# US 7,740,645 B2 · Apparatus and method for treating soft tissue injuries

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- Number: US 7,740,645 B2
- Document ID: US7740645B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/737,114
- Filed: 2007-04-18
- Published: 2007-08-09
- Granted: 2010-06-22
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-18
- Assignees: AB Ortho, LLC
- Inventors: Eilaz Babaev
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7740645B2

## CPC

- A61H 39/04: Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu {or Acupressure}(Massage or pressure on general areas A61H9/00 - A61H23/00)
- A61B 17/1325: {with means for applying local pressure (pressure pads A61F5/30)}
- A61F 5/30: Pressure pads
- 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}
- A61H 11/00: Belts, strips or combs for massage purposes
- A61H 2201/0207: heated
- A61H 2201/0214: cooled
- A61H 2201/0257: by a heat accumulator, e.g. a sand or liquid reservoir
- A61H 2201/0278: by chemical reaction
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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)

## Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for treating injured muscles before, during, and/or after physical activity. Practicing the method of the present involves pressing a plurality of pressure applicators against the skin proximate to a muscle for a sustained period of time. The pressure applicators pressed against the body can be either pins, support members, and/or any combination thereof. The support members may be secured to the therapeutic surface of a therapeutic body as to create an apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In such an apparatus, the base of pressure applicator is secured to the therapeutic surface such that the distal end of the pressure applicator extends away from the therapeutic surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of providing therapy to muscles comprising the steps of:
a. pressing a plurality of pressure applicators against the skin proximate to an injured muscle for sustained periods of time;
b. wherein pressure applicators consisting of support members having an arced cross section on at least one axis transecting the support member are pressed against the skin proximate to an injured muscle during physical activity and pressure applicators consisting of pins having a pointed distal end and arranged on a therapeutic surface in a density between 3 pins/cm2 and 1,000 pins/cm2 are pressed against the skin proximate to an injured muscle subsequent to said physical activity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of securing the pressure applicators against the skin with a device selected from the group consisting of a strap, sling, brace, bandage, and tape.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pins are pressed against the skin for a period of approximately 15 minutes or less.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pins are pressed against the skin proximate to a muscle experiencing acute pain.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the arc of the support member is extruded along an axis and the support member is pressed against the skin proximate to a muscle experiencing pain.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the arc of the support member is revolved along one axis and the support member is pressed against the skin proximate to a muscle from which a shooting pain originates.