DEVICE FOR MASSAGING OR TREATING THE MUSCLES OF THE BACK AND NECK

• US 20130138023A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atlantotec Co.
• Original Assignee: Atlantotec Co.
• Inventors: Lerro, Alfredo
• Application Number:
  US13/636,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20130138023A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/005 Moveable platform, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platform for standing, sitting, laying, leaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/14 Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/149 rotation-linear or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1609 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1669 moving along the body in a reciprocating manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/04 neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for massaging or treating the muscles of the back and neck of a patient, comprising a housing (2) in which a drive motor (3) drives an annular crank track (6) by means of a gearbox (4). A lift motion acting on a massage finger (8) is generated by means of a guide unit (7). The geometric dimensions of the annular crank track determine the constant amplitude or the constant stroke of the massage finger (8) or of the massage head (83) thereof. The massage finger (8) is thus displaced at a constant amplitude, while the frequency is changed in accordance with a controller (10). The massage device (1) according to the invention works extremely quietly. The special construction thereof allows the resonant frequency of each muscle to be achieved.

Claims

1. A device for massaging or treatment of the back and neck muscles of a patient, comprising a housing having disposed therein a drive motor, which indirectly exerts an adjustable fundamental oscillation of constant amplitude onto a massaging finger, characterized in that an electronic controller, a frequency change of the fundamental oscillation can be generated, at a vibration generated in the axial direction of the massaging finger.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the alternating frequency occurs in a constant rhythm with a frequency of up to 1 Hz, preferably between 0.1 and 2 Hz.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency change occurs extending sinusoidal or in a saw-tooth pattern or by means of corresponding varying the rotation speed of the drive motor

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the constant amplitude or stroke of the massaging linger is in the range between 1.0 and 0 mm.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that via a transmission, the drive motor acts on a ring-shaped guide track, on which run two diametrically opposed cam followers, which run in an axis that is mounted in a guide body wherein in the guide body, at least two guide rods are held, which slide in a guide disc that is arranged fixed on the housing, through which disc also the massaging finger is directly or indirectly guided.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the annular guide track is formed as a driven ring or a circular disk, wherein the ring or the disc with its edge region, which lies in the direction of the massaging linger, forms the guide track.

8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide track in the execution forms at least approximately a sine curve.

9. The device according to claim 6. characterized in that in each case two diametrically opposite points of the slide track are on the same height.

10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the difference of the two highest points and the two lowest points of the guide track is equal to the amplitude of movement or the travel of the linearly moving massaging finger.

11. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that between the guide body and the guide plate is a compression spring.

12. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the massaging finger comprises a rod that is connected with the guide body and equipped with a massaging head.

13. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the rod is designed in two parts and the second part equipped with the head is removably connected with the first part of the rod that is attached to the guide body.

14. Use of the device according to claim 1 for massage or treatment of the back and neck muscles of a patient, characterized in that the treating person uses two devices simultaneously in order to be able to perform a massage symmetrically on both sides of the spinal, column.

15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a massaging body and a fastening pin for the connection of the massaging finger to said drive, wherein the massaging body has a shape different from a rotationally symmetrical form, so that depending on the relative orientation of the longitudinal axis of the massaging body to the surface to be massaged, a variable contact area can be reached, and a variable massage effect can be produced.

2. The device according to claim L characterized in that the fundamental oscillation has a variable frequency in the range of 1 to 24 Hz, and the frequency change occurs alternately, preferably in any rhythm.

16. A massaging finger for a device for massage comprising a massaging body and a fastening pin for connection of the massaging finger to a drive of a spinal massage device, characterized in that the massaging body, which has a shape that deviates from the rotationally symmetrical shape so that depending on the relative orientation of the longitudinal axis of the massaging body to the surface to be massaged, a variable contact area can be reached, and a variable massage effect can be achieved.

17. The massaging finger according to claim 16, characterized in that the massaging body has a spatula shape with a ridge.

18. The massaging linger according to claim 16, characterized in that the ridge has a ridge edge that extents perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

19. The massaging finger according to claim 16, characterized in that the ridge edge extends centrally above the base surface of the base.

20. The massaging finger according to claim 16, characterized in that the ridge edge extends parallel to a longitudinal edge of the base surface or perpendicular over one of the longitudinal edges of the base surface.

21. The massaging finger according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact surface of the massaging body is formed, at least partially, by a ridge surface and/or by a ridge corner surface and/or by a face surface and/or by a side surface.