US3683897A - Apparatus for moving or activating parts of the body - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus including a member for attachment to a part of the body which member is capable of activating the part of the body cyclically. The member may comprise one or more double flexible sleeves alternatively or additionally it may comprise a mechanical linkage connected to a part of the body which includes linkage deforming means to cyclically deform the linkage and move the part of the body.

Description

1151 3,683,897 51 Aug. 15, 1972 United States Patent Shield et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR MOVING 0R Swanson .................l28/25 R ACTIVATING PARTS OF THE BODY 3,020,908. Daniels et a1. ...............l28/26 00 66 WW SUB N mm m mm T mm A mm m mm W L mm m P mm T y" m w d e mm m mGS m um m Mww a NHM m m m u x 63 E mm w m .m o n m ma n n mm a J .m mm M mm .m :d L M m mm m S d m flJw r il umm o WEE Ed. 0 e w m m m H N W. U

Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman Appl. No.: 67,758

[22] Filed:

7] 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus including a member for attachment to a v part of the body which member is capable of activat- 64 44 24 ing the part of the body cyclically. The member may comprise one or more double flexible sleeves alterna- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [51] Int. [58] FieldoiSearch.................

tively or additionally it may comprise a mechanical linkage connected to a part of the body -which includes linkage deforming means to cyclically deform V the linkageand move the part of the body.

2,694,395 Brown ...........128/64 2,531,074 Miller....................128/640X 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUE 15 I912 sum 2 BF 2 APPARATUS FOR MOVING OR ACTIVATING PARTS OF THE BODY This invention relates to apparatus for moving or activating parts of the human body.

It is well known in the medical profession that problems arise when people are immobilized in a bed. For example, it is known that the liability increases of a thrombosis occurring if a patient is immobilized in bed, particularly if there is no movement at all of the leg, especially the calf muscles. Another problem that arises is the wastage of muscles when a person is immobilized. Various techniques have been developed over the years for dealing with these problems, principally by the use of drugs to reduce the liability to thrombosis v flating and deflating said cell or cells whereby said linkand by trying to get the patient to use his limbs or at member to activate or move the part of the body cycli cally.

The apparatus may comprise a flexible member I adapted to fit on or around part of the body, said flexible member comprising one or more cells, and means for cyclically inflating and deflating said cells whereby a pressure is periodically applied to said part of the body.

Said flexible member may comprise a double sleeve, the inner sleeve being adapted to fit on or around a part of the body and the outer sleeve forming an air-tight cell or cells between the two sleeves, the cell or cells being in communication with said means whereby the or each cell may be inflated or deflated cyclically.

There may be provided a plurality of cells connected to said means in parallel so that they are cyclically inflated and deflated together.

Alternatively there may be provided a plurality of cells connected to said means in series so that they are cyclically inflated and deflated in succession.

Preferably said double sleeve is adapted to substantially completely encircle a part of the body.

age is periodically deformed.

The linkage deforming means may include spring means which are extended by, inflation of said cell or cells and which assist the deformation of the linkage during deflation of said cell or cells.

Preferably said means are capable of cyclically inflating and deflating both said flexible member or members and said cells to deform said linkage.

The means may comprise a pump adapted to provide alternately gas under pressure and an exhaust.

Preferably said gas is air.

The means may also comprise pressure control means by which the pressure of the air in a pressure stroke may be controlled.

The following is a more detailed description of a number of embodiments of the present invention, by

way of example, reference being made to the accom- I panying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an inflatable sock;

FIG. 2 shows a pair of inflatable sleeves for use on a FIG. 3 shows a pair of inflatable sleeves for use on an arm together with a mechanical linkage for flexing the arm;

FIG. 4 shows a number of annular tubes connected together and placed around a leg;

FIG. 5 shows an inflatable sleeve for use on a leg and a movable linkage for flexing a foot; and

FIG. 6 shows an air-pump and means for controlling the air-pump.

Withreference to FIG. 1, a first form of apparatus comprises an inflatable boot- 10 which is formed with an innerflexible skin 11 which is shaped to fit around i g the calf and foot. Around theinner skin 11 is an outer There may be provided a plurality of flexible members each comprising a single cell which cells are adapted to fit on or around part of the body adjacent one another and which cells are connected in series with said means whereby they may be inflated and deflated in succession.

The flexible member may comprise annular tubes.

Preferably the flexible members are formed from a flexible plastics material.

The apparatus may comprise a mechanical linkage adapted to be attached to a part of the body and linkage deforming means which are capable of deforming the linkage to cyclically oscillate the part of the body about a body joint.

The mechanical linkage may be connected between two parts of the body and said linkage deforming means may be capable of deforming the linkage to cyclically oscillate one part of the body relatively to the other.

Preferably the linkage deforming means comprise one or more cells connected to means for cyclically inskin 12, of similar shape to theinner skin 11 but of larger diameter, which is connected to the inner skin around the opening 13 at the top of theboot 10. Thus a hollow cell is formed between the two skins l l, 12.

The skins ll, 12 may be formed from a soft flexible plastics material, and to enable the boot to be fitted on the foot and leg a fastener 1 is provided extending from the foot of in; baa 10to the opening 13. It will be appreciated that many forms of fastening may be used, for example the boot may be fastened in position by lacing or by self adhering elements such as those sold under the trade name Velcro.

Leading into the cell formed between the two skins ll, 12 at the heel of theboot 10 is aflexible tube 15 which is connected to a pump, preferably of the type described below, which is capable of alternately inflating and deflating theboot 10 to apply pressure cyclically to the calf and foot muscles. It has been found that the periodic application and release of pressure on the calf muscles helps to reduce the possibility of thrombo- $18.

It will be appreciated that the cell formed between the two skins ll, 12 may be divided up into a number of smaller cells, extending, for example, longitudinally along the length of the boot.'With the provision of a number of cells, the pump may be arranged to inflate and deflate the cells either simultaneously or successively.

- There is shown in FIG. 2 a pair of flexibleinflatable members 16, 17 for fitting over the thigh and calf muscles of the leg respectively. Each member comprises an innerflexible sleeve 18 which is encircled by anouter sleeve 19 of greater diameter which is attached to theinner sleeve 18 at the top and bottom thereof to form an enclosed cell.

The two cells are connected to a pump, for example of the type described below, by means of a pair oftubes 20, 21. The pump is arranged to cyclically inflate and deflate the cells either successively or simultaneously.

In FIG. 3 two embodiments 'of the invention are shown, firstly a pair ofmembers 22, 23, of the kind described above with reference to FIG. 2, which are arranged to encircle the upper arm and forearm respectively.

Connected between the upper arm and forearm is amechanical linkage 24 comprising a pair of links, onelink 25 being slidable into and out of theupper link 26. The twolinks 25, 26 are pivotally connected tostraps 27, 28 respectively by which they may be attached to the wrist and forearm.

Connected to thelinks 25, 26 are twoplates 29 and 30 respectively, the plates moving towards and away from each other as thefirst link 25 moves out of and into thesecond link 26. Extending between theplates 29, 30 are a pair offlexible bags 31 which are connected to a pump unit, preferably of the type described below.

The pump is capable of inflating and deflating thebags 31 to move thefirst link 25 into and out of thesecond link 26 and thus move the forearm about the elbow relatively to the upper arm. Aspring 34 is connected between the twolinks 25, 26 and assists in the deflation of thebags 31. The twomembers 22, 23 are also inflated and deflated by the pump, by way of atube 32 leading from avalve 33. Thevalve 33 may be arranged either to inflate and deflate themembers 22 alternately with the flexing of the forearm or simultaneouslyv with the flexing of the forearm.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown an arrangement for use with a foot, calf and thigh comprising a series ofannular tubes 35. Theannular tubes 35 are of -varying diameter and are joined together in a series such that they fit over the thigh in the manner of a sleeve and over the calf and foot in the manners of a boot.

Theannular tubes 35 are linked in series bytubes 36 which allow air to pass from oneannular tube 35 to the adjacentannular tube 35.

Thelowermost tube 37 is connected to anair feed pipe 38 which leads from a pump, preferably of the kind described below, which inflates and deflates the annular tubes in series. Thus, firstly theannular tubes 35 inflate one after the other starting from the foot and then moving up the calf to the thigh, and then deflate in the same order.

A second form of mechanical linkage for moving a limb about a joint is shown in FIG. 5. A base 39 shaped in the form of a sole of a shoe, has avertical rod 40 extending from the heel. Attached to therod 40 is aninflatable member 41 of the kind described with reference to FIG. 2, which is adapted to fit around the calf.

Pivotally connected towards the heel of thebase 39 is aflat plate 42 which is provided with astrap 43 by which it may be attached to the foot. Between theplate 42 and the base 39 are a set offlexible bellows 44 which may, for example, be formed of rubber. The bellows 44 are connected via afirstvalve 46 and apipe 45 to asecond valve 47.

Acord 48 is connected to the outer end of theplate 42, passes around apulley 49 on the end of thebase 39 and is attached to one end of aspiral spring 50. Thespring 50 is in tension in the position shown in FIG. 5 and the tension produced in the cord assists in the deflation of thebellows 44. Thecord 48 operates thefirst valve 46 to regulate the flow of air into and out of thebellows 44.

The second valve supplies air alternately to thepipe 45 and to asecond pipe 51 which leads to themember 41. Air is supplied to the second valve from a pump (not shown) which is preferably of the kind described below and which inflates and deflates thebellows 44 and themember 41 to apply pressure to the calf muscles and pivot the foot about the ankle joint.

With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown apparatus for supplying air to the embodiments described above. The apparatus comprises apump 52 which is formed with asolid base 53 to which is attached aplate 54 connected to the base through a strip offlexible metal 55, mounted on thebase 53 is aflexible diaphragm 56 which covers achamber 57 from which leads a pair of 4ports 58, 59.

Connected to the flexible diaphragm 56'is apiston arrangement 60 which is attached to theplate 54 for movement therewith. Mounted at the upper end of thebase 53 is anelectromagnet 61 which is adjacent a portion of theplate 54.

Within theports 58 and 59 there are provided oneway valves 62, 63 acting in opposite senses.

In operation, an alternating current is supplied to theelectromagnet 61 which periodically attracts the end of theplate 54 towards itself thus pushing thepiston 60 downwardly into thechamber 57 and forcing air under pressure through the oneway valve 62 and theport 68. At the end of a period of attraction theplate 54 springs back and thepiston 60 is withdrawn from thechamber 57 thus drawing air into thechamber 57 through theport 59 and oneway valve 63.

The outlet to theport 58 is connected by apipe 64 to arotary valve arrangement 65. The pressure of the air leaving theoutlets 72, 73 is limited by means of aport 69 which is adjacent the end of a pivoted plate 67 which bears against aflexible cell 66 which is supplied with air from thepipe 64 when the air pressure reaches a predetermined value the air leaving theport 69 forces the plate 67 away from thecell 66 to allow air to escape. Movement of the plate towards or away from the flexible cell by means of aknob 68 varies the limiting pressure which is allowed to leave theoutlets 72, 73.

Therotary valve 66 comprises a number of connected ports mounted on a rotating spindle which rotates at a pre-set speed to alternately connect theoutlet 70 and theoutlet 71 to the source of air under pressure. The outlet which is not connected to the source of pressure is allowed to exhaust. The twoexternal outlets 72, 73 may each be connected to a single inflatable member or a number of inflatable members, or may be connected to a mechanical linkage or a number of mechanical linkages or a combination of either.

We claim:

member adapted to fit on part of the body, said flexible member comprising at least one cell, the apparatus further comprising a mechanical linkage adapted to be attached to a part of the body and linkage deforming means which are capable of deforming the linkage to oscillate said part of the body about a body joint, the linkage deforming means comprising at least one further inflatable cell with said one cell of the flexible member and said further cell of the deforming means being connected to means for cyclically inflating and deflating both said one cell and said further cell.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of flexible members, each comprising a single cell which cells are adapted to fit on or around a part of the body adjacent one another and which are connected together in series each connection providing a restricted passage such that the cells may be inflated and deflated in succession to impart a cyclic force to said part of the body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises an annular tube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member is formed from a flexible plastics material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for cyclically inflating and deflating the cells comprise a pump adapted to provide alternately gas under pressure and an exhaust.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gas is air.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for cyclically inflating and deflating the cells also comprise pressure control means by which the pressure of the gas in a pressure stroke may be controlled.

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus comprising at least one flexible member adapted to fit on part of the body, said flexible member comprising at least one cell, the apparatus further comprising a mechanical linkage adapted to be attached to a part of the body and linkage deforming means which are capable of deforming the linkage to oscillate said part of the body about a body joint, the linkage deforming means comprising at least one further inflatable cell with said one cell of the flexible member and said further cell of the deforming means being connected to means for cyclically inflating and deflating both said one cell and said further cell.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of flexible members, each comprising a single cell which cells are adapted to fit on or around a part of the body adjacent one another and which are connected together in series each connection providing a restricted passage such that the cells may be inflated and deflated in succession to impart a cyclic force to said part of the body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises an annular tube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member is formed from a flexible plastics material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for cyclically inflating and deflating the cells comprise a pump adapted to provide alternately gas under pressure and an exhaust.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gas is air.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for cyclically inflating and deflating the cells also comprise pressure control means by which the pressure of the gas in a pressure stroke may be controlled.

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