Technical level Known similar devices are: Hydrotone, consisting of a hydromassage bath, steam sauna, circular shower, aromatherapy device (the product was presented at the fair Esthe & Cosmetic Expo 2001 Tokyo/Japan, 18- 20.06. 2001); Dermalife consisting of a steam sauna, vibromassage bed, infrared sauna, aromatherapy device (fairs Esthe & Cosmetic Expo 2001-Tokyo/Japan, 18-20. 06. 2001; Beauty 2001 Dusseldorf/Germany, 30.03-01. 04.2001 ; Cosmoprof 2001 Bologna/Italy, 21- 23.04. 2001); Alfa massage device, consisting of a dry air sauna, vibromassage bed, aromatherapy device (fair Face & Body 2001 Santa Clara, CA, USA, 14-16.06. 2001 ; Beauty 2001, Dusseldorf/Germany, 30.03-01. 04.2001).

Compared to the multifunctional physiotherapy device, the known solutions have fewer possible functions and no automatic disinfection system of surfaces in contact with the customer's skin.

International patent application PCT/US00/09598"Therapeutic steam and heat treatment cabinet"is also known, publication date 19.10. 2000. This is a personal therapeutic device in the form of a capsule with a bed inside, on which the patient can lie.

The capsule has a cover that can be opened to provide access to the bed and closed to create a closed chamber, where the patient lies.

The cover has a separation panel separating the head part of the bed from the cover and lower part of the bed so that the head of the person using the chamber remains outside.

Heating elements radiating energy to the patient lying on the bed are located in the part of the cover. The steam generator under the user's control enables to add steam to the chamber or direct a steam spray towards the user's face as the user wishes.

Shortcomings of that invention are : the separation panel cannot be opened, access to the control panel is complicated and there is no access to the upper part of the patient's body, when the cover of the device is closed; the material of the separation panel and vibromassage bed is imitation leather that is not easily cleanable and therefore it is difficult to meet higher hygiene standards and preclude the risk of infections; singular use of materials is required in carrying out procedures; the device requires manual cleaning after each use ; during the procedure the user of the device can only be lying on the back; it is complicated to turn oneself inside the device, when the cover of the device is closed; lying on one's stomach is uncomfortable on the original form of the bed; water cannot be used if required and performing of hydrotherapy is impossible; there is no time recorder for various functions.

Nature of the invention The purposes of the invention are: to ensure automatic disinfection of tubes and surfaces in contact with the customer's skin; to enable independent and combined use of the following functions in one device : variations of hydrotherapy and heat therapy, vibromassage device; to improve the efficiency of and facilitate relaxation procedures and recovery processes; to improve and accelerate the results of cosmetological procedures; 'convenience, comfort and safety for the user and operator.

A cross-section of the multifunctional physiotherapy device developed to meet these purposes is provided on figure 1. The device consists of a hydrotherapy bath 1, back area massage nozzles 2, massage nozzles for side areas of the body, arms and legs 3, massage nozzles for lower part of the body 4, underwater light 5, massage nozzles for soles of feet 6, an outlet and bypass and a tube for filling the bath 7, underwater hand massage device 8, hand shower 9, thermal mixer 10, steam generator 11, pump 12, air blower 13, massage functions separator 14, disinfection device 15, hydrotherapy bath control panel 16, hydrotherapy bath control block 17, sauna dome control block 18, manually or automatically operated aroma device 19, procedure and vibromassage table 20, vibration engines 21, suspension ball 22, device cover 23, programmable massage shower and disinfection system 24, infrared radiator 25, steam screen 26, sauna dome control panel 27, pillow 28, program termination button 29, magnetic switch 30, time recorder for various functions of the device 31 and support pillow 32.

The multifunctional physiotherapy device performs the following functions that are divided among three sections : Lower section-hydrotherapy bath with ergonomic design (1), hydromassage bath-programs for full and partial massage (1,2, 3,4, 6), underwater hand massage device (8) with various massage nozzles, hand shower (9).

Middle section-vibromassage table (20), vibromassage with adjustable vibration, continuous and pulse modes (14).

Upper section-device cover (23), infrared radiator (25), steam generator (11), aromatherapy device (19), massage shower with four programs and adjustable speed and water spray pressure (24).

By combining different functions it is possible to achieve various massage, thermotherapy and heat therapy variations to ensure the efficiency and comfort of the procedure for the customer.

The height of the lower section of the multifunctional physiotherapy device, i. e. a 80-200 litre hydrotherapy bath (1), can be adjusted according to the requirements of workplace ergonomics. The height of devices is adjustable at 42-80 cm or fixed at 70 cm. This ensures

the ergonomic height of the middle section of the device, i. e. vibromassage table (20), for carrying out various massage, facial and body procedures to avoid health impediments of the operator due to incorrect work position. The hydrotherapy bath enables to carry out various hydrotherapy procedures ; the device has massage nozzles for the back area (2), side areas of the body, arms and legs (3), back side of lower part of the body (4), and soles of feet (6). A special heating device keeps the temperature of water in the hydrotherapy bath constant on a desired level.

Hand shower (9), thermal mixer (10) and underwater hand massage device (8) with various massage nozzles have been added. To ensure maximum comfort for the customer, special support pillows (32) have been developed for the body that can be also used under water.

Special head support ensures anatomically correct position of the head during the procedures.

Specially pre-programmed control modules (16,17, 18,27) have been developed to control the lower section (1), upper section (23) and vibromassage table (20), and the parameters can be measured. It is possible to work with continuous and pulse modes.

The device can be turned from a hydromassage bath into a sauna device and procedure table by installing a vibromassage table (20). The vibromassage table (20) is made of easily cleanable and disinfectable acrylic with low thermal capacity (the material feels warm in contact with the body). Linear electromagnetic engines have been used for the vibromassage table.

The transparent plastic screen of the device, the so-called steam screen (26), which separates the body part of the vibromassage table (20) from the head can be opened. This ensures required comfortable access to the customer's head, neck and upper part of the body, when the sauna dome, the so-called device cover (23) is closed. It also enables to carry out face and body procedures at the same time.

A four-program massage shower with adjustable speed and water spray pressure and 16 nozzles is used, a so-called Vichy shower (24).

The device is equipped with a unique automatic two-part disinfecting and cleaning system (15,24) to ensure hygiene of the tubes and internal surfaces of the device in contract with the customer's skin in conformity with the highest hygiene standards, which is activated by pressing a button.

It is possible to install two separate control panels, one for the customer and another for the operator.

There is a special button (29) for the safety of the customer that stops the operation of the device automatically when it is pressed. Automatic stopping of the operation is doubled by means of a magnetic switch (30) and the program stops automatically when the cover is opened by 2 cm.

A special device-time recorder (31) has been added to record the operating time of various functions of the multifunctional physiotherapy device used, enabling also troubleshooting.

Steam generated by the steam generator (11) is odorised by means of the aroma device (19) before it is directed to the upper part of the device, i. e. under the cover (23), either automatically or manually.

Steam generated by the steam generator (II) is distributed evenly in the extent of the cover (23), because the generated steam first fills the lower part (1) and vaporises then evenly under the cover (23), preventing the directing of steam of varying temperature to different body parts.

There is a long infrared radiator (25) with almost a length of the body installed in the upper part of the device under the cover (23) to distribute heat radiation evenly. Infrared energy at temperatures of up to 55°C has an efficient effect on treatment and recovery of body.

The used materials are of high quality, non-porous and easily cleanable. Surfaces of the device are ergonomic.

The device has been designed for carrying out various massage, hydrotherapy, heat therapy and sauna procedures and an original control system has been developed for comfortable use/operation of the device, enabling easy adjustment of various functions of the device.

It is possible to program and save in the device's memory individual treatment programs according to the customer's needs and prescribed treatment. Various functions, their frequencies and temperatures as well as treatment time can be comfortably set on the control panel.

The device is used in health care for prophylactic purposes, prevention of diseases, in case of potentially harmful work-related stress, complex rehabilitation of chronic diseases of musculoskeletal system, complex rehabilitation of degenerative rheumatic diseases, post- trauma rehabilitation of musculoskeletal system, for rehabilitation as a general physiotherapeutic device and in the area of sports medicine.

In cosmetic treatment the device can be used for carrying out metabolic treatment procedures in combination with special active serums, creams and wraps improving and balancing metabolism, for complex skin treatment procedures and for a general invigorating procedure - to achieve relaxing, refreshing and anti-stress effects.

The device can be used in sports establishments and hotels according to necessity for preparation before training or recovery after active physical activity, with an aim of achieving better results and avoiding injuries as well as for efficient relaxation and general invigoration.

The multifunctional physiotherapy device is suitable for use at home for all the purposes listed above.

Potential users of the multifunctional physiotherapy device can be various medical establishments, e. g. rehabilitation clinics, out-patient rehabilitation centres, medical massage therapists, physiotherapists, orthopaedic clinics and centres, mental health centres, sports medicine centres, cosmetic treatment clinics and centres as well as health centres, beauty parlours, health, aquatic and recreational centres, solarium studios, sports clubs, gyms/sports halls, hotels, saunas, swimming pools.

Example A man of 40 years of age, a top manager, whose everyday work is largely sedentary at a computer; scarce active sports activities over the past 2 years. He complains about weariness, increased body weight, nervosity, muscle strain and pain in the neck and shoulders.

The patient/customer participated in a one-week active rehabilitation health program, preceded by an objective medical examination to determine his condition and perform a exercise tolerance testing to determine his cardiovascular status and training level.

Contraindications to heat therapy, hydrotherapy and massage were precluded.

He was also consulted on issues of healthy nutrition.

The use of the multifunctional physiotherapy device in complex therapy is described below.

A sample program was prepared with (daily) successive procedures, containing both active and passive procedures and a healthy diet, considering general SMART rehabilitation

principles (S-specific, M-measurable, A-activity-related, R-realistic, T-time- specified) as follows: l. 20 minutes of low-temperature infrared sauna with gentle vibromassage to reduce symptoms of stress, ensure relaxation and reduce muscle strain and also to prepare for the successive active part, i. e. locomotive treatment. Reduced muscle strain and pain syndrome and improved overall feeling ensure more efficient results of exercise therapy.

2. Exercise therapy of 30 minutes according to the general/neck-and-shoulders program.

An alternate program is used each day.

3. A light meal and a break.

4. Training for 30 minutes on bicycle ergometry with a pulse frequency meter at optimum load according to the results of the exercise tolerance testing carried out previously during the health week.

5. This is followed by a procedure in the programmed hydrotherapy bath (at temperature 37°C) of the multifunctional physiotherapy device, using also underwater hand massage device.

6. This is followed by a post-treatment rest period. It is necessary to allow the body to return to normal temperature level after hydrotherapy rest and recovery on the premises before leaving the health centre.

The health program may include as an introductory part, based on personal wishes and preferences, also low-temperature infrared sauna with aromatherapy or low-temperature steam sauna with aromatherapy, followed by partial massage of problematic neck and shoulder areas before starting exercise therapy, Parafango application can also be used on problematic areas during the relaxation procedure for additional therapeutic effect.

Economical effect The multifunctional physiotherapy device is an eligible investment compared to investment in other specialised equipment for certain physiotherapeutic procedures. Simultaneous combining of functions, opportunity to carry out face and body procedures at the same time and automatic two-part disinfection system ensure economy of time. The device also economises water, energy and labour force, while making optimum use of space.

The variant of the multifunctional physiotherapy device with adjustable height, where the depression of the lower section, i. e. hydrotherapy section is shallower, can be adjusted for carrying out various types of balneotherapy.