It is the object of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing a frame of a device for cryotherapy, i.e. a device for carrying out medical and therapeutic procedures with the use of very low temperatures.

In a device for cryotherapy liquid nitrogen is used and its vapors are applied locally to areas of the body that require therapy as well as physiological reactions of the system to cold are used.

In known devices of this type a reservoir of liquid nitrogen from which nitrogen vapors for cryotherapy are drawn is positioned on a base of the device for cryotherapy. Nitrogen vapors are fed through a feeding line to a therapeutic tip of a varying structure which is also replaceable so as to accommodate the device for the purposes of a specific medical procedures. The feeding line is provided with a valve for adjustment of the outflow of the therapeutic agent. The movable base constitutes a main element on which all constituent elements and assemblies of the device are mounted.

From Polish patent application P 394 549 a cryotherapeutic device is known where a reservoir of liquid nitrogen is positioned on a base and provided with a treatment tip. The treatment tip at its one end is connected releasably to one end of a feeding line while the other end of which is located within the reservoir of liquid nitrogen. The feeding line is provided with a valve, and the operation of the device is controlled by an actuating member to which signals representing the amount of nitrogen in the reservoir and temperature are sent.

From Polish utility model 62173Y a device for cryotherapy is known that comprises a reservoir with liquid nitrogen positioned on a movable framework provided with a base and with a formed arm in a shape of a bow to which an immovable control panel is fastened. The reservoir is in communication, through a feeding line, with an applicator. The movable base is constituted by a round platform of a diameter slightly greater than the bottom of the reservoir and the platform is equipped with wheels.

From Polish utility model 65217Y a cryotherapy device is known with a feeding line, comprising a reservoir with liquid nitrogen positioned on a movable base, integrally coupled with a heater positioned within a head inside the reservoir connected to the feeding line terminated in a nozzle which is releasably rotationally set in the head. The device is provided with a system for measuring the amount of liquid nitrogen in the reservoir, and the operation of the device is controlled by a feeding panel comprising function buttons and displays and mounted securely on a formed bow of the base. The movable framework on which the liquid nitrogen reservoir is positioned comprises a press formed base and formed arm made of a bent pipe.

In all devices for cryotherapy known from the prior art a method for manufacturing a frame consists on cutting frame segments from a metal sheet and pressforming thereof and optionally coupling with a formed arm of a bent metal pipe.

According to the invention, a method of manufacturing a frame of a device for cryotherapy, comprising a reservoir with liquid nitrogen positioned on a base constituted by a spatial frame made of metal components, comprises:

- defining in one sheet of material the shape of a lower frame being a part of the frame of a device for cryotherapy;

- defining fastening points for movable wheels in the lower frame;

- defining the inner shape of the lower frame corresponding to the outer shape of an upper frame constituting a part of the frame of a device for cryotherapy so as the distance of the points of the inner shape of the lower frame and the distance of the points of the outer shape of the upper frame from a theoretical rotational axis of the lower frame and the upper frame are variable;

- defining the inner shape of the upper frame;

- cutting the lower frame and the upper frame;

- raising and rotating the upper frame relative to the lower frame so as at least two first points of the upper frame and at least two second points of the lower frame overlap; and - coupling the upper frame and the lower frame in second points of the lower frame and the first points of the upper frame.

Preferably, in the inner shape of the lower frame an additional recess area is made above the outer shape of the upper frame.

Also preferably, the upper frame and the lower frame are coupled by means of articulated joints.

Also preferably, the upper frame is raised and rotated relative to the lower frame by an angle less than 90°.

The object of the invention is shown in embodiments in the drawing where Fig. 1 shows a device for cryotherapy in a partly broken-up section of a reservoir; Fig. 2 shows a device for cryotherapy with a frame in a perspective view; Fig. 3 shows a lower part within an upper part of the frame in a top view; and Fig. 4 shows the frame with a lower part and an upper part in a bottom view.

The device 1 for cryotherapy comprises a reservoir la with liquid nitrogen (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1, a lower part of the reservoir la with liquid nitrogen is constituted by a base by means of which the reservoir la is positioned on a movable platform equipped with movable wheels 5 and is used to move the device 1 for cryotherapy.

As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the movable platform has a frame 2 comprising two parts: a lower frame 3 and an upper frame 4 coupled with each other by means of articulated joints 10. The articulated joints 10 are secured to the upper frame at first points 7 of the upper frame and to the lower frame 3 at second fastening points 8 of the lower frame 3.

To the lower frame 3, at fastening points 5, movable wheels 5a are mounted. The movable wheels 5a are self-adjusting and enable movement of the device 1 for cryotherapy.

In the frame 2 of the device for cryotherapy additional devices and sensors are positioned that determine operation thereof, such as for example extensometer sensor for measurement of nitrogen mass in the reservoir 1 a or a control panel bracket.

As shown in Fig. 3, in the method of the invention, first on a metal sheet an outer shape of a lower frame 3 is defined which is to constitute a part of the frame 2 of the device 1 for cryotherapy. In the lower frame 3 fastening points 5 for movable wheels 5a are defined. Then the inner shape of the lower frame 3 is defined the contour of which corresponds to the outer shape of the upper frame 4 which is to be a part of the frame 2 of the device 1 for cryotherapy.

The distances of the points of the outer shape of the upper frame 4 and the individual points of the inner shape of the lower frame 3 from a theoretical rotational axis 6 of the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 3 change angularly in a predefined manner.

A further step of the method comprises defining the outer shape of the upper frame 4 and laser cutting of the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 3 so as in the course of cutting during a single operation cutting of the inner shape of the lower frame 3 and the outer shape of the upper frame 4 is effected. At the same time, openings for fastening points 5 for movable wheels 5a are cut out, first points 7 in the upper frame 4 and second fastening points in the lower frame 3.

In the lower frame 3 additional recess areas 9 above the outer shape of the upper frame are defined and cut. Definition of additional recess areas 9 in the lower frame may be effected along with defining the inner shape of the lower frame 3 and the outer shape of the upper frame 4.

Upon cutting from one metal sheet of the shapes of the lower frame 3 and the upper frame 4 and upon performing other technological operations on these elements, such as for example machining of the edges or painting, the upper frame 4 is raised and rotated by an angle of 39° relative to the lower frame 3 so as two first points 7 of the upper frame 4 and two second points 8 of the lower frame 3 overlap and by means of articulated joints 10 the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 3 are coupled with each other at second points 8 of the lower frame 3 and the first points 7 of the upper frame