Devices and methods for increased blood flow and pain control

• US 9,333,144 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MMJ Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: MMJ Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Baxter, Amy L., Calderon, Louis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US13/795,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20130197409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607108-111, 601/46, 128/898
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0084 using a solar cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0285 Local anaesthetic effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/032 using oxygen from the air, e.g. pocket-stoves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/10 Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2209/00 Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/422 Desensitising skin

Abstract

A device comprising a casing; at least one vibratory source; at least one power source; at least one switch to actuate the vibratory source; electrical communication between the vibratory source, the power source, and the switch; and an optional thermal element for modulating the temperature of a contacted area of a surface. Also disclosed herein are methods for using the device.

Claims

1. A method for increasing fluid flow in a site of reduced fluid flow in a subject, the method comprising contacting a vibratory device at or adjacent to a site of reduced fluid flow, wherein the vibratory device comprises a) a casing comprising an application area, b) a vibrational source contained within the casing, wherein the vibrational source is capable of producing vibration, c) a switch secured to the casing and in operative communication with the vibrational source for selectively activating the vibrational source, and d) a thermal source capable of being cooled;

initiating vibration by the device, optionally providing a thermal effect simultaneously with the vibration, and modulating the fluid flow in the site of reduced fluid flow.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced fluid flow is reduced blood flow in tissue at or adjacent to an injured, wounded or burned site.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced fluid flow is a blocked duct, a pulmonary passage, a mammary duct, or a blocked artery, vein or capillary.

4. A method for reducing pain or irritating sensation at an initiation site of such sensations, the method comprising contacting a vibratory device at a first site between the spinal cord and the initiation site of the pain or irritating sensation, wherein the vibratory device comprises a) a casing comprising an application area, b) a vibrational source contained within the casing, wherein the vibrational source is capable of producing vibration, c) a switch secured to the casing and in operative communication with the vibrational source for selectively activating the vibrational source, and d) a thermal source capable of being cooled;

providing vibration by the device in an intermittent or continuous vibration, optionally applying a thermal effect simultaneously with the vibration, and vibrating for a sufficient time to interfere with nerve transmission from the initiation site.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after contact at the first site, moving the vibratory device to the initiation site of sensation, and initiating vibration at the initiation site for a time sufficient to reduce the sensations felt from the initiation site;

and optionally applying a thermal effect simultaneously to the initiation site.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising removing the vibratory device from contact with the subject, optionally after affecting a cessation of sensations or nerve transmission from the initiation site.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the pain or sensation is itching, burning, an insect bite, or pain from a wound, a scrape, a burn or an abrasion to the surface of the subject.