Therapeutic device

Abstract

A therapeutic device for treating a limb of a human or a non-human animal, has an elongate, flexible panel, at least one vibrating source in the form of an electric motor driving an eccentric element to produce vibrations at a rate in a range up to 30 Hz, a battery and a control unit, all being embedded within the elongate, flexible panel, and connected together by wiring (not shown), which wiring is also embedded within the elongate, flexible panel. As the wiring is embedded within the elongate flexible panel it cannot be interfered with, in use, with the attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device for treating a limb of a human or a non-human animal, the therapeutic device comprising: a wrap having a pocket; an elongate, flexible panel; a plurality of recesses formed in the elongate, flexible panel; a top covering on a top surface of the elongate, flexible panel and a bottom covering on a bottom surface of the elongate, flexible panel; at least one vibrating source retained in a first recess of the plurality of recesses; a battery retained in a second recess of the plurality of recesses; and wires extending between the battery and the at least one vibrating source, wherein the wrap is configured to be wrapped around a limb, and wherein the elongate, flexible panel is located within the pocket, the wrap being dimensioned to fit around a part of the limb to be treated.

2. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable and a socket, for attaching a charging unit thereto, is accessibly mounted in the outer surface of the elongate, flexible panel.

3. A therapeutic device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit has an on/off button mounted thereon, which button is operable by applying pressure, through the outer surface of the elongate, flexible panel, at a position overlying the on/off button.

4. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit has an on/off button mounted thereon, which button is operable by applying pressure, through the outer surface of the elongate, flexible panel, at a position overlying the on/off button.

5. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vibrating sources, each one of the plurality of vibrating sources being in one of the plurality of recesses; and a channel extends between the plurality of recesses, wherein the wires extend between the plurality of vibrating sources.

6. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate, flexible panel is made of polyurethane foam.

7. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, wherein the top covering and bottom covering are connected to each other along a fold line.

8. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, wherein the top covering and bottom covering are made from polyester.

9. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vibrating source is an electric motor.

10. A therapeutic device according to claim 1, further comprising a channel extending between the first recess and the second recess, wherein the wires extending between the battery and the at least one vibrating source are in the channel.

Description

(1) The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a therapeutic device in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a view of the internal layout of the therapeutic device of FIG. 1.

(4) Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a therapeutic device for treating a limb of a human or a non-human animal in accordance with the invention. The therapeutic device 10 consists of an elongate, flexible panel 11, with four vibrating sources in the form of electric motors (not shown), with each motor driving an eccentric element to produce vibrations at a rate in a range up to 30 Hz, which electric motors are embedded in recesses 12 therein. A rechargeable battery and a control unit battery (not shown) are embedded in a control recess 13 within the elongate, flexible panel 11. The electric motors, battery and control unit are connected together by wiring, which wiring is also embedded within the elongate, flexible panel 11.

(5) A socket 14 is mounted in outer surface 15 of the elongate flexible panel 11 at position 16.

(6) The control unit has an on/off button (not shown) mounted thereon, which button is operable by applying pressure, through the outer surface 15 of the elongate flexible panel 11, at a position 17 overlying the on/off button. The control unit is programmed to deliver a number of therapy treatments for different durations and at different vibration frequencies. A particular treatment is initiated using the on/off button as a programme selector.

(7) The elongate, flexible panel 11 is formed from a single strip of material 18 doubled over on itself, at fold 19, and sealed by adhesive to create a smooth side 20 which faces the limb, in use, and an opposing side 21, in which the recesses 12 and 13 are formed. The strip of material 18 is made from an inner polyurethane foam layer (not shown) bonded to an outer single knit jersey, polyester layer 21.

(8) Referring to FIG. 2, the internal layout of the therapeutic device 10 is illustrated. The strip of material 18 has been peeled back, about the fold 19, to reveal the internal components of the therapeutic device 10. Recesses 12 and 13 are formed in the inner polyurethane foam layer 22. An electric motor 23 is located within each recess 12 and the control unit (not shown) lies beneath the rechargeable battery 24 within recess 13.

(9) A channel 25 in the inner polyurethane foam layer 22 connects recess 13 with recesses 12 and accommodates the wiring (not shown for the purposes of clarity), which wiring connects the electric motors 23 to the rechargeable battery 24, through the control unit. As the wiring is embedded within the elongate flexible panel 11 it cannot be interfered with, in use.