US 6,547,749 B2 · Body pulsating method and apparatus

Abstract

A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operableto subject the vest to pulses of air which applies and releases high frequency pressure forces to the body. The pulsator has two diaphrams connected to an electric de motor with rotary to reciprocating linear motion transmitting mechanisms operable to generate air pulses in an air pulsing chamber. The diaphragms also increase the pressure in a manifold chamber. A check valve connects the manifold chamber with a pulsing chamber to allow pressurized air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber. An air flow control valve in commmunication with the manifold chamber is used to adjust the pressure of the air in the manifold and pulsing chambers.

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Claims69

Dependent claims

An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an enclosure comprising:

a casing surrounding an air pulsing chamber, means connected to the casing adapted to carry air and air pressure pulses from the air pulsing chamber to the enclosure, said casing having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, a first diaphragm extended across the first opening of the casing, a first cover located over and spaced from the first diaphragm having a first pumping chamber in communication with the first diaphragm, first means securing the first cover and first diaphragm to the casing, a second diaphragm extended across the second opening of the casing, a second cover located over and spaced from the second diaphragm having a second pumping chamber in communication with the second diaphragm, second means securing the second cover and second diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said first and second pumping chambers, a one-way valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said air flow regulating means including an adjustable member operable to adjust the rate of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber thereby regulating the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, a first motion transmission assembly connected to the first diaphragm operable to linearly move the first diaphragm relative to the pulsing and first pumping chambers, a second motion transmission assembly connected to the second diaphragm operable to linearly move the second diaphragm relative to the pulsing and second pumping chambers, a variable speed motor, power transmission means connecting the motor to the first and second motion transmission assemblies whereby on operation of the motor the first and second motion transmission assemblies linearly reciprocate the first and second diaphragms to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the first and second pumping chambers and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said one-way valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movements of the diaphragms thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and enclosure.

An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an air core having a flexible wall and an internal air chamber surrounding the upper body of a person to apply repetitive pressure pulses to said upper body of the person comprising:

a casing surrounding an air pulsing chamber, means connected to the air pulsing chamber for carrying air and air pressure pulses from the air pulsing chamber to the internal chamber of the air core whereby the air pressure pulses apply repetitive pressure pulse forces to the upper body of the person, said casing having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, a first diaphragm extended across the first opening of the casing, a first cover located over and spaced from the first diaphragm having a first pumping chamber in communication with the first diaphragm, first means securing the first cover and first diaphragm to the casing, a second diaphragm extended across the second opening of the casing, a second cover located over and spaced from the second diaphragm having a second pumping chamber in communication with the second diaphragm, second means securing the second cover and second diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said first and second pumping chambers, a one-way valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said air flow regulating means including an adjustable member operable to adjust the rate of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber thereby regulating the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, a first motion transmission assembly connected to the first diaphragm operable to linearly move the first diaphragm relative to the pulsing and first pumping chambers, a second motion transmission assembly connected to the second diaphragm operable to linearly move the second diaphragm relative to the pulsing and second pumping chambers, a variable speed motor, power transmission means connecting the motor to the first and second motion transmission assemblies whereby on operation of the motor the first and second motion transmission assemblies linearly reciprocate the first and second diaphragms to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the first and second pumping chambers and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said one-way valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and from the pulsing chamber into the air chamber of the air core when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movements of the diaphragms thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the repetitive pressure pulse forces applied to the upper body of the person.

An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an enclosure comprising:

a casing having an air pulsing chamber and an opening, a diaphragm mounted on the casing closing the opening, means having a passage adapted to connect the casing to the enclosure for carrying air and air pressure pulses to the enclosure, a cover located over and spaced from the diaphragm having a pumping chamber, means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said pumping chamber, at least one valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent air to flow back from the pulsing chamber into the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, drive means connected to the diaphragm operable to reciprocate the diaphragm relative to the pumping chamber, a variable speed motor connected to the drive means whereby on operation of the motor the drive means reciprocates the diaphragm to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and enclosure.

a casing having an air pulsing chamber and an opening, a diaphragm mounted on the casing closing the opening, means having a passage adapted to connect the casing to the air chamber of the air core for carrying air and air pressure pulses to the air chamber of the air core to apply repetitive pressure pulses to the upper body of the person, a cover located over and spaced from the diaphragm having a pumping chamber, means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said pumping chamber, at least one valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent air to flow back from the pulsing chamber into the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, drive means connected to the diaphragm operable to reciprocate the diaphragm relative to the pumping and pulsing chamber, a variable speed motor connected to the drive means whereby on operation of the motor the drive means reciprocates the diaphragm to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulses applied to the upper body of the person.

A method of applying pressure pulsing forces to the thorax of a person with a flexible air core having an internal air chamber coupled to an air pump and pulsator having a diaphragm separating an air pulsing chamber from an air pumping chamber and a wall having a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

surrounding a person's thorax with the flexible air core, reciprocating the diaphragm relative to the pulsing chamber and pumping chamber to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber, transferring air and air pressure pulses from the pulsing chamber to the air chamber of the air core, said air pressure pulses applying inward pressure forces to the thorax of the person, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber thereby increasing the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and the pressure of the air core on the thorax of the person, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulsing forces applied to the thorax of the person.

A method of applying pressure pulsing forces to the thorax of a person with a flexible air core having an internal air chamber and an air receiving passage located below and in air communication with the internal chamber connected with a hose to an air pump and pulsator having first and second diaphragms separating an air pulsing chamber from first and second air pumping chambers and a wall supporting a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

surrounding a person's thorax with the flexible air core, reciprocating the first and second diaphragms toward each other and away from each other relative to the pulsing chamber and first and second pumping chambers to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and the air chamber of the air core and cause air to flow into the first and second pumping chambers when the first and second diaphragms are moved toward each other and cause air to flow out of the first and second pumping chambers into the manifold chamber when the first and second diaphragms are moved away from each other, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber thereby increasing the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and the pressure of the air core on the thorax of the person, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms to regulate the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulses applied to the thorax of the person.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description7,422 words

Summary2,555 words

#The invention is directed to a medical device and method to apply repetitive compression forces to the body of a person to aid blood circulation, loosening and elimination of mucus from the lungs of a person and relieve muscular and nerve tensions.

#Clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract in healthy individuals is accomplished primarily by the body's normal mucociliary action and cough. Under normal conditions these mechanisms are very efficient. Impairment of the normal mucociliary transport system or hypersecretion of respiratory mucus results in an accumulation of mucus and debris in the lungs and can cause severe medical complications such as hypoxemia, hypercapnia, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. These complications can result in a diminished quality of life or even become a cause of death. Abnormal respiratory mucus clearance is a manifestation of many medical conditions such as pertussis, cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, cavitating lung disease, vitamin A deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and immotile cilia syndrome. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants and viral infections also adversely affect mucociliary function. Post surgical patients, paralyzed persons, and newborns with respiratory distress syndrome also exhibit reduced mucociliary transport.

#Chest physiotherapy has had a long history of clinical efficacy and is typically a part of standard medical regimens to enhance respiratory mucus transport. Chest physiotherapy can include mechanical manipulation of the chest, postural drainage with vibration, directed cough, active cycle of breathing and autogenic drainage. External manipulation of the chest and respiratory behavioral training are accepted practices as defined by the American Association for Respiratory Care Guidelines, 1991. The various methods of chest physiotherapy to enhance mucus clearance are frequently combined for optimal efficacy and are prescriptively individualized for each patient by the attending physician.

Brief description of the drawings15 figures

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the air pressure and pulse generator of the invention coupled to an air core located in a vest located around the chest of a person;

#FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partly sectioned, of the air core, vest, and person of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the adjustable timer of the air pressure and pulse generator of FIG. 1;

Detailed description4,603 words

#The body pulsating apparatus, indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1, has a vest 11 and an air pressure and pulse generator 12 operable to apply repetitive pressure pulses to the vest located about a human body to provide secretion and mucus clearance therapy. Respiratory mucus clearance is applicable to many medical conditions, such as pertussis, cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, cavitating lung disease, vitamin A deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and immobile cilia syndrome. Post surgical patients, paralyzed persons, and newborns with respiratory distress syndrome have reduced mucociliary transport. Apparatus 10 provides high frequency chest wall oscillations or pulses to enhance mucus clearance in a person 13 with reduced mucociliary transport.

#Vest 11 located around the person's upper body or thorax 14 is supported on the person's shoulders 16 and 17. As shown in FIG. 2, vest 11 expanded into substantial surface contact with the exterior of upper body 14 functions to apply repeated compression or pressure pulses, shown by arrows 18 to body 14. The reaction of body 14 to the pressure pulses causes repetitive expansion of the body when the pressure pulses are in the low pressure phase of the pressure cycle. The pressure pulses subjected to lungs 19 and 21 and trachea 22 provide secretions and mucus clearance therapy. The thoracic cavity occupies only the upper part of the thoracic cage and contains right and left lungs 19 and 21, heart 23, arteries 24 and 26, and rib cage 27. The repeated pressure pulses applied to thorax 14 stimulates heart 23 and blood flow in arteries 24 and 26 and veins in the chest cavity. Muscular and nerve tensions are also relieved by the repetitive pressure pulses imparted to the front, sides, and back portions of thorax 14. The lower part of the thoracic cage comprises the abdominal cavity 29 which reaches upward as high as the lower tip of the sternum so as to afford considerable protection to the large and easily injured abdominal organs, such as the liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The two cavities are separated by a dome-shaped diaphragm 28. Rib cage 27 has twelve ribs on each side of the trunk. The ribs consist of a series of thin, curved, rather elastic bones which articulate posteriorly with the thoracic vertebrae. The spaces between successive ribs are bridged by intercostal muscles. The rib cage 29 aids in the distribution of the pressure pulses to the lungs 19 and 21 and trachea 22.

#Vest 11 has an outside cover 31 comprising a non-elastic material, such as a nylon fabric. Other types of materials can be used for cover 31. Cover 31 is secured to a flexible inside liner 32 located adjacent and around body 14. Liner 32 is a flexible fabric, such as a porous cotton fabric, that allows air to flow through the fabric toward body 14. A closure device 33, shown as a zipper, secures the bottom of liner 32 to an upwardly directed end portion 34 of cover 31. An air core or bladder 36 having internal chamber 37 and a manifold passage 38 is located between cover 31 and liner 32. A plurality of air passages 39 between passage 38 and chamber 37 allow air to flow upwardly into chamber 37. An elongated coil spring 41 in the lower portion of air core 36 inside manifold passage 38 maintains the manifold passage 38 open. Other types of structures that maintain manifold passage 38 open and allow air to flow through passage 38 can be used in the lower portion of air core 36. The end portion 33 of non-elastic cover 31 and coil spring 41 substantially reduces the inward pressure of the vest on the abdominal cavity 29 and organs therein and reduces stress on the digestive system. Air core 36 has a plurality of vertically aligned air flow control apertures 42 that restrict the flow of air from air core chamber 37 into the space between cover 31 and liner 32. The air flowing through porous liner 32 ventilates and cools body 14 surrounded by vest 11.

Body pulsating method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Body pulsating method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims69

Description7,422 words

Drawings

Classification12 codes

Life of this patent

Description7,422 words