Patent Application
20080026350
While the novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims, the invention will be better understood along with other features thereof from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Referring first to
The enclosure 12 is shown as a transparent box or envelop so that the contents can be easily viewed for marketing of the kit and for ease in describing and discussing the contents within the enclosure. The container can suitably be in the form of a pouch so that a quantity of the kits can be compactly stored. The enclosure can be a variety of sizes and shapes, and formed of a variety of materials. The enclosure can be of a transparent or a non-transparent material, and can even have the set of instructions printed on the exterior of the enclosure for marketing and for easy reference during use of the system. In more compact forms, the wrist band timing device 14 can be packaged flat (with wrist strap 18 unbuckled, or can be in the form of a pendent 24) and the instructions can be formed or folded into the general shape of the elongated timing device for a very thin configuration
Referring also to
Referring also to
As a further universal alternative, the timing device 24 in the form of the main body 26 having the upper eyelet 28 for receiving the necklace 30 (forming a pendant timing device 24); can optionally further include slotted openings 32 on each side (or other means for alternatively receiving a wrist strap), and including a wrist strap 34 (shown in phantom lines) that is attachable to the body forming the wristband timing device 14. The user would have the option of wearing a wristband or pendant interval timing device.
The strap 18 or 34 can alternatively be utilized to attach the timing device 14, 24 to the leg of the user, as an ankle strap, knee strap or thigh strap. The strap could further be incorporated into an article of clothing such as the band of a stocking as a further alternative for securing the timing device to the body of the user.
The primary feature of the timing device 14, 24 is to function as a count-down interval timer that transmits an alarm at repeatable certain time intervals. There are sources that suggest that a suitable repeatable time interval for performing certain exercises to promote blood circulation is about 60 minutes. There are other sources that recommend about 30 minute intervals for performing the exercises. The inventors of the present invention have found that the most effective time interval for performing their recommended exercises is about 20 minutes. The timing device 14, 24 can be designed to be adjustable for a range of intervals from about 60 minutes to about 10 minutes. However, for simplicity for the user, the timing device is preferably not adjustable, but rather is designed for a fixed, pre-determined repeatable time interval. The repeatable time interval can be designed to be at any specific interval in a range from about 60 minutes to about 10 minutes, but preferably is designed for a repeatable interval of about 20 minutes.
The alarm of the timing device 14, 24 can be in the form of an audio (chime or buzzer) signal, a visual (steady or blinking light emitting diode “led”) signal, or a tactile vibrating signal on the underside thereof to alert and prompt the person to perform the exercises. Since an audio signal may disturb other passengers (or conflict with the audio alerts from other sources and other passengers); and the visual signal may not be noticed; the alarm is preferably a vibration that effectively and reliably alerts the passenger of the time for performing the next set of exercises. The vibrations can be suitably transmitted for about 3 to 10 seconds to alert and prompt the passenger of the respective time interval. A preferable vibration pattern has been found to include a short vibration of about 0.33 seconds, followed by a one second pause, then a vibration of about one second, followed by a one second pause, and this pattern is repeated three times for a total of about 10 seconds.
The timing device 14, 24 preferably includes an on-off switch 36 for turning off the alarm when the timing device is not in use, or when the passenger desires not to be alerted to the repeated time interval. The on-off switch is shown to be a slide able finger switch, but can be any variety of on-off switches to activate and deactivate the device. Once the switch is turned off, the alarm is not transmitted; when the timing device is turned on, it resets to a new 20 minute interval, and repeats the alert of successive intervals until it is turned off. The timing device may include an optional led 38 that lights up (i.e., red) to indicate that the device is on, and does not light to indicate that the device is off or that the device has insufficient battery power. The timing device is preferably provided as a dedicated repeated count down timer for alerting and prompting the passenger to exercise, and is designed for a single flight having a design life of about 20 -40 hours, and is then disposable. A simple timing device having single chip circuitry, a vibrator, a tiny integral battery, no display and a simple on-off switch, in a flexible plastic case can be mass produced at minimal expense and would not require any adjustment or setting by the flight crew or by the user.
Such an inexpensive timing device and instruction sheet system could be efficiently and conveniently disposable by the user for the convenience of the airlines, or otherwise given away for health, safety or promotional purposes. The used system would not need to be collected, re-inspected, and stored or commingled with new systems.
Referring now to
A preferred set of instructions is printed on a sheet about the size and weight of a 5×7 index card having a front side 40 and a back side 42, and is bi-foldable forming 3 columns on each side for convenient packaging and use. The instructions are preferably discussed in three categories: READ, WEAR and PERFORM.
The READ category (see
The WEAR category 50 (see
The PERFORM category 52, includes a set of illustrations and descriptions of some recommended exercises to be performed. There are numerous generally accepted exercises that are generally understood to promote blood circulation, and many combinations of such exercises are generally recommended during extended flights. Some of these well known exercises include the following:
Foot lifts: Place your heels on the floor and bring your toes up as high as you can. Then put both feet back flat on the floor. Then pull your heels up while keeping the balls of your feet on the floor.
Knee lifts: While keeping your knee bent, raise your leg while tensing your thigh muscle.
Shoulder rolls: Raise your shoulders and then move them forward, downward and then backward in a smooth circular movement.
Arm bends: Start with your elbows on the armrests and your hands pointed forward so that your lower and upper arms make a 90-degree angle. Take turns moving your left and then your right hand toward your chest and back, and continue for 30 seconds.
Knee to chest: Bend slightly forward. Fold your hands together around your left knee and pull it toward your chest. Hold this position for 15 seconds and let your knee drop slowly. Change legs and repeat.
Forward bends: Place both feet on the floor and pull your abdomen in. Bend slowly forward and “walk” your fingers along your shins to your ankles. Hold for 15 seconds and sit up slowly.
Upper-body stretch: Stretch both arms over your head. With your right hand, grab your left wrist and pull it slowly to the right. Hold for 15 seconds and change arms.
Shoulder stretch: With your right hand, grab your left elbow and pull your outstretched left arm slowly toward your right shoulder. Hold for 15 seconds and change arms.
Neck roll: Relax your shoulders, let your head drop to your right shoulder and roll your head slowly to the front and then to -Your left side. Repeat five times.
It would be helpful (and optimistic) for a passenger to perform all, or a combination of many of the foregoing exercises; and any such combination of exercises is considered to fall within the scope of the set of instructions provided in the present system. However, most passengers will not take the time or effort to perform numerous exercises, numerous repetitions. The present system has focused on a set of exercises considered to be the fewest, but most effective exercises, and the most effective number of repetitions, at the most effective interval to promote sufficient blood flow for most passengers.
In the preferred system, it has been determined that the following three exercises, performed about ten times each (with each foot or leg) at 20 minute intervals will promote sufficient blood flow to reduce DVT during extended flights.
Step 1: Toe and Ankle Raises 54 (toe points and ankle flexes). Upward motion ankles and toes, downward motion ankles and toes, and pump ankles and toes up and down. (10 times, each foot).
Step 2: Toe and Ankle Rotations 56. Clockwise and counter-clockwise (10 times, each foot, each direction).
Step 3: Thighs Raises 58. Raise one knee and contract hamstrings (rear thigh muscles), flex the knee; then contract the quadriceps (front thigh muscles), and extend the knee. (10 times each side)
All of the foregoing exercises can be easily completed in about 30 seconds at each regular time interval. The 30 seconds does not burden or interfere with other activities that the passenger may otherwise be engaged (reading, chatting, etc.) Perhaps more importantly, it has been found that, when timely alerted, passengers are willing to actually perform such minimal three exercises, for this minimal number of repetitions, at repeated 20 minutes intervals, with very favorable results.
The set of instructions includes the foregoing exercises, and are preferably introduced with some additional sound advice as follows:
The system can alternatively be provided for extended flights to include the distribution of the timing devices 14, 24 to passengers, in combination with the set of instructions 16 being placed in the cabin i.e., on the backs of the seats or tray tables, or placed in the in-flight magazine readily viewable by each passenger.
The present invention provides a system including a timing device for alerting and prompting a person at repeatable predetermined time intervals, in combination with a set of instructions related to DVT, including certain exercises related to blood circulation to be performed at each such time interval, for reducing the incidents of DVT during extended flights and other periods of prolonged immobility. The system is very simple to use, very reliable and inexpensive to produce and distribute to users.
While specific embodiments and examples of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is realized that modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
