Abstract:
A sciatic relief device comprising a base, at least one reversibly inflatable bladder enclosed in a sleeve, and an inflation device attached to the bladder. A method of use for the sciatic relief device, wherein a user positions his thigh on top of the inflated bladder for at least a short period of time to alleviate the pain and other symptoms associated with sciatica.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for relieving pain, and, more specifically, to a device for relieving pain caused by the sciatic nerve. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Sciatica is the name given to the symptoms caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, including pain, numbness, and weakness. The sciatic nerve, which is derived from spinal nerves L4 through S3, is the longest nerve in the human body, extending from the lower back through the buttock down the leg. 
         [0005]    Sciatica is commonly caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically due to a bulging or herniated disc in the spine. Pain associated with sciatica is typically felt in the lower back, the buttocks, or the legs and feet. Although the exact number of people suffering from sciatica is currently unknown, it is estimated that millions of people around the world exhibit one or more symptoms associated with the condition. 
         [0006]    Treatment of sciatic includes such methods as medication with a pain-reliever or anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Unfortunately, many methods of treatment are ineffective, laden with side effects, or prohibitively expensive. There remains, therefore, a continued need for an effective, inexpensive treatment for the symptoms associated with sciatica. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a device for the treatment of sciatica. 
         [0008]    It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a simple and effective device for the treatment of sciatica symptoms. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object and advantage of the present invention to provide an affordable device for the treatment of sciatica. 
         [0010]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a sciatic relief device comprising the following: (i) a base; (ii) a reversibly inflatable bladder that defines a groove along a longitudinal axis of the device; (iii) a sleeve at least partially surrounding the bladder at least partially attached to the base; (iv) inflation means; and (v) a tube connected the bladder at one end and connected to the inflation means at the other end. 
         [0012]    A second aspect of the present invention provides a sciatic relief device with a bladder that has first and second chambers that define a groove running along a longitudinal axis of the device. 
         [0013]    A third aspect of the present invention provides a sciatic relief device that includes deflation means such as a pressure-release valve or a manual-release valve. 
         [0014]    A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a sciatic relief device that includes heating means, such as a heating coil, and/or cooling means, such as a coolant. The heating and cooling means can remote from the device or can be an integral part of the device including part of the bladder(s), the base, or the sleeve, among other locations. 
         [0015]    A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating a user&#39;s sciatica symptoms, the method comprising the steps of: (i) positioning a region of the user&#39;s body in the groove of the sciatic relief pad; and (ii) maintaining the body part in the groove for a period of time. The most common regions include the gluteal region and the right or left thigh region. The method can optionally include the step of adjusting the inflation of the bladder, cooling the user&#39;s body part, and/or heating the user&#39;s body part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0016]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed. Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing depicting a top view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing depicting a side section view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing depicting an enlargement of the circled section in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing depicting an end view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing depicting an inflation bulb according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing depicting a top view of the device and a rubber base of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing depicting an inflatable bladder of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing depicting a sleeve surrounding an inflatable bladder of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in  FIG. 1  a schematic drawing depicting a top view of the sciatic relief device  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Sciatic relief device  10  comprises two inflatable bladders  12 . In a preferred embodiment inflatable bladders  12  are filled with a gas such as air or an inert gas, but in other embodiments the bladders can be filled with a liquid, including but not limited to water, or a gel. The walls  14  of the inflatable bladders comprise a resilient but flexible material that allows the bladder to increase in size when filled with a gas, liquid, or gel, but does not burst when exposed to the operating weight. The flexible material can be any material with this desired elastomeric property, including an elastic hydrocarbon polymer such as a rubber, of which there are many natural and synthetic varieties. 
         [0026]    The inflatable bladders can comprise a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. In one embodiment, the bladders comprise a single inflatable chamber such that the bladder has one access point for the entry of air or liquid for inflation and deflation; air or liquid entering through the access point will have the choice of entering either side of the single inflatable bladder, as suggested in  FIG. 4 . In another configuration, the bladders comprise two or more separate bladders, and each can optionally contain a separate access point for inflation. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, inflatable bladders  12  are further surrounded by a sleeve  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The sleeve helps the bladder retain its shape and keeps the bladder positioned properly within sciatic relief device  10  even when the bladder is repeatedly deflated and inflated. Sleeve  16  can comprise a unified piece of material encapsulating one or more bladders on both sides of device  10 . Sleeve  16  can also contain more than one inflatable bladder  12 , depending upon the particular configuration of the device. The sleeve is preferably permanently attached to a base  24 , although sleeve  16  could be attached to base  24  by reversible means such as a hook-and-latch system, tape, or other means known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, base  24  comprises a solid material such as plastic, wood, leather, neoprene, or rubber, among others, that allows device  10  to sit flat on a surface. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment, sleeve  16  can be lined—either partially or completely—with a soft and/or absorbent material (not shown). The lining can provide comfort, padding, or absorbency to improve the user experience during use. 
         [0029]    Sciatic relief device  10  further comprises inflation means  20  connected to the device by a hollow tube  22 . Hollow tube  22  connects to the inflation means at one end and connects to the inflatable bladders of device  10  at the other end. The inflation means forces air or liquid through hollow tube  22  into the inflatable bladder. In a preferred embodiment, inflation means  20  is an inflation bulb, as shown in  FIG. 5 , although the inflation means can be mechanical means such as a electric-powered pump. Inflation bulb  20  is hand-operated; squeezing the bulb forces air into tube  22  and therefore into the inflatable bladders. The inflation bulb further comprises deflation means  26 , which in  FIG. 5  is a pressure-release button that allows air to exit from device  10 . The deflation means could also be a hand-turned valve that allows air to exit from the device when it is manually opened. In another embodiment, hollow tube  22  is mounted on device  10  at a location other than the location depicted in  FIG. 1 , including either end of device  10  or along the top, bottom, or sides of device  10  depending upon the particular design and/or needs of the user. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, sciatic relief device  10  is used to alleviate pain and/or other symptoms associated with sciatica. To relieve symptoms, the user first places base  24  of device  10  on a substantially flat surface such as a floor, chair, couch, or other place suitable for sitting or resting. The user then inflates the inflatable bladders or ensures that the bladders are still inflated from a prior use. The user can optionally inflate the bladders to a level that is maximally comfortable or has previously been shown to best alleviate pain and/or other symptoms. Additionally, the user can adjust the inflation of the bladders during use. Once the bladders are inflated, the user places his or her thigh or gluteal region, for example, on top of the device, with the user&#39;s femur oriented along the X-X axis, shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, the user&#39;s body part fits comfortably into the valley-like region or channel  28  formed by the inflated bladders, although the body part will be slightly elevated through interaction with the bladder on each side rather than fit firmly against base  24  between the bladders. Through the comfortable elevation of the body part resting on the bladders, device  10  alleviates the pain and/or other symptoms associated with sciatica. It should be noted, however, that the user can adjust one or more of the inflatable bladders  12  as well as the orientation of device  10 , among other adjustments, to achieve maximum relief of the sciatica symptoms. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, device  10  fits all ages and sizes of people through the adjustability of the inflatable bladders. In another embodiment the specifications of device  10 , including the spacing of the bladders and other variables, are adjusted based on the planned user. For example, smaller bladders are used for devices marketed to children and small adults. Larger, more robust bladders can be used for devices marketed to adults. Preferably, the bladders are spaced apart to define a channel of about one inch for an average size person. Although the width of the channel may vary, the existence of the channel is critical to providing relief from sciatica. 
         [0032]    Sciatic relief device  10  can include other options that enhance the relief of sciatica symptoms. For example, the device can include heating coils inside the bladder, the walls of the bladder, the base, or the lining, among other locations, which heat the device during use. The heat will radiate upwardly from the device into the thigh of the user, further alleviating symptoms. In yet another embodiment, the device includes cooling means, such as a coolant, to cool the user&#39;s body part. The coolant can be an ice pack, a refrigerated coil, or any other known means of cooling. 
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that modifications, alterations, and additions can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.