Abstract:
There is disclosed herein a massaging device ( 10 ) for a limb having a distal end and a proximal end. The massaging device ( 10 ) includes a garment ( 12 ) configured to be worn on the limb, the garment including two or more inflatable bladders ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ) arrangeable in series between the distal and proximal ends of the limb, with each of the bladders ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ) substantially surrounding at least a portion of the limb. The massaging device ( 10 ) further includes a pressuriser ( 38 ) for supplying pressurised fluid to the bladders ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ). The massaging device ( 10 ) further includes a controller ( 40, 42 ) connected to the pressuriser ( 38 ) and configured to sequentially distribute the pressurised fluid to each bladder ( 24, 26, 28, 30 ) for inflation from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder such that a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end is exerted on said portion of the limb.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a massaging device for a limb. 
         [0002]    The present invention has been developed primarily for use in massaging a leg. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is also suitable for massaging an arm. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    As blood in the veins of a limb (e.g. leg or arm) generally flows in an upward direction (i.e. against gravity) back to the heart, mechanical forces from the movement of surrounding muscles are required to assist with the blood flow. Similarly, the lymphatic system in the limb also requires movement of surrounding muscles to assist with the movement of the lymphatic fluid towards the torso. However, sitting or standing still for extended periods of time (e.g. during airplane or bus travel) can allow blood and lymphatic fluid to pool in the limb and thus increase the risk of developing health issues such as deep vein/venous thrombosis (DVT) and edema. 
         [0004]    In an attempt to prevent the development of DVT and/or edema during extended periods of non-movement, compression hosieries are worn. Compression hosieries are designed to exert a substantially static pressure onto parts or all of the legs such that circulation of blood/lymphatic fluid is promoted. 
         [0005]    However, there are questions as to the efficacy of compression hosieries in promoting blood/lymphatic fluid circulation and consequently preventing the development of DVT and/or edema. Moreover, the improper use of these compression hosieries can sometimes lead to other complications such as pressure ulcers, arterial occlusion and gangrene. Further, compression hosieries are often quite difficult to wear, requiring substantial force to pull them into proper position on the leg(s). Still further, compression hosieries often lose their ability to compress after extensive use. 
       OBJECT OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    There is disclosed herein a massaging device for a limb having a distal end and a proximal end, the massaging device including:
       a garment configured to be worn on the limb, the garment including two or more inflatable bladders arrangeable in series between the distal and proximal ends of the limb, with each of the bladders substantially surrounding at least a portion of the limb;   a pressuriser for supplying pressurised fluid to the bladders; and   a controller connected to the pressuriser and configured to sequentially distribute the pressurised fluid to each bladder for inflation from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder such that a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end is exerted on said portion of the limb.       
 
         [0011]    The controller preferably is further configured to release the pressurised fluid from each bladder after inflation. 
         [0012]    The controller preferably is configured to sequentially and repeatedly distribute the pressurised fluid to each bladder for inflation from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder such that a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end is repeatedly exerted on said portion of the limb. The controller is further configured to release the pressurised fluid from each bladder after inflation and prior to distributing the pressurised fluid to the bladder next in the sequence. 
         [0013]    The controller preferably comprises a timer and a sequential pressure distributor, the timer being configured to measure at least a predetermined amount of time, the sequential pressure distributor being connected to the pressuriser and configured to sequentially connect to each bladder from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder for the distribution of the pressurised fluid, and wherein the distributor connects to the bladder next in the sequence when the predetermined amount of time is measured by the timer. 
         [0014]    The pressuriser preferably comprises an air pump for supplying pressurised air to the bladders. 
         [0015]    The bladders preferably are substantially parallel to each other. 
         [0016]    Each bladder preferably is substantially adjacent to at least another bladder. 
         [0017]    Each bladder preferably is formed from flat rubber or surgical tubing. 
         [0018]    Each bladder preferably has a radius of at least 2.54 cm when inflated. 
         [0019]    The two or more inflatable bladders preferably are four inflatable bladders. 
         [0020]    The two or more inflatable bladders preferably are six inflatable bladders. 
         [0021]    The garment preferably includes a first end and a second end with a plurality of hooks and a plurality of corresponding loops respectively thereon, wherein the hooks and loops allow removable attachment of the garment to the limb. 
         [0022]    The massaging device preferably further comprises a power supply configured to power the pressuriser and the controller. 
         [0023]    The power supply preferably comprises a battery. 
         [0024]    The power supply preferably comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection for receiving power from an external source. 
         [0025]    There is also disclosed herein a method of massaging a limb having a distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising:
       providing a massaging device including a garment, the garment having two or more inflatable bladders;   wearing the garment on the limb such that the bladders are arranged in series between the distal and proximal ends of the limb, with each of the bladders substantially surrounding at least a portion of the limb; and   sequentially inflating the bladders from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder such that a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end is exerted on said portion of the limb.       
 
         [0029]    The bladders preferably are sequentially and repeatedly inflated from the distal-most bladder to the proximal-most bladder such that a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end is repeatedly exerted on said portion of the limb. 
         [0030]    The method preferably further comprises deflating one of the bladders that has been inflated prior to inflating the bladder next in the sequence. 
         [0031]    The method preferably further comprises measuring a predetermined amount of time and inflating the bladder next in sequence upon measurement of the predetermined amount of time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a massaging device; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the massaging device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a massaging device; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a case of the massaging device of  FIG. 3  detached from a garment of the massaging device of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the case of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment of a massaging device  10  for a leg of a person. The massaging device  10  includes a flexible fabric garment  12  configured to be worn around the calf of the leg. The garment  12  is substantially rectangular in shape and is defined by two ends  16 ,  18  and two longitudinal sides  20 ,  22 . A plurality of hooks (not shown) are located on the end  16  and a plurality of corresponding loops (not shown) are located on the end  18 . The hooks and loops are configured to removable engage each other such that the garment  12  is able to substantially wrap around the calf for removable attachment and securing thereto. 
         [0039]    The garment  12  includes four inflatable elongate bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  that are positioned in series between the sides  20 ,  22  and substantially parallel to each other. Each of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  extends between the sides  20 ,  22  and is substantially adjacent to at least another bladder  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . Each of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  is configured to inflate when pressurised air is received therein. Each of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  is formed from flat rubber such that they are substantially flat when deflated and have a radius of at least 2.54 cm when inflated. 
         [0040]    The massaging device  10  further includes an electrical system  32 , a battery  34  for powering the electrical system  32 , and an “On/Off” switch  36  to control whether the battery  34  powers the electrical system  32 . The electrical system  32  comprises a pressuriser and a controller. The pressuriser is in the form of an electronically powered air pump  38  for supplying pressurised air. The controller is in the form an electronic timer  40  and a sequential pressure distributor  42 . The distributor  42  is an electromechanical valve mechanism connected to the air pump  38  and configured to sequentially and repeatedly connect the air pump  38  to each of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  via tubing  44  in the following order:
       1. bladder  24 ;   2. bladder  26 ;   3. bladder  28 ; and then   4. bladder  30 .       
 
         [0045]    The timer  40  is configured to repeatedly measure a predetermined amount of time varying between 10 to 45 seconds and send a signal to the distributor  38  each instance the predetermined amount of time is measured. The distributor  42  is configured to connect the air pump  38  to the bladder  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  next in the sequence when the signal is received from the timer  40 . During the connection between the air pump  38  and the bladder  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  next in the sequence, the distributor  42  is further configured to connect the previously connected bladder  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  to the outside environment. 
         [0046]    A typical use and operation of the massaging device  10  will now be described. 
         [0047]    The garment  12  is wrapped around the calf of the leg such that the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  are arranged in series between the distal and proximal ends of the leg, the bladder  24  being the distal-most bladder and the bladder  30  being the proximal-most bladder. Each of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  substantially surrounds a respective portion of the calf. The hooks and loops are then engaged with each other such that the garment  12  is removably attached and secured to the calf. Then the switch  36  is switched on such that the battery  34  powers the electrical system  32 . 
         [0048]    Upon the electrical system  32  being powered, the distributor  42  connects the air pump  38  to the bladder  24  such that pressurised air is supplied to the bladder  24  for inflation. The inflation of the bladder  24  causes a pressure to be exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  24 . 
         [0049]    When the timer  40  measures the predetermined amount of time, a signal is sent to the distributor  42 . Upon receiving the signal, the distributor  42  starts to connect the air pump  38  to the bladder  26 . During this connection, the distributor  42  connects the bladder  24  to the outside environment such that the pressurised fluid in the bladder  24  is released for deflation. The deflation of the bladder  24  removes the pressure exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  24 . When the connection between the air pump  38  and the bladder  26  is made, pressurised air is supplied to the bladder  26  for inflation. The inflation of the bladder  26  causes a pressure to be exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  26 . 
         [0050]    When the timer  40  again measures the predetermined amount of time, a signal is sent to the distributor  42 . Upon receiving the signal, the distributor  42  starts to connect the air pump  38  to the bladder  28 . During this connection, the distributor  42  connects the bladder  26  to the outside environment such that the pressurised fluid in the bladder  26  is released for deflation. The deflation of the bladder  26  removes the pressure exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  26 . When the connection between the air pump  38  and the bladder  28  is made, pressurised air is supplied to the bladder  28  for inflation. The inflation of the bladder  28  causes a pressure to be exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  28 . 
         [0051]    When the timer  40  again measures the predetermined amount of time, a signal is sent to the distributor  42 . Upon receiving the signal, the distributor  42  starts to connect the air pump  38  to the bladder  30 . During this connection, the distributor  42  connects the bladder  28  to the outside environment such that the pressurised fluid in the bladder  28  is released for deflation. The deflation of the bladder  28  removes the pressure exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  28 . When the connection between the air pump  38  and the bladder  30  is made, pressurised air is supplied to the bladder  30  for inflation. The inflation of the bladder  30  causes a pressure to be exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  30 . 
         [0052]    When the timer  40  again measures the predetermined amount of time, a signal is sent to the distributor  42 . Upon receiving the signal, the distributor  42  starts to connect the air pump  38  to the bladder  24 . During this connection, the distributor  42  connects the bladder  30  to the outside environment such that the pressurised fluid in the bladder  30  is released for deflation. The deflation of the bladder  30  removes the pressure exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  30 . When the connection between the air pump  38  and the bladder  24  is made, pressurised air is supplied to the bladder  24  for inflation. The inflation of the bladder  24  causes a pressure to be exerted onto the portion of the calf surrounded by the bladder  24 . 
         [0053]    The above sequence of inflation and deflation of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  will continuously be repeated until the switch  36  is switched off such that the electrical system  32  is no longer powered. During the above sequence, it will be appreciated that the pressures exerted onto the portions of the calf will simulate a pressure wave moving towards the proximal end of the leg that is repeatedly exerted onto the calf. It will also be appreciated that the controller is configured to re-start the above sequence of inflation and deflation of the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  from the bladder  24  (i.e. the distal-most bladder) whenever the electrical system  32  is powered off and then powered on again. 
         [0054]    An advantage of the massaging device  10  is that the repeating pressure wave promotes blood/lymphatic fluid circulation in the leg by assisting the blood/lymphatic fluid towards the proximal end of the leg (i.e. towards the heart and torso). This is particularly beneficial when attempting to reduce the risk of developing DVT or edema. The massaging device  10  provides and/or enhances a peristaltic action axially along the leg or arm towards the heart and torso. 
         [0055]    Another advantage of the massaging device  10  is that it does not apply a constant pressure to the legs. Accordingly, there is a reduced risk of causing other heath complications. 
         [0056]    Other advantages of the massaging device  10  are that it is easy to wear and remove, and that it is portable to carry. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 3 to 5  show another embodiment of a massaging device  10 ′ in which like reference numerals are used to denote like features to that of the massaging device  10 . In this embodiment, the massaging device  10 ′ further includes a rigid case  46  configured to house the electrical system  32  and the battery  34  therein. The case  46  has an outer surface  48  which is concaved such that, in use, it can be placed ergonomically against the calf of the leg. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the case  46  is detachable from the garment  12 . 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, the garment  12  has a strap  50  and a strap loop  52 . The strap  50  extends from the end  18  and the strap loop  52  is located between the end  16  and the case  46 . The plurality of hooks  54  are located on an outer surface of the garment  12  located at the free end of the strap  50 . The plurality of corresponding loops  56  are located on an outer surface of the garment  12  between the plurality of hooks  54  and the case  46 . It will be appreciated, as the garment  12  is wrapped around the calf of the leg, the strap  50  is pivotally threaded through the strap loop  52  such that the hooks  54  and loops  56  are able to removably engage. 
         [0059]    In this embodiment, the garment  12  includes six inflatable elongate bladders (not shown) that are substantially the same as those of bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and operate in much the same manner. 
         [0060]    In this embodiment, the case  46  has an actuatable button  58  which acts as the “On/Off” switch. Also, the button  58  is configured to allow the user to select how long the massaging device  10 ′ will operate by cycling through predetermined time settings (e.g. 5, 10, and 15 minutes). For example, a first actuation of the button  58  will turn on the massaging device  10 ′ for 5 minutes, a second actuation of the button  58  will turn on the massaging device  10 ′ for 10 minutes, a third actuation of the button  58  will turn on the massaging device  10 ′ for 15 minutes, and a fourth actuation of the button  58  will turn off the massaging device  10 ′. The electrical system  32  further comprises a series of LED lights  60  viewable through the top of the case  46 . The LED lights  60  provide indications of what predetermined time setting has been selected. 
         [0061]    In this embodiment, the electrical system  32  further comprises a micro-USB port  62  which is accessible through the side of the case  46 . The port  62  allows power to be received from an external source (e.g. a computer) to recharge the battery  34 . It will also be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the massaging device  10 ′ does not have the battery  34  and instead the port  62  allows power from the external source to directly power the electrical system  32 . 
         [0062]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, in another embodiment, the massaging device  10  may be for an arm of a person.