Abstract:
A device for use in physical therapy is provided. The device includes an axis, and a plurality of balls which are rotatably mounted on the axis. Each ball is equipped with a shaft through which the axis extends. The surface of the shaft is equipped with a plurality of spaced apart protrusions, and an adjustable locking feature disposed on the axis that rotatably and releasably engages the grooves formed by the spaces between the protrusions such that the distance between the balls may be adjustably fixed to any of a plurality of predetermined values.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/786,399, filed Mar. 15, 2013, having the same title, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/786,468, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and also claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/802,040, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to physical therapy, and more particularly to devices which are useful in physical therapy and to methods for using the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Various devices have been developed for use in physical therapy, or as accessories for use in physical exercise or training However, many of these devices are limited to a specific use or effect. As a practical matter, it is difficult and expensive for a physical therapist to maintain and use a wide range of tools directed to different uses or effects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of a therapeutic device in accordance with the teachings herein. 
           [0005]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate the construction of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrates the construction of a roller of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
           [0007]      FIG. 7  illustrates the use of bands to impart various profiles to rollers in the therapeutic devices disclosed herein. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 8-12  illustrate various configurations for the therapeutic devices disclosed herein. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate a kit containing the therapeutic devices disclosed herein. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 16-25  illustrate various embodiments of pins and extenders for use in constructing therapeutic devices in accordance with the teachings herein. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0011]    In one aspect, a device is provided which is useful in physical therapy. The device comprises (a) an axis; (b) a plurality of balls rotatably mounted on said axis, wherein each ball is equipped with a shaft through which said axis extends, and wherein the surface of said shaft is equipped with a plurality of spaced apart protrusions; and (c) an adjustable locking feature disposed on said axis that rotatably and releasably engages the grooves formed by the spaces between said protrusions such that the distance between said balls may be adjustably fixed to any of a plurality of predetermined values. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a device is provided which is useful in physical therapy. The device comprises (a) a handle equipped with a first connector; and (b) a ball which is releasably attached to said handle by way of said first connector. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect, a method for treating soft tissue is provided. The method comprises (a) providing a tool which includes a ball mounted on a handle; (b) using the handle to position the ball against a soft tissue mass; and (c) pressing the ball against the soft tissue mass. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    It has now been found that the foregoing issues may be overcome by some of the devices and methodologies disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, a set of therapeutic devices are disclosed herein which are modular in the sense that different accessories, surfaces or attachments may be added to these devices, each of which may be directed to a specific use or effect. Consequently, a physical therapist may use these devices for a wide range of applications. In a preferred embodiment, members of the set of therapeutic devices are combinable so that the number of a certain feature, such as, for example, roller balls, may be readily adjusted by the user, thus optimizing the device for a particular use or patient. 
         [0015]    A first particular, non-limiting embodiment of a therapeutic device in accordance with the teachings herein is depicted in  FIGS. 1-2 . As seen therein, the therapeutic device  101  in this particular embodiment comprises a longitudinal shaft  103  with a plurality of rollers  105  rotatably disposed thereon. The rollers  105  in this particular embodiment are essentially spherical, are independently rotatable, and are equipped with a central groove  107 . The spacing of the rollers  105  may be adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the shaft  103 , preferably in predefined increments as described below. The rollers may comprise various materials, including wood, metal, plastic, or rubber (including high density foamed rubbers). 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts the shaft  103  in greater detail. As seen therein, the shaft  103  has a longitudinally extending body  115  that is generally cylindrical in shape. The shaft  103  is equipped on a first end with one or more protrusions  117  which are at least partially retractable into the interior of the shaft, and is equipped on the other end with a release button  119 . The release button  119  manipulates the protrusions  117  between a first retractable state in which they are partially or wholly withdrawn into the body  115  of the shaft  103 , and a second protruding state in which they extend from the body  115  of the shaft. 
         [0017]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , when the protrusions  117  are in the second state, they engage a series of indentations  121  provided in the axle  123  of the rollers  105 , thus maintaining the rollers  105  in a fixed position along the length of the body  115  of the shaft  103 . The indentations  121  are preferably radial, thus allowing the rollers  105  to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the shaft  103 . 
         [0018]    As seen in  FIGS. 5-6 , a variety of bands  131  are provided that are removably seatable in the central groove  107  of each roller  105 . Preferably, the bands  131  comprise an elastomeric material so that they can be stretched into place in the central groove  107 , after which the compressive force of the elastomer will hold them in place. Various elastomers may be utilized for this purpose, although the use of silicone and neoprene rubbers is especially preferred. These materials may be compounded with various fillers, pigments or dyes, and may have various textures imparted to their surfaces. These materials may also be presented as closed-cell or open-cell foams. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the outer surface of the bands  131  may be equipped with various surface features or profiles that may be designed for specific purposes or applications. Thus, the band  131   a  in  FIG. 7   a  has a rounded profile that is symmetrical about a plane that bisects the band  131   a  and is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the roller  105 . The band  131   b  of  FIG. 7   b  has a profile which is similar to that of  FIG. 5   a , except that it is equipped with a radial protrusion  133   b  that has its apex along the aforementioned bisecting plane. In the band  131   c  of  FIG. 7   c , the radial protrusion  133  in the band  133   b  of  7   b  has been replaced with a set of equally spaced and approximately hemispherical protrusions  133   c.  In the band  131   d  of  FIG. 7   d , the radial protrusion  133   b  in the band  131   b  of  5   b  has been replaced with a pair of spaced apart radial protrusions  133   d.  In the band of  FIG. 7   e , the radial protrusion  133   b  in the band  131   b  of  7   b  has been replaced with a series of lateral, spaced apart protrusions  133   e  that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller  105 . 
         [0020]    As seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , in some embodiments, the therapeutic device of  FIG. 1  may be expandable to accommodate additional rollers  105 , and the band  131  associated with each roller  105  may be independently selected. Thus, the therapeutic device  151  of  FIG. 8  features 6 rollers  105 , the bands  131  of which all have the same profile. By contrast, in the therapeutic device  151  of  FIGS. 9-10 , which is also equipped with 6 rollers  105 , the rollers feature bands  153   a,    153   b  and  153   c  with three different profiles. The therapeutic device  151  of  FIGS. 9-10  is also equipped with foamed end caps  155 , which may be advantageous, for example, in applications where it is desirable that the device not have any hard surfaces that can come into contact with the body. 
         [0021]    As seen in  FIGS. 11-12 , the therapeutic devices disclosed herein are adjustable into several configurations. Thus, the therapeutic device  201  of  FIG. 11  is shown in an expanded configuration, while the therapeutic device  203  of  FIG. 11  is shown in a contracted configuration. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIGS. 13-15 , the therapeutic devices disclosed herein may be produced as part of a kit  301 . In a preferred embodiment, this kit  301  includes a tube  303  within which the therapeutic device is placed, a matt  305  which is wrapped around the external surface of the tube  303 , and a carrying bag  307  into which the therapeutic device, tube  303  and matt  305  may be inserted. The tube  303  may comprise plastic, metal or rubber. The matt is preferably a workout or yoga matt, and may comprise foamed rubber or plastic. The carrying bag  307  preferably comprises nylon, canvas or cloth, but may comprise virtually any material, and is preferably equipped with one or more straps  309 , clips or other accessories to facilitate carrying it. 
         [0023]    Various types of shafts may be utilized in the therapeutic devices disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft comprises a male element or pin which releasably couples with a female element or pin. However, in some applications, as where an extended shaft is desired (e.g., for the incorporation of additional rollers), an extender may also be utilized. In such embodiments, the extender may have male and female features which releasably couple, respectively, with the aforementioned male and female elements to provide an extended shaft. Alternatively, the extender may have two sets of female features which releasably couple with two male elements, or two sets of male features which releasably couple with two female elements. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 16-17  depict one particular embodiment of a pin  401  that may be utilized in the construction of therapeutic devices in accordance with the teachings herein. The pin  401  depicted therein has a shaft  403  which is equipped on one end with a head  405 , and which is equipped on the opposing end with a ball key  407  and a set of protrusions  409 . As described below, the ball key  407  may be utilized to key the pin  401  to an extender (not shown), while the set of protrusions  409  releasably engage a series of apertures in the extender. The head  405  of the pin  401  is equipped with a spring-activated button  411  which causes the set of protrusions  409  to retract when the button  411  is pressed, thus allowing the pin  401  to be adjusted. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 18-19  depict another particular embodiment of a pin  421  that may be utilized in the construction of therapeutic devices in accordance with the teachings herein. The pin  421  depicted therein has a shaft  423  which is equipped on one end with a head  425 , and which is equipped on the opposing end with a set of protrusions  429 . A longitudinally extending ridge  427  is provided on the shaft  423 . As described below, the ridge  427  may be utilized to key the pin  421  to an extender (not shown), while the set of protrusions  429  releasably engage a series of apertures in the extender. The head  425  of the pin  421  is equipped with a spring-activated button  431  which causes the set of protrusions  429  to retract when the button  431  is pressed, thus allowing the pin  421  to be adjusted. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 20-21  depict another particular embodiment of a pin  441  that may be utilized in the construction of therapeutic devices in accordance with the teachings herein. The pin  441  depicted therein has a shaft  443  which is equipped on one end with a head  445 , and which is equipped on the opposing end with a screw-in key  447  and a set of protrusions  449 . As described below, the screw-in key  447  may be utilized to key the pin  441  to an extender (not shown), while the set of protrusions  449  releasably engage a series of apertures in the extender. The head  445  of the pin  441  is equipped with a spring-activated button  451  which causes the set of protrusions  449  to retract when the button  451  is pressed, thus allowing the pin  441  to be adjusted. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 22-23  depict another particular embodiment of a pin  461  that may be utilized in the construction of therapeutic devices in accordance with the teachings herein. The pin  461  depicted therein is similar to the pin  421  of  FIGS. 18-19 , but has a shorter ridge. Thus, the pin  461  has a shaft  463  which is equipped on one end with a head  465 , and which is equipped on the opposing end with a set of protrusions  469 . A longitudinally extending ridge  467  is provided on the shaft  463 . As described below, the ridge  467  may be utilized to key the pin  461  to an extender (not shown), while the set of protrusions  469  releasably engage a series of apertures in the extender. The head  465  of the pin  461  is equipped with a spring-activated button  471  which causes the set of protrusions  469  to retract when the button  471  is pressed, thus allowing the pin  461  to be adjusted. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 24-25  illustrate the manner in which the pins described above may be releasably mated with an extender to produce a shaft. 
         [0029]    For purposes of brevity, a detailed description of some aspects of the therapeutic devices disclosed herein, such as their use in physical therapy or exercise, has been omitted. However, these details may be found in the following publications produced by the present inventors, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
       (a) Dual Ball Thoracic Spine: http://youtu.be/APBjigY7HmA;   (b) Dual Ball Adjustment: http://youtu.be/KrwtQzbk6c8;   (c) General Set-up of MOBO: http://youtu.be/rUQEffSuiHk;   (d) Supine Trapezius Mobilization: http://youtu.be/FYbz5QL_OEc;   (e) Ball &amp; Stick Pec Release/Posterior Rib Mobilization: http://youtu.be/UqvU8dt3Po;   (f) Dual Ball Suboccipital Release: http://youtu.be/P_oleyK4XoU;   (g) Dual Ball Thoracic Extension III: http://youtu.be/jPYG_zpg3vY;   (h) Dual Ball Thoracic Extension II: http://youtu.be/5Cv7lfGJGSE;   (i) Dual Ball Calf Roll: http://youtu.be/GTwJ8k0RxNQ;   (j) Dual Ball with TRX: http://youtu.be/plxSsQECGZs;   (k) 6 Ball Seated Roller: http://youtu.be/2sZ2Oikdm4I;   (l) 6 Ball Roller ITB/calf: http://youtu.be/t2x-_JXoNpI;   (m) MOBO Overview: http://youtu.be/TWQf5Yt0vu4;   (n) MOBO Overview Long: http://youtu.be/j1KuXSWDX-k;   (o) Standing Pec/Middle Trap/Posterior Rib Mobilization: http://youtu.be/SUssVY_Md7s;   (p) Posterior Rib/Middle Trap Mobilization—http://youtu.be/X6Vrtgh14s0;   (q) Hands Free Trap Mobilization—http://youtu.be/CUqmbEKvV5o.       
 
         [0047]    The above description of the present invention is illustrative, and is not intended to be limiting. It will thus be appreciated that various additions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be construed in reference to the appended claims.