WO2018115785A1

WO2018115785A1 - Lymphatic drainage device with receiving element in the form of a clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2018115785A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/053807
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: FR3060976B1; FR3060976A1

Abstract

A lymphatic drainage device (10) for the lymphatic drainage of a limb (J) of a patient, the device comprising a receiving element (12) in the form of a clamp surrounding an axis (X) and defining an inner volume (V) so as to surround at least a part of the limb of the patient and comprising a proximal end (12a) and a distal end (12b), the receiving element further comprising a plurality of means (24) for spraying fluid (F) configured to be connected to a fluid supply source (30), said means for spraying fluid being oriented towards the inner volume of said receiving element, 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 with clip-shaped receiving element

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.

Moreover, not all physiotherapists are trained in manual lymphatic drainage techniques, so they are not all 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 may, however, cause trauma to the lymphatic system or the epidermis of the patient, for example due to poor calibration of the forces applied to the members of said patient. These devices do not ensure the comfort and safety of the patient.

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 relates to a lymphatic drainage device of a patient's limb, the device comprising a clip-shaped receiving member surrounding an axis and defining an interior volume for surrounding at least a portion of the limb of the patient and having a proximal end and a distal end, the receiving member further comprising a plurality of fluid spraying means configured to be connected to a fluid supply source, said fluid spraying means being oriented to the interior volume of said receiving member, so as to project fluid to the patient's limb when the drainage device is installed on said member.

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 projected fluid exerts on the patient's limb a plurality of pressures, located in different zones, substantially facing the fluid projection means. These localized pressures exert an effect massaging the patient's limb and improving lymph circulation in these areas. The projected fluid allows effective lymphatic drainage of the patient's limb. One advantage is that, unlike the massaging 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. The device according to the invention therefore ensures the comfort and safety of the patient.

In addition, the plurality of projection means allows simultaneous pressures to be exerted in several areas of the patient's limb, so that the lymphatic drainage is accelerated compared to a manual drainage technique which allows the drainage of only one zone at a time.

Moreover, unlike manual lymphatic drainage techniques, the device according to the invention allows to release the physiotherapist massager, who is no longer required to perform the massage himself. 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 of the patient.

Without limitation, the fluid supply source may be a tap of running water. The clip-shaped receiving member is configured to receive the patient's limb, so that the axis of the patient's limb is substantially coincidental with the axis surrounded by said receiving member. The receiving member is further configured to receive the patient's limb such that the proximal end of said receiving member corresponds to the proximal end of the patient's limb and the distal end of the receiving member corresponds to the proximal end of the patient's member. the distal end of the patient's limb.

The receiving member is in the form of a clip, so that it has an unclosed structure. The receiving member may preferably be loosened or tightened in the manner of a clamp to increase or decrease the interior volume that it defines. In this way, the receiving element can be adapted to the morphology of the patient's limb and better fit in shape.

In particular, the clip-shaped receiving member may be configured to tightly enclose the patient's limb so that the patient's limb occupies the entire interior volume defined by the clip. In this configuration, the clamp is used to hold the patient's limb.

Preferably, the receiving member has a first clip portion and a second clip portion configured to extend across the patient's limb. The first and second gripper portions may be slightly arcuate so that the interior volume defined by the receiving member is substantially cylindrical.

The fluid projection means are disposed on the gripper receiving member, for example on the first and / or second gripper portion. The projection means is configured to project the fluid towards the interior volume and thus preferably radially towards the axis surrounded by the receiving element.

Advantageously, the fluid projection means comprise a set of nozzles. An interest is to be able to orient the projection of the fluid by choosing the orientation of said nozzles. This allows in particular to locate the projection of the fluid, and thus the drainage, on a given area of the patient's limb. In addition, the nozzles make it possible to control the flow of the projected fluid and thus adjust the pressure exerted by the fluid projected on the patient's limb. The use of nozzles thus makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption necessary for the projection of fluid and to improve the comfort of the patient during drainage.

Preferably, said fluid spraying means are annularly arranged on said receiving element, so as to surround the patient's limb, whereby the fluid pressure zones are distributed over the entire periphery of the patient's limb and contained in a substantially circular region of the patient's limb. Also, this particular arrangement of the nozzles makes it possible to drain the limb over all or part of its circumference. This configuration therefore promotes the homogenization of lymphatic drainage which improves the effectiveness of the device.

Preferably, the receiving element supports at least a first row of fluid projection means and at least a second row of fluid projection means parallel to the first row, the rows extending around the axis.

The arrangement in the form of rows of the projection means on the receiving element makes it possible to contain the zones of pressure applied by the fluid projected on the patient's limb in a substantially circular region of said member. The regions of the limb to which pressure is applied are therefore more precise and better localized so that lymphatic drainage is more effective and better controlled.

Moreover, the arrangement of the fluid projection means on several parallel rows allows the fluid to be projected and thus to apply a pressure in several zones extending along the length of the member.

An advantage of this configuration is to grid more effectively the surface of the member to drain and thus improve the homogeneity of the drainage on said surface.

Preferably, the drainage device comprises a control member configured to control the supply of fluid to said rows of projection means independently of each other.

When the supply of a row of projection means is controlled, all the projection means forming said row are fed simultaneously. An interest to be able to order independently the feeding of the rows of projection means is to allow the feeding of only the rows necessary to achieve a localized drainage on a plurality of areas of the member, facing the rows fed. In a nonlimiting manner, only one row can be powered or several rows chosen can be fed simultaneously.

Another advantage is to be able successively supply one or more rows of projection means according to a predetermined power supply 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 supply of the rows of projection means according to said predetermined sequence.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the fluid projection means are configured to project the fluid towards the proximal end of the receiving element.

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 thus improve the lymphatic circulation in this direction.

Advantageously, the receiving element comprises a plurality of portions articulated with respect to each other, whereby the shape of the receiving element and thus the shape of the internal volume can be adapted to the shape of the member to be drained. .

In a nonlimiting manner, each articulated portion comprises a first end provided with a first articulation and a second end provided with a second articulation. The first and second articulations each enable said articulated portion to be connected to another articulated portion. Preferably, but not exclusively, the articulated portions are articulated by means of pivot links, so that said articulated portions are pivotally mounted relative to each other.

The joints connecting the articulated portions to each other preferably have a high coefficient of friction, so that without external intervention, the articulated portions are maintained in a stabilized position and the receiving element retains its original structure. Also, the clip-shaped receiving member can not be loosened or tightened involuntarily. In addition, the joints have a coefficient of friction large enough that the pressure exerted by the fluid does not allow to move or rotate an articulated portion relative to another.

Each articulated portion preferably comprises at least one fluid projection means.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the actuation of the movement or pivoting of the articulated portions relative to each other can be done manually or by means of a motorization assembly.

The displacement or pivoting of the articulated portions can be done simultaneously, for example so as to close or open the clamp.

Preferably, each of the articulated portions comprises a plurality of nozzles inclined with respect to the axis. Also, by rotating the articulated portions, it is possible to adjust the orientation of said nozzles in a plane containing the receiving element, this plane being substantially transverse to the patient's limb when said receiving element receives said member. This makes it possible to orient the nozzles more effectively towards the patient's limb, preferably transversely to said limb in said plane, so that the pressure applied to the limb by the projected fluid is maximum.

Furthermore, the inclination of the nozzles relative to the axis allows to direct the pressure applied by the fluid on the patient's limb.

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

The nozzles are preferably inclined toward the proximal end of the clip-shaped receiving member, so that when the patient's member is received by the receiving member, the fluid is projected toward the proximal end of said member. This corresponds to the direction of circulation of the lymph in the lymphatic network, so that drainage is further improved.

Preferably, the receiving member is provided with a plurality of fingers extending towards the interior volume of said receiving member, so as to keep it away from the patient's limb when the drainage device is installed on said member of the patient. patient. The fingers preferably comprise a proximal end integral with the receiving element and a distal end configured to bear on the patient's limb.

These fingers prevent direct contact between the projection means and the patient's limb which could cause the closure of said projection means and reduce drainage efficiency.

Advantageously, the drainage device further comprises a guide rail extending along the axis and the receiving member is slidably mounted on said guide rail, so as to move said receiving member along the patient's limb. .

An interest is to achieve lymphatic drainage of the patient's limb by successively moving the receiving element, step by step, along said member to cover the entire area to drain. Also, in practice, the receiving member is disposed at a first position corresponding to a first portion of the patient's limb and the drainage of this limb portion is achieved. Then, the receiving member is moved to a second position corresponding to a second portion of the patient's limb and drainage of that limb portion is performed. The operation is repeated to cover the entire area of the limb to be drained.

Preferably, but not limited to, the receiving member is moved from the proximal end to the distal end of the patient's limb, so as to follow the traditional manual lymphatic drainage scheme.

In a non-limiting variant, the receiving member may also be moved from the distal end to the proximal end of the patient's limb. Without departing from the scope of the invention, two lymphatic 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;

FIG. 2 illustrates an articulated portion of the device of FIG.

- Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the articulated portion of Figure 2; and

- Figure 4 illustrates the lymphatic drainage device of Figure 1, installed on the leg of a patient.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates an 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. The drainage device 10 further comprises a receiving element in the form of a clamp, here a clamp 12 intended to receive the leg 3 of a patient. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the member received by the device according to the invention may be an arm of the patient, his face or his torso.

The clip 12 at least partially surrounds an X axis and is configured to at least partially surround the patient's leg. This clamp 12 has a proximal end 12a and a distal end 12b, opposite the proximal end 12a. Said clip 12 further defines an internal volume V, preferably substantially cylindrical, intended to accommodate the leg 3 of the patient. Also, when the drainage device 10 is installed on the patient's leg, said leg extends substantially along the axis X, perpendicular to a plane P in which the clip 12 extends.

The clamp 12 consists of a plurality of cassettes 14 connected to each other and hinged together by means of hinges 16. In this example, the hinges are pivot connections, so that said cassettes 14 are pivotally mounted on one against the other.

By rotating the cassettes 14 relative to each other,

It is possible to adapt the spacing and the shape of the clamp 12 to the morphology of the leg 3 of the patient. Thus, by rotating the cassettes 14 towards the interior volume V, it is possible to close the clamp

12 and thus reduce said interior volume V to adapt the clamp 12 to a thin leg. Conversely, by rotating the cassettes 14 in a direction opposite to the internal volume V, it is possible to open the clamp 12 and increase the internal volume V, so as to adapt the clamp 12 to a wide leg.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the actuation of the pivoting of the various cassettes 14, to close or open the clamp, can be done manually or by means of a set of motorization.

In a nonlimiting manner, the clamp 12 of FIG. 1 comprises a first clamp portion 18 and a second clamp portion 20 extending on either side of a main cassette 22. These clamp portions 18, 20 are configured to extend on either side of the patient's leg 3.

In the example of FIG. 1, each of the gripper portions 18, 20 is composed of three articulated cassettes 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates one of the cassettes 14 composing the clamp 12 of FIG. 1. This cassette 14 has substantially the shape of a parallelepiped of length L and width I and extending in a plane R along a longitudinal axis Y. This cassette 14 has an upper face 14a, a lower face 14b, a front face 14c, a rear face 14d, a proximal face 14e and a distal face 14f. The proximal face 14e of the cassette 14 corresponds to the proximal end 12a of the clamp 12 and the distal end 14f of the cassette 14 corresponds to the distal end 12b of the clamp 12. The upper face 14a of the cassette 14 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 24 for the projection of a fluid F, arranged in a succession of rows of parallel nozzles 24. These rows of nozzles 24 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis Y.

It is also noted that inside the cassette 14 are formed a plurality of longitudinal openings 26, cylindrical in shape, extending along the longitudinal axis Y. Each of these longitudinal openings 26 is configured to receive a conduit 28. in the present example, three longitudinal openings 26 are formed in the cassette 14, so that three ducts 28 pass through said cassette 14 longitudinally. Said ducts 28 extend longitudinally out of the cassette 14 from said longitudinal openings 24 and open into the front face and the rear face of said cassette 14.

As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 3, each of the rows of nozzles 24 is disposed on the upper face 14a of the cassette 14, facing one of the three ducts 28. Thanks to this configuration, the nozzles 24 extend along the ducts 28. In addition, each of the nozzles 24 opens into a conduit 28, so that the ducts 28 and the nozzles 24 are in fluid communication.

In FIG. 1, it is noted that said three ducts 28 pass through all the cassettes 14 of the clamp 12, so that they extend substantially throughout said clamp 12. In addition, said ducts 28 are connected to a source supply fluid F and thus make it possible to supply fluid to all the nozzles 24.

Referring again to Figure 3, it is noted that the upper face 14a of the cassette 14 has a corrugated surface 32 formed by the periodic repetition of a pattern 34, having the form of a wave, along the width of said cassette 14. In this example, the corrugated surface 32 consists of three successive patterns 34.

Said units 34 each comprise a flat portion 36 and a rounded portion 38 extending along the longitudinal axis Y. The flat portion 36 has a plurality of orifices 40 through which the fluid spray nozzles 24 extend. It is therefore understood that the rows of nozzles 24 extend along the flat portions 36 of the patterns 34 of the upper face 14a of the cassette 14, and that each flat portion supports a row of nozzles 24.

In FIG. 3, the flat portions 36 of the patterns 34 of the cassette 14 are inclined, so that the nozzles 24 are also inclined, in a plane Q transverse to the cassette, by an angle β with respect to the plane R in which extends the cassette. The angle β is preferably between 45 ° and 65 °, more preferably the angle β is substantially equal to 55 °. The nozzles 24 are oriented towards the proximal end 14e of the cassette 14 and thus toward the proximal end 12a of the clamp 12.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, each of the cassettes

14 is provided with a finger 42 extending radially towards the internal volume V, from said cassette 14.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that each of these fingers 42 extends substantially parallel to the plane Q transverse to the cassette 14 to which it is attached, from the distal face 14f of said cassette 14. In this way, the finger 42 does not hinder the projection of the fluid, which is made to the proximal face 14e of said cassette.

Each finger 42 has a proximal portion 42a attached to a cassette 14 and a distal portion 42b configured to bear on the leg 3 of the patient. These fingers 42 make it possible to maintain a constant distance between the clamp 12 and said patient's leg so that the nozzles 24 are not directly in contact with the leg and are not likely to close off said nozzles and oppose projection of the fluid.

In practice, for lymphatic drainage of the patient's leg, the lymphatic drainage device 10 according to the invention is installed on the leg, so that the clamp 12 surrounds said leg. The cassettes 14 are then pivoted relative to each other so as to tighten or loosen the clamp 12, in order to adapt its shape to the morphology of the leg.

Then, it causes the fluid supply F of the drainage device 10, from the power source 30, for example by actuating a valve. The fluid, in this case water, is then conveyed to the nozzles 24, via the conduits 28.

Said nozzles 24 then allow a high speed projection of the fluid F to the leg 3 of the patient, in the direction of orientation of said nozzles 24. The leg is therefore subject to a plurality of pressures applied by the fluid and located next to each of the nozzles 24. The device according to the invention therefore allows the lymphatic drainage of the limb, in this case the leg of the patient, by means of the force applied by the projected fluid F.

The nozzles 24 being oriented towards the proximal ends 14e of the cassettes 14, and therefore towards the proximal end 12a of the clamp 12, it is understood that the fluid F is projected towards the proximal end of the leg 3 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 therefore improves all the more the lymphatic circulation in the leg 3 of the patient. The drainage device further comprises a control member. This control member makes it possible to control the supply of the rows of nozzles 24 independently of one another. In this way, it is possible to feed only one row or a plurality of selected rows.

This control member also makes it possible to control the successive supply of one or more rows of nozzles 24. The successive order of supply of the rows of nozzles 24 can be the subject of a predetermined supply sequence. In a nonlimiting manner, the feed sequence can be recorded in a memory of the drainage device. Alternatively, the control member may include a plurality of switches allowing the patient to choose which rows of nozzles 24 to feed.

Furthermore, in Figure 4, the lymphatic drainage device 10 further comprises a guide rail 44 for moving the clamp 12 along the leg 3 of the patient. Indeed, the main cassette 22 of the clamp 12 is secured to an arm 46, itself slidably mounted relative to the guide rail 44. The guide rail 44 extends substantially along the X axis surrounded by the clamp 12 and wherein substantially extends the leg 3 of the patient. In this way, it is possible to move the arm 46 and thus the clamp 12 along the guide rail 44, along the axis X. This allows the lymphatic drainage of the leg 3 by successively moving the clamp 12, of step by step, along the patient's leg and thus cover the entire area to be drained. Also, in practice, the clamp 12 is disposed in a first position corresponding to a first portion of the leg 3 of the patient and drainage of this leg portion is achieved. Then, the clip 12 is moved to a second position corresponding to a second portion of the patient's leg and drainage of this leg portion is performed. The operation is repeated to cover the patient's entire leg.

Preferably, the clip 12 is moved from the proximal end to the distal end of the leg to follow the traditional manual lymphatic drainage pattern.

Alternatively, the clip may be moved from the distal end to the proximal end of the patient's leg.

Claims

A lymphatic drainage device (10) of a limb (J) of a patient, the device comprising a gripper-like receiving member (12) surrounding an axis (X) and defining an interior volume (V) for surrounding at least a portion of the patient's limb, the receiving member having a proximal end (12a) and a distal end (12b), the receiving member further comprising a plurality of fluid spraying means (24) ( F) configured to be connected to a fluid power source (30), said fluid spraying means being oriented towards the interior volume (V) of said receiving member (12), thereby to project fluid to the member of the patient when the drainage device (10) is installed on said member.

The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the fluid spraying means (24) comprises a plurality of nozzles.

A drainage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said fluid projection means (24) is annularly disposed on said receiving member (12) so as to surround the patient's member (J).

A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving member (12) supports at least a first row of fluid spraying means (24) and at least one second row means for projecting fluid parallel to the first row, the rows extending around the axis (X).

Drainage device according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a control member configured to control the supply of fluid (F) of said rows of projection means independently of each other.

The drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fluid spraying means (24) is configured to project the fluid toward the proximal end (12a) of the receiving member. (12).

A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiving member (12) has a plurality of hinged portions (14) relative to one another.

8. Drainage device according to claim 7, wherein each of the articulated portions (14) comprises a plurality of nozzles inclined relative to the axis (X).

9. A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receiving element (12) is provided with a plurality of fingers (42) extending radially towards the interior volume (V) of said element. receiving, so as to keep it away from the limb (J) of the patient when the drainage device (10) is installed on said patient's limb.

10. A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a guide rail (44) extending along the axis (X), and in that the element receiving member (12) is slidably mounted on said guide rail so as to move said receiving member along the limb (J) of the patient.