WO2018115784A1

WO2018115784A1 - Lymphatic drainage device

Info

Publication number: WO2018115784A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/053806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe DELANNOY
Original assignee: Delannoy Philippe
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2017-12-22
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: FR3060975B1; EP3558210A1; FR3060975A1; EP3558210B1

Abstract

A lymphatic drainage device (10) for the lymphatic drainage of a limb of a patient, the device comprising an element forming a sleeve (14) defining an inner volume for surrounding at least a part of the limb of the patient and comprising a proximal end (12a) and a distal end (12b), the element forming a sleeve further comprising a plurality of means (24) for spraying fluid (F) configured to be connected to a fluid supply source (26), said means for spraying fluid being oriented towards the inner volume of said element forming a sleeve, so as to spray the fluid towards the limb of the patient when the drainage device is installed on said limb.

Description

Lymphatic drainage device

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of pressotherapy and in particular the field of lymphatic drainage. The present invention more specifically relates to a lymphatic drainage device of a patient's limb.

Lymph is a fluid circulating in the human body carrying toxins and excess fluids that veins can not carry.

A bad circulation of the lymph can be the cause of many physical inconveniences such as lymphedema, cellulite or the symptom of heavy legs.

Lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that promotes the circulation of lymph in the lymphatic vessels. Generally performed on the arms or legs of patients, it helps to unclog the limbs and improve the elimination of toxins. Lymphatic drainage ensures the reduction of swelling limbs or the fight against the appearance of edema.

Lymphatic drainage can therefore have an aesthetic, comfort or therapeutic application.

Manual lymphatic drainage techniques are known to be performed by physiotherapist masseurs. The masseur accelerates the circulation of the lymph by alternately operating pressures and depressions along the lymphatic network, using his hands. However, manual lymphatic drainage usually lasts more than one hour and the masseur is forced to repeat throughout this period movements requiring significant physical effort. Manual lymphatic drainage is therefore time-consuming and a source of fatigue for the specialist.

In addition, the patient is required to move to the premises of the masseur while its lymphatic circulation disorders are likely to disrupt in its movements.

In addition, not all physiotherapists are trained in manual lymphatic drainage techniques, so they are not Not all of them are qualified to practice lymphatic drainage and it may be necessary for the patient to go to a specialized center.

Mechanical lymphatic drainage techniques using specialized apparatus are also known. These devices generally implement a massage by means of mechanical massage elements such as motorized rollers or pneumatic cushions.

These devices are however cumbersome and expensive, so that an individual can not use them at home. Here again, the patient is required to move to the physiotherapist.

In addition, known mechanical drainage devices can cause trauma to the lymphatic system, for example due to improper calibration of the forces applied to the patient's limbs.

It is also noted that the time to obtain results for manual or mechanical lymphatic drainage techniques may be important. These techniques are therefore not efficient enough.

Object and summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a lymphatic drainage device remedying the aforementioned drawbacks.

To do this, the invention provides a lymphatic drainage device of a patient's limb, the device comprising a sleeve member defining an interior volume for surrounding at least a portion of the patient's limb and having a proximal end and a distal end, the sleeve member further comprising a plurality of fluid spraying means configured to be connected to a fluid supply source, said fluid spraying means being oriented toward the interior volume of said sleeve member, so as to project fluid to the patient's limb when the drainage device is installed on said limb.

The lymphatic drainage device according to the invention makes it possible to implement a lymphatic drainage technique in which the fluid constitutes the massaging element. Preferably, and contrary to known manual or mechanical lymphatic drainage techniques, only the fluid comes into contact with the patient's limb. The sprayed fluid exerts on the member a plurality of pressures, located in different zones, substantially opposite the fluid projection means.

One advantage is that, unlike the massage elements of a mechanical lymphatic drainage device, the fluid sprayed by means of the device according to the invention is not likely to damage the epidermis and may not cause trauma to the lymphatic system.

In addition, unlike manual lymphatic drainage techniques, the device of the invention frees the physiotherapist massager, who is no longer required to perform the massage. This reduces the fatigue of the specialist and saves time.

In addition, it is not necessary to be skilled or to have special knowledge in terms of lymphatic drainage or massage to use the device according to the invention. Thus, an unqualified person can achieve lymphatic drainage by means of the device according to the invention. For example, the patient himself can use the device without the aid of a masseur. Similarly, a masseur who is not specialized in lymphatic drainage can equip his practice with such a device, so as to extend the services offered to lymphatic drainage.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the sprayed fluid may be water, air or any other fluid having particularly beneficial properties for the human body. The fluid can also be cold, warm or hot, depending on the needs of the patient.

Preferably, the rate at which the fluid is projected is adjustable, so that it is possible to adjust the intensity of the lymphatic drainage and to improve the comfort and safety of the patient.

Without limitation, the fluid supply source may be a tap of running water.

The sleeve member is configured to be mounted on the patient's limb, preferably so that the proximal end of said sleeve member corresponds to the proximal end of the patient's limb and so that the end distal of the sleeve member corresponds to the distal end of the patient's limb.

The sleeve member extends around the patient's limb so as to cover the entire periphery of the limb to be drained. An interest is to surround the member of the patient, in the manner of a garment. In this way, the sleeve member can be threaded easily.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the sleeve member may preferably comprise an outer wall on which is disposed a lateral opening means, such as a zipper or velcro, to open laterally said element forming sleeve, to facilitate the installation of said sleeve member on the patient's limb and to seal it during use.

Such a device can be easily set up on the patient's limb and is compact. Also, this device can be used by a single patient, at his own home. It is not necessary for the patient to go to the masseur to perform lymphatic drainage, which saves time and money.

In addition, the sleeve member preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of the member to be drained, so that substantially the entire limb is disposed within the sleeve member and lymphatic drainage is achieved. simultaneously over the entire area of the member to be drained.

The sleeve member may be made of a flexible material, such as natural or synthetic polymer.

In a nonlimiting manner, the sleeve member may also be made of a rigid material so that it maintains the patient's limb in position.

Preferably, the sleeve member preferably comprises first and second openings and is made of an impermeable material, so that the fluid can exit only by the first or second opening, after being projected towards the member.

Still more preferably, but not exclusively, the sleeve member has a single opening so that the fluid can exit only through this opening, so that it can subsequently be recovered and reused by the lymphatic drainage device according to the invention.

Preferably, the fluid spraying means is configured to project the fluid toward the proximal end of the sleeve member. One advantage is to direct the pressure applied by the fluid on the patient's limb. The orientation towards the proximal end corresponds to the direction of circulation of the lymph in the patient's limb. For example, in the leg, the lymph circulates from the distal end of the leg, namely the lower leg, to the proximal end, namely the upper leg.

The orientation of the fluid projection has the effect of squeezing the limb and improving the lymphatic circulation in this direction.

Advantageously, the fluid projection means comprise a set of nozzles arranged annularly so as to surround the limb of the patient, whereby the pressure zones exerted by the projected fluid are distributed over the entire periphery of the limb and contained in a region substantially circular of the patient's member. Also, this particular arrangement of the nozzles makes it possible to drain the limb over its entire circumference. This configuration therefore promotes the homogenization of lymphatic drainage which improves the effectiveness of the device.

Preferably, the drainage device comprises a plurality of support members spaced along the sleeve member, said support members being configured to support said fluid spraying means. An interest is to distribute the projection elements over substantially the entire length of the sleeve member. In this way, the pressure zones exerted by the fluid sprayed on the member are distributed substantially equally over the entire length of the area to be drained. This allows to extend the surface of the member drained by the device according to the invention and further improves the homogeneity and efficiency of lymphatic drainage.

Advantageously, said support members are secured to the inner wall of the sleeve member, whereby said support members are arranged directly in the sleeve member. This configuration makes it possible to arrange the projection elements of the fluid near the patient's limb. In this way, the projected fluid is concentrated on a reduced area of the limb, which improves the accuracy of the drainage. In addition, this also makes it possible to reduce the speed of projection of the fluid necessary to exert pressure sufficient to drain the limb, which further improves the efficiency of the drainage and reduces the power consumed for the projection of the fluid.

Preferably, each of the support members supports a group of fluid projection means.

A group of projection means consists of at least two projection means. These groups of projection means make it possible to project the fluid on the member into zones of the member distributed substantially opposite said support elements. Also, these groups of projection means make it possible to distribute the pressure zones more effectively on the limb.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the drainage device further comprises a control member configured to control the fluid supply of one of the groups of fluid projection means supported by one of said support members.

All the projection means forming said group of projection means are fed simultaneously, so that the fluid is projected towards a plurality of zones of the member, preferably close to each other and concentrated in a region of the member located substantially facing the support member supporting said group. Pressure is therefore exerted by the fluid simultaneously on a plurality of zones included in said region. An interest is to drain a precise and determined region of the limb.

The control member may be configured to control the fluid supply of one of the groups of fluid projection means in response to an action, for example, of the patient, on an actuator. The controller may also be configured to control the supply of fluid from a predetermined time.

Preferably, the control member is configured to control the fluid supply of a single group of fluid projection means at a time. Thus, only the projection means of said group, supported by one and the same support element are fed. The other projection means constituting the other groups of projection means are not supplied with fluid.

By controlling the fluid supply of only a group of fluid projection means, the control member can project the fluid only through these projection means and to drain the member only in relation to said projection means. This allows localized drainage over a plurality of specific areas of the limb, whereby the drainage is more accurate and adapted to the needs of the patient.

Advantageously, the control member is configured to control the successive fluid supply of each of the groups of fluid projection means supported by said support members.

It is understood that a first group of projection means is fed, so that the fluid is projected from the projection means forming this group, then the fluid supply of said first group of projection means is interrupted, so that the fluid is no longer projected. A second group of projection means is then fed and so on.

An interest is to apply pressure on the limb in a specific area, facing the projection means of the fluid-fed group, and then to interrupt the pressure, so as to create a relaxation of the limb in the area to be drained. The sequence of a pressure step and a release step produces a pumping effect that promotes the circulation of lymph in the lymphatic network.

Another advantage is to apply this pumping effect in successive distinct areas of the patient's limb, as for manual lymphatic drainage.

In addition, the successive feed order of the groups of projection means can be subject to a predetermined feed sequence. In a nonlimiting manner, the feed sequence can be recorded in a memory of the drainage device or determined by an operator before the launching of the drainage operation. In this configuration, the control member controls the feeding of the groups of projection means according to said predetermined sequence.

Advantageously, the control member is configured to supply fluid successively each of the groups of fluid projection means supported by the support members from the proximal end of the sleeve member to the distal end of the sleeve member. sleeve member or from the distal end of the sleeve member to the proximal end of the sleeve member. These particular feeding sequences of the groups of projection means make it possible to reproduce the patterns of manual lymphatic drainage.

These diagrams consist, for example, of draining a patient's leg by applying successive pressure step by step, from the lower part to the upper part of the patient's leg or from the upper part to the lower part of the patient's leg. leg. These diagrams are reputed to be the most effective and guide the lymph in the lymphatic network. The successive fluid supply of each of the groups of projection means according to one or the other of these two schemes is particularly effective.

Preferably, the support members are arches configured to grip the patient's limb, whereby the patient's limb is held more effectively within the sleeve member and is not likely to slip or exit the member. forming sleeve due to the pressure applied by the projected fluid.

In addition, the projection means may be placed all around the arches, so that the pressure zones applied by the fluid projected on the patient's limb are contained in a substantially circular region distributed around the periphery of said limb. The pressure regions are therefore more precise and better localized so that lymphatic drainage is more efficient and better controlled.

Preferably, the sleeve member is a leg that is shaped to receive a leg of the patient, whereby the drainage device is configured to perform the drainage of the leg of a patient.

An interest is to allow the patient to easily install the sleeve element on his leg, the same way he would put on a traditional thigh.

In addition, the thigh has the advantage of being flexible, lightweight, compact and inexpensive. Also, the patient may consider using this embodiment of the device according to the invention from his home, for example in his bathtub. In particular, he can carry out drainage without the help of a specialist. It is understood that the patient puts the thigh in his bathtub and then implements the device to achieve drainage. The excess fluid is then evacuated by the evacuation of said bath.

Without limitation, two drainage devices according to the invention can be used simultaneously, on two separate members of the patient, so as to achieve the simultaneous drainage of these two members.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the lymphatic drainage device according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a hoop provided with nozzles constituting the drainage device of FIG. 1.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates first embodiment of the lymphatic drainage device 10 according to the invention. In this example, the lymphatic drainage device 10 allows lymphatic drainage of the limb of a patient by spraying a fluid F, in this case water, to the patient's limb. Here, the lymphatic drainage device 10 comprises a sleeve member 14, here constituted by a thigh stripper 12 for receiving the leg of a patient. Alternatively, without departing from the scope of the invention, the limb on which is installed the lymphatic drainage device according to the invention may be an arm of the patient, his face or his torso.

Said stretcher 12 is configured to surround all or part of the patient's leg, preferably from the ankle to the thigh of said patient. Said strut 12 extends substantially along an axis X and defines an interior volume V for receiving the leg of said patient. The thigh strand 12 has a proximal end 12a, configured to be disposed at the upper portion of the patient's leg and a distal end 12b configured to be disposed proximate the patient's foot, when the thigh strand 12 is installed on the leg of the patient. patient. Without limitation, the waders 12 further comprises a foot portion 16 configured to accommodate the foot of the patient. The thigh strand 12 is provided with an upper opening 13 configured to receive the leg of the patient. Moreover, the thigh strand 12 is preferably made of natural or synthetic polymer or any other impervious and flexible material.

The thigh strand 12 also comprises an outer wall 18 and an inner wall 20. The inner wall 20 of the thigh strand is provided with a plurality of arches 22, in this non-limiting example four arches 22, spaced along said thigh stretcher 12. In a nonlimiting manner, these arches 22 can be secured to the inner wall 20 of the thigh 12 by gluing or sewing.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an arch 22 used in the lymphatic drainage device 10 of FIG. 1. This arch 22 is circular, of center O, and extends along the axis X. The arch 22 is small thickness, preferably between 1 millimeter (mm) and 15 mm, so that it does not interfere with the passage of the patient's leg when the patient puts on the thigh straps 12.

The hoop has a height H of the order of a few centimeters while its diameter substantially corresponds to the diameter of the thigh buckle 12. The arch 22 is configured to surround the leg of the patient on the height H.

This arch 22 has an inner face 22a on which are annularly arranged a plurality of nozzles 24. The nozzles 24 are preferably spaced over the entire periphery of the arch 22. These nozzles are oriented towards the inside of the roll bar and therefore towards the interior volume V defined by the thigh strand 12. The set of nozzles 24 disposed on a hoop 22 forms a group of nozzles 24.

In this nonlimiting example, the nozzles 24 are oriented towards the proximal end of the patient's leg. These nozzles are inclined, with respect to the plane P in which the bow 22 is arranged, preferably at an angle α of between 35 ° and 75 °, more preferably at an angle of between 45 ° and 65 °, still preferably at an angle of 55 °.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the nozzles 24 are connected to a fluid supply source 26. This supply source 26 may be, among other things, a running water tap. Preferably, the fluid F is conveyed from the power source 26 to the nozzles 24, by means of a network of conduits 28. Without limitation, each arch 22 may be connected to the power source 26 by means of a conduit 28.

Furthermore, each arch 22 can support a conduit 28 extending over all or part of its periphery and communicating with the nozzles 24 disposed on said arch 22. This conduit can be integrated in the material of the arch 22 or fixed on said arch 22.

In practice, in order to proceed with lymphatic drainage by means of the lymphatic drainage device 10 according to the invention, the patient puts on the waders 12, by inserting his leg through the upper opening 13. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the wall outer 18 of the thigh can be provided with a lateral opening means, such as a zipper or velcro, extending along substantially the entire length of the thigh 12 and to open laterally said thigh to be able to introduce the patient's leg more easily, and close it tightly during use.

When the thigh strand is installed on the patient's leg, said leg is surrounded by the thigh strand 12 and extends into the interior volume V defined by said thigh length 12. The patient is then preferably placed in a lying position, in a tub or all another space to recover the excess fluid.

Moreover, the diameter of the thigh strand 12 is preferably slightly greater than that of the leg of the patient so that the leg of the patient is not compressed by said thigh 12. The waders 12 may however comprise a closure elastic, arranged at the upper opening 13 and for tightening the thigh 12 around the patient's leg to ensure the tightness of said thigh 12.

The patient causes the fluid supply F of the lymphatic drainage device 10, for example by actuating a valve. The fluid, in this case water, is then conveyed from a supply source 26 to the nozzles 24. The said nozzles 24 then allow a high-speed projection of the fluid F to the interior volume V defined by the thigh strand 12 , and thus to the patient's leg, in the direction of orientation of the nozzles. The leg is therefore subjected to a plurality of pressures applied by the fluid F and located substantially opposite of each of the nozzles 24 fed. The pressure exerted by the projected fluid has a massing effect, so that the lymphatic drainage device 10 according to the invention allows lymphatic drainage of the limb, in this case the patient's leg, by means of the force applied by the fluid. F projected.

The nozzles 24 being disposed on the arches 22, the pressure zones applied by the sprayed fluid are distributed over the leg of the patient, substantially facing said arches. In this way, the pressure zones are distributed in substantially circular regions along the patient's leg.

In addition, the nozzles 24 being oriented towards the proximal end 12a of the thigh strand 12, it is understood that the fluid is projected towards the proximal end of the leg of the patient. This orientation allows to exert a pressure directed towards the top of the leg of the patient. This direction corresponds to the direction of circulation of the lymph in the leg, which all the more improves the lymphatic circulation in the patient's leg.

The diameter of the thigh 12 being preferably greater than the diameter of the leg of the patient, the projected fluid F can flow through the upper opening 13 of the thigh 12. The patient can use this lymphatic drainage device 10 in his bathtub and proceed to lymphatic drainage without having to move to a specialist. The sprayed fluid may further be reused by the drainage device 10 to continue the drainage operation.

The lymphatic drainage device 10 further comprises a control member 30 configured to control the fluid supply F of the nozzles 24. Preferably, the control member 30 is configured to control the supply of only a group of nozzles 24 at a time, that is to say the supply of only all the nozzles 24 supported by only one of the arches 22.

In this way, the fluid F is projected towards the leg of the patient, only at said arch 22, facing the nozzles 24 fed. Meanwhile, all other nozzles 24, i.e. all the nozzles supported by the other hoops 22, are not energized and do not project fluid. It is understood that this conformation makes it possible to drain only a region, substantially circular, of the patient's leg. The region to be drained can be determined according to the needs of the patient.

The control member 30 is also configured to control the successive feeding of the different groups of nozzles 24 in a predetermined pattern.

In this configuration, a first group of nozzles 24 is energized for a predetermined time, then the supply of this group of nozzles 24 is interrupted and another group of nozzles is supplied. The control member 30 reproduces this command according to a predetermined supply sequence of the groups of nozzles 24. The succession of a fluid projection step and a step of interruption of the fluid projection can create a pumping effect on the patient's leg which further improves the efficiency of lymphatic drainage.

The feeding sequence of the nozzle groups 24 may be prerecorded in an internal memory of the lymphatic drainage device 10 or determined by an operator before the launching of the drainage operations.

Preferably, the groups of nozzles 24 are fed successively from the proximal end 12a of the waders 12 to the distal end 12b of said waders. In other words, at first, only the nozzles 24 of the arch 22 disposed near the proximal end 12a of the thigh are fed. Then the supply of these nozzles is interrupted and only the nozzles of the bow 22 immediately subsequent lower are fed. The operation is repeated until the supply of the only nozzles 24 of the arch arranged near the distal end 12b of the waders 12.

In this way, the fluid F is projected in successive stages, and the leg is drained from top to bottom. This particular sequence of feeding the groups of nozzles 24 makes it possible to reproduce the pattern of traditional manual lymphatic drainage whose effectiveness is well known.

Alternatively, the nozzle groups can be fed successively from the distal end 12b of the thigh 12 to the proximal end 12a of said thigh. Without limitation, the control member 30 may be configured to feed a plurality of groups of nozzles 24 simultaneously, to drain a larger portion of the leg of the patient.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, two drainage devices according to the invention can be installed simultaneously, for example on both legs of the patient, so as to perform simultaneous lymphatic drainage of said two legs of the patient.

Claims

A lymphatic drainage device (10) for a limb of a patient, the device comprising a sleeve member (14) defining an interior volume for surrounding at least a portion of the patient's limb and having a proximal end (12a). and a distal end (12b), the sleeve member further comprising a plurality of fluid spraying means (24) configured to be connected to a fluid source (26), said projection means fluid fluid being directed to the interior of said sleeve member (14) to project fluid to the patient's limb when the drainage device is installed on said member.

The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the fluid spraying means (24) is configured to project the fluid toward the proximal end (12a) of the sleeve member (14).

A drainage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid spraying means (24) comprises a set of annularly arranged nozzles so as to surround the patient's limb.

4. A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of support members (22) spaced along the sleeve member (14), said support members being configured to support said fluid projection means (24) (F).

The drainage device of claim 4, wherein said support members (22) are integral with the inner wall (20) of the sleeve member (14).

6. A drainage device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the support members (22) supports a group of fluid projection means (24) (F).

7. drainage device according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a control member (30) configured to control the fluid supply (F) of a group of projection means (24) of fluid supported by one of said support members (22).

A drainage device according to claim 7, wherein the control member (30) is configured to control the fluid supply (F) of only one of the plurality of fluid projecting means (24) at a time. .

Drainage device according to claim 8, wherein the control member (30) is configured to control the successive fluid supply (F) of each of the groups of fluid projection means (24) supported by said elements. support (22).

The drainage device according to claim 9, wherein the control member (30) is configured to supply fluid (F) successively with each of the groups of fluid projection means (24) supported by the support members (22). ) from the proximal end (12a) of the sleeve member (14) to the distal end (12b) of the sleeve member or from the distal end of the sleeve member to the proximal end of the sleeve member.

The drainage device of any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the support members (22) are arches configured to grip the patient's limb.

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sleeve member (14) is a waders (12) shaped to receive a leg of the patient.