PAIN MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A pain management device with a body portion having an elongate handle with an arm at one end for releasably attaching treatment attachments, the body portion having generally planar scraping wings for Gua Sha treatment, and a motor inside the body portion configured to impart vibration in each of several modes optimized for vibration therapy. The invention may also include a kit with the pain management device, and one or more treatment attachments designed for unilateral or bilateral vibration application adjacent to trigeminal and/or vagus nerves. The treatment attachment may have two or more pivotable arms that extend that extend perpendicular to the elongated handle when attached to the pain management. Also disclosed are methods of using the pain management device, in particular, for treating chronic and other pain and similar conditions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People experience undesirable fear, pain, anxiety, and inflammation in countless situations. Examples abound in dental treatment environments and for sufferers of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), craniofacial pain, myofascial pain syndrome, headaches and migraines, and other localized myalgia. In many of these examples, the trigeminal and vagus nerves play a critical role in communicating and either up- or down-regulating symptoms within the nervous system. Importantly, studies have shown that conservative and specific nerve stimulation—such as bilateral application of vibration adjacent to these nerves at the masseter muscle—may significantly reduce negative symptoms. In particular, study results describe related physiology and mechanisms in more detail and show that vibration treatment may reduce stiffness, strain, and/or pain responses by up to fifty percent. See, e.g., Peck et al., An Understanding of the Trigeminal/Vagus Nerve Can Help One Tune Out Pain and Fear, Oral Health (Mar. 1, 2018).

The vibration treatment described is relatively new. So, there are few tools or instruments designed for dental or physical therapist professionals to implement it. The Rezzimax® Tuner is one example of a tool specifically adapted for the vibration treatment set forth herein. However, as treatment develops, there is further need for a tool that is even more versatile and that incorporates other treatment principles and methods in combination with a variety of optimized vibration modes.

One desired and compatible pain treatment method is Gua Sha. Gua Sha comes from the Chinese word for scraping. Gua Sha aims to move energy, known as qi or chi, around the body by using a blunted tool to rub the skin in long strokes, applying enough pressure to create minor bruising. According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi or chi is energy that flows through the body. A person's qi should be balanced and flowing freely to ensure their health and wellbeing. Qi can become blocked, causing pain or tension in the muscles and joints. Blood stasis or stagnation may also contribute to pain and illness. Therefore, Gua Sha aims to move blocked energy, blood stasis, or stagnation to relieve aches, stiffness or symptoms. Gua Sha techniques may also help to break down scar or connective tissue, improving movement in the joints. Many western physical therapists use Gua Sha tools to perform instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).

Accordingly, based on the above, a tool that merges the capability of nerve stimulation in the head, face, and mouth, together with Gua Sha concepts and tool design for treatment of other areas of the body, and which provides optimal and research-proven vibration modes, is needed and would be extremely useful in pain management.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above, a new pain management device is provided, comprising: a body portion with an hourglass shaped, elongated handle with an arm at one end for releasably attaching one or more treatment attachments, the body portion further having one or more generally planar scraping wings for Gua Sha treatment, and a motor inside the body portion configured to impart vibration to the body portion in each of several modes optimized for vibration therapy. The invention may also include a kit with the pain management device, and one or more treatment attachments, including one designed for bilateral vibration application adjacent to trigeminal and/or vagus nerves, and having two or more pivotable arms that extend along an axis generally perpendicular to the elongated handle when attached to the pain management device. Finally, the invention also includes methods of use of the pain treatment device and treatment attachment set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings may not be drawn to scale. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pain management device with a treatment attachment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a second vibration mode in one embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a third vibration mode in one embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a fourth vibration mode in one embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a fifth vibration mode in an embodiment of a pain management device.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of a first method of use of a pain management device with a treatment attachment.

FIG. 10 shows a portion of a second method of use of a pain management device with a treatment attachment.

FIG. 11 shows a portion of a third method of use of a pain management device with a treatment attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The present invention in its various embodiments, some of which are depicted in the figures herein, is a pain management device and methods of use. Referring now to FIG. 1, the pain management device includes a body portion 100 with an hourglass shaped, elongated handle 101 and an arm 102 at one end. Referring briefly to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, arm 102 is configured to releasably attach one or more treatment attachments 400 to the device through male-female couplers, interference fit, or any other number of attachment methods. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the one or more treatment attachments 400 is comprised of two or more pivotable arms 401, 402 that extend along an axis generally perpendicular to the elongated handle 101 when releasably attached to the pain management device.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the body portion 100 has one or more first generally planar and elongated scraping massing wings 103 extending from the elongate handle 101. In certain embodiments, the body portion 100 has a second generally planar and elongated scraping wing 104, positioned opposite the first generally planar and elongated scraping wing 103 along the body portion 100. Within the transverse plane of the body, the scaping wing and/or wings generally have a substantially lesser cross-sectional height than the cross-sectional height of the elongate handle. One or more of each wing 103, 104 may have a continuous concave distal edge 105 and/or a first end with a first protuberance 106 and a second end with a second protuberance 107. Concave distal edges 105 may be shared by generally parallel wing faces. However, some embodiments exclude the described wings, such as that shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the pain management device also comprises a motor 202 inside the body portion 200, 201, the motor 202 configured to impart vibration to the body portion 200, 201 when the pain management device is in operation. A circuit board 203 is also inside the body portion 200, 201, and is in communication with, and configured to control operation of (e.g. actuation, intensity, frequency, etc.) the motor 202. The pain management device also contains a rechargeable power supply 204 connected to the motor 202 and/or circuit board 203. The power supply 204 may be powered by corded or cordless means. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 204 is powered through a micro-USB connection (see FIG. 4, 409).

Circuit board 203 may receive pressure or touch activated user input from one or more control buttons 108-111 located on the body portion 101. For example, power button 108 may turn the pain management device on and off. A mode button 109 allows a user to select to operate the pain management device within a predetermined mode from among a menu of modes, each with different and unique vibration patterns and dynamics optimal for the vibration therapy and described below. Up 110 and down 111 buttons allow a user to respectively increase or decrease the vibration or intensity of the pain management device.

The circuit board 203 is configured to operate the motor 202 to impart vibration in the range of 25 to 110 Hz in one or more modes of operation, including pre-programmed modes, which correspond to vibration therapy techniques. For example, in a default or normal mode (not shown) a user manually selects the intensity of the imparted vibration. FIGS. 5-8 show the dynamics of various other exemplary modes in graph form, with imparted vibration intensity—represented on the Y axis—over time—represented on the X axis. Referring now to FIG. 5, in a first programmed ramp down 500, the intensity of the imparted vibration 501 begins at a first low intensity 503, then increases to a first maximum intensity 504 at a first rate 505, then decreases to the first minimum intensity 506 at a second rate 507 that is slower than the first rate 505, resting 508 at the minimum intensity 506, optimally for between 5 and 10 seconds, and then repeats 509.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in a second programmed ramp up mode 600, the intensity of the imparted vibration 601 begins at a first low intensity 603, then increases to a first maximum intensity 604 at a first rate 605, resting 606 at the maximum intensity 604, optimally for between 5 and 10 seconds, then decreases to the first minimum intensity 607 at a second rate 608 that is faster than the first rate 605, and then repeats 609.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in third programmed ramp up and down mode 700, the intensity of the imparted vibration 701 begins at a first low intensity 703, then increases to a first maximum intensity 704 at a first rate 705, resting at the maximum intensity 706, optimally for between 5 and 10 seconds, then decreases to the first minimum intensity 707 at the first rate 708, resting at the minimum intensity 709, optimally for between 5 and 10 seconds, and then repeats 710. Referring now to FIG. 8, in a fourth programmed random mode 800 the intensity of the imparted vibration 801 occurs at varying levels 803-807 over time 802 and holds for between 5 and 10 seconds at each level before moving to a different level.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, various methods of use of the pain management device are shown. The illustrated methods are exemplary; still more methods are described below, and further methods may be described hereafter. In a first method, a user places a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent against a lower left dorsal portion of a person's neck. The user places a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent against a lower right dorsal portion of the person's neck. The user places a cervical pillow between the pain the pain management device and a surface. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above) while the person leans back against the pain management device and cervical pillow.

In a second method, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent against a person's left mid-eyebrow. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment against the person's right mid-eyebrow. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above).

In a third method, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent against a person's left temple. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment against the person's right temple. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above) while moving the first and second pivotable arm portions generally along skull sutures between the person's temples and the back of the person's head.

In a fifth method, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent a first side of a person's sternocleidomastoid muscle. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment adjacent a second side of the person's sternocleidomastoid muscle. The user pinches the person's sternocleidomastoid muscle and slightly twists the first and second pivotable arm portions against the person's sternocleidomastoid muscle. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above).

In a sixth method, shown in FIG. 9, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment inside a person's mouth to the left outside of the teeth. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment inside a person's mouth to the right outside of the teeth. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above) while moving the first and second pivotable arm portions up and down and/or side to side inside the person's mouth to massage the masseter muscle. In variations of this method, the person may further open and close their mouth while the motor is engaged and pivotable arms are inside the person's mouth.

In a seventh method, shown in FIG. 10, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment under and against a person's jaw, to the left. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment under and against the person's jaw, to the right. The user also rests portions of the pivotable arms and/or pain management device on the sternum. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above).

In an eighth method, shown in FIG. 11, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment under and adjacent a top left of a person's nose. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment under and adjacent to a top right of the person's nose. The user presses the device slightly towards the person's head. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above).

In a ninth method, the user places a first pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a center of a person's left cheekbone. The user places a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a center of the person's right cheekbone. The user then engages the motor of the pain management device (according to the desired mode of the device as set forth above).

One significant aspect of the methods describes above is that the treatment device uses bilateral stimulation in order to treat pain. Finally, in the methods set forth above, as well as variations thereof, the method may further include the step of the person humming while the motor of the pain management device is engaged while the device is in contact with the treatment area.

Thus configured, embodiments of the present invention provide a new pain management device with planar scraping wings for Gua Sha treatment, a motor inside the body portion configured to impart vibration to the body portion in each of several modes optimized for vibration pain therapy, and a releasable attachment designed for bilateral vibration application adjacent to trigeminal and/or vagus nerves.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a lower left dorsal portion of a person's neck;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a lower right dorsal portion of the person's neck;placing a cervical pillow between the pain management device and a surface; andengaging the motor of the pain management device while the person leans back against the pain management device and cervical pillow.

2. The method of treating pain of claim 1, further comprising the step of the person humming while first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are placed generally against lower portions of the person's neck and the motor of the pain management is engaged.

3. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a person's left mid-eyebrow;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against the person's right mid-eyebrow; andengaging the motor of the pain management device.

4. The method of treating pain of claim 3, further comprising the step of the person humming while first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are placed generally against mid eyebrows of the person while the motor of the pain management is engaged.

5. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising: a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against the left temple of a person;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against the right temple of the person; andengaging the motor of the pain management device while moving the first and second pivotable arm portions of the treatment attachment generally along skull sutures between the person's temples and the back of the person's head.

6. The method of treating pain of claim 5, further comprising the step of the person humming while the first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are moved along the person's head.

7. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment against a first side of a person's sternocleidomastoid muscle;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a second side of the person's sternocleidomastoid muscle;pinching the sternocleidomastoid muscle;twisting the first and second pivotable arm portions generally against the person's sternocleidomastoid muscle; andengaging the motor of the pain management device.

8. The method of treating pain of claim 7, further comprising the step of the person humming while the first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are placed generally against the person's sternomastoid muscle and the motor of the pain management device is engaged.

9. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment inside a person's mouth to the left outside of teeth;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment inside the person's mouth to the right outside of teeth;engaging the motor of the pain management device while the first and second pivotable arm portions are inside the person's mouth;moving the pivotable arms one or more of up and down and side to side inside the person's mouth to massage the masseter muscle.

10. The method of treating pain of claim 9, further comprising the step of the person opening and closing their mouth while the motor is engaged and the pivotable arms of the pain management device treatment attachment are inside the person's mouth.

11. The method of treating pain of claim 9, further comprising the step of the person humming while the first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are placed inside the person's mouth and the motor of the pain management device is engaged.

12. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment generally under and against a person's jaw on opposing sides of the jaw median plane, pivotable arm ends also resting on the person's sternum; andengaging the motor of the pain management device.

13. The method of treating pain of claim 12, further comprising the step of the person humming while the pivotable arm portions are placed generally under the person's jaw on opposing sides of the jaw median plane, and the motor of the pain management device is engaged.

14. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a top left of a person's nose;placing a second pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a top right of the person's nose;applying pressure against the person's head using the pain management device; andengaging the motor of the pain management device.

15. The method of treating pain of claim 14, further comprising the step of the person humming while the first and second pivotable arm portions of the pain management device treatment attachment are placed generally against the top of the person's nose, pressure is applied towards the person's head using the pain management device, and the motor of the pain management device is engaged.

16. A method of treating pain comprising the steps of: providing a pain management device comprising a body portion with an elongate handle connected to a treatment attachment with first and second pivotable arms that extend generally perpendicular to the elongate handle; anda motor inside the body portion, the motor configured to impart vibration to the body portion;placing a first pivotable arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a center of the person's left cheekbone;placing a second pivotable portion arm portion of the pain management device treatment attachment generally against a center of the person's right cheekbone; andengaging the motor of the pain management device while the first and second pivotable arm portions are generally against the person's cheekbones.

17. The method of treating pain of claim 16, further comprising the step of the person humming while the first and second pivotable arm portions are placed generally against the person's cheekbones and the motor of the pain management device is engaged.