THERAPEUTIC ROLLER DEVICE

Abstract

An improved therapeutic roller device comprising a cylindrical core and roller members originating from said cylindrical core. The roller members are separated, from each other, by a distance that is intended to generate lateral stretch on a muscle or other soft tissue. The amount of lateral stretch placed on a muscle, or other soft tissue, is proportional to the distance between roller elements up to a maximum distance at which lateral stretch can no longer be achieved. The diameter of the roller members determines the amount of longitudinal stretch placed on a muscle or other soft tissue. Additional longitudinal stretch is attained by ribbing of the roller members so that the roller members have projections. The length of the projections and distance between subsequent projections determine the extent of additional longitudinal stretch that can be placed on a muscle or other soft tissue.

Claims

1. A therapeutic roller device for myofascial release, pain management, and the treatment of injuries, comprising a cylindrical core and roller members originating from said cylindrical core.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members are adjustable, such that the spaces between said roller members can be altered to fit the ideal dimensions for each individual user and adjustable for any particular muscle or other soft tissue for which it is being used.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members are ribbed to enhance longitudinal soft tissue stretch.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the roller members are adjustable and removable, such that the spaces between said roller members can be altered to fit the ideal dimensions for each individual user and adjustable for any particular muscle or other soft tissue for which it is being used.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the roller members are removable from the core.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the roller members comprise of ice packs that can be removed and chilled in a freezer until ready for use to provide myofascial release while reducing inflammation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the roller members comprise of ice packs that can be removed and chilled in a freezer until ready for use to provide myofascial release while reducing inflammation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members comprise of ice packs that can be removed and chilled in a freezer until ready to use to provide myofascial release while reducing inflammation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

9. The device of claim 2 wherein the roller members comprise of ice packs and wherein the entire device can be chilled in a freezer until ready to use to provide myofascial release while reducing inflammation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

10. The device of claim 3 wherein the roller members comprise of ice packs and wherein the entire device can be chilled in a freezer until ready to use to provide myofascial release while reducing inflammation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members comprise of heat packs and wherein the entire device can be placed in a heat source, preferably microwave oven or boiling water, such that, upon using, the device provides myofascial release while increasing circulation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

12. The device of claim 2 wherein the roller members comprise of heat packs and wherein the entire device can be placed in a heat source, preferably microwave oven or boiling water, such that, upon using, the device provides myofascial release while increasing circulation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

13. The device of claim 3 wherein the roller members comprise of heat packs and wherein the entire device can be placed in a heat source, preferably microwave oven or boiling water, such that, upon using, the device provides myofascial release while increasing circulation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

14. The device of claim 4 wherein the roller members comprise of heat packs and wherein said roller members are removable from the cylindrical core and can be placed in a heat source, preferably microwave oven or boiling water, such that, upon using, the device provides myofascial release while increasing the circulation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

15. The device of claim 5 wherein the roller members comprise of heat packs and wherein said roller members are removable from the cylindrical core and can be placed in a heat source, preferably microwave oven or boiling water, such that, upon using, the device provides myofascial release while increasing the circulation for a more efficient pain management and faster recovery from injury.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members comprise of electrical heating elements, and wherein the amount of heat released by the device is controllable by the user.

17. The device of claim 2 wherein the roller members comprise of electrical heating elements, and wherein the amount of heat released by the device is controllable by the user.

18. The device of claim 3 wherein the roller members comprise of electrical heating elements, and wherein the amount of heat released by the device is controllable by the user.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the roller members are self-chilling, and wherein the roller members comprise of a refrigerant under pressure connected, in a closed system, to a refrigerant escape reservoir in the cylindrical core, and wherein chilling is achieved by opening a valve to rapidly release refrigerant from the roller members into the reservoir and wherein the process is repeatable until equilibrium is achieved and wherein said equilibrium is reversed by pumping refrigerant from the reservoir in the cylindrical core back into the roller members.

20. The device of claim 2 wherein the roller members are self-chilling, and wherein the roller members comprise of a refrigerant under pressure connected, in a closed system, to a refrigerant escape reservoir in the cylindrical core, and wherein chilling is achieved by opening a valve to rapidly release refrigerant from the roller members into the reservoir and wherein the process is repeatable until equilibrium is achieved and wherein said equilibrium is reversed by pumping refrigerant from the reservoir in the cylindrical core back into the roller members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a view of the therapeutic roller device showing the cylindrical core and roller members;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an alternate view of the therapeutic roller device showing the cylindrical core and roller members;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a view of the therapeutic roller device in which some of the roller members are ribbed;

[0027] FIG. 4 is an alternate view of the therapeutic roller device in which some of the roller members are ribbed;

[0028] FIG. 5 is an alternative view of the therapeutic roller device in which some of the roller members are ribbed; and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a view of the therapeutic roller device in which all of the roller members are ribbed.

[0030] The figures accompanying this document, as well as the detailed description of embodiments, are exemplary only, and are not intended to show the bounds of the current invention. Also, the figures are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention is an improved therapeutic roller device comprising a cylindrical core (3) from which projects roller members (1). The roller members are separated from each other by a gap (2). The diameter of the roller members (1), which is typically in the range of about 2 inches to about 20 inches, is directly proportional to the amount of longitudinal stretch that the therapeutic roller device can achieve on skeletal muscles or other soft tissue. The gap (2) between the roller members is adjustable and directly proportional to the amount of lateral stretch. The gap (2) is typically in the range of about half an inch to about three inches, depending on the size of the target skeletal muscle or other soft tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the improved therapeutic roller device is a single molded construct that is rigid enough to maintain its form with use over time, but not so hard that it cannot be used on bare skin, and in another preferred embodiment the roller members are removable.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment is an improved therapeutic roller device comprising a cylindrical core (3) from which projects roller members (1), some of said roller members ribbed (4) to form projections (5) that increase the amount of longitudinal stretch and the depth of tissue stimulation. Adjacent projections (5) are separated by troughs (6), which are typically in the range of about 0.25 inch to about 3 inches. The wider the trough, the greater the extent of longitudinal stretch of skeletal muscle and the greater the depth of tissue stimulation. Also, the longer the projections (5) the greater the longitudinal stretch of skeletal muscle and the depth of tissue stimulation.

[0033] In yet another preferred embodiment is an improved therapeutic roller device comprising a cylindrical core (3) from which projects ribbed roller members (4). The projections (5) of the ribbed roller members are separated by troughs (6), the width of which determines the extent of longitudinal stretch of skeletal muscle. The greater the width, which is typically in the range of about 0.25 inch to about 3 inches, the greater the longitudinal stretch on skeletal muscles and the greater the depth of tissue stimulation. The ribbed roller members (4) are separated from each other by gaps (s) that are directly proportional to magnitude of lateral stretch of skeletal muscles and other soft tissues. The gaps (2) range from about 0 to about 3 inches. The dimensions are for a standard adult weighing from about 100 lbs to about 200 lbs and from about 4 feet to about six feet in height, and would be adjusted up or down to accommodate for larger or smaller sizes.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention would be made of rubber or plastic, but could be made of any material with sufficient rigidity, to maintain its form with use over time, without being too punishing on bare skin. In other words, any material is good for manufacture if it is not damaging to the skin, with normal use, and maintains its shape, over time, with normal use.

[0035] In the most preferred embodiment, the roller members comprise heat packs or cold packs, said roller members removable, for example, to place in a freezer or microwave oven.

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