Trigger Point Massage Lever for Wall-Based Ischemic Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage devices for myofascial trigger points are cumbersome, require excessive physical strength, and often fail to provide effective ischemic compression, especially when applied by users in active tense body conditions, making them impractical and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A handheld trigger point massage tool utilizing a 2nd class mechanical lever configuration with a handle member and trigger point member, allowing for ischemic compression through rotational force applied via a wall or fixed surface as a fulcrum, enabling selective and directional pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a user pulls or pushes themselves onto a known massage device, then the device can be applied to trigger points, but the user requires excessive physical strength and the treatment trigger points into an active/tense state which makes it difficult to achieve ischemic compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wall or fixed surface as an intermediary fulcrum between the user and the massage device. The user pushes against the wall rather than directly onto their body, allowing the wall to provide reaction force that compresses the trigger point without requiring the user to tense their own muscles. This mediator enables force application while keeping the treated muscle relaxed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the source of compressive force from the user's active muscles and relocates it to the wall or fixed surface. By removing the requirement for user muscle tension, the system eliminates the contradiction between needing force and maintaining muscle relaxation, allowing ischemic compression to be achieved without the harmful side effect of muscle activation.
2Ease of operation
If a known device requires the user to place it on a flat floor surface and lay down, then the device can be applied, but the user must apply excessive and unsafe amounts of pressure and the device is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The wall or fixed surface acts as a stable intermediary that supports the device during application. This external support structure eliminates the need for the user to lie on the floor and manually control pressure, as the wall provides inherent stability and the device geometry naturally limits pressure to safe levels.
3Force
If a known device uses active tension in the user's arm to apply pressure, then the device can be operated, but the pressure generated is insufficient to treat the trigger point effectively and can only be applied in limited orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The wall serves as a fulcrum that enables the user to generate greater mechanical advantage through lever action. By pushing against the wall with the handle, the user can apply significantly more force to the trigger point than by using arm tension alone. The wall's fixed position provides a stable pivot point that amplifies the user's input force.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from static arm tension to dynamic lever-based force generation. The user can move their body and adjust their pushing motion against the wall, enabling application in multiple orientations and positions while maintaining effective pressure through the mechanical advantage of the lever system.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and effective ischemic compression of trigger points without requiring excessive user strength, allowing for comfortable and thorough treatment of trigger points across the body.
Implementation Method 1
The invention provides a trigger point massage tool that can be manipulated and applied by a user (i.e., massaged) to trigger points of the user's body in a safe, effective, and efficient manner not accomplished by known device and in a selective fashion. Said differently, the present invention utilizes a 2nd class mechanical lever configuration to apply maximal ischemic compression through a 'rotational' force at the treatment head via contact of the distal end of the handle member of the device, i.e., the fulcrum, with a wall or other fixed surface.
Implementation Method 2
The forces generated with the handle member are done with minimal work on the lever arm, via the fulcrum or nose of the handle member on a fixed surface, such a wall, couch, or bed. This allows for a maximal rotatory compression moment, rather than a linear pulling, or pushing force on a user's passive, relaxed, supine body position.
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger point massage tool configured to apply ischemic compression to a user's body and that includes a handle member formed in an arcuate shape forming a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface opposing the convex outer surface, having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end and having a flexible and friction-inducing material disposed thereon, a handle member length separating the proximal and distal ends of the handle member and that includes a trigger point member coupled to the concave inner surface along the handle member length, projecting in a direction away from the concave inner surface to an apex forming a terminal contact surface, and defining a trigger point member diameter tapering toward the terminal contact surface, the apex spaced apart from the distal end of the handle member.