Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRICAL MASSAGE DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to massage devices
and more particularly relates to electroneurological stimulating
devices for treating and relieving pain.
The use of electricity to stimulate the nervous system
for the treatment of pain has been long known in the art. The
treatment is effected by providing for electrical stimulation
of nerve fibers through the skin (transcutaneous~ and has become
a widely accepted method of providing pain relief. In the
prior art devices a circuit sends electrical signals through
the surface of the skin. One such device has a pair of rollers
which serve respectively as work and ground electrodes for con-
ducting small electrical pulses through the skin. Treatment
with this type of device results in barely subdermal electrical
current being conducted between adjacent rollers, with little
or no resultant electrical stimulation of nerve fibers. Sub-
sequent devices developed include a roller electrode with the
ground electrode being formed by the handle of the device or
by adhesive electrodes. These devices do not provide any method
of treating a particular point, such as acupuncture points.
The electrical circuits used in these previous devices generate
dangerously high electrical output voltage, and could cause
excessive stimulation, if not carefully used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a
small, compact, electrical stimulator and mechanical massage
device which provides effective treatment for pain and can be
used for treatment of particular neurological points of the body.
The present invention provides an electrical neurological
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stimulator and mechanical massage device which is very compact
in size and utilizes multiple elongate electrode rollers in
conjunction with a ball electrode and an expansion wrist band
indifferent (ground) electrode which makes the device conven-
ient and easy to use. In addition, the device provides a
multiple switch system permitting selection of pulse amplitudes
in discretely variable steps.
The device has a case having a plurality of elongate
rollers mounted adjacent to each other to form a curved roller
head which is connected to a pulse-generating system through a
transformer and switch system. In addition to the roller
electrodes, a ball electrode is provided on the side of the
case for treatment of particular selected trigger or acu-
puncture points on the body. Thus, the ball electrode serves
as a point electrode which can be rolled over the point to be
treated.
Use of the device is greatly simplified by an expansion
band indifferent or ground electrode which can be easily
slipped on the wrist or ankle and is connected to the main
housing by a flexible cord. A light-emitting diode is coupled
into the pulse-generating circuit to indicate proper operation.
The switching system provides high or low-level current posi-
tions with a second switch permitting selection of four
amplitude positions in either the high or low current modes.
The pulse-generating electrical system is powered by a nine-
volt battery.
Thus broadly the present invention comprehends an
electrical stimulator and massage apparatus. The apparatus
comprises a housing and a flexible expansion band indifferent
electrode. In the housing a plurality of elongate, adjacent
roller electrodes form a massaging head. Electrical means are
provided for applying an electrical pulse to the roller
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electrodes. Means for connecting the expansion band electrode
to the electrical means are also provided. The flexible
expansion band indifferent electrode may be slipped over a
wrist or ankle whereby a particular area of the body may be
mechanically massaged and electroneurologically stimulated
simultaneously.
Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers
identify like part throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the electrical
stimulation and massage device with the expansion band indif-
ferent electrode connected to the device.
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the electrical stimu-
lation and massage device.
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the electrical stimu-
lation and massage device.
FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit
for producing the electrical stimulation in the massage device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an electrical
stimulation and massage device enclosed in a case or housing 10
and having a roller massage head 12 for massaging while simul-
taneously electrically stimulating an area to be treated. The
massage head 12 is formed of a plurality of elongate rollers 14
mounted at their ends on bearings (not shown) and electrically
connected to a pulse-generating circuit which will be described
in greater detail hereinafter. A battery to provide a power
supply for the electronic circuit of the device is contained
in a compartment provided with a removable cover 16. In addition
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to the roller electrode massage head 12, there is also provided
a ball electrode 18 at one side of the housing 10. This is
also electrically connected to the pulse-generating circuit.
Switches 20 and 22 in the opposite side of the case 10 permit
discrete selection of four different output levels at high
or low currents.
A unique feature of this device is the convenient
expansion band indifferent electrode 24 which eliminates the
need for any type of adhesive or hand-held ground connection.
The flexible, expansion band 24 can easily be slipped over a
wrist or ankle and is electrically connected to the electrical
circuit in case 10 by a flexible wire 26. The flexible wire 26
may have plug connectors 28 and 30 which removably plug into
jacks in the wristband 24 and housing 10 or may be permanently
connected, if desired.
The electrical stimulation circuit is illustrated in
Figure 4. This circuit is comprised of a pluse-generating
circuit which is formed by a DC power supply 32, a repetition
rate timer 34, which is connected to a pulse width or duty
cycle timer circuit 36. The output of this duty cycle timer is
fed to a buffer circuit 40, which isolates the timing oscillator
and switches the output of a lOKhz oscillator circuit 38 to a
driver circuit 42~ whose output is connected to the primary of
transformer Tl. The voltage output of the transformer secondary
is rectified by a full wave bridge rectifier 44 and is passed
through a filter and current limiter 46 before being connected
to the electrodes. The secondary of the transformer Tl has a
plurality of taps connected to switches Sl and S2 for discretely
selecting high and low-level current at four different output
levels. The switch S2 is a three-position switch having a high,
low and center off positions. In addition, switch Sl provides
four different output levels in conjunction with the high or
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low-level positions of switch S2. This switch combination
serves as the off/on control of the device, and provides dis-
crete selection of voltage outputs from approximately 6 to 50
volts in increments of approximately about 6 volts each. Thus,
the low-level outputs are approximately 6, 12, 18 and 24 volts,
while the high-level outputs are approximately 32, 38, 44 and
50 volts. Power is supplied by a 9-volt transistor battery
housed in a compartment beneath battery cover 16.
The electrical stimulator and roller massage device is
designed to be used in treatment of severe chronic and acute
pain. It combines the two physical energies of electrical
stimulation and massage. The electricity produced by the cir-
cuit of Figure 4 is low-energy pulsed galvanic or DC current.
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (through the skin) of
nerve fibers, such as produced by the electrical stimulator and
massage device of this invention, has become a widely accepted
method of obtaining and providing pain relief.
The electrical massage stimulator of the invention is a
battery-operated pulse generator which sends minute electrical
signals or impulses through the surface of the skin to the under-
lying nerves by way of the roller head or ball electrodes.
These nerve impulses reach the spinal cord and block or reduce
the pain messages arriving there via other nerve pathways and
pain is relieved. This is because the sensation of pain begins
only when the pain message is received by the brain, which
message travels from the affected areas along the nerves which
lead to the spinal cord and from there to the brain. The pain
may be due to a multitude of organic or emotional disturbances
and can be felt at the site of the affected area or may be felt
at a region remote from the site. The electromassage device
can be used with any form of massage to promote physical well
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being or for treatment of tired, aching muscles.
The device is used by rolling the electric massage
stimulator from the periphery of the treated area toward the
brain. For aching feet or tired or sore muscles, the stimu-
lator should be rolled over the sore areas towards the head.
For joint pain the stimulator should be rolled over the painful
area. More or less current depending upon the intensity of the
pain may be required and can be selected by operation of switches
20 and 22 to either high or low position and the lower to higher
level of switch 22.
Ball electrode 18 on the side of the case 10 can be
successfully used for electric stimulation of particular points,
sometimes called acupuncture or trigger points. Publications
illustrating some 500 to 800 acupuncture points are available.
These publications can be very helpful in the identification of
points for treatment with the ball electrode 18.
One such point is the fleshy area between the thumb
and forefinger of the hands and can be treated much more
effectively with the ball electrode 18 than the roller head 12.
The acupuncture points are treated by the ball electrode 18
being rolled with gentle pressure over the particular point
selected. A distinct increase in current can be felt when the
particular acupuncture point is accurately located. The amount
of current used during treatment depends upon the tolerance and
the amount of pain being experienced by the patient.
The electromassage stimulator device can also be
effective for facial massage by stimulating circulation to the
skin, and the ball electrode 18 has been shown to be effective
in some cases for the treatment of acne. The ball electrode is
convenient for treatment of individual small blemishes o~
lesions.
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To operate the device the flexible wire 26 is plugged
into the expansion band 24 and into the plug jack (not shown)
at the bottom of the case 10. The expansion electrode 24 is
then placed on the wrist or ankle to provide a convenient
(indifferent) ground connection. Preferably the wrist band 24
is placed on the hand you are treating yourself with, which
enhances the creation of subcutaneous current transmission
through the neurological system. For convenience, the expansion
band indifferent electrode 24 may be readily attached to a foot
or ankle in treating lower body parts, such as the legs and
thighs.
The switches 20 and 22 provide discrete selection of
current amplitude. With switch 20 in the on (low or high)
position, a light-emitting diode 50 connected to the buffer
stage of the pulse circuit will indicate the unit is in good
working order by flashing. If the light-emitting diode 50 is
not flashing, then it indicates that the unit needs a battery
replacement. The second switch 22 provides four different dis-
crete output current levels for the high and low output selec-
tions. For maximum safety the output levels cannot exceed about50 volts and may be as low as 6 volts, as described above.
During treatment, the switch 20 would be in the low position
with switch 22 in position 1 and the output of switch 22 increased
gradually to a level which provides the necessary relief and
feels comfortable. In the event that relief is not obtained
on the low output setting of switch 20, it should be advanced
to the high output position with switch 22 in position 1, and
the output of switch 22 increased until relief is obtained. The
sensation and tolerance for the electrical stimulation differs
from person to person and some patients need and can tolerate
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more output and hiaher current levels than others.
Thus, there has been described an electromassage stimu-
lating device which provides treatment over large areas with a
roller electrode head and treatment of particular acupuncture
points with a ball electrode. The construction and arrangement
of the ground electrode permits ease and convenience of use
with no adhesives or special connections needed for use of
the device.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.
It is therefore to be understood that the full scope of the
invention is not limited to the details disclosed herein and
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
