Device for pulling or pushing over an extremity, and method for applying said device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which is provided and suitable for being pushed or pulled over an extremity, in particular an arm or a leg, in order to drain the extremity from peripheral to central, wherein the device is an element which can be stretched by tension and compression. The device is characterised in that the stretchable element is in the form of a strand and is provided and designed to be pushed or pulled over the extremity in the form of a loop. The invention further relates to a method for applying the device, in which the material of the stretchable element, designed to form a loop, acts in a controlled circular manner on the extremity constrictively or releasingly only when individual tension or release is exerted on the handles with an immediate effect for reducing or increasing the circumference of the loop without further manipulation of the loop.

Description

[0001] Device for pulling or pushing over an extremity and method for applying this device

[0002] The invention relates to a device designed and suitable for being pushed or pulled over an extremity, in particular an arm or a leg, in order to drain the extremity from the periphery to the center, wherein the device is an element stretchable by tension and compression. The invention also relates to a method for using the device.

[0003] Such a device is described in DE 102021 001 134 A1.

[0004] Starting from this state of the art, the task arises to make the device easier to handle and at the same time more effective.

[0005] The device solves this problem by having a flexible element in the form of a strand, designed and configured to be pushed or pulled over the extremity in the shape of a loop. The user can individually adjust the pressure on the extremities and soft tissues by tightening the loop, and can also adjust it continuously depending on the circumference of the extremities. While pulling the loop upwards, the user adjusts its size and shape to the different circumferences by applying the necessary force. The loop shape ensures that the tissue fluid is completely displaced centrally from the periphery to the center within the respective cross-section. Rotation of the loop is also possible.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the extendable element has handles at its ends. This makes the device easier to operate and handle. The handles are preferably movable relative to the extendable element between them, allowing for particularly easy handling.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment, the expandable element is formed from a solid material. Such an element exhibits particularly uniform material properties and thus also particularly uniform therapeutic properties, resulting in especially good performance. To further improve the effectiveness and properties of the device, and in particular the expandable element, an internal stiffener is arranged within the expandable element. This stiffener is preferably made of metal. This provides particularly good and strong stiffening, especially when the expandable element is made of a plastic. As an alternative to making the internal stiffener from metal, it can also be made of a plastic, in which case the internal stiffener, or the plastic itself, must be harder than the plastic forming the expandable element.

[0008] In another embodiment, the internal material stiffening is preferably attached to the handles or extends to them. This makes the connection of the handles particularly secure.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the internal material stiffener has one or more strain gauges. These can be used to check and measure whether and in which

[0010] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25OO9162.DOC Scope of the device's use and application. Electrical and / or electronic elements are preferably arranged on the strain gauges. These can measure and detect the magnitude or extent of the strain and also transmit and process it externally via corresponding transmitters and / or transmission elements. The signals are received there and can be displayed accordingly. The device according to the invention is waterproof and glides smoothly over the skin during use. Skin-compatible oils and emulsions are preferably used for this purpose.

[0011] The procedural solution to the problem is characterized by the fact that the material of the stretchable element formed into a loop only exerts a controlled circular effect on the extremity, either constricting or relieving it, when individual pulling or relieving is applied to the handles with immediate effect to reduce or increase the circumference of the loop without further manipulation of the loop.

[0012] The described loop glides over the skin of an extremity in a controlled manner thanks to its predefined shape and the manual adjustment of its two handles. This allows its effect on a sensitive extremity to be individually and immediately adapted to the situation by adjusting the applied pressure. The round, conductive shape of the loop's cross-section and the resulting smooth surface enable the user to perform a self-controlled "treatment" of the extremity, based on local discomfort, through biofeedback.

[0013] Due to the choice of silicone and the solid material construction, there is no memory effect or twisting with uncontrolled force changes in the loop. The effect of the loop can be interrupted, intensified, or paused at any time by the user reducing the force applied via the handles. Individual painful

[0014] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25OO9162.DOC Points or even unstable skin can be treated less intensively in this way. The friction of the loop on the skin itself can also be further controlled by applying oils.

[0015] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0016] The single figure in the drawing shows a device according to the invention, with partial cross-sectional views of the device. The device 1 comprises a stretchable element 2, which has handles 4 at its ends. The stretchable element 2 is designed and configured to be pushed or pulled over a human extremity in the form of a loop 3. The loop is pushed from the periphery to the center, for example, from the foot to the thigh, so that fluid is guided in this direction. The stretchable element 2 is made entirely of a solid material, in particular plastic. An internal stiffening element 5 is arranged within this stretchable element 2, extending at least in the area of ​​the loop 3, but also potentially into the handles 4. A strain gauge 6 is arranged on the internal stiffening element 5, which can measure and detect the degree of stretching.The strain gauge 6 features a CPU and an electronic unit that can be inductively charged. Furthermore, the strain gauge 6 also includes a transmitter that can send and transmit the measured results. This allows the degree of strain to be measured and tracked, and adjusted during application depending on the type and purpose of the operation.

[0017] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25OO9162.DOC

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device designed and suitable to be pushed or pulled over an extremity, in particular an arm or a leg, in order to drain the extremity from the periphery to the center, wherein the device (1) is a stretchable element (2) by tension and pressure, characterized in that the stretchable element (2) is designed in the form of a strand and is designed and configured to be pushed or pulled over the extremity in the form of a loop (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extendable element (2) has handles (4) at its end regions.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the handles (4) are movable relative to the expandable element (2) arranged between them.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretchable element (2) is made of a solid material.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an internal material stiffener (5) is arranged in the stretchable element (2).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner material stiffening (5) is made of metal. Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25OO9162.DOC 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expandable element (2) is made of a plastic.

8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner material stiffening (5) is made of a plastic which is harder compared to the surrounding plastic.

9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the material stiffening (5) extends into the handles (4).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner material stiffening (5) has a strain gauge (6).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that electrical and / or electronic elements are arranged on the strain gauge (6).

12. Method for using a device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the material of the stretchable element formed as a loop (3) (2) only acts in a controlled circular manner on the extremity in a constricting or relieving way when (4) individual traction or relief is applied to the handles with immediate effect for the reduction or enlargement of the circumference of the loop (3) without further manipulation of the loop (3) is exercised. Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25OO9162.DOC

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