Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
  • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
  • A61H1/0292—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising for the spinal column
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
  • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
  • A61H1/0218—Drawing-out devices
  • A61H1/0229—Drawing-out devices by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
  • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
  • A61H1/0237—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising for the lower limbs
  • A61H1/0255—Both knee and hip of a patient, e.g. in supine or sitting position, the feet being moved together in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical plane
  • A61H1/0259—Both knee and hip of a patient, e.g. in supine or sitting position, the feet being moved together in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical plane moved by translation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
  • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
  • A61H1/0218—Drawing-out devices
  • A61H2001/0233—Pulsating, alternating, fluctuating
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0119—Support for the device
  • A61H2201/0138—Support for the device incorporated in furniture
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0119—Support for the device
  • A61H2201/0138—Support for the device incorporated in furniture
  • A61H2201/0149—Seat or chair
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0161—Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/12—Driving means
  • A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
  • A61H2201/1215—Rotary drive
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
  • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
  • A61H2201/164—Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2203/00—Additional characteristics concerning the patient
  • A61H2203/04—Position of the patient
  • A61H2203/0443—Position of the patient substantially horizontal
  • A61H2203/045—Position of the patient substantially horizontal with legs in a kneeled 90°/90°-position
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/08—Trunk
  • A61H2205/081—Back
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/10—Leg

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a stretching device, particularly useful for the relieving or preventing of lower back pains. It is well known that lower back pains affect a very large proportion of adults, especially middle aged adults and older. As a consequence, a great deal of suffering and disability is experienced by a large fraction of the population resulting, among other things, in a large number of lost work days and greatly diminished quality of life. A brief physiological analysis will help illustrate the cause of back pains and give an insight as to possible remedies.
• the spinal column consists of thirty three vertebrae which are joined together by cartilage tissue and ligaments.
• the upper twenty four vertebrae are discrete and movable while the lower nine vertebrae are fixed.
• Five of the lower nine vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum while the terminal four vertebrae are normally fused to form the coccyx.
• the normal spinal column may be considered to have seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral and four coccygeal vertebrae. Mobility of the vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions is relatively free compared with movement of the fused vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx which is relatively constrained.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,772,612 to Daniel Ilan proposes a device suitable for home use in which a user lies on an underlying surface with his or her knees over a frame and feet against a foot rest. The lower end of the device contacts the underlying surface, acting as a fulcrum. When the user pushes against the device, the device pivots so as to tend to lift the user's legs along a slightly arched path.
• a motor-driven version of the device is also proposed.
• the device of the aforementioned patent represents a useful attempt to provide a device for relieving lower-back pain suitable for home use. It has been noted, however, that the resulting motion, namely, a slightly arched reciprocating motion, differs considerably from the sequence of motion performed by a trained physiotherapist. Specifically, with reference to Figures 1A-1C, a trained physiotherapist typically performs an initial lifting movement by raising the subject's legs from the position of Figure 1A to that of Figure IB so as to neutralize the arched concavity of the back. This is followed by a primarily horizontal pulling motion (Figure IC), thereby applying tension tending to relieve pressure between the lumber vertebrae. The tension is then released, thereby allowing the body to return under the action of gravity to a resting position. There is therefore a need for a device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject which would more closely emulate the aforementioned therapeutic movement used by trained physiotherapists.
• the present invention is a device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject.
• a device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject comprising: (a) at least one body-engaging element configured for engaging at least one region of the body of the subject inferior to the subject's lumbar vertebrae; and (b) a drive mechanism mechanically linked to the at least one body-engaging element, the drive mechanism being configured to move at least part of the at least one body-engaging element through a repetitive cyclic motion including: (i) an operative motion along a first path operative to apply tension to the lower back of the subject, and (ii) a return motion along a second path, the second path lying generally below the first path.
• the body-engaging element includes at least one surface configured for engaging a rear surface of knees of the subject.
• the first path includes a primarily vertical lifting motion followed by a primarily horizontal tensioning motion.
• the second path includes a primarily vertical lowering motion followed by a primarily horizontal return motion.
• the first and second paths together form a closed curve lying substantially in a vertical plane. The closed curve preferably approximates to the form of an ellipse.
• the drive mechanism includes at least one rotating element, the repetitive cyclic motion being generated at least in part by an off-axis linkage to the rotating element.
• FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic representations of a sequence of positions occurring during manual physiotherapy for lower back pain
• FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject;
• FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view similar to Figure 2 showing the main internal components of the device;
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the walls of the device removed;
• FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away side view of the device of Figure 2;
• FIGS. 6A-6D are schematic views similar to Figure 3 showing successive positions during operation of the device (somewhat exaggerated for clarity of presentation);
• FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the drive mechanism of the device of Figure 2 showing the form of motion produced thereby;
• FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of the device of Figure 2 showing a preferred range of adjustment
• FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side view of a second embodiment of a device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject;
• FIG. 10 is an enlargement of the region of Figure 9 designated X;
• FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject, the device being implemented as part of a chair.
• the present invention is a device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject.
• Figures 2-8 show a device, generally designated 10, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
• Device 10 configured for use while lying in a supine position, is helpful for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject.
• device 10 provides at least one body-engaging element 12 configured for engaging at least one region of the body of the subject inferior to the subject's lumbar vertebrae, and a drive mechanism 14, mechanically linked to body-engaging element 12. It is a particular feature of the present invention that drive mechanism 14 is configured to move at least part of body-engaging element 12 through a repetitive cyclic motion which includes an operative motion along a first path operative to apply tension to the lower back of the subject, and a return motion along a second path, the second path lying generally below the first path.
• the second path is described as "lying generally lower than" the first path.
• the path followed by at least part of body-engaging element 12 as viewed from the side circumscribes a non-zero area.
• This property preferably results from the preferred form of one or both of the first and second paths.
• the operative motion along the first path preferably includes a primarily vertical lifting motion followed by a primarily horizontal tensioning motion.
• the return motion along the second path preferably includes a primarily vertical lowering motion followed by a primarily horizontal return motion.
• this cyclic motion provides a much better emulation of the aforementioned therapeutic movement used by trained physiotherapists than is offered by the prior art devices.
• the preferred form of the operative motion along the first path closely parallels the sequence described above with reference to Figures lA-lC.
• the preferred form of the return motion serves to first lower the body back into full contact with the underlying surface before releasing the horizontal tension, thereby tending to retain a proportion of the stretching effect at the end of each cycle. Without in any way limiting the scope of the present invention, it is thought that this residual stretching effect from each cycle gives rise to a cumulative stretching effect which may be responsible for the highly effective pain relief which has been experienced by users of the device during preliminary trials.
• body-engaging element 12 may engage any part of the body inferior to the subject's lumbar vertebrae in order to apply appropriate tension on the lumbar region of the subject's back.
• body-engaging element 12 includes at least one portion for engaging the rear surface of each of the user's knees.
• element 12 may also be provided with at least one surface 16 configured for supporting the rear side of the subject's legs below the knees for added comfort. In this case, the subject lies on the underlying surface in a supine position with his or her legs resting on surface 16.
• surface 16 is angled downwardly-away from the user's body so that the user's knees effectively lock around the surface 16 to enable exertion of tension along the upper leg away from the body.
• a preferred angle of inclination relative to the underlying surface is between about 5° and about 70°.
• all or part of surface 16 may be hinged or otherwise foldable to a stowed position when not in use.
• additional mechanical body-engaging elements such as foot straps (not shown) or the like may be provided to engage the body to the device more securely. In most cases, however, such additional elements have not been found necessary.
• the repetitive cyclic motion generated by drive mechanism 14 includes an operative motion along a first path and a return motion along a second path, the second path lying generally below the first path.
• the motion of at least one, and typically all, points on surface 16 undergo cyclic motion along a closed path which encloses a non-zero area.
• the first and second paths are chosen to together form a closed curve lying substantially in a vertical plane.
• the closed path approximates to the form of an ellipse.
• at least one point on surface 16 may follow a substantially circular path (a circle being a special case of an ellipse).
• Figures 3-6 illustrate one particularly simple implementation of drive mechanism 14 for producing elliptical motion.
• drive mechanism 14 as shown includes at least one rotating element, typically a drive wheel 18 driven by an electric motor 20 with a suitable step down gear arrangement.
• a typical implementation employs an 80W AC motor operating at about 1400 rpm with step-down gears etc.
• body-engaging element 12 is then generated, at least in part, by a mechanical linkage 22 which links element 12 to an off-axis point on the rotating element.
• a second part of linkage 22 is mounted via one or more sliding pivots 24 within slots 26.
• an adjustment mechanism is preferably provided for varying the height of body-engaging element 12 above the underlying surface.
• This adjustment mechanism may be implemented in a range of ways, including, but not limited to, varying the length of linkage 22, either above or below sliding pivots 24, or by raising or lowering the entirety of drive mechanism 14.
• adjustment is achieved by mounting the entirety of drive mechanism 14 in a cradle 40 (see Figure 4) which can be raised and lowered along a vertical alignment rod 41 relative to a housing of the device.
• a cradle 40 see Figure 4
• side walls 42 of the housing feature a set of adjustment slots 44 within which a lever arm 46 may be locked.
• Lever arm 46 is pivotally linked to cradle 40 to that adjustment of lever arm 46 raises or lowers adjustment mechanism 14, and hence body-engaging element 12 between the lowered position of Figure 8A and the raised position of
• Slots 26 are made sufficiently long to accommodate both the range of adjustment and the range of motion during operation in each of the extreme positions.
• the range of adjustment may extend from about 30 cm up to about 65 cm as measured to the highest part of surface 16 above the underlying surface. In practice, a range from about 40 cm to about 55 cm is sufficient to accommodate most adult users.
• FIG. 9 there is shown a second embodiment of a device, generally designated 100, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
• Device 100 is generally similar to device 10, equivalent elements being designated similarly.
• Device 100 differs primarily in the implementation of the adjustment mechanism used.
• Figure 10 illustrates schematically a further possible implementation of an adjustment mechanism in which the length of linkage 22 is adjustable above pivots 24.
• a lockable telescopic connection in which the main support element of linkage 22 is slidably engaged within a sleeve 28 attached to body-engaging element 12.
• Sleeve 28 features a pin 30 which engages one of a row of recesses 32 in the support element.
• a spring element 34 urges the support element into against pin 30 tending to maintain engagement between pin 30 and one of recesses 32.
• the elements are twisted so as to compress spring element 34 and free pin 30 from engagement with its initial recess 32.
• Body-engaging element 12 can then be raised or lowered telescopically relative to the support element and pin 30 brought into engagement with an appropriate recess 32 to maintain the desired height.
• Figure 11 shows an implementation of the device of the present invention, generally designated 200, in which body-engaging element 12 is implemented as at least one body-supporting surface of a chair.
• the "underlying surface” which supports the back of the user is, in this case, the back rest 202 of the chair.
• the "underlying surface” of the present invention is not necessarily horizontal.
• device 200 is similar in structure and operation to device 10 described above, equivalent elements being labeled similarly.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Neurology (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Priority Applications (15)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Citations (4)

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• 2000
  • 2000-01-10 US US09/479,661 patent/US6443916B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-14 WO PCT/IL2000/000836 patent/WO2001051000A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-12-14 JP JP2001551424A patent/JP4614607B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-12-14 ME MEP-2008-824A patent/ME00543B/me unknown
  • 2000-12-14 CA CA2396270A patent/CA2396270C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-14 EP EP10181760A patent/EP2319475A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-12-14 EA EA200200657A patent/EA004387B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-12-14 SI SI200031075T patent/SI1246595T1/sl unknown
  • 2000-12-14 ES ES00981589T patent/ES2390446T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-14 US US10/363,759 patent/US7179237B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-14 EP EP00981589A patent/EP1246595B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-14 CN CNB008192480A patent/CN100396267C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-12-14 BR BRPI0017005-4B1A patent/BR0017005B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-12-14 IL IL15059300A patent/IL150593A0/xx active IP Right Grant
  • 2000-12-14 DK DK00981589.5T patent/DK1246595T3/da active
  • 2000-12-14 KR KR1020027008898A patent/KR100789909B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-12-14 RS YUP-592/02A patent/RS50041B/sr unknown
  • 2000-12-14 AU AU18819/01A patent/AU785164B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-12-14 MX MXPA02006772A patent/MXPA02006772A/es active IP Right Grant
• 2002
  • 2002-07-04 IL IL150593A patent/IL150593A/en unknown
  • 2002-07-09 ZA ZA200205464A patent/ZA200205464B/xx unknown
• 2010
  • 2010-07-28 JP JP2010168758A patent/JP2010264287A/ja active Pending

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