Abstract: A percussive massager is provided having a housing including a massage head portion and a handle portion, and a motor support unit affixable within the massage head portion. A motor is supported by the motor support unit, and an output shaft rotatably driven by the motor protrudes from the motor on either side thereof. The massager further includes a pair of vertical connecting rods each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are operably connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the output shaft causes the connecting rods to reciprocate axially in an asynchronous manner. A rocker arm is attachable to the motor support unit at a central pivot axis thereof, wherein the rocker arm is operably connected to the second ends of the connecting rods and is moved about the central pivot axis by rotation of the output shaft.

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: The invention provides a massage machine of the chair type having contact portions for applying a pressing force concentrically or dividedly so as to massage the user with the desired intensity. The machine comprises a massage unit having a first therapeutic finger for giving tapping massage to the upper part or the upper to frontal part of the shoulder of the user, and a second therapeutic finger for giving tapping massage to the back or the back to the posterior part of the shoulder. The fingers each have a portion to be brought into contact with the user at the forward end of an arm. The arms are pivotally movable independently of each other by respective finger drive means.

Abstract: A body massager having a casing that is of generally T-shaped configuration overall with a slender elongate handle and an enlarged portion at an inner end of the handle having an overhanging transverse hand grip. A massage head below the grip has a pair of generally dome-shaped massage formations that vibrate towards and away from a surface to be massaged. Each formation has a base element and a replacement cover that is made of a non-foam material such as PVC. The cover has a wall structure that includes a plurality of cavities and intervening wall portions that extend in the direction in which the massage formation moves during massage, so that the wall portions deform and restore for providing resiliency of the massage formation.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for pain therapy and/or for influencing the autonomic nervous system, at least one pulse-like wave is conducted onto a neurally sensitive region with an apparatus, namely a source of pulse-like waves the region participating in the conduction with respect to the pain or with respect to the region of the autonomic nervous system to be influenced.

Abstract: A pulsating muscle massaging device having motor activated cams-adapted to produce a rapid stroke cycle with long dwell between strokes and transmit the same to a plunger terminating in a resilient massaging tip whereby said tip moves rapidly back and forth to massage one's muscle.

Abstract: This invention provides a chair type of physiotherapy and health instrument that may be used for the physiotherapy against diseases or health improvement. The instrument has a chair body 10, 100 having a through hole 21, 121 formed at a seat area 20, 120 thereof, an impacting member 30 and a driving unit 40 for driving this member 30, wherein the impacting member 30 pivotally swung can periodically apply an impact on a region to be treated by a user via the through hole 21. Alternatively, the instrument uses, instead of the impacting member, a rotating frictional member 130 resiliently installed to protrude above the through hole 121 and a driving unit 140 for driving this member 130, wherein the member 130 being resiliently contacted with the user's body rotate, thereby being able to apply the frictional stimulus to a user. Therefore, easy access to a user's body is possible even when a user seats on the chair according to the present invention, further providing the physiotherapy or health improvement.

Abstract: A hot and cold massaging unit (10) comprises a housing (12) having a receptacle (26) therein. A plurality of vibrators (36) are surrounded by padding (34) in the housing. A plurality of gel packs (32) which are capable of retaining heat and cold, are insertable within receptacle (26) which is then closable by a zipper (28). Gel packs (32) can therefor also be removed from and replaced in the receptacle.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: A body and joints massage device having changeable massage heads to obtain selected stroking, rubbing and/or kneading massaging effects of all body parts including body joints. The body and joints massage device comprising a shaft housing engaging a main rotating shaft, the shaft housing being formed suitable to grip by a user and may be engaged with types of massage heads. One type includes actively rotating and actively self rotating massage elements each is equipped with passively rotating rollers for body stroking and rubbing massage effects. Another type includes actively rotating, flexible and/or extended massage elements each also performs an active reciprocal linear or arc movement for body and/or joints kneading massage effect. Yet another type includes actively rotating extended massage elements, each also performs an active reciprocal arc movement for body and joints massage.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for pain therapy and/or for influencing the autonomic nervous system, at least one pulse-like wave is conducted onto a neurally sensitive region with an apparatus, namely a source of pulse-like waves the region participating in the conduction with respect to the pain or with respect to the region of the autonomic nervous system to be influenced.

Abstract: A resuscitator is disclosed for rendering assistance to a choking victim in a manner similar to the abdominal thrust method or Heimlich manoeuvre. The resuscitator has a planar handle member with opposed end portions having finger openings to form hand grips. A raised, rounded pad is located between the end portions and extends perpendicular to the handle member. The pad has a rectangular or diamond shaped base in plan view orientated so that V-shaped side walls fit the shape of the pit of the stomach.

Abstract: A body massager including a casing having a slender elongate handle with a massage head extending generally transversely of the handle at one end. The massage handle has an external massage surface contoured symmetrically about a median plane and is mounted for pivotal rocking movement about an axis in that plane. The handle is arranged so that its longitudinal axis also lies in that plane and the massager is balanced about the plane. The massage head is driven by an electric motor which is suspended from an overhead motor mount bracket. Rocking movement of the massage head is controlled by a pair of resiliently compressible sleeves on opposite side of the pivot axis for the head. The massage surface is provided by hemispherical formations which have removable covers so that internal cushion members can be changed for different massage effects.

Abstract: A sole massaging device including a housing having a base and a cover adapted to be mounted on the base, a driving mechanism including a motor, a driving gear, two brackets, a chain, a driven gear and an axle, a plurality of leaves fastened on the axle and each of the leaves being distant from an adjacent one of the leaves by an angle of 45 degrees, and a rectangular fabric covered on the leaves and having four corners fastened on the base, whereby the device can effectively knead the sole of an user.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: A chiropractic mallet instrument for delivering a selected impact to the spinal vertebrae and or other bones of a patient in order to remove a vertebral subluxation and or other subluxations includes a tubular housing with a central handle movably supported thereon, a compression spring engaging a latch assembly and an elongate anvil member coaxially and movably fitted within an interior of the housing and extending from one end thereof, the anvil member including a distal end zone with a distal tip structured for removable attachment of various impact heads of different sizes, shapes and densities, the anvil member being axially movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing between a retracted, cocked position and an extended, released position. The latch assembly is operably interconnected to the central handle and carries and holds the anvil member in the retracted, cocked position upon movement of the central handle towards a palm handle on an opposite end of the housing.

Abstract: An improved chiropractic adjusting instrument is provided for use in spinal manipulative therapy and for exciting a human spine at its natural frequency. The chiropractic adjusting instrument includes a thrust element for delivering an input force, a body contact member removably attached to the thrust element, a spring means for propelling the thrust element and the body contact member outwardly, and an adjustment knob arranged on the thrust element for adjusting the amount of potential energy imposed on the spring means and for controlling the magnitude of the resulting input force. In use, the input force is mechanically tuned to a desired frequency (e.g., the natural frequency of a human spine) by positioning a shaped mass on the thrust element. By mechanically tuning the chiropractic adjusting instrument in this way, the dynamic output response of the spine is maximized while the requisite impact force is minimized.

Abstract: An instrument for adjusting vertebrae and other osseous joint subluxation and luxations comprising a device for generating a complex energy waveform, of varying frequency and amplitude, to be applied to the patient in the proximity of the vertebrae or other joints to be adjusted comprising a hand held portion with a moveable stylus at one end, which imparts lateral and torque components of energy, a stylus driving apparatus, a display array to indicate proper alignment of the hand held portion and a pistol grip for ease of handling of the hand held portion; and a fixed controller portion which is used to program the proper alignment of and energy to be applied via the stylus in the hand held portion, and the method for adjusting vertebrae and other osseous joint subluxation and luxations using the said complex energy waveform.

Abstract: A treatment and stimulation device provided as a compact, portable unit having an applicator capable of horizontal and vertical movements for manipulation of the skin and underlying tissue under electronic circuit control. In a preferred embodiment, the applicator is provided with reversible rotation directed against the skin to provide horizontal movement having uneven angles of deflection, and vertical up/down movement is supplied by a solenoid. By virtue of the electronic control, these movements are continuously variable, and can be integrated and finely controlled, to produce any desired physical stimulation effect on the skin and tissue, for medical or cosmetic purposes. The different kinds of receptors in the skin and tissue can be selectively activated, since they are frequency dependent and direction-force dependent.

Abstract: A variable massage drive unit includes a rotatable drive shaft disposed uprightly in a hollow casing and having two end portions that extend out of the hollow casing, upper and lower bearings for mounting rotatably the end portions of the drive shaft to the hollow casing, first and second drive gears disposed coaxially on the drive shaft, and first and second one-way clutches provided coaxially on the drive shaft between the drive shaft and a respective one of the drive gears. The drive gears are provided on a respective one of the end portions of the drive shaft between an intermediate portion of the drive shaft and an adjacent one of the upper and lower bearings. First and second thrust bearings are disposed coaxially and respectively on the drive shaft between the intermediate portion of the drive shaft and the first one-way clutch, and between the first one-way clutch and the upper bearing.

Abstract: An anticellulitis massaging device comprising a plurality of massaging elements or fingers (11) located within a body member or casing (10) and susceptible of axial percussion movements and oscillating and/or rotating movements, which are controlled by a motor assembly (12,12a) and via cam actuating means (15a,25a).

Abstract: An external cardiac massage device comprising a pressure source and a depressor means wherein pressure is transmitted from the pressure source to the sternum via the depressor means in a rhythmic fashion gradually increasing over time to a maximum then decreasing at a like rate while maintaining a minimum residual pressure on the sternum. Graph (A) shows variation in pressure on the sternum over time for ECM applied manually. Graph (B) shows variation in pressure applied by a prior art device. Graph (C) shows variation in pressure applied by a device according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal electrode (2) electrically insulated on the active surface thereof and which is connected to a high frequency circuit (4) and transmits current capacitatively. This apparatus is characterized in that an axial reciprocating movement of adjustable rate is applied to the electrode (2) and the intensity of the percussion on the patient's affected area is also adjustable. The electrode is removeably attached to a stem (7) resiliently engaging (21) the periphery of a cam (11) driven by a geared motor (13, 14) housed in a grip (16) of the mechanical device (1). This comprises a nozzle (17) through which the electrode (2) projects and which is provided with a replaceable front portion (18) for coupling portions of different length. The mechanical device (1) is connected to a box (3) containing the electronic circuit and the percussion rate control device for the electrode holder stem (7).