US3329149A - Supporting arm for electrotherapeutic treatment head - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1967 w. D. KENDALL ETAL' SUPPORTING ARM FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1964 July 4, 1967 Filed Oct. 28, 1964 w. D. KENDALL ETAL 3,329,149

SUPPORTING ARM FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 71 741. mM DEN/S Kat/001.2.

Pan/K 49. 127265 JA/vEA/TOEJ United States Patent 3 329,149 SUPPORTING ARM FGR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT HEAD William Denis Kendall, Los Angeles, and Frank A.

Yarger, Sylmar, Calif., assignors to Dynapower Systems Corporation of California, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 407,044 3 Claims. (Cl. 128405) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Arm structure for supporting a pulsed high frequency electrotherapeutic treatment head is constructed and dimensioned in such manner as to overcome interference with communications equipment.

This invention relates generally to electrotherapeutic equipment and more particularly concerns the construction of arm structure for a treatment head in such manner as to preclude radiation by arm of objectionable high frequency energy.

In US. Patent 3,127,895 to Kendall, issued April 7, 1964, there is described a therapeutic pulse generation and control circuit for supplying an energy radiating treatment head with a train of pulses, each of which contains a high frequency signal burst, typically-27.12 megacycles. The treatment head is carried by an articulated arm structure supported by a cabinet. One problem that has been found to exist is the tendency of metallic arm structure to pick up and radiate energy from the head, the cable supporting the head, and the ground, and particularly at frequencies in harmonic relation to the 27.12 megacycle operating frequency, to the extent that objectionable interference with communication equipment such as television receivers results. In an effort to overcome this problem the metallic ar-m structure has been made hollow, and the coaxial cable run through the arm; however, this effort has not been found entirely satisfactory.

The present invention has as its major object to overcome the above problem in order to preclude objectionable radiation by the arm. Further the invention seeks to simplify the arm construction, eliminatng any need for passing the coaxial cable through the arm, which requirement formerly required undesirable arm complexity.

Basically, the particular environment with which the invention is concerned comprises electrotherapeutic apparatus providing a source of pulses having frequencies typically over one megacycle, a treatment head containing primary and secondary coils, a coaxial cable electrically connected to supply pulse energy from the pulse source to the head primary coil, the secondary coil being coupled to the primary coil to radiate energy supplied thereto, and support arm structure for the head and including joint means rendering the arm structure capable of selective articulation, the arm length being in the range /2 to 3 /2 meters. In accordance with the invention, the arm structure includes at least one segment consisting of dielectric material and connected in load bearing series relation with the arm structure so as to preclude radiation by the arm of high frequency energy in the /2 to 6 meter range, the latter range containing certain television broadcast band s.

More specifically, the coaxial cable is carried to extend along the arm and at the exterior thereof, enabling more simplified construction of the arm members; the dielectric segment may be in the form of a shaft exice tending intermediate lockable primary and secondary joints, the arm structure may also include a second dielectric segment in the form of a shaft extending intermediate the second lockable joint and a swivel joint for the head, the coaxial cable may extend from the cabinet upwardly through hollow post member of the arm structure carried by the cabinet, and then to the exterior of the arm via the first joint.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the arm and head carried by the control cabinet;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the arm structure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the outer portion of the arm structure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 44 of FIG. 2 to show the post and primary joint construction;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line :5-5 of FIG. 3 to show the swivel joint construction;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing of the overall circuit.

In FIG. 1 the arm assembly 10 is shown in combination with the cabinet top 11 and anelectrotherapeutic treatment head 12, the latter being supported by the assembly 10. As is clear from FIG. 1, thecontrols 13 on the cabinet top maybe manipulated for controlling the electrical signal supplied to thehead 12, it being seen that a high voltageelectrical cable 35 runs between the electrical apparatus contained in the cabinet and to the head while carried by the arm assembly.

Extending the description to FIGS. 2.-4, the arm assembly is shown to include apost 14, typically tubular, which is located at the cabinet top and is pivotable about avertical axis 15. In particular, the post extends above and below thecabinet top plate 16, and is supported to swing between limiting positions carrying thehead 12 from the front of the cabinet as shown in FIG. 1 to either side of the cabinet. Since the arm assembly facilitates upward and downward positioning and also swinging of thehead 12 as will be more fully brought out, it is clear that the head has a wide range of adjustment positions all with respect to the cabinet from which electrical energy is fed to the head. Accordingly, the patient may be seated at either side of the cabinet or to the front thereof for treatment application of the head.

A typical stop means for limiting pivoting from the post is shown in FIG. 4 to include alug 17 projecting forwardly from the post through an opening 18 in ajournaling sleeve 19 which extends vertically above and below thecabinet plate 16. The opening 18 extends throughout approximately 270, stop shoulders defining the annular limits of the opening 18, and being engageable by thelug 17 when thehead 12 has been swung to either side of the cabinet. Thesleeve 19 is shown as supporting thepost 14 as a result of interen gagement of aflange 121 on the post and the upper terminal of the sleevelower section 23, the sleeve including atubular cap 22 to retain the flange thereon illustrated. The cap is below aflange 21 ofjoint member 37. Rotating ahandle 124 turns the cap relative to the sleevelower section 23, to which the cap has threaded connection, thereby clamping theflange 121 between thecap 22 andlower section 23. Suitable structure is shown at 24 mounting thesleeve section 23 at thecabinet top plate 16.

What may be generally referred to as primary joint means is carried by the post above thetop plate 16, one such joint means being indicated at 25. Attached to the post through the primary joint is what may be referred to asarm section 31, the latter being swingable about a generallyhorizontal axis 27 at thejoint 25.

The arm also includes a secondary joint generally indicated at 32, and asecond arm section 33 terminally attached to thefirst section 31 through thejoint 32 and swingable about asecond axis 34 generally parallel to thefirst axis 27. As will further appear, while thearm sections 31 and 33 comprise dielectric shafts such as phenolic resin rods, thejoint 25 as well as thepost 14 are hollow in order that the high tension carrying coaxialelectrical cable 35 may be run therethrough to the ex terior and then to thehead 12, from the electrical apparatus within the cabinet.

The twojoints 25 and 32 are typically similar in construction, FIG. 4 showing the details thereof asrespects joint 25. A pair of coaxial relatively rotatable cup-shapedjoint members 36 and 37 are provided, the former being integral with thearm section 31 and the latter being integral with thepost 14. The arrangement is such that frictionally interengaged and relatively rotatable shoulders provide frictional resistance to joint member articular or pivoting about theaxis 27. Typically, the interengaged shoulders are provided by therims 38 and 39 of the cup-shaped members which are urged into mutual interfitting proximity withfriction ring 80 as illustrated, by adjustable structure provided with a handle 40. T ypically, such adjustable structure includes a coaxial pin 41 attached to the handle 40 through acup 42, and threaded at 43 into themember 37. Since the pin extends freely through an opening 44 in themember 36, it is clear that tightening of the handle 40 effects tightening of theshoulders 38 and 39 againstring 80 for positively locking the joint members against relative swinging about theaxis 27. The same construction and functioning thereof is found in thejoint 32, excepting that in that case one joint member is integral with thearm section 33, whereas the other joint member is integral with thearm section 31. It will be particularly noted that the aforesaid desirable functions are present together with the additional advantage that theelectrical cable 35 will extend through thejoint 25 and then to the exterior viaoutlet 81 incup 37, to preclude binding upon joint member relative rotation. This feature is made possible by providing side openings 46 and 47 through the respective cup-shapedjoint members 36 and 37 to communicate between thetubular post 14 and the interior of thejoint member 25. Also, thecable 35 is carried througheyelet 82 onjoint 32 to flex with arm articulation.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and showing terminal joint means having the functions previously referred to. As illustrated, the end of thearm section 33 is received in and attached via setscrew 83 totubular part 84, the latter "being threaded at 49 to atubular plug 50 having abore 51 receiving a coaxialtubular insert 52. The latter projects into the end of thearm part 84 and has anannular stop 53 located between theterminal 100 of thepart 84 andinternal flange 102 onsleeve 50. Insert 52 has a press fit ontubular member 103 to which U-shapedbracket 56 is connected. Whensleeve 50 is rotated and tightened onarm part 84,annular flange stop 53 is frictionally gripped betweenelements 100 and 102 to hold the head in any selected position of rotation about theaxis 30, which position is determined by forcible swinging of the head about that axis. Full circular rotation of the head is, however, blocked by engagement of apin 104 onmember 103 with astop 105 which is formed on a ring 106 attached at 107 topart 84. Aslot 108 in the ring accommodates thepin 104.

Thebracket 56 carries another U-shapedbracket 58 in such manner that the latter, to which the head is attached, swings about theaxis 29. The head portion or plate attached to thebracket 58 is indicated at 59. Rotary attachment of the U-shapedbrackets 56 and 58 is facilitated by theplugs 60 and 61 which are coaxial with respect to theaxis 29 normal toaxis 30. Afastener 62 is threaded into the plug 60 to create a frictional clamping effect between the nylon washer 63 and thelegs 64 and 65 of therespective brackets 58 and 56.

Similarly afastener 66 is threaded into theplug 61 to create when tightened a desired degree of frictional interengagement between thenylon washer 67 and thelegs 68 and 69 of therespective brackets 58 and 56. For this purpose, thefastener 66 is integral with acap 70 mounting ahandle 71 which, when turned, tightens the cup against aspacer 72 which presses against thebracket leg 68. When thehandle 71 is loosened, a compression spring contained within thecap 70 presses against thespacer 72 to create a basic degree of frictional interengagement as between thewasher 67 and thebracket legs 68 and 69 characterized as holding the head in a selected position of rotation about theaxis 29 at the same time such frictional interengagement permits forcible swinging of the head about theaxis 29 to selected position.

Referring back to FIG. 1, for orientation purposes it will be understood that the cabinet has front andside panels 74 and 75 respectively. Also thehead 12 has afront plate 76 through which therapeutic electromagnetic wave travel is directed.

FIG. 7 illustrates the single turn primary and multiple turnsecondary coils 86 and 87, which have a common axis and are inductively coupled within theshell 16 of thehead 12. Anadjustable capacitor 88 within the head shell has plates respectively connected to opposite ends of the secondary coil turns, to provide a tank circuit, and a source of pulsation of frequency 27.12 megacycles is indicated in block form at 89. The coaxial cable is seen at 35.

As previously mentioned, thesegments 31 and 33 are dielectric and break up the overall length of the arm structure from a radiation standpoint; i.e., they are connected in load bearing series relation with the arm structure so as to preclude radiation by the arm of high frequency energy in the /2 to 6 meter band. In this regard, the arm is typically of an overall length proximate the three meter band, and thejoints 25 and 32,sleeve 19 and post 14 are typically constructed of light weight metal such as aluminum or an alloy thereof. Further, the overall height of thepost 14,sleeve 19 and joint 25 is less than /2 meter. Also, the spacing between the closest exposed portions of thesegments 31 and 33 is always less than /2 meter, i.e. betweenpoints 90 and 91 in FIG. 2.

We claim:

1. In electrotherapeutic apparatus, a source of pulses having frequencies over one megacycle, an electrotherapeutic treatment head containing primary and secondary coils, a coaxial cable electrically connected to supply pulse energy from said source to said primary coil, the secondary coil being located for inductive coupling to the primary coil to radiate energy inductively supplied thereto, and support arm structure for said head including joint means rendering the arm structure capable of selective articulation, the overall arm length being in the range /2 to 3 /2 meters, the arm structure including at least one segment consisting of dielectric material and connected in load bearing series relation with the arm structure so as to preclude radiation by the arm of high frequency energy in the /2 t0 6 meter range, a cabinet supporting the arm structure, the arm structure also including a lockable metallic primary joint carried above the cabinet top, a lockable metallic secondary joint spaced from said primary joint, saidsegment being in the form of a shaft extending intermediate said joints, the arm structure also including a metallic swivel joint beyond and spaced from said second joint to carry said head, and a second dielectric segment in the form of a shaft extending intermediate said second joint and swivel joint, the spacing between said dielectric segments being less than /2 meter, a metallic post extending vertically to carry said first joint, and a metallic sleeve supporting said post to turn about a vertical axis, the sleeve being carried by the cabinet top, the overall height of said post, sleeve and first joint being less than /2 meter.

2. The combination of claim 1, in which said coaxial cable is carried to extend along the arm and at the exterior thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which the post and first joint are hollow, and said cable extends upwardly Within said post and first joint, the first joint having an outlet through which the cable projects to the exterior, the cable having an insulative covering.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,726 3/ 193 8 Huppert 128-405 2,276,996 3 1942 Milinowski 128-422 3,043,310 7/ 1962 Milinowski 128--422 FOREIGN PATENTS 6'27, 103 10/ 1961 Italy.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. W. E. KAMM, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS, A SOURCE OF PULSES HAVING FREQUENCIES OVER ONE MEGACYCLE, AN ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT HEAD CONTAINING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY COILS, A COAXIAL CABLE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SUPPLY PULSE ENERGY FROM SAID SOURCE TO SAID PRIMARY COIL, THE SECONDARY COIL BEING LOCATED FOR INDUCTIVE COUPLING TO THE PRIMARY COIL TO RADIATE ENERGY INDUCTIVELY SUPPLIED THERETO, AND SUPPORT ARM STRUCTURE FOR SAID HEAD INCLUDING JOINT MEANS RENDERING THE ARM STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF SELECTIVE ARTICULATION, THE OVERALL ARM LENGTH BEING IN THE RANGE 1/2 TO 31/2 METERS, THE ARM STRUCTURE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE SEGMENT CONSISTING OF DIELECTRIC MATERIAL AND CONNECTED IN LOAD BEARING SERIES RELATION WITH THE ARM STRUCTURE SO AS TO PRECLUDE RADIATION BY THE ARM OF HIGH FREQUENCY ENERGY IN THE 1/2 TO 6 METER RANGE, A CABINET SUPPORTING THE ARM STRUCTURE, THE ARM STRUCTURE ALSO INCLUDING A LOCKABLE METALLIC PRIMARY JOINT CARRIED ABOVE THE CABINET TOP, A LOCKABLE METALLIC SECONDARY JOINT SPACED FROM SAID PRIMARY JOINT, SAID SEGMENT BEING IN THE FORM OF A SHAFT EXTENDING INTERMEDIATE SAID JOINTS, THE ARM STRUCTURE ALSO INCLUDING A METALLIC SWIVEL JOINT BEYOND AND SPACED FROM SAID SECOND JOINT TO CARRY SAID HEAD, AND A SECOND DIELECTRIC SEGMENT IN THE FORM OF A SHAFT EXTENDING INTERMEDIATE SAID SECOND JOINT AND SWIVEL JOINT, THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID DIELECTRIC SEGMENTS BEING LESS THAN 1/2 METER, A METALLIC POST EXTENDING VERTICALLY TO CARRY SAID FIRST JOINT, AND A METALLIC SLEEVE SUPPORTING SAID POST TO TURN ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, THE SLEEVE BEING CARRIED BY THE CABINET TOP, THE OVERALL HEIGHT OF SAID POST, SLEEVE AND FIRST JOINT BEING LESS THAN 1/2 METER.

Images