U.S. patent application number 11/599963 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for therapeutic device and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Theraproducts Incorporated (formerly Detensor Incorporated). Invention is credited to Richard C. Brown, Daniel W. Fisher.
Application Number | 20080109960 11/599963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367741 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080109960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Richard C. ; et
al. |
May 15, 2008 |
Therapeutic device and method
Abstract
A new and useful therapeutic device and method designed to
receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the
suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or
more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital
decompression, cranio-sacral release), while also accounting for
different anatomies of the persons who use it is provided. The
therapeutic device includes a base and a cushion that are
configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on
the base in either of two configurations; a relatively high
configuration and a relatively low configuration. The base and
cushion are also configured such that in either the relatively high
or low configurations, the base and cushion define a support for
the occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital
area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more
therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital
decompression, cranio-sacral release). In addition, the therapeutic
device is designed to enable a patient to selectively change the
configuration from one support configuration to the other, and that
may enable a person to take the fullest advantage of the device
during a therapy session.
Inventors: |
Brown; Richard C.; (Tucson,
AZ) ; Fisher; Daniel W.; (Prescott, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAWRENCE R. OREMLAND, P.C.
5055 E. BROADWAY BLVD., SUITE C-214
TUCSON
AZ
85711
US
|
Assignee: |
Theraproducts Incorporated
(formerly Detensor Incorporated)
|
Family ID: |
39367741 |
Appl. No.: |
11/599963 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1009 20130101;
A61G 7/072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00; A47C 20/00 20060101 A47C020/00 |
Claims
1. A therapeutic device designed to receive and support the bony
skull of a human head in a manner that promotes one or more
therapeutic modalities, comprising a base and a cushion that are
configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on
the base in one of a plurality of positions; including a first
position in which the cushion extends above the base by a first
amount, and a second position in which the cushion extends above
the base by a second amount that is different from the first
amount; the base and cushion further configured such that in either
the first or second positions, the cushion provides a support for
the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for
engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull.
2. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base
has a front wall with a predetermined curved configuration, and the
cushion has in any of the plurality of positions (i) a curved wall
that is disposed against and extends above the curved front wall of
the base, (ii) a contact edge at the top of the curved wall and
(iii) a bowl shaped recess extending away from the contact edge at
the top of the curved wall and defining the support for the
occipital condyle of a bony skull.
3. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
cushion has opposite top sides, each of which has a respective bowl
shaped recess for the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a
contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony
skull.
4. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 3, wherein a
respective one of the opposite top sides of the cushion is oriented
to support the occipital condyle of a bony skull and to engage the
suboccipital area of a bony skull when the base and cushion are in
the first or second position.
5. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the bowl
shaped recesses in each of the opposite top sides of the cushion
has a predetermined spherical curvature.
6. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the base
has a support portion configured to support the cushion when the
base and cushion are in either of the first or second
positions.
7. A therapeutic device as defined in claim 6, wherein the support
portion of the base comprises a ridge, and one of the top surfaces
of the cushion has a border portion that is configured to rest on
the ridge when the base and cushion are in the first position.
8. A therapeutic device as defined in claim 7, wherein the cushion
has a stepped portion between the top surfaces of the cushion, the
stepped portion configured to rest on the ridge of the base when
the base and cushion are in the second position.
9. A cushion configured to receive and support the bony skull of a
human head in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic
modalities, comprising a monolithic member that can be selectively
supported on a base in either of two positions; a first position in
which the cushion extends above the base by a first amount, and a
second position in which the cushion extends above the base by a
second amount that is different from the first amount; the cushion
having a predetermined resilience and flexibility, and being
further configured such that in either the first or second
positions, the cushion defines a bowl shaped recess for the
occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging
the suboccipital area of a bony skull.
10. A cushion as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cushion has (i)
a curved front wall and (ii) opposite top surfaces, each of which
includes a respective bowl shaped recess for the occipital condyle
of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital
area of a bony skull.
11. A cushion as set forth in claim 10, wherein the bowl shaped
recesses in each of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion extend
rearward from the curved front wall of the cushion.
12. A cushion as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bowl shaped
recesses in each of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion has a
predetermined spherical curvature.
13. A therapeutic device as set forth in claim 12, wherein one top
surface of the cushion has a border portion that is configured to
rest on a support portion of the base.
14. A therapeutic device as defined in claim 13, wherein the
cushion has a stepped border between the opposite top surfaces of
the cushion, the stepped border configured to rest on a support
portion of the base.
15. A therapeutic method comprising the steps of a. providing a
therapeutic device comprising a cushion supported on a base in one
of a plurality of configurations, each of which is designed to
receive a bony skull of a human head and to promote one or more
therapeutic modalities, the cushion in each configuration providing
a bowl shaped recess for receiving the occipital condyle of a bony
skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a
bony skull, b. supporting the bony skull of a human head on the
cushion with the occipital condyle of the bony skull received by
the bowl shaped recess and the suboccipital area of the bony skull
engaging the contact edge, and c. thereafter allowing the bony
skull of the human head to remain supported by the cushion in the
manner set forth by step b for a sufficient time to promote at
least one of the therapeutic modalities.
16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the plurality of
configurations includes a first configuration in which the cushion
extends above the base by a first amount and a second configuration
in which the cushion extends above the base by a second amount that
is different than the first amount.
17. A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the cushion has
opposite sides, each of which has a bowl shaped recess and a
contact edge, and wherein the step of providing the therapeutic
device comprises positioning the cushion on the base such that a
selected one of its opposite sides forms the bowl shaped recess and
contact edge for receiving and supporting the bony skull of a human
head.
18. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the bony skull of
the human head is allowed to remain supported in the manner set
forth in claim 15c for a period sufficient to promote muscle
inhibition.
19. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the bony skull of
the human head is allowed to remain supported in the manner set
forth in claim 15c for a period sufficient to promote occipital
decompression.
20. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the human head is
allowed to remain supported in the manner set forth in claim 15c
for a period sufficient to promote cranio-sacral release.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a new and useful
therapeutic device and method that is designed to receive the
occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital
area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more
therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital
decompression, cranio-sacral release).
[0002] In the applicants' experience, therapeutic devices and
methods that have been designed in the past to promote therapeutic
modalites such as occipital decompression generally have a single
predetermined configuration that is designed to accomplish that
purpose. However, applicant has also found that with patients of
different anatomies, a single predetermined configuration that is
suitable for one patient may not be as suitable for another
patient. In addition, applicants believe the ability of a patient
to selectively adjust the configuration of the device can also be
beneficial to the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a new and useful therapeutic
device (and method) designed to address the foregoing issues. The
therapeutic device is designed to receive the occipital condyle of
a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull
in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g.
muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release),
while also accounting for different anatomies of the persons who
use it. Moreover, the therapeutic device can be selectively
adjusted between different configurations, to accommodate persons
of different anatomies. In addition, the therapeutic device is
designed so that in any of its adjusted positions, it receives the
occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital
area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the
therapeutic modalities.
[0004] Still further, the present invention provides a new and
useful cushion that is designed to be used in a therapeutic device,
to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the
suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or
more of the therapeutic modalities.
[0005] A preferred therapeutic device according to the present
invention comprises a base and a cushion that are configured such
that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either
of two configurations; a relatively high configuration and a
relatively low configuration. The base and cushion are configured
such that in either the relatively high or low configurations, the
base and cushion define a support that receives the occipital
condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital area of a
human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic
modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression,
cranio-sacral release).
[0006] In addition, the therapeutic device is designed to enable a
patient to selectively change the device from one support
configuration to the other, and that may enable a person to take
the fullest advantage of the device during a therapy session.
[0007] According to the present invention, each of the base and
cushion has a single preferred configuration, and they are
configured such that the cushion can be supported on the base in
one orientation to provide the high configuration, and the cushion
can be turned over and supported on the base in another orientation
to provide the low configuration. In either of the high or low
configurations, the cushion is configured such that it cradles the
bony skull of a human head and engages the suboccipital area of a
human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic
modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression,
cranio-sacral release).
[0008] Other features of the present invention will become further
apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings and exhibits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EXHIBITS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of a therapeutic device
according to the present invention, in its low configuration;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of a therapeutic device
according to the present invention, in its high configuration;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of the base of the
therapeutic device, taken from the top of the base;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of the base of the
therapeutic device, taken from the bottom of the base;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the base of the therapeutic
device shown in FIG. 3, taken from the direction 5-5;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the base of the therapeutic device
of FIG. 3, with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view of the base of the therapeutic device
of FIG. 6, taken from the direction 7-7, with certain preferred
dimensions shown thereon;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the base of the therapeutic
device of FIG. 6, taken from the direction 8-8, with certain
preferred dimensions shown thereon;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a three dimensional view of the cushion of the
therapeutic device of the present invention, taken from one side of
the cushion;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a three dimensional view of the cushion of the
therapeutic device of the present invention, taken from the other
side of the cushion;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a top view of the cushion shown in FIG. 9, with
certain preferred dimensions shown thereon;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a front view of the cushion, taken from the
direction 12-12 in FIG. 10, with certain preferred dimensions shown
thereon;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the cushion of FIG. 11,
taken from the direction 13-13, with certain preferred dimension
shown thereon;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the cushion, taken from the
direction 14-14 in FIG. 11, with certain preferred dimensions shown
thereon
[0023] FIG. 15 shows the base of FIGS. 3-8, in a manner that
illustrates the orientation of those figures relative to each
other; and
[0024] FIG. 16 shows the cushion of FIGS. 9-14, in a manner that
illustrates the orientation of those figures relative to each
other.
[0025] Exhibits A and B schematically show a patient with his/her
head supported on a therapeutic device that is formed according to
the principles of the present invention, and in the low
configuration (Exhibit A) and also in the high configuration
(Exhibit B). The patient is receiving any or all of the therapeutic
modalities provided by the method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] As discussed above, the present invention relates to a new
and useful therapeutic device and method designed to receive the
occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital
area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more
therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital
decompression, cranio-sacral release). The principles of the
present invention are shown and described herein in connection with
one exemplary version of a therapeutic device and method, but from
that description the manner in which the principles of the
invention can be used to produce various types of therapeutic
devices that can be used to practice the method will be apparent to
those in the art.
[0027] A therapeutic device 100 according to the present invention
is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It comprises a base 102 and a cushion
104 that are configured such that the cushion 104 can be
selectively supported on the base 102 in either of two
configurations; a first (or low) configuration (shown in FIG. 1) in
which the cushion 104 extends above the base 102 by a first amount,
and a second (or high) configuration (shown in FIG. 2) in which the
cushion 104 extends above the base 102 by a second amount. In the
high configuration (FIG. 2) the cushion is higher than it is in the
low configuration (FIG. 1). Thus, the high configuration is
generally more suitable for persons of larger anatomies, whereas
the low configuration is generally more suitable for persons of
smaller anatomies. The base and cushion are configured such that in
either the high or low configurations, the base and cushion define
a support for the bony skull of a human head. The base 102 provides
structural support for the cushion 104, and the opposite sides of
the cushion have concave, bowl shaped recesses 126, 128, and
respective contact edges 126a, 128a (described further below),
configured to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull with a
respective contact edge engaging the suboccipital area of a human
skull in a manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic
modalities.
[0028] The base 102 (FIGS. 3-8, 15) has a predetermined
configuration that is generally shaped like the base of a pyramid
(see e.g. FIGS. 3, 4). The base has a peripheral wall that includes
side walls 108 and a front wall 110. The base is preferably formed
as a monolithic article that is molded or cast from a relatively
hard material such as polypropylene. Moreover, the base 102
includes an inwardly extending ridge 112 (FIGS. 3, 6, 8) that is
monolithically formed in one piece with the base. The base also
includes a platform 113 (FIGS. 3, 6) that is configured to support
a portion of the cushion 104, as described below.
[0029] The front wall 110 of the base has a curvature as shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, and that curvature is intended to help
receive and support the cushion 104 in a manner that promotes the
therapeutic modalites when a human head is resting on the
therapeutic device. Certain preferred dimensions for the base 102,
according to an exemplary version of the base, are shown (in
inches) in FIGS. 6-8.
[0030] The cushion 104 (FIGS. 9-14, 16) is preferably formed as a
monolithic article that is cast or formed from a resilient,
compressible material such as a blend of a polyether polyol resin
material and polyurethane foam. A currently preferred blend is a
polyether polyol blend material identified as HS 1305-6 "B" Side,
and polyurethane foam identified as HSF 1305 Self Skinning
polyurethane foam, both materials produced by Hydroseal Polymers,
Inc., Riverside, Calif. The cushion 104 has (i) a curved front wall
120 and (ii) opposite first and second top surfaces 122, 124, each
of which includes a respective concave, bowl shaped recess 126, 128
for the bony skull of a human head. The recesses 126, 128 in each
of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion extend rearward from
respective rounded contact edges 126a, 128a (see also FIGS. 1, 2).
Certain preferred dimensions for an exemplary form of a cushion are
shown (in inches) in FIGS. 11-14. The bowl shaped recesses 126, 128
each has a predetermined spherical curvature whose preferred
dimension (the radius of the spherical curvature) is shown in FIG.
14. The top surface 124 of the cushion has a border portion 124a
(FIGS. 10, 12) that is configured to rest on the ridges 112 of the
base. The cushion has a stepped portion 130 between the opposite
top surfaces 122, 124 of the cushion. The stepped portion 130 is
formed by surfaces 131, 132, and 133, which are oriented relative
to each other in the manner shown in FIGS. 9-14. When the
therapeutic device is in its low configuration, the surface 132
rests on the ridges 112 of the base, and the top surface 124 rests
on the platform 113 of the base.
[0031] The base 102 and cushion 104 are configured such that the
cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either of its
two configurations; the first (or low) configuration (FIG. 1,
Exhibit A) in which the cushion extends above the base by a first
amount, and a second (or high) configuration (FIG. 2) in which the
cushion extends above the base by a second amount. The base and
cushion are further configured such that in either the first or
second configurations, the base 102 and cushion 104 define a bowl
shaped recess (e.g. 126, 128) that receives and supports a human
skull with a respective one of the rounded contact edges (126a,
128a) engaging the suboccipital area of the human skull in a manner
that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities.
[0032] The front wall 110 of the base has a predetermined curved
configuration (see e.g. FIG. 11). The cushion 104 is configured
such that when the cushion is supported on the base (in either of
its high or low positions) the curved front wall 120 of the cushion
will be disposed against and extends above the curved front wall
110 of the base (see e.g. FIGS. 1, 2). Thus, the curved front wall
120 of the cushion will have essentially the same curvature as the
curved front wall 110 of the base. In addition, in either high or
low positions, the bowl shaped recess (126, 128) in the top of the
cushion extends rearward from the curved front wall 120 of the
cushion. Thus, the front of the device will effectively have a
rounded and curved top edge (i.e. formed by one or the other of the
rounded and curved contact edges 126a, 128a), and a bowl shaped
recess (126, 128) in the cushion that is configured to provide a
support for a human skull with one of the rounded contact edges
126a, 128a engaging the suboccipital area of a human skull in a
manner that promotes one or more of the therapeutic modalities.
[0033] Also, as described above, support ridge 112 of the base is
configured to support the cushion when the base and cushion are in
either of the first or second positions. The top surface 124 of the
cushion has the border portion 124a that is configured to rest on
the ridges 112 of the base when the base and cushion are in the
second (or high) position. That border portion 124a supports the
cushion from the base in the second (or high) position. The stepped
border 130 of the cushion is located between the top surfaces 122,
124 of the cushion, and has the surface 132 that is configured to
rest on the ridges 112 of the base when the base and cushion are in
the first (or low) position.
[0034] In using the therapeutic device 100, it is recommended that
a patient choose a firm but comfortable surface to lie on. A deeply
carpeted floor or foam exercise mat is ideal. It is also
recommended that the patient find a place and time during which the
patient will not be interrupted. It is desirable that the patient
not undertake activity that activates eye and neck muscles,
preventing full relaxation and the benefits of a therapy
session.
[0035] The patient should lie on his/her back as illustrated in
Exhibits A and B. Knees and hips should be bent in to a comfortable
degree, with feet about 18 inches apart and knees resting together.
This gaps the sacro-iliac joints, allowing the spine to relax from
sacrum to occiput.
[0036] The patient should position one of the bowl shaped recesses
126, 128 of the therapeutic device under the patient's head, with
the rounded contact edge (126a or 128a) engaging the suboccipital
area of the patient's skull. This sub occipital region is the area
where tense muscles often cause tension headaches. The patient
should also make certain that the rounded contact edge of the
therapeutic device is situated in the fleshy area just below the
bony skull. Then the patient should just relax. The device is
designed so that the patient should feel as though the suboccipital
region is gently being pulled away from the patient's neck, and the
patient's chin will be approximating his/her chest. Above all, the
patient's position should be comfortable. The patient would be
instructed that if the patient's chin actually rests on his/her
chest, or deep easy breathing is inhibited, the therapeutic device
is too high, and the device should be adjusted to the low
position.
[0037] The patient can customize positioning by changing the height
of the cushion 104 placed on the base 102. If the patient wants to
make it slightly higher, the therapeutic device 100 can be placed
on a magazine or book to raise it 1/2 inch or so. The patient may
find just raising the front of the therapeutic device 1/4 to 1/2
inch adds a little more inhibitory pressure to tight suboccipital
muscles.
[0038] The first few seconds, the patient should close his/her eyes
and take some deep breaths; gently exhale to help release tension.
Within 2-4 minutes the patient should feel the occiput releasing
from its impacted position. As this occurs, the patient may want to
reposition the therapeutic device so that the rounded contact edge
(126a, 128a) remains properly situated in the sub occipital muscles
and further release can occur.
[0039] The patient should then continue relaxing on the therapeutic
device. After 5 minutes or so, the patient should begin to feel so
relaxed that he/she may drift off for a light catnap. After 10
minutes or so the patient should reawaken feeling refreshed and
refocused, with a marked reduction in tension. The patient should
not be concerned if he/she doesn't actually sleep, as long as the
patient just relaxes and let the therapeutic device do the
work.
[0040] In the applicant's experience, after about 5 minutes, with
the bony skull of the human head allowed to remain supported in the
manner described above, that support should promote muscle
inhibition. If the bony skull is allowed to remain supported for a
longer period, that support should also promote occipital
decompression. If the bony skull is allowed to remain supported for
a longer period, e.g. about 20 minutes, that support should promote
cranio-sacral release.
[0041] The reversible cushion 104 helps the patient customize the
height of the therapeutic device for best results. The lower
configuration (low position, as shown in FIG. 1) is recommended for
individuals under 5'8'' in height, or for those with shorter
necks.
[0042] Accordingly, the foregoing description provides a
therapeutic device and method for forming the therapeutic device
that are designed to provide a patient with an adjustable device
for receiving the occipital condyle of a human skull and engaging
the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes
one or more therapeutic modalities. With the foregoing disclosure
in mind, it is believed that various adaptations of a therapeutic
device for providing occipital decompression, according to the
principles of the present invention, will be apparent to those in
the art.
* * * * *