Device and related system for treating muscle rigidity or spasm conditions of the limbs of a human user

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for treating a muscle stiffness or spasm condition in a limb of a human user, comprising a housing attachable to the limb, an actuator attachable to the housing configured to move a plunger against the human skin adjacent the muscle to press a specific point on said muscle, and a controller operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the actuator to cause the plunger to press the specific point on the muscle with a pre-set pressure and a pre-set depth.The present invention further discloses a system for treating a muscle stiffness or spasm condition in a limb, comprising an array of at least two of the devices as defined above, each device attached to press a specific point on a muscle of the limb and capable of being individually controlled.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a device for treating muscle stiffness or spasm conditions in the limbs of a human user, and in particular to a handheld device which treats said muscle conditions by tapping, squeezing or striking specific points on the muscles where the handheld device is placed on the limb. [Background technology]

[0002] prior art Muscle diseases or disorders occur frequently. Some of the common diseases are muscle spasms and muscle stiffness among others.

[0003] With regard to muscle spasticity, it refers to a muscle control disorder in which muscles are tense or stiff and the inability to control these muscles. In addition, reflexes may last too long and be too strong (hyperreflexia). For example, a young child with a hyperactive grasp reflex may keep their hand clenched. Spasticity may result from an imbalance of signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the muscles. This imbalance is often seen in people with cerebral palsy (CP), traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury, among others.

[0004] Treatment of spasticity may include, among others, drugs, local injections, and occupational and physical therapy programs including muscle stretching and range of motion exercises, and sometimes the use of braces helps prevent tendon shortening.Physical therapies applied to treat spasticity include ultrasound, cryotherapy, vibration, shockwave therapy, magnetic stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and functional electrical stimulation.

[0005] Stiffness, on the other hand, refers to a feeling of tightness in the muscles, often causing pain and making it difficult for a person to move. Stiffness can occur after overusing a particular muscle or can indicate an underlying condition. Depending on the degree of stiffness, stiffness can be treated through drugs and / or physical therapy, with massage, electrotherapy, and acupuncture being the most common techniques to reduce or ease the stiffness.

[0006] As seen in US Patent No. 11089976, some state of the art devices have inputs for spasticity or stiffness, and devices with sensors, e.g. inertial sensors, can assess spasticity and clonus based on joint angles. Similarly, EP Patent No. 3116388 discloses a system, device and method for measuring muscle stiffness in a given joint of a user.

[0007] Further documents show devices or apparatus for the diagnosis and assessment of the physiological state of muscles stimulated for rehabilitation, as shown in EP 2 794 000, which discloses an apparatus and method for restoring muscle function, comprising one or more electrodes configured to be placed in or adjacent to tissue, one or more sensors configured to detect muscle contractions and generate a sensor signal based on the muscle contractions, and a pulse generator operatively coupled to the one or more electrodes, e.g. via leads, and having a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and adjust the stimulation frequency based on the sensor signal to contract the muscle if the muscle contraction is smooth and continuous.

[0008] Yet another document relating to a device for stimulation in the non-invasive treatment of hydrocephalus is disclosed in WO2021260575, which provides a device wearable on the neck of a user, comprising a body provided with a movable pressing means and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive as input data on the user's heart rate and to generate a corresponding output signal determining the pulsatile movement of the pressing means according to the heart rate. Said pressing means is arranged to compress and decompress the neck at the jugular vein. The principle underlying the disclosure is to treat hydrocephalus by acting on the blood flow with the aim of modifying its mode of exiting the skull by managing a "counterpulsation" that indirectly regulates the natural pathological CSF pulsation.

[0009] As mentioned above, some of the treatments for spasms and / or stiffness conditions are physical therapies involving vibration or massage to targeted muscles, but there is no disclosure in the state of the art of such a device that allows for the treatment of either muscle stiffness or spasms through a handheld device configured to be held on any of the user's limbs. Summary of the Invention

[0010] explanation The above and other objects are achieved by a device for the treatment of muscle stiffness or spasm conditions in the limbs of a human user, as disclosed in independent claim 1, designed to relieve the user's muscle stiffness or spasm conditions.

[0011] The proposed claimed device comprises a housing attachable to the limb through fixation means configured for such purpose, the housing housing containing an actuator configured to move a plunger to press against a specific point on the muscle, thereby pressing against the skin adjacent to said muscle.

[0012] Within the scope of the present invention, the term or phrase "pressing a muscle" and the like should be understood as the pressing of a plunger against the skin adjacent to a target muscle in order to press a specific point on said muscle.

[0013] The device also comprises a controller operatively connected to the actuator, i.e., in data of the electrical connection therebetween, the controller being configured to control the actuator to cause the plunger to press a specific point on the muscle at a preset pressure and a preset depth.

[0014] The controller may be operatively connected to a data storage means (e.g., a hard disk mounted within the housing or a cloud server) to retrieve the preset pressure and / or the preset depth from a storage device.

[0015] Alternatively, to set the preset pressure and the preset depth, the controller controls the actuator to cause the plunger to apply pressure from an initial pressure value to a threshold pressure value, setting the preset pressure and the preset depth at the threshold pressure value.

[0016] The threshold pressure value can be established through user pain feedback. When the plunger starts to press a particular point on the muscle, an initial pressure value "no pain" or "slight pain" is set for the user (e.g., the plunger lightly touches the skin). The plunger continues to press the muscle and sinks into the skin until it reaches a "severe pain" or "severe pain" that the user can tolerate, which sets the threshold pressure value. Since the level of pain is unique to each user, once the initial and threshold pressure values ​​are established, and thus the user's preset pressure and preset depth, these data are stored in a data storage means associated with the user profile for management and later treatment.

[0017] Alternatively, the device comprises pressure sensing means configured to measure the pressure applied by the plunger to the skin and / or muscle. Through these pressure sensing means, a preset pressure and a preset depth can be set. For example, a 0 (zero) value of pressure (when the plunger lightly touches the skin) corresponds to an initial pressure value, and a threshold pressure value corresponds to a pressure applied by the pressure sensing means to a pressure of, for example, 6 Kg. f In this case, the threshold pressure value may be determined, inter alia, by medical recommendation or as a previously established "severe pain" for the user.

[0018] Alternatively, the initial pressure value and the threshold pressure value can be determined through the previously mentioned user pain feedback in combination with the pressure sensing means, with the initial pressure value measured by the pressure sensing means being set to the user's perceived "no pain" or "slight pain" and the threshold pressure value measured by the pressure sensing means being set to the user's perceived "severe pain" or "strong pain". As the level of pain is unique to each user, once the initial and threshold pressure values ​​and therefore the user's preset pressure and preset depth have been established, these data are stored in the data storage means associated with the user profile for further management purposes.

[0019] Thus, the device can be used to treat multiple users, applying appropriate treatment to each user profile.

[0020] Moreover, the controller is further configured to control the actuator to repeatedly cause the plunger to press a particular point on the muscle at a preset pressure and a preset depth during N cycles and treatment time T and / or at a plunger stroke speed V. The N cycles, treatment time T and plunger stroke speed can be established by medical recommendation, treatment outcome and / or closed loop control through measurements performed by pressure sensing means. Other alternatives for controlling the actuator can be the depth or stroke of the plunger measured by suitable means and / or the power signal consumption or torque applied by the actuator to cause the plunger to press the skin and / or muscle.

[0021] In addition, the device further comprises a movement detection means configured to detect any movement of the user's limbs.

[0022] The device also comprises support detection means configured to detect whether the plunger and / or housing is supported against the skin.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the device further comprises an excitation means configured to provide an excitation stimulation effect to the muscle pressed by the plunger, said excitation stimulation effect can be a thermal effect causing a temperature change in the muscle and / or the skin adjacent to the muscle, and / or an electrical effect causing a controlled electric shock to the muscle and / or the skin adjacent to the muscle. Through this excitation means, the treatment for relieving the stiffness or spasticity condition becomes more comprehensive and produces better results in a shorter time.

[0024] The device in turn comprises an energy storage means arranged to power at least the actuator and / or the controller.

[0025] Alternatively, the controller is provided in or is the portable electronic device itself.Within the scope of the present invention, the portable electronic device is referred to as a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, a computer, etc.

[0026] Thus, the portable electronic device is provided with a computer executable application program (eg, a software program, app, etc.) that controls the actuator.

[0027] Alternatively, the present invention discloses a system for treating a stiff or spastic condition of a muscle of a limb, comprising an array of at least two of the devices as disclosed above, each device being attached to a limb for applying pressure to a specific point on the muscle of the limb, each device being individually controllable.

[0028] When the device or system is used to relieve muscle stiffness or stimulate a spasm in a user's leg, three devices can be placed along the leg to treat, for example, the gastrocnemius, soleus, or gastrocnemius tendons.

[0029] The present invention relates to a method for treating a condition of muscle stiffness or spasm in the limbs of a human user, comprising the steps of: - selecting a target muscle of the limb to be treated; - attaching at least one device, such as those disclosed above, to the limb, said device being arranged to cause a plunger to press against a specific point on a selected muscle of the limb; - applying pressure to a specific point of the selected muscle by means of a plunger from an initial pressure value to a threshold pressure value, at which a preset pressure and a preset depth are set; - applying pressure and depth to a specific point of the muscle with a plunger; Further disclosed are methods of treatment comprising:

[0030] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned treatment method, - repeatedly applying pressure to a specific point of the muscle with a plunger at a preset pressure and a preset depth during N cycles and during a treatment time T; Includes.

[0031] Further, while repeatedly pressing a specific point of the muscle with a plunger at a preset pressure and a preset depth during N cycles and treatment time T, the treatment method includes: applying, by the excitation means, an excitation stimulation action to the muscle pressed by the plunger to induce a temperature change in the muscle and / or an electrical action to induce a controlled electric shock to the muscle; Includes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] These and other advantages and features will be better understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the lower leg showing the target muscles or tendons to be treated with the device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of three devices of the present invention worn on a user's lower extremities and controlled through a handheld device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in the form of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details.

[0034] As seen in figures 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a device 1 for treating a stiff or spasmodic condition of the muscles of a human user's limbs and relieving said limb muscles from said stiff or spasmodic condition, the device 1 comprising a housing 2 attachable to the limb, for example to the leg as shown in figure 4, and a trough fastening means 3 configured to attach said housing 2 to the limb. In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the fastening means 3 is shown as a belt attachable to the housing 2, configured to be worn on the limb of the user and fastening the housing 2 at a suitable point on the limb. As shown in figures 1 and 2, the strap is looped over a strut 30 attachable to the housing 2. Furthermore, the fastening means comprises a pad or cushion 31 configured to contact the user's skin and to provide comfort to the user of the device 1.

[0035] The device 1 also comprises an actuator (not shown) mountable to the housing 2, configured to move the plunger 4 relative to the human skin adjacent to the muscle in order to press specific points of said muscle. For the therapeutic purposes of the present invention, the actuator must allow the muscle to be repeatedly tapped, hammered or struck by a reciprocating movement of the plunger 4 during the use of the device, i.e. during the treatment time T. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is a servo motor suitable for a reciprocating movement of the plunger 4. Other types of actuators allowing a gross movement of the plunger 4 can also be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] Also, for purposes of the present invention in treating muscle stiffness or spasm conditions, plunger 4, in one preferred embodiment, is intended to press against a point on the muscle (in the same way that the tip of a finger can press against the skin adjacent to a target muscle) with a rounded end or tip that is forced against the skin adjacent to the muscle.

[0037] The device 1 further comprises a controller (not shown) operably connected to the actuator 3 and configured to control said actuator 3 to move the plunger 4 to press a specific point on the muscle with a preset pressure and / or a preset depth.

[0038] To set the aforementioned preset pressure and preset depth, the controller controls the actuator to cause the plunger 4 to apply a point pressure, i.e., press a target or point on the muscle to be treated from an initial pressure value to a threshold pressure value, and set the preset pressure and / or preset depth at the threshold pressure value.

[0039] The threshold pressure value may be established by user pain feedback, or through a pressure sensing means (not shown) configured to measure the pressure applied by the plunger to the skin and / or muscle, or as a combination of these two techniques. Setting the initial and threshold pressure values ​​is considered a calibration routine for the device 1.

[0040] Since the level of pain is unique for each user, initial and threshold pressure values ​​are established, so that the user's preset pressure and preset depth are established data, which can be stored in a data storage means (not shown) associated with the user profile for further management and treatment purposes. Thus, the device 1 can be used to treat multiple users, applying a convenient treatment for each user profile.

[0041] Meanwhile, the controller is further configured to control the actuator to repeatedly press the plunger 3 against a particular point of the muscle at a preset pressure and a preset depth during N cycles and during a treatment time T and / or at a plunger stroke speed V. A cycle can be considered as a back and forth movement of the plunger 3 to a preset pressure and / or a preset depth. Also, the N cycles, i.e. the number of cycles, the treatment time T, the time of use of the device during a season, and the plunger stroke speed V can be established by medical recommendation, by closed loop control through the treatment results from previous sessions, and / or measurements performed by the pressure sensing means.

[0042] The device 1 further comprises movement detection means (not shown) arranged to detect any movement of the user's limbs. Preferably, said detection means are provided in the form of an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope (for example MEMS), among other sensors making it possible to detect the limb and / or user movements, mountable on said housing.

[0043] The device 1 also comprises a support sensing means (not shown) configured to detect whether the plunger 4 and / or the housing 2 are supported against the user's skin. The support means may be the plunger 4, as the pressure sensing means detects a slight pressure applied by the plunger 4, which may be set when the plunger 4 is in contact / supporting the skin. Alternatively, the support sensing means may be a proximity sensor, e.g. an infrared sensor, a laser sensor and / or an acoustic sensor, that may be attached to the housing 2.

[0044] The device 1 further comprises excitation means (not shown) configured to provide an excitation stimulation effect on the muscle when pressed by the plunger 4. The excitation means are configured to perform a thermal effect to change the temperature of the muscle and / or the skin adjacent to the muscle. Preferably, a heather (not shown) can be attached to the plunger 4, especially at the tip of the plunger 4 that presses against the skin in order to heat the muscle when the plunger 4 performs a pressing effect on the skin. Alternatively, the plunger 4 can be heated by suitable means to perform a thermal excitation effect on the muscle. The excitation means are also configured to perform an electric shock on the muscle in order to contract said muscle. In this case, an electrode (not shown) can be attached to the plunger 4 for a controlled electric shock of the muscle when the plunger 4 performs a pressing effect on the skin for a successive contraction of the muscle. Alternatively, the plunger 4 can be an electrode itself with suitable adjustments to perform an electric shock of the muscle.

[0045] The excitation means is also controllable by the controller to perform the excitation stimulation functions described above.

[0046] The application of the excitation means in conjunction with the pressing by the plunger 4 results in a more comprehensive therapy for relieving the rigid or spasmodic state and a shorter recovery from said state.

[0047] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises energy storage means (not shown) configured to power at least the actuators. These energy storage means may be formed as rechargeable batteries, which may be provided inside the housing 2 and operatively connected to the actuators.

[0048] The controller may be a CPU or the like provided inside the housing 2, so in a preferred embodiment the controller is provided in the portable electronic device 6 or is the portable electronic device itself, the portable electronic device being a smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc., and the portable electronic device 6 is provided with a computer executable application program for controlling the actuators. The computer executable application program enables the entire operation of the device 1, from calibration to the specific functions of the device to relieve the stiffness or spasticity of the muscles of the limbs. The computer executable application program is also configured to generate and display a report including at least the initial state (pre-treatment), e.g. spasticity level, stiffness, tone, etc., of the muscles, and the final state (post-treatment), e.g. final spasticity level, stiffness, tone, etc. The data for performing the report can be performed by pressure sensing means data, plunger speed or stroke, excitation means data, among others.

[0049] The device 1 is also provided with an emergency stop means operably connected to the actuator and configured to immediately stop said actuator during its operation. In an alternative embodiment, the emergency stop means is a button that stops the actuator when pressed. A person skilled in the art will understand that any embodiment of the emergency stop means falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] 3 and 4 show the application of the device 1 in therapy to relieve stiffness or spasm in the muscles of a user's legs, which includes the following steps: - Selecting the leg muscles to be treated (target muscles). In Figure 3, three target muscles are highlighted: gastrocnemius (A), soleum (B) and soleum tendon (C). - Attaching one device, such as device 1 as described above, to the leg for each target muscle, said device 1 being placed on the leg to press on specific points of the target muscle of the leg; since three target muscles have been selected, three devices 1 are attached to the limb, one for each target muscle. - independently controlling the actuator of each device through the portable electronic device 6 to cause the plunger 4 to apply pressure to a specific point of the target muscle from an initial pressure value to a threshold pressure value, at which a preset pressure and / or a preset depth is set. - Pressing the plunger 4 against a specific point on the muscle with a pre-set pressure and / or a pre-set depth. - repeatedly tapping a specific point on the muscle with the plunger 4 at a preset pressure and / or preset depth during N cycles and for a treatment time T. Over a given treatment time, for example 15-30 minutes, the controller allows each device 1 to alternately start and stop for an on period of 20-60 seconds followed by an off period of 20-120 seconds. When the actuator receives a start command from the controller, it produces a compression of the preset pressure and / or preset depth (stroke of the plunger) for a predetermined number of N cycles.

Claims

1. A device (1) for treating a condition of muscle stiffness or spasm in the limbs of a human user, comprising: - a housing (2) that can be attached to said limb; - an actuator mountable to said housing (2) and configured to move a plunger (4) against the human skin adjacent to a muscle in order to press specific points on said muscle; a controller operatively connected to said actuator and configured to control said actuator to cause said plunger (4) to press said specific point of said muscle with a pre-set pressure and a pre-set depth, - excitation means operatively connected to said controller and configured to provide a further excitation stimulation to said muscle, said excitation stimulation causing a temperature change in said muscle and / or causing a controlled electric shock to said muscle; A controller comprising: A device (1) comprising:

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the actuator to cause the plunger to apply pressure from an initial pressure value to a threshold pressure value, at which the preset pressure and the preset depth are set.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is further configured to control the actuator to cause the plunger to repeatedly press the specific point on a muscle at the preset pressure and the preset depth during N cycles and during a treatment time T.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising pressure sensing means arranged to measure the pressure exerted by the plunger on the muscle.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the excitation means is operatively connected to the plunger (4).

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising movement detection means arranged to detect any movement of said limbs of said user.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising support detection means configured to detect whether the plunger (4) and / or the housing (2) is supported against the skin.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising an energy storage means arranged to power at least said actuator.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising fastening means (3) arranged to attach the housing (2) to the limb.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is capable of being provided in a portable electronic device.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the portable electronic device is provided with a computer executable application program for controlling the actuator.

12. A system (10) for treating a stiff or spastic condition of the muscles of the limbs, comprising an array of at least two devices (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, each device (1) being attached to and individually controlled to press on a specific point of the muscles of the limb.

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