Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization, i.e. belonging to the technical field known by the acronym IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), useful for physiotherapy purposes with particular reference to myofascial therapy.

The technique of assisted soft tissue mobilization, or IASTM, was developed at the end of the 20th century mainly for athletes.

Growing in popularity over the following years to the present day, it is used by massage therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists mainly to help treat patients with myofascial restrictions that can cause pain and restrict movement.

Assisted soft tissue mobilization instruments are devices that are basically held by a skilled practitioner to massage all soft tissues, skin, muscles and fascia with the same instrument, i.e. without manual contact. Patent documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose exemplary instruments for assisted soft tissue mobilisation.

Many of these may vaguely resemble medieval torture instruments; in fact, some of the known IASTM instruments include blades, scrapers and sharp, pointed objects.

The aim of using these tools during IASTM is basically to help release soft tissue and myofascial restrictions to improve the way the user moves.

More specifically, the rubbing of the instrument is used to localise and release the tightness in the fascial syshank, i.e. the collagen coating that surrounds the muscles. The known technique described includes some important drawbacks.

In particular, the instruments of the known technique only allow the operator to perform one function.

In addition, very often, such instruments are not very ergonomic, i.e. they are not easy to handle and may force the operator to perform uncomfortable torsions while working the myofascial restrictions that reduce their effectiveness.

In addition, some instruments may force the operator to have contact with the patient's skin, with the consequence that the therapeutic effects achievable with the instrument are dampened.

In conclusion, the instruments of the known technique hardly allow treatments on particularly large areas of the body.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

In the context of said technical task, it is an important aim of the invention to obtain an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilizations which allows a plurality of functions by enabling the operator to carry out different operations on the myofascial restrictions of the user.

Furthermore, another important purpose of the invention is to achieve an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization that is extremely ergonomic and easy to handle, avoiding the need for the operator to perform unnatural movements.

A further aim of the invention is to realise an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization that allows maximising the effectiveness of the treatments performed with the instrument, especially by avoiding contact between the operator's hand and the user's body.

In conclusion, another task of the invention is to realise an instrument for the assisted soft tissue mobilizations which allows to work areas of the body of both limited extension and of great extension.

The specified technical task and purposes are achieved by an instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization as claimed in the appended claim <NUM>.

The features and advantages of the invention are hereinafter clarified by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:.

Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as "treatment", "computing", "determination", "calculation", or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer syshank and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer syshanks, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.

With reference to the Figures, the instrument for assisted soft tissue mobilization according to the invention is globally referred to as number <NUM>.

The instrument <NUM> is an instrument for enabling treatment of the body and, in particular, assisted soft tissue mobilization.

Accordingly, the instrument <NUM> comprises, in brief, at least a core <NUM> and at least three arms <NUM>.

The core <NUM> is essentially a graspable part. Therefore, it defines the part capable of interacting directly with an operator's hand.

Preferably, the core <NUM> defines at least one central axis 2a.

The central axis 2a is substantially the axis along which the core <NUM> is most developed. Preferably, the core <NUM> however also develops around the central axis 2a.

In fact, core <NUM> includes an ellipsoidal bulb.

The ellipsoidal bulb is an element having a squat shape, which can be substantially assimilated to an ovoid element.

The central core <NUM>, given its advantageous shape, is therefore configured to allow an operator to grip it from different angles with respect to the central axis 2a.

The central core <NUM> also defines a sagittal plane 2b.

The sagittal plane 2b is essentially a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis 2a. Thus, the sagittal plane 2b subdivides the central core <NUM> into two similar, but not necessarily identical portions, and may pass through the centre of gravity of the central core <NUM>.

Thus, core <NUM> also defines a longitudinal plane 2c.

The longitudinal plane 2c is essentially passing through the central axis 2a. In addition, the longitudinal plane 2c is also perpendicular to the sagittal plane 2c.

Thus, the longitudinal plane 2c also subdivides the central core <NUM> into two similar, but not necessarily identical portions, and may pass through the centre of gravity of the central core <NUM>.

In addition, core <NUM> defines two particular zones; in detail, core <NUM> defines a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>.

The first end <NUM> is distanced from the sagittal plane 2b.

The second end <NUM> is substantially opposite the first end with respect to the sagittal plane 2b.

Preferably, the arm <NUM> protrudes from one of the ends <NUM>, <NUM>. Furthermore, the arm <NUM> defines a contouring configured to perform soft tissue mobilization.

Such contouring may be of a conventional type, i.e. similar to what is already present in common IASTM devices, or it may be particular, as further specified below. Advantageously, the instrument <NUM> may also comprise a plurality of arms <NUM>.

The arms <NUM> may be configured in different ways. The instrument <NUM> may comprise a plurality of arms <NUM> protruding from at least one of the ends <NUM>, <NUM>.

Of course, the instrument <NUM> may also comprise a plurality of arms <NUM> protruding from the first end <NUM>, and a plurality of arms <NUM> protruding from the second end <NUM>.

Each arm <NUM>, in particular, preferably defines at least one shank <NUM> and one tip <NUM>. The shank <NUM> is substantially the portion of arm <NUM> adjacent to the central core <NUM>. Therefore, preferably, the shank <NUM> is substantially the attachment portion between arm <NUM> and central core <NUM>.

The tip <NUM> is, on the other hand, the distal portion of the arm <NUM> with respect to the central core <NUM>. Thus, preferably, the tip <NUM> is suitable for contacting a body of a user.

More specifically still, preferably, each pair of shanks <NUM> and the respective end <NUM>, <NUM>, understood to be on which the shanks <NUM> are facing or attached, define a concavity <NUM>. The concavity <NUM> is essentially a cavity or dimple. Preferably, the concavity is configured to accommodate at least one finger of a hand of an adult person.

The concavity <NUM> between two shanks <NUM> of arms <NUM> protruding from the same end <NUM>, <NUM> is preferably configured to accommodate at least part of a single finger.

Such a concavity <NUM> may be termed a trochlear concavity and allows direct use on the specific end <NUM>, <NUM> minimising operator effort and maximising the beneficial effect and precision of use of the instrument <NUM>.

The concavity between two shanks <NUM> of arms <NUM> on opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM> is, on the other hand, preferably configured to accommodate a plurality of fingers or even part of a palm of a hand.

Such features are highlighted, in particular, in the <FIG>.

In addition to what has already been described, preferably, each arm <NUM>, whether one or more in the instrument <NUM>, protrudes from the central core <NUM> by diverging from the central axis 2a.

Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the instrument <NUM>, the instrument <NUM> preferably comprises at least three arms <NUM> at each end <NUM>, <NUM>.

These arms <NUM> also preferably diverge radially to the central axis 2a. Thus, overall, the instrument <NUM> defines a shape assimilable to an hourglass as shown, schematically, in <FIG>.

Naturally, it is not necessary that on the ends <NUM>, <NUM> the arms <NUM> are present in equal numbers. For example, the instrument <NUM> may comprise three arms <NUM> protruding from the first end <NUM> and four arms from the second end <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment, the instrument <NUM> comprises four arms <NUM> at each end <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the central core <NUM> defines for each end <NUM>, <NUM> an ovo-quadripod shape. An ovo-quadripod is essentially an oval element combined with a quadripod element in which the legs are provided by the arms <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the contouring of the arms <NUM> is configured to allow mobilization of the body's soft tissue. Thus, the arms <NUM> may define particular shapes.

Preferably, the arms <NUM> are globally rounded. Furthermore, each arm <NUM> preferably defines a main section <NUM>.

The section <NUM> is essentially the section of the arm <NUM> along a secondary plane 3a. The secondary plane 3a is substantially a midsection plane of the arm <NUM>. Thus, the secondary plane 3a is a plane transverse to the sagittal plane 2b and the longitudinal plane 2c.

The section <NUM> defines, therefore, a shape of your choice between a rounded tip, as shown in <FIG>, a spatula, as shown in <FIG>, a drop, as shown in <FIG>, a straight thumb, as shown in <FIG>, a trapezoid, as shown in <FIG>, a rotated thumb, as shown in <FIG>, a medium bulb, as shown in <FIG> and a wedge-shaped bulb, as shown in <FIG>.

In particular, the blunt tip shape of <FIG> is substantially a tip shape or rounded tip awl referred to the fourth or fifth finger of the hand; the spatula shape of <FIG> is substantially a wide-radius scaphoid shape; the drop shape of <FIG> is a large condyle or major condyle shape; the straight-thumb shape of <FIG> is a shape referring to the first finger of the hand; the trapezoid shape of <FIG> is an interphalangeal shape close to the second finger in maximum flexion with divergent orientation; the rotated-thumb shape of <FIG> is a shape of the first finger with convergent end.

In the preferred form of realisation, i.e. the eight-armed form <NUM>, the arms <NUM> define sections <NUM> having a rounded tip (<FIG>), spatula (<FIG>), drop (<FIG>), straight thumb (<FIG>), trapezoid (<FIG>), rotated thumb (<FIG>), medium bulb (<FIG>) and wedge-shaped bulb (<FIG>) form, respectively.

In this way, it is basically possible to carry out most of the treatments useful for mobilization.

In conclusion, preferably, the instrument <NUM> defines an overall extension along the main axis 2a similar to the extension of an adult person's outstretched hand.

Such dimensions allow instrument <NUM> to be particularly easy to handle.

The operation of instrument <NUM> for assisted soft tissue mobilization described above in structural terms is as follows.

Basically, the instrument <NUM> can be gripped in different ways to carry out different treatments using the different arms <NUM>.

In detail, both the shape of the central core <NUM> and the conformation of the concavities <NUM>, which are at least four among the arms <NUM> protruding from a single end <NUM>, <NUM> of the preferred embodiment form, allow the instrument <NUM> to be gripped from different angles, with respect to the central axis 2a, in order to effectively manipulate a user's body. The instrument <NUM> for assisted soft tissue mobilization according to the invention achieves important advantages.

Indeed, the instrument <NUM> for assisted soft tissue mobilization allows a plurality of functions, defined by the different arms <NUM> with different sections <NUM> and contours, allowing the operator to perform different workings on the myofascial restrictions of the user.

Furthermore, the instrument <NUM> for assisted soft tissue mobilization is extremely ergonomic and easy to handle, preventing the operator from having to make unnatural movements.

Thus, Instrument <NUM> for assisted soft-tissue mobilization maximises the effectiveness of the treatments performed with Instrument <NUM> by avoiding contact between the operator's hand and the user's body.

In conclusion, the instrument <NUM> for the assisted soft tissue mobilizations makes it possible to work areas of the body both of limited extension and of great extension, since it is possible, for example, to simultaneously use both the arms <NUM> protruding from the same end <NUM>, <NUM>, and the arms <NUM> protruding from different ends <NUM>, <NUM> by simply changing the orientation of the handle.

Claim 1:
Instrument (<NUM>) for assisted soft tissue mobilization comprising:
- a graspable central core (<NUM>) and defined:
- a central axis (2a),
- a sagittal plane (2b) perpendicular to said central axis (2a),
- a longitudinal plane (2c) passing through said central axis (2a) and perpendicular to said sagittal plane (2b),
- a first end (<NUM>) spaced from said sagittal plane (2b),
- a second end (<NUM>) opposite to said first end (<NUM>) with respect to said sagittal plane (2b),
- at least one arm (<NUM>) protruding from one of said ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) and defining a contouring configured to achieve said mobilization of soft tissues,
- said central core (<NUM>) includes an ellipsoidal bulb configured to allow an operator to grip said central core (<NUM>) from different angles with respect to said central axis (2a) characterized by the fact that
- each said arm (<NUM>) protrudes from said central core (<NUM>) diverging with respect to said central axis (2a); and
- said arms (<NUM>) are at least three in number for each end (<NUM>, <NUM>), diverge radially to said central axis (2a) and said instrument (<NUM>) defines an hourglass shape.