AU676152B2 - Back therapy apparatus - Google Patents

Back therapy apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
AU676152B2
AU676152B2 AU36888/93A AU3688893A AU676152B2 AU 676152 B2 AU676152 B2 AU 676152B2 AU 36888/93 A AU36888/93 A AU 36888/93A AU 3688893 A AU3688893 A AU 3688893A AU 676152 B2 AU676152 B2 AU 676152B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
human
heat
head
treatment
spinal
Prior art date
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Ceased
Application number
AU36888/93A
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AU3688893A (en
Inventor
Neil Donaldson Banks
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU36888/93A priority Critical patent/AU676152B2/en
Priority to CA002099746A priority patent/CA2099746A1/en
Publication of AU3688893A publication Critical patent/AU3688893A/en
Priority to AU76541/96A priority patent/AU703421B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU676152B2 publication Critical patent/AU676152B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
    • A61H1/02—Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
    • A61H1/0218—Drawing-out devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F2007/0059—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with an open fluid circuit
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/02—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes heated or cooled
    • A61H2201/0207—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes heated or cooled heated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/02—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes heated or cooled
    • A61H2201/0221—Mechanism for heating or cooling
    • A61H2201/0242—Mechanism for heating or cooling by a fluid circulating in the apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/02—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes heated or cooled
    • A61H2201/0221—Mechanism for heating or cooling
    • A61H2201/025—Mechanism for heating or cooling by direct air flow on the patient's body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/10—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
    • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
    • A61H2201/1604—Head
    • A61H2201/1607—Holding means therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
    • A61H2205/08—Trunk
    • A61H2205/081—Back

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT a.
a c Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for service is: NEIL DONALDsON BANKS NEIL DONALDSON BANKS WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Spinal Therapy Apparatus" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PL1877 and PL4067 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:rv -2- The present invention relates to a spinal therapy apparatus for the treatment of back and neck pain by the separation of the vertebrae of the spinal column.
In the prior art it is known to deal with back ailments by the use of traction beds and inversion machines. A disadvantage of traction beds is that they are expensive and require trained supervisors. The disadvantage of inversion machines is that due to the nature of their inversion the user can only stay inverted for a relatively short period of time. Also. some patients, due to weight and/or skeleton ailments, can not be placed in inversion machines.
i have discovered that a highly effective treatment of back pain can be achieved 10 by suspending a patient in an upright position to at least partially support the weight of the patient and applying heat to the patient's back.
It is an object of the present invention, to provide a spinal therapy apparatus capable of use by a patient in an upright position.
The present invention provides a spinal therapy apparatus for use in the 15 treatment of a human in an upright position, the spinal therapy apparatus comprising: 0* a treatment zone; a grip means positioned adjacent the treatment zone, the grip means disposed for grasping the head of the human; the grip means capable of at least partially supporting the force of the weight of the human when the back or neck of the human occupies the treatment zone for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human; a heat applying means capable of directing heat energy to the treatment zone for heating thereof; the spinal therapy apparatus characterised in that the heat applying means and the grip means are positioned with respect to each other and 80O/T7ZOi[ -Ld 30SSV AV E Cy981 c T6 19 C:ET 96. IT/OC 6 O/TZOl~j Hid DOSSV V VMC9 7 6 T9 YVJ SC:9T 96. 9T/OC -3with respect to the treatment zone such that in the treatment zone the back or neck area of a human when supported from the grip means can receive heat from the heat applying means.
The present invention further provides a spinal therapy apparatus for the treatment of the neck of a human, the spinal therapy apparatus being for installation in a shower recess having a heat applying means provided therein, the spinal treatment apparatus comprising: a grip means for releasably grasping the head of the human, the grip means including frame having two support members for engaging with and supporting the head of the human, the support members being pivotable with respect to each other above the head of the human and a spring for resiliently suspending the support members from a mounting bar for allowing variation in the amount of support provided by the support members to the human's head, the support members being able to be 15 grasped by the human's hands and pivoted inwardly for supporting the human's head and hence for relieving the force of the weight of the head upon the spine in the region of the neck, and the support members being releasable by the human's hand-s for pivoting outwardly under the force of the weight of the human's head to release the support thereof of the human's head, the mounting bar being disposable horizontally above a floor of the shower recess upon which the human stands, the mounting bar being disposable for attachment to the frame for supporting the force of the weight of the human, the mounting bar also being disposable from intermediate one side of the shower recess to intermediate an opposite side of the shower recess, and the grip means also having a height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the mounting bar above the floor of the shower recess for allowing humans of differing heights to use the spinal therapy apparatus; and the heat applying means being able to be disposed for directing heat energy to the neck area of the human positioned in a treatment zone n Hid DOSSV AE CMVN SZ 6 T9 Xd9 9C:9T 90, ZT/OC -4adjacent the grip means whilst the head of the human is supported by the support members for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human's neck.
The present invention also provides a method for the treatment of a i man suffering spinal injury, the method comprising: supporting the human in an upright position from a grip means to at least partially support the force of the weight of the human, the grip means disposed for grasping the head of the human; and applying heat energy from a heat applying means to a heat treatment zone positioned adjacent the grip means, whereby in use the heat energy is applied to the back or neck area of a human supported from the grip means in the heat treatment zone for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human whilst the heat applying means heats the human's back or neck.
15 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a spinal therapy apparatus according to the embodiment for use in the treatment of the neck of a human, shown in situ about a user; and, Figure 2 is a side view of the spinal therapy apparatus.
The embodiment is directed to a spinal therapy apparatus for the treatment of the neck of a human, hereinafter referred to as a neck therapy apparatus 100.
The apparatus is used in associated with a shower rose 103, as will be explained later. In this embodiment, the apparatus is used in a shower recess, although it can of course be used in other situations such as in a bath fitted with a shower rose or a treatment area designated for the purpose.
Hid DOSSV 9AVUI A i g v 6 T9 YVd 9C:G"T 96, ZT/OC The neck therapy apparatus 100 comprises a support bar 102, and a frame 104.
The support bar 102 is installed in the shower recess, such as by being fixed to the ceiling or between the walls of the shower recess. The support bar 102 is installed in the shower recess in a manner which is selectively adjustable vertically to accommodate users of various heights.
The frame 104 comprises a hook 106, a spring 108, a brace 110, two bent legs 112 and two support members 114. The hook 106 fits over the support bar 102 and disposes the spring 108 downwardly with the base 110 below it. At the outer ends of the brace 110 are two hinges 116 which hingedly couple the bent legs 112 to the brace 110.
The support members 114 are attached to the bent legs 112 intermediate their length. The support members 114 are shaped to be received about the head 118 of a user 120. Typically, the support member 114 follows the jaw line of the head 118 of the user 120 and terminates behind the user's head 118. Free ends S 15 of the bent legs 112 have handles 122 for grasping by hands 124 of the user 120.
In use, the support bar 102 is installed in the shower recess above the head 118 of the user 120. The frame 104 is carried into the shower recess and attached to a the support bar 102 by the hook 106. The user 120 then stands below the 20 support bar 102, rises up on the tips of his or her toes and places his or her head 118 between the bent legs 112. The user 120 then grasps the handles 122 with his or her hands 124 and pulls the support members 114 inwardly so as to support about his or her chin and head 118 thereon.
The user 120 then trains hot water from the shower rose 103 of the shower recess onto his or her back and bends his or her knees so as to take up some of the force of the weight of his or her head 118 from his or i.,r neck 130. The stream of water then has the effect of limbering up the flesh and muscles 690/0ZOI 6/jd DOSSY V AVM C99 M 6 T9 YYa6 LC:ZT 96, ZT/OC surrounding the neck of the user and assists in reducing the compression on the spinal column in the region of the neck and thus provides therapy.
By the use of the neck therapy apparatus 1 00, a user can alleviate the compression of the spinal column in the region of his or her neck. The apparatus can readily be operated by the user 120 without the need for trained assistance.
The neck therapy apparatus 100 has the advantage that the spring 108 limits the suddenness with which the force is applied in alleviating the negative bias on the neck 130. Also, the hinges 116 reduce the likelihood of the user 120 becoming hung in the event slipping. That is, in the event of slipping, the head 118 can move downwardly once the handles 122 are released and the bent legs 112 swing outwardly about the hinges 116.
Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, the *..*apparatus 100 could be used in locations other than within a shower recess.
Also, the heat applied to the user could be other than by a stream of heated water, such as, for example, by means of un infra-red lamp or the like.
690/290 E 6 0~ ~o Hid DOM V 11~VU1 C 'R 6 TO XV3 Cg ogo LC:ZT 96, ZT/OC

Claims (5)

1. A spinal therapy apparatus for use in the treatment of a human in an upright position, the spinal therapy apparatus comprising: a treatment zone; a grip means positioned adjacent the treatment zone, the grip means disposed for grasping the head of the human; the grip means capable of at least partially supporting the force of the weight of Ihe human when the back or neck of the human occupies the treatment zone for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human; a heat applying means capable of directing heat energy to the treatment zone for heating thereof; the spinal therapy apparatus characterised in that the heat applying means and the grip means are positioned with respect to each other and with respect to the treatment zone such that in the treatment zone the back or neck area of a human when supported from the grip means can receive heat frorr he heat applying means. S' 2. A spinal therapy apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the grip means Scomprises a frame having two support members for engaging with and 20 supporting the head of the human, and a spring for resiliently suspending the support members from a mounting.
3. A spinal therapy apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat applying means is a stream of hot liquid or a beam of heat inducing infra- red radiation.
4. A spinal therapy apparatus for the treatment of the neck of a human, the spinal therapy apparatus being for installation in a shower recess having a heat applying means provided therein, the spinal treatment apparatus comprising: 6Z0/9Z019[ HId 3OSSV 'D OS V1IVUM M 9ZC 6 T9 8C;ZT 96. 9TWOV a grip means for releasably grasping the head of the human, the grip means including a frame having two support members for engaging with and supporting the head of the human, the support members being pivotable with respect to each other above the head of the human and a spring for resiliently suspending the support members from a mounting bar for allowing variation in the amount of support provided by the support members to the human's head, the support members being able to be grasped by the human's hands and pivoted inwardly for supporting the human's head and hence for relieving the force of the weight of the head upon the spine in the region of the neck, and the support members being releasable by the human's hands for pivoting outwardly under the force of the weight of the human's head to release the support thereof of the human's head, the mounting bar being disposable horizontally above a floor of the shower recess upon which the human stands, the mounting 15 bar being disposable for attachment to the frame for supporting the force of the weight of the human, the mounting bar also being disposable from intermediate one side of the shower recess to intermediate an opposite side of the shower recess, and the grip means also having a height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the mounting bar above the 20 floor of the shower recess for allowing humans of differing heights to use the spinal therapy apparatus; and the heat applying means being able to be disposed for directing heat energy to the neck area of the human positioned in a treatment zone adjacent the grip means whilst the head of the human is supported by the support members for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human's neck. A spinal therapy apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the heat applying means comprises a shower rose for directing heated water to the neck area of the human. 1 /r c O/LZOIL Hid 3OSSV V IVHM C999 9ZV 6 TO XVA 9C:ZT 9i3. ZT/OC 6, A method for the treatment of a human suffering spinal injury, the method comprising: supporting the human in an upright position from a grip means to at least partially support the force of the weight of the human, the grip means disposed for grasping the head of the human; and applying heat energy from a heat applying means to a heat treatment zone positioned adjacent the grip means, whereby in use the heat energy is applied to the back or neck area of a human supported from the grip means in the heat treatment zone for relieving compressive forces on the spine of the human whilst the heat applying means heats the human's back or neck.
7. A spinal therapy apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A method according to claim 6 substantially as herein described. SD Dated this thirtieth day of December 1996 NEIL DONALDSON BANKS Applicant WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for Applicant 6Z0/90 Z HId 3OSSV V XVUM CR99 MZ 6 T9 Y 66 6C:ZT 98. T,'OC ABSTRACT A spinal treatment apparatus (10,100) for relieving the compression on the spine of a human. The spinal treatment apparatus (10) is for the treatment of the back of the human and the spinal treatment apparatus (100) is for treatment of the neck of the human. The apparatus 100) has a beam member (60) from which the human may be suspended either by use of his or her hands or by the use of a frame (104), or a curved frame for receival under the arm pits of the human. Heat is applied to the back and/or spine of the human whilst supported in the apparatus (10, 100). The heat is provided in the form of a stream of hot water or in the form of a beam of heat inducing electromagnetic radiation. 0 o*o oooo*
AU36888/93A 1992-04-13 1993-04-13 Back therapy apparatus Ceased AU676152B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU36888/93A AU676152B2 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-04-13 Back therapy apparatus
CA002099746A CA2099746A1 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-06-29 Back therapy apparatus
AU76541/96A AU703421B2 (en) 1992-04-13 1996-12-30 Spinal therapy apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPL1877 1992-04-13
AUPL187792 1992-04-13
AUPL406792 1992-08-13
AUPL4067 1992-08-13
AU36888/93A AU676152B2 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-04-13 Back therapy apparatus

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU76541/96A Division AU703421B2 (en) 1992-04-13 1996-12-30 Spinal therapy apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU3688893A AU3688893A (en) 1993-10-14
AU676152B2 true AU676152B2 (en) 1997-03-06

Family

ID=27153774

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU36888/93A Ceased AU676152B2 (en) 1992-04-13 1993-04-13 Back therapy apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU676152B2 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU8898982A (en) * 1982-09-15 1984-03-22 Patrick H. Dongvillo Orthopedic inversion device
US4453280A (en) * 1983-01-24 1984-06-12 Greenleaf John P Portable shower

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU8898982A (en) * 1982-09-15 1984-03-22 Patrick H. Dongvillo Orthopedic inversion device
US4453280A (en) * 1983-01-24 1984-06-12 Greenleaf John P Portable shower

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3688893A (en) 1993-10-14

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MK14 Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired