Abstract: A massaging device is adapted for effective back massage especially along the spine. A flat platform supports a number of rotating wheels positioned for contact with separated muscle groups and acupressure points. The wheels are of a rubber material of such hardness as to allow a person to lay down onto the device without pain but to receive an effective pressure massage in the tissues of the back without bruising. With the device centered on the spine and with its wheels spaced on either side of the spine the individual may move along the ground while receiving a deep therapeutic massage. A pair of close spaced rollers are positioned relative to the wheels for massaging the tissues of the neck.

Abstract: In a positioning device, expandable bodies which expand and contract by air pressure are disposed at opposite sides of a movable member in its moving direction, the movable member being able to reciprocate, and a valve device for holding the expandable bodies in their extended states by valve-closing action is provided in an air path device which supplies air from an air supplying device to the expandable bodies. In a massager including this positioning device, the movable member is movably guided in up and down directions by a guide member provided in a back rest of a chair body, and the movable member is provided with a massage element which is projected from a surface of the back rest and is abutted against a body of a person sitting on the chair body.

Abstract: A gradient sequential compression system for preventing deep vein thrombosis includes a pressure-based system controller for controlling transfers of air from a source of pressurized air to inflatable chambers of a limb sleeve, so that a prophylactic modality is provided to the limb. The controller also includes a plurality of feeder valves pneumatically connected to each of the chambers and a microprocessor-based control unit for opening only one of the feeder valves at a time during an inflation cycle, so that each of the chambers can be independently inflated to predetermined pressure levels. The control unit also regulates the pressures in each of the chambers at the respective pressure levels by repeatedly independently measuring the pressures in the chambers and adjusting the pressure levels upward or downward, if necessary. The predetermined pressure levels can be default levels or selected by a user or health care professional for a particular application.

Abstract: An entirely self-contained, patient-worn apparatus for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, and other conditions includes an inflatable/deflatable bladder disposed against an extremity such as the upper calf, foot, or hand of a patient, or within a cast. An inelastic member is preferably used to fully enclose the bladder and body part, such that compressive forces are directed substantially entirely against the body part of the patient when the bladder expands, thereby conserving the power and reducing the volume of pneumatic compression required to operate the device. Given this conservation of energy, the invention may be battery operated from a source immediately proximate to the bladder arrangement, enabling the entire device to be self-contained and, in fact, worn by the patient. The reduced volume also allows the use of miniaturized components including the compressor motor and compressor.

Abstract: A remote controlled massage device includes a remote control unit having a microprocessor, a keypad, and a transmitter, the microprocessor being programmed for generating output data directly corresponding to individual keystrokes of the keypad that define activation of particular vibrator elements, operation in particular time-variant power level sequences, relative vibration intensity, and relative speed of advancing through the time-variant power sequences. The transmitter has a transducer for radiating signals corresponding to the output data, for reflection from a ceiling under which the device is located, the data being transmitted in plural identical packets having a header, a sequence number, a device code program data, and an error code, subsequent sets of the identical packets having different sequence numbers.

Abstract: An automated chest percussor apparatus for dislodging and loosening pulmonary secretions in one's chest.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated massaging cushion characterised by comprising: a compressor (16), a cyclic distributor (14) fed by said compressor (16) and provided with a plurality of exits (13), at least one manifold (6) comprising a plurality of longitudinal ducts (8) connected to the different exits (13) of said cyclic distributor (14), a plurality of side by side transverse compartments (2) inflatable independently of each other, means (10) for the individual connection of each of said transverse compartments (2) to one of said longitudinal ducts (8), the connections between the longitudinal ducts (8) of said manifold (6) and the exits (13) of said cyclic distributor (14) and between said transverse compartments (2) and said longitudinal ducts of said manifold (6) being such as to ensure the operation and the temporary and successive inflation of the adjacent transverse compartments.

Abstract: A robotic muscular therapy system, and method of use, for applying repeated amounts of concentrated pressure to targeted muscles one-at-a-time to lengthen even deeply positioned muscle tissue layer by layer and thereby reduce limitations on joint extension and flexibility as well as eliminate pain caused by excess muscle contraction. The system comprises a beveled treatment probe designed to concentrate pressure without breaking the skin of an average patient, a probe column assembly for fine X, Y, and Z probe movement over a patient, and a plurality of interchangeable column assembly supports for coarse X, Y, and Z probe movement. Patient safety limitations include a torque-limited and current-limited motor with a slip clutch, a probe which withdraws from its treatment position when a patient grabs it or a pre-set maximum tissue pressure is encountered, and a swivel fitting which allows the probe to give when a patient sneezes and allows patients to easily push the probe away upon demand.

Abstract: A personal massage device that allows a person to apply a vibrating massage to his own back. The unique shape of the device allows the operator to hold it comfortably with one or both hands, while pressing the vibrating head of the device against his back. The device has a modified “J” shape, containing a straight main handle, a curved extension with a vibrator device located at the end, and a straight supplementary handle attached to the main handle at a right angle. A conveniently placed switch in the supplementary handle allows the operator to turn the vibrating device on or off while it is being held in its operating position. Interchangeable massage heads can be employed to vary the type of massage available from the device.

Abstract: An electric foot massaging assembly is provided including a slipper mount. A flexible slipper is positioned on the slipper mount with an opening formed in an upper extent thereof for receiving a foot therein. A roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers mounted on the slipper mount for massaging a foot within the slipper. A motor is included for rotating the rollers.

Abstract: The hydromassager employs water pressure for massage in a closed-system The general advantages of this equipment such as compactness, mobility, safety, and many others make this machine ideal for a variety of settings. Pump (2) pressures water and directs it towards contact surface (12) that is in contact with the subject's body surface. From the massaging head water returns to water reservoir (1).

Abstract: A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operable to subject the vest to pulses of air which repetitively applies and releases pressure to the body. The vest has a cover having a pocket accommodating the air core. The pulsator has diaphragms connected to a d.c. electric motor with a rotary to reciprocating motion transmitting mechanism operable to generate air pulses in the air core.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for applying pressure to the body of a person is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an arcuate shaft, a handle that extends from the arcuate shaft in a plane intersecting the plane of the arcuate shaft, and a pressure applicator movably attached to the arcuate shaft for applying pressure to the body. The apparatus can be used for massaging or for applying acupressure.

Abstract: A health appliance comprises a fitting member fittable in between toes or fingers and having in an interior thereof a pressurized medium charging portion. This portion is expanded in a direction so as to widen a space between the toes or fingers when the pressurized medium is charged therein. A pressurized medium charging port is provided at a location of the health appliance so as to communicate with the fitting member, for charging the pressurized medium into the pressurized medium charging portion.

Abstract: A foot heel massaging device is located in the heel of a shoe to massage the foot heel of a person wearing the shoe. The device consists essentially of a fixed member located fixedly in the shoe heel, a movable member located movably on the fixed member and provided with a plurality of massaging knobs, a confining member for confining the fixed member and the movable member, and two magnets located respectively in the fixed member and the movable member such that the like magnetic poles of the two magnets are opposite to each other to bring about a repulsion force to cause the movable member to move away from the fixed member at the time when the movable member is relieved of an external force exerting thereon.

Abstract: A massage machine is provided which is adapted for effective massage by initiating a pair of therapeutic fingers into a lateral movement toward or away from each other approximately simultaneously with the start of an upward or downward movement of the fingers.

Abstract: A bed massager includes two vibrating units and a control unit. Each vibrating unit has two motors oriented at 90° relative to each other. The motors in each power unit preferably have different power ratings, and can operate at different speeds. One motor in each unit is controlled to necessarily operate at a different speed than a corresponding motor in the other unit in at least one mode of operation, to avoid monotonous vibration and ensure that a pulse/wave effect is achieved. The other motors can be operated over a continuous range of speeds. The control unit provides individual control of the two vibrating units. In addition, the other motors in each vibrating unit can be separately and variably controlled. The vibrating units can easily be placed between a box spring and an upper mattress of a bed, horizontally separated at some distance. The device can also be used with a chair, a pillow or the like.

Abstract: A method for inducing a state of conciousness in a human being by bombarding the body with a fluid pulsating at a frequency corresponding with the frequency of brainwaves normal to the state being induced. A method is also disclosed for producing a concentrated fluid discharge by completely and rapidly blocking a flowing fluid stream under pressure, accumulating the resulting pressure rise and completely and rapidly releasing a concentrated fluid pulse. The invention includes apparatus for a producing a cyclic fluid discharge with a frequency from ½ to 120 pulses per second. Another method is disclosed for reducing fluid consumption without restricting fluid passageways by cyclically interrupting the flow of fluid and controlling the percentage of time during each cycle that fluid is allowed to flow.

Abstract: A roller massaging mechanism of a type having a pair of right and left massaging rollers mounted on an intermediate portion of a rotary shaft in a slanted fashion relative to an axis of the rotary shaft, and includes a switching member for selectively switching the position of the pair of right and left massaging rollers into one of a kneading position where the pair of massaging rollers are slanted opposite to each other and a non-kneading position where the massaging rollers are slanted parallel with each other.

Abstract: In an exercise apparatus a rigid frame includes upper and lower back supports pivotally connected in axial alignment. Upper and lower back support pads are mounted on the rigid frame for supporting a user in a reclined position with the weight of the user providing resistance to the exercises. Leverage arms are mounted at the head end of the upper back support. The leverage arms extend above the rigid frame such that the free ends thereof may be grasped by the user while performing abdominal exercises. The lower back support includes handles extending outwardly from the foot end thereof for grasping by the user while performing glute exercises. A thigh pad is mounted on the upper end of a lever arm pivotally attached to the foot end of the lower back support. Upon pushing the thigh pad by the user, the foot end of the rigid frame is raised along with the body of the user. Abdominal curls or crunching exercises are performed by grasping the leverage arms and pulling up the upper back support.