Apparatus for enhancing venous circulation and for massage

• US 5,245,990 A
• Filed: 02/14/1992
• Issued: 09/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Millo Bertinin
• Original Assignee: Millo Bertinin
• Inventors: Bertinin, Millo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANLON, BRIAN EMMETT
• Application Number:
  US07/835,403
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 128/64, 128/38-40, 128/24 R
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5053 mechanically controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for enhancing venous circulation in persons having venous insufficiencies and/or for effecting muscular massage for preventing muscle atrophy. This is attained by a wrap or sleeve adapted to circumscribe the portion of the body to be treated which includes an inflatable flexible tubing or tube which is inflated and deflated for producing a smooth, progressive massaging force on the body portion being treated. In one form of the invention, a plurality of independent inflatable tubes are arranged to circumscribe the body portion to be treated and are arranged to be sequentially inflated by a valving piston reciprocating in a supply manifold disposed in communication with each of the independent inflatable tubes. In operation, a fluid pressure inflates the respective tubes in a progressive manner whereby a massaging force is progressively applied against the body part as the tubes are sequentially inflated and which massaging force is relieved when the tubes are deflated. In another form of the invention, the inflatable tube is in the form of a continuous zigzag pattern having a series of reverse bends and which is wrapped about the portion of the body to be treated. A cord is threaded through the inflatable tube to maintain the continuity of the flow of fluid pressure through the tubing. A control circuit is provided to control the inflation and deflation of the flexible tubing to effect a repetitive cycle in a predetermined time sequence.

Claims

1. A rhythmic pressure applying appliance for improving venous circulation comprising:

sleeve means having opposed ends for encasing a portion of a body to be treated,

inflatable means connected to the inner surface of said sleeve means;

said inflatable means being disposed to circumscribe the portion of a body to be treated between said opposed ends of said sleeve,

supply means for supplying a fluid pressure to said inflatable means for progressively inflating said inflatable means,

said sleeve means comprises a cylindrical member for receiving the portion of a body to be treated, and

said inflatable means comprising a plurality of inflatable tubes longitudinally spaced between the opposed end of said cylindrical member,

each of said inflatable tubes having a nipple through which a pressure fluid is introduced and exhausted for effectng the inflating and deflating of said tubes,

said supply means including an elongated manifold extending longitudinally along the length of said sleeve connected in communication with each of said nipples,

a piston reciprocally mounted within said manifold for sequencing the flow of fluid into and out of said nipples,

means for introducing a fluid pressure into said manifold for effecting the displacement of said piston within said manifold whereby fluid pressure is sequentially introduced into each of said tubes to effect the inflation thereof as said piston valves said nipples, and

a means biasing said piston against the force of said fluid pressure for effecting the return of said piston when sad fluid pressure is cut off to effect deflation of said inflatable tubes,

and said biasing means comprising a constant force spring for exerting a pull force on said piston.

2. A rhythmic pressure applying appliance as defined in claim 1 and including spacer means disposed between adjacent inflatable tubes for maintaining the positioning of said inflatable tubes in spatial relationship longitudinally of said cylindrical member.

3. A rhythmic pressure massaging appliance as defined in claim 1 and including:

a valve means disposed between said means for introducing a fluid pressure and said manifold to control the flow of fluid pressure to and from each of said tubes sequentially,

said valve means including an exhaust means for deflating sad flexible tubes,

and timing means for actuating said valve means for cycling the progressive inflation and deflation of said inflatable tubes.

4. A rhythmic pressure massaging appliance for enhancing venous circulation to a portion of a body to be treated comprising

a sleeve adapted to circumscribe a body part to be treated,

a plurality of inflatable tubes connected to said sleeve for effecting a massaging pressure on the body part,

said inflatable tubes being longitudinally spaced along the length of said sleeve and arranged to circumscribe the body part,

means for progressively inflating each of said tubes with a fluid pressure,

said means including a supply manifold,

communication means for connecting each of said inflatable tubes in communication with said supply manifold,

a piston reciprocally mounted within said manifold,

a source of fluid pressure connected to said supply manifold,

and a valve means disposed between said source and said supply manifold for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said supply manifold, whereby actuation of said valve means causes said fluid pressure to be directed to said manifold to effect displacement of said piston causing each of said tubes to be sequentially inflated as said piston valves each of said tubes in communication with the fluid pressure in said manifold,

said sleeve comprises a pair of sleeve sections,

means for hingedly connecting said sleeve sections together for pivoting between an operative and inoperative position,

and fastening means for securing said sleeve sections in an operation position,

each of said inflatable tubes comprise an elongated tube extending transversely of said sleeve sections so that in the operative position of said sleeve sections, said elongated tube is adapted to encircle the body part,

wherein said communication means comprising a nipple connecting said elongated tubes is connected in communication with said supply manifold, said nipple being disposed intermediate the ends of said elongated tube,

and including a timing means connected in circuit with said valve means to control the actuation thereof, and

a means to returning said piston to its initial position upon the deflation of said inflatable tubes,

wherein said piston return means comprises a motor, a spindle operatively connected to said motor, said spindle being free to rotate in one direction and motor driven in the opposite direction, and a cord wound about said spindle, said cord having its free end connected to said piston whereby displacement of said piston under fluid pressure causes said cord to unwind from said spindle, and upon actuation of said motor said spindle is driven in the opposite direction causing said cord to be wound thereon to pull said piston to its initial inoperative position.