Wearable pain management apparatus and method

A wearable pain management apparatus includes a drum shaped oscillatory motion driver mounted with electromagnetic coils attached to a non-stretching belt tightly strapped around a user's waist. The driver's top surface is pressed against the back of the user's waist. A belt has a ratchet buckle and a group of elongated tracks. A holster with a battery pack is securely clipped onto the belt. A center mounted motor drives a set of torque conversion planetary gears. An off center mounted mass rotates and causes unbalance and an oscillatory motion. A power cable laminated between two surfaces of the belt body terminates on a switch. The user holds a deep breath while pulling hard on the belt end causing the ratchet buckle to lock on the tracks. This action effectively places hand pressure on the apparatus rubbing on their back via the Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field to speedily alleviate pain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An estimated 70 percent of all human adults experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. Back pain can be attributed to a number of factors, including physical activity, obesity, injury, poor posture, stress and even the simplest of movements like picking something up incorrectly or with no apparent reason. Particularly, lower back pain is also one of the leading causes of job disability in the world. With the advanced technologies of today, treatments include over-the-counter pain relievers, massage, muscle relaxants, topical pain relievers, narcotics, injections medications, and the final resort to surgery.

Massaging is one of the best alternatives to alleviate back pain and merely requires a good massage therapist in the person's local area. But due to things like busy schedules, travel times and personal privacy, getting a hands-on massage may not work for every person's lifestyle. A better substitute for human touch is needed to help those who suffer back pain.

There has therefore been a long unsatisfied demand in the market for a pain management apparatus and method for physical therapy without the disadvantages mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is a standalone, hands free device which does not require an assistant when performing pain relief massage action and yet mimics the physical feel and pressure as if applies from a massage therapist. An advantage of the invention is self-performing pain relief at the comfort and total privacy of one's home. Another advantage of the invention is user performing pain relief at many orientations including laying face down, while walking, while running, doing exercise, yoga, etc.

In another embodiment, the invention is portable and can be carried when travelling. Other advantages of the invention include the device being placed on any position along the spinal column to be massaged. The device can also be used for massage leg, thigh, and calf. Once the tracked belt is locked with the ratchet buckle, it creates a great amount of back pressure, causing the oscillatory motion driver to tightly press against the back of the user to achieve a sensation similar to a human hands-on sensation.

In yet another embodiment, drum shaped drivers comprise a spine channel configured to allow a section of the spine to recess into the channel and avoid excessive pressure against the spine. Another advantage of the invention is the oscillatory motion driver having center mounted motor and torque conversion planetary gears. The planetary gears couple with an off center rotating mass to generate a great amount of massage force action. The alternative oscillatory motion driver and its off center mounted motor and motor case rotating generates further forces for massage action.

The drum shaped driver is configured with resultant vector pulling forces via a belt to achieve maximum back pressure applied on a user's back during massage. The driver back pressure is configured to increase with the breathing rhythm when a user inhales and decreases when the user exhales. The increased back pressure lowers sensitivity of pains receptors in the user's body. A top mounted infrared LED provides heat for relaxing deep tissues to mask pain felt by the user of the disclosed apparatus, device and system.

A pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) unit generates Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (OPEMF) to speed up a user's recovery from pain. The oscillatory motion driver operates at a low frequency and at a high amplitude of approximately 300 to 1200 RPM to maximize masking the pain.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure.

Throughout the description, same reference numbers may be used to identify same or similar elements depicted in multiple embodiments. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Dimensions detailed herein and in the drawings are intended to be a guide to nominal manufacturing dimensions. The detailed dimensions may vary by plus or minus ten percent taking into account manufacturing restraints and materials for various embodiments as recited, taught and suggested herein. The dimensions therefore are applicable to at least one embodiment but are not meant to be limiting to other embodiments of the disclosure.

The present disclosure is directed to using a non-stretching belt comprising a ratchet buckle and group of elongated tracks combined with an Electromagnetic coil mounted on a high momentum drum shaped electric powered oscillatory motion driver (Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Drum OPED) that mimics human hands applying great pressure rubbing on the back of a human body with Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field to speedily alleviate back pains. The terms “driver” and “drum” are therefore used interchangeably in the present disclosure.

FIG. 1is the wearable pain management system10comprising a belt body45, outer belt43and inner belt46. One end (first end) of belt body45terminates with a ratchet buckle40and other end (second) of belt body45laid with a group of elongated locking tracks47on the inner side of belt46in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The system10further comprises a drum shaped oscillatory motion driver (Drum)20attached on its bottom side22to the inner side46of belt body45by the mounting bracket26. The driver (Drum)20further comprises a bonnet60covering with a plurality of soft rubber nubs62. Battery pack30is encased in a battery holster31with clip36securely clipped on the outer side43of belt body45. The battery cable34connects to power output socket32mated to power plug33via cable35. The power on/off switch50controls the electric current to power the motor82which generates strong oscillatory motion indicated with force directional arrow87. One end of power cable52connects to power switch50and a length of cable52laminated between inner belt46and outer belt43. A pre-determined belt length enters into access hole27then terminates to the CPU92, and other components, such as Infrared LED driver93, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field driver91, Wi-Fi90, motor speed control circuitry shown inFIG. 5.

Turning toFIG. 1Ais a reverse side of the system10showing a group of elongated tracks47securely stitched onto the inner side of belt46in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A battery hostler31clips onto the belt body45. A locking blade42hinge is installed behind the ratchet buckle40and by a depressive release of button44will separate the buckle40from the tracks47. With partial removal of bonnet60, the top surface24of oscillatory motion driver20reveals a cluster of infrared LED94and a ring of Pulsed Electromagnetic coil95, The LED94emits between 700 nm to 1 mm wave length infrared to pass through clothing and penetrate deep under the user's skin providing warmth to relax tight muscles. The LED94turns on and simultaneously enhances the effectiveness of suppressing pain with oscillatory motion driver20physically moving the lymphatic fluid in motion. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field driver91generates high energy square wave pulses onto Electromagnetic Field coil95.

The resulting Oscillatory Electromagnet fluxes199improves intercellular fluid & blood flow, stimulates electron transport in cells, and stimulates release of endorphins to mask body pains. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99(PEMF) therapy had been used for decades to heal bone loss demonstrated by NASA. The present invention improves the traditional stationary Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99(PEMF) into Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field199(OPEMF) therapy and is therefore a great advancement.

FIG. 2is an AC adapter320converting A.C. (alternating current) to variable D.C. (direct current) via the adapter socket325mated to power plug33in order to power the system10at home without the use on battery pack30. Recharging the depleted battery pack30is simply done via the charger plug310shown inFIG. 3to battery charging socket314. Note that the battery charger300is not capable of running the system10.

There are two versions of structural design70and80for the oscillatory motion driver20. The design70shown inFIG. 4depicts the rotating motor case71with a motor72coupled to a set of torque conversion gears75encased in a motor case71rotating in direction of arrow76as shown. The case71rotates out of its center axis shaft78to generate strong oscillatory forces indicated by directional arrow77. Because the motor72and case71rotate around the central shaft78, a pair of wipers73and74, are needed to provide electrical power while the case71is spinning.

Turning now toFIG. 5is another version80of the oscillatory motion driver20in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A centrally mounted motor82drives a set of planetary torque conversion gears85which further drive an unbalanced mass81rotating around its center of gravity as shown by directional arrow86generates strong oscillatory motion force indicated in directional arrow87.

Inside the drum20is a wireless transceiver unit90that communicates the commands from an external device such as a smart phone to control the motor82speed, reversing the rotation direction of motor82operation, timer for length of operation and instructions to the CPU92regarding the operation mode of infrared LED94and (PEMF) driver91.

A power cable52shown inFIG. 5depicts the cable52laminated between inner belt46and outer belt43of the belt body45. A spine channel96is provided for space to allow spine14recessed into the concave cavity and avoid excessive pressure on the spine14particularly to benefit skinny and bonny users400.

FIG. 6is a top24view of an oscillatory motion driver20with its bonnet60removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Oscillatory motion forces are indicated with directional arrows87.

Turning toFIG. 7, system10is depicted with a second version80of the oscillatory motion driver20from a top cross sectional view of a human400lower torso at the waist section in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The belt45is tightly strapped around a body400. The most effective way to alleviate pain is by massage using human hands plus the therapist body weight as if leans against the user400back.

To affect high back pressure using the invention10, user400takes a deep breath, then contracts his abdomen while quickly and tightly pulling the belt end48as shown by pull arrow17before exhaling. At this moment, the belt45pulls at a resulting vector force as shown by tension arrow41. The back pressure49becomes so great that a human finger cannot be inserted into the interface between the top24of oscillatory motion driver20(Drum) and the user's400back.

When the driver (drum)20is energized, top24rubs against the back muscles in the direction shown by arrow87. Since the user400naturally breathes in and out, the back pressure49will change to slightly lower pressure when exhaling due to contraction of the user's abdominal muscles. However back pressure49will greatly increase when user400inhales or bends his body in any direction. The abdominal muscles thus behave like a balloon changing its volume as shown by arrow15.

FIG. 7also illustrates how the belt45anchors on front of body400in area18and is not allowed to stretch, forcing the drum20to press the back of user400even harder. The fluctuation of pressure peaks and valleys create harmonic standing waves19as can be observed by the wave pattern along the length41depicted. The user400experiences a light to heavy sensation as a pressure fluctuation. The frequency of wave19is related to the respiration rate of an adult and varies from 12 to 20 fluctuations per minute. According to some reports, the most effective massage is performing at hand strokes between 8 to 20 per minute and the human brain cannot respond to frequencies above 3600 RPM anyway. Based on these findings, the present invention operating from 300 to 1200 RPM with high torque coupled with Pulsed Electromagnetic Field helps mask back pain. Conventional electric massage devices operate at 2800 to 3600 RPM and cause itching and discomfort as mentioned above in reports.

FIG. 8shows system10with the ratchet buckle40engaged with the tracks47in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power switch50is conveniently located proximal the front buckle for user400easy access.

FIG. 8Ashows the tracks47of belt45disengaged from ratchet buckle40by a depressive release via button44in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery hostler31can be removed if operating with A.C. power adapter320instead.

FIG. 9is the system10worn by user400showing drum top24presses against back of user400. Length of41creates fluctuating harmonic standing wave19enhances user400more comfortable sensation during massage in action.

FIG. 10is the system10repurposed to produce a tapping and a chopping motion indicated by directional arrow412in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The oscillatory motion driver20is re-orientated to turn 90 degrees from previous depictions. This configuration helps user400as shown inFIG. 10Aper a top view of system10to loosen his stiff and tired muscles.

PerFIG. 11, an embodiment 10 of the present disclosure is worn by a user400as he performs heavy labor work to loosen up his sore muscles and alleviates his back pain.

InFIG. 12depicted according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user400wears the system10on his shoulder. Here the user can manipulate the intensity and positioning of drum20with his hands by pulling the belt45forward and backward.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, a top view of driver20(Drum) oscillates in a radial pattern indicated by directional arrows87in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A taller drum20creates a larger momentum.

The soft rubber bonnet60shown inFIG. 14comprises soft nubs62covering an exterior of bonnet60in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The soft rubber bonnet60and soft nubs62provide a comfortable rubbing surface against the body of the user400. The covered bonnet60will not block rays of the infrared LED94and the Electromagnetic fluxes199of the Electromagnetic coil95.

A stationary Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99is generated by passing electric current through coil95illustrated inFIG. 15. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99can also be used by medical professional to treat patients who suffer additionally suffer from neck pain and repair cracked bone.

A more advanced present invention shown inFIG. 15Ais achieved by turning ordinary stationary Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99into Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field199as shown inFIG. 16. As magnetic flux99passes through human tissues, the magnetic flux will also influence the cells' activity within the body in a fixed region. Because the Electromagnetic coil95oscillates in the same direction as the drum20, it thus creates Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Field199(OPEMF) and sweeps wider areas inside the tissues to heal pains quicker.

FIG. 17is a simplified schematic drawing of an SCR type capacitor discharge circuit to pulsed charge the Electromagnetic coil95in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted circuit produces about 3000 Gauss of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field at 0.5 hertz to 50 Hertz. High voltage is preferable since energy stored in a capacitor is ½ CV square. Therefore, E=½ CV2in an SCR semiconductor is ideal for the purposes of the disclosure.

Turning toFIG. 18the drum20is depicted with bonnet60removed showing Electromagnetic coil95mounted encircling the exterior surface of drum20. Wires97and98take power from pulsed driver91. Coil95can be installed on an interior surface of drum20as well as shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 19depicts details of a pain system10mounted with an electromagnetic coil module95on top24of drum20according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The oscillating drum20carrying the coil module95causing the stationary pulsed electromagnetic field99to fluctuating in the same direction with the drum20which resulting the magnet fields become oscillatory pulsed electromagnetic field199can enhance the effectiveness of the system10.

FIG. 20shows the coil module95detached from the drum20in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detached coil module95takes power from the system10. The user can wear the system10on his waist while taking the coil module95to treat other areas.

The invention10enables its user400to perform self-massage to alleviate pain at home out of sight and without interference by the casual bystander. The system10is lightweight and can be stored in a drawer. One important feature is hand free operation with controllable back pressure and on-demand power level by varying supply voltage fed into the motor82, or72. According to Newton's second law of mechanics the numerical value of force of an object in rectilinear motion is equal to the mass of the object times its acceleration. F=MA. If the object is in rotational motion. It can be shown that this converts to F=MV2/r, where V is the rotational velocity and r is the radius of rotation. In the system10, both the unbalanced mass81and the off center mounted motor72generate centrifugal force directly proportional to the square of the rotational velocity. Rotational velocities of the motor increase with an increase in the D.C. voltage and double the rotational velocity and quadruple the force.

Another feature is the physical configuration of the belt45and the driver20(Drum). When in operation, the system10creates harmonic standing wave19due the body density and respiration frequency of individual user400. The fluctuation of light and heavy back pressure felt is a pleasure and encourages user400to continue using the invention10.

The oscillatory motion generated from drum20, physically helps transport body fluid. The stationary Pulsed Electromagnetic Field99fluctuates in step with drum20. The Oscillatory Pulsed Electromagnetic Filed 199 penetrates deeper and wider and interacts with tissues and cell activity to relieve pains fast.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the specification and claims set forth herein.