WO2010131108A2

WO2010131108A2 - Manual therapy device

Info

Publication number: WO2010131108A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/001124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Itzhak Friedman
Original assignee: Advancemed Ltd
Priority date: 2009-05-14
Filing date: 2010-05-14
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: WO2010131108A3

Abstract

The manual therapy device of the present invention provides a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of different projections and surfaces at different locations on the frame within the inner and outer boundaries of the frame for applying pressure to various body parts in an efficient and effective manner. One leg of the frame includes a plurality of spaced annular projections. The frame also includes one leg having a pair of small spaced- apart finger-like projections at one corner. The frame may also include one leg with a single outwardly extending projection at another corner. The frame also includes inwardly extending surfaces along at least one of the legs of the frame.

Description

MANUAL THERAPY DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/178,193 entitled manual therapy device, filed on May 14, 2009, by Itzhak Friedman, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a manual therapy device which includes a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of outwardly and transversely extending shaped projections and specially slanted surfaces for application to specific body parts to provide deep tissue massage by a therapist.

There exists a variety of massage devices which are handheld and adapted to provide the therapist with the ability to apply pressure to body tissue, including trigger points for relieving a variety of conditions. Typically, such devices are limited to a very few specific applications. Also, many devices used by therapists in known manual therapies are limited to superficial body tissues. It is, therefore, necessary for the therapist to have several different types of devices for addressing different patient needs.

The work of therapists, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, sport therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and manual therapists, is physically demanding. The therapist has to apply pressure and repeat various movements regularly which may cause various occupational hazards such as inflammation of the joints, hands, and other problems. The device of the invention helps the therapist apply pressure and improves the effect on the patient's body without straining the therapist's muscles or joints.

It would be desirable for a therapist to have one manually held device which can be used for different areas of the body and one which is easily manipulated by the therapist and provides the desired deep tissue interaction with the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manual therapy device of the present invention satisfies this need by providing a frame having a plurality of different projections at different locations on the frame within the inner and outer boundaries of the frame for applying pressure to various body parts in an efficient and effective manner. In one embodiment of the invention, one leg of the frame includes a plurality of spaced annular projections. In another embodiment of the invention, the frame includes a pair of small finger-like projections at one corner and a larger projection at an adjacent corner. In yet another embodiment of the invention, one of the legs includes a single outwardly extending projection at a corner of the frame.

The device of the invention is compact, handheld, lightweight and provides the therapist with a plethora of treatment options for all body parts and is specially built to provide various options for treatment. The device can be used by gliding it over body parts such as arms, legs, back, fingers, shoulders, pelvis, paraspinal muscles and other body parts. The device can also be used to apply pressure on body parts such as arm, legs, back, fingers, shoulders, pelvis, paraspinal muscles and other body parts. It also can be used in twisting movements on body parts such as arm, legs, back, fingers, shoulders, pelvis, paraspinal muscles and other body parts.

In another application of the device, it can apply a combination of gliding, pressure and twisting to treat various body parts such as arm, legs, back, fingers, shoulders, pelvis, paraspinal muscles and other body parts. The device can be used to treat various conditions, such as musculoskeletal conductions including chronic, acute and traumatic conditions, physical results of neurological conditions, such CVA, spinal cord injuries, lymph edema, and swelling of other body parts. The device can be used by physical therapists, occupational therapists, sport therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, manual therapists of all kinds, and massage therapists and also in some applications by untrained people. The device can be used by either gliding, pressuring, or twisting and has a greater effect on deep body tissues than by applying the same manipulations with bare hands. Thus, the use of the device replaces the use of bare hands by the therapist, completely or partially, during the treatment session and that reduces fatigue and muscle aches of the therapist and prevents occupational hazards such as inflammation of the joints, hands, and other problems.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description thereof together with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front view of the manual therapy device embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cut-away fragmentary perspective view of the right side of the device as shown in Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the manual therapy device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Massage device 10, shown in Figs. 1-3, has an integrally molded, four sided, generally rectangular frame 12 with a variety of inwardly and outwardly extending projections for application of pressure to various body parts. Massage device 10 is shaped to be easily handheld by the user, and frame 12 comprises four integrally formed legs 14, 16, 18, and 20, which form a generally rectangular frame 12 with dimensions to fit the hand of the user with leg 14 being the primary handle for the device, although the other legs 16, 18, and 20 also can be gripped for use of the device. The frame 12, including legs 14, 16, and 20, has a generally oval cross section 15, as seen in Fig. 2, defining sharply rounded opposed edges for stimulating connective tissue when used. The junction of legs 14 and 16 forms an outwardly projecting rounded single finger 22 at one corner of the generally rectangular frame 12. At the junction of lower leg 18 and leg 16, there is a generally cylindrical projection 24 having rounded ends 25 on opposite sides similar in shape to projection 30 at the junction of legs 20 and 18. Leg 18 includes a plurality of annular rings 26 defined by interspersed grooves 28 forming spaced-apart rounded disk-like massage elements. At the junction of legs 18 and 20, there is provided an arm 32 extending from the corner of the junction of legs 18 and 20 and a barrel-like cylindrical projection 30 having rounded ends or tips 34 on opposite sides of projection 30. The junction of legs 14 and 20 define a pair of spaced fringes or projections with cylindrical ends 36 and 38 at an angle to one another of approximately 45° and including a concave curved depression 40 therebetween. The rounded tips or ends 37 and 39 of laterally extending cylindrical ends 36 and 38, respectively, are best seen in Fig. 2. The area between projection 30 and projection 36 in leg 20 also includes a large concave curved surface 42 which is employed in connection with the operation of the device as shown in the charts below. The device 10 can be held, as noted above, by any of the legs, however, leg 12 is a primary handle.

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the massage device includes all of the above features in a single device which can be molded of a suitable polymeric material having the strength and durability for use by a therapist. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polystyrene. It also could be molded or otherwise fabricated of composite materials, extruded/molded metal of any kind (including titanium), various types of hardwoods, all kinds of hard molded or extruded plastics (including recombined plastics, wood resin combinations, etc.), as long as the material can provide the following properties of the device:

• very smooth surfaces;

• strength and durability of the device in terms of its physical properties; and

• must withstand all types of oils used in treatment, including mineral oils, herbal or vegetable oils, aromatic oils, and essences.

The dimensions of the device can be varied, however, in one embodiment the projections had a radius of curvature of about 1-inch for projections 24 and 30 and about ³/4-inch for projections 36 and 38. The diameter of the rings 26 are about 1-inch and the edges are gently rounded, as shown in Figs. 1-3, to comfortably move across the surface of the patient's skin. The length of leg 18 in the area of rings 26 is approximately 5-inches.

The accompanying charts 50, 60 identify the function of the projections and surfaces as shown in Figs. 1-3 by letter, the body parts to which the pressure is applied, how it is applied, and the clinical condition being treated.

CHART 50 (Fig. 1)

CHART 60 (Fig. 3)

Other features and uses of the device 10 include:

The Device and Kinesio Taping. The Kinesio taping method uses a special elastic tape, Kinesio Tape, made out of cotton to increase muscle power, improve range of motion, and reduce pain. In most cases where an orthopedic situation is involved, the effect takes place in a matter of minutes from the time of application. Kinesio Taping is commonly used in various fields such as sport therapy, orthopedics, pediatrics, neurologic, and others. The device 10 of this invention is used by the therapist prior to the application of the Kinesio Tape, and the combined application of the device and the Kinesio Tape has a synergistic effect.

The Device and Myofascial Release. The Myofascial release is a well accepted form of treatment and is reimbursed within the US. The system was devised a few decades ago by Barnes a PT. In the heart of it is knowledge about the behavior of the connective tissues. If you pull the tissues in a certain way and hold, you can create enough force to cause a sort of release within the tissues. By using the device 10, you can achieve the target in a quicker and more efficient way without fatiguing your hand too much, since, by using it, you work with your big muscles instead of your very small muscles. The same applies for use on the bigger joints.

The Device and the Fuzz. The Fuzz is a word coined by Dr. Hedley, an anatomist, who is known for his teaching of integral anatomy, as well as producing a DVD set by same name. In his DVD, he shows that, if a person is not moving sufficiently, his/her tissue layers will get stuck or adhere to each other, since each night we produce a sort of Fuzz or collagen glue that is trying to bond the layers together. By applying simple maneuvers with the device 10 of the present invention, it is very easy to prevent this outcome even for a nonprofessional person.

The Device and Myofascial Meridians. Tom Myers is the creator of the Myofascial meridian concept (Published a book called Anatomy Trains, first edition 2000, second 2008). The device 10 is very well suited to treat these meridians, and the system provided by Myers could be used to guide the practitioner in the ways best to use the device with its many options.

The Device and Lymph Drainage. Lymph fluids carry away the waste products from the places it was collected to the areas it will be drained in order to excrete it from the body. In past years, it became more and more important. Lymphatic therapists undergo a special and lengthy course to enable them to perform a kind of manual lymphatic drainage massage. The human hand is, in most cases, unable to collect many tissues under it so special ways have evolved to allow maneuvers to compensate for this shortage. The device 10 is built to allow it without any pressure and do it in a very smooth way.

The Device and Trigger Point. It was found several years ago by Travell and Simmons that ischemic pressure on specific taut tissues may release its tautness. In most cases, a knobber may aid in delivering enough force. The human fingers, in most cases, are not strong enough to deliver prolonged pressure. The device 10 provides pressure in several stages from very forceful to gentle, and, in this way, it is the ultimate tool for it.

The Device and Micro Current Therapy. Micro current is a kind of electro therapy which was found to enhance cellular genesis. Adding micro current capabilities to the device may assist in providing it to more specialized professionals, like physical therapists. An article by Peter H. Lathrop, PhD entitled "Physiological Basis of Microcurrent Therapy" (2004) explains combining both manual therapy and electro therapy.

There is an option to include into the device an electrical device to produce micro currents. The electrode(s) may be embedded in one or more of the following sliding/gliding surfaces H and/or F in Fig 1. All other electrical parts required for micro current can be embedded into the area between A and C, while the electrodes embedded into the specific sliding surfaces of H and/or F do not interfere with the smoothness of the surfaces or the physical properties and oil resistance of the surfaces. Electrodes are to be made of conducting stainless steel. The power supply should be a battery, regular or rechargeable. The battery can be, but is not limited to, a lithium battery.

It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the invention as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A manual massage device comprising: a frame integrally including four interconnected legs, wherein the corner of one pair of legs includes a pair of spaced outwardly projecting fingers each having a cylindrical end extending laterally and having rounded ends.

2. The massage device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said legs comprises a plurality spaced apart annular rings.

3. The massage device as defined in claim 2 wherein a second corner at the intersection of another pair of said legs includes a single outwardly projecting finger.

4. The massage device as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of said legs includes an inwardly curved edge.

5. The massage device as defined in claim 4 wherein said frame has generally curved outer surfaces.

6. The massage device as defined in claim 5 wherein a third corner of said frame has a cylindrical end extending laterally and having rounded ends.

7. The massage device as defined in claim 6 wherein a fourth corner has an outwardly projecting finger.

8. The massage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame has an oval-shaped cross section.

9. The massage device as defined in claim 7 wherein said frame is integrally molded of a polymeric material.

10. The massage device as defined in claim 9 wherein said polymeric material includes one of the group including polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polystyrene.

11. The massage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is made of composite materials.

12. The massage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is made of metal.

13. The massage device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is made of hardwood.

14. A method of providing a therapeutic massage to a person comprising the steps of: gripping a massage device comprising a handheld frame having four sides with projections at least at two corners and a leg with a plurality of spaced annular projections; and moving the device over the body surface of an individual while changing the grip on the device.

15. A manual massage device comprising: a generally rectangular frame having an oval-shaped cross section and four legs, wherein at least three of the legs are curved.

16. A manual massage device as defined in claim 15 wherein a fourth leg includes a plurality spaced-apart annular projections.

17. A manual massage device as defined in claim 16 wherein the junction of a pair of said legs includes a single outwardly projecting finger.

18. The manual massage device as defined in claim 17 wherein the junction of another pair of legs includes a pair of spaced-apart outwardly projecting fingers with cylindrical ends having rounded tips.

19. The massage device as defined in claim 18 wherein said frame is integrally molded of a polymeric material which includes one of the group including polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polystyrene.

20. The massage device as defined in claim 15 wherein said device is made of one of composite materials, metal, or hardwood.