KR20240053676A - Massage device for arthritis treatment and pain relief - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain that can simultaneously apply electrical stimulation with high stimulation efficiency as well as thermal treatment. A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention treats arthritis occurring in the fingers or toes and relieves pain caused by arthritis, and is detachable from the fingers or toes and attached to the fingers or toes. It may include a stimulation providing unit that provides heat or electrical stimulation, and a control unit that is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit and is detachable from the body to be positioned spaced apart from the stimulation providing unit.

Description

Massage device for arthritis treatment and pain relief}

The present invention relates to a massage device for arthritis treatment and pain relief that can simultaneously apply not only heat treatment but also electrical stimulation with high stimulation efficiency, and can selectively massage painful areas due to arthritis using a separate stimulation providing part, Regarding the technology of an arthritis treatment and pain relief massage device that treats arthritis occurring in the fingers or toes and relieves pain caused by arthritis, allowing you to perform other tasks that require hand and foot movements that were impossible when they were all in one piece. will be.

The cartilage between the joint bones is surrounded by a synovial membrane, and the synovial fluid secreted by the synovial membrane allows the joint to move smoothly. Arthritis is a disease that occurs when the synovium becomes inflamed or the cartilage becomes worn or damaged. Representative types of arthritis include degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, erosive spondylitis, gout, and recurrent arthritis.

Among these, degenerative arthritis is the most common arthritis disease and refers to a condition in which the cartilage at the ends of bones wears away and disappears. Osteoarthritis mainly occurs in finger, toe joints, and knee joints. There are more than 4 million arthritis patients in Korea, complaining of constant pain in various areas and discomfort in daily life.

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis has a short pain duration of less than 30 minutes, and pain can be reduced by relaxing the muscles and nerves in the joint area. Accordingly, various types of arthritis massagers are sold in the market. Arthritis massagers currently on the market are mainly based on the principle of relaxation around the painful area through acupressure using air pressure or heat therapy (hot water, paraffin, etc.) to promote finger metabolism.

Most commercially available products are in the form of gloves that cover the entire hand and foot for acupressure, or insert fingers and toes into a bath-type device to heat the solution to apply heat to the entire painful area.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-1897906 (2018.09.05) Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0035241 (2010.04.05) Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0089501 (2018.08.08) Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0013827 (2020.02.10)

Most of the conventional massagers are designed to cover the painful area, which has the disadvantage that the user cannot accurately and selectively massage the painful area. In addition, both the glove and bath types had the inconvenience of not being able to do other activities while using the massager because the devices were large and heavy.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a portable arthritis pain relief device that can be used in daily life even after wearing it using local thermal treatment using a heat conduction pad and a detachable cable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.

A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention to achieve the problem to be solved is to treat arthritis occurring in the fingers or toes and relieve pain caused by arthritis, and is used to treat arthritis in the fingers or toes. It includes a stimulation providing unit that is demountable and provides heat or electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes, and a control unit that is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit and is demountable to the body so as to be positioned spaced apart from the stimulation providing unit.

The stimulation providing unit includes a heat providing unit that provides heat to the fingers or toes.

The stimulation providing unit includes an electrical stimulation providing unit that provides electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes.

The stimulation providing unit includes a stimulation providing unit body having one surface in contact with the finger or toe and another surface not in contact with the finger or toe, wherein a conductor is located on one surface and an insulator is located on the other surface.

The main body of the stimulation providing unit is bent to surround the finger or toe so that the one surface is in close contact with the finger or toe.

The stimulation providing unit main body includes a first connecting portion located on one side and a second connecting portion located on the other side, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are in contact with each other, and the stimulation providing portion is connected to the finger or It is mounted on the toe.

The main body of the stimulation providing unit has a ring-type shape so that the stimulation providing unit can be inserted into the finger or toe.

The control unit includes a stimulation management unit that delivers and manages a source for the stimulation provider to provide the heat or electrical stimulation, a manipulation unit for manipulating the stimulation management unit, and a display unit that displays the status of the heat or electrical stimulation provided. Includes.

The stimulation management unit includes a heat management unit that delivers and manages a first source for providing heat to the stimulation providing unit so that the stimulation providing unit provides heat to the fingers or toes, and the stimulation providing unit provides electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes. To this end, the stimulation providing unit includes an electrical stimulation management unit that delivers and manages a second source for providing electrical stimulation.

The stimulation management unit further includes a control unit that adjusts the first source output from the thermal management unit and the second source output from the electrical stimulation management unit.

The control unit receives an control signal from the control unit and adjusts the output of the first source and the second source based on the control signal.

The manipulation unit may include an manipulation button for adjusting the intensity of output of the first source and the second source.

The manipulation unit may include a touch unit for controlling the intensity of output of the first source and the second source, and the touch unit may be displayed on the display unit.

The display unit may display the on/off state of the massage device, the intensity and duration of the heat or electrical stimulation, and the usage time of the massage device.

It further includes a power supply unit that supplies power to drive the stimulus management unit, the manipulation unit, and the display unit.

It further includes an electrode cable electrically connecting the stimulation providing unit and the control unit.

With the massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can selectively massage a painful area due to arthritis using a separate stimulation providing part.

Additionally, when made separately, users can perform other tasks that require hand and foot movements that would not be possible when made as one piece.

The massage device for arthritis treatment and pain relief according to an embodiment of the present invention can simultaneously apply electrical stimulation with high stimulation efficiency as well as thermal treatment, thereby improving pain relief and treatment efficiency.

Figure 1 shows a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2 to 4 show a stimulation providing portion of a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain.
Figure 5 shows the control unit of a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain.
Figure 6 shows the display unit of the control unit.
Figure 7 exemplarily shows a state of wearing a massage device for treating arthritis and alleviating pain according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains is not limited. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Specific details for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings attached below. Regardless of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and “and/or” includes each and all combinations of one or more of the mentioned items.

The terminology used herein is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms also include plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise in the context. As used in the specification, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements in addition to the mentioned elements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 1 shows a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 to 4 show a stimulation providing part of the massage device for treating arthritis and alleviating pain, and Figure 5 shows a massage device for treating arthritis and alleviating pain. Figure 6 shows the control part of the relief massage device, Figure 6 shows the display part of the control part, and Figure 7 exemplarily shows a state of wearing a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the arthritis treatment and pain relief massage device 10, which treats arthritis occurring in the fingers or toes and relieves pain caused by arthritis, is demounted to the fingers or toes and provides heat to the fingers or toes. Alternatively, it may include a stimulation providing unit 100 that provides electrical stimulation, and a control unit 200 that is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit and is detachable from the body to be positioned spaced apart from the stimulation providing unit.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the stimulation providing unit 100 is attached to and detached from a finger or toe, and provides heat or electrical stimulation to the finger or toe when attached. This can contribute to the treatment of arthritis occurring in fingers or toes and alleviation of pain.

The stimulation providing unit 100 may include a heat providing unit 110 and an electrical stimulation providing unit 120. When the stimulation providing unit 100 is mounted on a finger or toe, the heat providing unit 110 of the stimulation providing unit 100 may provide heat to the finger or toe. For this purpose, the heat providing unit 110 may be equipped with a heating element or heating element (not shown) that generates heat. For example, an element or heating element that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, such as a far-infrared ray generator or a heat generator, may be provided. Here, a heating element or a planar heating element may be used as an example.

Additionally, when the stimulation providing unit 100 is mounted on a finger or toe, the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 of the stimulation providing unit 100 may provide electrical stimulation to the finger or toe. For this purpose, the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 may be equipped with a device (not shown) that transmits electrical energy to fingers or toes. For example, a device that generates electrical stimulation based on electrical energy provided from a power source, such as a coil or a positive potential low-frequency generator, may be provided.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the stimulation providing unit 100 may include a stimulation providing unit main body 130 having one surface 131 in contact with the finger or toe and the other surface 132 not in contact with the finger or toe. . The heat providing unit 110 and the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 are installed in the stimulation providing unit main body 130, and the heat providing unit 110 and the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 are exposed to the outside of the stimulation providing unit main body 130. It doesn't work.

A conductor 143 is located on one side 131 of the stimulation providing unit main body 130. The conductor 143 is in contact with a finger or toe. As a result, the heat and electrical stimulation provided from the heat providing unit 110 and the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 can be transmitted to the fingers or toes through the conductor 143. For this purpose, the conductor 143, the heat providing unit 110, and the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 are electrically connected.

Meanwhile, an insulator is located on the other side of the stimulation providing unit main body 130. As a result, the heat and electrical stimulation provided to the heat providing unit 110 and the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 are not transmitted to the outside through the other surface. The insulator may be a material such as latex or Teflon, for example.

The stimulation providing unit main body 130 may be bent to surround the finger or toe so that one side 131 can be more closely attached to the finger or toe. That is, as the stimulation providing unit main body 130 bends around the finger or toe, it can bend and curl around the finger or toe. To this end, the stimulation providing unit main body 13 may have flexible characteristics.

When the stimulation providing unit main body 130 is rolled and mounted on a finger or toe, the stimulation providing unit main body 130 may include fixing means to maintain the rolled state. That is, the first connection part 141 may be located on one side 131 of the stimulation providing unit main body 130, and the second connection part 142 may be located on the other side 132. In order to attach the massage device 10 to a finger or toe, the stimulation providing unit body 130 is bent and dried, and then the first fastener 141 and the second fastener 142 are connected to fix and maintain the curled state. Make sure they touch. The first connection part 141 and the second connection part 142 come into contact with each other, and the first connection part 141 and the second connection part 142 are connected and fixed, and the stimulation providing unit main body 130 is connected to the finger. Alternatively, it can be secured wrapped around the toes. By this, the stimulation providing unit 100 is mounted on the fingers or toes.

The first connection part 141 and the second connection part 142 may include, for example, Velcro tape. As a result, the user can relatively easily attempt to couple and separate the first coupler 141 and the second coupler 142.

Meanwhile, the stimulation providing unit main body 130 may be configured in a ring-type shape. In this case, the stimulation providing unit main body 130 can be inserted into a finger or toe in a ring shape. As a result, the stimulation providing unit 100 can be mounted on a finger or toe. Even if the stimulation providing unit main body 130 is configured in a ring-type shape, a conductor may be located on the inner surface of the ring, and an insulator may be located on the outer surface of the ring. Here, the inner surface of the ring refers to the surface that contacts the finger or toe, and the outer surface of the ring refers to the surface that does not contact the finger or toe.

Next, the control unit 200 that is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit 100 will be described.

The control unit 200 is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit 100 and can be demounted and mounted on the body to be positioned spaced apart from the stimulation providing unit 100. The control unit 200 is formed separately from the stimulation providing unit 100, but is electrically connected to it.

For example, when the stimulation providing unit 100 is mounted on a finger, the control unit 200 may be mounted on a wrist spaced apart from the finger. Additionally, when the stimulation providing unit 100 is mounted on the toe, the control unit 200 may be mounted on the ankle spaced apart from the toe.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 200 includes a stimulation management unit 210 that delivers and manages a source for the stimulation providing unit 100 to provide the heat or electrical stimulation, and a stimulation management unit 210 for manipulating the stimulation management unit 210. It may include a manipulation unit 220 and a display unit 230 that displays the status of the heat or electrical stimulation provided.

The stimulation management unit 210 may include a thermal management unit 211, an electrical stimulation management unit 212, an adjustment unit 213, and a time control unit 214.

The stimulation management unit 210 is a heat management unit that delivers and manages the first source for providing heat to the heat providing unit 110 of the stimulation providing unit 100 so that the stimulation providing unit 100 provides heat to the fingers or toes. It may include (211). In addition, the stimulation management unit 210 transmits a second source for providing electrical stimulation to the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 of the stimulation providing unit 100 so that the stimulation providing unit 100 provides electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes. It may include an electrical stimulation management unit 212 that manages it.

The heat management unit 211 is electrically connected to the heat providing unit 110 of the stimulation providing unit 100. The thermal management unit 211 generates and outputs a first source based on power supplied from the power supply unit. The first source is in the form of electrical energy, and the output and intensity can be adjusted by the control unit 213, which will be described later. The heat providing unit 110 of the stimulation providing unit 100 receives a first source for providing heat from the heat management unit 211, and generates heat energy to be provided to the fingers or toes based on the first source.

Meanwhile, the electrical stimulation management unit 212 is electrically connected to the electrical stimulation providing unit 120 of the stimulation providing unit 100. The electrical stimulation management unit 212 generates and outputs a second source based on the power supplied from the power supply unit. The second source is in the form of electrical energy, and the output and intensity can be adjusted by the control unit 213, which will be described later. The electrical stimulation providing unit 120 of the stimulation providing unit 100 receives a second source for providing electrical stimulation from the electrical stimulation management unit 212 and, based on the second source, provides electrical stimulation to be provided to the fingers or toes. generates

The control unit 213 controls the first source output from the heat management unit 211 and the second source output from the electrical stimulation management unit 212. When the control unit 213 receives an control signal from the operation unit 220, it adjusts the intensity and output of the first or second source based on this. The manipulation unit 220 may generate an adjustment signal according to the user's manipulation.

That is, if the user feels that he or she wants to change the intensity of the heat or electrical stimulation provided, the user can adjust the intensity of the heat or electrical stimulation to change through the operation unit 220. At this time, the operation unit 220 generates a control signal based on the contents of the user's operation and transmits it to the heat management unit 211 or the electrical stimulation management unit 212. When the heat management unit 211 or the electrical stimulation management unit 212 receives the control signal, it adjusts the output of the first source or the second source based on this, and sends it to the heat providing unit 110 of the stimulation providing unit 100 or It is delivered to the electrical stimulation providing unit 120.

For example, if the user wants to strongly change the intensity of the electrical stimulation provided, the user adjusts the intensity of the electrical stimulation to increase through the operation unit 220, and the operation unit 220 is used to increase the intensity of the electrical stimulation. Generates a control signal. The generated control signal is transmitted to the electrical stimulation management unit 212, and the electrical stimulation management unit 212, which receives the control signal, increases the intensity of the second source and outputs it, and provides the electrical stimulation of the stimulation providing unit 100. The second source is delivered to unit 120. The electrical stimulation providing unit 120 generates electrical stimulation with increased intensity compared to the existing one based on the received second source and provides it to the user's fingers or toes.

The time control unit 214 can control the usage time of the massage device 10. That is, if the user sets the usage time, the operating time of the massage device 10 can be adjusted accordingly.

The manipulation unit 220 may include manipulation means (not shown) for the user to adjust the intensity of heat or electrical stimulation. Additionally, the operating time of the massage device 10 can be set and the power of the massage device 10 can be turned on/off using the manipulation unit 220. The control unit 220 may be mainly used to adjust the intensity of heat or electrical stimulation.

Meanwhile, as the user adjusts the intensity of heat or electrical stimulation, the manipulation unit 220 can adjust the intensity of the output of the first source and the second source. That is, the manipulation unit 220 may include manipulation means for adjusting the intensity of the output of the first source and the second source.

The operating means included in the operating unit 220 may be exemplarily configured as follows. That is, the operating means is not shown, but it includes a temperature control button for controlling the output temperature of the heat management unit 211, an electrical stimulation control button for controlling the output intensity and method of the electrical stimulation management unit 212, and a time control unit 214. ) may include a time control button to adjust the massage time and a power button to turn the device on/off. In this case, each button may be configured to be located on one or both sides of the control unit 200.

Additionally, the operating means may be composed of a touch unit (not shown) for adjusting the intensity of the output of the first source and the second source, instead of the button as described above. The touch unit may be configured in a touch screen panel format to be operated on the display unit 230 of the control unit 200. Accordingly, the user can check the operating state through the display unit 230 and intuitively manipulate the state of the massage device 10 through the touch unit.

The control unit 200 includes a display unit 230 that displays the operating state of the massage device 10, as shown in FIG. 6, so that the user can know the state of the massage device. The display unit 230 may display, for example, the on/off status of the massage device, the intensity and duration of the heat or electrical stimulation, the usage time of the massage device, etc. The operating conditions are not limited to those listed above. In addition to what is listed above, the display unit 230 can display information that allows the user to determine the status of the massage device 10.

The control unit 200 may include a control unit body 201 including a first side and a second side. The display unit 230 may be located on the first surface, and the second surface is the surface where the control unit 200 contacts the body.

Additionally, the stimulus management unit 210 and the control signal generation unit of the manipulation unit 220 may be located inside the control unit main body 201. The stimulation management unit 210 and the control signal generation unit of the operation unit 220 may be implemented by integrating electronic components on a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). The circuit board is located inside the control unit main body 201.

Meanwhile, the massage device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a power supply unit 250 that supplies power to drive the stimulation management unit 210, the manipulation unit 220, and the display unit 230. The power supply unit 250 may receive power through a rechargeable battery or a power network.

The massage device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode cable 300 that electrically connects the stimulation providing unit 100 and the control unit 200. The electrode cable 300 may be composed of a conductor wire through which electricity flows, and the outside of the wire may be coated with an insulating material.

By using the massage device 10 for arthritis treatment and pain relief according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can selectively massage the painful area due to arthritis using the separate stimulation providing part 100. Additionally, referring to Figure 7, when manufactured as a separate type, the user can perform other tasks requiring hand and foot movements that were impossible when manufactured as an integrated type. The massage device 10 for treating arthritis and relieving pain according to an embodiment of the present invention can simultaneously apply electrical stimulation with high stimulation efficiency as well as thermal treatment, thereby improving pain relief and treatment efficiency.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, the stimulation providing unit and the control unit are shown to be placed separately and connected by an electrode cable, but the present is not limited thereto, and the stimulation providing unit and the control unit are configured as an integrated body to provide a massage device for treating small arthritis and relieving pain. You can also use it.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be manufactured in various different forms, and those skilled in the art will understand the technical idea of the present invention. It will be understood that it can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

10: Massage device 100: Stimulation providing unit 200: Control unit
110: heat providing unit 120: electrical stimulation providing unit 130: stimulation providing unit main body
141: first connection part 142: second connection part 143: conductor
210: Stimulus management unit 220: Control unit 230: Display unit
211: Heat management unit 212: Electrical stimulation management unit 213: Control unit

Claims (16)

In the arthritis treatment and pain relief massage device that treats arthritis occurring in the fingers or toes and relieves pain caused by arthritis,
A stimulation providing unit that is detachably attached to the finger or toe and provides heat or electrical stimulation to the finger or toe,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, including a control unit that is electrically connected to the stimulation providing unit and is detachable from the body so as to be positioned spaced apart from the stimulation providing unit. According to claim 1,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, wherein the stimulation providing part includes a heat providing unit that provides heat to the fingers or toes. According to claim 1,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, wherein the stimulation providing unit includes an electrical stimulation providing unit that provides electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes. According to claim 1,
The stimulation providing unit includes a stimulation providing unit main body having one surface in contact with the finger or toe and the other surface not in contact with the finger or toe,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that a conductor is located on one side and an insulator is located on the other side. According to clause 4,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that the main body of the stimulation providing unit is bent to surround the finger or toe so that the one surface is in close contact with the finger or toe. According to clause 5,
The stimulation providing unit main body includes a first connection portion located on one side and a second connection portion located on the other side,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that the first connection part and the second connection part come into contact with each other and the stimulation providing part is mounted on the finger or toe. According to clause 4,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that the main body of the stimulation providing unit has a ring-type shape so that the stimulation providing unit is inserted into the finger or toe. According to claim 1,
The control unit includes a stimulation management unit that delivers and manages a source for the stimulation providing unit to provide the heat or electrical stimulation;
a control unit for operating the stimulus management unit;
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, including a display unit that displays the status of the heat or electrical stimulation provided. According to clause 8,
The stimulation management unit includes a heat management unit that delivers and manages a first source for providing heat to the stimulation providing unit so that the stimulation providing unit provides heat to the fingers or toes;
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, including an electrical stimulation management unit that delivers and manages a second source for providing electrical stimulation to the stimulation providing unit so that the stimulation providing unit provides electrical stimulation to the fingers or toes. According to clause 9,
The stimulation management unit further includes a control unit that controls the first source output from the heat management unit and the second source output from the electrical stimulation management unit. According to claim 10,
The control unit is a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that it receives a control signal from the control unit and adjusts the output of the first source and the second source based on the control signal. According to claim 11,
The manipulation unit is a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, including a manipulation button for controlling the intensity of output of the first source and the second source. According to claim 11,
The manipulation unit includes a touch unit for controlling the intensity of output of the first source and the second source, and the touch unit is displayed on the display unit. According to clause 8,
The display unit is a massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, characterized in that it displays the on/off state of the massage device, the intensity and duration of the heat or electrical stimulation, and the usage time of the massage device. According to clause 8,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, further comprising a power supply unit that supplies power to drive the stimulation management unit, the manipulation unit, and the display unit. According to claim 1,
A massage device for treating arthritis and relieving pain, further comprising an electrode cable electrically connecting the stimulation providing unit and the control unit.

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