APPARATUS FOR TREATING SOFT TISSUE INJURIES DURING PHYSICAL

ACTIVITY

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to orthopedic devices and treatment methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to orthopedic devices and methods utilizing a plurality of discrete pressure points.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Strained, fatigued, or otherwise injured muscles are generally treated by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) either prior to, after, or during physical activities.

[0003] External support devices, such as bandages, slings, or braces, are also often used to treat injured muscles prior to, after, or during physical activities. The aforementioned devices typically elicit a therapeutic benefit on injured muscles by providing support, inhibiting the massive movement of extensor and flexor muscles, and absorbing shock. Support devices may also elicit a therapeutic benefit by warming or cooling injured muscles. [0004] External support devices, such as bandages, slings, or braces, are also often used to treat injured muscles prior to, after, or during physical activities. The aforementioned devices typically elicit a therapeutic benefit on injured muscles by providing support, inhibiting the massive movement of extensor and flexor muscles, and absorbing shock. Support devices may also elicit a therapeutic benefit by warming or cooling injured muscles. [0005] Chinese acupuncture, well known and recognized worldwide, but not full appreciated, can also be utilized for treating injured muscles. During acupuncture therapy, needles are inserted into the body at defined bioactive points. The needles usually remain in the body for a defined period of time. The administration of acupuncture therapy requires a skilled, and in some localities a certified, practitioner.

[0006] Acupressure is a derivation of acupuncture therapy. During acupressure therapy, a skilled practitioner applies mechanical pressure to specific bioactive points, while being careful to not apply a harmful amount of pressure.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for supporting muscles during physical activity. Capable of self-administration by the user, the present invention

avoids the need of skilled and/or certified practitioners. Providing therapeutic pressure simultaneously along multiple points and/or in different directions, such as, but not limited to, radial, longitudinal, and/or any combination thereof, the present invention may elicit a superior therapeutic effect than conventional tension bandages. In addition to the previously enumerated advantages over the short comings of the existing devices and methods, the present invention may also provide additional advantages and improvements that will be recognized by people of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure. [0008] A muscle support apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a therapeutic body, a therapeutic surface on one side of the body, and a plurality of support members secured to the therapeutic surface. Each of the support members comprises a base secured to the therapeutic surface and an arced cross section on at least one axis transecting the support member, with the apex of the arc extending away from the therapeutic surface. [0009] During physical activity, the muscle support apparatus is placed in contact with the skin proximate to and/or over an injured muscle, with the therapeutic surface facing the skin. A pressure is then applied to the support apparatus. The applied pressure is distributed amongst the support members contacting the body. Translating the pressure applied to the support member into a compressive stress, the arched cross-sections of the support members provide supportive pressure to muscles. The support members may elicit a therapeutic effect on a muscle proximate to and/or over which they are pressed through a variety of mechanism of action. Providing supportive pressure, the support members may bring about pain relief in a manner similar to that of acupressure therapy. Supporting the muscle, the support members may absorb shock. Distributing the supportive pressure across the support members may cause the skin over the muscle to stretch as to open pores in the skin surface. The opening of pores in the skin surface may increase absorption of oxygen through the skin. Distributing supportive pressure across the support members may also cause stretching of the muscle beneath the support members. Other therapeutic benefits and/of mechanisms of actions, in addition to those listed, may be elicited by the support members of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The present invention will be shown and described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments and clearly understood in detail. Like elements of the various embodiments depicted within the figures are equivalently numbered.

[0011] Figure 1 depicts three-dimensional views of two embodiments of a muscle support apparatus in accordance with the present invention and a cross sectional view common to both of the depicted embodiments.

[0012] Figure 2 depicts a three-dimensional view an embodiment of a muscle support apparatus in accordance with the present invention secured to a strap.

[0013] Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a muscle support apparatus in accordance with the present invention secured to a bladder.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0014] Figure 1 depicts three dimensional views (Figure Ia and Figure Ib) of two embodiments of muscle support apparatus in accordance with the present invention and a cross-sectional view (Figure Ic) common to both of the depicted embodiments. The depicted support apparatus comprise a therapeutic body 101, a therapeutic surface 102 on one side of the therapeutic body 101, and a plurality of support members 103 and 104. Each of the support members 103 and 104 comprises a base 105 secured to the therapeutic surface 102, and an arc 106 spanning the base along at least one axis. As depicted in Figure Ia, arc 106 may be extruded along a second axis forming vaults 103. The arc 106 may also be revolved along one axis forming domes 104, as depicted in Figure Ib. Other support member configurations are possible and in accordance with the present invention, so long as there is an arc spanning at least one axis of the base.

[0015] Support members may be made from a plastic and/or a polymer. The support members may also be made from a variety of other materials, readily recognizable by those skilled in the art. Precious metals such as, but not limited to, gold, silver, and/or platinum, may be used in constructing the support members. [0016] Therapeutic body 101 may be made from a compliant or rigid material. If a rigid material is used, it may be desirable to segment therapeutic body 101 as to enable therapeutic body 101 to conform to the wearer's body.

[0017] During and/or throughout physical activity, such as, but not limited to, exercise, playing sports, and/or manual labor, the muscle support apparatus is pressed against the skin, with therapeutic surface 102 facing the skin. Preferably, the support apparatus is pressed proximate to and/or over an injured muscle. The support apparatus may be pressed against the skin and/or secured in place with the use of a strap 201, depicted in Figure 2. Strap 201 may be fastened around a portion of the body such as, but not limited to, a limb, a shoulder, trunk, and/or head by tying ends 202 and 203 together. Alternatively, Velcro attached to the

ends of the strap 201 may be used to secure strap 201 to a portion of the body. Strap 201 may also be secured by the use of snaps, a buckle, buttons, and/or numerous other means readily recognizable to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The support apparatus may also be secured in place and/or pressed against the skin with the use of a sling, brace, bandage, tape, and/or numerous other devices readily recognizable to a person of ordinary skill in the art. [0018] Regardless of the device used to secure and/or press the muscle support apparatus against a portion of the body, it is preferable that the support apparatus be secured to the device. Ideally, therapeutic body 101 is removably secured to a support device such as strap 201 or a similar device. Therapeutic body 101 may be removably secured to strap 201 or a similar device by including an eye or plurality of eyes on therapeutic body 101 through which strap 201 or a similar device is threaded. Therapeutic body 101 may also be remobably secured to strap 201 by attaching a piece of Velcro on therapeutic body 101 opposite therapeutic surface 102 and a mating piece of Velcro on strap 201. As an alternative to Velcro, temporary adhesives, snaps, and/or numerous other means readily recognizable to person of ordinary skill in the art may be used to removably secure therapeutic body 101 to strap 201 or other support devices.

[0019] Vaulted support members 103 may be desirable when the wearer is experiencing pain localized to particular muscle or group of muscles during physical activity. If a therapeutic body 101 with a therapeutic surface 102 measuring 5 cm by 6 cm is used, seven vaults with a length of 5 cm, a width of 6 mm, and a height of 3 mm may be positioned uniformly over therapeutic surface 102, as depicted in Figure Ia. Other vault dimensions and density are equally possible. Furthermore, therapeutic surface 102 may be larger or smaller than the size previously enumerated. Ideally, a muscle support apparatus with vaulted support members 103 is positioned against the skin proximate to and/or over the injured muscle. The support apparatus should, but need not, be oriented such that vaulted support members 103 run with the thread of the muscle or muscles.

[0020] Domed support members 104 may be desirable when the wearer is experiencing a shooting pain during physically activity. If a therapeutic body 101 with a therapeutic surface 102 measuring 5 cm by 6 cm is used, 42 domes with a base diameter of 6 mm and a height of 3 mm may be positioned uniformly over therapeutic surface 102, as depicted in Figure Ib. Other dome dimensions and density are equally possible. Furthermore, therapeutic surface 102 may be larger or smaller than the size previously enumerated. Ideally, the muscle support apparatus with domed support members 104 is positioned against the skin proximate to and/or over the injured muscle from which the shooting pain originates.

[0021] Regardless of configuration, size, or density, the support members may be secured to the therapeutic surface 102 in a variety patterns. Possible patterns of the support members on the therapeutic surface 102 include, but are not limited to, linear, sinusoidal, triangular, rectangular, circular, spiral, and/or any combination thereof. In some situations, it may be preferable to select a support member pattern that approximates and/or resembles the configuration, shape, and/or thread of the injured muscle. Therapeutic body 101 and/or therapeutic surface 102 may be configured to match the support member pattern utilized. [0022] As depicted in Figure 3, a bladder 301 may be secured to therapeutic body 101 opposite therapeutic surface 102. The bladder may be filled with a substance 302 hotter or colder than the wearer's body such as, but not limited, a gas, a solid, a fluid and/or a gel. The substance 302 within the bladder may contain chemicals that react exothermically or endothermically. Such chemicals are readily recognizable to a people of ordinary skill in the art. When bladder 301 is filled with a substance 302 hotter than the body and/or chemicals reacting exothermically, heat from bladder 301 will be transferred to muscles in contact with and/or proximate to the muscle support apparatus. Conversely, when bladder 301 is filled with a substance 302 colder than the body and/or chemicals reacting endothermically, heat will be transferred from muscles in contact with and/or proximate to the support apparatus to bladder 301. Transferring heat from bladder 301 to injured muscles may elicit several therapeutic benefits such as, but not limited to, increasing blood flow to the muscles, and/or relaxing the muscles. Transferring heat from injured muscles to bladder 301 may elicit several therapeutic benefits such as, but not limited to, decreasing swelling, decreasing inflammation, and/or dulling pain.

[0023] Arc as used herein refers to a segment of a differentiable curve. [0024] It should be appreciated that elements described with singular articles such as "a", "an", and "the" or otherwise described singularly may be used in plurality. It should also be appreciated that elements described in plurality may be used singularly. [0025] Although specific embodiments of apparatuses and methods have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by people of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, combination, and/or sequence that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments as wells as combinations and sequences of the above methods and other methods of use will be apparent to individuals possessing skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure. The scope of the present invention should be

determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.