Devices and methods for manipulating soft tissue
First Claim
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1. A system for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:
- a solid roller formed of a single piece of uniform material, including;
a solid cylindrical core having a first durometer having a plurality of uniform hemispherical protrusions disposed on a first portion and a second portion of the cylindrical core, each protrusion having the first durometer, height and radius of curvature selected for applying pressure to soft tissue without substantial deflection of the protrusion, the protrusions on the first and second portions separated from other protrusions by a first distance axially and by a second distance circumferentially, the first portion having an effective outer diameter defined by a diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a first end of the cylindrical core, and the second portion having the effective outer diameter defined by the diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a second end of the cylindrical core;
a plurality of intermediate features, each intermediate feature providing a raised transition surface between at least two protrusions;
a first end cap formed at an end of the first portion distal from a centerline of the cylindrical core, the first end cap having a major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the first portion;
a second end cap formed at an end of the second portion distal from the centerline of the cylindrical core, the second end cap having the major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the second portion; and
a circumferential band on the cylindrical core, free of protrusions and separating the first portion and the second portion by a third distance greater than the first distance separating the plurality of protrusions axially, the circumferential band further comprising a relief area having a diameter less than the diameter of the cylinder core.
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Abstract
A system and methods are disclosed for manipulating soft tissue. In some embodiments, a roller has a cylindrical core with a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon, each protrusion having a height, durometer and radius of curvature and separated axially and circumferentially from nearby protrusions. Spacing between tow protrusions may allow protrusions to contact soft tissue while nearby bony tissue, nerves or wounds are avoided. End caps on the cylindrical core have a major diameter that may be less than, approximately the same as, or greater than the diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions. A circumferential band may be devoid of protrusions.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:
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a solid roller formed of a single piece of uniform material, including; a solid cylindrical core having a first durometer having a plurality of uniform hemispherical protrusions disposed on a first portion and a second portion of the cylindrical core, each protrusion having the first durometer, height and radius of curvature selected for applying pressure to soft tissue without substantial deflection of the protrusion, the protrusions on the first and second portions separated from other protrusions by a first distance axially and by a second distance circumferentially, the first portion having an effective outer diameter defined by a diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a first end of the cylindrical core, and the second portion having the effective outer diameter defined by the diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a second end of the cylindrical core; a plurality of intermediate features, each intermediate feature providing a raised transition surface between at least two protrusions; a first end cap formed at an end of the first portion distal from a centerline of the cylindrical core, the first end cap having a major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the first portion; a second end cap formed at an end of the second portion distal from the centerline of the cylindrical core, the second end cap having the major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the second portion; and a circumferential band on the cylindrical core, free of protrusions and separating the first portion and the second portion by a third distance greater than the first distance separating the plurality of protrusions axially, the circumferential band further comprising a relief area having a diameter less than the diameter of the cylinder core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a system for manipulating soft tissue, comprising:
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forming a solid roller of a single piece of uniform material, including; forming, on a solid cylindrical core having a first durometer, a plurality of uniform hemispherical protrusions disposed on a first portion and a second portion of the cylindrical core, each protrusion having the first durometer, height and radius of curvature selected for applying pressure to soft tissue without substantial deflection of the protrusion, the protrusions on the first and second portions separated from other protrusions by a first distance axially and by a second distance circumferentially, the first portion having an effective outer diameter defined by a diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a first end of the cylindrical core, and the second portion having the effective outer diameter defined by the diameter of the cylindrical core and the height of the protrusions and disposed at a second end of the cylindrical core; forming a plurality of intermediate features, each intermediate feature providing a raised transition surface between at least two protrusions; forming a first end cap at an end of the first portion distal from a centerline of the cylindrical core, the first end cap having a major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the first portion; and forming a second end cap at an end of the second portion distal from the centerline of the cylindrical core, the second end cap having the major diameter equal or greater than the effective outer diameter of the second portion, wherein a circumferential band is formed on the cylindrical core, free of protrusions and separating the first portion and the second portion by a third distance greater than the first distance separating the plurality of protrusions axially, the circumferential band further comprising a relief area having a diameter less than the diameter of the cylinder core. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification