WO2004014283A1

WO2004014283A1 - Device for exerting pressure

Info

Publication number: WO2004014283A1
Application number: PCT/CH2003/000330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Otto Morger
Original assignee: Otto Morger
Priority date: 2002-08-13
Filing date: 2003-05-23
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: DE20380263U1; AU2003223827A1; AT9373U1; CH696518A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for exerting pressure onto an area on the body of a patient which is to be treated. Said device comprises a positioning unit (2) by means of which a unit (4) which exerts pressure can be positioned in a pivotable and horizontal and vertical manner around an area of three axes (A, B, C). A piston (61) of a pressure unit (4) can be moved forwards in a smooth and linear manner by means of a forward displacement unit (50). Said piston (61) enables a constant pressure, which can be adjusted in a variable manner with respect to the intensity and the direction thereof, to be applied to the tense areas of the body in practically every body part of the person which is to be treated. The inventive device enables, by means of the targeted application of pressure over a known period of time, the reduction of tensions in patients without therapists having to apply a great deal of physical effort. In a further embodiment, the positioning unit (2) is enhanced by a roller guide (80) which supports the base block (10). The displaceable treatment unit thus arising simplifies even more the different positions of treatment.

Description

Device for exerting pressure

The present invention relates to a device for exerting a local pressure on the human body according to the preamble of claim 1.

Improper posture often leads to muscle tension in humans, which can be the cause of quite intense pain. In order to "avoid" the pain, the body in turn reacts with incorrect posture, which intensifies the existing penchants or affects other parts of the body. To avoid this cycle, a trained person, eg a physiotherapist, masseur or chiropractor, acts on the painful, tense muscle areas are exerted by manual pressure, also known as acupressure. To release tension, this pressure must be maintained evenly over a certain period of time, which requires a great deal of physical effort on the part of the therapist, especially after the treatment of several people - is no longer able to exert evenly strong pressure on the body part to be treated, and such acupressure treatment for the muscles and joints of the therapist is a major burden, which can lead to signs of wear and tear and thus damage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention a device for exercising a position, direction, strength and duration to create precisely adjustable pressure that supports and facilitates the work of a therapist.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for exerting pressure, in which the pressure-exerting unit can be moved by means of a drive.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 17.

Further embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

In the Zeicb.nu.ngen an embodiment of the subject of the invention is shown and explained in the following description. It shows:

Figure 1 shows the device for exerting a pressure screwed to a couch;

FIG. 2 shows a detailed side view of the pressure-exerting unit, the positioning unit being shown only in part; and

Figure 3 different embodiments of pressure bodies.

FIG. 4 shows different embodiments of inserts for pressure bodies according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with a roller carriage for laterally sliding attachment to a bed.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with a roller carriage for laterally displaceable attachment to a couch with automatic height correction.

FIG. 7 shows a massage element according to the invention.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to exert a uniform pressure, which can be varied in its strength, on tensioned areas in practically every body part of a patient. It primarily serves to relieve the physical strain on the therapist by performing his mechanical function during an acupressure treatment. The device is designed in such a way that it can be adjusted or positioned with great accuracy to so-called pain points of the patient. For example, it remains in a pressure-exerting position at the painful or pain-causing area for 20 to 30 seconds until the tension in the muscles is released.

In order to be able to reach any part of the body and parts of a patient's body, the device can be positioned so that it can move about several axes A, B, C. This is initially ensured by the fact that a pressure-exerting unit or pressure unit 4 is arranged on a positioning unit 2 so that it can pivot and be locked in a desired pivot position. The printing unit 4 is preferably pivotable about two axes. In an advantageous embodiment according to FIG. 1, the positioning unit 2 comprises a base block 10 which, among other things, is the attachment to an ner patient bed L is used. The elements by means of which: the base block 10 can be fixedly or detachably attached to the bed are known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not shown in FIG. 1.

The solid base block 10, preferably made of metal or plastic, represents the stable basis of the device according to the invention and gives it overall high stability. In further embodiments, not shown in the figures, the base block is designed like a foot or base for a parasol, so that the device can be placed directly on the floor with good stability.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a vertical arm 20 of the positioning unit 2 is pivotably mounted on the base block 10 and comprises two vertical struts 21, 22 running parallel to one another. The vertical struts 21, 22 are connected to one another at a distance from one another by means of a lower and an upper latch 5, 9. While bolt 5 is connected to a lower region or end of the struts 21 and 22, the bolt 9 stabilizes the upper regions or ends of the two struts 21, 22. The cylindrical strut 21 passes through the bolt 5 and is in a matching cylindrical receptacle 14 in Base block 10 is pivotally mounted so that the latch 5 comes to rest on or just above an upper side 13 of the base block 10. The pivot axis A thus coincides with the longitudinal axis of the strut 21.

On this top 13, a plurality of bores or blind holes 11 are arranged at regular intervals in a semicircle around the receptacle 14. The latch 5 is with a Provide bore through which a locking pin 51 can be inserted into the blind holes 11. The vertical arm 20 can thereby be locked in a desired pivot position with respect to the axis A on the base block 1.

On the vertical struts 21, 22, two horizontal struts 31, 32 which run parallel to one another and which form the horizontal arm 30 in the exemplary embodiment shown are slidably arranged at right angles. Both the horizontal struts 31, 32 and the vertical struts 21, 22 are slidably mounted in corresponding recesses in a bearing block 7. The bearing block 7 stabilizes the struts on the one hand, on the other hand it allows the horizontal struts 31, 32 to be displaced both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. With the help of threaded screws 8, the horizontal struts 31, 32 can be locked at a freely selectable horizontal distance above the person to be treated. At a front end of the Hor zontalarmes 30, the struts 31, 32 are connected to one another via a latch 33.

The cylindrical strut 31 passes through the bolt 33 and carries the pressure-exerting unit 4 at a flattened front end by means of an angle adjustment 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pressure unit 4 is attached to the strut 31 so that it can pivot about an axis C. As a result, it can be adjusted or positioned at a desired angle deviating from the vertical to the patient's body. The printing unit 4 is also pivotable about an axis C, which is defined by the horizontal strut 31. As a result, the printing unit can be set at a desired angle deviating from the horizontal to the patient's body. The definition of the swivel po The strut 31 and the pressure unit 4 are positioned around the axis C by means of a threaded screw 34 which passes through the latch 33 to the strut 31.

In further embodiments, not shown, the same degree of adjustment options can be achieved, for example, by means of a lockable ball joint.

The printing unit 4 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail below. The pivot position about axis C is determined in the example according to FIG. 2 by an angle adjustment 40. The angle adjustment comprises two cheek plates 43 which are pivotally attached to the flattened end region of the strut 31 in a central region via .7A.ch.se 45. The printing unit is fixedly connected to a front region of the two cheek plates 43 via a handle 52. In each of the rear areas of the cheeks 43 there is a semi-circular elongated hole 44 which defines and limits the pivoting movement about the axis C / 45 arranged concentrically to the elongated hole. Corresponding to the elongated hole 44, the strut 31 has a bore so that a clamping screw 41 can penetrate both cheek plates 43 and the strut. With the clamping screw 41 loosened, the printing unit can be pivoted about the axis C into a desired position in a very simple manner and can be locked in this position by tightening the screw 41. The adjustment can also be achieved without screw fixation using a spring pressure system.

The pressure-exerting unit 4 comprises a pressure body or the stamp 61 and a feed unit 50. The stamp 61 is interchangeable and expandable and can be designed differently depending on the area of application. In the execution Example according to FIG. 2, it comprises a cylindrical hard rubber body 61, with the slightly convex underside 63 of which a local, flat pressure can be exerted on the patient.

The punch 61 is seated on a push rod 51 and is operatively connected to the feed unit 50 via this. The design features of the feed unit 50 are essentially adopted from known pistols for applying joint sealants. By compressing two forceps-like handles 52, 53, the pressure exerted by the treating person is transmitted to the push rod 51 and converted into a linear feed movement. The known mechanism prevents the rod from sliding back against the feed direction D. While the handle 52 represents a rigid abutment which is connected stably to the angular adjustment 40, the movable handle 53 engages the push rod and is therefore directly connected to the pressure-exerting punch , respectively the hard body part 61. By pushing the handles 52, 53 repeatedly, if necessary, the push rod 51, and thus the plunger 61, is pushed continuously towards the patient until the desired pressure is built up at the site to be treated.

When the handles 52, 53 are pressed together, the entire counterpressure, which builds up when the stamp is pushed against the patient's body, rests on the handle 53 and is directly perceived by the person to be treated. With the appropriate experience, the desired pressure can be dosed objectively and very precisely, without the treating person being dependent on the subjective feedback of the patient. A release lever 56, which is arranged above the handle 52 and is penetrated by the push rod 51, serves in a clamping position to limit the linear mobility of the rod 51 in the feed direction D and to prevent any push-back. If the release lever 56 is pressed into a release position, the clamping connection between the release lever 56 and the feed rod 51 is released, and this can be moved against the feed direction D. In this way, the stamp 61 can be pulled away from the patient into a rest position.

A pressure build-up would also be possible using a screw device, for example a threaded rod, but with such a device it is very difficult for the therapist to determine an individual pressure strength for the respective patient, since a screw, in contrast to the forceps mechanism described above Feed unit gives no sensory feedback about the pressure actually present.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show two different embodiments of stamps 61, 61 which are provided with receiving bores 62, 63 for differently shaped interchangeable inserts 71 to 74 according to FIG. 4.

Various interchangeable inserts 71, 72, 73, 74 are used to transmit a punctiform, small-area or two-point pressure. In the embodiments according to FIGS. 4a and 4b, they are provided with an external thread and can be screwed into a central receiving opening 62 of the stamp 61 provided with a suitable internal thread. In Figures 4c and 4d inserts are shown with a smooth cylindrical outer wall, which in a corresponding cylindrical bore 62 of a punch 61 can be plugged ^Λ according to the figure 3b.

Stamps 61, 61 ^λ and interchangeable inserts 71-74 are made of suitable materials such as rubber, wood or plastics, which in addition to the desired mechanical qualities also have the hygienic requirements for use in the therapy area.

As already mentioned above, the base block can be designed as a heavy base or base, so that the device can be placed directly on the floor with good stability. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the base block 10 is slidably attached to a conventional treatment couch on a sled system with ground support. The printing unit (not shown in FIG. 4) can thereby be moved laterally along the bed or along a suitably equipped bed into a desired position and then pivoted over the patient. The bed L already has a lower central rail or a lower central tube 95 as standard. In the example shown, an upper lateral sliding tube or a sliding rail 90 is retrofitted on the legs of the bed L by means of clamping blocks 91. Rails 90 and 95 are both level so that they are parallel to the floor. The base block 10 and roller carriage 80 are each provided with a guide element 15, 82, which cooperate with the rails 90, 95 and ensure the linear movement of the roller carriage. In the exemplary embodiment shown, hook elements 15, 82 each grip over the rails 90, 95 and partially encompass these from above. A base plate 81 of the roller carriage 80 is on the underside with roller len 85 provided that allow easy movement of the entire device. While the base plate 81 carries the hook element 82 on a rear side edge, parallel base struts 83, 84 are attached to an opposite edge area, which support the base block 10 at the height of the sliding tube 90. The base struts 83, 84, or the rail 90, are aligned such that when the hook element 82 is suspended on the central rail 95, the hook element 15 also fits over the slide rail 90. The base block 10 is preferably releasably attachable to the slide rail 90. In the example shown, this is done by means of a lock 16. A threaded bolt passes through the base block and can be releasably clamped against the rail 90 by means of a conveniently accessible locking lever. When the arrester 16 is released, the entire unit can be unhooked from the rails 90 and 95 by simply tilting it and is therefore freely displaceable. The device according to the invention can be removed from the bed so that the person to be treated has free access to the bed again. Similar roller sledge solutions can be easily retrofitted to all conventional treatment tables or to hospital beds. If, as in the example in FIG. 4, there is a lower central tube 5, the bed L can be converted by attaching one or two side slide rails. If slide rails are installed on both sides, the roller carriage and thus the printing unit can be changed very quickly from one side to the other.

Instead of the tubular slide rails shown in FIG. 4 and the matching hook elements, it is also possible, for example, to use known U-shaped or C-shaped profile rails or T-slot rails. Instead of encompassing hook elements, sliding elements are then used, which engage in the profiles and are guided back and forth there. Any releasable locking of the base block on the side rail can also be achieved by engaging clamping elements.

In the case of couches without a lower central tube, a second lateral rail can be attached to the legs of the couch below the first upper rail 90. The hook element on the roller plate is then positioned further out accordingly.

A further embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 6 has proven to be advantageous for beds and massage tables with electrical height adjustment. An upper rail is not attached to the legs, but laterally on or below a height-adjustable lying surface. On this rail, a clamping plate 86 can be detachably fastened with a front end facing the bed and rail, which in turn is mounted on the base struts 21, 22 'so as to be movable up and down. The clamping plate 86 is operatively connected to the bearing block 7 via a connection 87 which is rigid in the vertical direction. If the lying surface is moved upward or inadvertently by the medical personnel or by the person to be treated, this movement is transmitted via the clamping plate 86 and the vertical connection 87 to the bearing block 7 and ultimately to the printing unit 4. This effectively prevents the patient from being trapped between a rigid pressure unit 4 and the bed moving upwards and being injured in the worst case. As indicated in FIG. 6, the distance between the clamping plate 86 and the bearing block 7 can be adjust each other by means of adjusting means 88 on the vertical connection 87.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the base block 10 comprises a drive device, preferably with an electric motor, by means of which the vertical arm is set into a massage movement. The vertical strut 21 is preferably moved eccentrically in the base block and this eccentric movement in a horizontal plane, which is before it is perpendicular to the axis A, is transmitted to the punch 41. With such "moving" pressure, for example, complaints in the area of the gastrointestinal tract can be treated.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, instead of a drive in the basic block, a “moving” pressure can be achieved by means of a battery-operated electric motor that is integrated in a stamp-like housing 64 be attached, or it is detachably attached to a receiving ring on the bolt 33. The electric drive in the housing 64 rotates a quick-action drill chuck arranged at the lower end, the speed of rotation being selectable as desired 7. It has an approximately circular circumference, a flattened upper side 66 and a convex or lenticularly curved lower side 67. An upper-side clamping pin 68 for receiving in the drill chuck of the drive unit in the housing 64 is arranged eccentrically on e eccentric circular massage movement to relieve muscle tension in any region of the body puts . It can be seen by the person skilled in the art that, depending on the size, shape and diameter of the massaging element 65 and depending on the center of the disc and the position of the clamping pin 68, the massage movement can be influenced. Since the inclination of the housing 64 as the inclination of the stamp 61 can be selected as desired, the plane in which the mas sageelement eccentrically circles can be freely selected.

The materials and surfaces of the massage element are selected so that they are easy to clean and meet the hygienic requirements in the therapy area.

For sole or additional protection of the entire therapy device against displacement even when using the movement means, the rollers 8 5 can be equipped with releasable parking brakes.

term designation

Positioning unit 2

Pressure unit, pressure unit 4

Lower latch 5

Locking pin 6

Bearing block 7

Threaded screws 8

Upper bar 9

Basic block 10

Blind holes 11

Block top 13

Cylindrical mount 14

Hook element 15

Lock 16

Vertical arm 20

Vertical struts 21, 22

Horizontal arm 30

Horizontal struts 31, 32

Bolt 33

Threaded screw 34

Angle adjustment 40

Clamping screw 41

Cheek plates 43

Slot 44

Swivel axis 45

Feed unit 50

Push rod 51

Handles 52, 53

Release lever 56

Stamp 61

Receiving opening 62 Bottom 63

Housing 64

Massage element 65

Top 66

Bottom 67

Clamping pin 68

Interchangeable insert 71-74

Roller carriage 80

Base plate 81

Hook element 82

Basic struts 83, 84

Rolls 85

Clamping plate 86

Vertical connection 87

Adjustment means 88

Slide tube, slide rail 90

Terminal block 91

Central rail 95

Patient bed L

Claims

claims

1. Device for exerting pressure, characterized in that a positioning unit (2) carries a pressure-exerting unit (4) pivotable about three spatial axes (A, B, C) and can be positioned horizontally and vertically, and a stamp (61) of the printing unit ( 4) can be advanced linearly by means of a feed unit (50), as a result of which the stamp can be used to apply pressure which is uniformly variable in its strength and direction to tense parts of the body in practically every part of the body of a person to be treated.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning unit (2) comprises a vertical arm (20) and a horizontal arm (30), which are connected to one another at right angles to one another by means of a bearing block (7).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the vertical arm (20) and horizontal arm (30) each comprise two mutually parallel, spaced-apart struts (21, 22, 31, 32).

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical strut (21) of the vertical arm (20) in a matching cylindrical upright Take (14) of a base block (10) is pivotally mounted so that a pivot axis A of the positioning unit (2) coincides with the longitudinal axis of the strut (21).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that on an upper side (13) of the base block (10) is arranged at regular intervals in a semicircle around the receptacle (14) of a plurality of blind holes (11) into which a vertical arm (20 ) connected locking pin (51) can be plugged in, so that the vertical arm (20) can be locked in a desired pivot position with respect to the axis A on the base block (10).

Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the horizontal arm (30) by means of an angle adjustment (40) carries the pressure-exerting unit (4) so that it can be locked about axis B (45).

7. Device according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the printing unit (4) by means of the angle adjustment (40) on the pivotable about the axis C horizontal strut (31) is attached, wherein the pivot axis C with the longitudinal axis of the horizontal strut (31 ) coincides.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stamp (61) is seated on a push rod (51) and is operatively connected to the feed unit (50) in a continuously linear manner.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the feed unit (50) comprises two forceps-like handles (52, 53), by means of which the pressure exerted by a treating person can be transmitted to the push rod (51) and the stamp (61) , so that the counter pressure building up against the patient's body when the plunger (61) is pushed acts on at least one handle (53) and gives the person to be treated direct sensory feedback.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stamps (61, 61) are provided on an underside with receiving bores (62, 63) for receiving exchangeable inserts (71 to 74).

11. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the base block (10) comprises a drive device, preferably with an electric motor, via which the vertical strut (21) can be moved eccentrically in the base block (10).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning unit (2) comprises a roller carriage (80) which carries the base block (10).

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the roller carriage (80) and / or base block

(10) are provided with guide elements (15, 82) for interacting with rails (90, 95) of a bed L.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the positioning unit (2) comprises a roller carriage (80), which base struts (21 22) and one on these up and down slidably mounted

Clamping plate (86) carries, the clamping plate (86) via a connection which is rigid in the vertical direction

(87) is in operative connection with the bearing block (7) and is releasably attachable to an upper rail, which in turn is attached to or below a height-adjustable lying surface.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the distance between the clamping plate (86) and the bearing block (7) to each other by means of adjusting means

(88) of the vertical connection (87) is adjustable.

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the pressure-exerting unit (4) a housing (64) with an electric drive for displacing a massage element (65) in an eccentric circular massage movement for releasing muscle tension on any selectable body parts is attachable.

17. Massage element (65) according to claim 16, characterized in that it has an approximately circular circumference, a flattened upper side (66) and a convex or lenticularly curved lower side (67), a top-side clamping pin (68) for receiving in the drive unit in Housing (64) is arranged eccentrically.