RU2386428C1 - Vibratory-mechanical spinal massage device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medical equipment and more specifically to therapeutic facilities for impaired spine and can be used in neurology, physiotherapy, traumatology, orthopaedics, for treatment of non-infectious spinal diseases and damages. A device comprises a hollow case with its working surface designed as a couch with a rectangular opening closed with a cover from above and supplied with thermal elements, two handles, and in-built massaging trolley with paired massaging rollers designed as a rocker with its rotation axis pivotally connected to rocker arms in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel of the massaging trolley, paired travelling rollers movable along guides, a contraction assembly mounted on the paired travelling rollers under the massaging trolley and comprising a four-link leverage with one end of each paired links pivotally connected to the rocker axis of the massaging trolley, and with the other end rigidly connected to the matched axis of the paired travelling rollers, a longitudinal translation assembly comprising a kinematics consisting of a cam, a chain drive with chain gears and a reducer connected to the matched electric drive, an electric vibrator mounted on the massaging trolley, and a program block provided with a remote control panel with an emergency button. The massaging trolley is arranged under the rectangular opening of the couch which is designed in its head; the contraction assembly is provided with a first and second additional links each of which is rigidly connected to the matched axis of the paired travelling rollers, a contraction level sensor and the matched electric drive with its ends connected respectively to the first and second additional links of the contraction assembly, an input of the program block is connected to an output of the contraction level sensor, and outputs - with electric drives of the contraction assembly and the longitudinal translation assembly, the electric vibrator and thermal elements made of thermal cloth strips of conductive polymer thermal fibres and "sewed" in the cover. On the axes of the paired massaging rollers of the massaging trolleys, from the cover, there are nonmagnetic supports whereon there are arranged permanent with opposite poles, the longitudinal translation assembly is built in the case under foot of the couch and provided with a pull rod with its ends pivotally connected respectively to the cam of the longitudinal translation assembly and the additional link of the contraction assembly, and the handles are attached to the couch from below.

EFFECT: improved thermal therapeutic effect, and thereby mechanical spinal massage, reduced dimensions (height) and weight of the case of the device; lower risk of the patient's traumatism when using the device for medical procedures.

3 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to medical equipment, and more specifically to means for treating the spine in violation of its functions, and can be used in neurology, physiotherapy, traumatology, orthopedics, for the treatment of diseases and injuries of the spine of a non-infectious nature, including lumbosacral radiculitis, scoliosis, spondylosis, kyphosis, osteochondrosis, dislocation, injuries with subluxation and other disorders of the location of the vertebrae, post-traumatic conditions, for the correction and prevention of diseases of the lumbar and chest th spine by vibratory massage with simultaneous thermal and magnetic relaxation of the paravertebral muscles and ligaments.

Prior art

Based on the analysis of materials from the patent and other scientific, technical and medical-technical literature, the authors found that in the treatment of spinal diseases, the main types of physical effects on the spine are:

- manual or mechanical (hardware) massage,

- thermal heating,

- vibration

- magnetotherapy.

Massage is a complex of dosed mechanical effects on the patient’s body, carried out by the hands of a doctor or using special devices to develop, strengthen and restore its functions, treatment and prevention of diseases. The massage is based on the effect on the maximum reception area, taking into account the functional relationship between all parts of the human body. Massage stimulates the contractility of muscles, leads to the restoration of their tone.

Thermal exposure (heat therapy) is intended to warm up the massaged part of the patient’s body and can be carried out using special thermal elements built into the massage device. Heat acts at the tissue level. In cells, the formation of biologically active substances (proteins) is activated, which stimulate metabolic and restoration processes. The therapeutic effect is based on the direct effect of thermal energy on the smooth muscles of blood vessels, which leads to an expansion of the lumen of the capillaries and increased circulation in diseased tissues. The metabolic rate, the filtration process, the outflow of lymph increases. This mobilizes the resources of the body, accelerates the elimination of accumulated products of inflammation.

Vibration is designed to increase the therapeutic effect of mechanical massage and is realized either with the help of special vibrators, manually moved around the massaged area of the patient’s body, or with the help of vibrators built into the equipment for massage of the spine.

The impact of a magnetic field on the affected areas of the body (magnetotherapy) is an effective method of treating diseases of the spine [1, 2]. Magnetic field treatment is indicated for diseases of the joints and spine, vascular diseases, diseases of the nervous system, injuries and their consequences, for thermal injuries, etc. The magnetic field has anti-inflammatory, decongestant and other actions. There are practically no harmful side effects, which reduces the area of contraindications compared to other physiotherapeutic factors [3, p.6]. Acting on the walls of blood vessels, the magnet prevents the formation of blood clots in them, helping to improve blood flow. Improving blood flow, in turn, improves the delivery of oxygen molecules and endorphins into the tissue [4, p. 34-35, 74-77].

Magnetotherapy uses for treatment and prophylactic purposes constant, low-frequency variables and pulsed magnetic fields [5, p.182]. The most promising is the use of constant and alternating magnetic fields. Variable magnetic fields can be created by moving permanent magnets in space or using sources of variable fields that are built into the equipment for the treatment of the spine [6-9].

The magnetic field and, in particular, general magnetotherapy is one of the factors that have a central regulatory effect on various body systems. The biological activity of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the number of its biotropic parameters and is maximum when the field is “running” (dynamic magnetotherapy). The dynamic impact is the main condition for optimal physiotherapy [10].

As a result of the analysis of the identified medical and medical-technical literature, the authors established the following analogues of the claimed device.

A known apparatus for mechanical massage of the spine, comprising a body consisting of a frame, a tabletop with an aperture, a support for a lifting device with a traverse, in which a massage and gymnastic instrument is installed in the form of a horizontal freely rotating roller, consisting of a set of massage and gymnastic rings of various configurations, which has the ability controlled vertical movement relative to the opening of the countertop located above the traverse, and the massage and gymnastic table is equipped with a magnetotherapy unit [eleven].

A known apparatus for the treatment of diseases of the spine (lumbar osteochondrosis) with a magnetic field, comprising a housing with a couch and a magnetic inductor mounted above the couch [2].

During treatment using this apparatus, the patient is placed on the couch with his stomach down, and a magnetic inductor is fixed above his back. The treatment of the disease is ensured by exposing the patient to the necessary part of the patient’s back with a source of magnetic induction fixed in space.

Known apparatuses for magnetotherapy containing a table for accommodating a patient, inductors made with the possibility of moving along the table [9, 12].

The above apparatuses [2, 9, 11, 12] are characterized by the complexity of the design and a small set of types of physical effects on the patient's body.

A known apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine [13], containing a hollow body mounted at one end on fixed, such as rubber, supports, and the other end on a movable frame, pivotally connected to the body and equipped with movement rollers on the supporting surface, a couch with a slot placed on the housing and formed from a fixed section provided with patient body retainers and thermal elements, and a movable section configured to longitudinally reciprocate along the first trolley mounted on the rails and equipped with a movement mechanism with an electric drive of movement, the first lifting device mounted on the first trolley and equipped with an electric drive of lifting, the first platform mounted on the first lifting mechanism and equipped with rollers placed in the slots of the couch massagers, an electric vibrator mounted on the first platform, the tilt mechanism of the housing, articulated to the housing and the movable frame and equipped with an electric the housing tilt drive, the sensors of the level of rise and angle of inclination of the housing and the program unit with a control panel, the inputs of which are connected to the outputs of the sensors of the level of rise and angle of inclination of the housing, and the outputs - with electric drives of movement, rise, vibration, tilt of the body and thermal elements, also contains the kneecap, made in the form of a second platform, mounted above the movable section of the couch and equipped with vertical struts passing through a longitudinal groove made in the movable section of the couch, placed inside to rpusa second trolley mounted on the guide, the second elevating mechanism mounted on the second carriage and fitted with a motorized lifting and bushings, which are placed inside the uprights of the second platform, the second drive of the lifting mechanism connected to an output program unit.

In addition, the control panel of the software unit is made remote, a handrail is installed on the end of the case from the side of the fixed section of the couch, and the couch is sheathed with an artificial coating, for example, synthetic leather, under which a filler, for example foam rubber, is placed.

Also known apparatus for vibrational mechanical massage of the spine [14], containing a hollow body, the working surface of which is made in the form of a couch with a rectangular slot in its head section and is equipped with thermal elements, sections of which are located on opposite sides of the rectangular slot of the couch, kneecap installed above the foot section of the couch and equipped with vertical uprights, a movable platform placed inside the casing, mounted on rails and equipped with a longitudinal movement mechanism with an electric drive, a massage trolley pivotally connected to a support and equipped with pairs of massager rollers placed in a rectangular slot of a couch, an electric vibrator mounted on a massage trolley, a lifting mechanism, a lift level sensor and a program unit equipped with a remote control and emergency button, made by remote, the input of the program unit is connected to the output of the lift level sensor, and the outputs are connected to the electric drives of the longitudinal movement mechanism, vibration and thermal elements, it also contains transverse movement mechanism inside the body and electrically powered, to which are connected the vertical legs of the knee protector passing through the transverse groove made in the leg section of the couch, while the lifting mechanism is mounted on the body and connected via a flexible shaft to the handle mounted on the body, the longitudinal movement mechanism with an electric drive mounted on rails, some ends of which are pivotally connected to the body, and the other ends are mounted on a lifting mechanism, the support of the massage trolley is fixed on a moving platform, an electrically driven vibrator is placed on a massage trolley near a pair of massager rollers farthest from the head area of the couch where the patient’s head is located, the hinge between the massage trolley and the support is equipped with a damping sleeve, the hinge between the guides and the body is made in the form of rubber bushings placed between the ends of the rails and the bracket of the housing, and the output of the software unit is connected to the electric drive of the transverse movement mechanism.

In addition, the rectangular slot of the couch is covered with a cape from above, the emergency button is located on the control panel, and the control panel is placed on a rack mounted on the side wall of the case.

The above devices [13, 14] are also characterized by the complexity of the design and a small set of types of physical effects on the patient's body.

Characterization and criticism of the prototype

The closest invention to the proposed according to the greatest number of similar features, technical nature, circuit design and achieved by using the technical result is an invention intended for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine and described in [15].

Such an invention, selected as a prototype, contains:

- a hollow body, the working surface of which is made in the form of a couch with a rectangular slot closed on top with a cape, and thermal elements built into the couch, located on opposite sides of the rectangular slot of the couch, two handrails attached to the walls of the body,

and placed in the case:

- a massage trolley with pairs of massager rollers, made in the form of a rocker arm, the axis of rotation of which is pivotally connected to the arms of the rocker arm in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the massage trolley,

- a pair of displacement rollers, made with the possibility of movement along the rails,

- a preload unit mounted on pairs of displacement rollers under the massage trolley and made in the form of a four-link lever mechanism, each pair of links of which is pivotally connected to the axis of the rocker arm of the massage trolley at one end, and the other end is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers,

- a longitudinal-translational movement mechanism installed under the preload unit and made in the form of a kinematic chain consisting of a fork, a cam, a chain transmission with sprockets and a gearbox connected to the corresponding electric drive,

- electric vibrator mounted on a massage trolley,

- and a software unit equipped with a remote control panel with an emergency button, while:

- the massage trolley is installed under the rectangular slot of the couch, which is made in its head part,

- the preload unit is provided with first and second additional links, each of which is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers, a preload level sensor and a corresponding electric drive, the ends of which are connected respectively with the first and second additional links of the preload unit,

- the fork of the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement is rigidly connected to the additional link of the preload unit,

- the input of the software unit is connected to the output of the preload level sensor, and the outputs are connected to the electric drives of the preload unit and the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism, an electric vibrator and thermal elements.

Note. Highlighted features distinguish the prototype from the claimed invention.

Such a device is characterized by the following disadvantages.

1. Thermal elements are built into the couch and are located on different sides from the rectangular slot of the couch.

With this arrangement of thermal elements, the massaged portion of the patient’s back located directly above the rectangular slot cannot warm up sufficiently, since the thermal elements can, at best, be placed only around the perimeter of the rectangular slot and cannot be located in the slot itself. As a result, the corresponding portion of the patient’s back does not warm up enough, which ultimately reduces the effectiveness of thermomechanical massage.

Thus, the rectangular slot does not allow the placement of thermal elements over the entire area of the couch, corresponding to the massaged area of the spine.

2. The mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement is placed under the preload unit, and, therefore, under the rectangular slot of the couch.

Such a constructive solution increases the risk of patient injuries during the treatment procedure. The fact is that only the cloak separates the patient’s back from the internal mechanisms of the apparatus. Moreover, the most “active source of energy” of the apparatus is its longitudinal-translational movement, which generates efforts to move the massage trolley. If the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism breaks down, it is possible to cause injury to the patient’s back through the rectangular slot of the couch. Therefore, to reduce the risk of injury, it is necessary to place the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement in the housing so that it is not under the rectangular slot of the couch.

In addition, the placement of the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism under the preload unit increases the dimensions (height) of the device body, as well as the weight of the body.

3. In the apparatus, handrails are attached to the walls of the housing.

The body of the device to reduce its weight is made of fiberglass. The practice of operating such devices by the applicant has shown that the most durable connection of the handrails to the device is ensured when the handrails are attached from below to the couch, the basis of which is a panel made, as a rule, of plywood with a thickness of at least 10 mm.

The invention is aimed at providing such technical results:

1. Increase in the apparatus of the effectiveness of thermal massage (increase of thermotherapy) and, as a result, mechanical massage of the spine;

2. Reducing the dimensions (height) and weight of the apparatus;

3. Reducing the risk of patient injuries when conducting medical procedures on the device.

Achievement of technical results

These technical results are achieved by the fact that the known apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine, containing a hollow body, the working surface of which is made in the form of a couch with a rectangular slot closed on top with a cape, equipped with thermal elements, two handrails and placed in the body

- a massage trolley with pairs of massager rollers, made in the form of a rocker arm, the axis of rotation of which is pivotally connected to the arms of the rocker arm in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the massage trolley,

- a pair of displacement rollers, made with the possibility of movement along the rails,

- a preload unit mounted on pairs of displacement rollers under the massage trolley and made in the form of a four-link lever mechanism, each pair of links of which is pivotally connected to the axis of the rocker arm of the massage trolley at one end, and the other end is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers,

- the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement, made in the form of a kinematic chain consisting of a cam, a chain transmission with sprockets and a gearbox connected to the corresponding electric drive,

- electric vibrator mounted on a massage trolley,

- and a software unit equipped with a remote control panel with an emergency button, while:

- the massage trolley is installed under the rectangular slot of the couch, which is made in its head part,

- the preload unit is provided with first and second additional links, each of which is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers, a preload level sensor and a corresponding electric drive, the ends of which are connected respectively with the first and second additional links of the preload unit,

- the input of the software unit is connected to the output of the preload level sensor, and the outputs - to the electric drives of the preload unit and the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement, an electric vibrator and thermal elements, differs from the known one in that

- thermal elements are made of strips of thermal fabric based on conductive polymer thermal fibers and are “sewn” into the cape,

- on the axes of the pairs of rollers-massagers of the massage trolley fixed non-magnetic supports, on which are installed permanent magnets with the opposite orientation of the poles,

- the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement is installed in the housing under the foot part of the couch and is equipped with a rod, the ends of which are pivotally connected respectively to the cam of the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism and an additional link of the preload unit,

- and the handrails are attached from below to the couch.

In addition, the couch is equipped with a set of head restraints. The set of head restraints includes head restraints made in the form of a roller, a three-quarter roller, a half-roller, a quarter roller and a wedge (Fig. 8).

Verification of patentability conditions “novelty”

The main features that distinguish the claimed device from the prototype are:

- the implementation of thermal elements from strips of thermal fabric based on conductive polymer heat fibers "sewn" into the cape,

- fixing on the axes of the pairs of rollers-massagers of the massage trolley of non-magnetic supports, on which permanent magnets are installed with the opposite orientation of the poles,

- installing the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement in the housing under the foot of the couch and supplying it with a rod, the ends of which are pivotally connected respectively to the cam of the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism and an additional link of the preload unit,

- fastening the handrails from below to the couch.

In addition, the couch is equipped with a set of head restraints. The set of head restraints includes head restraints made in the form of a roller, a three-quarter roller, a half-roller, a quarter roller and a wedge (Fig. 8).

The presence of these distinctive features ensures compliance of the claimed device with the patentability condition of "novelty" under the current law.

Checking the conditions of patentability "inventive step"

To verify compliance with the requirements of the inventive step, the authors conducted an additional search and analysis of solutions in order to identify signs that match signs that are different from the selected prototype, the results of which showed that the claimed object does not explicitly follow from the prior art defined by the authors.

In other words, a comparison of the claimed device not only with the prototype, but also with other technical solutions in this and related fields of medical technology showed that the latter do not contain features similar to those distinguishing the claimed invention from the prototype.

When searching in the patent and scientific literature, devices of a similar purpose with features similar to the distinguishing features of the claimed object were not identified, while the combination of its features is not obvious from the prior art, based on which it can be concluded that the proposed object meets the patentability condition " inventive step ".

It should be noted that there is a causal relationship between the totality of the essential features of this invention and the technical results achieved, since the distinctive features were not identified in any of the analogues, and the achieved technical results are obtained only when all known and distinctive features are used together .

This confirms the conclusion on the compliance of the claimed device with the condition of patentability "inventive step" under the current law.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is illustrated by drawings:

- figure 1 shows a General view of the apparatus in three projections;

- figure 2 shows a massage trolley and a preload unit (in the section aa);

- figure 3 shows a massage trolley and unit preload apparatus (top view);

- figure 4 shows the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement of the apparatus;

- figure 5 shows the placement on the massage trolley of permanent magnets with the opposite orientation of the poles;

- figure 6 shows the effect of an alternating magnetic field generated using permanent magnets on the patient's body;

- Fig.7 shows the main electrical connections in the apparatus;

- on Fig shows a set of head restraints, which is equipped with a couch apparatus.

Description of device design

The apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine contains (Fig. 1) a hollow fiberglass body 1, the working surface of which is made in the form of a couch 2, consisting of a panel sheathed with artificial coating (artificial leather), under which a filler (foam) is placed - not shown.

A longitudinal rectangular slot 4 is made in the head (left) part 3 of the couch 2, corresponding to the location of the patient’s spine on the couch 2 and covered with a cape 5. The cape 5 is equipped with Velcro fasteners and rubber loops attached to the couch that are hooked, which are installed on housing 1 (not shown).

Thermal elements 6 made of thermal fabric strips based on electrically conductive polymer thermal fibers are “sewn” to the cape 5 from below [16].

The device is equipped with a removable (remote) control panel 7, located in a special socket 8, which is attached to the housing 1 using the rack 9. The emergency button is located on the control panel 7 (not shown).

The apparatus also has two handrails 10, "parallel" to the longitudinal axis of the couch 2 and attached from below to the couch 2. The housing 1 of the apparatus is placed on the floor on two pairs of supports 11.

Inside the housing 1 under the head part 3 of the couch 2 (under a rectangular slot 4) are placed (Fig.2-4):

- a massage trolley with pairs of massager rollers 12 and 13, made in the form of a rocker arm, the axis of rotation of which 14 is pivotally connected to the arms 15 and 16 of the rocker arm in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the massage trolley, while the axes 17 and 18 of the pairs of massager rollers 12 and 13 are rigidly connected to the arms 15 and 16 of the rocker arm;

- a pair of rollers 19 and 20 moving, made with the possibility of movement along two guides 21;

- a preload unit mounted on pairs of rollers 19 and 20 under the massage trolley and made in the form of a four-link lever mechanism, each pair of links 22 and 23 of which is pivotally connected to the axle 14 of the rocker arm of the massage trolley with one end and rigidly connected to the corresponding axis 24 or 25 pairs of movement rollers 19 and 20; wherein the preload unit is provided with first 26 and second 27 additional links, each of which is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis 24 or 25 of the pair of displacement rollers 19 and 20, a preload level sensor 28 and a corresponding electric drive 29, the ends 30 of which are connected respectively with the first 26 and second 27 additional links of the preload unit.

Inside the case 1 under the foot (right) part 31 of the couch 2 is placed (Fig. 4) a mechanism 32 of the longitudinal-translational movement (in Fig. 1 it is shown conventionally by a dash-dotted line), made in the form of a kinematic chain, consisting of a cam 33, a chain transmission 34 with sprockets 35 and a gearbox 36 connected to the corresponding electric drive 37 (Fig.7); while the mechanism 32 of the longitudinal-translational movement is provided with a thrust 38, the ends of which are pivotally connected respectively to the cam 33 of the mechanism 32 of the longitudinal-translational movement and the second additional link 27 of the preload unit.

In addition, inside the housing 1 are placed:

- electric vibrator 39, mounted on a massage trolley (figure 2 and 3);

- non-magnetic coasters 40, mounted on the side of the cape 5 on the axes 17 and 18 of the pairs of massager rollers 12 and 13 of the massage trolley (figure 5);

- permanent magnets 41 and 42 installed with the opposite orientation of the poles on non-magnetic supports 40 (Fig.3, 5, 6); while the magnetization axis of the magnets 41 and 42 are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the massage trolley;

- a software unit 43 provided with a remote control 7 with an emergency button (not shown); wherein the input of the program unit 43 is connected to the output of the preload level sensor 28, and the outputs are connected to the electric drive 29 of the preload unit and the electric drive 37 of the longitudinally translational movement 32, an electric vibrator 39 and thermal elements 6 (Fig. 7).

The couch 2 is equipped for the convenience of placing patients on it a set of head restraints (Fig. 8).

The purpose and functions of structural elements of the device

The housing 1 is the main supporting structural element of the device.

The purpose of the couch 2 is to place the patient on it during the treatment procedures.

Cape 5 is designed to exclude direct contact of the massager rollers 12 and 13 with the back of the patient. In addition, on the cape 5 are fixed thermal elements 6.

Thermal elements 6 are designed to increase the effectiveness of mechanical massage by heating the muscles and ligaments of the patient's back during medical procedures.

The remote control 7 is designed to set the operating modes of the apparatus and control the operation of program unit 43 during the procedures. Remote 7 is a combination of touch switches and indicators (not shown).

Handrails 10 can be used when carrying (moving) the device. In addition, the patient can hold onto them with his hands when placed on the couch 2, during the procedure and when getting up from the couch 2.

Supports 11 provide a stable position of the housing 1 on the floor.

The massage trolley with massaging rollers 12 and 13 is intended for direct mechanical massage of the patient’s back.

The preload unit, which performs the function of a jack, ensures that the massage trolley with massager rollers 12 and 13 is pressed against the patient's back. In this case, the necessary pressing force is generated by its electric drive 29. The latter can be implemented, for example, on the basis of the serial manufactured by the industry product ACTUATOR LA 12 PCL, which is a converter for rotating the rotor of “its” electric motor into longitudinal-translational movement of its rod 44 (Fig. 2 ) In the process of operation of the electric actuator 29, depending on the mode of its operation, the rod 44 “exits” from its housing or, conversely, the rod 44 is “retracted” into its housing. A rotor speed sensor is also integrated in the converter housing, which performs the function of a preload level sensor 28.

The mechanism 32 of the longitudinal-translational movement is designed to convert the rotation of the rotor of its electric drive 37 into the reciprocating movement of the massage trolley with massager rollers 12 and 13 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the couch 2.

The electric vibrator 39 is designed to provide vibrational vibrations of the massager rollers 12 and 13 during medical procedures.

Permanent magnets 41 and 42 are designed to form a magnetic field in the space above the massager rollers 12 and 13 to affect the massaged area of the patient’s back (magnetic massage).

The program unit 43 is intended for storing programs of medical procedures and issuing control signals to other blocks of the device upon command from the control panel 7. Structurally, block 43 is a printed circuit board with microcircuits and other electrical radio elements placed on it.

Head restraints (Fig. 8) are designed to “preserve” the cervical and lumbar curves of the patient’s spine during medical procedures [17].

The principle of operation and operation of the device

Before performing the procedure of thermal, vibrational, mechanical-mechanical and magnetic effects on the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the spine using the control panel 7, the following predefined values (parameters) of the procedure are established:

- level of heating of the couch 2;

- the level of preloading the roller massagers 12 and 13 to the back of the patient;

- the vibration level of the massager rollers 12 and 13 (if it is not contraindicated to the patient);

- time (duration) of the procedure.

After that, the patient is laid with his back on the couch 2 so that his back was placed above the rectangular slot 4 (figure 1). In this case, the head (cervical bend) of the patient can be located on the headrest (Fig. 8). The shape and size of the headrest is selected according to the patient’s wishes. The purpose, features and selection of the size of the head restraint (“neck roll”) are described in [17]. The headrest can also fit under the lumbar curve of the spine.

At the request of the patient, a rolled towel can also be used as a headrest.

At the next moment, from the control panel 7, by pressing the "Start" button, the program unit 43 is launched to perform the procedure with the set parameters. Under the influence of the control signals of the latter, the nodes and mechanisms of the apparatus are started and the program of the therapeutic massage procedure begins.

This includes:

- thermal elements 6 and the patient’s back is exposed to heat (massage), which facilitates mechanical massage of the spinal muscles and ligaments;

- if the treatment procedure also involves vibration, an electric vibrator 39 is turned on, which vibrates the massaging rollers 12 and 13.

By a signal from block 43, the electric drive 29 is also started, as a result of which the rod 44 is “drawn” into its body, which pulls the additional link 26 along with it. The latter rotates the axis 24, and with it the corresponding links 22 and rigidly connected with this axis 23. The rollers 19 and 20 are rolled along the rails 21. In this case, the links 22 and 23 form, together with the additional links 26 and 27 "g" -shaped levers, which, turning around the axes 24 and 25, lift up the massage trolley with massager rollers 12 and 13, pressing them to the back n the customer. The degree of pressure is determined by the sensor 28, which for each revolution of the shaft of the motor of the electric drive 29 gives a pulse. The calculation of the number of data pulses is carried out by the program unit 43, which compares this number with a given number of such pulses in the form of a preload level. When the specified number of pulses is reached, the program unit 43 stops the operation of the electric drive 29.

At the same time, the signal from the block 43 starts the electric drive 37, the rotation of the rotor of which through the gearbox 36 is transmitted to the sprockets 35 with a chain gear 34, the cam of which pulls (pushes) the rod 38, and, therefore, the additional link 27, as a result of which the preload unit starts to move , providing reciprocating movement of the massage trolley, and with it the massager rollers 12 and 13 within the slot 4 of the couch 2 along the axis of the patient's spine.

In the process of such movement (rolling) of the massager rollers 12 and 13, a longitudinal mechanical massage of the patient’s back is performed. The force of preloading the massager rollers 12 and 13 to the patient’s back is determined by the level (height) of the lifting of the massage trolley. In addition, each vertebra of the spine makes local movements in the sagittal plane.

If the electric vibrator 39 is turned on, additional vibrational vibrations with a relatively small amplitude are superimposed on such vertebral movements, as a result of which the vertebrae make more complex periodic movements.

During this massage, as a result of changes in the intervertebral distance, there is a micro-extension of local parts of the spine. As a result, under the influence of massage actions, the spine is stretched, its alignment and straightening, disappearance of pinching (squeezing) of the nerve endings located near the spine disappears, muscle spasm is removed, normal mobility of the vertebrae is restored, and the conductivity of nerve impulses to internal organs and tissues improves. As a result, the healing of various organs of the whole organism also occurs.

Magnets 41 and 42, built into the massage trolley, form permanent magnetic fields, the magnetic lines of force of which are directed perpendicular to the back of the patient 45 (Fig.6). Penetrating under his skin, they have a therapeutic effect on the patient’s body [18]. It should be noted the following.

It is known [3, p.20] that, ceteris paribus, an alternating magnetic field is characterized by greater biological activity compared to a constant magnetic field. "Variability" of the magnetic field in the device is achieved in three ways (Fig.6).

1. The movement (mechanical movement) of a constant magnetic field source (permanent magnets 41 and 42) is one of the simple technical solutions for obtaining an alternating magnetic field of low (ultra-low) frequency, starting from fractions of hertz. If the source (massage trolley) moves, at the same speed it is followed by a picture of its field, and at each point of the object affected by the field, the module and direction of the magnetic induction vector change continuously as the source approaches or moves away [3, p.30 -32].

2. In addition, the mechanical movement of the permanent magnets 41 and 42 only in the vertical direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the massage trolley is ensured by vibration of the massage trolley.

3. The installation of magnets 41 and 42 in a massage trolley with the opposite pole orientation also allows you to achieve the effect of an alternating magnetic field on the patient’s body - first, for example, magnet 41 with its north pole acts on the body, then magnet 42 “drives up”, but it acts already on this part of the body with the opposite - the south pole, etc.

A magnetic field acts on the patient’s body at the molecular level. Under the influence of magnetic fields on a part of the body in the capillaries, the oscillatory movements of red blood cells and plasma proteins are amplified. Against this background, the state of diseased cells changes in the organs and tissues of the affected area, their nutrition improves, and excretion products are accelerated. As a result, metabolism is activated, puffiness resolves, the inflammatory process is removed, the restoration of diseased tissue begins, then the diseased organ.

A magnetic field activates the body's own defenses, which for one reason or another has become insufficient. It makes the body’s own structures - molecules, cells activate. Metabolism is accelerated at the cellular and tissue levels.

Thus, in the device, magnetotherapy can be combined with other treatment methods. The use of magnets in combination with other procedures and methods enhances the result of treatment [4, p. 82-83].

The device has a synergistic effect, i.e. a combination of several physical effects on the patient’s body as a result gives a therapeutic property that none of these effects individually possesses - mechanical (hardware) massage, heat (warming up), vibration, and magnetic field. The attending physician will be able to combine these effects in various combinations, choosing the degree of exposure of each of them.

In the device, the treatment program can be built in such a way that the thermal massage begins before the mechanical massage, that is, it is possible to conduct a preliminary thermal effect on the patient's back.

When performing the treatment procedure, the control panel 7 may be in the patient’s hand. If in the process of carrying out medical procedures there is a need for an emergency stop of the device, it is enough for the patient to click on the emergency button "Reset" on the remote control 7 (not shown). In this case, the longitudinal movement and vibration of the massager rollers 12 and 13 are automatically stopped, the thermal elements 6 are turned off.

The device does not require special skills for carrying out procedures, which makes the presence of a doctor or other medical personnel, who have undergone special training in working with the device, unnecessary.

Thus, the proposed set of essential features of the device for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine, in comparison with the specified prototype, allows to achieve the following technical results:

1. To increase the thermotherapeutic efficiency of the apparatus by placing its thermal elements 6 in the cape of the couch 2 and thereby bringing them closer to the patient’s back.

2. To reduce the risk of patient injuries during medical procedures by installing the mechanism 32 of the longitudinal-translational movement under the "foot" part 31 of the couch 2 of the apparatus, i.e. "Fencing" the patient's body from this mechanism with a couch 2.

3. At the same time, thereby reducing the dimensions (height) and weight of the housing 1 of the apparatus, marking the mechanisms inside the housing 1 more "horizontally".

4. To simplify the design of the source of the magnetic field by replacing the prototype of the source of the pulsed magnetic field on the basis of the inductor with two permanent magnets with the opposite orientation of the poles.

Verification of patentability conditions “industrial applicability”

The proposed apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine does not cause difficulties in the manufacture and can be industrially mastered and used for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the spine.

The above information testifies to the claimed apparatus, as it is described in the claims, about the possibility of implementing it using known and proposed methods and means.

Therefore, the claimed invention meets the condition of patentability "industrial applicability" under applicable law.

Information sources

1. New generation devices for local magnetotherapy and local heat therapy. Toolkit. 2nd ed. Moscow, 2004.

2. Autoswt of the USSR No. 1813461 "A method for the treatment of patients with neurological manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis." Publ. 05/07/1993.

3. Solovyova G.R. Magnetotherapy equipment. - M: Medicine 1991.

4. Roger Coill Magnetotherapy for everyone. M. ROSMEN, 2006.

5. Ulashchik V.S., Lukomsky I.V. General Physiotherapy Textbook. - Mn: Book House 2005.

6. RF patent №2245177 for the invention "Method of exposure to a biological object with a magnetic field." Publ. 12/27/2003.

7. RF patent №2008948 for the invention of "Device for magnetotherapy". Publication 15 031994.

8. RF patent No. 20132384 for the invention of “Device for magnetotherapy”. Publ. 05/15/1994.

9. RF patent No. 2203110 for the invention of “Magnetotherapeutic installation”. Publ. 27.04.2003.

10. The article "Comparative effectiveness of various uses of a" running "magnetic field with mild arterial hypertension." The journal "Questions of balneology, physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises." 2008, No. 1, p.12.

11. RF patent No. 224503 for the invention of "Therapeutic massage and gymnastic table." Publ. 01/20/2005.

12. RF patent No. 2141855 for the invention "Magnetotherapy and physiotherapy device with a scanning magnetic field." Publication 11/27/1999.

13. RF patent No. 50412 for utility model “Device for massage and traction of the spine”. BIPM No. 02, 2006

14. RF patent No. 2320165 for the invention "Device for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine" Publ. 03/27/2008

15. Application No. 2007103035 for the invention of “An apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine”. The decision to grant a patent on February 26, 2008 (prototype).

16. Automotive electric heaters Thermosoft. Magazine Automotive Yekaterinburg. No. 47, 2003.

17. Kaufman Yu.M. How to live with a sick spine without suffering from pain - St. Petersburg. "ELBI-SPb", 2005, p. 89-90.

18. Larinsky N.E. Victory over pain. Practical recommendations. Popular magnetology. Ryazan. Pattern. 2005.

Claims (3)

1. Apparatus for vibration-mechanical massage of the spine, containing a hollow body, the working surface of which is made in the form of a couch with a rectangular slot, closed on top with a cloak, equipped with thermal elements, two handrails, and placed in the body: massage trolley with a pair of roller massagers, made in the form of a beam, the axis of rotation of which is pivotally connected to the arms of the beam in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the massage trolley; pairs of movement rollers arranged to move along the guides; a preload unit mounted on pairs of displacement rollers under the massage trolley and made in the form of a four-link lever mechanism, each pair of links of which is pivotally connected to the axis of the beam of the massage trolley by one end and rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers by the other end; the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement, made in the form of a kinematic chain consisting of a cam, a chain transmission with sprockets and a gearbox connected to the corresponding electric drive; electric vibrator mounted on a massage trolley; and a program unit equipped with a remote control panel with an emergency button, while the massage trolley is installed under the rectangular slot of the couch, which is made in its head part; the preload unit is provided with first and second additional links, each of which is rigidly connected to the corresponding axis of the pair of displacement rollers, a preload level sensor and a corresponding electric drive, the ends of which are connected with the first and second additional links of the preload unit, respectively; the input of the software unit is connected to the output of the preload level sensor, and the outputs are connected to the electric drives of the preload unit and the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism, an electric vibrator and thermal elements, characterized in that the thermal elements are made of thermal strips based on conductive polymer thermal fibers and are “sewn” into the cape ; on the axes of the pairs of massage roller massagers of the massage trolley, from the cape side, non-magnetic supports are fixed on which permanent magnets are installed with opposite poles; the mechanism of longitudinal-translational movement is installed in the housing under the foot of the couch and is equipped with a rod, the ends of which are pivotally connected respectively to the cam of the longitudinal-translational movement mechanism and an additional link of the preload unit, and the handrails are attached from below to the couch. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the couch is equipped with a set of head restraints. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the set of head restraints includes head restraints made in the form of a roller, a three-quarter roller, a half-shaft, a quarter roller and a wedge.

Images