordinal or other qualifiers are used merely as labels to distinguish elements with the same name but do not connote by themselves any priority, precedence or order. Furthermore, the terms include, understand, have, contain and involve (and any form thereof) should be understood with an open and non-exhaustive meaning (i.e., not limited to the recited elements), the terms based on, dependent on, in accordance with , second, as a function of (and any form thereof) they should be understood with a non-exclusive relationship (i.e., with any additional variables involved), the term one / one should be understood as one or more elements (unless expressly indicated otherwise ), and the term means for (or any functional formulation) should be understood as any structure suitable or configured to perform the relevant function.

For example, one embodiment provides a treatment system for performing a treatment on a person's body part from a distance. However, the treatment system can be used to stimulate any part of the body (e.g. neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, abdomen, genitals, legs, ankles, feet, etc.) of any person (human or animal). ); moreover, the treatment system can be used remotely (at any distance, for example, in different countries, cities, buildings, rooms and so on) in applications of any type (for example, partial, different and / or additional to those mentioned above, individually or in any combination thereof).

In one embodiment, the treatment system comprises a local unit for use by the person. However, the local unit can be used in any way by the person (for example, directly or with the help of another person).

In one embodiment, the treatment system comprises a remote unit for use by an operator. However, the operator can be of any type (for example, partial, different and / or additional to those mentioned above, individually or in any combination of them).

In one embodiment, the remote unit includes simulation means to perform a mechanical action by the operator that simulates a mechanical stimulation to be applied to the body part. However, the simulation means can be implemented with any structure (for example, a tactile tablet, a sliding structure, a model of the body part, and so on) to perform any mechanical action that simulates any mechanical stimulation (for example, partial, different and / or additional to those mentioned above, individually or in any combination thereof).

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises generation means for generating a stimulation signal representative of the mechanical action. However, the generating means can be implemented with any structure for generating any stimulation signal (e.g., digital, analog, and so on).

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises remote communication means for transmitting a command signal including the stimulation signal to the local unit. However, the remote transmission means can be implemented with any structure (e.g., a transceiver, a simple transmitter, and so on) to transmit the pacing signal in any way (e.g., via any telecommunication network, such as global , geographic, local, cellular, satellite and so on, which exploits any type of wired or wireless connections, such as Wi-fi, Bluetooth, 3 / 4G and so on, both indirectly as through a server and directly).

In one embodiment, the local unit comprises local communication means to receive the command signal from the remote unit. However, the local transmission means can be implemented with any structure (e.g., a transceiver, a simple receiver, and so on) to receive the stimulation signal in any way (see above).

In one embodiment, the local unit comprises stimulation means for applying mechanical stimulation to the body part. However, the stimulation means can be implemented with any structure (for example, sleeve, band, plate, piston, and so on) to be applied to the body part in any way (for example, fitted, wrapped, supported, inserted and so on).

In one embodiment, the local unit comprises control means for controlling the stimulation means in accordance with the stimulation signal. However, the control means can be implemented with any structure (for example, software and / or hardware).

In one embodiment, the stimulation means comprises a housing which has at least one resilient wall to be disposed at the body part. However, the housing can be of any type (e.g., one or more chambers, any number of tubes, a spongy body, and so on) and with any number and type of elastic walls (e.g., rubber, neoprene, elastomer and so on) to be arranged in any way at the body part (e.g., around, above, inside and the like).

In one embodiment, the stimulation means comprise a magnetic fluid contained in the housing. However, the magnetic fluid can be of any type (e.g., ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, and so on) and can be supported in any way (e.g., contained, soaked, and so on).

In one embodiment, the stimulation means comprises electromagnetic means which are adapted to be controlled by the control means for acting on the magnetic fluid in accordance with the stimulation signal. However, the electromagnetic means can be implemented with any structure (for example, with discrete elements, distributed, uniformly arranged at any mutual distance or concentrated in specific areas that require more precise treatment, and so on).

In one embodiment, the stimulation means comprises a further housing which has at least one further resilient wall comprising magnetic material to be disposed at the body part. However, the additional housing can be of any type, with any number and type of elastic walls (see above); moreover, the magnetic material can be of any type (for example, with the elastic wall in which magnetic particles of any size and type are embedded, such as natural, ceramic, sintered and so on, or even entirely in magnetic material).

In one embodiment, the stimulation means comprise a fluid contained in the further housing. However, the fluid can be of any type (for example, oil, water, gel, and so on) and can be supported in any way (see above).

In an embodiment, the stimulation means comprise further electromagnetic means which are suitable to be controlled by the control means to act on the further elastic wall in accordance with the stimulation signal. However, the further electromagnetic means can be implemented with any structure (see above).

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises recording means for recording an audio comprising an operator's voice during said mechanical action. However, the recording means can be implemented with any structure (for example, one or more dedicated microphones, the operator's telephone microphone, and so on) to record any audio (for example, with or without the addition of background music), or they can also be omitted altogether.

In one embodiment, the recording means are suitable for generating an audio signal representative of the audio. However, the audio signal can be of any type (for example, digital, analog, and so on).

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises said remote communication means which are further suitable for transmitting the command signal including the audio signal to the local unit. However, the audio signal can be transmitted in any way (for example, combined with the stimulation signal or on its own, on the same or different channels, with a single or dedicated structure, and so on).

In one embodiment, the local unit comprises speaker means to reproduce the audio in sync with the mechanical stimulation in accordance with the audio signal. However, the speaker means can be implemented with any structure (for example, earphones / headphones integrated into a helmet, goggles or stand-alone, one or more loudspeakers, the user's phone speaker, and so on) or they can also be omitted altogether.

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises filming means for shooting a video including images of the operator during said mechanical action. However, the recording means can be implemented with any structure (for example, one or more dedicated video cameras, the camera of the operator's phone, and so on) to record any audio (for example, a video, static images and so on). via), or they can also be omitted altogether.

In one embodiment, the capture means is adapted to generate a video signal representative of the video. However, the video signal can be of any type (e.g., digital, analog, and so on, stand alone or combined with the audio signal and / or stimulation signal).

In one embodiment, the remote unit comprises said remote communication means which are further suitable for transmitting the command signal including the video signal to the local unit. However, the video signal can be transmitted in any way (for example, combined with the audio signal, combined with the stimulation signal or on its own, on the same or different channels, with a single or dedicated structure, and so on) .

In one embodiment, the local unit comprises display means for reproducing the video in sync with the mechanical stimulation in accordance with the video signal. However, the display means can be implemented with any structure (for example, a 2D / 3D viewer integrated into a helmet, goggles or stand-alone, a monitor, the user's phone screen, and so on) or they can also be omitted altogether.

In one embodiment, the simulation means comprises a tactile tablet. However, the touch pad can be of any type (for example, mechanical, electronic, and so on).

In one embodiment, the tactile tablet has an elastic membrane to perform the mechanical action by touching the elastic membrane. However, the mechanical action can be detected in any way (for example, with capacitive, resistive sensors and so on).

In one embodiment, the simulation means comprises a sliding structure. However, the sliding structure can be of any type (for example, with a telescopic structure such as with a piston sliding inside a hollow cylinder, a sliding ring around a cylinder and so on).

In one embodiment, the sliding structure has two elements that are mutually sliding to perform the mechanical action by sliding the two elements. However, the mechanical action can be detected in any way (for example, with magnetic, capacitive, photocell sensors and so on).

In one embodiment, the magnetic fluid is ferrofluid. However, the ferrofluid can be of any type (for example, with ferromagnetic particles containing Fe <2+>, Fe <3+> and so on).

In one embodiment, the control means is adapted to control the electromagnetic means for causing the magnetic fluid to create surface ripples due to normal field instability. However, the magnetic fluid can be controlled for this purpose in any way (for example, to create ripples of any intensity and extent).

In one embodiment, the control means are suitable for controlling the electromagnetic means to cause the magnetic fluid to move along the housing. However, the magnetic fluid can be moved in any way (for example, unidirectional, bidirectional, deterministic, random) or it can also remain stationary along the housing.

In one embodiment, the control means are suitable for controlling the further electromagnetic means to cause the fluid to move along the further housing. However, the fluid can be moved in any way (both the same or different from above) or it can also remain stationary along the housing.

In one embodiment, the control means is adapted to control the electromagnetic means for causing the magnetic fluid to apply pressure on a region of the body part. However, the magnetic fluid can be controlled for this purpose in any way (for example, to create thickening / hardening of any intensity and extent).

In one embodiment, the control means is adapted to control the further electromagnetic means for causing the fluid to apply pressure on a region of the body part. However, the pressures can be of any type (either the same or different from above).

In one embodiment, the processing system comprises a central processor. However, the central processor can be of any type (for example, one or more physical computing machines, one or more virtual computing machines, or any combination thereof such as in a cloud computing environment, or cloud, and so on. ).

In one embodiment, the central processor is configured to receive the command signal from the remote communication means. However, the central computer can receive the command signal in any way (for example, over the Internet, local network and so on).

In one embodiment, the central processor is configured to transmit the command signal to the local communication means. However, the central processor can transmit the command signal in any way (both the same and different to its reception).

In one embodiment, the treatment system comprises a local computer of the person and a remote computer of the operator. However, the local computer and the remote computer can be of any type, both the same and different from each other (for example, phones, tablets, laptops and so on).

In one embodiment, the local computer and the remote computer are configured to communicate with the central computer to coordinate the treatment. However, the coordination of the processing can involve any number and type of operations (for example, booking, payment, initiation, execution, suspension, completion and so on).

In one embodiment, the local computer is configured to set one or more parameters for the execution of the treatment by the person on the central computer. However, the execution parameters can be in any number and of any type (for example, intensity, duration, softness, and so on) and can be set on the computer in any way (for example, selected in one or more web pages, transmitted with one or more messages and so on).

In one embodiment, the central processor is configured to modify the command signal received from the remote communication means in accordance with the execution parameters. However, the command signal can be modified in any way (for example, by scaling its amplitude, filtering it with any cleaning algorithm, or smoothing, and so on); in any case, the possibility is not excluded of performing these operations (in whole or in part) directly by the local computer (for example, to adjust the audio volume).

Different embodiments provide the remote unit, the local unit, the central computer, the remote computer and the local computer on their own or in any combination. For example, the remote unit can be used offline (even without any transmitter) to record treatment command signals (with or without video / audio) for future use, the local unit can be used offline (even without any receiver) to perform treatments (with or without video / audio) in accordance with command signals stored locally, the central processor can be used to control the execution of remote treatments with any remote unit and local unit (even different from those described above), the remote unit and the local unit can be used to perform remote treatments by communicating directly with each other (even without any central processor), the remote processor and the local processor can be used to coordinate treatments at distance by communicating directly with each other (even without any central processor) and so on.

In general, similar considerations apply if the treatment system, the remote unit, the local unit and the processors (central, local and remote) each have a different structure or include equivalent components (for example, in different materials) or it has other operating characteristics. In any case, any of its components can be separated into several elements, or two or more components can be combined into a single element; moreover, each component can be replicated to support the execution of the corresponding operations in parallel. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, any interaction between different components generally does not need to be continuous, and can be either direct or indirect through one or more intermediaries.

One embodiment provides a method of performing a non-therapeutic treatment on a remote person's body part, wherein the method comprises detecting a mechanical action performed on a remote unit by an operator simulating a stimulation to apply to the body part, typically a stimulation signal representative of the mechanical action in the remote unit, transmit a control signal comprising the stimulation signal from the remote unit to a local unit, receive the stimulation signal from the remote unit in the local unit, and controlling stimulation means of the local unit to apply the mechanical stimulation to the body part in accordance with the stimulation signal. However, the method can be implemented in any way (for example, even with remote units and local units other than those described above).

In general, similar considerations apply if the same solution is implemented with an equivalent method (using similar steps with the same functions of several steps or their portions, removing some non-essential steps or adding additional optional steps); moreover, the steps can be performed in different order, in parallel or overlapping (at least in part).

One embodiment provides a computer program configured to cause a processing system to perform the above method when the computer program is executed on the processing system. One embodiment provides a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium which embeds a computer program, the computer program being loadable into a working memory of a computer system thereby configuring the computer system to realize the same method. However, the program can be structured in a different way, and different, alternative or additional modules / functions can be provided. The program can take any form suitable for use by a computer system (for example, the remote unit, the local unit, the central computer, the remote computer, the local computer, or any combination thereof), with this by configuring the processing system to perform the desired operations; in particular, the program can be in the form of external or resident software, firmware, or micro-code (both in object code and in source code - for example, to be compiled or interpreted). Furthermore, it is possible to provide the program on any computer readable storage medium; the storage medium is any tangible medium (other than transient signals per se) that can maintain and store instructions for use by the processing system. For example, the storage medium can be of the electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor type; examples of such storage media are hard disks (where the program can be preloaded), removable disks, memory sticks (for example, USB), and the like. The program can be downloaded to the computer system from the storage medium or via a network (for example, the Internet, a geographic network and / or a local network including transmission cables, optical fibers, wireless connections, network devices); one or more network adapters of the processing system receive the program from the network and forward it for storage in one or more storage devices of the processing system. In any case, the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention lends itself to being implemented with a hardware structure (for example, by electronic circuits integrated in one or more chips of semiconductor material), or with a combination of software and hardware properly programmed or otherwise configured.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. A treatment system (100) for performing a treatment on a body part of a person remotely, the treatment system (100) comprising a local unit (105) for use by the person and a remote unit (110) for use by an operator, wherein the remote unit (110) includes: simulation means (115) to perform a mechanical action by the operator that simulates a mechanical stimulation to be applied to the body part, generation means (120) to generate a stimulation signal representative of the mechanical action, e remote communication means (125) to transmit a command signal including the stimulation signal to the local unit (105), and in which the local unit (105) includes: local communication means (130) to receive the command signal from the remote unit (110), stimulation means (135) for applying mechanical stimulation to the body part, e control means (140) for controlling the stimulation means in accordance with the stimulation signal, the stimulation means (135) comprising: a housing (215) having at least one elastic wall (220) to be arranged at the body part, a magnetic fluid (225) contained in the housing (215) and electromagnetic means (230) adapted to be controlled by the control means (140) to act on the magnetic fluid (225) in accordance with the stimulation signal, or a further housing (215) having at least one further elastic wall (320) comprising magnetic material to be arranged at the body part, a fluid (325) contained in the further housing (215) and further electromagnetic means (230) suitable for be controlled by the control means (140) to act on the further elastic wall (320) in accordance with the stimulation signal. 2. The treatment system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the remote unit (110) comprises: recording means (815) to record an audio including an operator's voice during said mechanical action by generating an audio signal representative of the audio, and said remote communication means (125) further suitable for transmitting the command signal including the audio signal to the local unit (105), and in which the local unit (105) comprises: speaker means (850) to reproduce the audio in synchrony with the mechanical stimulation in accordance with the audio signal. 3. The treatment system (100) according to claims 1 or 2, in which the remote unit (110) comprises: shooting means (810) to shoot a video including images of the operator during said mechanical action, generating a video signal representative of the video, and said remote communication means (125) further suitable for transmitting the command signal including the video signal to the local unit (105), and in which the local unit (110) comprises: display means (845) for reproducing the video in synchrony with the mechanical stimulation in accordance with the video signal. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the simulation means (115) comprises a tactile tablet (400) having an elastic membrane (415) for performing the mechanical action by touching the elastic membrane (415) or a sliding structure (500) having two mutually sliding elements (505,510) to perform the mechanical action by sliding the two elements (505,510). The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the magnetic fluid (225) is ferrofluid. The treatment system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means (140) are adapted to control the electromagnetic means (230) to cause the magnetic fluid (225) to create surface ripples for normal field instability. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control means (140) is adapted to control the electromagnetic means (230) to cause the magnetic fluid (225) to move along the housing (215) or controlling the further electromagnetic means (230) for causing the fluid (325) to move along the further housing (215). The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control means (140) is adapted to control the electromagnetic means (230) to cause the magnetic fluid (225) to apply a pressure on a region of the body part or to control the further electromagnetic means (230) for causing the fluid (325) to apply pressure to a region of the body part. The processing system (800) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processing system (800) comprises a central processor (865) configured to receive the command signal from the remote communication means (125) and for transmitting the command signal to the local communication means (130), a local computer (860) of the person and a remote computer (825) of the operator configured to communicate with the central computer (865) to coordinate the processing. The processing system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the local computer (860) is configured to set one or more processing execution parameters on the central computer (865), and wherein the central computer (865) is configured to modify the command signal received from the remote communication means (125) in accordance with the execution parameters.