Improved glove for treating arthritis and osteoarthritis in the extremities, chronic inflammations, with micropulses and heat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glove comprising: - a control unit (1) provided with a first push button (12) for activating and deactivating a micropulse generating unit (5) and a second push button (13) for activating and deactivating heating means for heating the glove; - a rechargeable battery (2) connected to the control unit (1); - the micropulse generating unit (5), which is connected to the control unit (1), wherein this micropulse generating unit (5) comprises a micropulse or vibration distributing unit (6) in which a series of micropulse or vibration transmitting elements (7) are linked; - heating means controlled from the control unit; and - a recharge terminal (3) for the battery. The glove allows treatment by means of heat, shortwave and micropulses, which are distributed over the entire hand in order to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED GLOVE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN EXTREMITIES, CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, WITH MICROPULSES AND HEAT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention, as stated in the title of the invention, is an improved glove for the treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases in the extremities, chronic inflammations, with micropulses and heat, in the form of a glove or sock that, when placed on the extremities, allows the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis of said extremities in an effective and rapid manner.

[0005] The present invention is characterized by the constructive features of the device that allow the combination of different techniques and means simultaneously in the same device, with the consequent synergistic result derived from the arrangement and simultaneous use of different techniques, specifically through the application and distribution of vibrations and the application of heat.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is circumscribed within the scope of the apparatus and technique used in the treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic inflammations, reduction of pain and muscle tension in extremities.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by the deterioration of articular cartilage, which is the part that covers the bone ends that together form joints, which are the components of the skeleton that allow movement.

[0009] Articular cartilage is essential for the proper functioning of the joint, as it is the cushioning and sliding surface between the bone ends that form any joint.

[0010] During the development of the disease, erosion of the articular cartilage can alter the articular cartilage of the opposite bone of the joint itself, causing the same wear process to begin.

[0011] As a result, there may come a time when the cartilage disappears and pain appears. As the cartilage disappears, the bone reacts and grows at the sides (osteophytes), causing joint deformity.

[0012] On the other hand, arthritis is the inflammation of the joints and causes pain and stiffness, affecting a large number of people, especially as they get older.

[0013] Treatments for osteoarthritis and arthritis range from personalized and adapted exercise programs to pharmacological treatments.

[0014] There are also treatments such as paraffin baths, which is a superficial thermotherapy method used to treat osteoarthritis and arthritis, among other conditions.

[0015] The therapeutic agent in paraffin baths is heat, so the substance needs to reach a temperature of 50 to 54 degrees Celsius. The heat output of a paraffin bath is six times greater than that of water, and the resulting pain relief is stronger and longer-lasting. The first step is to immerse your hand in a container of paraffin at this temperature for a few seconds, between six and twelve times. Then, remove your hand from the bath and wait 15 to 20 minutes, until the paraffin cools and forms a solid layer. A mitt can be used during this stage.

[0016] Paraffin wax has a low melting point, low enough to be applied to the skin without fear of burning. The warming sensation of the melted wax relieves arthritis pain by loosening muscles, increasing blood flow, and relaxing the hands. Essential oils can also be added to further alleviate pain and promote relaxation.

[0017] Other techniques used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis include the application of cold and heat and electrotherapy.

[0018] Applying cold is only indicated when there is an acute inflammation phase in the joint, while applying heat seeks to relieve pain, joint stiffness and muscle contractures of osteoarthritis.

[0019] Electrotherapy involves applying electric, magnetic, or combined fields at a specific frequency and intensity to activate the affected area. One electrotherapy technique is shortwave diathermy, which aims to increase temperature to stimulate circulation and fluidization, resulting in tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the tissues become more mobile due to the increased elasticity and fluidity.

[0020] Another technique used to improve joint function in cases of osteoarthritis and arthritis is the use of Stack splints. Their purpose is to immobilize the distal interphalangeal joint, maintaining it in extension or hyperextension, while allowing movement of the proximal interphalangeal joint to avoid potential adverse effects on the other joints. All of the above techniques must be applied separately and in multiple sessions. Furthermore, they are applied by professionals using expensive and complex equipment; therefore, the treatment of these conditions is costly in terms of time, money, and dedication from the patient.

[0021] The prior art includes the device for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis disclosed in publication ES2701950 A1, which comprises:

[0022] - a first layer of porous tissue

[0023] - a second layer or inner volume, like a bladder, filled with paraffin, which covers the entire interior space or partially covers those areas most precise in the treatment

[0024] - Surrounding this second layer of paraffin is a Teflon splint or similar material, acting as a stack splint. These Teflon splints or similar materials have mechanisms that force the finger to gradually straighten.

[0025] - a very thin layer of latex or insulating material.

[0026] - an outer covering that surrounds all the previous layers.

[0027] While the described device is a means of relieving arthritis and osteoarthritis problems by progressively straightening the limbs, it provides relief that may improve the pain caused by arthritis and osteoarthritis, based solely on the use of stack splints.

[0028] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to develop a glove that allows the simultaneous application of the above techniques in any of their combinations in a simple and effective way without having to travel to a specialized center where said treatment takes place, developing for this purpose a device such as the one described below and included in its essentials in claim one.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of osteoarthritis, arthritis, chronic inflammations, with micropulses and heat, which has a general form of a sleeve in the form of a glove or sock in which the limb to be treated is housed.

[0030] The glove includes:

[0031] - a control unit equipped with a series of pushbuttons to activate a series of micropulses and glove heating,

[0032] - a rechargeable battery connected to the control unit,

[0033] - a vibration generating unit connected to the control unit, where this vibration generating unit comprises a vibration distributing unit in which a series of vibration transmitting elements are associated,

[0034] - heating means controlled from the control unit,

[0035] - a battery charging terminal.

[0036] The charging terminal, in one possible non-limiting embodiment, is designed to be used in conjunction with magnetic terminals.

[0037] In one non-limiting embodiment, the micropulse generating unit is a micromotor, while the micropulse distributing unit can be a plate or sheet in which the micropulse generating means are housed, while the vibration transmitting elements consist of elongated elements connected to the micropulse distributing unit, these vibration transmitting elements being made of plastic material, provided with studs on the lower face of the same in order to achieve better contact and transmission of the micropulses.

[0038] The heating means, in one possible embodiment, consist of a thermoresistive wire that heats up when a current passes through it and that preferably, but not exclusively, runs along the perimeter line of the glove, and may additionally have a central heating zone on the back of the hand.

[0039] Another application of the heating medium is the generation of shortwave radiofrequency energy emission, specifically at 27.12 MHz, also used for treating joint pain. This shortwave application is compatible with simultaneous heat generation. The resistive wire is used as an antenna to emit the radiofrequency energy.

[0040] The control unit has a first button to activate and deactivate the micropulse generating means, which also serves to select the intensity level of the generated micropulses; it also has a second button to activate and deactivate the heating means, this second button serving as a means to select the level of heating generated.

[0041] The glove, in one possible embodiment and structurally speaking, comprises a lower outer layer, an upper inner layer, and an upper outer layer, with the control unit, battery, and connecting cables arranged between the inner and outer layers of the upper part of the glove.

[0042] Additionally, and as a complement, before putting the glove on the hand or limb, it is possible to use a cotton glove to protect the glove and allow its use by other people without the inner surfaces of the glove becoming dirty.

[0043] Before applying the inner cotton glove, a cream for osteoarthritis, arthritis, or inflammation can be applied. The glove of the present invention can also be used in combination with an inner silver-thread glove that serves as a compression glove and / or a means of retaining and distributing heat more effectively.

[0044] Therefore, thanks to the constructive characteristics of the glove that is the subject of the invention, the simultaneous application of several techniques is permitted, either completely or in combination with some of the techniques. Furthermore, it allows its use while sleeping or without performing any particular activity that requires the use of the hands, eliminating the need to travel to specialized centers or use complex machinery for its application. This effectively and radically improves the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis, chronic inflammation, and reduces pain and muscle tension.

[0045] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention.

[0046] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variations are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention.

[0047] EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] To complement the description provided and to aid in a better understanding of the invention's characteristics, according to a preferred embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of this description. These drawings, for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be limiting, depict the following. Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of the glove that is the subject of the invention, illustrating its constituent elements.

[0049] In Figure 2, we can observe a detail of the layers that can form part of the glove.

[0050] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0051] In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

[0052] In Figure 1 we can see that the glove that is the subject of the invention comprises:

[0053] - a control unit (1) provided with a first push button (12) to activate and deactivate a micropulse generating unit (5) and a second push button (13) to activate and deactivate glove heating means,

[0054] - a rechargeable battery (2) connected to the control unit (1),

[0055] - the micropulse generating unit (5) connected to the control unit (1), wherein this micropulse generating unit (5) comprises a micropulse or vibration distribution unit (6) in which a series of micropulse or vibration transmitting elements (7) are associated.

[0056] - heating means controlled from the control unit

[0057] - a battery charging terminal (3).

[0058] The micropulse generating unit (5) in one possible embodiment is a micromotor, while the micropulse distributing unit (6) is a plate or sheet (14) on which all the generated micropulses are transmitted and finally, the micropulse distributing elements (6) in one possible embodiment consist of elongated elements (15) connected to the distributing plate (14) and running centrally along each of the fingers, as shown in the figure.

[0059] The micropulse generator unit (5) is powered by cables (8) connected to the control unit (1).

[0060] The heating means in the embodiment shown consist of a thermistor (4) that runs perimetrically around the entire glove and which may additionally have a central heating zone, said thermistor (4) being connected to the control unit.

[0061] Figure 2 shows the layers that make up the glove structurally speaking, having a lower zone formed by a single outer layer of the lower zone (9), and an upper zone formed by an inner layer (10) of the upper zone and an outer layer (11) of the upper zone, with the necessary elements housed between the inner layer (10) and the outer layer (11) of the upper zone, with only the pushbuttons and the battery charging terminal emerging to the outside.

[0062] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is stated that, within its essential nature, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat, characterized in that it comprises: - a control unit (1) provided with a first push button (12) to activate and deactivate a micropulse generating unit (5) and a second push button (13) to activate and deactivate glove heating means, - a rechargeable battery (2) connected to the control unit (1), - the micropulse generating unit (5) connected to the control unit (1), wherein this micropulse generating unit (5) comprises a micropulse or vibration distribution unit (6) in which a series of micropulse or vibration transmitting elements (7) are associated, - heating means controlled from the control unit, and - a battery charging terminal (3). 2.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat according to claim 1, characterized in that the micropulse generating unit (5) is a micromotor. 3.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distributing unit of the generated micropulses (6) is a plate or plate (14) on which all the generated micropulses are transmitted. 4.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 characterized in that the micropulse distributor elements (6) consist of elongated elements (15) connected to the distributor plate (14) and running centrally along each of the fingers. 5.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the heating means consist of a thermoresistor (4) that runs peripherally around the entire glove, said thermoresistor (4) being connected to the control unit. 6.- Improved glove for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis in extremities with micropulses and heat according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the layers that make up the glove structurally speaking are a single outer layer of the lower zone (9), and an upper zone formed by an inner layer (10) of the upper zone and an outer layer (11) of the upper zone, the necessary elements being housed between the inner layer (10) and the outer layer (11) of the upper zone, with only the pushbuttons and the battery recharging terminal emerging to the outside.

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