Patent Publication Number: US-2023149260-A1

Title: Skin therapy device, system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of physical therapy apparatus of existing art and more specifically relates to a device for providing physical therapy to protect skin and prevent skin damage, particularly from ulcerous wounds. 
     RELATED ART 
     Bedsores, or ulcerous wounds, are injuries/damage caused to skin and underlying tissue. Bedsores result from prolonged pressure on the skin and are especially likely to form if the individual possesses an inability to prevent the prolonged pressure on their skin; for example, by changing positions. As such, bedsores are particularly prevalent in the elderly, those with disabilities, and other individuals who struggle with mobility and spend a majority of their time in a bed or chair. Due to the inability (or reduced ability) to move, once an individual develops bedsores, they are often difficult to treat effectively and easily get worse. This can lead to a variety of harmful complications, ranging from cellulitis to sepsis. As such, a need exists for a reliable device that at least substantially prevents the development of bedsores. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known physical therapy apparatus art, the present disclosure provides a novel device for providing skin protection and prevention from damage, particularly from ulcerous wounds. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device, a system and a method for applying pressure to at least one body part of a user and in doing so, preventing (or at least substantially preventing) ulcerous wounds from forming. 
     A device for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user is disclosed herein. The device may include a frame including at least a base and a plurality of pins extending vertically from the base and dispersed about substantially an entirety thereof. The plurality of pins may be configured for selective movement between a raised position and a lowered position along a vertical axis. An actuator means may be in communication with the plurality of pins and may be configured to selectively actuate the movement of the plurality of pins. A controller may be in communication with the actuator means and may be configured to control the actuator means based on at least one predetermined condition. 
     According to another embodiment, a system for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user is also disclosed herein. The system may include the device as discussed above, and a software application. The software application may be useable on an external device and configured for communication with the controller for tangible use. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user is also disclosed herein. The method may include providing the device as above; placing the user such that the plurality of pins are in contact with the at least one body part; setting at least one predetermined condition; and actuating the actuator means via the controller, the actuator means selectively actuating movement of each of the plurality of pins between the raised position and the lowered position, the raised position applying pressure to the at least one body part. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a skin therapy device, system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating the skin therapy device integrated with a bed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view illustrating the skin therapy device including a frame having a plurality of pins, and a mold, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view illustrating the skin therapy device with the frame having the plurality of pins atop the mold, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view illustrating the skin therapy device of  FIG.  3    illustrating the mold having been moved in a forward direction, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating the skin therapy device of  FIG.  3    illustrating the mold having been moved in a sideways direction, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the skin therapy device illustrating a section of pins having a high density and a section of pins having a low density, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating a movement distance between the mold in a first position and the mold in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating a mold and a section of pins according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating the mold of  FIG.  8    according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating a mold according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating a mold according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a front view of the skin therapy device illustrating a mold according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a block diagram illustrating the skin therapy device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is a flow diagram illustrating a skin therapy system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15    is a block diagram illustrating main components of the skin therapy system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    is a flow diagram illustrating a method for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a physical therapy apparatus and more particularly to a novel device for providing skin protection and prevention from damage, particularly from ulcerous wounds. The device is used to apply pressure to at least one body part of a user. In doing so, this may prevent, or at least substantially prevent, ulcerous wounds from forming. This may be particularly useful in users with little to no mobility, whether acute or chronic. The device may also be used for improving skin conditions or in providing physical therapy to the user. 
     Generally, disclosed is a device comprising a bed of pins/nails/needles. In some embodiments, the bed of pins may be encased in a frame. The bed of pins may be configured to move up and down (on a vertical axis), selectively applying and releasing pressure on skin. The device may be integrated or installed into furniture, for example, beds, chairs, wheelchairs, or the like. Particularly, any furniture may be used wherein a user typically sits or lies for an extended period of time. For example, the device may incorporated into chairs and beds for patients of hospital and clinics, chairs and beds for retirement home residents, massage tables, pilot seats, rocket ship seats, etc. 
     Referring now to movement of the bed of pins—the movement may be actuated via a motor aggregate/assembly by driving/piloting a mold/cast/template that moves relative to a frame encasing the bed of pins. The movement may be actuated according to parameters set by a controller, software interfaces, applications, integrations, medical devices, etc. For example, the device may be interfaced, combined or adapted for medical devices such as weight scales, body temperature, blood oxygen, etc. and measure, alert and observe a condition of a patient. Based on the conditions, the movement of the pins may be variable. In some embodiments, medical devices may also be integrated into the device. For example, air/fluid flow may be integrated into the device and administered to immobile patients; also, vital signs sensors may be integrated. 
     The plurality of pins may be arranged in columns and rows. The controller and/or other software or a dedicated algorithm of sequences may action the plurality of pins randomly or based on different patterns, to cover most affected areas of the body when a patient lies in a bed, sits on a chair, etc. When the pins are raised, they may touch the skin (via a cotton sheet or other material) and since only some sections are configured to raise at a given time, other sections of the skin may relax. After a period of time, (for example one minute), other sections of the pins may then raise and the previously raised sections may lower. Movement of the pins may be adjusted. For example, a raised height of the pins may range from 0.2-3 mm. This parameter is dictated/function by multiple conditions as zones/areas of body, medical/health status, standards of safety, biochemistry of skin properties, the desired result as for active therapy or alleviation or treatment or prevention of beds sores/ulcerous wounds etc. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the system may comprise at least an API/web service, PC (computer/server/workstation), motor driver, motor, frame and mold/cast underneath the frame. As above, the device may be incorporated into furniture wherein the user typically lies or sits for a long time. As such, in this example, the system may be used in a nursing home. As such, the API/web service may receive resident status, room information and bed information. If the resident is in “admitted/current status” then the API may trigger the device to move the plurality of pins at a standard time, frequency and/or rate. Later, based on laboratory results, health conditions, weight, vitals, mobility, etc. the device may adjust timing, frequency and/or rate for different body zones of the resident. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference. Referring first to  FIG.  1   , showing a device  100 . The device  100  may be used for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user. As shown, the device  100  may include a frame  110  and a plurality of pins  120 . Preferably, the device  100  may be configured for integration with furniture  5 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the furniture  5  may be a bed. As such, in this embodiment, the device  100  may be used for selectively applying pressure to a majority of the user&#39;s body, particularly parts of the user&#39;s body that are prone to developing ulcerous wounds, or ‘bed sores’; for example, heels, ankles, hips, spine, shoulders, etc. 
     In some other examples, the furniture  5  may be chairs, such as wheelchairs, seats, pilot capsules, etc. The frame  110  may be integrated into the furniture  5  such that the user is able to lie or sit on the furniture  5  and experience comfort whilst simultaneously being placed in contact with the plurality of pins  120 . It should be appreciated that the device  100  may not be integrated into furniture  5 . For example, the device  100  may be portable and removably attachable to furniture  5  or otherwise able to be placed in contact with the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 12   , there is shown the frame  110 , the plurality of pins  120  and an actuator means  130  (illustrated in the block “motor” in  FIG.  13    and  FIG.  15   ) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the frame  110  may include at least a base  112  and the plurality of pins  120  may extend vertically from the base  112  and dispersed about substantially an entirety thereof. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the frame  110  may also include side walls on each side of the base  112 . The plurality of pins  120  may be made from a sturdy material so as to provide adequate pressure to the user without bending or breaking, but so as to not cause discomfort to the user. 
     The plurality of pins  120  may each be made from a suitable medical material, such as certain alloys suitable for medical use and tolerated by a human or animal body. In some embodiments, the plurality of pins  120  may include differing materials (for example, thermal or non-thermal conductor, biomagnetic, magnetic or non-magnetic etc.). Further, a density/concentration of the pins  120  may be dictated by multiple conditions, based on safety and/or desired outcome. For example, as shown in  FIG.  6   , some sections may have high density pins  128  (for example, 0.7-1.2 mm distance between pins  120 ); and other sections may have low density pins  129  (for example, 1.2-3 mm distance between pins  120 ). In addition, the plurality of pins  120  may include a variety of shapes and sizes for applying varying levels of pressure based on desired outcome. For example, some may be rounded, pointed/spike, flat, have varying thicknesses, etc. As shown in  FIG.  6   , an area of pins may include a greater thickness than another area of pins. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of pins  120  may be arranged in a series of columns and rows. Each of the plurality of pins  120  may be configured for selective movement between the raised position  102  and the lowered position  101  along a vertical axis  103  (the vertical axis  103  being relative to the user and/or furniture  5 ). The vertical axis  103  is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The plurality of pins  120  may be configured to move independent of each other. For example, individual pins may raise and lower at different times and to different heights. For example, a height at which an individual pin or a section of pins may be raised may be varied depending on certain parameters. For example, zones/areas of body, medical/health status, standards of safety, biochemistry of skin properties, the desired result as for active therapy or alleviation or treatment or prevention of beds sores/ulcerous wounds etc. 
     In another embodiment, each column and row may move independent of each other. For example, pins may be raised in two separate columns/rows at one time, and after a predetermined amount of time, the pins on the two separate columns/rows may lower (giving that body part area rest) and pins in another two separate columns/rows may then be raised. In further examples, the plurality of pins  120  may be divided in multiple clusters of variable number of pins. 
     Individual pins and/or specific columns and rows of the plurality of pins  120  may be selectively raised depending on their location relative to the user. Preferably, a particular section, pin, column, row, etc. of the plurality of pins  120  may raise at different times to apply pressure to certain areas of the body of the user at certain times, and other areas of the body of the user at other times. For example, the device  100  may apply pressure to an ankle via the raised plurality of pins  120  in a location under the ankle, and after a predetermined amount of time, those plurality of pins  120  may lower and the device  100  may then apply pressure to a shin via the raised plurality of pins  120  in a location under the shin. 
     The actuator means  130  ( FIGS.  13 - 15   ) may be in communication with the plurality of pins  120  and configured to selectively actuate the movement of the plurality of pins  120  (from the lowered position  101  to the raised position  102 , as illustrated in  FIG.  7   ). Preferably, device may further comprise a mold  160  and the actuator means  130  may include at least one motor  132  in communication with the mold  160 . As shown, the mold  160  may be located (directly) underneath, and substantially in contact with, the base  112  of the frame  110 . The mold  160  may be a solid body of material and may be at least substantially equal in size and shape to the base  112  such that the mold  160  is able to contact (via the base  112 ) each pin from the plurality of pins  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 12   , the mold  160  may include a mold pattern defined by a plurality of raised portions  166  and a plurality of lowered portions  167 . The mold pattern may be provided in a variety of different configurations with a varying number of raised portions  166  and lowered positions  167  and varied heights of raised portions and lowered portions, as particularly illustrated in  FIGS.  2 ,  7 - 12   . It should be appreciated that the examples given in  FIGS.  2 - 12    are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the mold to any particular configuration or mold template. The mold pattern may be determined and/or customized to the user based on certain parameters such as condition of the user or desired outcome. 
     The plurality of raised portions  166  may be in contact with the base  112  such that a section of pins  120  located directly above each raised portion  166  are pushed into the raised position  102  (and a section of pins  120  located directly above a lowered portion  167  is in the lowered position  101 ). The at least one motor  132  may be configured to actuate movement of at least a section of the mold  160  in a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals. For example, the at least one motor  132  may be configured to move an entirety of the mold  160  in a forward and/or backward direction along a horizontal plane, as shown in  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  7   , in a sideways direction, as shown in  FIG.  5   , or in an up/down direction in a vertical plane. A movement distance  162  (an amount in which the mold  160  moves) may be variable based on a number of conditions. The movement may be chosen randomly or coordinated by a specific algorithm based on desired result/outcome/treatment. The mold  160 , based on multiple conditions and desired results, may move on multiple planes and multiple directions rectilinear or circular or tridimensional or parabolic, elliptic, hyperboloid etc. relatively to the frame  110  and furniture  5 . 
     In other examples, the at least one motor  132  may be configured to rotate a specific raised portion  166 , a section of raised portions  166  or an entirety of the raised portions  166 . The movement may adjust a position of at least one raised portion  166  relative to the base  112 . This adjustment of position may raise different sections of pins  120  into the raised position  102  and lower previously raised sections, as only pins  120  located directly above a raised portion  166  are raised into the raised position  102 , and all other pins  120  remain in the lowered position  101 . Further, in some embodiments, the furniture may be configured to move relative to the device  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the frame  110  may be configured to move relative to the mold  160  in at least one plane in a rectilinear forward-backward direction. Based on various conditions and desired results the frame  110  may move on multiple planes and multiple directions rectilinear or circular or tridimensional or parabolic, elliptic, hyperboloid etc. relatively to the mold  160  that may be fixed. As discussed above, in other embodiments the mold  160  may be configured to move relative to the frame  110  in at least one plane in a rectilinear forward-backward direction. Based on various conditions and desired results the mold  160  may move on multiple planes and multiple directions rectilinear or circular or tridimensional or parabolic, elliptic, hyperboloid etc. relatively to the frame  110  that may be fixed. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13   , there is shown a block diagram illustrating the device  100  comprising the actuator means  130  and a controller  140  and illustrating a relationship particularly between the mold  160  (and the plurality of pins  120  attached to the frame  110 ) and the motor  132  and controller  140 . The actuator means  130  may be in communication with the plurality of pins  120  and configured to selectively actuate the movement of the plurality of pins  120 . As above, the plurality of pins  120  may be arranged in a series of columns and rows. The controller  140  may be in communication with the actuator means  130  and configured to control the actuator means  130 . In some embodiments, the controller  140  may control the actuator means  130  based on at least one predetermined condition. In other embodiments, the controller  140  may receive input from the user, telling the controller  140  to control the actuator means  130  in a desired way. As such, these embodiments may allow for adjustability of the device  100 , providing customizability as to the pressure, timing, frequency rate, body part the pressure is applied to, etc. 
     The controller  140  may include a processor  142 . Further, in embodiments wherein the actuator means  130  comprises a motor  132 , a motor driver may be provided (not illustrated). The motor driver may manage power to the motor  132  and facilitate communication between the motor  132  and the processor  142 . It should however be appreciated that the actuator means  130  is not limited to a motor  132 . For example, the actuator means  130  may comprise a mechanical means such as a mechanical frame created with casts/molds of geometrical models, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc. Power may be supplied to the device  100  via a power source (not illustrated). For example, the device  100  may be configured to receive AC power from standard outlets, may include a battery, etc. 
     The controller  140  may be configured to control at least one of timing and frequency of the forward movement and/or the backward movement of the actuator means  130 . For example, control of the timing may involve controlling how long specific sections of the plurality of pins  120  should be raised; and control of the frequency may involve controlling a speed of the movement of the actuator means  130 . Further, the controller  140  may be configured to control a rate of the at least one forward movement and the backward movement of the actuator means  130 . In some embodiments, the controller  140  may control the timing, frequency, and/or rate of each row and/or column independently, and as such, different rows and/or columns may (selectively) apply different levels of pressure. 
     The controller  140  may be configured to control the actuator means  130  based on at least one predetermined condition. Particularly, the controller  140  may be configured to control the timing and/or frequency based on at least one predetermined condition. Preferably, the at least one predetermined condition may include a plurality of predetermined conditions. For example, one predetermined condition may include health conditions of a user. In this example, the controller  140  may be configured to control the timing and/or the frequency of the movement of the actuator means  130  to treat the user based on the health condition(s). For instance, a user with peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, paralysis, etc. may need stronger pressure than a user who does not have those health conditions and as such, the controller  140  may apply a higher frequency. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  13   , the device  100  may also include at least one sensor  150  configured to determine at least one condition external to the device  100 . 
     In another example, another predetermined condition may include laboratory results of the user, as laboratory results may indicate a predisposition to develop or suffer from sores. For example, diabetes may predispose a patient to developing a pressure ulcer. Other predetermined conditions may include vital signs, mobility, diet, skin/tissues oxygenation, elasticity, blood circulation, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  14 - 15   , as shown, in some embodiments, the device  100  described above may be provided in a system  200  (for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user). The system  200  may comprise the device  100  and a software application  210 . The software application  210  may be usable on an external device  10  (as illustrated in  FIG.  15   ). For example, the software application  210  may be an ‘app’ installable to a smartphone, tablet computer, desktop computer, or the like. The software application  210  may be configured for communication with the controller  140 . To facilitate communication between the software application  210  and the controller  140 , the system  200  may further comprise a server  220  and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)  224  ( FIG.  15   ). 
     In some embodiments, at least one predetermined condition may be set via the software application  210 . The system  200  may be configured to receive information on at least one predetermined condition. For example, the system  200  may receive laboratory results, health conditions, vitals, mobility, etc. In some embodiments, to achieve this, the system  200  may integrate with other medical systems  200  such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, blood oxygen monitors, and the like. Further, as above, the device  100  may also include at least one sensor  150  ( FIG.  13    and  FIG.  15   ) configured to determine at least one condition external to the device  100 . For the example, the at least one sensor  150  may include weight sensors, movement sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, air flow sensors, or the like, for determining a condition of the user and for tracking metrics of the user. Further, the device may utilize sensors for safety and compliance purposes to prevent harm to the user. Once the condition of the user is assessed via these discussed methods (or other methods not discussed here), the controller  140  may be configured to control the actuator means  130  accordingly. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the controller  140  may receive input from the user, telling the controller  140  to control the actuator means  130  in a desired way. In some embodiments, the input may be received via the software application  210 . For example, if the user wishes to apply pressure to their back for a certain amount of time, they may, via their ‘app’, adjust the timing (and thus adjust algorithms dictating pin movement). In some embodiments, the server  220  may store a standard array of predetermined conditions (on a database  112 ), the API may retrieve the standard array of predetermined conditions and the software application  210  may then display the standard array of predetermined conditions for the user to select specific predetermined conditions tailored to them (or a patient). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  16    showing a flow diagram illustrating a method  300  for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method  300  may include one or more components or features of the device  100  and/or system  200  as described above. As illustrated, the method of use  300  may include the steps of: step one  301 , providing the device as above; step two  302 , placing the user such that the plurality of pins are in contact with the at least one body part; step three  303 , setting at least one predetermined condition; step four  304 , actuating the actuator means via the controller, the actuator means selectively actuating movement of each of the plurality of pins between the raised position and the lowered position, the raised position applying pressure to the at least one body part. 
     Further steps may include: step five  305 , providing the device  100  and the system  200  as above; step six  306 , setting the at least one predetermined condition via the software application; and step seven  307 , actuating the actuator means via the controller, the actuator means selectively actuating movement of each of the plurality of pins between the raised position and the lowered position, the raised position applying pressure to the at least one body part. 
     It should be noted that the method  300  may include optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  300  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG.  16    so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  300 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.