Massage head

Abstract

The invention relates to a massage head (1) comprising a contact surface for placement on a body part and a connection (2) for a line (3) for supplying a medium, wherein the massage head (1) has a central opening (5) which is connected to the connection (2) of the line (3), so that a medium supplied at the connection (2) exits at the central opening (5), wherein the central opening (5) is enclosed by a first projection (6) whose outer surface forms part of the contact surface, wherein a number of n depressions (7) and n further projections (8) are connected to the first projection (6), wherein the depressions (7) and the further projections (8) are arranged alternately and each of the depressions (7) and the further projections (8) is completely circumferential, wherein the outer surfaces of the further projections (8) each form part of the contact surface, wherein n is at least 2.

Description

STATE OF THE ART

[0001] A "massage method and device for carrying it out" is known from UA72857 A, in which vacuum and electrical impulses are used in combination. Vacuum nozzles are used in the massage to stretch the skin.

[0002] A "method of massage" is known from RU94023167 A, in which a jet of air is directed at a patient's body from a distance. A disadvantage is that this requires a person to direct the air jet onto the body, which complicates the application and precludes practical self-application.

[0003] Furthermore, a massage device is known from UA66441 A1, which contains a shaft of rods on which massage rollers and springs in the form of S-shaped plates are installed and which can be used for the mechanical treatment of the body.

[0004] The next device known from WO2009094144 A2 is a "hydrotherapeutic massage device." A method and apparatus for hydrotherapeutic stimulation are disclosed, comprising a device with a handle and an external contact surface for contact with the user's lower body. The device releases an air-water jet. The air-water jet can be provided by the device itself in a pulsating form.

[0005] From WO2004091469A1, a massage device is known which has an internal disc-shaped membrane for generating ultrasound waves. The device also has a flexible outer skin to conform to a body part. Several water jets are arranged in the outer skin, similar to a shower head.

[0006] CN201454719 (U) shows a shower head with a massage structure, with each elevation of the structure equipped with a nozzle.

[0007] From WO2021150196A1 of the applicant, a massage device is known in which structured nozzles are connected via a hose to a pressure-generating device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of further improving the massage effect of the device known from WO2021150196A1.

[0009] A massage head according to claim 1 is proposed as a solution.

[0010] The massage head, as known from WO2021150196A1, has a central through-opening connecting the front and back of the massage head. A connection for a cable, in particular a flexible hose, is located on the back of the massage head. The opening on the front is oriented at a 90° angle to the structured surface of the massage head. Preferably, the massage head has only this single central opening.

[0011] As an improvement according to the invention, a specially designed structure is provided around the central opening of the massage head, consisting of alternating protrusions and depressions, each protrusion and depression extending with a closed circumference around the central opening. The central opening is enclosed by a first protrusion, the first protrusion is enclosed by a first depression, the first depression is enclosed by a second protrusion, the second protrusion is enclosed by a second depression, and so on, until a final protrusion encloses the last depression. The last protrusion forms the outer boundary of the structured surface of the massage head.

[0012] The massage head is preferably a dimensionally stable body, especially made of metal or hard plastic.

[0013] Preferably, the massage head is freely rotatable around the connection point for a cable. If the cable is connected to the massage head perpendicular to its textured surface, the massage head can also be rotated around the cable.

[0014] In another embodiment, the connection for the cable is designed in the form of an elbow fitting, so that the cable is at a 90° angle to the through-opening. The elbow fitting is preferably rotatable around the through-opening.

[0015] The contact surface of the massage head formed by the raised areas is preferably flat.

[0016] The first elevation has the greatest extent in the radial direction.

[0017] The other elevations predominantly exhibit identical widths (=radial extent).

[0018] The depressions preferably have identical widths (radial extent).

[0019] The depressions and other elevations preferably have identical widths (=radial extent).

[0020] Preferably, the depressions and elevations are arranged in concentric rings around the central opening. Preferably, the depressions and elevations are circular.

[0021] Preferably, the depressions have identical depths. Preferably, the depth of the depressions is equal to their width. Preferably, the bottoms of the depressions are arranged in a common plane. Preferably, the bottoms of the depressions lie parallel to the bearing surface formed by the protrusions. Preferably, the sides of the depressions are perpendicular to the bearing surface.

[0022] Preferably, the massage head has between 2 and 10 indentations, particularly preferably between 3 and 8, and especially between 4 and 6. The number of protrusions is 1 higher than the number of indentations.

[0023] Preferably, the device comprises several different massage heads, as defined in claim 1. An advantage of this is that each of the multiple massage heads produces a pulsating effect, and this effect can be adapted purely by the physical design of the massage head, in particular to the massage location on the body.

[0024] The massage heads preferably differ in the size of their outer circumference, especially their diameter.

[0025] The massage heads primarily differ in the number of indentations.

[0026] The massage heads preferably differ in the width of the indentations and / or the width of the raised areas.

[0027] The massage heads primarily differ in the depth of the indentations.

[0028] Preferably, the width of the indentations on each of the different massage heads is equal to the width of the raised areas on that individual massage head. Preferably, the width of the indentations on each of the different massage heads is equal to the depth of the indentations.

[0029] The diameter of one or more massage heads is preferably in the range of 3-8 cm. The diameter of the central opening is preferably in the range of 5-15 mm.

[0030] The width of the raised areas is preferably in the range of 1.5–3 mm. The width of the depressions is preferably in the range of 1.5–3 mm. The depth of the depressions is preferably in the range of 1.5–3 mm.

[0031] Preferably, the height of the massage head is greater than twice the depth of the recesses. Preferably, the height of the massage head is in the range of 5 to 20 mm, particularly preferably 5 to 15 mm, and especially 5 to 7 mm.

[0032] Preferably, the disc-shaped area of ​​the massage head is made of solid material. The massage head is preferably a disc of a solid body, which disc is provided with the central opening and in which the recesses are formed by machining.

[0033] When using the massage head, it is placed on a person's skin and a pressurized medium is released through the central opening. This medium is typically air, water, or an air-water mixture. The medium initially strikes the skin perpendicularly from the central opening and is deflected parallel to the contact surface of the massage head, spreading radially between the central contact surface and the skin.

[0034] The alternating arrangement of raised areas and depressions creates alternating zones with varying pressure of the medium, which is higher in the raised areas than in the depressions. This alternating pressure creates a pulsating effect on the tissue. The pulsating effect is generated by the raised areas and depressions, allowing the medium to be supplied at a constant pressure. The medium is preferably supplied via flexible lines. The pressure of the medium is preferably supplied by a pump of an electrically powered device. Alternatively, the medium could come from a pressurized reservoir or from a pipe.

[0035] Using the massage head with air as the medium is preferred. The medium is preferably supplied by a separate, electrically powered device. The device has a control unit with which the pressure of the medium or the intensity of the medium's flow, in particular the airflow, can be adjusted. The device may include additional input and output elements, such as a display, buttons and / or rotary knobs, or a touchscreen. The device may include a program selection function, for example, to allow presets for intensity and / or duration based on a body region and / or a medical application. The device may include a microphone to detect the pitch and / or intensity of the sound generated in the tissue.

[0036] Connecting a hose to the massage head can be done using standard quick-release couplings. Alternatively, a flexible hose can be attached by pulling it over a hose connector. The massage head may have an internal or external thread for screwing in a hose connector.

[0037] A handle for the user may be located between the hose connection point and the disc-shaped massage head. Alternatively, a handle may be located at another point on the disc-shaped massage head. In another design, the massage head may have two handles positioned opposite each other on the outer circumference of the massage head.

[0038] The invention comprises a system including a device for supplying a pressurized medium, at least one massage head, preferably several massage heads, and a line, in particular a flexible hose, connecting the device to the respective massage head, wherein the device includes a control element that allows the pressure and / or flow rate of the medium to be set or changed. If several massage heads are present, the setting is preferably carried out independently for each of the several massage heads.

[0039] The invention comprises a method for treating a body region using a physical massage head to which a line is connected, wherein the massage head is placed on the body region so that the flow of the medium at the point of contact with the skin is deflected from the central opening towards the elevations and depressions, resulting in a higher pressure at the elevations than at the depressions, thus creating a pulsating effect on the tissue of the body region and subsequently increasing the pressure and / or flow of the medium until resonance frequencies in the audible range are reached.

[0040] The advantage is that the medium spreads radially from the central opening, and the raised and recessed areas create a pulsating effect. The medium can be fed in uniformly through the central opening, without generating a pulsation of the flow in the device or the supply line. Fig. 1: illustrates a physical massage head in a side sectional view. Fig. 2: illustrates a physical massage head from below. Fig. 3: illustrates a system using physical massage heads. Fig. 4: illustrates a variant of a physical massage head in a side sectional view.

[0041] Fig. 1 und 2 Figure 1 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a massage head 1. The massage head 1 has a structured contact surface on its front side. On its rear side, the massage head 1 has a connection 2 to which a line 3, in particular a hose, can be connected. Connection elements or coupling elements for hoses are well known in the art, for example, from pneumatic systems or water lines or hoses.

[0042] Connection 2 can be integral with massage head 1, for example, if massage head 1 has a hose fitting (also called a hose barb). Massage head 1 can also have an external or internal thread, allowing connection 2 with an external or internal thread to be screwed onto massage head 1. For example, a hose fitting with an internal or external thread on the back can be used. Alternatively, a quick-connect coupling can be screwed onto the thread of massage head 1.

[0043] Connection 2 can be rigidly connected to massage head 1 or rotatably mounted within it. Line 3, particularly in the form of a hose, can be rigidly attached to connection 2 or rotatably mounted around connection 2 using a coupling element.

[0044] The massage head 1 is preferably formed by a solid, disc-shaped base body 4 with a connection 2 on its rear side, wherein the connection 2 can serve as a handle or an additional handle can be provided on the rear of the base body 4. Alternatively, the outer circumference of the base body 4 can also be used to hold and press the massage head 1.

[0045] The massage head 1 has a central opening 5 on its front side, preferably exactly one. Regardless of how the connection 2 is designed, the medium supplied by the line 3 passes through the massage head 1 and out through the central opening 5. Preferably, the medium exits only through this single central opening 5. The central opening 5 preferably extends vertically through the base body 4.

[0046] A first projection 6 surrounds the opening 5 and is preferably wider than the subsequent projections 8. The width of a projection 6, 8 is defined as the difference between its inner radius and its outer radius. The first projection 6 and the subsequent projections 8 are preferably closed in the circumferential direction, meaning that there are no radial channels extending outwards from the central opening 5.

[0047] A depression 7 surrounds the first protrusion 6, preferably completely separating it from the next protrusion 8. This means that the protrusions 6 and 8 are not connected by material bridges. There are no flow connections for the medium between the depressions 7 and between the depressions 7 and the central opening 5, so the medium can only exit from the opening 5 across the contact surface. The depressions 7 and protrusions 6 and 8 have a closed surface and are not nozzles, as is the case with shower heads.

[0048] As in Fig. 1 As illustrated, the further protrusions 8 and depressions 7 preferably have a square cross-section. In the illustrated example, the massage head 1 has n depressions 7 and n further protrusions 8 following the first protrusion 6, where n is equal to 3 in this example. The depressions 7 have a uniform width. The width of a depression 7 is defined as the difference between the inner radius of the depression 7 and its outer radius. The depressions 7 and further protrusions 8 preferably have uniform widths. The depth of the depressions 7, i.e., their extent normal to the contact surface, is preferably equal to the width of the depressions.

[0049] The vertical flanks of the recesses 7 cause an abrupt pressure drop in the medium, which intensifies the pulsating effect. Particularly with a metal base, deburring the edges of the protrusions 6, 8 may be necessary. Depending on the manufacturing process, the groove base of the recesses 7 may have rounded edges.

[0050] In Fig. 2 For illustrative purposes, the central opening 5 (dark dot pattern) and the depressions 7 (lighter dot pattern) are shown to be clearly distinguishable from the elevations 6, 8.

[0051] In Fig. 1 The flow of a medium is illustrated by arrows. The flow initially occurs through line 3, via connection 2, into the base body 4 and passes through opening 5 between the contact surface of the massage head 1 and a surface, particularly skin, against which the massage head 1 rests. The flow coming from the central opening 5 is deflected by 90 degrees and spreads outwards along the contact surface. Since there is a smaller distance to the surface in the area of ​​the protrusions 6, 8 than in the area of ​​the depressions 7, a pulsating pressure load is exerted on the tissue beneath the skin.

[0052] In Fig. 4 A massage head 1 is illustrated in which the connection 2 is angled, in particular at an angle of 90 degrees to the central opening 5. It is advantageous if the connection 2 is rotatable about the axis of the opening 5 in or on the base body 4.

[0053] In Fig. 3is illustrated a system comprising a device 9 for providing a pressurized medium, two massage heads 1 and a line 3, in particular a flexible hose line, which connects the device 9 to the respective massage head 1, wherein the device 9 includes a control element which allows the setting or changing of the pressure and / or flow of the medium.

[0054] If multiple massage heads 1 are present, the settings are preferably adjusted independently for each of the multiple massage heads.

[0055] In an embodiment not shown, the device 9 may also have only one line 3 with a massage head 1. The device 9 preferably has a power connection 10, but may also additionally have a battery. The device 9 preferably has its own pressure generator and may also include a pressure reservoir. The device 9 can also be connected to an external pressure source, for example, a bottle or a compressed air system, especially for medical compressed air.

[0056] The control element is shown by way of example as a rotary knob, which can be located on the device 9, on a control element 11 connected to the device 9, or on a remote control. The control element can also be in the form of buttons or a touchscreen. The control element allows either the pressure supplied by a pump of the device to be adjusted, or the flow of the medium to be adjusted, for example by a valve upstream of or in the line 3. The device 9 can have one pump for each connectable massage head 1 and / or one valve for each connectable massage head 1. A valve, in particular in the form of a manually operated shut-off valve, can also be located on the back of the massage head 1.

[0057] The device may include a microphone for determining the frequency and / or volume of an acoustic resonance frequency of the tissue. In one embodiment, the device may include a control mechanism whereby the frequency and / or volume of the acoustic resonance frequency can be adjusted by regulating the pressure and / or flow rate.

[0058] The invention further comprises a method for treating a body region using a massage head 1, to which a line 3 is connected. The massage head 1 is placed on the body region such that the flow of the medium at the point of contact with the skin is deflected from the central opening 5 towards the protrusions 6, 8 and depressions 7, resulting in a higher pressure at the points of protrusion 6, 8 than at the points of depression 7. This creates a pulsating effect on the tissue of the body region, and subsequently the pressure and / or flow rate of the medium is increased until resonance frequencies in the audible range are reached. The increase in pressure and / or flow rate preferably begins from zero. The increase in pressure and / or flow rate can be achieved by manual control or input, or by the device 9.Determining when the audible resonant frequency has been reached can be done by the user or by the device 9.

[0059] The resonant frequency varies, or is characteristic, for different tissues and different body regions. An experienced user or appropriately programmed device software can use the resonant frequency to draw conclusions about tissue properties and / or the body region.

[0060] During tests of the method in question, sound frequencies in the range of 139 Hz to 525 Hz were recorded.

[0061] The treatment can continue until the desired result is achieved. Optionally, device 9 can have a timer to preset or limit the treatment time.

[0062] Preferably, the massage heads 1 are individually and freely positionable. The massage head 1 can be moved along the body during application or remain in one place on the body for the duration of the treatment.

[0063] The massage head 1 may have eyelets for attaching a strap or other fastening element (not shown). The massage head 1 can also be secured to a specific position on the body for the duration of the treatment using a bandage, cuff, or other fastening element. The bandage, cuff, or other fastening element may have an opening that can be positioned around the connection of the massage head. A bandage, cuff, or other fastening element may have multiple openings to allow several massage heads 1 to be temporarily attached to the body using a single fastening element.

[0064] Less preferred, due to its less versatile applicability, is the option of integrating the massage head 1 into an object, such as a reclining surface or a backrest.

Claims

1. Massage head (1) comprising a contact surface for placement on a body part and a connection (2) for a line (3) for supplying a medium, characterized by the fact that The massage head (1) has a central opening (5) which is connected to the connection (2) of the line (3) so that a medium supplied at the connection (2) exits at the central opening (5), the central opening (5) being enclosed by a first protrusion (6) whose outer surface forms part of the contact surface, the first protrusion (6) being followed by a number of n depressions (7) and n further protrusions (8), the depressions (7) and the further protrusions (6, 8) being alternate and each of the depressions (7) and the further protrusions (8) being completely circumferential, the outer surfaces of the further protrusions (8) each forming part of the contact surface, where n is at least 2.

2. Massage head (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that Each raised area (6, 8) and each depression (7) is designed in a ring shape, with each raised area (6, 8) and depression (7) being concentric to the central opening (5).

3. Massage head according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that Each of the n further elevations (8) and n depressions (7) has an identical width.

4. Massage head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the width of each depression (7) is equal to the depth of each depression (7).

5. Massage head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the width of the recesses (7) is in the range of 1.5 to 3mm.

6. Massage head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the diameter of the massage head (1) is in the range of 3-8 cm.

7. Massage head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized by the fact that n is in the range of 3 to 10.

8. System comprising a device (9) for providing a pressurized medium, at least one massage head (1), preferably several massage heads (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a line (3), in particular a flexible hose line, which connects the device (9) to the respective massage head (1), wherein the device (9) comprises a control element which allows the pressure and / or flow rate of the medium to be set or changed, preferably independently for each of the several massage heads (1).

9. Method for treating a body region using a massage head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, to which massage head (1) a line (3) for providing a flow of a medium is connected, characterized by the fact thatthe massage head (1) is placed on the body region so that the flow of the medium at the point of contact with the skin is deflected from the central opening (5) of the massage head (1) towards the protrusions (6, 8) and depressions (7) of the massage head (1), resulting in a higher pressure at the point of protrusions (6, 8) than at the point of depressions (7), thus creating a pulsating effect on the tissue of the body region and subsequently increasing the pressure and / or flow of the medium until resonance frequencies in the audible range are reached.

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