Abstract:
A therapeutic bandage including a therapeutic surface having massage projections for contacting and massaging the body part to be treated. The therapeutic bandage is removably secured to the wearer by way of a closure element.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a therapeutic bandage having at least one therapeutic surface for a body part to be treated with massaging projections arranged on said therapeutic surface and pointing in the direction of the body part to be treated, said therapeutic bandage being removably secured to said body part by means of a closure element. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     DE-A-196 11 888 discloses a support bandage which has a double wall and which, in the use state, fits tightly around the body to be supported, said bandage being able to be prestressed by means of tightening straps which are connected to a fairly large section of bandage, which lies opposite the wearer&#39;s back in the wearing position, and which tightening straps prestress the support part and are made of a material which generates prestressing, for example rubber, plastic or the like. 
     In addition, DE-C-197 25 648 discloses a flexible orthopedic bandage which, in the open state, can be placed around a body part and can then be closed by means of a quick-closure element. In the area of the quick-closure element, the bandage has a means for temporarily stiffening this area during opening and/or closing of the bandage. 
     The aforementioned bandages are used only to support a weakened body part. Additional treatment of this body part is not possible. For the latter purpose, massage articles are normally used, for example brushes, balls, gloves and the like, with which the body part to be treated is massaged if necessary. The use of these massage articles, however, is often a strain for the user and is therefore limited to a relatively short time span. Body areas which are difficult to reach, for example certain parts of the back, can only be treated with the help of another person. 
     Moreover, DE 42 19 698 A1 discloses a therapeutic bandage for exerting pressure on a body part, with at least one pressure contact surface which can be applied to the relevant body part, and with at least one holding device for fixing the pressure contact surface under a static pressure. The pressure contact surface has individual spheres as massage projections which are embedded in a silicone composition in order to transmit forces. The massage projections can be acted upon by muscle force in order to generate reaction forces acting substantially directly on the body part concerned. The portions of the massage projections protruding from the silicone composition have the shape of rounded knobs. 
     In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,803 discloses a therapeutic bandage which is to be removably fixed by means of a closure element on a body part to be treated. To stimulate the body part, the therapeutic bandage is provided with rounded massage projections which come to rest on the body part to be treated. 
     Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,558 and WO 97/49306 disclose an item of clothing which has massage projections which come to rest on a body part to be massaged. 
     In addition, FR-A-1 367 724 discloses a massage bandage with a hollow space for a therapeutic agent. DE 82 289 C discloses a therapeutic bandage which can be acted upon with stimulating current in the area of massage projections. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,749 discloses a therapeutic bandage designed as a flat bandage with massage projections. 
     Finally, health plasters are known which are applied to the body part to be treated and release a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is used up after a certain period, and the health plaster needs to be replaced with a new one, when necessary. As a result of the skin not tolerating an adhesive arranged on the health plaster, its use often leads to an allergic reaction of the body part to be treated. 
     It is an object of the invention to make available a therapeutic bandage which is of the type indicated at the outset and which permits targeted and prolonged massage therapy of a body part. 
     According to the invention, the object is achieved by the fact that the massage projections are designed as brushes. 
     The massage projections designed as brushes exert their therapeutic action throughout the period of time in which the therapeutic bandage is secured on the body part to be treated. The massage takes place without tiring the person wearing the therapeutic bandage and also without the help of other persons, in other words only by the movements which the wearer makes while wearing the therapeutic bandage, the use of brushes ensuring a relatively large surface area of contact with the body part to be treated. The action of the brushes can be adjusted by specific choice of the hardness of the bristles. If the therapeutic bandage has been applied correctly, only the moved body parts are massaged, for which reason irritation caused by the massage projections can be almost completely excluded. To support the action of the brushes, a therapeutic agent can also be applied manually either directly on the skin or onto the brushes, and this therapeutic agent is massaged into the skin as the therapeutic agent is being worn. 
     Alternatively, in the case of a therapeutic bandage with at least one therapeutic surface for a body part to be treated, on which there are massage projections pointing in the direction of the body part to be treated, and the therapeutic bandage is fixed removably on the body part by means of a closure element, and in which the massage projections are designed as rounded knobs, the object is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that an acupuncture tip is arranged on the summit of the knob. 
     The acupuncture tip ensures an intensive stimulation of certain areas of the body part to be treated. 
     Each knob is preferably designed to be stiff, at least in the area of its summit. Because of the stiff design of the summit of the knob, it is possible to achieve a strong punctiform massage with a deep penetrating action. 
     In order to prevent painful pressing or sliding of the summit of the knob on the skin, an elastic transition area is expediently provided between the summit of the knob and the therapeutic surface. The elastic transition area ensures an at all times pleasant contact pressure of the summit of the knob on the body part to be treated. 
     An outer wall is preferably assigned to the therapeutic surface for the purpose of forming a hollow space which is provided with an inlet/outlet for a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent conveyed through the hollow space, for example warm water, intensifies the action of the therapeutic bandage. In addition to the stimulation by the massage projections, the body part to be treated is also relaxed by the warmth radiating through the therapeutic surface. 
     To allow a therapeutic agent in the form of an ointment, massage oil or the like to pass from the hollow space onto the skin of the body part to be treated, each knob or each brush is preferably assigned an outflow opening for the therapeutic agent connected to the hollow space. The therapeutic agent present in the hollow space is thus continuously removed from the knob or brush and massaged into the skin. 
     Each knob or brush is expediently mounted in the wall of the therapeutic surface. Each knob or brush is advantageously provided with a holder which comprises a sphere segment formed integrally on the underside of the knob or brush, a holder attachment directed coaxially away from the sphere segment and bearing a sealing cone, and a pressure cone connected to the sealing cone, where, in an unstressed state of the knob or brush, and as a result of a spring mat acting on the pressure cone, the sealing cone bears on a sealing seat of the therapeutic surface pointing in the direction of the outer wall, the holder attachment is received with play in a connecting bore, and the sphere segment lies in the therapeutic surface, spaced apart from a knob seat. In this way, in the unstressed state of the knob or brush, it is possible to ensure sealing of the therapeutic surface relative to the hollow space using a small number of component parts. At the same time, in the stressed state of the knob or brush, a passage is freed for the therapeutic agent to pass from the hollow space through the connecting bore to the therapeutic surface, and the contact pressure of the knob or brush is determined principally by the spring mat. 
     According to an advantageous development of the inventive concept, the knobs are part of an elastic sheet of knobs secured on the therapeutic surface, each knob being assigned a channel opening into the hollow space. This permits inexpensive production of the therapeutic bandage since the sheet of knobs together with the knobs is a single part which is produced in one production process and is secured on the therapeutic bandage. Through the channel opening into the hollow space, the stiffness of the knobs is determined as a function of the controllable pressure prevailing in the hollow space. 
     A valve is expediently fitted in the channel. The valve prevents an independent change of pressure within the associated knob. The valve is advantageously spring-loaded or designed with a locking device. The spring-loaded valve permits pressure-dependent filling of the associated knob. By contrast, permanent opening of the valve is ensured by means of the locking device. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, electrodes are provided in the area of the knobs and can be fed with stimulating current via supply lines. This provides for a combination of different therapeutic measures by which rapid healing is often achieved. For example, a therapeutic agent can be massaged into the skin by means of the knobs and at the same time treatment with stimulating current can be effected. 
     By being expediently designed as a flat bandage, it is possible for the therapeutic bandage to cover a relatively large body part to be treated, for example the chest or back. According to a further development of the invention, a therapeutic bandage which is particularly comfortable for the wearer and covers a large surface area is made available by designing it as a waistcoat, trousers or sleeve. 
     As the aim is to allow the therapeutic bandage to be fitted with minimum effort, the closure element is advantageously designed as a buttonhole strip cooperating with at least one button, or as a Velcro® closure. 
     It will be appreciated that the aforementioned features and those still to be discussed below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a view of a therapeutic bandage according to the invention in a first embodiment, 
     FIG. 2 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a first alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 3 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a second alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 4 shows a view according to FIG. 1 in a third alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the embodiment according to FIG. 4, 
     FIG. 6 shows a view of a cross section along the line VI—VI according to FIG. 2, 
     FIG. 7 shows a view of a cross section along the line VI—VI according to FIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a detail VIII according to FIG. 6 in an alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in a first alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in a second alternative embodiment, 
     FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of a detail IX according to FIG. 7 in a third alternative embodiment, and 
     FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of a detail XII according to FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a therapeutic bandage  1  which is designed as a waistcoat  2 , is adapted to the body shape of the wearer, and is held together via four closure elements  3  in the front area. The closure elements  3  are each designed as a buttonhole strip  4  cooperating with a button  5  fitted on the waistcoat  2 , which is how the waistcoat  2  can be adapted to different body sizes. The waistcoat  2  is moreover provided with two armholes  7  and, when closed, has a neck opening  8  and a waist opening  9 , said waist opening  9  being formed by a waistband  10  from which there emerge an inlet/outlet  11  for a therapeutic agent and a supply line  13  for supplying a stimulating current. The entire inner area of the waistcoat  2  forms a therapeutic surface  73  on which massage projections  29  designed as knobs  6  point in the direction of the body part  76  to be treated. 
     The therapeutic bandage  1  shown in FIG. 2 is a sleeve  14  which is fixed on the body part  76  to be treated by way of a closure element  3  designed as a Velcro® closure  15 . The inlet/outlet  11 , surrounded by a common sheath, and the supply lines  13  are incorporated in the area of a Velcro® tape  16  of the Velcro® closure  15 . On the inwardly directed therapeutic surface  73  of the sleeve  14 , rounded knobs  6  are once again arranged in staggered rows  17 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a therapeutic bandage  1  which is designed as a flat bandage  18  and has a triangular shape, with closure elements  3  arranged via articulations  75  at its corners, by means of which closure elements  3  the flat bandage  18  is fixed on the body. By means of the articulations  75 , the closure elements  3  can be pivoted in a direction adapted to the body. Rounded knobs  6  are arranged on the inwardly directed therapeutic surface  73  pointing in the direction of the body part  76  to be treated. The inlet/outlet  11  for the therapeutic agent and the supply lines  13  for the stimulating current are assigned to a reverse outer wall  32  of the therapeutic bandage  1 . 
     The therapeutic bandage  1  according to FIG. 4, when closed, is in the form of trousers  19 . The trousers  19  are fixed by means of the closure elements  3 , said closure elements  3  being Velcro® closures  15  on the trouser leg  20  and buttonhole strips  4  in the lower back area  21 . To form the Velcro® closures  15 , external Velcro® tapes  16  are provided on each trouser leg  20  and cooperate with a fleece tape  27  arranged on a support band  28 . Each trouser leg  20  is designed as a leg sleeve  24  which joins directly to the lower back area  21  and carries the knobs  6  on the therapeutic surface  73 . The therapeutic surface  73  of the lower back area  21  is likewise provided with rounded knobs  6 , leaving a vertebral column area  22  free. Incorporated between the lower back area  21  and the trouser legs  20  there are cuttings  23  which make it possible to adapt the trousers  19  to different body shapes. The lower back area  21  has, like the trouser legs  20 , in each case two inlets/outlets  11  and supply lines  13  for supplying stimulating current. The inlet/outlet  11  and the supply line  13  are joined to form a common connection  25  and communicate with a supply device (not shown) for the therapeutic agent and the stimulating current. 
     In the view of the trousers  19  according to FIG. 5, the therapeutic surface  73  provided with knobs  6  and indicated by cross-hatching is divided into several fields  26 , each field  26  being provided with two spaced-apart electrodes  74  which communicate with supply lines  13  for the transfer of the stimulating current. The electrodes  74  can in this case be provided in a wall  30  of the therapeutic surface either alone or in addition to the knobs  6 . 
     According to the cross section through the therapeutic bandage  1  illustrated in FIG. 6, the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73  carrying the knobs  6  is fixed to the outer wall  32  of the therapeutic bandage  1  by means of Velcro® connections  31 . On the side directed toward the body part  76  to be treated, the knobs  6  have a stiffly configured summit  33 . In a transition area  34  between the summit  33  of the knob  6  and the therapeutic surface  73 , the knob  6  is elastic. When the therapeutic bandage  1  is in the applied state, the elastic transition area  34  provides a certain mobility of the summit  33  of the knob  6  initiated by the body movement of the person wearing the therapeutic bandage  1 , giving a corresponding massage effect, and ensures that the summit  33  is restored to position when the therapeutic bandage  1  is not in the applied state. 
     In the therapeutic bandage  1  according to FIG. 7, the outer wall  32  is assigned to the therapeutic surface  73  in order to form a hollow space  35 . Here, the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73  is sealed all round onto the outer wall  32  of the therapeutic bandage  1 , and the outer wall  32  is provided with an inlet/outlet  11  for a therapeutic agent. By arranging a further inlet/outlet (not shown) in the outer wall  32 , it is possible to convey the therapeutic agent in a circulation through the hollow space  35 . 
     According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the massage projections  29  of the therapeutic bandage  1  are designed as brushes  36  and are secured on the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73 . At the center of each of the brushes  36  there is an outflow opening  12  in the wall  30 , through which a therapeutic agent introduced via the inlet/outlet  11  into the hollow space  35  is conveyed onto the skin of the body surface to be treated. The wetting of the skin is dependent on the diameter of the outflow opening  12  and on the pressure of the therapeutic agent in the hollow space  35 . 
     The view according to FIG. 10 shows knobs  6  which are component parts of an elastic sheet  37  of knobs secured sealingly on the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73 . Depending on the elasticity of the sheet  37  of knobs and on the pressure prevailing in the hollow space  35 , knobs  6  of greater or lesser size and stiffness are formed, as is indicated by the broken lines. The elastic transition area  34  is present between the summit  33  of the knob  6 , provided with a thickening  38 , and the therapeutic surface  73 . 
     At the center of each knob  6 , a channel  39  opening into the hollow space  35  is incorporated in the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73 , which channel  39  permits passage of the therapeutic agent out of the hollow space  35  and into the knob  6 . A valve  40  is fitted in the channel  39  for the purpose of opening and closing it, said valve  40  comprising a valve tube  41  with a shoulder  42  at each end, said shoulders  42  receiving between them the wall  30 , the hollow space  35  and the outer wall  32 . Fitted in the valve tube  41  there is a valve plunger  43  which, in order to provide a seal relative to the valve tube  41 , has two spaced-apart O-ring seals  45  arranged in corresponding grooves  44 . The O-rings seals  45  slide along the tube wall  46  of the valve tube  41  and close/open a passage between the hollow space  35  and the valve tube  41  or between the hollow space  35  and the associated knob  6 , which is produced via two bores  47  incorporated in the valve tube  41 . 
     In the closed state of the valve  40  in which the passage between the hollow space  35  and the associated knob  6  is blocked, the valve plunger  43  plunges completely into the channel  39  and a limit stop member  48  of the valve plunger  43  comes to bear on the associated shoulder  42  of the valve tube  41 . The O-rings seals  45  arranged on the valve plunger  43  here enclose between them the bores  47  incorporated in the channel  39 . A button  49  is formed integrally on the limit stop member  48  of the valve plunger  43 , with interposition of a cut-in  50 . Arranged on the outer wall  32  of the therapeutic bandage  1  there is an elastic mat  51  which is provided with a number of holes  52  corresponding to the number of valves  40 , and a cut-in  50  of an associated valve  40  lies in each hole  52 . On account of the prestressing of the elastic mat  51 , the valves  40  are at all times situated in the closed state, for which reason there is a constant pressure inside the knob  6 . 
     To change the pressure prevailing in the knob  6 , the valve plunger  43  is withdrawn from the valve tube  41  until the O-ring seal  45  directed toward the knob  6  frees the bores  47  and the therapeutic agent can pass from the hollow space  35  into the knob  6 . The valve  40  is opened by means of gripping the button  49  counter to the restoring force exerted by the mat  51  on the limit stop member  48 . After the button  49  is released, the valve  40  is automatically restored to the closed state. The valve  40  can also be assigned a locking device (not shown) which holds the valve  40  in the opened position. Thus, a change of pressure inside the hollow space  35  acts directly on the associated knob  6 . 
     The knobs  6  shown in FIG. 11 are of solid design and are mounted in the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73  by means of a holder  53 . The holder  53  includes a sphere segment  54  formed integrally on the underside of the knob  6 , a holder attachment  55  coaxially adjoining the sphere segment  54  and bearing a sealing cone  57 , and a pressure cone  56  which adjoins the sealing cone  57 . The sealing cone  57  is integrally formed on the holder attachment  55  via its smallest diameter  58 , which corresponds to that of the holder attachment  55 , and its diameter increases in the direction away from the knob  6 . At the greatest diameter  59  of the sealing cone  57 , the pressure cone  56  joins it with the same diameter, which pressure cone  56  has the shape of a frustum of a cone with a rounded tip  60 . A knob seat  61  is set into the wall  30  of the therapeutic surface  73 , in which knob seat  61  the sphere segment  54  lies with play. Coaxially adjoining the knob seat  61  there is a connecting bore  62  which receives the holder attachment  55  with play. In the direction away from the knob seat  61 , the wall  30  has a sealing seat  63  with an inclination which corresponds to the inclination of the sealing cone  57  of the knob holder  53 . On that side of the wall  30  directed away from the therapeutic surface  73  is the hollow space  35  which is delimited by a spring mat  64  arranged parallel to the wall  30 . The spring mat  64  profiled in cross section corresponds to the outer wall  32  of the therapeutic bandage  1  and acts on the knob holder  53 . In the area of each pressure cone  56 , the spring mat  64  has an indentation  65 , the wall  66  of the spring mat  64  in the area of the indentation  65  being additionally narrowed by a depression  67  lying opposite the indentation  65 , in order to permit an easy inward springing movement of the knob  6  upon loading. To fit the knob  6 , the sealing cone  57  of the holder attachment  55  is forced through the elastically widening connecting bore  62 . After the large diameter  59  of the sealing cone  57  has passed through, the connecting bore  62  is restored to position, after which the knob  6  is held safely in the wall  30 . 
     By means of the action of the spring mat  64 , the pressure cone  56  is forced into the sealing cone  57 , and the connecting bore  62  is closed relative to the hollow space  35 . If the knob  6  is now subjected to loading in the axial direction by a body part  76  to be treated, the knob  6  is forced partially into the knob seat  61  counter to the action of the spring mat  64 . In this way, the sealing cone  57  moves away from the pressure cone  56 , and the connecting bore  62  is opened, for which reason a therapeutic agent can flow out of the hollow space  35  and wet the skin of the body part  76  to be treated. As the load on the knob  6  increases, the sphere segment  54  comes to bear on the surrounding edge  68  of the connecting bore  62  and seals relative to the connecting bore  62 . If, in this position of the knob  6 , therapeutic agent is to escape from the hollow space  35 , the sphere segment  54  must be provided with axially extending furrows. If the knob  6  is subjected to a non-axially oriented load by the body part  76  to be treated, it tilts in the bearing between the pressure cone  56  and the sealing cone  57  until the sphere segment  54  comes to bear partially in the knob seat  61 . In this process, the connecting bore  62  is partially freed and the therapeutic agent can flow out of the hollow space  35 . If there is no load acting on the knobs  6 , the holder attachments  55  are restored to their position as a result of the spring action of the mat  51  and the connecting bores  62  are closed. 
     FIG. 12 shows a considerable enlargement of the summit  33  of the knob  6 , from the center of which an acupuncture tip  69  issues. The acupuncture tip  69  comprises a ball  72  which is integrally formed on a shaft  70 , said shaft  70  being connected to the summit  33  via a radius  71 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 List of reference numbers 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Therapeutic bandage 
               
               
                 2 
                 Waistcoat 
               
               
                 3 
                 Closure element 
               
               
                 4 
                 Buttonhole strip 
               
               
                 5 
                 Button 
               
               
                 6 
                 Knob 
               
               
                 7 
                 Armhole 
               
               
                 8 
                 Neck opening 
               
               
                 9 
                 Waist opening 
               
               
                 10 
                 Waistband 
               
               
                 11 
                 Inlet/outlet 
               
               
                 12 
                 Outflow opening 
               
               
                 13 
                 Supply line 
               
               
                 14 
                 Sleeve 
               
               
                 15 
                 Velcro closure 
               
               
                 16 
                 Velcro tape 
               
               
                 17 
                 Row 
               
               
                 18 
                 Flat bandage 
               
               
                 19 
                 Trousers 
               
               
                 20 
                 Trouser leg 
               
               
                 21 
                 Lower back area 
               
               
                 22 
                 Vertebral column area 
               
               
                 23 
                 Cutting 
               
               
                 24 
                 Leg sleeve 
               
               
                 25 
                 Connection 
               
               
                 26 
                 Field 
               
               
                 27 
                 Fleece tape 
               
               
                 28 
                 Support band 
               
               
                 29 
                 Massage projection 
               
               
                 30 
                 Wall 
               
               
                 31 
                 Velcro connection 
               
               
                 32 
                 Outer wall 
               
               
                 33 
                 Summit 
               
               
                 34 
                 Transition area 
               
               
                 35 
                 Hollow space 
               
               
                 36 
                 Brush 
               
               
                 37 
                 Sheet of knobs 
               
               
                 38 
                 Thickening 
               
               
                 39 
                 Channel 
               
               
                 40 
                 Valve 
               
               
                 41 
                 Valve tube 
               
               
                 42 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 43 
                 Valve plunger 
               
               
                 44 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 45 
                 O-ring seal 
               
               
                 46 
                 Tube wall 
               
               
                 47 
                 Bore 
               
               
                 48 
                 Limit stop 
               
               
                 49 
                 Button 
               
               
                 50 
                 Cut-in 
               
               
                 51 
                 Mat 
               
               
                 52 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 53 
                 Knob holder 
               
               
                 54 
                 Sphere segment 
               
               
                 55 
                 Holder attachment 
               
               
                 56 
                 Pressure cone 
               
               
                 57 
                 Sealing cone 
               
               
                 58 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                 59 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                 60 
                 Tip 
               
               
                 61 
                 Knob seat 
               
               
                 62 
                 Connecting bore 
               
               
                 63 
                 Sealing seat 
               
               
                 64 
                 Spring mat 
               
               
                 65 
                 Indentation 
               
               
                 66 
                 Wall 
               
               
                 67 
                 Depression 
               
               
                 68 
                 Edge 
               
               
                 69 
                 Acupuncture tip 
               
               
                 70 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 71 
                 Radius 
               
               
                 72 
                 Ball 
               
               
                 73 
                 Therapeutic surface 
               
               
                 74 
                 Electrode 
               
               
                 75 
                 Articulation 
               
               
                 76 
                 Body part