U.S. patent number 3,895,638 [Application Number 05/446,613] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-22 for spinal column warming treatment apparatus.
Invention is credited to Tadao Ito.
United States Patent |
3,895,638 |
Ito |
July 22, 1975 |
Spinal column warming treatment apparatus
Abstract
A spinal column warming treatment apparatus comprising a mat on
which a human body can lie, and a warming means, which is provided
in the mat to cover the warming region of 30 to 90 cm long and 3 to
7 cm wide, and to warm to approximately 40.degree. to 70.degree.C,
extending to a position along the spinal column portion of the
human body in a supine condition, such that the warming means can
come into contact with the spinal column portion. Selective and
local warming operation of the spinal column of the human body (1)
provides sound sleeping by warming a brain stem, (2) improves the
blood circulation by working upon the vasomotor center of the brain
stem and the spinal cord, thereby curing disorders caused by the
disturbance of the blood circulation, and (3) cures disorders
caused by the disturbance of autonomic nervous system through
promotion of the autonomic nervous function.
Inventors: |
Ito; Tadao (Hanazono-imachi,
Kyoto, JA) |
Family
ID: |
12166310 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/446,613 |
Filed: |
February 28, 1974 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 4, 1973 [JA] |
|
|
48-25449 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
607/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B
1/0227 (20130101); H05B 3/342 (20130101); A61F
7/007 (20130101); A61F 2007/0086 (20130101); A61F
2007/0001 (20130101); H05B 2203/014 (20130101); H05B
2203/017 (20130101); H05B 2203/035 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05B
3/34 (20060101); A61F 7/00 (20060101); A61n
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/68.1,82.1,399,402,379,1C,24.1 ;219/211 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; Lawrence W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fasse; W. G. Roberts; W. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus for selectively and
locally warming a predetermined region opposing a spinal column in
the back of a human body to a predetermined warming temperature in
the range of 40.degree. to 70.degree.C, said predetermined region
having a width of from to 3 to 7 cm and a length of from 30 to 90
cm; said apparatus comprising a warming means comprised of a fixing
sheet, and a heater means affixed to said fixing sheet and
distributed throughout an area on said fixing sheet corresponding
to said predetermined region, said heater means further extending
back and forth on said fixing sheet in the lengthwise direction
thereof and being laid flat on said fixing sheet, said heater means
comprising a heating wire, a signal wire, and a heat sensitive
layer between said heating wire and said signal wire, means for
retaining said warming means adjacent said predetermined region in
the back of a human body, comprising an elastic sheet member, an
elastic elongated protrusion formed in the region of said sheet
member corresponding to said predetermined region in the back of a
human body, and a cover covering said elastic sheet member and
protrusion, said fixing sheet being affixed to said elastic sheet
member underneath said cover at both sides of said heater wire with
said heater wire being positioned on and aligned with said elastic
elongated protrusion, means for automatically controlling the
heating temperature of said heating wire comprising means for
controlling the energization of said heating wire in response to
the impedence through said heat sensitive layer between said
heating layer and said signal wire, said heat sensitive layer
having an impedence that changes as the function of the temperature
of said warming means, and means for selectively setting said
automatic control means for controlling the temperature of said
warming means within said range of 40.degree. to 70.degree.C.
2. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, wherein said retaining means is comprised of a mat allowing the
body to lie thereon, said warming means being provided in a
position so that it may be adjacent to the spinal column with the
human body lying on the mat.
3. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, wherein said retaining means comprises
a back holding portion, and
means for wearing and retaining the back holding portion in contact
with the back of the body, said warming means being provided in the
back portion at a position adjacent to the spinal column of the
human body with the retaining means being put on and retained.
4. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, which further comprises a timer for setting a warming operation
time of said warming means.
5. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, which further comprises an additional warming means for warming
a stiff shoulder affected part region.
6. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, which further comprises an additional warming means for warming
a waist ache affected part region.
7. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, wherein said automatic controlling means comprises a bridge
circuit including, as one side, said impedance between said heating
wire and said signal wire through said sensible heat layer.
8. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
7, wherein said automatic controlling means comprises a switching
element connected to said heating wire, the switching element being
connected to respond to balanced detection of the bridge circuit so
that the heating temperature may be automatically adjusted.
9. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
8, wherein the switching element is a thyristor.
10. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, wherein the automatic controlling means for the heating
temperature comprises means for setting a temperature to be
automatically controlled.
11. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
1, wherein said heater wire is a two-folded wire.
12. A spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to claim
11, wherein the fold end portion of said two-folded wire is in the
center of the wound heater wire and the two terminal ends of the
heater wire extend from the periphery of the wound heater wire.
13. The spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein said elastic sheet member and elastic elongated
protrusion are of a foamed rubber material.
14. The spinal column warming treatment apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein said fixing sheet comprises a pair of sheets of a
cloth material, said heating wire being sandwiched between said
sheets of cloth material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a warming treatment apparatus of a
human body, and more particularly, to a warming treatment apparatus
for selectively and locally warming the spinal column of the human
body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Disorders such as stiff shoulders, lumbago, neuralgia, etc. are
caused mainly by the disturbance of blood circulation in affected
parts. More particularly, waste materials such as carbon dioxide,
lactic acid, etc. stored by activities of muscles, viscera, etc.
are shifted to the blood in capillary vessels, while oxygen, enzyme
and hormone, etc. move to the muscles, viscera, etc. in the
capillary vessels. Normally, increase of waste materials such as
carbon dioxide, lactic acid, etc. by more vigorous action of the
muscles, viscera, etc. is likely to increase the blood circulation
in capillary vessels. However, insufficient increasing of the blood
circulation in capillary vessels with respect to the increasing of
the waste materials, or the other blood circulation impediment
accumulates the waste materials in the muscles, viscera, etc.,
resulting in symptoms of fatigue, aches, etc.
In order to cure the disorders such as stiff shoulders, lumbago,
neuralgia, etc. by removing the disturbance of blood circulation,
it has been proposed to wholly or locally warm the body. Hot spring
recuperation, electric blanket, etc. are provided as a wholly
warming method of the body. However, a problem with such whole
warming operation of the body is to raise undesirably the body
temperature which may cause fatigue all the more. For example, the
whole warming operation of the body by the use of the electric
blanket during sleeping is likely to raise the body temperature
beyond a physiological range, since the adjusting functions of the
body temperature is particularly lowered during sleeping.
Therefore, the user may be awakened or feel tired all the more. A
medical appliance such as a hot pack is used to locally warm the
affected parts of the body such as shoulders and waist for the
improvement in the blood circulation. Such local warming means are
intended to improve the local blood circulation of the affected
part, but can not cure the disorders fundamentally. Also, the local
warming means such as the conventional hot pack is not suitable for
a long time use, since the warming region is designed to be of a
larger area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises means which is
placed in contact with the back of the human body to warm the
spinal column selectively and locally. The region warmed by the
warming means is selected to the ranges of 3 to 7 cm wide, and 30
to 90 cm long along the spinal column and may be varied by the
constitution of the user, symptoms, etc. For the direct contact of
the warming means with the naked body, the warming temperatures are
selected to the range of 40.degree. to 45.degree.C, while for the
indirect contact of the warming means with the body through
clothes, they are selected to the range of 50.degree. to
70.degree.C. The warming temperatures may be varied, dependent upon
the physical conditions of the user, the symptoms of the user, etc.
The preferred embodiment comprises means for adjusting such warming
temperatures.
The inventor has found that the selective and local warming
operation of the body spinal column portion of the present
invention can effectively promote sleep to a sound sleep, and
accordingly is effective for insomnia, etc. The effect is due to
the fact that the warming operation of the spinal column warms a
brain stem.
Also, the present inventor has observed that the selective and
local warming operation of the spinal column portion by the
invention produces the remarkable increase of blood circulation,
whereby it is extremely effective for hypertension lumbago, stiff
shoulders, the other muscle aches, fatigue, etc. He has confirmed
this effect clinically. Such effect is considered to be due to the
fact that the warming operation of the spinal column portion of the
body works upon the vasomotor center of the brain stem and the
spinal cord to open arteriole valves for improving the blood
circulation.
Furthermore, the inventor has found that the selective and local
warming operation of the spinal column portion of the body is
effective medicinally for spiral plate hernia, neuralgia, chronic
diarrhoea, digestive organ disorder, cystitis, hemorrhoids, etc.
Such effect is considered to be due to the fact that the warming
operation of the spinal column stimulates an autonomic nervous
function to normalize the internal organs.
In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a mat
on which the body can lie on the back, and warming means, which is
provided on the mat, extending in a position along the spinal
column portion of the body in a supine condition so that it may
come into contact with the spinal column. Such embodiment makes it
possible to selectively warm the spinal column portion of the body
in a supine condition which is the most relaxed condition of the
body. Preferably, an auxiliary warming means may be provided
additionally so that it may come into contact with the shoulder
and/or the waist of the body in a supine condition. Such embodiment
can improve the effects in curing the stiff shoulders, lumbago,
etc.
In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a sheet
member for contacting the back of the body which covers at least
the spinal column portion, mens for retaining the sheet member such
that the sheet member be in contact with the back of the body to
cover the spinal column portion at least, and warming means
provided in the sheet member extending in a position where the
sheet member in a retained condition opposes the spinal column
portion of the body such that the warming means can come into
contact with the spinal column portion. Such embodiment makes it
possible to selectively warm the spinal column portion of the body
in the optional posture condition of the body. Preferably, an
auxiliary warming means may be provided additionally so that it may
come into contact with the shoulder and/or the waist of the body
with the sheet member being retained thereon. Such embodiment
improves the effects in curing the stiff shoulders, lumbago,
etc.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to
cure the disorders such as stiff shoulders, lumbago, neuralgia etc.
by selectively and locally warming the spinal column portion of the
human body.
It is another object of the present invention to desirably set the
warming temperature of the selective and local warming medical
treatment apparatus for spinal column portion of the human
body.
It is a further object of the present invention to selectively and
locally warm the spinal column portion of the human body and
additionally to warm the affected part of the shoulder and/or the
waist.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will be more apparent from the understanding of the
detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spinal column warming treatment
apparatus in which the present invention is embodied,
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken
along a line III--III of FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 is a side view showing how the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 is
used by a user,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a controller for the apparatus
in the embodiment of FIG. 1,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing various elements partially
exposed of a portion of a preferred heating element for the warming
means,
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of an
automatic temperature control circuit,
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a heater suitable for the warming means of
the inventive apparatus,
FIG. 8A is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the heater
suitable for use with the inventive apparatus,
FIG. 9 is a central cross-sectional enlarged view of the apparatus
for illustrating the enlarged portion of the warming means for the
apparatus of the present invention,
FIG. 9A is a more enlarged sectional view showing only the heater
and the clothes of FIG. 9,
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an apparatus of another embodiment of the
present invention,
FIG. 11 shows the back of the upper half of the body of a user
using the apparatus of FIG. 9,
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an apparatus of a further embodiment of
the present invention, and
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the heater for use in the FIG. 12
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a spinal column warming treatment
apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is
a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. The apparatus of FIG. 1
shows that the present invention is embodied in the form of a mat.
Therefore, the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a mat 1 and a spiral
column warming means 2. FIG. 1 further comprises a plug 5 to be
connected to a commercial power source to energize the warming
means 2 by electricity, a cord 3, a controller 4 for controlling
the energized condition of the warming means 2 through the cord 3,
and a plug 6 for detachably connecting the cord 3 to the plug
socket 7 of the mat 1.
The mat 1 is of such a size as to allow the human body to lie
thereon. Therefore, it is desirable that the mat 1 is at least 10
cm wide or more and 40 cm long or more. The warming means 2 is
mounted extending lengthwise in the middle portion of the mat 1 so
that it may come into contact with the spinal column of the human
body when the body is lying on the mat 1. The warming means 2 is
selected to be 3 to 7 cm in width, and 30 to 90 cm in length so
that it may come into contact with the spinal column of the body in
a supine condition on the mat 1, and is provided in a swollen
portion 8 swollen from the mat surface.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2
taken along a line III--III of FIG. 2. The apparatus illustrated
comprises an elastic sheet member 10, of such as foamed rubber,
provided with the swollen portion 8, and a heating element 9
provided on the swollen portion 8, extending lengthwise, and a
cover 11 covering the foamed rubber 10. The heating element 9 is
secured to an inner cover made of cloth such as thick cotton, etc.
and is secured between the foamed rubber 10 and the cover 11 at the
swollen portion 8, as to be more fully described hereinafter.
The swollen portion 8 is formed, in section, to fit the middle
depression in the back of the human body. Referring to FIG. 3, the
cross-sectional shape of the human body 13 using the apparatus of
the present invention is shown in a two-dot chain line. The side
view of the body using the apparatus as well as of the apparatus of
the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The mat 1 is placed on a
mattress 15, and the body 13 lies, using a pillow 14 at his
discretion so that the spinal column may come into contact with the
warming means 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the controller 4 for the
apparatus in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The controller 4 of the
illustrated embodiment is provided with a power source switch 20, a
timer setting knob 21, and an automatic adjusting temperature
setting knob 22. The timer setting knob 21 is constructed so that a
timer (not shown) to be set may be set optionally to the longest
possible period of three hours. The apparatus of the present
invention can be used to set to a time period, which is best suited
for treatment, by this timer. In using the illustrated apparatus by
a user when going to bed, a proper time period is also used to
prevent the portion other than the spinal column from being warmed
undesirably through unconscious changes in the posture of the body
after having fallen asleep by setting to a proper time period after
which a patient is likely to fall asleep. One example of detailed
circuits for the knob 22 will be described later.
In the preferred embodiment, a safety heater system is adopted for
the warming means 2. One portion of the heating element 35 for the
warming means 2 of such safety heater system is shown perspectively
in FIG. 6 with various elements being exposed in steps. In the
safety heater system, the heater itself operates as a safety
device. Such a heater 35 has a glass fiber core 52 wound with
copper alloyed narrow leaf 53 to serve as a heating wire. A
sensible heat layer 54 is covered thereon, and then a signal wire
55 similar to the heating wire is wound thereon. The outermost
portion thereof is insulation-coated with heat proof vinyl resin
56. Polyvinyl chloride, polyamide resin, etc. of a negative
temperature characteristic, which is great in electric resistance
at normal temperatures, but reduces in electric resistance at
higher temperatures are used for the sensible heat layer 54.
The operation of such heater 35 will be briefly described
hereinafter. As the heater 35 for the warming means 2 increases
abnormally in temperature during its use, the electric resistance
for the sensible heat layer 54 reduces and the current flows
thereinto. The current is guided into the automatic control device
to controllingly interrupt a current flowing passage for the
heating element 35 as the warmer means 2 increases in temperature
above a given temperature. Since such sensible temperature
operation is conducted across the entire heater 35, the safety
thereof is highly ensured. Accordingly, this is suitable for the
warming treatment apparatus.
FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of a
temperature automatic control circuit. A power source 30 is
connected to energizing connection points A and B for a bridge
circuit BR through a power source switch 20 and a timer 21. The
bridge circuit BR comprises capacitors 36, 38, 39 and the heater
35, and a variable resistor 22 for setting an automatic adjusting
temperature, and a detection transformer 37 are connected between
detection connection points C and D. The signal wire 55 for the
heater 35 is connected to the connection point D, and the heating
wire 53 for the heater 35 is connected from the energizing
connection point A to a switching element to be described later. A
secondary coil of the transformer 37 is connected to an amplifier
AP through the rectification filter circuit DT comprising a
rectification circuit including a diode 40 and a resistor 41, and a
filter circuit including a resistor 42 and a capacitor 43. The
amplifier AP comprises a transistor 44 connected in an emitter
follower fashion by resistors 46, 47, 50, a diode 45 and a
capacitor 48. The emitter follower output is applied to a switching
device SW as a control input. The switching device SW comprises a
thyristor 49 connected in series with the heating wire 53.
In operation, at the desired temperature of the heating wire 53,
the electric resistance of the sensible heat layer 54 is small and
the bridge BR is adjusted to balance in the current flowing
impedance therefor. Accordingly, no output is provided between the
detection connecting points C and D. No output is produced in the
rectification/filter circuit DT. The transistor 44 has a tendency
to turn off and a low output voltage is produced at the emitter
output. The thyristor 49 is controlled to be off and therefore the
heating wire 53 is not energized. If the temperature of the heating
wire 53 falls, the electric resistance of the sensible heat layer
54 becomes greater. The impedance through the heater 35 becomes
greater and the bridge circuit BR becomes out of balance.
Accordingly, an increased output is produced between the detection
connecting points C and D to increase the detection output for
rendering the transistor 44 more conductive. Thus, the thyristor is
turned on and the heating wire 53 is energized. It is understood
that the energization of such heating wire 53 is ceased upon
reaching thereof to a desired temperature. The heating temperature
of the heating wire 53 can be set as desired by adjusting the
variable resistor 22. Such setting range is designed in circuit so
that an optional temperature may be set in the ranges of between
40.degree. to 45.degree.C in case where the warmer means 2 is in
direct contact with the skin of the body, while in the ranges of
between 50.degree. to 60.degree.C in case where the warmer means is
used for the user who wears clothes.
FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the heater 9 suitable for use with the
apparatus of the present invention. The heating wire 35 as shown in
FIG. 6 is wound reciprocatingly throughout the warming means in a
length direction and is placed side by side laterally in a flat
condition. The heater is secured, through binding, to cloth
slightly bigger in area than the warming means 2. Since the turning
up of both ends thereof can not make an acute angle, the heater
wires are in the form of ring. The width of the warming means can
be determined by properly selecting the distribution of the heater
wire 35 with respect to the cloth, and the length thereof can be
determined by properly selecting the turned up length of the heater
wire 35.
FIG. 8A shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the heater 9
suitable for use with the inventive apparatus. The two-folded
heating wire 35 of the FIG. 6 embodiment, as folded at 60 as shown
in FIG. 8A, is wound reciprocatingly in the same fashion as
mentioned above so as to form a similar warming means extending
along the length direction thereof arranged side by side in a flat
condition. The FIG. 8 embodiment is more preferred in that both
terminal ends of the wire 35 are taken out of the peripheral
portion of the warming means, while the FIG. 8 embodiment has one
of the terminal ends 61 and 62 of the wires taken out of the
central portion of the warming means such that the said terminal
end is overlying the warming means, as at 61 in FIG. 8, which might
cause undesired overheating at the superposed portion of the
wire.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing only a portion
in the vicinity of the warming means 2 of the apparatus of the
present invention. As described hereinabove, the heater 9 is
secured, at proper distribution as described above, between the
cloths 11c. The foamed rubber 10 is placed on a lower portion cover
11b, and another rubber 8 for the swollen portion is fixedly placed
thereon in the region of the warming means 2. The cloths 11c
between which the heater 9 is secured is placed so that the heater
9 may be placed on the swollen portion. The cloth 11c and the lower
portion cover 11b are then sewed together, by string 13, on both
sides of the swollen portion 8. Then, the upper portion cover 11a
and the lower portion cover 11b are sewed together in the
pheriphery of the mat 1.
FIG. 9A is a more enlarged sectional view showing only the heating
wire 35 and the cloth 11c of FIG. 9. The heating wire 35, as wound
and arranged as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 8A, is
sandwiched between the cloths 11c and attached therebetween by the
use of adhesive. Such a composite of the cloths 11c and the wire 35
is then sewed to the cover 11b through the foamed rubber 10, as
mentioned above.
In using the apparatus of the present invention, the knob 22 for
setting the temperature of the controller 4 is set to a desired
temperature, considering the presence of the clothes on the
patient, the user's symptoms and physical condition, etc. The timer
21 is set to a desired time period, considering the using condition
of the apparatus, the user's symptoms, etc. The power source switch
20 is turned on and the user lies with his spinal column being in
contact with the warming region of the warming means 2 and
maintains his body posture. Accordingly, the spinal portion of the
body is warmed to a given temperature selectively and locally.
One of the greatest advantages of the present invention is to
selectively and locally warm the spinal column portion alone to a
given temperature. The entire portion of the body is not warmed
undesirably and therefore the body temperature is not increased
undesirably. For example, the conventional electric blanket and the
electric sheet are designed to warm the entire portion of the body,
or the wider region than that so as to increase the temperature of
the body. A foot warmer is adapted to locally raise the body
temperature by locally warming the bodily portion which can not
improve the blood circulation sufficiently. The conventional hot
pack is adapted to locally warm the affected part to improve the
blood circulation. However, the apparatus of the present invention
warms the spinal column portion alone selectively and locally to a
desired temperature without raising the body temperature
undesirably, thereby allowing the spinal column to be warmed for a
longer time so that various medicinal effects may be provided.
The inventor has confirmed clinically that the treatment by the
apparatus of the present invention produced the following
effects.
1. User's sleep falling is improved and sound sleeping is provided.
Thus, the treatment by this apparatus is effective for insomnia,
etc. In 1957, Euler and Soderberg found that animals fell asleep
upon warming the brain stem, where a sleeping center is located.
The effect of the present invention is due to the fact that the
brain stem is warmed by warming the spinal column. Also, during
sleeping, basic metabolism reduces, while perspiration increases
considerably. Accordingly, the body temperature falls considerably
as compared with at awakening time. However, the center of
regulation of body temperature located in the brain stem is active
while sleeping. As the body temperature falls excessively, the
sleeping becomes shallower into awakening. However, according to
the apparatus of the present invention, the spinal column portion
is warmed in accordance with physiological requirements without
raising the body temperature undesirably. Accordingly, the user is
easy to fall asleep and the sound sleeping is provided. Therefore,
this treatment is effective for the insomnia.
2. The treatment by this apparatus increases the blood circulation
remarkably and thus is extremely effective for hypertension,
lumbago, stiff shoulders, hermorrhoids, the other muscle aches,
fatigue, etc. This is because the warming operation of the body
spinal column portion works upon the vasomotor center of the brain
stem and the spinal cord to open arteriole value for improving the
blood circulation. Carbon dioxide gas and waste material are
discharged to supply oxygen and nutrition. Increase of the blood
circulation by the use of the apparatus of the present invention is
considered to be 50 percent or more.
3. The treatment by this apparatus is effective clinically for
spinal plate hernia, neuralgia, chronic diarrhoea, digestive organ
disorder, cystitis, etc. As the body temperature is likely to be
lower than normal range during the sleeping, the body bends like a
lobster. Thus, the spinal nerves are compressed, thus resulting in
disorders of the spinal nerves and the viscera. The local warming
operation of the spinal column portion by the apparatus of the
present invention makes the spinal column straight because the body
temperature is not low. Furthermore, the depressing forces by the
apparatus of the present invention additionally corrects the spinal
column and removes the pressure of the spinal nerve due to
accompanying dislocation. Furthermore, the warming operation of the
spinal cord stimulates an autonomic nervous function to normalize
the function of the viscera. Such effects are considered to be
ensured in such described way as given above.
4. The other reasons why the warming treatment apparatus of the
present invention provides the above-mentioned effects are as
follows. It is known that so-called vital spots (vitals) are
considered seriously as medical treatment points in acupuncture,
monocausis, massage, etc. According to an oriental medicine, there
are twelve vital spots along both sides of the spinal column in the
back of the body, and the functional condition of the viscera is
said to show up therein. The selective and local warming operation
of the spinal column portion by means of the warming treatment
apparatus of the present invention stimulates all these vital spots
to provide better effects to the functions of the viscera.
According to the expression of the modern medicine, unbalance of
the autonomic nervous system is improved and normalization of
viscera metabolism, secretion, digestion, etc. is promoted.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an apparatus in another embodiment of the
present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, warming means 102
is mounted, at a position opposing the spinal column, in
substantially vest-shaped clothes 101. More particularly, the
warming means 102 is provided, extending longitudinally in the
middle portion of the back body 105 of the vest-shaped clothes 101,
the front body 106 thereof comprising a plural pairs of buttons 104
and button holes 107 for wearing purpose. The vest 101 is provided
with a pair of arm inserting holes 108, and the warming means 102
is connected to a core 103. The warming means 102 may be
substantially the same as the warming means 2 used for the
apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3. Also, the component apparatus and the
circuit described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 may be used
advantageously for the apparatus of FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 shows the back of the upper half portion of the body of a
user using the apparatus of FIG. 10. Both are substantially the
same with the exception that the apparatus of FIG. 10 is in the
form of the vest 101, instead of the mat 1 for the apparatus of
FIGS. 1 to 3. They are substatntially the same even in the using
method. One of the greatest advantages in using the apparatus of
FIG. 10 is that it is in the form of vest thus allowing it to be
used even in any body posture.
FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus of the present
invention. The apparatus of FIG. 12 comprises stiff shoulder
affected part warming means 200 and waist ache affected part
warming means 300 in addition to the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3. The
warming region of the warming means 200 and 300 is selected so that
they may cover the stiff shoulder affected part and the waist ache
affected part in the lying condition of the body. It has been found
out that the additional selective and local warming operation of
the stiff shoulder affected part and the waist ache affected part
in the apparatus of the present invention provides increased
medicinal effects for the stiff shoulder and the waist ache.
Needless to say, either the warming means 200 or 300 may be mounted
depending upon the symptoms. Also, means for choosing between the
two may be mounted.
FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the heater 9 for use in the FIG. 12
embodiment. In comparison with the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 8A,
the FIG. 13 embodiment comprises laterially extending heater
portion 300 or 200. The heater 9 of such configuration as shown in
FIG. 13 can be provided by folding and arranging the wire 35 along
the periphery of the letter T, as seen from the FIG. 13.
While specific preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent that obvious variations and
modifications of the invention will occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art from a consideration of the foregoing description.
It is therefore desired that the present invention be limited only
by the appended claims.
* * * * *