DEVICE FOR MASSAGING PARTS OF THE BODY

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for massaging parts of the body, comprising a double-walled sleeve (1) having a multitude of chambers (3) with flexible walls, a pump (5), and a control device (6) for controlling the pump to fill the chambers successively with a fluid in order to subject the part of the body intermittently to compression. In order to combat cellulite in a part of the body (upper leg) the sleeve (1) has been provided with an electric heating element (8) for heating the part of the body. This provides a proper lymph drainage and perfusion of the skin.

Description: Device for massaging parts of the body. The invention relates to a device for massaging parts of the body, comprising a double-walled sleeve having a multitude of chambers with flexible walls, a pump, and a control device for controlling the pump to fill the chambers successively with a fluid in order to subject the part of the body intermittently to compression. Such a device is known, inter alia, from EP-B 1-0205817. It is common knowledge that the condition of the skin can be improved by massage. Kneading and squeezing of the skin stimulates the circulation and a massage in the proximal direction can provide an improved lymph drainage. The massage can be applied by hand but also by means of an apparatus. For example, massaging apparatuses are known which have two driven rollers which are placed onto the skin. In the space between the rollers a vacuum is applied, as a result of which the skin is slightly lifted. By moving the apparatus over the skin a massage is obtained. Another type of apparatus is a sleeve with external compression as in the afore-mentioned Patent EP-B 1-0205817. The sleeve is put around the leg or arm, after which pressure is applied in the individual chambers by means of compressed air, starting at the distal side. Each subsequent chamber is not filled until the preceding chamber has been brought at a given pressure. When all the chambers have been filled, the pressure in all the chambers is relieved simultaneously and the process can be start again. The skin of many women is such that fat cells situated underneath the skin can show as irregularities on the skin. If there are many irregularities this may result in a what is called an "orange-peel skin" or cellulite. The development of cellulite is always associated with a reduced circulation of blood and lymph drainage in the tissues. This reduced circulation is usually caused by fluid retention in the relevant tissues. Particularly in the subcutaneous fatty tissue fluid retention may give rise to problems. As this fluid cannot be absorbed by the fat cells, which almost wholly consist of fat, the fluid is present between the fat cells in the form of small droplets of water. As a result of this, small capillaries between the fat cells may be pinched off, leading to circulation disorders. As a result of this, the fat cell metabolism will deteriorate. Groups of fat cells will then coagulate, causing nodules to be formed. It is these nodules which may slightly deform the skin and produce the first symptoms of cellulite. In a more advanced stage of cellulite connective tissue is formed around the nodules. The skin deforms even further, the result being an "orange-peel skin". This effect manifests itself mainly on the buttocks and thighs. It is evident that any treatment causing the fluid to be removed from the skin, thereby promoting the circulation of both blood and lymph, will result in a healthier fatty tissue. The visibility of cellulite will then decrease. The use of a sleeve to apply the pressure wave over, for example, the whole leg, is an effective means to boost the circulation of, in particular, lymph in the leg. It is an object of the invention to improve the device of the type defined in the opening paragraph so as to increase the effectiveness of the massage, particularly to fight cellulite. To this end, the device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the sleeve has been provided with an electric heating element for heating the part of the body. Under normal conditions the temperature of the fatty tissue in those parts of the body where cellulite occurs, such as the upper leg, is a few degrees lower than the body temperature, i.e. approximately 28-34 °C. By applying additional heat to the relevant body part in a controlled manner, the temperature of this body part will rise, care being taken that the temperature does not exceed a value of 40 °C. A rise in temperature in the skin results in dilation of the blood vessels and, as a consequence, a boost of the blood circulation. Consequently, the skin reddens. Thus, the effect of the temperature rise is that it promotes the circulation. As a result of the temperature rise the metabolism in the tissues is improved, which will have a favorable effect on the condition of the skin. If a treatment of the skin merely consists of heating the effect as regards cellulite is only small. However, if heating of the skin is combined with a simultaneous massage, substantial improvements of the skin as regards cellulite can be observed. Why this is so is not entirely clear. On the other hand, however, it is to be borne in mind that the cause of cellulite is found in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. This tissue consists of large cells which are almost wholly filled with fat. A temperature increase by a few degrees will result in a reduction of the viscosity of the fat in these cells, i.e. the fat in these cells will become more fluid. This means that the fat cells can deform more easily owing to the massage by means of the sleeve. This will probably be the cause that the effectiveness of the massage increases strongly. The heating element can be, for example, and electric heating mat. Such a mat can be arranged on the inner side of the sleeve. Since cellulite usually occurs on the sides of the thighs and buttocks, it is possible to use a pair of trousers whose legs form the sleeves, the electrical heating being applied at those locations where cellulite appears. The invention also relates to a method of massaging a part of the body, a pressure wave being applied to the part of the body by means of a sleeve. To combat cellulite the part of the body is heated to a temperature of 37 °C - 40 °C simultaneously with the massage. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment given by way of example and shown in the drawing. In the drawing Fig. 1 shows a sleeve for use on a leg, Fig. 2 shows a part of said sleeve in a cross-sectional view taken on the line II-II in Fig. 1 , and Fig. 3 shows a pair of massage trousers. Fig. 1 shows a sleeve 1 fitted around a leg 2. The sleeve has a multitude of, for example, annular chambers 3. Each chamber is connected to a pump 5 by means of a flexible tube 4. The pump is controlled by a control device 6. An electric heating element 8 in the form of a kind of flexible mat is arranged on the inner side 7 of the sleeve. The heating element is disposed in the sleeve at the location of the thigh 9. Cellulite occurs particularly on the sides of the thighs. The temperature is thermostatically controlled by means of the control device. During the treatment the temperature of the heating element is set to 40 °C at the most. The temperature is measured by means of a sensor. For safety reasons the person may set the temperature to a slightly lower value. By means of the pump 5 compressed air is pumped into the chambers 3, starting in the chamber 3a at the distal end of the leg, i.e. near the ankle 10. When the pressure has reached a value in the proximity of the diastolic blood pressure (80-90 mbar), the next chamber 3b is filled. Once all the chambers have been filled, the pressure is relieved in all the chambers at a time and the process can be repeated. The cycle time is approximately 30 seconds. In order to achieve that the body part to be treated is heated as uniformly as possible an aluminum foil 13 can be arranged in the sleeve. This foil is interposed between the heating element 8 and the body part (thigh 9, see Fig. 2). Fig. 3 shows a kind of massage trousers 11 whose legs 12 take the form of sleeves in accordance with the invention. Heating elements 8 are disposed at the location of both the thighs and the buttocks. It is obvious that the trousers can have long legs so as to obtain lymph drainage over the entire leg.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A device for massaging parts of the body, comprising a double- walled sleeve having a multitude of chambers with flexible walls, a pump, and a control device for controlling the pump to fill the chambers successively with a fluid in order to subject the part of the body intermittently to compression, characterized in that the sleeve has been provided with an electric heating element for heating the part of the body. 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the electric heating element is a flexible electric heating mat arranged on the inner side of the sleeve. 3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the device comprises a pair of massage trousers whose legs are formed by said sleeves. 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sleeve has been provided with a temperature-sensitive element, which is connected to the control device for setting a temperature between 37 °C and 40 °C. 5. A method of massaging a part of the body, a pressure wave being applied to the part of the body by means of a sleeve, characterized in that the part of the body is heated to a temperature of 37 °C - 40 °C simultaneously with the massage.

Inventors: VAN DER SLUIJS WILLEM LUDOVICU, VAN HERK JOHANNES JOHANNA, VAN DER SLUIJS, WILLEM, LUDOVICUS, NICOLAAS, VAN HERK, JOHANNES, JOHANNA
Applicants: PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, PHILIPS NORDEN AB, PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61H7
IPC codes: A61H7, A61H15, A61H23