Spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment and device

• US 8,152,747 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aslam Khan
• Original Assignee: Aslam Khan
• Inventors: Khan, Aslam, Wishart, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/599,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,590 Days
• Field of Search: 601/46, 601/48, 601/71, 607/17, 600/17, 600/481
• US Class Current: 601/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1669 moving along the body in a reciprocating manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled

Abstract

The current invention is a spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment device and controller, which delivers multiple impulses of variable frequency and variable force in a linear direction, as well as rotational forces, for patient treatment. Known chiropractic impulse devices are all hand held devices. In contrast, the spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment device is mounted on a fixed stand and armature, allowing reliable positioning and directional alignment in three dimensions. Fixed mounting also facilitates ease of use. A safety coupling is incorporated to avoid patient injury due to excessive force on the treatment site in the fixed mounting scenario Smooth sinusoidal waveforms are a preferred waveform for impulse delivery and sine waves are generated digitally in the apparatus. Data validation is used to ensure correct directional alignment prior to device activation Patient safety and consistency in treatment protocols are considered in the spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment design

Claims

1. A medical device for use with a stand, the device comprising a connector, an impulse treatment head, a stylus, and a display, wherein:

(i) the connector pivotally engages the impulse treatment head and is operable to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the connector and to move the impulse treatment head longitudinally, thereby providing the impulse treatment head with multiple degrees of freedom;

(ii) the impulse treatment head comprises an actuator for driving the stylus in a linear direction;

(iv) the stylus;

a) is slidably located in the impulse treatment head;

b) extends from the impulse treatment head so as to contact a patient;

c) is coupled to the actuator and

d) is collapsible upon meeting resistance of a predetermined force value; and

(v) the display is for inputting stylus alignment information and for displaying alignment of the stylus with the patient.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the connector is further configured to tilt from a horizontal plane.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a voice coil actuator.

4. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the voice coil actuator is operative to transmit sinusoidal impulse waveforms along a linear axis of the stylus.

5. The medical device of claim 4 further comprising a rotator for driving the stylus in a rotational direction, wherein the rotator is in mechanical communication with the stylus.

6. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the collapsible stylus comprises a safety coupling.

7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the display is a touchscreen mounted on a top of the impulse treatment head.

8. A medical device for use with a stand, the device comprising an arm, an impulse treatment head, a stylus, and a display, wherein:

(i) the arm is configured for engagement with a stand, is rotatable about its own axis and is moveable horizontally, and comprises a yoke, wherein the yoke pivotally engages the impulse treatment head, thereby permitting multiple degrees of freedom between the impulse treatment head and a stand;

(ii) the impulse treatment head comprises a voice coil actuator for driving the stylus in a linear direction and a rotator for driving the stylus in a rotational direction;

(iv) the stylus;

a) is slidably located in the impulse treatment head;

b) extends from the impulse treatment head so as to contact a patient; and

c) is in mechanical communication with the actuator and rotator; and

(v) the display is for inputting stylus alignment information and for displaying alignment of the stylus with the patient.

9. The medical device of claim 8 wherein the connector is further configured to tilt from a horizontal plane.

10. The medical device of claim 9 wherein the voice coil actuator is operative to transmit sinusoidal impulse waveforms along a linear axis of the stylus.

11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the rotator further comprises a voice coil actuator operative to transmit rotational sinusoidal impulse waveforms to the stylus.

12. The medical device of claim 11, including a microprocessor programmed to recognize correct alignment, and to permit operation to commence only when proper alignment is achieved.

13. The medical device of claim 12 further comprising an external computer coupled to the medical device, the external computer for entering morphological data of aspects of the patient and transferring these data points from the external computer to the medical device.

14. A medical device comprising a connector, an impulse treatment head, a display and a stylus,

wherein the connector is for connecting the device to a stand, such that in use, the impulse

treatment head has multiple degrees of freedom relative to the stand and is configured to produce

impulses that drive the stylus in sinusoidal waves and wherein the display is for inputting stylus

alignment information and for displaying alignment of the stylus with a patient.

15. A method of treating a patient in need thereof comprising:

(i) collecting morphological data on the patient;

(ii) inputting the data into a medical device;

(iii) delivering acoustic, sinusoidal waves ranging from about 50 Hertz to about 200 Hertz to the patient using the medical device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the morphological data are X-ray results.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the morphological data are caliper measurements.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

(iv) collecting X-ray results following the treatment.