Vertebrae diagnostic and treatment apparatus

• US 4,762,134 A
• Filed: 08/01/1986
• Issued: 08/09/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffery Gala
• Original Assignee: Jeffery Gala
• Inventors: Gala, Jeffery
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lacyk, J. P.
• Application Number:
  US06/891,561
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 128/774, 128/781, 128/782, 128/51, 128/52, 128/53
• US Class Current: 600/594
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0051 by applying vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1104 induced by stimuli or drugs; A61B5/1102 takes precedence; investigating medicinal preparations G01N33/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

A vertebrae diagnostic and treatment apparatus. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus includes a controller having inputs selecting various modes of operation of the controller and an indicator providing a display of the initial movement of the vertebrae and the subsequent movement under applied force from the diagnostic and treatment apparatus. A patient engaging device driven by the controller includes a plurality of extensible pads mounted externally on a portable housing. A force detection device, such as a load cell with accelerometer, is mounted within the housing in conjunction with each pad to detect the amount of resistance applied to each pad by the vertebrae of the user. A drive source, such as an electrically operated solenoid, causes extension and retraction of each pad in any desired mode, such as simultaneous, oscillatory or alternating in order to apply a pre-determined amount of force and direction of force to the vertebrae of a patient through the pads to provide diagnosis and treatment for vertebrae mechanical dysfunction.

Claims

1. A diagnostic and treatment apparatus for use on the vertebrae of a patient having a plurality of interconnected joints comprising:

means for engaging the vertebrae of a patient including;

a housing;

a plurality of pads spacedly, extensibly and retractably mounted in the housing; and

drive means connected to said pads for individually extending and retracting each of the plurality of the pads into and out of engagement with the vertebrae of a patient;

means connected between said drive means and said pads for sensing the resistance of said vertebrae by measuring a force applied by the pads to the vertebrae of the patient; and

a control means connected to said housing, responsive to the sensing means, for controlling the operation of the drive means to measure an initial force that is applied to the vertebrae and for controlling the drive means to apply an amount of force to the vertebrae that is dependent upon the resistance of the vertebrae as measured by said sensing means.

2. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive means comprises an electro-mechanical relay connected to an electric solenoid attached to the pad.

3. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pads are two pads mounted in the housing at spaced locations.

4. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pads are driven in an opposite, reciprocating manner by the drive means.

5. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means comprises:

input means, associated with the means for engaging the vertebrae of a patient, for activating the drive means; and

indicator means for indicating the amount of force applied by the pads to the vertebrae of the user.

6. The diagnostic and treatment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pads include force detecting means.