Patent Publication Number: US-9839572-B2

Title: Portable therapeutic apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to therapeutic apparatuses including, physical therapy, and/or athletic training apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Following muscular injury or repetitive strain, scar tissue or disorganized collagen often forms in the body. This aberrant tissue can restrict normal range of motion and slow healing. It is often difficult, painful, and time-consuming to release these areas of adhesion. Currently, chiropractors use large, cumbersome drop mechanisms that are attached to a table to treat areas of adhesion or hands on methods that are time-consuming, painful for the patient, and often a source of repetitive strain for the treating physician. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an example, this disclosure is directed to a portable therapeutic apparatus. The portable therapeutic apparatus can include a handle, a protrusion, an adjustment element, and a resistance element. The handle may define a first slot and a second slot. The protrusion may include a first end, a second end, and an indentation proximate the first end. The first end may be slideably located inside the first slot. The adjustment element may protrude from the second slot. The resistance element may be in contact with the adjustment element and the protrusion. When the protrusion is in a first position a portion of the resistance element may rest within the indentation and may hinder movement of the protrusion within the first slot. 
     In yet another example, this disclosure is directed to a method for applying a force to a desired area of a body in order to release muscular adhesions. The method may include setting a resistance force needed to cause a protrusion protruding from a handle to slide within a slot of the handle; applying a force to the handle while the protrusion rests against the desired area of the body; and upon the force being applied to the handle exceeding the resistance force, causing the protrusion to rapidly slide from a first position within the slot to a second position within the slot. Upon the protrusion reaching the second position, the force may be applied to the desired area of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a portable therapeutic device. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a cross-section of an example of a portable therapeutic apparatus with a protrusion in a first position across section A-A of  FIG. 1A . 
         Figure 1C  shows a cross-section of an example of a portable therapeutic apparatus of  FIG. 1B  with the protrusion in a second position across section A-A of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-section of another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus across a section similar to that of section A-A of the example of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus across a section similar to that of section A-A of the example of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus across a section similar to that of section A-A of the example of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 5A  shows a cross-section of another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus and  FIG. 5B  shows a cross-section of the portable therapeutic apparatus across section  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While specific embodiments may be described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations of the specific embodiments are possible and contemplated. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the embodiments, including elements shown in the embodiments, illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. 
     Portable therapeutic apparatuses disclosed herein can provide a quick way of releasing adhesions by allowing a user to apply a stretch to the tissue that can have a mechanical effect of releasing the adhesion and also can neurologically stimulate reflex relaxation of the tissue. Use of portable therapeutic apparatuses disclosed herein can reduce the time of treatment and can confine discomfort to a very brief moment, rather than a prolonged therapy session. 
     A problem with currently used drop pieces is that most are stationary and difficult to transport as they are either attached to a table or otherwise cumbersome to transport. In order to trigger a drop, a thrust must be applied in a downward direction, which can be difficult depending on the tissue involved. Currently used drop pieces are large and stationary, requiring the person to lie down. They also limit the body areas one can treat due to the location and direction of the drops. Other manual methods for applying a stretch are painful, hard to tolerate, and are stressful to the user over time. 
     Portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure may allow the application of a force in the direction of a user&#39;s thrust, regardless of a person&#39;s body positioning. Portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure also offer portability and versatility that can make portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure both convenient and effective. Portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure are also less taxing to the user, as the portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure can be triggered by using one&#39;s body weight rather than the force of thumbs or hands. Treatment using the portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure may also be completed much quicker, thus making the treatment more tolerable. 
     Consistent with this disclosure, portable therapeutic apparatuses may include a handle having a block shape, a first hole extending centrally within the handle, a second hole extending transverse with respect to the first hole and extending into the first hole. The portable therapeutic apparatuses consistent with this disclosure may also include a rod slidably extending within the first hole, a groove extending around the inner end of the rod, and a softer tip attached to a distal end of the rod. A first ball bearing may be positioned within the second hole to selectively engage the groove in the rod. A spring positioned within the second hole may apply a biasing force to the first ball bearing to engage the groove. A second ball bearing on the opposite side of the spring may rest against a threaded insert extending into the second hole to retain the spring at a minimum level of biasing force. The threaded knob may threadably extend through the threaded insert to engage the second ball bearing thereby allowing for an increase in biasing force by the spring to the first ball bearing. In use, a user applies a downward pressure upon a location of a body with the tip of the rod engaging the location to be treated. As the downward force is applied to the body, the rod eventually pushes upwardly until the groove is no longer engaged by the first ball bearing and the handle continues downwardly to engage the top end of the rod thereby applying a quick impulse to the tissue being treated. The rod is then pulled out of the first hole until the first ball bearing engages the groove and the above process can be repeated. Throughout this disclosure, a user includes, but is not limited to any person utilizing the portable therapeutic apparatus disclosed herein. Non-limiting examples of a user include a chiropractor, a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, an athlete, a person at home or at work, a massage therapist, a veterinarian, etc. Users can use the therapeutic apparatus on themselves or on others such as patients. 
       FIGS. 1A through 1C  show an example of a portable therapeutic apparatus  100 , in accordance with this disclosure. In the example of  FIGS. 1A through 1C , the portable therapeutic apparatus  100  can include a handle  102 , a protrusion  104 , a resistance element  106 , and an adjustment element  108 . The handle  102  can include a first slot  110  and a second slot  112 . The protrusion  104  can include an indentation  114  and a cushion or end cap  116 . The resistance element  106  can include a first element  118 , an elastic element  120 , and a second element  122 . In some examples, one or both of the first and second elements  118 ,  122  can be spherical such as ball bearings. In other example configurations, one or both of the first and second elements  118 ,  122  can be differing shapes. Non-limiting shapes of the first and second elements  118 ,  122 , include, but are not limited to, conical, cylindrical, oblong, etc. In addition, the first element  118  can be a different shape than the second element  122 . The adjustment element  108  can include a threaded portion  124  (e.g., a threaded rod) connected to a cap  126 . Non-limiting examples of a slot as used herein include, but are not limited to, any opening, cavity, groove, hole or the like in the handle  102 . 
     The handle  102  can be constructed of a number of different materials. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to construct the handle  102  include, but are not limited to, woods, ceramics, metals, polymers, or any combination thereof. For example, the handle  102  can be constructed from a block of wood. For instance, the handle  102  can be constructed from a block of oak or other species of wood. 
     The handle  102  can be constructed via a number of different manufacturing techniques. For example, the handle  102  can be manufactured from a polymer that is injection molded, from a metal that is cast or forged, etc. Other methods for manufacturing the handle  102  include milling the handle  102 , regardless of the material used to form an ingot, on a computer numerically controlled (CNC) mill. For example, the ingot for the handle  102  may be manufactured by cutting blocks of wood into rectangular prisms of approximately the correct size of a finished handle. Once the ingot is formed, a CNC mill may bore the first slot  110  in a top surface, the second slot  112  in a side surface, as well as round off the edges to eliminate sharp points that could injure a user. In addition, the handle  102  can be hand crafted using hand tools such as chisels, rasps, etc. 
     In addition, the handle  102  may be custom fitted to the user. For example, a mold or other template can be created for a user&#39;s hands. The mold or template can be used to cast or otherwise form the handle  102  such that the handle  102  better conforms to the user&#39;s hands. 
     The protrusion  104  can be constructed of different materials. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to construct the protrusion  104  include, but are not limited to, woods, ceramics, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. For example, the protrusion  104  may be formed in the shape of a cylinder from a metal (such as aluminum), polymer (such as nylon), ceramic (such as clay), wood (such as oak), etc. The cylinder may or may not contain voids. For instance, as will be described with regards to  FIG. 4 , a portion of the protrusion  104  may be hollow. In addition, different protrusions may be formed of different materials to allow customization of a treatment program. For example, during a first phase of treatment a first protrusion constructed of a stiff material (i.e., a high Young&#39;s modulus) may be utilized and during a second phase of treatment a second protrusion constructed of a less stiff material (i.e., a low Young&#39;s modulus) may be utilized. 
     The protrusion  104  can be constructed in a variety of fashions. For example, the protrusion  104  can be cast, injection molded, milled on a CNC mill, turned on a lathe, etc. For instance, the protrusion  104  can be constructed of a polymer by injection molding. The indentation  114  can be formed at a first end of the protrusion  104  during the injection molding process. Furthermore, the protrusion  104  can be constructed of a polymer rod and the indentation  114  can be cut into the polymer rod on a lathe. The cushion  116  can simply slip over a second end of the protrusion  104 . The cushion  116  can be constructed of materials such as, but not limited to, rubber, ceramics, polymers, etc. 
     The indentation  114  can take many shapes. For instance, the indentation  114  can be a dimple located on the protrusion  104  or the indentation  114  can be a groove covering the full or a partial circumference of the protrusion  104 . In addition, while  FIGS. 1B and 1C  shows a single indentation in the form of a groove around the entire circumference of the protrusion  104 , multiple indentations can be formed on the surface of the protrusion  104 . The multiple indentations can be the same size and shape or can be different sizes and shapes. For example, a first indentation may be a first groove having a first dimension and a second indentation may be a second groove having a second dimension. Furthermore, a first indentation may be a dimple located on the surface of the protrusion  104  and a second indentation may be a groove. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , when the protrusion  104  is in a first position, a portion of the resistance element  106  can rest within a portion of the indentation  114 . The portion of the resistance element  106  resting within the indentation  114  can hinder the protrusion  104  from freely moving within the first slot  110 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , a portion of the first element  118  can rest within a portion of the indentation  114 . The amount of force needed to move the protrusion  104  within the first slot  110  is dependent upon factors including, but not limit to, how much of the resistance element  106  rests within the indentation  114 , the amount of force the resistance element  106  applies to the protrusion  104 , the sizes of the indentation  114  and the resistance element  106 , the shapes of the indentation  114  and the resistance element  106 , etc. 
     The resistance element  106  can be constructed from a variety of materials and in a number of fashions. As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the resistance element  106  can include the first element  118 , the elastic element  120 , and the second element  122 . However, the resistance element  106  could include only the elastic element  120 . For example, the elastic element  120  could be constructed of an elastic material such that force applied to the elastic element  120 , via the adjustment element  108  for example, can be translated into a force that can be applied to a portion of the indentation  114  contacted by the elastic element  120 . For instance, the elastic element  120  can be made of a material with a low poisson ratio (e.g., cork) and when a force is applied to the elastic element  120  in an axial direction very little radial deformation occurs and the force applied to the elastic element  120  can be translated to the indentation  114 . In addition, materials with high poisson ratios (e.g. rubber) can also be used as the elastic element  120 . For example, the elastic element  120  may include a rubber portion that can be encased within a sleeve (not shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C ) that can slide within the second slot  112 . When a force is applied to the elastic element  120  in an axial direction the radial expansion of the rubber portion of the elastic element  120  can be constrained by the sleeve and the force can be directed to the protrusion  104 . 
     In addition to materials such as cork and rubber, springs may be used as the elastic element  120 . The elastic element  120  can also be selected from a plurality of elastic elements. For instance, the elastic element  120  can be a compression spring that is selected from a plurality of compression springs. In some example configurations, each of the compression springs can have a different spring constant. The differing spring constants can allow the user to select a compression spring that can result in a higher or lower force being required to be applied to the handle  102  in order to cause the protrusion  104  to traverse within the first slot  110 . 
     A single elastic element can be used to customize the force required to cause the protrusion  104  to traverse within the first slot  110 . For example, the elastic element  120  can be a compression spring located between the first element  118  and the second element  122 . To increase or decrease the force required to cause protrusion  104  to move, the user can rotate the cap  126  clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively, to compress or decompress the elastic element  120 . 
     During use, a user may wish to apply a given pressure to an area of a person&#39;s body using the portable therapeutic apparatus  100 . During using the user can set a first desired pressure by adjusting the adjustment element  108 . More specifically, the user can turn the cap  126  to cause the threaded rod  124  to move into or out of the handle  102  as indicated by arrow  128 . The threaded rod  124  may include markings that are calibrated to result in given forces being required to cause the protrusion  104  to move. For instance, to apply the first desired pressure, the user may rotate the cap  126  until a first marking located on the threaded rod  124  is proximate the handle  102 . The user may then place the second end of the protrusion  104  on the desired area to be treated. Once the protrusion  104  is in contact with the desired area to be treated, the user can apply a force to the handle  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , when the force applied to the handle  102  exceeds the first desired force, the first indentation  114  can force the first element  118  from the indentation  114  and into the second slot  112 . Once the first element  118  clears the indentation  114 , the protrusion  104  can move toward the top of the handle  102  within the first slot as indicated by arrow  130 . As the handle  102  travels towards the protrusion  104 , force against the portion of the body being treated lessens until the protrusion  104  reaches the bottom of the first slot  110 . Upon the protrusion  104  reaching the bottom of the first slot  110 , the handle  102  can impact, as shown in  FIG. 1C , the protrusion  104 . The impact can result in an impact force being applied to the desired area of the body. In other words, the handle  102  impacting the protrusion  104  can result in a temporary spike in the force being applied to the desired area of the body. The temporary spike in the force can aid in stretching muscle fibers and otherwise assist in treating the person. 
     To apply a second desired force, the user can adjust the adjustment element  108  (e.g., by rotating the cap  126 ) such that a second marking that indicates the second desired force is adjacent the handle  102 . Upon repositioning the adjustment element  108 , the user can repeat the stages outlined above to apply the second desired pressure to the desired area (or another area) of the body. 
       FIG. 2  shows another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus  200 . The portable therapeutic apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is similar, in both design and construction, to the portable therapeutic apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C . The difference is that centerlines for the first slot  110  and the second slot  112  in  FIGS. 1A through 1C  are orthogonal to one another, and in  FIG. 2 , a first centerline  202  for the first slot  110  and a second centerline  204  for the second slot  112  are non-orthogonal. In other words, in various embodiments consistent with this disclosure the second centerline  204  can intersect the first centerline  202  at an angle θ. Having the second slot  112  intersect the first slot  110  at an angle (e.g., θ) can allow for greater precision in setting the desired force needed to cause the indentation  114  to push the first element  118  into the second slot  112  and thus, allow the protrusion  104  of travel within the first slot  110 . The greater precision is a result of the force applied by the user needed to cause movement of the first element  118  being proportional to cos(θ). 
       FIG. 3  shows another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus  300 . The portable therapeutic apparatus  300  shown in  FIG. 3  is similar to the portable therapeutic apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C  and the portable therapeutic apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . The difference is that a handle  302  shown in  FIG. 3  is spherical in shape. The spherical shape of the handle  302  can allow for easier gripping of the handle  302  by the user. The operation and construction of the portable therapeutic apparatus  300  is similar to the operation of the portable therapeutic apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C  and the portable therapeutic apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a portable therapeutic apparatus  400 . The portable therapeutic apparatus  400  includes a handle  402 , a protrusion  404 , and a resistance element  406 . The handle  402  can be constructed and customized as described above with respect to the handle  102 . In addition, the handle  402  can be constructed of materials just as the handle  102 . In addition, the handle  402  can have shapes similar to those shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as well as other shapes such as, but not limited to, oblong and cylindrical. The protrusion  404  can be constructed and customized as described above with respect to the protrusion  104 . In addition, the protrusion  404  can be constructed of materials just as the protrusion  104 . 
     The resistance element  406  includes a slip element  408  and an extension element  410 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the slip element  408  includes a first element  418 , a first elastic element  420 , a second element  422 , and a second elastic element  424 . The first element  418  and the second element  422  may be spherical, conical, oblong, cylindrical, etc. While  FIG. 4  shows the second element  422  and the second elastic element  424 , embodiments can be practiced without the second element  422  and the second elastic element  424 . The first elastic element  420  and the second elastic element  424  can be constructed in a similar fashion as the elastic element  120  described above. 
     The extension element  410  can be a tension spring or a compression spring that is selected from a plurality of tension springs or compression springs. During operation, the extension element  410  acts to counter the force applied by the user. For example, a stiff compression spring can cause the user to have to apply a greater force to the handle  402  in order to get the handle  402  to travel within a first slot  412 . In other words, the force exerted by the resistance element  406  can remain constant regardless of the extension element  410  used. However, because a stiffer extension element  410  (e.g., a stiffer compression spring) can push back on the handle  402 , the user may have to apply a force great enough to overcome the force exerted by the resistance element  410  plus the force of the extension element  410 . Thus, once the handle  402  is able to travel within the first slot  412 , the user may be applying a greater force to the handle  402  than if the user were using a less stiff extension element  410 , or no extension element  410 . To change the extension element  410 , the user can remove a cap  426  and replace the extension element  410  that can fit within a hollow portion of the protrusion  404 . In embodiments without a hollow protrusion, the extension element  410  can fit against an end portion of the protrusion  404 . The extension element  410  also serves to provide resistance against the movement of the protrusion  404  when sliding in the first slot  412 . This can be beneficial with certain individuals. An extension element can also be used with the embodiments shown in the other figures. For example, with regard to  FIGS. 1A through 1C , an extension element can be located between the bottom of the first slot  110  and the end of the protrusion  104  in the first slot  110 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show another example of a portable therapeutic apparatus  500 . The portable therapeutic apparatus  500  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is similar to the portable therapeutic apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C , the portable therapeutic apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , and the portable therapeutic apparatus  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . However,  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an adjustment element  508  that can be internal to the handle  102 . The adjustment element  508  can include a threaded rod  524  that can be internal to the handle  102  and move within the second slot  112 . Movement of the threaded rod  524  can be controlled by rotation of a wheel  526 . One or more grooves  530  can be milled into the handle  102  such that a portion of the wheel  526  is exposed. 
     During use, a user can rotate the wheel  526  to cause the threaded rod  524  to move within the second slot  112  as indicated by arrow  528 . To keep the threaded rod  524  from rotating when the wheel  526  is rotated, a key  532  can project from a surface of the second slot  112 . The key  532  can slide within a keyway  534  formed in the threaded rod  524 . The wheel  526  can include markings that are calibrated to result in given forces being required to cause the protrusion  104  to move. For instance, to apply the first desired pressure, the user may rotate the wheel  526  until a first marking located on the wheel  526  is visible in the groove  530 . The first marking may correlate the first desired pressure into a force required to cause movement of the protrusion  104 . 
     While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. While the specification includes examples, the invention&#39;s scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples for embodiments of the invention.