Patent Publication Number: US-2004054306-A1

Title: Inflatable massage garment

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA  
     [0001] This patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/261,700 under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), filed on Jan. 12, 2001. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates generally as indicated to a massage device and more particularly to a massage device for use in an unsupervised and unattended setting.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] A massage has long been recognized as a pleasant means of treating stress, muscular aches, fatigue and other symptoms associated with an active life. A professional masseuse is typically employed to provide a massage and this professional is trained to provide pressure sensations by squeezing or kneading muscles or muscle groups in a certain way. Also, a professional masseuse will adapt the massaging technique to the person being massaged. For example, the masseuse will vary the time, intensity (i.e., pressure level), the order of pressure sensations and/or the temperature of massage oil to accommodate a person&#39;s massage needs on a particular day. Furthermore, the hands of the masseuse are adaptable to fit almost every size person.  
       [0004] A massage applied by a professional masseuse is almost universally considered wonderful. However, the cost of having a professional masseuse constantly on call for periodic massages is outside most people&#39;s budgets. For many, a massage by a professional masseuse is only an occasional indulgence although our active lives justify more frequent massages.  
       [0005] In the past, massaging devices have been developed for relaxation and leisure purposes. These massaging devices generally function in a vibratory manner to create a vibrating sensation on various muscles of the body. However, these vibratory devices are generally not as satisfying as a human massage because, among other reasons, they do not provide a comparable amount of pressure, and they often create an undesired tingling sensation on the user&#39;s skin.  
       [0006] Also in the past, compression devices have been developed for medical purposes. These prior art compression devices are generally used in a hospital setting where trained medical personnel are available to insure proper functioning of the device and a proper fit of the garments/sleeves on the patient. Such prior art compression devices use very large inflatable bladders which cover large areas of a limb, their control units are large and cumbersome, and they operate to provide a very slow massaging action (for example, on the order of tens of seconds to inflate each bladder) and thus do not provide a dynamic massaging effect. Additionally or alternatively, in such a medical setting, it may be practical to have an inventory of sleeves/garments of different sizes to accommodate a variety of patient sizes. Further, the size and appearance of inflation tubing and/or the complexity of the set-up of such tubing does not present any issues in a medical setting, where a trained medical professional is present or available. As for the inflation assembly, complicated and expensive fluid-providing and/or distributing components are common place in these prior art medical devices.  
       [0007] The inventor of the present invention appreciated that a relatively simple, inexpensive massage device intended for relaxation and other personal, non-medical uses in an unsupervised and unattended setting (such as in-home use) could have many advantages and applications. The inventor further appreciated, however, that many of the features of prior art compression devices which are acceptable in a supervised medical setting, would not be satisfactory in such an unsupervised and unattended setting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The present invention provides a massage device for massaging a body part of a person in an unsupervised and unattended setting. In a preferred embodiment, the massage device comprises an inflatable garment having a plurality of inflation bladders to apply pressure to the body part, and an inflation assembly for providing pressurized fluid to the bladders, wherein the inflation assembly includes a manifold into which the pressurized fluid flows, and a plurality of inflation valves which control the flow of fluid from the manifold to the bladders. The inflation assembly may also include a manifold valve for controlling the maximum pressure level within the bladders. Furthermore, the inflation assembly may have a predetermined inflation capacity which defines a maximum bladder size as well as a predetermined array in which the bladders are arranged. The massage device may further comprise a connector for connecting tubes from the bladders to the inflation assembly, wherein the connector includes a garment-identifying component for identifying the type of garment connected to the inflation assembly. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a massage device being used in an unsupervised and unattended setting according to the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 2A is a prospective view of a foot/calf inflatable garment in a wrapped condition which may be used with the present invention.  
     [0011]FIG. 2B is a partial breakaway plan view of the foot/calf inflatable garment of FIG. 2A in an unwrapped condition with its outer sheet face up.  
     [0012]FIG. 2C is a plan view of the foot/calf inflatable garment of FIG. 2A in an unwrapped condition with its inner sheet face up.  
     [0013] FIGS.  2 D- 2 I are perspective views showing other inflatable garments that may be included in a massage device according to the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2J is a plan view of an alternatively shaped foot/calf inflatable garment in an unwrapped condition with its inner sheet face up, which may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 2K is a plan view of the back/shoulders inflatable garment shown in FIG. 2D, the garment being shown in an unwrapped position.  
     [0016]FIG. 3A is a schematic view of an inflatable garment and inflation assembly which may be used in connection with the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 3B is a block schematic view of an inflation assembly for use in connection with the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 3C is a front view of the inflation assembly of FIG. 5B with its display panel removed to show interior components.  
     [0019]FIG. 5D is a top view of the inflation assembly of FIG. 3B with the top wall of its housing removed to show interior components.  
     [0020]FIG. 5E is a front view of the display panel of the inflation assembly of FIG. 5B.  
     [0021]FIG. 3F illustrates a connector and a corresponding mating portion of the inflation assembly.  
     [0022] FIGS.  3 G- 3 M are schematic views of different identifying patterns of garment identifying posts and corresponding openings of an inflation assembly.  
     [0023]FIG. 3N is a schematic view of a modified form of the inflation assembly of FIG. 3B.  
     [0024] FIGS.  4 A- 4 G are graphs showing various methods of sequential inflation of garment bladders in accordance with the invention FIGS.  5 A- 5 G are schematic views of possible bladder arrays for garment design in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0025] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a massage device  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in use in a setting which is unattended an unsupervised by a trained and/or medical personnel (referred to as “an unsupervised and unattended setting”). The massage device  100  may include an inflatable garment  200  for applying pressure to a body part and an inflation assembly  300  for supplying pressurized fluid to the inflatable garment  200 . A preferred embodiment of an inflation assembly  300  is described below in detail with respect to FIGS.  3 B- 3 D, two different embodiments of a foot/calf inflatable garment  200 / 200 ′ are described below in detail with respect to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C and FIG. 2J, respectively, and a preferred embodiment of a neck/shoulders inflatable garment  1200  is described below in detail with respect to FIG. 2K.  
     [0026] Referring to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, a preferred embodiment of a foot/calf inflatable garment  200  for use in connection with the massage device  100  of FIG. 1 is shown. The inflatable garment  200  may comprise two opposing sheets  202  and  204  made of a suitable material, such as a material which is lightweight, durable, and easily cleanable with, for example, water and a mild cleanser. For example, the outer sheet  202  may be made of urethane film supported with a laminate of 70×100 denier nylon weave and the inner sheet  204  may be made of unsupported urethane film.  
     [0027] Each of the sheets  202 / 204  has lateral edges  206  and  208  and longitudinal edges  210  and  212 . The lateral edges  206  and  208 , may follow a generally straight or slightly curved path. The longitudinal edge  210  may follow a generally linear path which may further comprise one or more notches  213 - 215 . For example, in a preferred embodiment, there may be a large notch  213  and two smaller notches  214  and  215 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal edge  212  may also follow a generally linear path  212   a . Alternatively, the longitudinal edge  212  may follow a contoured path  212   b  having pull handles  222  to assist a user in creating a snug fit. Furthermore, the linear path of the longitudinal edge  212  may have one or more notches  216 . In a preferred embodiment, a tubing pocket  220  for concealing the inflation tubing may be located along longitudinal edge  212 .  
     [0028] The sheets  202  and  204  may be welded together along outer lateral seams  230  and  232 , and along outer longitudinal seams  236  and  240 . In addition, the garments may be further welded along a plurality of bladder seams  234  to define a plurality of air chambers or bladders. In a preferred embodiment, the inflation volume of each of the bladders is very small (e.g., 180 cm 3  or less). As explained below, the smaller the inflation volume of the bladders, the less fluid is needed to inflate the bladders. Thus, smaller, more flexible tubing and a smaller, less complex and less expensive air compressor (both discussed below) may be used.  
     [0029] In an embodiment where a tubing pocket  220  is located along, for example, longitudinal edge  212 , an internal longitudinal seam  238  may be formed laterally inward from longitudinal seam  236 , so as to form the tubing pocket  220 . One of the outer lateral seams  230  is positioned along the sheets&#39; top lateral edge  206  and the other outer lateral seam  232  is positioned along the sheets&#39; bottom lateral edge  208 . The bladder seams may be positioned along the length of the sheets  202 / 204  such that the bladder seams  234  are all substantially parallel to each other and to the outer lateral seams  230 ,  232 .  
     [0030] Although not specifically shown in the drawings, reinforcement seams may be provided around the opening-defining edges of the pull handles  222 , around the defining edges of a heel opening  224 , and/or around the defining edges of the notches  213 - 216 . In addition, a portion  252  of bladders  250 E,  250 F and/or  250 G may be cut out to create a more snug fit when worn by a user.  
     [0031] As previously explained, the outer lateral seams  230 ,  232 , bladder seams  234 , and longitudinal seams  236  (or  238 ) and  240  form a plurality of inflatable bladders  250 A-L, such that each bladder is in fluid isolation from its adjacent bladders. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, the inflatable garment  200  may include twelve inflatable bladders  250 A- 250 L, each of which may be substantially rectangular in shape, and arranged longitudinally along the length of the sheets  202 / 204 . In this example, bladders  250 A- 250 D correspond to the foot location, and bladders  250 E- 250 L corresponds to the lower leg or calf location.  
     [0032] As indicated above, the bladders  250 A-L are preferably each substantially rectangular in shape. In particular, the bladders  250 A-L may be shaped such that they each have approximately equal inflated volumes, thereby equalizing both the inflation time and the inflation amount for the respective bladders. This may be accomplished by, for example, varying the spacing of the bladder seams  234 . Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, necking seams  242  may also be provided for inflation-control reasons as explained further below. Specifically, the necking seams  242  may be used to decrease the inflation volume of a bladder. This may be desirable where, for example, some un-necked bladders have a greater volume than other un-necked bladders of a given garment. The bladders  250  having necking seams  242  may have undulating contours such that these bladders are not substantially rectangular in shape. The undulating contours of the necking seams  242  function to decrease the inflation volume of the corresponding bladders  250 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the top eight bladders circumscribing the user&#39;s calf  250 E- 250 L may be provided with necking seams  242 , while the lower bladders encircling the user&#39;s foot  250 A-D remain un-necked. By providing substantially equal inflation volumes in each of the respective bladders  250 A-L, substantially equal inflation timing, with substantially even applied pressure is provided. Thus, overall smooth massage dynamics may be provided without the need for overly complicated inflation fluid control.  
     [0033] Despite having the effect of changing a bladder&#39;s contour and/or inflation volume, the necking seams  242  do not apparently affect the massaging sensation provided by the necked bladders. For example, the necked shape of each of the bladders does not substantially change the original, overall, narrow and elongated shape of the un-necked bladder. Thus, substantially the same massage sensation is delivered as would have been delivered by the un-necked bladder.  
     [0034] As indicated above, a tubing pocket  220  may be provided to house, for example, inflation tubing  310  which, as explained below, supplies pressurized fluid to the bladders during operation of the massage device  100 . The longitudinal seams  236  and  238  form the longitudinal sides of the tubing pocket  220 , and the lateral seams  230  and  232  close the tubing pocket&#39;s top and bottom sides. A series of openings  260  may be created in the tubing pocket  220  so as to provide fluid communication between the compressor  320  and the respective bladders  250 A-L.  
     [0035] A V-shaped slit  216  may be provided which interrupts the tubing pocket  220  at, for example, a location substantially aligned with the heel opening  224  of the inflatable garment  200 . In a preferred embodiment, the individual tubes  310 A-L are small (e.g., on the order of 2 mm in diameter), and thus are light weight and flexible. The small tubing is generally sufficient in a device according to the invention, especially where, as describe above, the inflation volume of each of the bladders is very small (e.g., 180 cm 3  or less). The openings  260  allow the individual inflation tubes  310 A-L to communicate with respective bladders  250 A-L, and the slots  262  and  264  provide an entry passage for the inflation tubing  310  into the top and bottom portions of the tubing pocket  220 . Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the inflation tubing  310  may be connected to the bladders via respective inflation access ports. The inflation access ports may provide, for example, push-on branches to which the individual inflation tubes  310 A-L may be attached.  
     [0036] The foot/calf inflatable garment  200  may additionally include complimentary fastening strips  270  and  272  via which the garment may be fastened. For example, the fastening strips  270  and  272 , when engaged with each other, may form a hook-and-loop attachment wherein the “loop” fastening strip  270  may be secured to the inner sheet  204  laterally inward from the pull handles  222  and over and laterally beyond the tubing pocket  220 , while the “hook” fastening strip  272  is secured to the outer sheet  202  adjacent its longitudinal edge  210 . In the alternative, the “hook” fastening strip  270  may be secured to the inner sheet  204  while the “loop” fastening strip  272  is secured to the outer sheet  202 .  
     [0037] When using the massage device  100 , the inflatable garment  200  is wrapped around a user&#39;s body part which, in the example disclosed in FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, is the foot and calf region. Specifically, the person places his/her heel in the opening  224  and wraps the opposite lateral sections of the sheets  202 / 204  in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 2A. In an embodiment having pull handles  222 , the pull handles  222  may be used to pull the strips  270  and  272  into the correct engaging contact with each other for a snug fit, and after a massage session is completed, the pull handles  222  are pulled outward to release the fastening strips  270  and  272 .  
     [0038] The overall sheet geometry, the positioning of the fastening strips  270  and  272 , the lateral extent of the fastening strips and/or other features of the garment  200  may allow for a snug “custom” fit of the inflatable garment  200  to the user. For example, an inflatable garment  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention may be fit to a wide range of foot widths and leg girths to accommodate users of different sizes. A very broad range of adjustment combinations are possible with the garment  200  instead of simply a single size or a large/medium/small adjustment setting. Thus, the inflatable garment&#39;s “one-size-fits-most” adjustable sizing design is beneficial for use of the massage device  100 , especially in an unsupervised and unattended setting, such as in-home use where having a supply of multiple different sized garments is impractical. The ability of the inflatable garment  200  to provide a snug “custom” fit to a user may result in improved sensation, quicker inflation dynamics, reduced inflation flow requirements (thereby decreasing pump, valve, and tubing sizing requirements, and minimizing air flow requirements), compacted time lag from a deflated state to a maximum pressure state, and/or increased time at maximum massage pressure.  
     [0039] A snug “custom” fit of the inflatable garment  200  on a limb or body part will reduce the amount of inflation of the bladders  250  necessary to achieve the desired sensation. Furthermore, with a tighter fit and thus less inflation of the bladders  250 , the inflatable garment  200  may not distort in size as much, thereby better maintaining the proper fit of the garment throughout the inflation process. This is because by virtue of the snug fit, the bladders  250  do not “balloon” away from the limb or body part in a third dimension during inflation. In this manner, there is little or no longitudinal “shrinking” of the garment (which would likely occur if the garment material had to move outward from the limb during inflation) hence maintaining a proper fit during the entire massage.  
     [0040] The inflatable garment  200  may include other or further features to facilitate comfort and/or massage characteristics. For example, padding may be provided on the inner surface of the tubing pocket  220  as a cushion between the inflation components housed in the tubing pocket  220  and the user&#39;s limb or body part being massaged. Additionally, non-slip grip elements may be placed on the outer sheet  202  on one or more portions of the inflatable garment  200 . For example, with respect to the illustrated embodiment, non-slip grip elements may be placed on the outer sheet  202  beneath the user&#39;s foot, so that the user may walk around with the inflatable garment  200  on without slipping. Further, various sized holes may be incorporated into the inflatable garment  200  so as to allow for ventilation of the limb or body part wearing the garment. Still further, a moisture-wicking lining material may be applied to the surface of the inner sheet  204  for comfort against perspiration.  
     [0041] As previously explained, although the illustrated inflatable garment  200  is designed for use on a person&#39;s foot and calf, alternate garments are possible with, and contemplated by, the present invention. Other alternative inflatable garments are illustrated in FIGS.  2 D- 2 I. For example, a neck/shoulder garment  1200  is shown in FIG. 2D, a back garment  2200  is shown in FIG. 2E, hand garments  3200  are shown in FIG. 2F, feet garments  4200  are shown in FIG. 2G, an arm garment  5200  is shown in FIG. 2H, and a thigh garment  6200  is shown in FIG. 2I. These and other inflatable garments may be designed in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C to provide a snug “custom” fit for the respective body parts. Additionally, multiple garments may be used in combination, for example both hand garments together, or the leg and thigh garments together.  
     [0042]FIG. 2J illustrates an alternatively shaped embodiment of a foot/calf inflatable garment  200 ′ for use in connection with the massage device  100  of FIG. 1. The primary distinction between the foot/calf inflatable garment  200  of FIGS.  2 A- 2 C and the foot/calf inflatable garment  200 ′ of FIG. 2J is the shape of the contours of the respective garments when laid out flat in an unwrapped condition. All of the other details and features of the alternatively shaped foot/leg garment  200 ′ of FIG. 2J are substantially the same as those discussed with respect to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C. The alternative shape may be more cost-effective to produce, and may provide a better fit for a wider range of leg sizes. FIG. 2J also illustrates that the present invention is not limited to the exact shaped garments illustrated in the figures. Rather, the shape of the various garments may be modified and still be within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0043] Referring now to FIG. 2K, an embodiment of a neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  is shown in detail. Like the foot/calf inflatable garment  200  described with respect to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  may comprise two opposing sheets made of a suitable material, such as a material which is lightweight, durable, and easily cleanable with water and a mild cleanser. Each of the sheets has lateral edges  1206  and  1208  and longitudinal edges  1210 . The top lateral edge  1206  may form a central opening  1280  to accommodate a user&#39;s neck. In one embodiment, a tab  1214  may be formed in the central opening for further support and/or massaging on the neck region. Inserts  1216  may be sewn to either the tab  1214  or to notched areas  1282  in the central opening  1280  to form a raised neckline or some other comfortable transition along the neckline. In a preferred embodiment, these inserts  1216  may be in the shape of right triangles with a curved hypotenuse, or equilateral triangles. However, any shape which provides a raised neckline or some other transition along the neckline may be used.  
     [0044] Furthermore, bias tape may be used to form the top and/or bottom lateral edge  1206 ,  1208 , and felt or some other soft material may be used along the longitudinal edges  1210  and/or along the contour of the central opening  1280  for a more comfortable feel against the user&#39;s skin. In addition, the longitudinal edges  1210  and/or the top and/or bottom lateral edges  1206 ,  1208  may be formed of elastic strips  1288 . The bottom lateral edge  1208  may follow a generally straight path ending at extension tabs  1218 . The extension tabs  1218 , which may be elastic, may be attached to, and/or extend from, each of the lower corners between the bottom lateral edge  1208  and the longitudinal edges  1210 .  
     [0045] In a preferred embodiment of the neck/shoulders inflatable garment  1200 , the garment  1200  may comprise a pressure plate  1290  to enhance the amount of pressure provided by the massage. The pressure plate  1290  may be desirable in the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  because this garment  1200  (and any other similarly configured garment) generally does not wrap entirely around a limb or body part, and so may not benefit from the mechanical advantage of higher applied massage pressure that wrapping provides. The pressure plate  1290 , which may be made of a polyurethane sheet, is generally shaped to contour the upper back/shoulder region, and may be adhered (either bonded or tied down) to either of the opposing sheets which make up the inflation bladders  1250 A-J. Additionally, hold-down straps  1292  may be provided to assist in holding the pressure plate  1290  in place. The pressure plate  1290  and straps  1292  may be concealed by an opaque material (e.g., nylon) so as to provide a neat and clean appearance.  
     [0046] Bladder seams  1234  in the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  may form a plurality of inflatable bladders  1250 A- 1250 L which are each roughly rectangular in shape, arranged substantially parallel to each other, and extend roughly from the bottom to the top of the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the four center bladders  1250 E-H may be less rectangularly shaped (as shown) than the other bladders so as to better accommodate the neck, the notched areas  1282 , and/or the inserts  1216 . As with the bladders  250 A-L of FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, the bladders  1250 A-L of FIG. 2K may be particularly shaped and/or necked so that they each have an approximately equal inflated volume, thereby equalizing both the inflation time and the inflation amount for the respective bladders. Also, while not specifically shown in FIG. 2K, the garment  1200  can have a tubing pocket (as described with respect to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C) along, for example, its lower lateral edge to house certain components of the inflation assembly  300 , such as, for example, inflation tubing  310  which, as previously described, may be provided to supply pressurized fluid to the bladders during operation of the massage device  100 .  
     [0047] The neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  may additionally include fastening strips such as, for example, at least one pair of hook-and-loop strips. In one embodiment, a “loop” fastening strip  1270  may be secured to the inner sheet at one of the top corners of the central opening  1280  while a corresponding “hook” fastening strip  1272  is secured to the outer sheet at the other top corner of the central opening  1280 . In one embodiment, “hook” fastening strips  1272  may be secured to the outer sheet at both corners of the central opening  1280 . In addition, two further “loop” fastening strips  1274  may be attached to the inner side of each of the extension tabs  1218  which may be attached to the “hook” fastening strips  1272  is attached to the outer sheet at each of its two top corners. In an alternative embodiment, the “loop” strips and the “hook” strips may be reversed.  
     [0048] When in use, the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  may be secured by placing the user&#39;s neck into the central opening, and engaging the fastening strips  1270  and  1272  under the user&#39;s chin. Also, the extension tabs  1218  may be pulled upward toward the user&#39;s shoulder and engaged with the appropriate strip such that strips  1274  are engaged with strips  1272 . In one embodiment of the invention, extension tabs  1218  may include grip portions  1294  at the distal end of the extension tabs  1218  to make it easier for a user to grip the tabs  1218  and pull them toward strips  1272 .  
     [0049] The overall geometry, the positioning of the fastening strips  1270 ,  1272  and  1274 , the elastic longitudinal edges  1210 , the inserts  1216 , the extension tabs  1218 , and/or other features of the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  may provide for a snug “custom” fit of the garment  1200  to the user. For example, the garment  1200  according to an embodiment of the invention may be fit to a wide range of shoulder widths and chest girths to accommodate users of different sizes. A very broad range of adjustment combinations are possible with the neck/shoulder inflatable garment  1200  instead of simply a single size or large/medium/small adjustment setting. Thus, the garment&#39;s “one-size-fits-most” adjustable sizing design is beneficial for use of the massage device  100 , especially in an unsupervised and unattended setting, such as in-home use where having a supply of multiple different sized garments is impractical. The ability of the inflatable garment  1200  to provide a snug “custom” fit to a user may result in improved sensation, quicker inflation dynamics, reduced inflation flow requirements (thereby decreasing pump, valve, and tubing sizing requirements, and minimizing air flow requirements), compacted time lag from a deflated state to a maximum pressure state, and/or increased time at maximum massage pressure.  
     [0050] Referring now to FIG. 3A, an inflation assembly  300  for use in connection with the present invention is shown connected to an inflatable garment  200  via inflation tubing  310 . The components of the inflation assembly  300  may be contained within a housing  302  which is preferably sized and shaped to be compatible with in-home use of the massage device  100 . Inflation tubing  310  extends from the inflation assembly  300  to the garment  200  and, is preferably comprised of a plurality of individual tubes ( 310 A- 310 L in FIG. 3B), each of which is connected to a corresponding bladder opening  260 A- 260 L for supplying pressurized fluid to a corresponding bladder during operation of the massage device  100 . Preferably, a connector  311  is provided at the distal end of the inflation tubing  310  for easy coupling to a mating portion of the inflation assembly  300 . As explained in more detail below, the connector  311  and the mating portion of the inflation assembly  300  may be designed to accommodate the inflation tubing  310  as well as identifier posts which act to recognize the particular inflatable garment being used upon insertion of the connector  311  to the mating portion of the inflation assembly  300 .  
     [0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2J, with respect to the foot/calf inflatable garment  200 , the tubes  310 A- 310 D extend into the lower portion of the tubing pocket  220  and the tubes  310 E- 310 L extend into the upper portion of the tubing pocket  220 . The enclosure of the inflation tubing  310  in such a tubing pocket  220 , provides a neat and organized appearance compatible with in-home use of the massage device  100 . Also, the enclosure and the pre-purchase setup of the inflation tubing  310  eliminates any what-tube-where confusion during in-home installation and use of the massage device  100 .  
     [0052] As shown in FIGS.  3 B- 3 D, the inflation assembly  300  may include a compressor  320 , an air filter  322  (when air is used as the pressurizing medium), a manifold  324 , inflation valves  326 A- 326 L, a microcontroller  328  which may further comprise a memory unit (not shown), a user input interface  330  (described in detail with respect to FIG. 3E), valve drivers  332 , a pressure relief valve  334 , audio and/or visual alert  336 , a display panel  338 , and/or a power supply  340  for providing power to relevant components.  
     [0053] The compressor  320 , which may be activated upon turning the inflation assembly  200  on, or by pressing a key on the display, provides fluid to the manifold  324  which in turn provides fluid to the bladders. The compressor  320  may preferably be driven by a simple conventional motor (not shown) at constant full speed, and the air filter  322  may also be a simple conventional air filter. The inflation valves  326 A-L may be standard solenoid valves which control the flow of fluid into and out of the respective bladders. The pressure relief valve  334  may be included to limit the maximum pressure that can be developed and thus delivered to the inflatable garment  200 . To this end, the valve  334  is preferably inaccessible to the user and/or tamper proof In one embodiment, the pressure relief valve  334  stops air from flowing into the manifold  324  once the pressure in the manifold  324  reaches 250 mm of Hg.  
     [0054] The microcontroller  328  is generally the “brains” of the control unit, and may comprise a memory storage unit for storing and recalling user preference settings, for one or more users (discussed further below). The microcontroller  328  may be a standard self-contained chip having program memory and LCD driver capability built-in, such as, for example, a Holtek HT49R50. The power supply  340  is generally a standard 120 V home power line. In addition or alternatively, the power supply  340  may comprise a battery. The audio and/or visual alert  336  may be, for example, a light source (such as a light-emitting diode) and/or an audio tone, and may be employed to alert the user of an event such as, for example, the end of a massage session.  
     [0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, during operation of the massage device  100 , the compressor  320  provides a flow of inflation fluid (e.g., air filtered through the filter  322 ) to the manifold  324 . The valve drivers  332  open and close the solenoid valves  326  based on signals from the microcontroller  328 , so that the fluid within the manifold flows through the appropriate valve and to the appropriate bladder  250  in the garment  200 . The valve drivers  332  may be, for example, a standard discrete design using a NPN/PNP transistor pair driven from the microcontroller  328 . In a preferred embodiment, the valves  326  are solenoid valves whereby the drivers  332  activate and deactivate the solenoids.  
     [0056] The compressor  320  of the inflation assembly  300  may be one which provides a substantially constant inflation capacity to each of the bladders. As explained above, a substantially constant velocity and magnitude pressure wave along the inflatable garment  200  may be accomplished by varying the geometry of and/or necking the bladders  250 . By providing uniform inflation characteristics of the bladders  250  with a substantially constant inflation capacity, a more uniform, repeatable, predictable, and satisfying massage action may be obtained. Further, due at least in part to the simplicity of such operation, more economical, more compact, and/or more reliable inflation components may be used.  
     [0057] During inflation of the garment bladders  250 , inflation fluid flows through the inflation tubing  310  to the appropriate bladders  250 A-L via corresponding inflation tubes  310 A-L. During deflation of the garment bladders  250 , the inflation fluid flows through the inflation tubing  310  in the reverse direction and through exhaust fines  350 A-L. In one embodiment, the exhaust lines  350 A-L may include a throttling device (such as the illustrated orifice restriction) through which fluid may flow during deflation of bladders, to provide a repeatable and gradual deflation rate for the bladders. If desired, and/or to increase uniformity, the throttling rate (or orifice size in the illustrated embodiment) may be the same for each bladder or may vary between respective bladders.  
     [0058] In a preferred embodiment, the solenoid drivers  332  may be controlled by, for example, the microcontroller  328 , based on predetermined data as well as data provided by a user through the user input interface  330 . The microcontroller  328  may be programmed to inflate the garment bladders  250  in such a manner that there is smooth transition from one bladder to the next during the massage process. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, deflation of a first bladder  250 A may be throttled so that inflation of a next bladder  250 B is underway prior to complete deflation of the first bladder  250 A. A similar wave effect may be accomplished without a throttled deflation, if, for example, the inflation of the next bladder begins earlier in the timing sequence, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Alternatively, inflation of the next bladder  250 B may be delayed until the first bladder  250 A is completely deflated, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. Generally, the sequence of inflation will be in a venous direction. Alternatively, the sequence of inflation/deflation of the bladders may be bi-directional or random.  
     [0059] As shown in FIGS.  3 B- 3 E, a user input interface  330  and user display  338  may be incorporated into a display panel  360 . The display panel  360  may include a zone selector  362  which allows a user to select a certain zone of massage by the inflatable garment  200 . This zone selection may result in concentration of the massage on a particular zone of the user&#39;s body, such as, for example, the foot (“Massage Zone 1”), the lower calf (“Massage Zone 2”), the upper calf (“Massage Zone 3”), or any combination of the foregoing zones. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the garment bladders  250 A- 250 D are grouped in a first “foot” massage zone, the garment bladders  250 E- 250 H are grouped in a second “lower calf” massage zone, and the garment bladders  2501 - 250 L are grouped in a third “upper calf” massage zone. Thus, a display panel  360  as illustrated allows the user to select a pre-determined massage zone. However, an inflation assembly  300  wherein user-definable zones may be input are possible with, and contemplated by, the present invention.  
     [0060] The display panel  360  may additionally include a massage program selector  364 , a time selector  366 , a power switch  368 , an intensity selector (not shown) and/or a speed selector (not shown). The power switch  368  may be selected by a user to activate or deactivate the power supply  340 . The massage program selector  364  allows a user to input an intensity setting in a range of the interrelation between speed and pressure. In addition or in the alternative, there may be separate intensity and/or speed selectors which allow the user to select an intensity level independent of selecting a speed level and vice versa. The intensity, speed and/or massage program setting(s) may be provided to the microcontroller  328  which controls the solenoid drivers  332 . For example, a selected value of the massage program selector  364  may result in a massage with an inverse relationship between pressure and speed within the massage pressure wave (as illustrated at  364  in FIG. 3E). Thus, in such an example, the faster the massage pressure wave travels, the lower the applied pressure within the massage pressure wave and vice versa.  
     [0061] Via the time selector  366 , a user may select a length of time for the massage session, and this selection is then provided to&#39;the microcontroller  328 . The time selector  366  may include an uppermost setting, a lowermost setting, and a number of settings in between at multiples of, for example, 5 minutes (as shown in FIG. 3E). Alternatively, the massage time selector  366  may provide a keypad for the user to input a specific desired number of minutes. Upon completion of a timed massage session, an audio and/or visual alert  336  may alert the user of the end of the massage session. In addition or in the alternative, upon completion of the timed massage session, the inflation assembly  300  may automatically shut off.  
     [0062] In one embodiment of the invention, the speed, intensity and zone(s) settings may provide progressive or programmed massages where, for example, massage speed gradually changes from high speed to low speed and then back to high speed. As another example, the applied pressure may gradually change from low intensity to high intensity and then back to low intensity. As a third example, alternate massage modes may progress through various massage zones during the massage sample. In such a program, the massage may start out massaging the foot for a predetermined period of time, and then switch to the calf for the remainder of the massage session. As a fourth example, an external control source, such as an audio input, may be provided for pressure modulation in response to, for example, music or some other rhythmic or random pattern. As explained previously, these progressive modes may be stored in a memory unit for future recall and use.  
     [0063] In one embodiment of the invention, the display panel  360  or other suitable component of the massage device  100  may include a hold input  380 . The hold input  380  may be used to provide continuous pressure (or continuous pulsating pressure) in a selected bladder or bladders upon activation by the user (e.g., pressing the “hold” key once), thereby providing concentrated action on a particular portion of the body. If the user wants to return to the previous or to “normal” operation, the “hold” key may be pressed again to do so. In addition or alternatively, the sequencing may return to the previous or to “normal” operation after a predetermined period of time after activation of the hold input  380 .  
     [0064] Referring now to FIG. 3F, a female connector portion  303  of the housing  302 , and a corresponding male connector  311  are shown. The female connector portion  303  of the housing  302  may include a number of tube accommodating openings  305  to accommodate the tubes  310  from the connector  311 . In addition, the female connector portion  303  may include a number of garment-identifying openings  306  (also referred to as “identifier openings”) which may be used to accommodate identifier posts  307  which may function to recognize the particular inflatable garment being used upon insertion of the connector  311  into the housing  302 .  
     [0065] The garment-identifying openings  306  may receive a certain number of identifier posts  307  on the connector  311  and, depending on the positioning of the posts received, the inflation assembly  300  may automatically identify the particular garment (e.g., hands, arm, neck/shoulder, foot/calf, thigh, etc.) associated with the inserted connector  311 . Different identifying patterns are shown in FIGS.  3 G- 3 M, corresponding respectively to different inflatable garments  200 . For example, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3G may correspond to the neck/shoulder garment  1200  shown in FIG. 2D, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3H may correspond to the back garment  2200  shown in FIG. 2E, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3I may correspond to may correspond to the hand garments  3200  shown in FIG. 2F, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3J may correspond to the feet garments  4200  shown in FIG. 2G, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3K may correspond to the arm garment  5200  shown in FIG. 2H, the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3L may correspond to the thigh garment  6200  shown in FIG. 21, and the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3M may correspond to the foot/calf garment  200  shown in FIG. 2A.  
     [0066] Although the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  3 F- 3 M includes up to three garment-identifying posts  307  and three corresponding identifier openings  306 , more or less posts  307  and openings  306  may be used. For example, more posts/openings would provide for a greater number of identification patterns than those discussed above. Furthermore, encoding mechanisms other than posts and/or openings are certainty possible with and contemplated by the present invention.  
     [0067] As described herein, the same inflation assembly  300  can accommodate different garments without any further modifications made thereto. This compatibility provides manufacturing ease in that only one inflation assembly  300  need be designed for a plurality of different garments. Also, a purchaser can buy the inflation assembly  300  and perhaps one garment and then later purchase other garments for use with the inflation assembly  300 .  
     [0068] A modified form of the inflation assembly  300 ′ is shown in FIG. 3N. This inflation assembly  300 ′, like the inflation assembly  300  of FIG. 3B, may include a compressor  320 , an air filter  322  (when air is used as the pressurizing medium), a manifold  324 , valves  326 A- 326 L, a microcontroller  328 , user input interface  330 , valve drivers  332 , a pressure relief valve  334 , audio and/or visual alert  336 , a display panel  338 , and a power supply  340  for providing power to relevant components, which can be the same or similar to the components of the assembly  300 .  
     [0069] In addition, the inflation assembly  300 ′ may include a manifold valve  333  positioned upstream of the bladder valves  326 A- 326 L which is switched (by the microcontroller  328 ) between an open position and a closed position. In an open position, flow of the inflation fluid from the compressor  320  to the manifold  324  is permitted (as in the inflation assembly  300  without the manifold valve  333 ) and, in the closed position, flow from the compressor  320  to the manifold  324  is prohibited. In either case, the pressure relief valve  334  limits the maximum pressure that can be developed in the manifold and therefore delivered to the garment  200 .  
     [0070] The manifold valve  333  is used to control the maximum massaging pressure level reached in the bladders  250  during the massage process. Without this valve  333 , the maximum massaging pressure level reached in the bladders is generally substantially the same (see, e.g., FIGS.  4 A- 4 C) or may generally only be altered by shortening the amount of time during which the bladder is being inflated (referred to as the “inflation interval”) by closing the respective solenoid valve  326 . (See FIG. 4D.) By closing the valve  333  at different intervals (e.g., 1, 2 or 3 seconds) the maximum pressure level may be controlled without decreasing the inflation interval of the bladder (see e.g., FIGS. 4E, 4F, and  4 G). Thus, the maximum pressure level in a bladder may be controlled by the manifold valve  333  while the inflation interval is controlled by a respective solenoid valve  326 .  
     [0071] The minimum capacity of the compressor  320  is generally defined by the largest individual bladder size that needs to be inflated during the desired massage process. Accordingly, if a garment is designed for use with an existing inflation assembly  300 / 300 ′, the garment design may be limited to using individual bladders (or combinations of simultaneously inflated sub-bladders) that do not exceed the capacity of the compressor.  
     [0072] For example, assume that the maximum bladder volume that can be inflated simultaneously is 180 cm 3  (e.g., one 180 cm 3  bladder, two 90 cm 3  sub-bladders, three 60 cm 3  sub bladders, four 45 cm 3  sub bladders, etc.) and the maximum number of bladders is twelve. With these specifications, standard bladder arrays may be defined such as, for example, the sample arrays illustrated in FIGS.  5 A- 5 G, which may be implemented in various inflatable garment designs. The sample arrays may have, for example, the following characteristics:  
                                                   Inflation Time*           Array Size   Bladder Size (cm 3 )   (sec)   Cycle Time** (sec)                                                12 × 1   180   2.70   32.4        8 × 1   180   2.70   21.6        6 × 1   180   2.70   16.2        6 × 2   90   1.35   16.2        4 × 2   90   1.35   10.8        4 × 3   60   0.90   10.8        3 × 4   45   0.45   5.4                                  
 
     [0073] As explained above, an inflation assembly  300 / 300 ′ may incorporate a “speed of massage control” that controls the rate of movement of the pressure wave through the garment. In a constant flow capacity system, this would generally function as a speed/pressure control where the speed and pressure are related. As is generally true with most human-provided massages, the faster the massaging action, the lower the pressure and the slower the massaging action the higher the pressure. Exemplary settings and corresponding specifications for such a control are set forth below:  
                                                  Air Flow   Percent Inflation of Bladder                                         Setting   Time (sec)   (cm 3 )   180 cm 3     90 cm 3     60 cm 3     45 cm 3                                                   1   0.30   20   11   22   33   44       2   0.60   40   22   44   67   89       3   0.90   60   33   67   100   100       4   1.20   80   44   89   100   100       5   1.50   100   56   100   100   100       6   1.80   120   67   100   100   100       7   2.10   140   78   100   100   100       8   2.40   160   89   100   100   100       9   2.70   180   100   100   100   100       10   3.00   200   100   100   100   100                  
 
     [0074] The time value represents the inflation interval of the bladders during the massage sequence. Depending on the garment or attachment used with the controller (the size and array of the bladders used) some of these settings will provide a satisfactory massaging action, while others may be too slow or too fast. For example, a foot/calf inflatable garment with all zones enabled may work best in settings 4-10, whereas settings 1-3 may uncomfortably develop pressure quickly in the bladders. When only one or two zones of the same garment are selected then the faster settings may be preferred, while the higher (slower) settings might be too slow or too hard.  
     [0075] More or less settings can be used to accommodate different types of garments. Also, although the exemplary tables reflects a linear relationship between setting and time, other relationships are possible with and contemplated by the present invention. Each control setting can reference a time value that is a better match for that part of the range.  
     [0076] One may further appreciate that although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment, obvious and/or equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.