Myofascial Massage Head Unit With Graded Membrane Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum-based massage devices lack effective mechanisms to prevent direct skin contact, which can cause pain and irritation, and existing solutions, such as using a membrane between the vacuum pump and skin, are inadequate.

Innovation Solution

The head unit incorporates a flexible membrane with graded protrusions that engage the body in a non-continuous manner, allowing for controlled application of force through varying heights and angles, ensuring minimal direct contact and maximizing treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a membrane is placed between the vacuum pump and skin to prevent direct contact, then skin safety is improved, but the device complexity increases and the membrane may still cause pain and irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane as an intermediary element between the vacuum pump and the skin. The membrane is designed with specific properties (flexibility, porosity) to allow vacuum transmission while preventing direct contact, thereby reducing skin irritation and pain caused by direct vacuum application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible membrane (thin film) as the protective barrier. This flexible shell allows the vacuum force to be transmitted effectively while maintaining comfort and safety during skin contact, avoiding the harsh effects of rigid direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a membrane is used to prevent direct skin contact, then safety is improved, but treatment efficacy may be reduced due to inadequate force application

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidtreatment efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the membrane's physical parameters (flexibility, porosity, thickness) to optimize the balance between safety and treatment efficacy. By carefully controlling these parameters, the membrane allows sufficient vacuum force transmission for effective treatment while maintaining safety through prevented direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible membrane with graded protrusions provides a safe and effective massage therapy by minimizing direct skin contact, enhancing treatment comfort and efficacy through controlled force application.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible membrane with graded protrusions that engage the body in a non-continuous manner, allowing for controlled application of force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

external devices based on an actuator using linear movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear movement:

Data Source

PatentEP4031090B1Head units for a treatment device
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ROGOZINSKI JOSEPH
  • EP4031090B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4031090B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2D
  • EP4031090B1 patent drawingFigure 2E~2H

AI summary

A myofascial massager for mechanical treatment of a treatment location in a human subject's body. The massager includes an actuator which operates in a cyclical linear amplitude field for a few millimeters and at a frequency range from some Hz to a few dozen Hz. A head unit connected to the actuator includes a first portion having a higher rigidity, and a membrane having a second lower rigidity, which membrane comes into contact with the treatment location.