FR2844996A1 - Massage implement has vacuum source connected to proportioning valve to control suction at massage head - Google Patents

Abstract

The massage implement has a vacuum source and a suction head with a housing (1) having a sole (5) for suction connected to the vacuum source by a flexible hose. The massager has a proportioning valve to control the operational flow of the suction pump. The pump is sized to provide a greater suction force than its nominal value.

Description

MASSAGE SYSTEM COMPRISING A SOURCE OF

DEPRESSION AND AN EXTRACTING HEAD.

  The present invention relates to an improved massage device making it possible to carry out massages in a simple and effective manner in which the patient has an action of suction and mobilization of the

skin tissue.

  In general, the devices known in the prior art comprise, mounted inside a housing, parallel rollers with a smooth surface and mounted free (or driven) in rotation in the housing, said housing being connected to means comprising a conduit whose end opens into the space between the rollers and which make it possible to create a depression in the housing in the space between these rollers, when

  these are applied against the patient's body.

  Massage systems of the "feel-roll" type move a skin fold to obtain an aesthetic effect (reduction of cellulite) or analgesic effect (reduction of muscular tension) and rehabilitation. The desired result is obtained in three ways: - The skin fold is compressed and moved mechanically by a roller system, - The skin fold is sucked and moved by a suction head

  - A combination of these two techniques.

  In the solution described in European patent EP-224 411, the rollers are mounted on the housing so that they can be moved apart and brought closer to each other to ensure the action of taking the skin fold, which implies the presence of additional means making it possible to seal such as flaps, tilting flaps, while in EP284 527, the assembly is designed to avoid the presence of such additional elements, the rollers being in such a case mounted at

fixed center distance.

  Also known in the prior art is the PCT patent W09951181A1 which relates to a vacuum massage device, consisting of a movable head comprising a contact base intended to be applied to the skin surmounted by a connected vacuum chamber. by a flexible duct to a suction system. The base has a concave underside forming a lifting chamber 15 and comprising an elongated suction nozzle passing through it vertically, communicating the vacuum chamber and the surface of the skin so as to create a

  skin fold that moves with the head.

  The technical constraints, in particular related to the techniques for producing the handpiece, mean that the existing handpieces are not very comfortable or practical in their daily use by professionals. These are parts with a cylindrical or rectangular geometry, with or without a handle. They are either

heavy, or can be maneuverable.

  Massage systems of the "palpate - roll" type by depression can cause hematomas (blue)

  when excessive vacuum is used.

  The object of the present invention is to provide

  an improved suction head which meets these drawbacks.

  To this end, the invention relates, in its most general sense, to a massage system comprising a source of depression and a suction head composed of a body provided with a soleplate for suction and a flexible connector for transmitting the vacuum from

  said vacuum source characterized in that it comprises a proportional valve for controlling the flow rate of the vacuum source, and in that the vacuum source is dimensioned to deliver a vacuum 10 greater than the nominal value.

  Advantageously, the system includes a control circuit for said valve having a vacuum state

  continuous and a state of alternating depression.

  Preferably, the alternating vacuum state 15 consists in controlling the proportional valve cyclically with vacuum times between 0.1 second

and 10 seconds.

  According to a variant, the alternating vacuum state consists in controlling the proportional valve cyclically 20 with vacuum intervals between 0.1

second and 10 seconds.

  Preferably the valve is controlled so as to produce a gradual rise and fall of the

depression during each cycle.

  Preferably, the state of cyclic depression is modulated with variable carrier frequencies between 10 Hz and 50 Hz (Figure 4). The high frequency being limited by the mechanical time constants. According to a particular embodiment, the valve is controlled by a configurable vacuum limiter

for each patient.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following description relating to a non-limiting example of

  embodiment, referring to the accompanying drawings o: - Figure 1 shows a front view of a suction head according to the invention - Figure 2 shows a view along a sectional plane AA of said suction head Figure 3 shows a bottom view of said suction head - Figure 4 shows a side view of said suction head

  - Figure 5 shows the pressure diagram.

  The suction head is made up of a body (1), monobloc or assembled, for handling. This hollow body is extended by a soleplate for suction (5) on the one hand, and on the other hand by a flexible connection for transmitting the vacuum coming from a remote pump (3). It also includes pieces of fittings (2 and 4)

  and appropriate seals.

  The body (1) is formed by an ovode part provided

  a removable sole (5), interchangeable according to the 25 massages to be performed.

  The body (1) is produced by one of the

  molding which makes it possible to obtain a hollow part with a large undercut. This is a vacuum casting process with sock cores, usually used for the production, without mold costs, of prototypes.

  The materials used are synthetic resins

  (Polyurethanes, Acrylics, Epoxy, Saturated Polyesters).

  This body has a shape favoring the extension of the hand thanks to the ovode shape "of 5 mice", with an undercut for the passage of

  fingers below the body of the handpiece.

  The shape offers a large contact surface

between the hand and the handpiece.

  Massage systems of the "palpate - roll" type 10 by vacuum function either in vacuum mode

  continues either in alternate vacuum mode. The latter is characterized by a depression of 0.1 seconds to a few seconds followed by an absence of depression for a period of time which can vary in the same proportions. 15 Thus, the frequency is limited to approximately 5 Hz.

  It is a sinusodal variation of the

  depression, or alternating depression beyond 10 Hz.

  This vacuum is obtained using a proportional valve controlled in the vacuum circuit, and a vacuum pump oversized compared to current systems. It is also characterized by a gradual rise, and a gradual decrease in depression at

each cycle.

  The work carried out by the massage provides a modification of the rheology of the connective gel so as to make it more malleable and to increase the effectiveness of the massage.

  Progressive depression simulates the action of the hand which lifts the skin fold.

  Mechanical vibration allows transmission in

depth of massage effects.

  The system includes a flow limiter by clamping in software form, avoids all excess vacuum. The effectiveness of the massage is obtained thanks to the vibrated flow, and not thanks to the level of depression. Limitation parameters are set by a protocol

for each subject.

  FIG. 5 represents a diagram of variation of the pressure. Pressure, or rather depression, presents

  a periodic variation between a zero value and a maximum value defined by an envelope varying with a periodicity much lower than the chopping frequency.

  During a first phase (10), the pressure varies in an increasing manner, to reach a plateau (11), then a phase (12) of decay. During the following phase, the pressure is maintained at a minimum value, before the

start of a new cycle (14).

Claims (8)

  1 - Massage system comprising a vacuum source and a suction head composed of a body (1) 5 provided with a soleplate (5) for suction and a flexible connector (3) for transmitting the vacuum coming from of said vacuum source characterized in that it comprises a proportional valve for controlling the flow rate of the vacuum source, and in that the vacuum source is dimensioned to deliver a vacuum higher than the nominal value.   2 - massage system according to claim 1,   characterized in that it comprises a control circuit for said valve having a state of continuous vacuum and a state of alternating vacuum.   3 - massage system according to claim 2,   characterized in that the alternating vacuum state consists in controlling the proportional valve cyclically with vacuum times between 0.1 seconds 20 and 10 seconds.   4 - Massage system according to claim 2 or   3, characterized in that the alternating vacuum state consists in controlling the proportional valve cyclically with vacuum intervals between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds.   - Massage system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the valve is controlled so as to produce a progressive rise and fall of the depression during each cycle.   6 - Massage system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the valve is controlled by a   flow limiter adjustable for each patient.   7 - massage system according to claim 1, 5 characterized in that the head is constituted by a hollow body (1) opening on the one hand on the connector (3) and on the other hand on the sole (5).   8 - massage system according to claim 7,   characterized in that said hollow body (1) has an ovoid shape the size of the palm of a human hand.   9 - massage system according to claim 2,   characterized in that the alternating vacuum state consists in controlling the proportional valve according to sinusodal cycles of frequency between 10 Hz and 50 15 Hz.