AU767789B2 - Therapeutic ring - Google Patents

Description

I 11 WO 01/41697 PCT/AU00/01482 THERAPEUTIC RING TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to rings for therapeutic use.

BACKGROUND ART Rings which are said to improve circulation in the fingers and those which accomplish or mimic acupuncture treatments are known.

United States patent no. 5792175 describes a ring which has serpentine connecting portions between parallel plates upon which a plurality of protuberances are formed on the inner sides of the plates the ring is said to 1o promote the circulation of blood by accupressuring randomly selected positions of the fingers by means of the protuberances.

United States patent no. 4,122,852 is another example of a ring having internal protuberances for accupressuring randomly selected positions of the fingers.

The human body has a number of arterial channels linked to various organs of the body by collateral's which emerge from the main channels.

One such channel extends from the outer finger via the arm to and is communicable with organs such as the heart, small intestine, eyes, ears and to sinus regions via collaterals.

The application of pressure to the channel of the outer finger is known to have a therapeutic effect on various organs and regions of the body.

Casual therapeutic treatments making use of channels and collaterals are commonly administered using acupuncture and massage techniques.

No treatments or objects have been proposed which are designed to apply continuous pressure to the arterial channel in the outer finger.

It is according an object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic ring which is adapted to apply pressure to the channel in the outer finger on a continuous basis.

WO 01/41697 PCT/AU00/01482 2 Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a therapeutic ring adapted to be worn on an outer finger, the therapeutic ring comprising: a ring band; and a plurality of projections extending from an inner surface of the ring band, wherein the projections are adapted to apply continuous pressure to an arterial channel in the outer finger.

The ring can have two spaced projections extending from the inner surface of the ring band.

The ring band can be discontinuous.

The projections can be dome-shaped.

The ring band can be formed from a metal.

The ring band can be moulded or other wise formed in a plastics material.

Two projections can be provided, the spacing between the projections results in pressure being applied to opposed sides of the arterial channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a illustration indicating the location of channels and collaterals in the human body, and Figures 2, 2a and 2b are side plan and sectional views of a therapeutic ring in accordance with the present invention.

With respect to figure 1 of the drawings in the human body a major arterial channel extends from the outer finger of the hand up the back of the arm to the neck region and branches off into the neck, sinus, eye and ears of a person.

WO 01141697 PCT/AU00/01482 3 The application of pressure to any of the points numbered 1 to 18 of the channels and collaterals will have varying beneficial affects.

The present invention provides a therapeutic ring generally indicated by arrow 20 which can be worn on a person's outer finger and applies pressure to the channel between points 1 and 2.

The ring applies pressure to the channel in the finger via projections extending from an inner surface thereof.

A ring in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated by figures 2 to 2b can comprise a ring band indicated by arrow 20 having two projections 21 extending from the inner surface of the band.

The ring band 20 can be discontinuous having two spaced apart free ends.

The projections can be dome shaped as illustrated but other shapes are envisaged such as elongate strips or cross-shaped projections.

The ring can be produced in many materials but is by preference produced in metal which allows a fixed adjustment of the spacing S to be made for individual wearers.

The ring band 21 may be a regular semi-circle or a portion 23 of the ring band from which the projections 23 extend can be slightly flattened so that the projections are firmly applied in the arterial channel region of a person's finger.

The ring band is of a substantially rectilinear cross-section Although the preferred construction of the ring is as described other alternative forms may be equally as effective.

The ring band may be moulded in a resilient plastics material or be of a form similar to a tube or pipe strap with an adjustable tensioning device.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. A therapeutic ring adapted to be worn on an outer finger, the therapeutic ring comprising: a ring band; and a plurality of projections extending from an inner surface of the ring band, wherein the projections are adapted to apply continuous pressure to an arterial channel in the outer finger.

2. A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 having two spaced projections extending from the inner surface of the ring band.

3. A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring band is discontinuous.

4. A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the projections are dome-shaped.

A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring band is formed from a metal.

6. A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring band is moulded or other wise formed in a plastics material.

7. A therapeutic ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein two projections are provided and the spacing between the projections results in pressure being applied to opposed sides of the arterial channel.