# US 12,396,922 B2 · Device, body, method and system for health-care

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- Number: US 12,396,922 B2
- Document ID: US12396922B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/801,698
- Filed: 2020-04-30
- Published: 2023-05-04
- Granted: 2025-08-26
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-30
- Assignees: Tao Mining Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Tao Mining Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Ching-Fu Tsai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12396922B2

## CPC

- A61H 39/04: Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu {or Acupressure}(Massage or pressure on general areas A61H9/00 - A61H23/00)
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- A61F 5/3761: {for attaching the limbs to other objects (A61F5/3769 takes precedence)}
- A61F 5/3769: {for attaching the body to beds, wheel-chairs or the like}
- A61H 7/00: Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for (electro-medical massage devices applying electric current by contact A61N1/18)
- A61H 7/001: {without substantial movement between the skin and the device}
- A61H 37/00: Accessories for massage
- A61H 39/00: Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture (chiropodists' instruments A61B17/54; {for radiation therapy A61N5/0619})
- A61H 39/002: {Using electric currents (electrotherapy A61N1/32)}
- A61H 39/02: Devices for locating such points
- A61H 39/06: Devices for heating or cooling such points within cell-life limits (cauterisers, moxaburners, cryogenic apparatus A61B18/06; heating or cooling appliances for medical treatment of general areas of the human body A61F7/00)
- A61H 39/08: Devices for applying needles to such points, i.e. for acupuncture {; Acupuncture needles or accessories therefor}
- A61N 2/006: {for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue}
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 20/90: relating to alternative medicines, e.g. homeopathy or oriental medicines
- G16H 70/20: relating to practices or guidelines
- A61H 2039/005: {by means of electromagnetic waves, e.g. I.R., U.V. rays}
- A61H 2201/0107: modular
- A61H 2201/0119: Support for the device
- A61H 2201/0157: portable
- A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions
- A61H 2201/0196: automatically adjusted according to anthropometric data of the user
- A61H 2201/0207: heated
- A61H 2201/0221: Mechanism for heating or cooling
- A61H 2201/0278: by chemical reaction
- A61H 2201/1207: with electric or magnetic drive
- A61H 2201/123: Linear drive
- A61H 2201/1246: by piston-cylinder systems
- A61H 2201/1436: Special crank assembly
- A61H 2201/149: rotation-linear or vice versa
- A61H 2201/1604: Head
- A61H 2201/1607: Holding means therefor
- A61H 2201/1635: Hand or arm, e.g. handle
- A61H 2201/1638: Holding means therefor
- A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
- A61H 2201/1645: contoured to fit the user
- A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces
- A61H 2201/1659: Free spatial automatic movement of interface within a working area, e.g. Robot
- A61H 2201/1664: linear
- A61H 2201/1671: rotational
- A61H 2201/1676: Pivoting
- A61H 2201/5007: computer controlled
- A61H 2201/501: connected to external computer devices or networks
- A61H 2201/5012: using the internet
- A61H 2201/5023: Interfaces to the user
- A61H 2201/5035: Several programs selectable
- A61H 2201/5043: Displays
- A61H 2201/5046: Touch screens
- A61H 2201/5048: Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
- A61H 2201/5053: mechanically controlled
- A61H 2201/5058: Sensors or detectors
- A61H 2201/5064: Position sensors
- A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors
- A61H 2201/5082: Temperature sensors
- A61H 2203/0468: Prone
- A61H 2205/022: Face
- A61H 2205/04: neck
- A61H 2205/06: Arms
- A61H 2205/065: Hands
- A61H 2205/067: Fingers
- A61H 2205/081: Back
- A61H 2205/10: Leg
- A61H 2205/108: for the upper legs
- A61H 2205/12: Feet
- A61H 2205/125: Foot reflex zones
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A health care device includes a health care body for positioning a body part of a user, so as to maintain a first specific positional relationship with the body part, wherein the body part has an acupoint; an acupoint work piece for performing a health care work onto the use through the acupoint; and a work piece holder having a first end connected to the health care body and a second end for fixing the acupoint work piece, so that under the first specific positional relationship, the acupoint work piece performs the health care work under the condition that the acupoint work piece has a second specific positional relationship with the acupoint. A health care body, method and system are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A health care device, comprising:
a health care body having a first carrying base plate and a second carrying base plate for carrying a body part of a user, wherein the body part is an upper limb including an upper arm and a lower arm, or a lower limb including a thigh and a shank, the first and second carrying base plates are respectively configured to carry thereon the upper and lower arms or the thigh and the shank, wherein dimensions of the first and second base plates are combined to define a total length adapted to a length of the body part, and the body part has an acupoint;
a first positioning mechanism slidably configured on the health care body, positioning the body part on the health care body, and securing a first specific positional relationship between the health care body and the body part;
an acupoint work piece having a second specific positional relationship with the acupoint; and
a work piece holder having:
a first end connected to the health care body, or the first positioning mechanism; and
a second end holding the acupoint work piece under the second specific positional relationship, and enabling the acupoint work piece to engage in a health care work towards the user through the acupoint under the first and second positional relationships.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The health care device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the first carrying base plate has a third end and a fourth end, and the second carrying base plate has a fifth end and a sixth end;
the first positioning mechanism includes a first pair of positioning blocks respectively configured on two sides of the third end of the first carrying base plate; and
the body part has a first protruding feature, and inner surfaces of the first pair of positioning blocks respectively have at least one recess configured to correspond to the first protruding feature to provide the first specific positional relationship.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The health care device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the health care body further includes a length adjustment device;
the fourth end and the fifth end dispose therebetween the length adjustment device;
the length adjustment device adjusts a distance between the first carrying base plate and the second carrying base plate to adjust an apparent length of the health care body to be adapted to a length of the body part; and
the third end has a pair of recesses respectively sliding therewith the first pair of positioning blocks to adjust a distance between the first pair of positioning blocks to be adapted to a width of the body part.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The health care device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the first pair of positioning blocks has a pair of lugs, the first carrying base plate has a pair of side grooves respectively communicating with the pair of recesses, the first pair of positioning blocks slide in the pair of side grooves via the lugs, each of the fourth end and the fifth end has a central groove and a plurality of first pin holes, and the length adjustment device includes:
a linking plate, two sides of which are respectively configured in the central grooves;
a plurality of second pin holes respectively configured on the two sides of the linking plate and corresponding to the plurality of first pin holes; and
a plurality of pins respectively inserted into the plurality of first pin holes of the fourth end and the fifth end, and correspondingly into the plurality of second pin holes of the linking plate to fix the first carrying base plate, the second carrying base plate and the length adjustment device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The health care device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the fourth end and the fifth end has an arc convex, a middle groove and a first sliding hole, and the length adjustment device includes:
a length adjustment plate configured between the fourth end and the fifth end and has a second sliding hole;
a side piece inserted through the second sliding hole and the first sliding holes, and slidably and planarly combining the first carrying base plate, the second carrying base plate and the length adjustment plate together; and
a trapezoidal piece configured in the middle grooves and having a pair of side bevels, wherein the trapezoidal piece adjusts an apparent length of the health care body by an interaction between the pair of side bevels and the arc convexes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The health care device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the length adjustment plate further includes a screw hole, a plurality of positioning pin holes and a rotatable screw rod for operating the trapezoidal piece so as to adjust a contact position between the pair of side bevels of the trapezoidal piece and the arc convexes to adjust the total length to define a total virtual length of the first carrying base plate, the second carrying base plate and the length adjustment plate; or
the trapezoidal piece has a bottom hole and the rotatable screw rod has an end, and the end is configured and freely rotatable in the bottom hole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The health care device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the length adjustment plate further includes a central recess for positioning a second protruding feature of the body part; and
the second protruding feature is a protrusion of a kneecap of the user when the user lies pronely.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The health care device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a second pair of positioning blocks respectively and slidably configured on two sides of the length adjustment device for positioning a third protruding feature of the body part.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The health care device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a third positioning block slidably configured on one side of the sixth end of the second carrying base plate for positioning a fourth protruding feature of the body part.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The health care device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a second pair of positioning blocks respectively and slidably configured on two sides of the sixth end of the second carrying base plate for positioning a second protruding feature of the body part.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The health care device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first carrying base plate and the second carrying base plate are used for carrying the lower arm, wherein:
the sixth end of the second carrying base plate has an elbow containing recess for containing a most prominent part of an elbow of an ulna;
each of the sixth end of the second carrying base plate and the second pair of positioning blocks has a groove positioning therein a respective left or lower side of prominent muscles of the lower arm when the lower arm is kept laterally upright;
the third end of the first carrying base plate has a recess configured to rest thereon an abductor muscle of a little finger of the user when the lower arm is kept laterally upright, and freely resting thereon a wrist and a palm of the user when an inner (or yin) side of the lower arm is laterally placed on the first carrying base plate;
the first pair of positioning blocks are configured with a cavity and a groove, wherein when the palm is upright, the cavity is configured to contain a short abductor muscle of a thumb of the palm therein and the groove allows the palm to stretch therein;
the first pair of positioning blocks are used for containing a carpal protrusion of a radius of the lower arm and a carpal protrusion of the ulna of the lower arm of the user respectively; and
the second pair of positioning blocks are used for containing a most protruding sesamoid at an ulna side of an elbow end of a humerus of the user.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The health care device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a third carrying base plate configured to carry thereon the upper arm, and including a first carrier plate and a second carrier plate, wherein the first carrier plate is connected to the second carrying base plate, the second carrier plate has a semi-cylindrical part urging against an axilla of the user, and the second carrier plate has a guiding sheet conforming to a shoulder end of the upper arm of the user.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The health care device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first carrying base plate and the second carrying base plate are respectively used for carrying the shank and the thigh, wherein:
the first carrying base plate is configured with a central concave, wherein when the user lies pronely, the central concave is configured to contain an outer protrusion of a tibia of the shank, and when the user lies supinely, the central concave contains a calf of the shank;
the third end of the first carrying base plate has a recess containing therein a calcaneal tendon and a calcaneus when the user lies pronely;
the sixth end of the second carrying base plate has a recess containing muscles connecting between buttocks and the thigh, and a stop abutting against a bottom edge of a groin of the user;
the first pair of positioning blocks are respectively used for containing a lateral malleolus and a medial malleolus of the user;
the second pair of positioning blocks are respectively used for containing a knee tuberosity of the tibia and a knee tuberosity of a femur of the user; and
the third positioning block is used for containing a trochanter major protrusion at a buttock end of the femur of the user.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The health care device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a heel height adjustment medium configured on the third end of the first carrying base plate for being adapted to a specific heel height of the user.

### Claim 15

A health care device for holding an acupoint work piece thereon to engage in a health care work onto a user, wherein the user has a body part including an acupoint, the body part is an upper limb including an upper arm and a lower arm, or a lower limb including a thigh and a shank, and the health care device comprises:
a health care body having a carrying platform, wherein the carrying platform includes a first base plate and a second base plate respectively configured to carry thereon the upper and lower arms or the thigh and the shank, and dimensions of the first and second base plates are combined to define a total length adapted to a length of the body part;
a pair of positioning blocks slidably configured on the carrying platform, and configured to position the body part on the carrying platform and cause the health care body and the body part to have a first specific positional relationship therebetween; and
a work piece holder connected to the carrying platform or the pair of positioning blocks, holding the acupoint work piece on the carrying platform or the pair of positioning blocks, securing the acupoint work piece and the acupoint to have a second specific positional relationship therebetween, and ensuring the acupoint work piece to engage in the health care work onto the user through the acupoint under the first specific positional relationship and the second specific positional relationship.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The health care device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a length adjustment device mounted on the health care body and used to adjust an apparent length of the total length of the carrying platform in response to a length of the body part.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The health care device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the carrying platform has a pair of recesses respectively mounting thereon the pair of positioning blocks to have a mutual distance in response to a width of the body part.