Abstract:
A chiropractic adjusting instrument comprising a housing; a thrust nose piece and an impact head to contact a body; a preload switch plunger; a dampening spring; a solenoid having a core; a preload spring; a recoil spring; an electronic pulse system operatively connected to a power source to provide alternating current for energizing the solenoid to impart impulse energy from the core to the thrust nose piece which is reproducible and independent of the power source; and a trigger system for triggering the electronic pulse system comprising an switch activated by the preload switch plunger. Preferably, the chiropractic adjusting instrument includes one or more of the following: an intelligent universal AC power converter; optimized force-time waveform; pulse mode operation; and a suite of electromechanical components designed to promote reproducible dynamic force impulses and safe operation.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Applications: 60/604,787 filed on Aug. 26, 2004 and 60/604,738 filed on Aug. 26, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of adjusting instruments and methods. Particularly, it involves the field of electromechanical manipulation/adjusting instruments used to apply controlled dynamic forces to the human body. More particularly, the invention has an improved force-time waveform and pulse mode.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     It is well known in the chiropractic art that humans may suffer from musculoskeletal pain. Misalignment or other mis-adjusment or subluxation of the spine and bones of the human body can lead to musculoskeletal discomfort and a variety of related symptoms. Adjustment of the spine to a healthy alignment may have substantial therapeutic effects.  
         [0004]     There is a need to create electromechanical adjusting instruments that apply a controlled and reproducible impulse energy regardless of the power source or voltage fluctuation; to create electromechanical adjusting instruments that have a waveform tuned to the nature of the body to allow more bone movement and broader neural receptor stimulation with less force; and to have an interlock so that the device cannot be triggered unless the appropriate preload is attained. There is also a need to use the electric impulses applied to the solenoid to calibrate the instrument and to diagnose the electric impulses applied to the solenoid; to select pre-determined force settings quickly and easily; to be notified of the proper application of preload prior to thrusting; to administer single or multiple thrusts by means of the device trigger; to provide a thrust nose piece to accept interchangeable impact heads; and to reduce vibrations to the operator to reduce stress and provide comfort.  
         [0005]     Information relevant to hand held devices can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. and Patent Publication Nos. 4,116,235; 4,498,464; 4,682,490; 4,716,890; 4,841,955; 4,984,127; 5,085,207; 5,618,315; 5,626,615; 5,656,017; 5,662,122; 5,897,510; 6,165,145; 6,379,375; 6,503,211; 6,792,801; 6,537,236; 6,539,328; 6,602,211; 6,663,657; 6,682,496; 6,702,836; 6,805,700; and 20020082532; 20020177795; 200300114079; 20050131461; each of the foregoing in United States Patent and Patent Publication Nos. is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Each one of these referenced items, however, suffers from disadvantages including; for example, one or more of the following.  
         [0006]     One disadvantage is that they are not able to use more than one electric power source to provide reproducible impulse energy to the body.  
         [0007]     Another disadvantage is that they do not have trigger system and pulse system including an interlock such that the device cannot be activated with an appropriate preload.  
         [0008]     Another disadvantage is that they do not have a way to use the electric impulses applied to the solenoid to calibrate the instrument and to diagnose the electric impulses applied to the solenoid.  
         [0009]     Another disadvantage is that they do not have an interlock so that the device cannot be triggered unless the appropriate preload is attained.  
         [0010]     Another disadvantage is that they do not create electromechanical adjusting instruments that have a waveform specifically tuned to the nature of the body to allow more bone movement and more neural receptor stimulation with less force.  
         [0011]     Another disadvantage is that they do not provide a thrust nose piece to accept interchangeable impact heads or reduce vibrations to the operator to provide comfort.  
         [0012]     Another disadvantage is that they do not have a preload indication system.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0013]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a chiropractic adjusting instrument comprising a housing having an opening; a thrust nose piece movably mounted in the housing and comprising a preload side and an outer end including an outer end shank for coupling to at least one impact head wherein the opening allows the coupled outer end shank impact head to contact a body; a preload switch plunger coupled to the preload end of the thrust nose piece; a dampening spring interposed between the housing and the outer end of the thrust nose piece or a first inner housing stop having a first passage to accept the thrust nose piece; a solenoid mounted in the housing and comprising: a longitudinal axis and a core having a third passage to accept the preload switch plunger so that the core is movable along the longitudinal axis and is in alignment with the thrust nose piece; a preload spring interposed between the preload side of the thrust nose piece and a second inner housing stop having a second passage sufficient to accept the coupled preload switch plunger preload side; a recoil spring interposed between the core and the coupled preload switch plunger preload end; a third inner stop to prevent the normal urging of core away from the coupled preload switch plunger preload end and having a fourth inner passage to accept the preload switch plunger; a pulse system operatively connected to a power source to provide alternating current for energizing the solenoid to impart impulse energy from the core to the thrust nose piece which is reproducible independent of the power source; a trigger system for triggering the pulse system comprising an switch activated by the preload switch plunger.  
         [0014]     The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with one embodiment of an impact head depicted.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with one embodiment of an impact head depicted.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a first end view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a first end exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a second end view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a view of the preferred embodiment of the electromechanical drive mechanism without the housing.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the electromechanical drive mechanism without the housing and related springs.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a thrust nose piece.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the electromechanical drive mechanism without the housing.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the arrows showing the direction of movement along the thrust nose piece direction and the trigger direction.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the arrows showing the direction of movement along the thrust nose piece direction and the trigger direction when returning to rest.  
         [0028]     FIGS.  14 A-D are views of three preferred embodiments of the impact heads.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of a circuit for an electronic pulse system. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring to the  FIGS. 1-13  and  14 A-D, there are depicted a preferred embodiments of the chiropractic adjusting instrument invention and its components. The preferred embodiment of the invention, generally referenced by  10 , are depicted in  FIGS. 1-6  and include a housing  12  that, in this preferred embodiment, is gun shaped having an alternating current power cord  40  and a shock absorbing grip  50 . The chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  further includes an electromechanical drive mechanism  100 , an electronic pulse system  200  and a trigger system.  
         [0031]     In the preferred embodiment, the housing  12  of the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  has an opening  20  and an inside cavity  30  for mounting the electromechanical drive mechanism  100 . Preferably, the housing is made of a non-conductive material such as plastic. As shown in preferred embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the inside cavity consists of a housing inside  102 , a first inner housing stop  105 , a second inner housing stop  110  and a third inner housing stop  115  and an interior cavity to place the electromechanical drive mechanism within the housing  10 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 7-11  show numerous views a preferred embodiment of the components of the electromechanical drive mechanism  100 . Specifically,  FIG. 11  shows a dampening spring  120 , a thrust nose piece  130 , a preload spring  145 , a preload switch plunger  150  (comprising a plunger rod  151  and an plunger cap  152 ), a recoil spring  160 , a coupler  170 , a solenoid  180  having a core  185  and a shock absorber  190 . In this preferred embodiment, the thrust nose piece  130  is adapted to be movably mounted in the housing  10  and includes an outer end  136 , an outer end shank  138  adapted to couple to at least one impact head  70 , and a preload side  131  adapted to couple to the preload switch plunger  145 . In a more preferred embodiment, the thrust nose piece  130  further comprises a preload shank  133  and a preload end  134  having a cavity  135  adapted to the plunger cap  151  and a bore  139  adapted to the at least one impact head  70 . In more preferable embodiment, the outer end shank  138  extends through the opening  20 . The thrust nose piece  130  may be made of metals, such as steel, or other hard materials.  
         [0033]     In the preferred embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the dampening spring is adapted to be mounted in the housing and interposed between the housing inside  102  and the first inner housing stop  105  or the outer end  136  of the thrust nose piece  130  depending on the position of the thrust nose piece  130  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In a more preferred embodiment as shown, the dampening spring is made of metal, such as steel, or other material having sufficient spring force.  
         [0034]     In the preferred embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the preload spring  145  is interposed between the second inner housing stop  110  and the preload side  131  of the thrust nose piece  130 . In a more preferred embodiment as shown, the preload spring is made of metal, such as steel, or other material having sufficient spring force.  
         [0035]     In the preferred embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the preload switch plunger  150  couples to thrust nose piece  130 . In one embodiment the preload switch plunger  150  may be integral with the thrust nose piece  130 . In another embodiment, the preload switch plunger  150  is a single piece and may couple with the thrust nose piece  130 ; more preferably coupling with the preload end  134 . In yet another preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the preload switch plunger  150  comprises a plunger rod  151  and a plunger cap  152 . The preload switch plunger  150  may be made of metal or plastic or combinations thereof. Preferably, the preload switch plunger  150  is not conductive to the thrust nose piece  130 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , when the thrust nose piece has compressed the preload spring sufficiently to the preload position, the preload switch plunger extends to close switch  310  and activate switch  330 .  
         [0036]     As depicted in the preferred embodiments of  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  9  and  11 , the solenoid  180  has a core opening  181  and a core  182  that is movable and a longitudinal axis  184 . The solenoid  180  is mounted inside the housing  12  in a stationary position such that the core  182  is movable along the longitudinal axis  184  and is in alignment with the thrust nose piece  130 . Further, the core has a third passage  186  transversing the entire length of the core  185  to accept the preload switch plunger  150 . The core  182  is made of material that is electromagnetically coupled to the solenoid  180  when the solenoid  180  is energized by a current.  
         [0037]     As depicted in the preferred embodiments of  FIGS. 7, 8  and  11 , the recoil spring  160  is interposed between the core  182  and the coupled preload switch plunger preload end and is chosen to reduce the backward forces generated and to place the core in the proper position when the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  is at rest. In a more preferred embodiment as shown, the recoil spring is made of metal, such as steel, or other material having sufficient spring force. As shown in  FIGS. 7, 9  and  11 , a preferred embodiment of the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  includes a coupler  170  between the core  182  and the recoil spring  160 . Further, in the more preferred embodiment the coupler  160  is made of a nonconductive material such as plastic. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7, 9  and  11 , the recoil spring is interposed between the coupler  170  and the preload switch plunger  150 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the housing  12  includes a first inner housing stop  105  having a first passage to accept the thrust nose piece  130 , a second inner housing stop  110  having a second passage sufficient to accept the coupled preload switch plunger preload end, and a third inner stop  115  having a fourth inner passage to accept the preload plunger  150 .  
         [0039]     In a preferred embodiment, the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  also includes a shock absorber  190  having a shock absorber passage  192  between the core  182  and the third inner stop  115 . The shock absorber  190  is made of an energy absorbing material such as rubber.  
         [0040]     The chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  also includes an electronic pulse system  200  operatively connected to an electrical power source to provide alternating current for energizing the solenoid  180  to impart impulse energy from the core to thrust nose piece  130  that is reproducible independent of the power source. An example of one preferred embodiment of a circuit for an electronic pulse system is shown in  FIG. 15 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pulse system  200  includes at least a transformer  210 , a programmable microprocessor  220 , a field effect transistor  230  and two high voltage switches  240  and  250  to turn the solenoid on and off. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  can use any alternating current electric power source having a voltage between 90 and 265 volts and a frequency between 50 and 60 hertz. Specifically, the transformer  220  converts part of the alternating current electricity into direct current electricity to power the pulse circuitry including the programmable microprocessor  220 . The programmable microprocessor  220  then diagnoses/analyzes the voltage and the frequency to control the on-off duration of the high voltage switch or switches (duration of the pulse to the solenoid) to energize the solenoid reproducibly so that a pulse system produces constant pulse duration or impulse, and more preferably an impulse that is substantially a half sine wave, and more preferably of between 2 to 5 milliseconds pulse width. Further, the programmable microprocessor  220  preferably may diagnose the device status; for example, whether or not preload is achieved. Table 1, below, lists one preferred operation of the programmable microprocessor  220  control of the chiropractic adjusting instrument:  
               TABLE 1                           1. After power is turned on, a red LED is energized to indicate power to       the chiropractic adjusting instrument.       2. The preload switch is activated by depression of the preload switch       plunger causing the red LED to be de-energized and a green LED to be       energized to indicate that the chiropractic adjusting instrument is armed       and successful preload has been achieved.       3. Activating the trigger switch using the trigger causes both the red and       green LED to de-energize and causes the microprocessor the measure       the line frequency and voltage, preferably twice.       4. If the line voltage or frequency are outside the test limits, the red LED       is energized to flash and the chiropractic adjusting instrument will not       fire until the voltage and frequency are retested and fall within the test       limits.       5. If the line voltage and frequency are within the test limits, the duration       of the pulse to the solenoid is calculated by an equation or determined by       one or more look-up tables and the green LED is energized to flash and       the chiropractic adjusting instrument fires once or multiple times as       selected. In the preferred embodiment, the duration of the pulse to the       solenoid will be determined to produce a pulse duration and preferably       the same amount of energy will be imparted for each user specified       setting (e.g. the velocity of a solenoid core can be varied by varying the       force with which it is accelerated into the solenoid which is proportional       to the current flowing into the coils of the solenoid which can be       controlled by the duration of the pulse to the solenoid).                  
 
         [0041]     In a more preferred embodiment, the pulse system  200  includes a level switch  290  having at least two positions for controlling the pulse duration and mode of single or multiple pulses. In another more preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the pulse system  200  includes an access port  285  which for testing, evaluation, downloading of data and programming of the pulse system  200  including the programmable microprocessor  220 ; more preferably, the pulse system  200  would also include additional memory storage devices for collection of pulse data. In another more preferred embodiment, the pulse system includes an indicator  270  to provide power-on indication, preload ready indication, and error indication; most preferably the indicator is selected from sound indicators and visual indicators such as speakers, light emitting diodes or other auditory output devices or visual output devices. In a most preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the indicator is at least one light emitting diode which indicates power, appropriate preload and pulse mode, and error modes using combinations of blinks and colors, such as red and green.  
         [0042]     In the preferred embodiment showing in  FIG. 7 , the chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  also includes a triggering system for triggering the pulse system  200 . In this preferred embodiment, the trigger system includes a switch  310  activated by the preload switch plunger  150 . The switch acts as an interlock or safety device such that pulse system  200  can not be activated unless the switch  310  activated. The switch  310  can be any type of optical, electrical, mechanical or magnetic switch and may be configured in many ways such that it is coupled to the electromechanical drive mechanism to prevent firing unless activated. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the switch is an optical switch such that the preload switch breaks the optical beam. In the preferred embodiment, the triggering system also includes a trigger switch  320 , a trigger  330  and a trigger spring  340  so the operator can activate the trigger switch  320  causing the electronic pulse system  200  to fire. The trigger switch  320  can be any type of optical, electrical, mechanical or magnetic switch, but in the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the switch is an optical switch such that the trigger breaks the optical beam.  
         [0043]     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , there is a preload activation position such electromechanical drive mechanism  100  is compressed or preloaded (by placing the impact head on a body or surface, not shown) so that the switch  310  is activated such that chiropractic adjusting instrument  10  may be fired by depressing the trigger  330 .  FIG. 13 , shows the movement of the electromechanical drive system  100  and the trigger  330  to the rest (or initial position).  
         [0044]     The preferred embodiments shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14 A-D show various preferred embodiments of the impact head  70  including a cushion(s)  73 , an impact body  75  and an impact coupler  78 . In these preferred embodiments, the cushions are of some soft material such as rubber, the impact body is made of metal such as aluminum, and the impact coupler is typically a soft material such as an o-ring to form a press fit with the thrust nose piece  130 .  
         [0045]     Alternative preferred embodiments of this invention are contemplated; for example, the use of conventional or rechargeable batteries to power electromechanical drive mechanism  100 . More preferably the batteries are removable for changing or recharging.  
         [0046]     The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.