EP0917452B1 - Massage apparatus with sucking and mobilising action on skin tissue - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for perform massage operations simply and effectively, as well on human beings than on animals (horses, cattle ...).

Various massage techniques are used depending on the treatments but we can say that they all involve exercising on the patient constraints using pressure and / or displacement phenomena and / or pinch.

To date, many types of devices have been proposed to facilitate the work of the masseur.

Among the various solutions proposed, it was first considered to use devices that require a simple mechanical action, for example example by means of assemblies comprising balls or balls mounted on a support box, possibly allowing to distribute a treatment product (cream, liquid) as is apparent in particular from FR-A-1 225 094.

It has also been proposed, as is apparent from FR-A-901 787, to carry out massage devices consisting of a treatment head connected to a circuit suction, said treatment head being constituted by a housing which comprises an internal chamber inside which opens a suction circuit. This case is in the form of a bell open at its base, the edge of which lower is generally rounded in shape. When the device is applied against the patient's body, a skin fold is formed inside the bell, a fold which bears directly against the peripheral edge of the latter.

Such an apparatus of simple design is relatively delicate to set up. work, difficult to move on the patient's body and simply exerts an action of "suction cup".

Many other solutions as shown in CH-A-168 279, US-A-2 574 601, US-A-3 297 024, FR-A-409 202, FR-A-1 590 131, proposed to associate with a phenomenon of aspiration a mechanical action exerted by the rollers, balls which allow the body to exert a pressure action and / or displacement and / or friction by vibration.

The solutions proposed in these documents lead to sets complex, delicate to implement and which are not entirely satisfactory.

More recently, various types of massage devices have been proposed. allowing massages of the type to be carried out simply and effectively “Palpé-roulé” allowing to exert on the patient a continuous action, causing not only localized pinching, but also progressive displacement of the pinched area, so as to cause a "rolling", and this while exercising a pressure. Such devices have been the subject in particular of EP-A-224 422 and 284 527 (corresponding respectively to US-A-4,729,368 and US-A-4,883,047), thus than WO 9603959.

In general, the devices described in the aforementioned documents have, mounted inside a manually actuated housing, two parallel rollers, preferably with a smooth surface, mounted free or driven positively rotating inside the housing. Rollers can be mounted on the housing either with a fixed center distance or so as to be able to move away and get closer automatically from each other during the massage operation. The housing is connected to suction means via a conduit whose end opens into the space between the rollers, which therefore creates a depression between them when applied against the body of the patient, so as to form a skin fold pressing against the surfaces of the rolls.

Now we have found, and this is what is the subject of the present invention, a solution which, in a similar way to the teachings of FR-A-901 787, allows to perform a massage by simple suction inside a room whose lower edges are convex, the suction forming a skin fold directly against said edges of the chamber and which, in addition, makes it possible to produce a “palpate-rolled” type massage, as in the aforementioned devices allowing to carry out such a type of massage, and without having to call upon elements rotary-shaped rollers, the apparatus according to the invention reinforcing the effectiveness of the treatment by the fact that there is a friction action on the surface of the skin fold formed and a jerky pinch thereof.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is very compact, of design very simple, and is easy to maintain. It has a structure such that despite its compact, it allows a skin fold having a very large surface.

Finally, it has been found, in use, that it is particularly easy to move against the patient's body.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, such an apparatus can be used interchangeably by pushing or pulling with the same efficiency in both directions.

As said previously, the apparatus according to the invention is advantageously designed to exert a jerky action on the skin fold. A such action can be obtained, for example, by mounting said device at the entrance a suction circuit comprising means for varying the flow rate air. For example, such a circuit may include a solenoid valve made in accordance with the teachings of patent WO 95/09596 which allows not only to obtain an all or nothing operation, but also a debit control of the air flow between two determined values, with the possibility of adjustment between said values.

Such a solenoid valve therefore makes it possible to obtain an operation "Sequential, pulsating, rhythmic" such as during the massage operation, the suction rate varies cyclically, causing an effect of vibration ", variation in the suction force and skin grip, improving thus the effectiveness of the treatment and facilitating its implementation.

In general, the invention therefore relates to a massage device consisting, as described in FR-A-901 787, of a treatment head proper connected to a suction circuit, said treatment head comprising a housing comprising an internal chamber inside which opens the suction circuit, and in which the skin fold formed under the effect of the suction when the device is applied to the patient, rests directly against the convex lower edges of said chamber.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber open at its base forms a window delimited by two side walls and two transverse walls, the skin fold formed under the effect of the suction pressing at least against the lower edges of the transverse walls, said edges having the shape of convex surfaces, the active surfaces constituted by the lower edges of the transverse walls being able to receive a displacement making it possible to vary their spacing between two predetermined positions, at least one of transverse walls being constituted by a partition added inside the body of the housing, this partition being pivotally mounted about an axis disposed in the upper part inside the housing and parallel to the window and being kept normally spaced from the wall which is opposite under the action of pushing means, its pivoting being obtained under the effect of the suction produced inside the room.

In the following description, the lower edges of the transverse walls defining the suction chamber and against which the skin fold rests, are designated by the expression "active surfaces".

The variation of the spacing between two predetermined positions of the active surfaces can be obtained either by moving one of its surfaces by relative to the other which remains fixed, preferably by simultaneously moving the two surfaces.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transverse walls are consisting of one or two partitions attached inside the body itself of the case.

Such a device allows, thanks to the action of bringing two walls, simply perform a new mechanical massage.

In a first embodiment according to which only one of the walls transverse is active, this wall is constituted by a partition articulated around an axis disposed in the upper part inside the housing and parallel to the window; it is kept normally separated from the wall opposite it, a wall which is fixed, under the action of thrust means (springs), and its pivoting is obtained under the effect of the vacuum and / or the pressure difference between that inside the chamber and the external pressure which is equal to atmospheric pressure.

In the following description, for the sake of simplification, it will be simply indicated that the pivoting is obtained under the effect of suction.

According to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the transverse walls are constituted by two partitions reported inside the housing, articulated around two axes arranged symmetrically with respect to a median plane at the lower window. In such a case, the two articulated partitions are mounted on a flat spring which tends to keep them apart from each other by support against the body of the housing. This flat spring extends over the entire width of the chamber of the treatment head and when the two walls tend to overlap bring one against the other under the action of suction, it ensures tightness inside the treatment chamber despite the pivoting of the walls.

The housing of a device according to the invention is preferably made by molding and essentially consists of a central body which defines a chamber open to the outside, the side walls being formed by two flanges attached on either side of the central body and fixed to the latter by any suitable means such as screw. The side walls can optionally be transparent thus allowing to visualize the fold of skin formed inside the room during treatment.

Advantageously, the lateral flanges serve as guiding elements for the (or) mobile wall (s) and it is possible to integrate thrust means therein allowing to maintain the active surfaces normally spaced from each other, their approximation being obtained simply under the effect of aspiration.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'un appareil conforme à l'invention dans lequel la variation de l'écartement entre les surfaces actives en cours de traitement est obtenue par déplacement d'une seule surface active par rapport à l'autre ;
• les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe transversale selon le plan AA de la figure 1 illustrant le fonctionnement d'un tel appareil ;
• la figure 5 est une de détail montrant la structure de moyens de poussée permettant de maintenir normalement écartées les deux surfaces actives l'une de l'autre;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont respectivement des vues de côté et en perspective éclatée montrant la structure d'un appareil de massage conforme à l'invention dans lequel les deux surfaces actives peuvent être rapprochées ou écartées l'une de l'autre simultanément.

The invention and the advantages which it brings will however be better understood thanks to the two exemplary embodiments given below by way of indication, but not limitation, and which are illustrated by the appended diagrams in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention in which the variation of the spacing between the active surfaces during treatment is obtained by displacement of a single active surface relative to the other;
• Figures 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views along the plane AA of Figure 1 illustrating the operation of such an apparatus;
• Figure 5 is a detail showing the structure of the pushing means for keeping normally apart the two active surfaces from one another;
• Figures 6 and 7 are respectively side views and exploded perspective showing the structure of a massage device according to the invention in which the two active surfaces can be moved towards or away from each other simultaneously.

The attached figures show, substantially on scale 1, two devices massage performed in accordance with the invention. In the embodiment illustrated by figures 1 to 5, only one of these active surfaces can be moved to be close or apart from each other, while in the embodiment illustrated in figure 6, the two active surfaces can be brought together simultaneously from each other.

In these two embodiments, the massage device according to the invention which makes it possible to carry out treatments combining an action suction and mobilization of the skin fold, essentially consists of a head of treatment, designated by the general reference (1), linked, by any means suitable as connection (2), to a suction circuit not shown and which includes means making it possible to vary the pressure and the air flow rate, means, for example, as indicated above, in accordance with lessons from patent application WO 95/09996, and which will therefore not be described in detail for simplification.

The head (1) can be operated manually and can optionally have a handle or have a specific shape so that the operator can take it directly in hand.

This head (1) consists essentially of a housing comprising a central body, comprising two sides (11) which define between them a chamber (3) open at its base. On either side of the central body, are reported two side plates (12), transparent or opaque. These lateral flanges (12) are fixed to the central body by means of screws designated by the reference (14), a gasket possibly being provided between the surfaces in contact. The central body and the lateral flanges (12) define between them a chamber treatment (3) inside which opens a suction circuit.

According to the invention, the chamber (3) is open at its base and forms a window delimited on the one hand by two side walls (4) formed by the face internal side flanges (12) and, on the other hand, two transverse walls (6,7), whose lower edges (8,9) constitute the active surfaces of the device, the two walls or at least one of these walls capable of receiving displacement allowing the spacing between the active surfaces (8, 9) to be varied between two predetermined positions. The radius of curvature of the active surfaces (8,9) as well as the spacing between the two lines of tangency with the subject to be treated, will be adapted depending on the treatment to be performed and the area of the body to be treated.

As an indication in the two exemplary embodiments illustrated, the radius of curvature of the active surfaces (8,9) is 10 mm, the maximum spacing between the two lines of tangency with the subject to be treated being of the order of 45 mm, this spacing can be reduced to about 30 mm when moving under the effect suction.

In the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, one of the walls, namely the wall (6), is constituted by the internal face of one of the two sides (11) of the central body of the case, the other wall (7) being constituted by the face internal of a pivoting partition (20) attached to the inside of the body of the housing. This partition (20) is articulated around an axis (X) disposed in the upper part at inside the case and parallel to the open window. Keeping it inside the housing is obtained by means of two lateral axes (21) which fit into the inside of bearings (22) provided on the lateral flanges (12). The amplitude of pivoting inside the chamber is limited between two extreme positions, one (see Figure 2) that the space between the two active surfaces (8,9) is at maximum, the other (figure 3) according to which the active surface (9) is close in the direction of the active surface (8). The range of motion is limited by the presence of two fixed pins (23) provided in the lower part of the partition and which can be moved inside two chambers (24) provided in the side plates (4).

In such an embodiment, the pivoting partition (20) is maintained normally spaced from the active surface (8). Such a spacing can be obtained by means of thrusts which are integrated inside the lateral flanges (12) and the structure of which emerges from the detailed view in FIG. 5. These thrust means are integrated inside a conduit produced in the flanges side and are accessible from the outside. This conduit leads to the chambers (24) inside which the pins (23) can move. A stop (25) is supported on each lug (23), stop which is subjected to the action of a spring (26) whose compression ratio can be adjusted by a countersunk screw (27). A such adjustment possibility therefore makes it possible to modulate the displacement of the active surface (9) towards the second active surface (8) under the action of aspiration.

When using such apparatus, the skin fold (10) is formed under the action of the suction between the two active surfaces (8,9) and when the operator moves the device, not only does it cause the displacement of said skin fold (10) but also exerts pressure and bending against the area at the back if we consider the direction of movement, bending whose intensity depends on the action exercised by the operator. If the suction varies cyclically, we obtain a successive setting and relaxation of the skin fold resulting in an action of stimulating and invigorating massage under the effect of the pinching action which can be adjustable in intensity and frequency.

Furthermore, in this embodiment according to which only one of the active surfaces can be moved relative to each other it has been found that one also obtained a practically autonomous displacement of said head on the body of the patient taking into account the beat which is exerted.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment according to the invention in which the two active surfaces (8, 9) can be moved simultaneously

In this embodiment, the two pivoting partitions (20) are identical and are arranged symmetrically face to face between the two sides (11) of the central body of the case. The structure and the way in which these two are mounted partitions is similar to the example described above.

In this embodiment, maintaining the spreading position maximum as illustrated in FIG. 6, is obtained under the action of a flat spring (30), substantially U-shaped, and which rests against the internal surfaces of the sides (11) above the active surfaces. The retention of this flat spring (30) is obtained simply by means of a block (31) screwed into the bottom (32) of the chamber (3). The width of this block (31) is such that it limits the amplitude of the bringing the two active surfaces closer to each other under the effect of aspiration.

Compared to the embodiment according to which only one of the surfaces active can receive a displacement, such a design presents as advantage of being able to carry out a treatment with the same intensity regardless of the direction of movement of the head against the patient's body.

In the two aforementioned embodiments, it is possible, by playing on the nature of the materials constituting the active surfaces, for example by having a surface with a coefficient of friction significantly lower than the other surface, to amplify or communicate a natural displacement. Furthermore, if the surfaces active can be made of identical materials, they can possibly be in different materials, for example one of the surfaces can be very smooth having received an appropriate treatment (Teflon for example), the other having a higher coefficient of friction and being produced by example in elastomer.

Finally, if both active surfaces can be smooth, it could be considered having active surfaces with protuberances, for example in the form of small spherical or other portions.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but it covers all the variants falling within the scope of the claims being understood that the dimensions of the device can be either greater than or less than the concrete examples given above.

Claims (4)

1. Massage apparatus (1) consisting of a treatment head connected to a suction circuit, said treatment head comprising a casing including an inner chamber (3) into which the suction circuit opens, and in which the skin fold formed under the effect of the suction when the apparatus is applied to the patient bears directly against the convexly shaped lower edges of said chamber, characterized in that:

   the chamber (3) which is open at its base forms a window delimited by two side walls (4) and two transverse walls (6, 7), the skin fold (10) formed under the effect of the suction bearing at least against the edges (8, 9) of the transverse walls, said edges having the shape of convex surfaces;

   the active surfaces consisting of the lower edges (8, 9) of the transverse walls can have a movement imparted to them, making it possible to vary their spacing between two predetermined positions, at least one of the transverse walls consisting of a partition (20) fitted into the body of the casing, this partition (20) being mounted so that it can pivot about a pin arranged in the upper part inside the casing and parallel to the window, and being held normally away from the wall opposite it under the action of thrust means, its pivoting being obtained under the effect of the suction produced inside the chamber.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transverse walls (6, 7) consist of two partitions (20) fitted into the casing and articulated about two pins which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane median to the lower window, the two articulated partitions being mounted on a flat spring which tends to keep them away from one another, bearing against the body of the casing, said spring extending over the entire width of the chamber of the treatment head.
3. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the casing is made by moulding and is essentially composed of a central body defining a chamber which is open to the outside, the side walls (4) being, for their part formed by two flanges (12) fitted on either side of the central body and fixed thereto.
4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is mounted on a suction circuit including means making it possible to vary the air flow rate during treatment.

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