Device and method for generating abdominal massages

DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates, in general, to the technical field of the typically neonatal problems, for example infant colics, constipation and absence of sleep. More in particular, the present invention relates to a device and a method for generating abdominal massages, able to produce relief from infant colics and/or from constipation and to relax a newborn baby and ready him/her for sleep.

The invention further refers to the use of such device for the prevention and/or the treatment of infant colics and/or constipation, as well as to relax a newborn baby and prepare him/her for sleep.

Background of the invention

With particular reference, among the neonatal problems listed above, to infant colics, they usually start to manifest themselves in the second week of life, reaching the peak of episodes around the sixth week. Specifically, they are characterised by excessive and uncontrolled crying, abdominal pain, moving the legs close to the abdomen, production of gas and difficulty placating them in any way.

The reasons of infant colics are still unknown and an effective protocol for their treatment has not yet been devised. Many hypotheses have been advanced on the causes, which can be summarised as organic causes and behavioural causes.

Behavioural causes may be connected to critical issues in the mother-child relationship, due mainly to the mother's anxiety. Organic causes instead may be connected to an immaturity in gastrointestinal functionality or to allergic disorders. In these cases, the most frequently adopted measures are the introduction of milk with hydroiysed proteins (hypoallergenic milk), use of herbal infusions (for example fennel infusion) or a specific pharmacological therapy (for example simethicone, antispasmodics and probiotics). Pharmacological and non-pharmacological (for example dietetic) treatments still require control and supervision by the specialist physician.

Numerous studies have shown that, in the treatment of infant colics, abdominal massage can be considered a valid practice, alternative or supplemental to medical and/or pharmacological practices.

However, it is necessary to consider that new mothers are often reluctant to manipulate newborns, because they are worried about hurting them. In addition, the massage procedure, excessively long and costly in terms of time (even up to 60 minutes a day), often causes mothers to be discouraged from applying it. Moreover, at first impact, the neonatal massage technique may seem complex to the new mother, because it consists of several steps.

Hence, devices adapted to alleviate infant colics have been developed.

The US Patent US 6,070,685 describes a device for supporting a newborn with abdominal pain. The newborn is laid down on the device, with the abdomen oriented towards the convex portion of the device, and firmly secured to the device by means of at least one strap belt.

The US patent application US 2015/0038887 A1 describes a device for alleviating infant colics comprising a housing containing a plurality of rotating elements, each provided with a massaging element, and a motor configured to set the rotating elements in rotation so as to set in motion the respective massaging elements. The device can be gently placed on a newborn, when the latter is placed in the prone or supine position. Alternativeiy, the device can be inserted into a garment or in a blanket, in which an appropriately positioned pocket can be provided.

The US patent application US 2008/0108988 A1 describes a belt with a bag containing herbs, which, once heated, is placed around the newborn's abdomen.

However, the known devices described above have some drawbacks.

Some of them are bulky, others are poorly effective and they are often met by poor acceptance on the part of the newborn and/or of the new mother. Moreover, and with particular reference to the US patent application US 2015/0038887 A1 , the device seems difficult and inconvenient to position on the newborn's abdomen.

The problem at the basis of the present invention is thus to provide a device and a method for generating abdominal massages so as to overcome, or at least to limit, the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the devices and methods of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for generating abdominal massages, which has a small size and is easily wearable by the newborn. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for generating abdominal massages, which has low production costs.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for generating abdominal massages, which can be used for preventing and/or treating infant colics and/or constipation.

Not the least object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for generating abdominal massages, which can be used for relaxing and readying the newborn to sleep, as well as for helping him/her digest and eliminate intestinal gases. Consequently, the invention relates to a device and a method for generating at least one abdominal massage according to the independent claims 1 and 12, Preferred characteristics of the device and of the method are set forth in the dependent claims, respectively from 2 to 11 and from 13 to 17.

In a first aspect thereof, the invention thus relates to a device for generating at least one abdominal massage comprising a main body which can be positioned onto a user's abdomen.

The device is characterised in that it comprises:

at least two inflatable cushions carried by the main body;

inflation and deflation means for the cushions placed in the main body; and an electronic control unit placed in the main body and configured to control the inflation means to inflate and deflate the inflatable cushions according to at least one predetermined inflation and deflation program, thereby generating at least one abdominal massage.

in a second aspect thereof, the invention relates to a method of generating at least one abdominal massage for relaxing a newborn, carried out by using the device defined above, the method comprising the steps of:

- positioning the device at a user's abdomen;

- inflating and deflating at least two inflatable cushions of the device according to at least one predefined inflating and deflating program, so as to generate at least one abdominal massage.

Advantageously, the device and the method defined above are able to alleviate the pain in the abdomen of a newborn, facilitating digestion and the elimination of intestinal gases.

Moreover, thanks to the presence of the cushions able to be inflated in a controlled manner, the device according to the invention allows to apply pressure stimuli, and thus massages, with variable movement and intensity. In a further aspect thereof, the invention relates to the use of the device and of the method defined above for preventing and/or treating infant colics and/or constipation, in yet another aspect thereof, the invention relates to the use of the device and of the method defined above for relaxing and readying the newborn for sleep.

Hereafter in the present description, and in the claims, the expression "intelligent portable device" is referred to any type of portable electronic device able to connect with other devices or with a network through a communication protocol, for example Bluetooth®, NFC, WiFi, 3G, RFID, etc., which can operate interactively and independently. Examples of such intelligent portable devices include a smartphone, a personal digital assistant or PDA, a tablet, a portable computer and similar devices. Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a device and of a method for generating abdominal massages, provided below, by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for generating abdominal massages according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front view of the device of Figure ;

Figure 4 is an exploded schematic view, showing the different components of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 , showing the interior of the device; Figure 6 schematically shows the manner of interaction between the different components of the device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view, showing an element that can be coupled to the device according to the invention, for fastening the device on a garment wearable by a user;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the fastening element of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a front view of the fastening element of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a perspective view, showing a nappy cover on which the device according to the invention is fastened;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the nappy cover of Figure 0;

Figure 12 is a lateral view of the nappy cover of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an additional element, able to be coupled to the device according to the invention for recharging a battery unit;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the recharging element of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a front view of the recharging element of Figure 13; and

Figure 18 is a flow chart, schematically showing the different steps of a method for generating abdominal massages carried out with the device of Figures from 1 to 15.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figures 1 to 8, they schematically show a device for generating abdominal massages according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device generally designated with the reference numeral 100, comprises a main body 20, preferably of substantially cylindrical shape, closed by a lid 21.

As shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, the main body 20 comprises a fixed element 22 and a mobile element 24. The mobile element 24 is inserted in the fixed element 22 and it is set in rotation with respect to the fixed element 22 by a motor 30 housed in the mobile element 24.

More specifically, the fixed element 22 comprises a bottom wall 221 , provided with an opening 222, and a lateral wall 223. At the bottom wall 221 a rack 224 is present onto which a gear 31 of the motor 30 engages. The rotating element 24 comprises a bottom wall 241 and a lateral wail 242 provided with an opening 243 for the passage of the gear 31 of the motor 30.

The device 100 further comprises at least two cushions that can be inflated, totally or partially, according to at least one predetermined inflating and deflating sequence, so as to generate at least one type of massage on the abdomen of the newborn.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, three inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are provided, which are supported, mutually aligned, by the bottom wall 241 of the mobile element 24, so as to project from the opening 222 of the bottom wall 221 of the fixed element 22.

The inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are preferably covered by a protective membrane 50, preferably made of synthetic and non-aliergenic elastic material, for example silicone, the protective membrane 50 being locked between the fixed element 22 of the main body 20 and the lid 21. The inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are thus blocked in position on the bottom wall 241 of the mobile element 24, integral with the mobile element 24. The inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c then project from the opening 222 of the fixed element 22, covered by the protective membrane 50, and rotate with respect to the fixed element 22, integral with the mobile element 24, around a vertical axis of the device 100.

The inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are made of plastic material and, in a preferred embodiment, they are bellow-shaped. Within the mobile element 24 are also housed means for inflating the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c, for example pumps 41a, 41b, 41 c, one for each inflatable cushion 40a, 40b, 40c, and a vibrator 43, adapted to vibrate the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c, as it will be described more in detail below.

It is possible to provide a single vibrator 43 or, alternatively, a plurality of vibrators, one for each inflatable cushion 40a, 40b, 40c. In an alternative embodiment, the vibrator or the vibrators are not present and the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are made to vibrate by the respective inflating pumps 41a, 41 b, 41 c in known manners. As schematically shown in Figure 8, each inflatable cushion 40a, 40b, 40c further comprises respective deflating means, preferably a respective hole for controlled deflation or venting 42a, 42b, 42c. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other known deflating means, adapted to deflate the inflatable cushions in a controlled manner, for example controlled deflation valves and the like.

The device 100 further comprises an electronic control unit 60, also housed in the mobile element 24. The electronic control unit 60 is electrically connected to the inflating pumps 41a, 41 b, 41 c of the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c and it is configured to control the inflation and the subsequent total or partial deflation of the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c according to predefined inflation and deflation schemes, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Preferably, the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c inflate and deflate sequentially. Alternatively, the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c inflate and deflate alternately or simultaneously.

As shown in detail in Figure 8, the electronic control unit 60 has a memory 82, within which the predefined inflation and deflation schemes of the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are stored, and an encoder 83, the function of which will appear clearer in the following of the present disclosure.

The electronic control unit 60 is also electrically connected to the motor 30 and the vibrator 43 of the device 00, so as to set in rotation the mobile element 24, and the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c integral therewith, with respect to the fixed element 22, and to vibrate the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c, as will be described in detail in the following of the present disclosure,

in an alternative embodiment, the device 100 further comprises a heat generating unit 70, controlled by the electronic control unit 60 to heat the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c.

The heat generating unit 70 can consist of a layer of heating fabric controlled by the electronic control unit 60 and receiving feedback from at least a pair of temperature sensors 72. This layer of heating fabric can coincide with the protective membrane 50 or, alternatively, it is possible to made the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c of heating fabric.

Preferably, the device 100 comprises a battery unit 80 for supplying power to the motor 30, the pumps 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, of the electronic control unit 60, the heat generating unit 70, if present, and the vibrator 43. The battery unit 80 is also housed in the main body 20.

LED signaling means 82, preferably RGB LED, are also provided on the main body 20 to indicate whether the device 00 is in a powered or unpowered state, as well as other operating conditions of the device 100.

The device 100 preferably comprises a wireless communication module 64, for example a Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication) wireless communication module, which is configured to communicate with a corresponding wireless communication module provided in an intelligent portable device, for example a users smartphone 84 (see Figure 6).

in the smartphone 84 an application is also installed, through which the user can select the type of massage to be generated by the device 100, among a plurality of massages stored in the application.

in use, the device 100 is positioned at the abdomen of the user, for example a newborn with abdominal colics.

For this purpose, and according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 comprises an element 25 - shown in Figures from 7 to 9 - able to be coupled to the device 100, for fixing the device 100 on means for positioning the device 00 on the abdomen, typically a garment wearable by a user, in particular, the fixing element 25 preferably has a concave circular shape, able to be coupled with the lid 21 of the main body 20 of the device 100. For this purpose, the fixing element 25 presents a pair of openings 254, preferably square, for accommodating in an interlocking manner respective pins 21 1 - shown for example in Figure 1 - projecting from an upper surface 212 of the lid 21 of the main body 20 of the device 100.

The fixing element 25, with the device 100 coupled thereto, is then fixed on the garment 90. For this purpose, the fixing element 25 comprises a pair of tabs 252, which extend, opposite each other, from an edge 251 of the fixing element 25. Each tab 252 is provided with a slot 253, whose function will be more readily apparent in the following of the present disclosure.

With reference to Figures 10 to 12, they show the device 100 according to the present invention fixed, by means of the fixing element 25, on a garment 90, which has the shape of a nappy cover for newborns. Naturally, the nappy cover is a preferred example and it is possible to provide any other garment suited for the purpose, for example a belt.

The nappy cover 90 comprises a front portion 91 , a rear portion 92 and a pair of lateral portions 93 and a crotch portion 94, connecting the front portion 91 and the rear portion 92.

The nappy cover 90 further comprises an upper opening 95, adapted to encircle the waist of the newborn, and a pair of lower openings 96, for the passage of the newborn's legs.

At the front portion 91 of the nappy cover 90 an opening 97 is formed, in which the device 100 is positioned, with the fixing element 25 oriented upwards and the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c that protrude from the opening 97, thereby being in contact with the newborn's abdomen when the device 100 is used.

The nappy cover 90 further has a pair of tapes 98, having an end 98a which is fixed, for example sown, at a respective lateral portion 93 of the nappy cover 90. The free end of each tape 98 is inserted, in use, in a respective slot 253 of the tabs 252 of the fixing element 25, tensioned and subsequently locked in position through locking means (not show), for example strips of Veicro©, provided at the free end.

Preferably, on the tabs 98 reference marks (not shown in the figures) are present, for example one or more coloured stripes, adapted to assure that the tabs 98 are sufficiently tensioned to cause the device to exercise such pressure on the user's abdomen as to generate an effective massage.

The device 100 can also comprise an element 26, which, when the device 100 is not in use, can be coupled to the lid 21 to recharge the battery unit 80.

For this purpose, the recharging element 26, similarly to the fixing element 25, comprises a pair of openings 262, preferably square, for accommodating the pins 21 1 projecting from the upper surface 212 of the lid 21 of the main body 20 of the device 100.

The recharging element 26 is thus altogether similar to the fixing element 25, from which it is differentiated in that it comprises, instead of the pair of fixing tabs 252, a connector 26 , preferably closed by a lid 262.

With reference to Figure 16, a method for generating abdominal massages according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, the method being carried out by using the device 100 described above and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 12.

The method starts at step S1 , in which the device 100 is positioned on the abdomen of a user, typically a newborn with abdominal colics, so that the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are in contact with the abdomen. In case the garment 90, for example a nappy cover, is used, the device 100 is fixed to the nappy cover 90. in this case, the tapes 98 of the nappy cover are made to pass in the respective slots 253 of the fixing element 25 coupled to the device 100, then the tapes 98 are tensioned to such an extent as to assure that the device 100 exercises the desired pressure on the abdomen of the user, and lastly the tapes 98 are locked in position. Once the device 100 is positioned, the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c are in contact with the abdomen of the newborn.

The step S1 is followed by a step S2 of switching the device 100 on, with the consequent lighting of the LED 82, if it is provided, and by a step S3, in which the electronic control unit 60 verifies that the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c of the device 100 are in their initial position, in which they are aligned vertically, and, if not, the electronic control unit 60 activates the encoder 63 to as to bring the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c in this initial position (step S4). A step S5 follows, in which the type of massage which the device 100 will have to generate is selected. Said selection step S5 can be carried out directly by the device 00 or through the application of the smartphone 84 and the wireless communication modules of the device 100 and of the smartphone 84.

At this point, the device 100 starts to perform the selected massage.

in particular, at step S6, the electronic control unit 80 controls the powering of the vibrator 43, which, in turn, sets in vibration the device 100 for a time interval ti equal to approximately 30 seconds.

Once the time ti elapses (step S7, YES) the method comprises a step S8, in which the electronic control unit 60 controls the inflation and deflation, in sequence, of the cushions 40a, 40b, 40c proceeding from the cushion 40a positioned at the top to the cushion 40c positioned at the bottom, passing through the central cushion 40b.

More specifically, the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41a so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40a. Then the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41 b so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40b. Lastly, the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41c so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40c.

In this way, a massage from the top to the bottom of the newborn's abdomen, able to stimulate the ascending colon, is obtained. Said massage from the top to the bottom is repeated for a time t- equal to approximately 90 seconds.

Once the aforesaid 90 seconds elapse (step S9, YES), the method comprises a step S10, during which the electronic control unit 60, continuing to control the inflation and deflation in sequence of the cushions 40a, 40b, 40c, activates the motor 30 so it sets in rotation the mobile element 24, and the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c integral therewith, with respect to the fixed element 22 of the device 100. A circular movement of the cushions 40a, 4b, 40c, around the vertical axis of the device 100, is thus generated, during which the cushions continue to inflate and deflate in sequence. This circular movement is repeated for a time t ₃ equal to approximately 80 seconds, time at the expiration of which (step S1 1 , YES) the electronic control unit 60 deactivates the motor 30, interrupting the rotation of the cushions 40a, 40b, 40c, with the cushions 40a, 40b, 40c being aligned horizontally (step S 2).

Then a step S 3 follows, during which the electronic control unit 60 controls the inflation and deflation in sequence of the inflatable cushions 40a, 40b, 40c proceeding from the cushion 40a positioned farthest to the right to the cushion 40c positioned farthest to the left, passing through the central cushion 40b.

More specifically, the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41a so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40a. Then the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41 b so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40b. Lastly, the electronic control unit 60 controls the pump 41c so as to inflate, and subsequently deflate, the cushion 40c.

in this way, a massage from the right to the left of the abdomen of the newborn is obtained, able to stimulate the transverse colon. This massage from right to left is repeated for a time t ₄ equal to approximately 60 seconds.

The steps from S6 to S13 are repeated for a predetermined number of times, preferably three times, so that, once the time t ₄ elapses (step S14 YES), the electronic control unit 60 checks whether the predetermined number of cycles has been reached (step S15) and, in the affirmative, (step S15 YES) the method ends, otherwise (step S15 NO), the steps from S6 to S13 are repeated.

The massage thus consists of three cycles, each of the duration of 4 minutes.

In the steps S8, S10 and S13, the inflation and the deflation of the cushions 31 , 32,