The invention relates to a device for massaging the arm. BACKGROUND

Carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist tenosynovitis and tendonitis, cubital tunnel syn- drome and plantar fasciitis, each describe a condition where tendons and adjacent tissues are inflamed. In tenosynovitis and tendonitis the inflammation is confined to the tendon's sheath or the tendon proper, respectively. There is usually little or no paratendinous involvement. Pain and tenderness over the involved tendon usually results. In carpal tunnel syndrome the inflamed tendons impinge on the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Similarly, in cubital tunnel syndrome the ulnar nerve is entrapped inside the cubital tunnel of the elbow. Since this is a small confined space, the nerve is effectively pinched or squeezed. The area becomes inflamed and micro-adhesions form between and around the tendons. The result is pain, numbness, tingling, burning and weakness in the hand. In either of these conditions, patients seek treatment, such as, to reduce inflammation, because the pain can be debilitating.

Massage is a common technique used by healthcare practitioners to relieve symptoms of conditions affecting the hand. The underlying cause of many of these conditions is inflammation and the resulting micro-adhesions that develop between the tissues. Expert massage is effective in reducing inflammation and severing the adhesions.

Massage techniques aim to move or manipulate tissues in order to achieve a particular result. When properly performed, massage can sever adhesions that form when tissues have been damaged. In addition to adhesion breakup, massage makes tissues suppler and their gliding over adjacent tissues easier. Finally, massage aids drainage of interstitial fluid through the lymphatic system.

However, to achieve good and enduring results, massages should given regularly. Visiting a skilled practitioner such as a massage or physical therapist for several treatments is both expensive and time consuming. One skilled in massage tech- niques may perform therapy on oneself using the other arm. However, it is difficult to give oneself a good deep tissue massage and myofascial release on one's opposite arm since generally two hands are required to achieve a satisfactory result. There are many training and exercise devices that could be used for self-help and reduce the reliance on professional therapists. One such device is disclosed in the patent publication US7238163. It provides treatment for a user's hand and/or wrist. The device according the patent publication includes a housing having a surface defined at least partially by a membrane adapted for placement against the user's hand and/or wrist. There is a conveyor that creates a massaging effect for the user's hand and/or wrist due to contact between the localized outward deformations. However, the construction is such that it is impossible or at least very hard to apply the massaging effect on a certain point on a user's hand. In addition, like many other massaging devices, it is quite cumbersome to use. In the patent publication JP2007252863 is disclosed a ring-shaped device for massaging the arm. The device comprises one motorised massaging part for applying acupressure. Patent publications CN201959223 and CN200977247 also disclose ring-shaped acupressure devices. However, even if pinpointing a certain area for massaging is possi- ble with these devices, they are not particulary suitable for deep tissue massage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The object of the invention is a solution that can significantly reduce the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is a solution that provides an easy-to-use massaging device.

The objects of the invention are attained with a device that is characterised by what is stated in the independent patent claim. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The inventors have found that in many cases symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or other conditions related to the arm are eased by massaging the upper forearm (i.e. closer to elbow than the wrist). Also upper arm (between shoulder and elbow) can be subject for massaging. Particularly, it may be possible to find a distinct spot there where application of pressure and massage relieves pain caused by wrist conditions such as for example carpal tunnel syndrome. The inventors have found through experimentation and using an embodiment of the present invention that subjecting the forearm to three-dimensional mechanical motions at a certain spot or spots effectively relieve symptoms of many hand and arm-related problems. This spot or these spots vary from person to person depending on their physique and the condition that requires treatment. The invention helps in locating such a spot and once it is found, in massaging it.

In the invention is formed a device for massaging the forearm. The device comprise a ring-shaped body having a hole and five massaging parts placed on the body in such a way that when the arm is put though the hole, the massaging parts can be used for massaging and applying pressure on the muscles and other tissues of the arm.

The invention is especially suitable for self-therapy.

When reference is made in the text to the upper or the lower parts or respective directions, a situation is described in which the apparatus according to the invention is in its normal deployed configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention is a device for massaging the arm. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention the device comprises a ring-shaped body having an inner edge and an outer edge, and the device has an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The device further comprises five massaging parts each comprising a pressure part and a shaft. The pressure part comprises a first end of the pressure part and a second end of the pressure part. The shaft comprise a first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft. The shaft is attached movable in the body in such a way that the second end of the shaft is movable between the inner edge and the outer edge. The first end of the shaft is fixed to the pressure part in such a way that the second end of the pressure part is closer to the inner edge than the first end of the pressure part. The first end of the pressure part is rounded. The massaging parts are placed on the inner edge in a such way that each massaging part has no opposing massaging part on the opposite side of the inner edge. In one embodiment the massaging parts are knob-like.

In one embodiment of the device the outer edge of the body has an outer rim. This is for making the body sturdier. In a second embodiment of the device the inner edge has an inner rim. This also makes the body sturdier. Two rims make the body sturdier still. Also the rims help the user of the device to gain a good grip on the body.

In a third embodiment of the device, the shafts are threaded. This helps to position the massaging parts accurately. In a fourth embodiment of the device, the first end of the pressure part is paraboli- cally shaped. This makes the pressure part easy to aim, but is not too sharp to cause undue pain or injury.

In a fifth embodiment of the device, the massaging parts are at least partially coni- cally shaped. This makes the massaging parts easier to manipulate.

In a sixth embodiment of the device, there are five sleeves on the body for the shafts, and the sleeves have grooves (i.e. threads), and the sleeves are at least partially constructed from metal. The sleeves serve to make the attachment of the massaging parts to the body sturdier. In a seventh embodiment of the device, the relation of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the device is between 0.6 - 0.8.

In an eighth embodiment of the device, the material of the body is plastic and the material of the pressure part is rubber or a material having rubber-like properties.

In a ninth embodiment of the device, the body is continuous. It is an advantage of the invention that it relieves the symptoms of hand conditions by allowing the user to massage oneself. It also exercises and tends to muscles and tissues that are otherwise hard to reach.

One advantage of the invention is that it is economical to produce and very simple to use. The device can also easily transported. It is a further advantage of the invention that it improves locating spots on the arm that require massaging.

It is still an advantage of the invention that it is easily adjusted for differently-sized arms.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES In the following, the invention is described in detail. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device,

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device, Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device, and Figure 4 shows an example of a massaging part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES The embodiments in the following description are given as examples only and someone skilled in the art can carry out the basic idea of the invention also in some other way than what is described in the description. Though the description may refer to a certain embodiment or embodiments in several places, this does not mean that the reference would be directed towards only one described embod- iment or that the described characteristic would be usable only in one described embodiment. The individual characteristics of two or more embodiments may be combined and new embodiments of the invention may thus be provided.

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a device 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The device comprises a body 101 and five massaging parts: a first massaging part 105a, a second massaging part 105b, a third massaging part 105c, a fourth massaging part 105d and a fifth massaging part 05e.

The body 101 is circular i.e. it is ring-shaped. There is a hole 102 in the middle of the ring. The body has an inner edge 104 and an outer edge 103. In an advantageous embodiment the body is continuous. Having openings in the body may weaken the structure and the device may deform when it is used with force i.e. it is used for massaging. The device 100 has an outer diameter (from the inner edge to the other side inner edge) and an inner diameter (i.e. the diameter of the hole). In one embodiment the width of the body is larger than the maximum height of the body. The width of the body is measured from the inner edge to the outer edge. On the outer edge is an outer rim 106. On the inner edge is an inner rim 107. The rims are higher than the main part of the body i.e. they are thicker than the main part of the body. In the figure 1 the main part of the body is between the rims. The rims are rounded to provide a better grip for a user. Also the outer edge can be rounded. In some embodiments there could be only one rim, an inner or outer rim, or no rim at all. Implementing rims also makes gripping of the body easier, when on the main part of the body there may be some structures. Those structures may be bulges 108. There is a first bulge 108a, a second bulge 108b, a third bulge 108c, a fourth bulge 108d and a fifth bulge 108e. In one embodiment the both sides of the device are similar, i.e. the upper side, which is seen on the figure, is similar as the lower side (hidden on the figure).

The massaging part 105 comprises a pressure part and a shaft (not shown in the figure). The shaft has a first end and a second end. The shaft is fixed to the pres- sure part. The shaft is an elongated piece, preferably of metal, but other materials are acceptable, too. The shaft is attached to the body 101. It is placed in such a way that it is partially between the inner edge 104 and the outer edge 103. Preferably it is placed in a radial direction i.e. in the same direction as the radius of the circle the device 00 forms. The pressure parts are configured to be movable. The position of the shaft, and at the same time the pressure part that the shaft is fixed into, are adjustable. In the embodiment depicted in the figure 1 the body is reinforced where the shafts connect. At those spots are bulges 108. In this example, moving the shafts happens by turning the threaded shaft and the pressure part moves the massaging part. On the other embodiments some alternatives can be used. Also, some embodiments may have a locking mechanisms or variation thereof.

The pressure part in this example is a conical structure. The second end of the pressure part is nearer to the inner edge 104 than the first end of the pressure part. The first end of the pressure part is designed to be the part that is to be used for applying pressure to muscles and other tissues of the arm i.e. massaging. The first end of the pressure part is rounded. In one advantageous embodiment the first end of the pressure part is parabolic. The pressure part at the second end of the pressure part is wider than the first end to make it easier to turn the pressure part and in doing so, adjust the position of the pressure part (and the whole mas- saging part). Of course the pressure parts can assume other shapes as well. However, the first end of the pressure part should be modified in such a way that pressure can be applied accurately i.e. it should not be too wide. Also the pressure part should be robust enough to withstand forceful use without bending or otherwise deforming. Therefore there should be parts on the pressure parts that are wider than the maximum width of the first end of the pressure part. In that case the height of the first end of the pressure part could be 25% of the maximum height of the pressure part. The height of the pressure part is measured in the direction of the shaft the pressure part is fixed. The material of the pressure part is rubber or a similar material having similar properties such as elasticity and strength. The massaging parts 105 are located on the inner edge 104 in such a way that they are radially movable. Then the first end of the pressure part is movable to- wards and away from the centre of the hole 102. The massaging part are placed on the inner edge in such a way that each massaging part has no opposing massaging part on the opposite side of the inner edge i.e. if a line is drawn radially from the massaging part via the centre of the hole to the other side of the inner edge, there is no opposing massaging part. The inventors have found that the five massaging parts located as described above is the optimal solution. If there are too many massaging parts (six or more), the rotating the device around the arm is cumbersome and it is difficult to locate the right spot on the arm to massage because adjacent massaging parts may interfere with rotating the device. Also, main- taining a grip on the device is harder. Using four or less massaging parts makes locating spots for massaging harder because the device has to be rotated further. Also, finding a good position for the arm is more difficult. Furthermore, having no opposing massaging parts allows the user rest his or her forearm on the inner edge between two massaging parts when moving the device and searching for the spot to be massaged.

In one embodiment the massaging parts are located in such a way that the opposing point on the inner edge of a massaging part is at the midpoint of two adjacent massaging parts. For example the opposing point of the fourth massaging part 105d is between the first massaging part 105a and the second massaging part 105b and distances from the opposing point to both the first massaging part and the second massaging part are equal.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 200 as seen from a direction that is transverse (i.e. straight angle) to the plane of the device. The device comprises a body 206 and five massaging parts. Each massaging parts comprise a shaft 201 and a pressure part 202. There are a first pressure part 202a, a second pressure part 202b, a third pressure part 202c, a fourth pressure part 202d and a fifth pressure part 202e, and a first shaft 201a, a second shaft 201 b, a third shaft 201c, a fourth shaft 201 d and a fifth shaft 201 e. The shafts have a first end (in this embodiment it is inside of the pressure part) and a second end 203. The pressure parts have first ends of the pressure parts 204. There is a first first end of the pressure part 204a, a second first end of the pressure part 204b, a third first end of the pressure part 204c, a fourth first end of the pressure part 204d and a fifth first end of the pressure part 204e. The first ends of the pressure parts are used for applying pressure to the arm to be massaged. Inside the body are five radially placed sleeves: a first sleeve 205a, a second sleeve 205b, a third sleeve 205c, a fourth sleeve 205d and a fifth sleeve 205e. In this embodiment the sleeves have a part that has threads and the shafts have threads as well. The shafts are situated inside the sleeves and the positions of the first ends of the pressure parts can be adjusted in relation to the body. Thus the massaging properties of the device for each user can be adjusted according to his or her preferences. The sleeve struc- ture makes the attachment of the massaging parts solid and their adjustment easy and accurate.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device 300. The device comprises a body 306 and five massaging parts 305. The body comprises an outer edge 303 and an inner edge 304 and an outer rim 301 and an inner rim 302. In this embodiment the height of the inner rim is lower than the height of the outer rim. This may improve the grip of the user. In one embodiment the outer diameter, i.e. the distance from the outer edge to the outer edge, of the device is 180 mm and the inner diameter, i.e. distance from the inner edge to the inner edge, is 130 mm. The width of the body, measured from the outer edge to the inner edge, is 25 mm. In one embodi- ment the relation between the inner diameter and the outer diameter (i.e. the inner diameter divided by the outer diameter) is between 0.6 and 0.8.

Figure 4 shows a massaging part 401. The massaging part comprises a pressure part 407 and a shaft 406. The pressure part has a first end of the pressure part 402 and a second end of the pressure part 404. The shaft has a first end of the shaft 404 and a second end of the shaft 405. In this embodiment the first end of the shaft is at the same level as the second end of the pressure part, but in many embodiments the first end of the shaft is located inside the pressure part. In this embodiment the whole shaft is threaded but there are embodiments where only a part of the shaft is threaded. Also, it is possible to configure the massaging part to be movable with some other arrangement. There can be for example locking or pin systems. The pressure part is conical. The first end of the pressure part is rounded. The area of the pressure part that causes pressure is approximately of the same size as the cross-section of the shaft.

Some advantageous embodiments of the method and device according to the in- vention have been described above. The invention is however not limited to the embodiments described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.