THE BODY FOR TREATMENT OF PAIN

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a nonprovisional application of U.S. provisional application number 61/276,897, filed on Sept. 17, 2009, and entitled "Squeeze-Reliever" inflatable pressurized bladders in housing pain reliever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a pain relief apparatus, and more particularly, a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain.

Description of the Prior Art:

Numerous innovations for pressure applying devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 3,581,740, Issued on 06-01-1971, to Sherbourne teaches an inflatable splint for extending the fingers and wrist of the hand of the wearer. The splint has an inflatable chamber extending over the hand and wrist area of the wearer, with one surface which assumes a planar configuration when the splint is inflated. The one surface has finger loops adapted to receive the fingers of the wearer and positioned such that, upon inflation, the fingers will be moved to a normally extended, spaced-apart position. Wrist straps on the wrist area are provided to encircle the wearer's wrist so that, upon inflation, the wrist joint of the wearer will be moved to a straight position along with the extended fingers. A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 3,595,225, Issued on 07-27-1971, to Beeman teaches a support or brace means applicable to portions of a human hand and comprising a twisted, substantially U-shaped, resilient body portion terminating in pressure applying end portions. The end portions apply pressure in substantially opposite directions. The supports of the present invention may be applied to the hand so as to apply substantially oppositely directed pressures to the distal and proximal metacarpal joints of the thumb or first digit, and they may be applied to any of the four remaining digits to exert opposite pressures to adjacent digital bones or phalanges to correct misalignment brought about by arthritis and the like, and to relieve the attendant pain.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 3,654,917, Issued on 04-11-1972, to Dienner teaches an electro-magnetic device having a plurality of movable applicators adapted to be brought into yielding engagement with an affected finger, and vibrated. The applicators, as a group, surround the finger and are pressed against the sides of the finger and are moved lengthwise of the finger back and forth over one or the other of the two free finger joints with a stroking motion.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 4,182,338, Issued on 01-08-1980, to Stanulis teaches a device which prevents bleeding through needle puncture wounds by applying pressure to the wound through an elastomeric appliance having a blunt skin abutting surface held in place over the wound by securing straps. The pressure applied by the device is sufficient only to prevent bleeding through the wound and does not impede the subsurface flow of blood.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 5,695,520, Issued on 12-09-1997, to Bruckner et al . teaches a pressure- applying device for relieving distress that includes a pressure applicator having a plate member and a pressure-applying body attached to and protruding from one of a pair of opposite surfaces of the plate member. The plate member has a central portion with a pair of opposite surfaces facing in opposite directions and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and having a pair of first opposite sides respectively connected to opposite ends of the central portion and a pair of second opposite sides spaced from a pair of opposite edges of the central portion so as to define respective elongated enclosed slots within the plate member between the second opposite sides of the peripheral portion and the pair of opposite edges of the central portion of the plate member. The device also includes a flexible strap attached to the plate member and adapted for wrapping and securing around a part of the body of a user so that the pressure-applying body is between the flexible strap and part of the body and is in contact with a selected point on the part of the body of the user for applying pressure thereto.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 5,788,657, Issued on 08-04-1998, to Burns teaches a small hand-held device having a body of electrically insulating material, and a central rod of electrically conductive material which provides for the rod extending beyond a proximal and a distal ends of the body to form electrical contacts. Therefore an electrical conduction path is set-up between the contacts. This path is advantageously used to establish a charge state on the skin surface so as to help in relieving localized pain. A pointed proximal end of the device enables an effective massaging action when the device is brought into contact with the skin and pressed into it.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 5,837,004, Issued on 11-17-1998, to Lavore teaches a device to reduce pain, relax muscle spasm, decrease swelling, and increase circulation to the bones, joints, and muscles of the face of a patient having temporomandibular joint dysfunction, the device having a thin, hexagonal configuration with an essentially uniform cross-section, and a flexible outer envelope having a perimeter limited to covering an area on one side of a patient's face to minimally include the area over the rear portion of the patient's mandible, the zygomatic arch, the front portion of the temporal bone, the great wing of the sphenoid bone, the lower front portion of the parietal bone, the outer envelope also having hook material on both sides of the upper panel placed away from the patient's face so that it can also be used inside- out against the opposite side of the patient's face and the lower rear portion of the frontal bone. Also the outer envelope is secured to the treated area by a separate quick-release non- stretchable strap comprising pile material on one of its sides, and the outer envelope has a removable inner member comprising a gel that can be heated and chilled, without hardening. Applications of the present invention, although not limited to the minimizing of pain, muscle spasms, and inflammation of joints associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction are best suited for such purposes since its perimeter closely approximates the area on a patient's face which contains pain sensitive structures most commonly affected by temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for pressure applying devices have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art .

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture .

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain which comprises a housing assembly having a front opening to receive the part of the body therein. A first pneumatic bladder is in the housing assembly at bottom of the front opening. A second pneumatic bladder is in the housing assembly at top of the front opening directly above the first pneumatic bladder. An enclosure is behind the housing assembly. A mechanism within the enclosure is for inflating and deflating the first pneumatic bladder and the second pneumatic bladder together at predetermined timed intervals to apply varying amounts of pressure to the part of the body to provide relief from pain.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims . The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic bottom, left, front perspective view thereof ;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic top, left, rear perspective view thereof ;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 6 in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the stationary lower jaw component per se;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 8 in Figure 7 ;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 7 ;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the movable upper jaw component per se;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 11 in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 12 in Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view similar to Figure 1, showing a hand of a user placed between the two pneumatic bladders before inflation of the pneumatic bladders ;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to Figure 13, showing the movable upper jaw component lowered and the pneumatic bladders appropriately inflated to cause pressure to be applied to the hand of the user;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line 15-15 in Figure 1, when the pneumatic bladders are deflated;

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line 16-1 _. 6 in Figure 1, when the pneumatic bladders are inflated;

Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the interconnection of the circuitry and components of the present invention; and

Figure 18 is a timing diagram showing the relationship of the sequence of events occurring among the various components and circuitry of the present invention during the operative cycle thereof .

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING device

jaw assembly

front opening

first pneumatic bladder

second pneumatic bladder

enclosure

stationary lower jaw component

movable upper jaw component

mechanisms for inflating and deflating at least one pneumatic bladder (26, 30)

mechanisms for fixedly adjusting jaws

DC power source

voltage regulator

on/off power switch

control circuit

pump

air outlet, of said pump 50

air inlet valve

normally opened solenoid valve

air vent of normally opened solenoid valve 54

air inlet of normally opened solenoid valve 54

pressure sensor

on interval timer

off interval timer

manually adjustable pressure switch

optional timer

first manual control for first timer circuit 60

second manual control for second timer circuit 62 separate distinct reference values components DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to Figures 1 , through 18, which are a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; a diagrammatic bottom, left, front perspective view thereof; a diagrammatic top, left, rear perspective view thereof; a diagrammatic left side view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in Figure 1; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in Figure 1; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 6 in Figure 1; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the stationary lower jaw component per se; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 8 in Figure 7; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 7; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the movable upper jaw component per se; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow 11 in Figure 10; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow 12 in Figure 10; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view similar to Figure 1, showing a hand of a user placed between the two pneumatic bladders before inflation of the pneumatic bladders; a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 13, showing the movable upper jaw component lowered and the pneumatic bladders appropriately inflated to cause pressure to be applied to the hand of the user; a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line 15-15 in Figure 1, when the pneumatic bladders are deflated; a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line 16-16 in Figure 1, when the pneumatic bladders are inflated; a block diagram showing the interconnection of the circuitry and components of the present invention; and a timing diagram showing the relationship of the sequence of events occurring among the various components and circuitry of the present invention during the operative cycle thereof, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The present invention is a device 20 for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain which comprises the following components. First a jaw assembly 22 having a front opening 24 to receive the part of the body therein. Second, a first pneumatic bladder 26 secured to a first stationary lower jaw component 36 of said jaw assembly 22 at the bottom of said front opening 24. Third, a second pneumatic bladder 30 secured to a second movable upper jaw component 38 of said jaw assembly 22 at the top of said front opening 24 directly above said first pneumatic bladder 26. Fourth an enclosure 34 behind said jaw assembly 22. Fifth, mechanisms 40 within said enclosure 34 for inflating and deflating at least one of said first pneumatic bladder 26 and said second pneumatic bladder 30.

The invention comprises the device as described initially, with the addition that said jaw assembly 22 comprises: a stationary lower jaw component 36 a movable upper jaw component 38, and mechanisms 41 for fixedly adjusting said movable upper jaw component 38 closer and further with respect to said stationary lower jaw component 36. Said mechanisms 41 may, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention may utilize an indexing mechanism to allow said movable upper jaw component 38 to be held at a plurality of positions relative to said stationary lower jaw component 36.

The invention comprises the device as described initially, with the addition that said inflating and deflating mechanisms has the following parts. First a DC power source 42. Second a voltage regulator 44 electrically connected to said DC power source 42. Third an on/off power switch 46 electrically connected between said DC power source 42 and said voltage regulator 44. Fourth a control circuit 48 electrically connected to said voltage regulator 44. Fifth a pump 50 having an air inlet 52 and an air outlet 53, said pump 50 electrically connected to said control circuit 48 while said air outlet 53 is fluidly connected to said pneumatic bladders 26,30. Sixth a normally opened solenoid valve 54 having an air vent 56, said solenoid valve 54 electrically connected to said control circuit 48. Seventh, and a pressure sensor 58 electrically connected to said control circuit 48 and fluidly connected to said air inlet 53 of said pump 50, said air inlet 57 of said solenoid valve 54, and said pneumatic bladders 26,30.

The invention comprises the device as described initially including the inflating and deflating mechanisms 40 as described wherein said control circuit 48 comprises: an on interval timer 60 having a control 68; an off interval timer 62 having a control 70; and a manually adjustable pressure switch 64 for choosing a reference element 74.

The invention comprises the device as described further comprising an optional timer 66 electrically connected to said control circuit 48, for disconnecting the electrical power source 42 and accordingly deactivating and shutting off said device 20.

The invention comprises the device as described initially wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 comprises: an electrically operated pump 50; an electrically operated solenoid valve 54; a pressure sensor component 58; a first manual control 68 for a first timer circuit 60 and a second manual control 70 for a second timer circuit 62; a first timer circuit 60, a second timer circuit 62; and a manually adjustable switch 64 for choosing a reference element 74 and feedback control circuitry in communication with said electrically operated pump 50, said pressure sensor component 58 and said reference value elements 74, wherein a pressure in both said first pneumatic bladder 26 and said second pneumatic bladder 30 are responsive to the value chosen with said manually adjustable pressure switch 64 for choosing a reference element 74 typically L, M, or H.

The invention comprises the device as described, wherein said electrically operated pump 50 is a diaphragm pump.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually adjustable switch 64 for choosing a reference element 74 comprises a manually adjustable pressure switch 64 having at least two positions for selecting at least two corresponding separate distinct value reference components 74, connected thereto, which are utilized as reference elements.

An embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components 74 are resistors. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components 74 are zener diodes .

An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components 74 are the series combination of a zener diode and a resistor .

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually adjustable reference element 74 comprises a variable potentiometer having an infinite number of positions for selecting a resistive value, which is utilized as a reference element.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually chosen reference element 74 comprises a variably digital component having a number of positions for selecting a digital output values which is utilized as a reference element.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: said first timer circuit 60 which controls the length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated pump is enabled; and said second timer circuit 62 which controls the length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated pump is disabled.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: said first timer circuit 60 wherein length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated pump 50 is enabled is responsive to a position set on a first manual adjustable control component 68.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: a second timer circuit 62 wherein length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated pump 50 is disabled is responsive to a position set on a second manual adjustable control component 70.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: said first timer circuit 60 which controls the length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve 54 is closed; and said second timer circuit 62 which controls the length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve 54 is open.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: said first timer circuit 60 wherein length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve 54 is closed is responsive to a position set on said first manual adjustable control component 68.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms 40 further comprises: said second timer circuit 62 wherein length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve 54 is open is responsive to a position set on a second manual adjustable control component70.

The invention comprises the device as described wherein said first manual control 68 and said second manual control 70 may each individually be selected from the group consisting of: a potentiometer, a selector switch, and a digital component having a number of positions for selecting a digital output value .

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention .

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.