Blood circulation stimulating apparatus

Abstract

A blood circulation stimulating apparatus which has an air bag to fit to the human body, a compressed air supply system for supplying compressed air set at a predetermined pressure to said air bag at a predetermined interval of time, thereby enabling it to inflate, a oneway valve type exhaust valve system for releasing the compressed air at a predetermined interval of time, and a compressed air conduit pipe for connecting the compressed air supply system with the air bag.

Description

The present invention relates to a blood circulation stimulating apparatus and in particular a blood circulation stimulating apparatus provided with a compressed air bag.

It is generally known that if the human body is subjected to external pressure and then released from said pressure alternately in succession, there will be an improvement of blood circulation at the pressure-applied location of the body to give an effect of medical treatment thereto as the result.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a blood circulation stimulating apparatus capable of automatically applying a pressure to the human body and releasing the pressure therefrom alternately at regular intervals.

A second object of the present invention is to provide the capability for rapidly releasing said pressure from a blood circulation stimulating apparatus as abovedescribed.

The said objects are accomplished by the improvement, combination and operation of every part constituting the present invention, the preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in relation with the annexed drawings as following:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of an air bag to be incorporated in the above-described apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an exhaust valve for promoting the release of compressed air from said air bag.

FIG. 4 is a partially-cutaway elevation of said exhaust valve as mentioned in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 4, the blood circulation stimulating apparatus of this invention comprises an air bag 11 inflatable and deflatable fitting to the human body, a compressed air supply system 12 for supplying compressed air to said air bag 11 for its inflation, a one-way type exhaust valve system 13 for releasing compressed air from within said air bag 11 at a predetermined interval of time, and an exhaust valve 14 for promoting the release of compressed air from within said air bag 11.

Said air bag 11 is preferably shaped so that it may fit to the human body, e.g., in the shape of tights to cover all of the body including the head having openings 15 for the supply and discharge of compressed air provided at requisite locations therein. Among other shapes (not shown in the drawings) are the shape of a coat for medically treating the upper half of the body, the shape of a tights for the lower half of the body, a hood for the head and shoulders, a mask for covering the eye-balls for medically treating the eye bottom, a shirt-sleeve for the upper limbs, a glove for the hand, a stocking for the lower limbs, a sock for the foot, a hat for the head and the like.

The air bag 11 to fit to the abdomen and chest may well be shaped like "manchette" in a blood pressure gauge, and the same applies to the air bag to fit to part of limbs. The air bag 11, as a matter of course, is made of an airtight material such as the material constituting the "manchette", life rafts and the like.

Said air bag 11 is selectable in shape in accordance with where to apply the blood circulation stimulating treatment and is preferable to be worn together with a constriction band and the like so that the air bag may not slide or shift.

The supply system 12 for supplying the compressed air to the air bag 11 comprises a compressed supply source, e.g. an air compressor 17, and a compressed air pipe 16, said compressed air pipe 16 connecting at one end thereof with the air compressor 17 thereby feeding compressed air continuously toward the air bag 11, said air pipe 16 having a pressure control valve 18 between both ends thereof, said control valve 18 holding the pressure of air fed to the air bag 11 at a predetermined level, said air pipe 16 also being linked to the exhaust valve 14 by a conduit pipe 19 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The one-way type exhaust valve system 13 as mentioned heretofore comprises a one-way type exhaust valve member 20 provided on the air bag at one end thereof, said valve member 20 having a valve rod 21 projecting therefrom, the forward tip of which abuts the periphery of a cam 23 which is driven by a motor 22, said valve rod 21 playing the role of pushing said valve member 20 per every revolution of said cam 23 to result in the opening of said air pipe 16 at one end thereof, thereby lowering the air pressure inside the air pipe 16 until the atmospheric pressure is reached and, accordingly, the air bag 11 is brought to the pressure of the atmosphere via the conduit pipe 19 linking the air bag 11 with the air pipe 16.

Said exhaust valve 14 is connected with a conduit pipe 19a in a hollow valve casing 25 at one end thereof and another conduit pipe 19b in said valve casing 25 at the other end thereof, said conduit pipe 19a connecting with the air pipe 16 and said conduit pipe 19b connecting to said air bag 11, respectively, said valve casing 25 having a panel-like valve member 26 fitted axially movable therein, said valve member 26 being provided with an annular crevice 27 at central portion thereof, said annular crevice 27 enclosing a switch valve 29 which is openable only in the direction of the air bag 11, as shown by a horizontal chain line in FIG. 3. In the FIG. 3, a valve port 28 is opened by said switch valve 29 and a stopper-pin 30 prevents said switch valve 29 from opening in the direction of the air pipe 16.

A plurality of exhaust holes 24 are formed in the lower side of the valve casing 25 said exhaust holes 24 functioning as below: When compressed air is fed from said air pipe 16 to the air bag 11, the valve member 26, as shown also by a horizontal chain line in FIG. 3, closes said exhaust holes 24 and opens said switch valve 29 under the pressure of the compressed air sent from the air pipe 16 thereby allowing the compressed air to flow into said air bag 11. When the compressed air is released from within the compressed air pipe 16 by the exhaust valve system 13, the compressed air within the air bag 11 rushes toward the air pipe 16 whereby the valve member 26 moves toward the air pipe 16 thereby opening the exhaust holes 24 releasing the compressed air from within the air bag 11, and bringing the air pressure therein to the level of the atmosphere.

In FIG. 1, an operation circuit 31 is provided for the automated operation of the motor 22 used for supplying compressed air to the air bag 11 and releasing said compressed air therefrom.

The operation circuit 31 linking the motor 22 with the power source is provided with a self-restitution type limit switch Lsa, a self-sustaining type relay R for supplying power to the motor 22 with the closure of the limit switch Lsa, and another self-restitution type limit switch Lsb for resetting the relay R by way of cutting the power supply thereto during every revolution of said cam 23.

The afore-mentioned limit switch Lsa is operated by a swinging lever 33 with a wind receiving plate (not shown in the drawings) at the forward tip thereof abutting on the front of a blow pipe 32 of the safety valve type pressure control valve 18. The other limit switch Lsb is operated by another swinging lever 35 the forward tip of which abuts on the trace of the circle motion of a pin 34 planted on the cam 23.

In FIG. 1, there is a starting switch 36 for the compressor 17, manually operated switch 37 inserted into the operation circuit 31, said manual switch 37 working for starting the next cycle without fail no matter wherever the cam 23 may come to a halt. By way of turning the switch 37 on, the relay R functions to start the motor 22 for rotating the cam 23.

The operation of the apparatus of this invention in the foregoing embodiment is described as following:

When the compressor 17 starts working by turning on the starting switch 36, compressed air begins to be supplied to the compressed air pipe 16, said compressed air being held at a predetermined pressure by the safety valve type pressure control valve 18, said compressed air thereby opening the switch valve 29 and advancing into the air bag 11 while simultaneously pressing the valve member 26 of the exhaust valve 14 to close the exhaust holes 24, said air bag 11 thereby inflating and causing pressure upon the human body inside as the result.

If the pressure of compressed air within the air pipe 16 exceeds the predetermined level and thereby rushes out of the blow pipe 32 of the pressure control valve 18, the rushing air pressure will rush against the swinging lever 33 and close the limit switch Lsa. With the closing of the limit switch Lsa the relay R will engage the operation circuit 31 for supplying power to the motor 22 and thereby causing the cam 23 to rotate.

The cam 23 continues to revolve until is presses the one-way valve member 20 and thereby opens the air pipe 16 at one end thereof for releasing the compressed air from within the air pipe 16 into the atmosphere. The valve member 26 of the exhaust valve 14 moves and opens the exhaust holes 24 thereby releasing the compressed air from within the air bag 11 and bringing the air bag 11 to a normal pressure.

When the pressure within the compressed air pipe 16 becomes that of the atmosphere, the limit switch Lsa opens by way of self-restitution, but the operation circuit 31 remains closed because of the functioning of the self-sustaining relay R, and the cam 23 continues to revolve. The limit switch Lsb opens when the pin 34 planted on the cam 23 presses on the swinging lever 35 at the completion of one revolution of said cam 23; the power supply to the relay R is thereby cut and said relay R is reset simultaneously with the cutting of power to the motor 22, thereby bringing the revolving cam 23 to a halt. One revolution of the cam 23 beings the cam 23 to a position whereby the the smallest diameter thereof abuts the valve rod 21 and closes the air pipe 16 at one end thereof by the functioning of the one-way type exhaust valve system 13.

The operation cycle of the apparatus in the present invention as above described is repeated. The operation cycle comprising supply and release of compressed air set at a predetermined pressure to and from the air bag 11 at a predetermined interval, thereby repeating the inflation and deflation of said air bag 11 and stimulating the blood circulation in the human body at a location where said air bag 11 is fitted.

The suitable frequency of the inflation and deflation of the air bag of the present invention varies to a large extent according to the location and the kind of disease to be treated. Generally, however, the applicable frequency of the inflation and deflation of said air bag is as follows:

The inflation of said air bag continues for about 5 - 15 seconds, the deflation of said air bag, that is to the state of normal pressure, continues for about 5 - 15 seconds also. It is desirable that the deflation of the air bag be conducted with rapidity so as to afford a greater blood circulation effect therewith. Technical means for conducting this rapid deflation can be embodied in the system 13 in which the one-way type exhaust valve 20 provided in the compressed air pipe 16 is adapted to be rapidly opened by the cam 23.

The suitable pressure of the compressed air employed in the present invention varies according to the location and the kind of disease to be treated. Generally, however, the suitable pressure in the case of the whole body treatment is 0.1 - 0.25 kg/cm.sup.2, and preferably 0.15 - 0.2 kg/cm.sup.2. The suitable pressure in case of local treatment is 0.1 - 0.6 kg/cm.sup.2, and preferable 0.35 - 0.5 kg/cm.sup.2 for the arms and legs; 0.18 - 0.2 kg/cm.sup.2 for abdomen and chest; 0.1 kg/cm.sup.2 for the bottom of eyeball; 0.3 - 0.4 kg/cm.sup.2 for the head and shoulders. All these indicate the gauge pressures respectively.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A blood circulation stimulation apparatus comprising:

an air tight suit-like bag conformed to fit the human body;

compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air from a source at a predetermined pressure;

a conduit connecting said compressed air supply means to said bag for supplying compressed air to said bag;

control means for regulating the pressure buildup and the exhaust of the compressed air from the apparatus;

a one-way exhaust valve located in said compressed air supply means and coupled to said control means for releasing said compressed air from said supply means in response to said control means; and

valve means located in said conduit for controlling the directional flow of compressed air into and out of said air bag.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises:

a valve casing having a plurality of exhaust holes open to the atmosphere in the side of the casing opposite the inlet opening from the compressed air supply means;

a panel-like valve member within said casing axially moveable away from the inlet opening in response to air flowing into said air bag for covering said exhaust holes and away from said exhaust holes in response to air flowing out of said air bag for opening said exhaust holes to the atmosphere; and

a switch valve operatively positioned within said panellike valve member and adapted to open only in the direction to allow compressed air to flow into said air bag, whereby lower air pressure in said air bag than in said compressed air supply means causes air to flow from said supply means toward said air bag through said valve casing, forces said panel-like member against said exhaust holes, and forces said switch valve to open, thus allowing compressed air to enter said air bag while maintaining said exhaust holes closed, and whereby lower air pressure in said compressed air supply means caused by the opening of said one-way exhaust valve causes air to flow from said air bag thus forcing said switch valve to close, forcing the panel-like member away from said exhaust holes, and permitting the compressed air within the air bag to exhaust into the atmosphere.