Abstract:
A new and useful therapeutic device and method designed to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release), while also accounting for different anatomies of the persons who use it is provided. The therapeutic device includes a base and a cushion that are configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either of two configurations; a relatively high configuration and a relatively low configuration. The base and cushion are also configured such that in either the relatively high or low configurations, the base and cushion define a support for the occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). In addition, the therapeutic device is designed to enable a patient to selectively change the configuration from one support configuration to the other, and that may enable a person to take the fullest advantage of the device during a therapy session.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a new and useful therapeutic device and method that is designed to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). 
         [0002]    In the applicants&#39; experience, therapeutic devices and methods that have been designed in the past to promote therapeutic modalites such as occipital decompression generally have a single predetermined configuration that is designed to accomplish that purpose. However, applicant has also found that with patients of different anatomies, a single predetermined configuration that is suitable for one patient may not be as suitable for another patient. In addition, applicants believe the ability of a patient to selectively adjust the configuration of the device can also be beneficial to the patient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a new and useful therapeutic device (and method) designed to address the foregoing issues. The therapeutic device is designed to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release), while also accounting for different anatomies of the persons who use it. Moreover, the therapeutic device can be selectively adjusted between different configurations, to accommodate persons of different anatomies. In addition, the therapeutic device is designed so that in any of its adjusted positions, it receives the occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities. 
         [0004]    Still further, the present invention provides a new and useful cushion that is designed to be used in a therapeutic device, to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities. 
         [0005]    A preferred therapeutic device according to the present invention comprises a base and a cushion that are configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either of two configurations; a relatively high configuration and a relatively low configuration. The base and cushion are configured such that in either the relatively high or low configurations, the base and cushion define a support that receives the occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). 
         [0006]    In addition, the therapeutic device is designed to enable a patient to selectively change the device from one support configuration to the other, and that may enable a person to take the fullest advantage of the device during a therapy session. 
         [0007]    According to the present invention, each of the base and cushion has a single preferred configuration, and they are configured such that the cushion can be supported on the base in one orientation to provide the high configuration, and the cushion can be turned over and supported on the base in another orientation to provide the low configuration. In either of the high or low configurations, the cushion is configured such that it cradles the bony skull of a human head and engages the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). 
         [0008]    Other features of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings and exhibits. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EXHIBITS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional view of a therapeutic device according to the present invention, in its low configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a three dimensional view of a therapeutic device according to the present invention, in its high configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a three dimensional view of the base of the therapeutic device, taken from the top of the base; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a three dimensional view of the base of the therapeutic device, taken from the bottom of the base; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of the base of the therapeutic device shown in  FIG. 3 , taken from the direction  5 - 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the base of the therapeutic device of  FIG. 3 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the base of the therapeutic device of  FIG. 6 , taken from the direction  7 - 7 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the base of the therapeutic device of  FIG. 6 , taken from the direction  8 - 8 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a three dimensional view of the cushion of the therapeutic device of the present invention, taken from one side of the cushion; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a three dimensional view of the cushion of the therapeutic device of the present invention, taken from the other side of the cushion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the cushion shown in  FIG. 9 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the cushion, taken from the direction  12 - 12  in  FIG. 10 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a right side view of the cushion of  FIG. 11 , taken from the direction  13 - 13 , with certain preferred dimension shown thereon; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the cushion, taken from the direction  14 - 14  in  FIG. 11 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  shows the base of  FIGS. 3-8 , in a manner that illustrates the orientation of those figures relative to each other; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  shows the cushion of  FIGS. 9-14 , in a manner that illustrates the orientation of those figures relative to each other. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Exhibits A and B schematically show a patient with his/her head supported on a therapeutic device that is formed according to the principles of the present invention, and in the low configuration (Exhibit A) and also in the high configuration (Exhibit B). The patient is receiving any or all of the therapeutic modalities provided by the method of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    As discussed above, the present invention relates to a new and useful therapeutic device and method designed to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). The principles of the present invention are shown and described herein in connection with one exemplary version of a therapeutic device and method, but from that description the manner in which the principles of the invention can be used to produce various types of therapeutic devices that can be used to practice the method will be apparent to those in the art. 
         [0027]    A therapeutic device  100  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It comprises a base  102  and a cushion  104  that are configured such that the cushion  104  can be selectively supported on the base  102  in either of two configurations; a first (or low) configuration (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in which the cushion  104  extends above the base  102  by a first amount, and a second (or high) configuration (shown in  FIG. 2 ) in which the cushion  104  extends above the base  102  by a second amount. In the high configuration ( FIG. 2 ) the cushion is higher than it is in the low configuration ( FIG. 1 ). Thus, the high configuration is generally more suitable for persons of larger anatomies, whereas the low configuration is generally more suitable for persons of smaller anatomies. The base and cushion are configured such that in either the high or low configurations, the base and cushion define a support for the bony skull of a human head. The base  102  provides structural support for the cushion  104 , and the opposite sides of the cushion have concave, bowl shaped recesses  126 ,  128 , and respective contact edges  126   a,    128   a  (described further below), configured to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull with a respective contact edge engaging the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities. 
         [0028]    The base  102  ( FIGS. 3-8 ,  15 ) has a predetermined configuration that is generally shaped like the base of a pyramid (see e.g.  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ). The base has a peripheral wall that includes side walls  108  and a front wall  110 . The base is preferably formed as a monolithic article that is molded or cast from a relatively hard material such as polypropylene. Moreover, the base  102  includes an inwardly extending ridge  112  ( FIGS. 3 ,  6 ,  8 ) that is monolithically formed in one piece with the base. The base also includes a platform  113  ( FIGS. 3 ,  6 ) that is configured to support a portion of the cushion  104 , as described below. 
         [0029]    The front wall  110  of the base has a curvature as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  6 , and that curvature is intended to help receive and support the cushion  104  in a manner that promotes the therapeutic modalites when a human head is resting on the therapeutic device. Certain preferred dimensions for the base  102 , according to an exemplary version of the base, are shown (in inches) in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
         [0030]    The cushion  104  ( FIGS. 9-14 ,  16 ) is preferably formed as a monolithic article that is cast or formed from a resilient, compressible material such as a blend of a polyether polyol resin material and polyurethane foam. A currently preferred blend is a polyether polyol blend material identified as HS 1305-6 “B” Side, and polyurethane foam identified as HSF 1305 Self Skinning polyurethane foam, both materials produced by Hydroseal Polymers, Inc., Riverside, Calif. The cushion  104  has (i) a curved front wall  120  and (ii) opposite first and second top surfaces  122 ,  124 , each of which includes a respective concave, bowl shaped recess  126 ,  128  for the bony skull of a human head. The recesses  126 ,  128  in each of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion extend rearward from respective rounded contact edges  126   a,    128   a  (see also  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). Certain preferred dimensions for an exemplary form of a cushion are shown (in inches) in  FIGS. 11-14 . The bowl shaped recesses  126 ,  128  each has a predetermined spherical curvature whose preferred dimension (the radius of the spherical curvature) is shown in  FIG. 14 . The top surface  124  of the cushion has a border portion  124   a  ( FIGS. 10 ,  12 ) that is configured to rest on the ridges  112  of the base. The cushion has a stepped portion  130  between the opposite top surfaces  122 ,  124  of the cushion. The stepped portion  130  is formed by surfaces  131 ,  132 , and  133 , which are oriented relative to each other in the manner shown in  FIGS. 9-14 . When the therapeutic device is in its low configuration, the surface  132  rests on the ridges  112  of the base, and the top surface  124  rests on the platform  113  of the base. 
         [0031]    The base  102  and cushion  104  are configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either of its two configurations; the first (or low) configuration ( FIG. 1 , Exhibit A) in which the cushion extends above the base by a first amount, and a second (or high) configuration ( FIG. 2 ) in which the cushion extends above the base by a second amount. The base and cushion are further configured such that in either the first or second configurations, the base  102  and cushion  104  define a bowl shaped recess (e.g.  126 ,  128 ) that receives and supports a human skull with a respective one of the rounded contact edges ( 126   a,    128   a ) engaging the suboccipital area of the human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities. 
         [0032]    The front wall  110  of the base has a predetermined curved configuration (see e.g.  FIG. 11 ). The cushion  104  is configured such that when the cushion is supported on the base (in either of its high or low positions) the curved front wall  120  of the cushion will be disposed against and extends above the curved front wall  110  of the base (see e.g.  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). Thus, the curved front wall  120  of the cushion will have essentially the same curvature as the curved front wall  110  of the base. In addition, in either high or low positions, the bowl shaped recess ( 126 ,  128 ) in the top of the cushion extends rearward from the curved front wall  120  of the cushion. Thus, the front of the device will effectively have a rounded and curved top edge (i.e. formed by one or the other of the rounded and curved contact edges  126   a,    128   a ), and a bowl shaped recess ( 126 ,  128 ) in the cushion that is configured to provide a support for a human skull with one of the rounded contact edges  126   a,    128   a  engaging the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities. 
         [0033]    Also, as described above, support ridge  112  of the base is configured to support the cushion when the base and cushion are in either of the first or second positions. The top surface  124  of the cushion has the border portion  124   a  that is configured to rest on the ridges  112  of the base when the base and cushion are in the second (or high) position. That border portion  124   a  supports the cushion from the base in the second (or high) position. The stepped border  130  of the cushion is located between the top surfaces  122 ,  124  of the cushion, and has the surface  132  that is configured to rest on the ridges  112  of the base when the base and cushion are in the first (or low) position. 
         [0034]    In using the therapeutic device  100 , it is recommended that a patient choose a firm but comfortable surface to lie on. A deeply carpeted floor or foam exercise mat is ideal. It is also recommended that the patient find a place and time during which the patient will not be interrupted. It is desirable that the patient not undertake activity that activates eye and neck muscles, preventing full relaxation and the benefits of a therapy session. 
         [0035]    The patient should lie on his/her back as illustrated in Exhibits A and B. Knees and hips should be bent in to a comfortable degree, with feet about  18  inches apart and knees resting together. This gaps the sacro-iliac joints, allowing the spine to relax from sacrum to occiput. 
         [0036]    The patient should position one of the bowl shaped recesses  126 ,  128  of the therapeutic device under the patient&#39;s head, with the rounded contact edge ( 126   a  or  128   a ) engaging the suboccipital area of the patient&#39;s skull. This sub occipital region is the area where tense muscles often cause tension headaches. The patient should also make certain that the rounded contact edge of the therapeutic device is situated in the fleshy area just below the bony skull. Then the patient should just relax. The device is designed so that the patient should feel as though the suboccipital region is gently being pulled away from the patient&#39;s neck, and the patient&#39;s chin will be approximating his/her chest. Above all, the patient&#39;s position should be comfortable. The patient would be instructed that if the patient&#39;s chin actually rests on his/her chest, or deep easy breathing is inhibited, the therapeutic device is too high, and the device should be adjusted to the low position. 
         [0037]    The patient can customize positioning by changing the height of the cushion  104  placed on the base  102 . If the patient wants to make it slightly higher, the therapeutic device  100  can be placed on a magazine or book to raise it ½ inch or so. The patient may find just raising the front of the therapeutic device ¼ to ½ inch adds a little more inhibitory pressure to tight suboccipital muscles. 
         [0038]    The first few seconds, the patient should close his/her eyes and take some deep breaths; gently exhale to help release tension. Within 2-4 minutes the patient should feel the occiput releasing from its impacted position. As this occurs, the patient may want to reposition the therapeutic device so that the rounded contact edge ( 126   a,    128   a ) remains properly situated in the sub occipital muscles and further release can occur. 
         [0039]    The patient should then continue relaxing on the therapeutic device. After 5 minutes or so, the patient should begin to feel so relaxed that he/she may drift off for a light catnap. After 10 minutes or so the patient should reawaken feeling refreshed and refocused, with a marked reduction in tension. The patient should not be concerned if he/she doesn&#39;t actually sleep, as long as the patient just relaxes and let the therapeutic device do the work. 
         [0040]    In the applicant&#39;s experience, after about 5 minutes, with the bony skull of the human head allowed to remain supported in the manner described above, that support should promote muscle inhibition. If the bony skull is allowed to remain supported for a longer period, that support should also promote occipital decompression. If the bony skull is allowed to remain supported for a longer period, e.g. about 20 minutes, that support should promote cranio-sacral release. 
         [0041]    The reversible cushion  104  helps the patient customize the height of the therapeutic device for best results. The lower configuration (low position, as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is recommended for individuals under 5′8″ in height, or for those with shorter necks. 
         [0042]    Accordingly, the foregoing description provides a therapeutic device and method for forming the therapeutic device that are designed to provide a patient with an adjustable device for receiving the occipital condyle of a human skull and engaging the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities. With the foregoing disclosure in mind, it is believed that various adaptations of a therapeutic device for providing occipital decompression, according to the principles of the present invention, will be apparent to those in the art.