Patents Examined by Danton D. DeMille
  • Patent number: 6890289
    Abstract: The device is designed to enable the user to perform both abdominal strengthening and back muscle strengthening exercises on the top of a conventional bed. A conventional bed is defined as one with a semi-rigid mattress and a rigid frame. The device attaches and detaches to the described bed easily and provides the means to strengthen both flexor and extensor muscles of the trunk with the dual advantages of maximum convenience and minimum cost. The device is a departure from the previous art in that it enables the user to strengthen the trunk muscles at home without the necessity of cumbersome and expensive equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Spinosa
  • Patent number: 6884203
    Abstract: A unique abdominal bench with a pivoting torso section has a number of pivots, rods, and levers that allow the fixed seat section of the abdominal bench to remain a constant distance from the pivoting torso section during an abdominal exercise. The leg section of the abdominal bench pivots towards the abdomen, as does the torso section when the torso is raised. The leg section is pivotably connected to the torso section through a number of rods, pivots and levers such that the gap between the seat and torso section remains the same. A push rod is connected to the pivoting leg brace and is in turn connected to a torso bracket through several guide rods and a dog-leg lever. The push rod, guide rods and the dog-leg lever allow the torso section to remain a constant distance from the fixed seat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: J.E.M. Concept International Inc.
    Inventor: John Forcillo
  • Patent number: 6881195
    Abstract: A massage device with rollers distributed in a plurality of roller shafts has a casing with a hollow opening top section, a pair of belts or chains at the left and right sides of the casing; a plurality of roller shafts inserted into the sleeves of the belts or chains. A plurality of rollers are installed on the roller shafts and the upper portion of each roller is protruded from the open section of the casing for massaging user. A plurality of transversal plates are placed in the casing. The transversal plates have driving gears and driven gears which are engaged to the belts. The gears are driven by a motor. Thereby, when the motor is actuated, the gears will be driven to rotate and thus the roller rotates. Thereby, by the massage device with rollers distributed in a plurality of roller shafts, the area of massage is larger by distributing the rollers on the open section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 6878124
    Abstract: A massage apparatus for providing rolling massage of skin zones and reflex zones of the human body, the massage device comprising a handle defining a blind bore and a shaft removably mounted to the handle. The shaft is formed with a head having a flat rear surface which functions as a stop with the other end of the shaft being threaded to fit into the blind bore of the handle. A plurality of freely rotatable massage rings are mounted on the shaft, each massage ring having spaced teeth distributed uniformly around its circumference with each massage ring being spaced apart by a smaller diameter massage ring. Spacer washers are positioned at the ends of the aligned massage rings and mounted on the shaft adjacent the handle and the shaft head flat rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph W. Crowe
  • Patent number: 6875186
    Abstract: A hand-held percussive device for facilitating the redistribution of fat remaining after liposuction. A piston is driven pneumatically in a reciprocating motion externally against a patient's skin and is self-actuated. A floating valve works in cooperation with the piston such that when the device is pressed against a patient's skin, the reciprocating motion begins. When the device is retracted, the reciprocating motion stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin B. Tucek, Steven C. Shanks
  • Patent number: 6872175
    Abstract: An exercise balance trainer includes a hard board and a resilient ball body connected to the board. The ball body has a first curved wall with a first rim, a second curved wall with a second rim connected fixedly to the first rim so as to define an air-receiving chamber between the first and second curved walls, and an annular flange connected to the board and a junction of the first and second rims. The first and second rims have the same diameter. The first curved wall has a maximum height that is not greater than one-half of the diameter of the first rim. The second curved wall has a maximum height that is not greater than one-third of the diameter of the second rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Asia Regent Limited
    Inventor: William Lin
  • Patent number: 6869408
    Abstract: A system for performing chest compression and abdominal compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The system includes a motor and gearbox including a system of clutches and brakes which allow for controlling and limiting the movement of compressing mechanisms operating on the chest and the abdomen of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Revivant Corporation
    Inventors: Darren R. Sherman, Kenneth H. Mollenauer
  • Patent number: 6860861
    Abstract: A hand held mechanized massager is constructed as a cage with a series of axles arranged in a circular or near circular array. Each of the axles provides a series of side-by side massaging wheels. The wheels have a ridged circumference for rolling on the surface of the skin in a manner for stimulating the muscles and circulatory system. A driver assembly is held in a hand and is actuated for rotation of the cage and wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Gus Polychronis
  • Patent number: 6860862
    Abstract: A method of body manipulation in furtherance of treating lymphedema is provided. A wrap, adapted to fit about a body extremity and having a trunk region, and limb regions, and a plurality of compartments distributed throughout the regions, is provided and applied to the body extremity. Each of the compartments of the plurality of compartments are capable of selective pressurization and depressurization. The body extremity is prepared for receipt of lymph fluid via a first pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, and lymph fluid is drained from the body extremity via a second pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated so as to promote readsorption of pooled lymph fluid within surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Irene A. Waldridge, Eric L. McKee
  • Patent number: 6843777
    Abstract: A massaging device that can be used to apply a powerful massaging action to any parts of the body according to necessity. The device includes a cylindrical body of given length and diameter, an eccentric weight rotating by a driving element within the cylindrical body, a handgrip coaxially extending to the cylindrical body, and a turbine mounted between the handgrip and the cylindrical body and forming the driving elements of the eccentric weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.P.A. F.LLI Togno S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Togno
  • Patent number: 6837860
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable hand-shaped massage unit having a power source 30 contained within the unit wherein a number of appendages 20 resembling fingers extending outwardly therefrom and each finger-like appendage having a third member 26 secured to a second member by a spring 34, the second member being a motor 24 and having a shaft 36 extending outwardly and angularly connected to a first member 22 whereby when the motor 24 is switched on the motor 24 will rotate the first member 22 in an elliptical manner so that when the portable hand-shaped massage unit 10 is secured by hook and loop material 28, pins, buckles, or belts to the headrest area of a chair 16, floor 12, or bed and the unit 10 is switched on the finger-like appendages 20 will travel in a randomly elliptical manner providing a mechanical massage of the lower cranial area of the head 18 of the user 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Lynda Auletta
  • Patent number: 6827695
    Abstract: A method of processing a raw acceleration signal, measured by an accelerometer-based compression monitor, to produce an accurate and precise estimated actual depth of chest compressions. The raw acceleration signal is filtered during integration and then a moving average of past starting points estimates the actual current starting point. An estimated actual peak of the compression is then determined in a similar fashion. The estimated actual starting point is subtracted from the estimated actual peak to calculate the estimated actual depth of chest compressions. In addition, one or more reference sensors (such as an ECG noise sensor) may be used to help establish the starting points of compressions. The reference sensors may be used, either alone or in combination with other signal processing techniques, to enhance the accuracy and precision of the estimated actual depth of compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Revivant Corporation
    Inventors: James Adam Palazzolo, Ronald D. Berger, Henry R. Halperin, Darren R. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6823871
    Abstract: Methods of performing opening wedge osteotomies are disclosed in which healing of the osteotomy defect is enhanced by packing the opening with pre-packaged, wedge-shaped bone grafts. The bone wedges are provided in sets of three: two larger outer pieces and a smaller inner piece that fits behind a bone plate. The wedge pieces are made of allograft bone or synthetic bone material. Outer surfaces of the two larger pieces preferably are cortical bone or cortical bone-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Reinhold Schmieding
  • Patent number: 6821260
    Abstract: A myofascial rehabilitation device, including a board defining a handle and bores therein, the bores being of predetermined diameter ranging between ¼″ to 1½″, the bores being of a predetermined orientation, ranging from 30° 90° relative to a surface of the board; projections having ends, a first end of each projection being selectively engageable with the bores, the projections being of predetermined diameters ranging in from ¼″ to 1½″ and ranging in length from one inch to four inches; tips being sized to snugly receive a second end of the projections; and mechanism for retaining the projections when the projections are disengaged from the board and a method of use including the steps of stretching tissue to be treated to the point of discomfort; arranging at least one projection on a myofascial rehabilitation board; relaxing against the board such that the projection applies pressure on a trigger point, such pressure to be applied until there is t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Charles Fors
  • Patent number: 6814710
    Abstract: A massaging device having a track comprising two rails. The rails comprise a first V-shaped raceway spaced apart from a second raceway. The device includes a carriage that causes a massaging unit comprising a pair of massaging to move back and forth along the rails. Coupled to the carriage are a pair of guide wheels having diamond-shaped cross-section, and engaging the first raceway. A biasing wheel if pivotally coupled to either side of the carriage and spring loaded in a direction away from the guide wheels as to engage the second raceway and maintain the carriage within the rail. The massaging unit comprises a pair of massaging members that are mounted to a rotable shaft in such a fashion as to perform a finger pressure-like massage or a tapping massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Interactive Health LLC
    Inventor: Hans Dehli
  • Patent number: 6808500
    Abstract: This creation is to provide a kind of roller massager structure improvement, which is primarily consisting of a seat body, a drive motor, a sliding seat, a second drive motor and a rocker arm type massaging roller set. The massaging roller sets are pivoted at the ends of a drive rod and is driven by the second drive motor indirectly, which is characterized by two pilot end heads eccentrically fitted at the two ends of the drive rod respectively, while a pilot end head at one end is provided with a radial slot, together with a bolt installed on the drive rod, that pilot end head can rotate itself depending on the different rotating directions of the drive rod, thus change the relative attitude to the pilot end head at another end; through this, the entire set can accomplish the practical improvements of achieving motions of rising and sinking, as well as automatic switching between two massaging modes rocking and kneading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Yu Cheng-Yi, Huang Chia-Min
  • Patent number: 6805678
    Abstract: A foot treating apparatus comprising a basin that is adapted for accepting and containing bathing water and is shaped and arranged to accommodate two human feet within the bathing water. A steam generator is included and adapted to accept and contain steamable water, to convert the steamable water into steam, and to direct the steam through a steam vent disposed above the bathing water and at one or both of the soles of those feet when the feet are removed from the bathing water. Dry massage means, heating means, vibration, and aeration are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Helen of Troy
    Inventor: Michael Cafaro
  • Patent number: 6805679
    Abstract: The Hydrocussion Massager is a handheld electronic massager that uses both percussion and water pressure massage to give the user a great tool for therapeutic relaxation. The device is a handy easy-to-use tool that is easily connected to any showerhead or appropriate faucet. It uses three speeds of percussion massage and different levels of water pressure from a specially designed showerhead inside the massager. It is waterproof and cordless, but it is connected to a hose, which channels the water from a faucet into the massager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Thomason Winkley
  • Patent number: 6800063
    Abstract: The space for putting round the toes 5 surrounded by the opposed edges 11 of the horizontal band pieces 1 and 2 and the cord for putting round the toes having contraction and expansion properties 4 is formed by linking between the upper ends of the opposed edges 11 of the pair of horizontal band pieces 1, 2 for right and left sides using the cord for putting round the toes having contraction and expansion properties 4 and by linking the lower ends of the horizontal band pieces 1 and 2 for right and left sides by the fasteners 3 or the like. Moreover, the section for putting round an ankle 12 is formed by linking the idler ends 10 and 10 of both the horizontal band pieces 1 and 2 each other by given means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuo Iwata
  • Patent number: 6793636
    Abstract: A theraputic device for treating foot pathologies. The device includes a generally-cylindrical body having a first end section, a spherical center section, a first intermediate section extending axially between the first end section and the center section, a second end section, and a second intermediate section extending axially between the second end section and the center section. The center section defines a convex working surface. The first intermediate section cooperates with the first end section and the center section to define a first concave working surface. The second intermediate section cooperates with the second end section and the center section to define a second concave working surface. The device can be filled with a gel adapted for exposure to heat and cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Jane M. Pepera