Apparatus for Patient Hydrotherapy and Manipulative Treatment by a Therapist

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for combined fluid (hydrotherapy) and manipulative treatment of a patient in a tank or other container wherein the therapist can be positioned within the tank enclosure without getting wet. In particular, the present invention relates to a rigid tank with segments removed in the ends or sides and sides so that the therapist can be positioned within the enclosure of the tank with a thin, flexible, inner liner for the tank around the therapist so that he or she does not get wet and is comfortable during the therapy.

(2) Prior Art

The prior art has shown many types of hydrotherapy units. Representative are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,514,848 to Davis, 3,719,960 to Russel and 3,864,762 to Finch. None of these patents show segments of the tank or tub which can be removed to allow the therapist to move into the enclosure of the tank.

There is a need for combined manipulative and fluid treatment of a patient by a therapist, particularly in the osteopathic treatment of injuries by cranial manipulation. The principal motive for this invention is to combine the art of cranial therapy pioneered by Sutherland (Craniosacral Therapy, Upledger, et al, pages 5-13 (Eastland Press, 1983)) with the art of floatation in high specific gravity (1.3) pioneered by Lilly. The problem has been that the therapist must bend over the sides of the tank, usually in a standing position which is awkward and tiring for the therapist and thus reduces the duration and effectiveness of such treatments.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which allows the therapist, without getting wet, to be essentially inside the enclosure of the tank or other container means while the patient is being subjected to manipulative and fluid treatment. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which allows the therapist to perform the treatment in comfort and more effectively. Further still, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which has a tank which is adjustable in vertical height to allow the therapist to use the apparatus in a standing or a sitting position. Further still, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is provided with an apron means for protecting the upper body of the therapist from being wetted by the fluid in the tank. Further still it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is relatively simple and economical to construct. These and other objects will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following description and the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tank 12 mounted on a frame 13 with a liner 11 wherein the liner 11 further provides an apron covering the front of a therapist T for treatment of a patient P.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liner 11 removed from the tank 12.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tank 12 and frame 13 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 showing a threaded rod 20 for moving tank 12 vertically on posts 13a to 13d using chain 29 around gears 27.

FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view along 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing the position of motor 30 for rotating chain 29.

FIG. 6 is a partial front cross-sectional end view between 6--6 of FIG. 5 showing the mounting of the motor 30.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the position of chain 29 and gears 27 and 31.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a door 40 and removable support 42 for the liner 11.

FIG. 9 is a partial front cross-sectional view along line 9--9 of FIG. 8 showing the removable support 42 in a liner 11 supporting position.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view along line 10--10 of FIG. 8 showing the position of the therapist T in tank 12 enclosure in segments A and B.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating a patient with a fluid and for manipulation of a patient by a therapist in the fluid which comprises: support means having a depth, length and width so as to provide an enclosure which accommodates the patient in the support means, wherein the support means has at least one segment which provides an opening so that a therapist can position an upper body portion within the enclosure of the support means in a standing or sitting position with the arms of the therapist in contact with the patient; and a fluid impermeable liner supported by the support means so as to provide the fluid around the patient, wherein the liner covers the segment and in use the liner is pushed away from the segment into the enclosure by the body of the therapist.

Further the present invention relates to an apparatus for treating a patient with fluid and for manipulation of the patient by a therapist in the fluid which comprises: a rigid tank with a bottom and spaced apart lateral sides and spaced apart ends and having a depth, length and width so as to provide an enclosure which accommodates the patient in the tank, wherein the tank is provided with segments at one of the ends or sides and at the bottom of the tank and wherein a therapist can position an upper body portion in the tank within the enclosure with the arms of the therapist in contact with the patient; and a fluid impenetrable liner mounted within the enclosure of the tank so as to cover the bottom, sides and ends of the tank and so as to provide a fluid around the patient, wherein the liner covers the segment and in use the liner is pushed away from the segment into the enclosure by the body of the therapist.

In the most preferred form, the liner provides an apron which extends above the tank and covers the therapist. The apron can be supported by the apparatus or can be mounted around the neck of the therapist.

The segments preferably have closure means such as doors and/or a removable support for the segments (A and B) which holds the liner in position when the tank is not in use. If the liner is sufficiently thick and the amount of fluid in the tank is limited, the closure means can be eliminated. The door is preferably closed behind the therapist when the tank is in use. This makes it easier for the therapist to counteract the water pressure.

The liner can have an indentation for the therapist at the segment of the tank which is open. This makes it easier for the liner to be pushed into the enclosure of the tank by the therapist. The liner usually would have a length, width and depth which generally accommodates the largest patient to be treated.

Normally the tank would be 8 feet (244 cm) long by 4 feet (122 cm) wide by 10 inches (25.4 cm) 2 feet (61 cm) deep. This allows easy manipulation of the patient.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show the preferred apparatus 10 including a flexible, preferably plastic, liner 11 and a rigid tank 12. The tank 12 has opposed ends 12a and 12b and opposed sides 12c and 12d so that the tank 12 is preferably generally rectangular in plan view and cross-section A therapist T is positioned within the enclosure of the tank 12 with the liner 11 around him or her in segments in the tank 12 which are open as will be described more fully hereinafter. The therapist T manipulates the patient P.

The tank 12 is supported by a frame 13, including vertically oriented posts 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d. Horizontally oriented posts 13e, 13f, 13g and 13h of the frame 13 support the posts 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d. Horizontal rods 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d support loops 11a on straps 11b which are integral extensions of the liner 11 so that there is an apron around the therapist T. In use the liner 11 is filled with a fluid F.

FIG. 2 shows the liner 11 separated from the tank 12 of FIG. 1. The loops 11a as shown on straps 11b. The dotted lines show how the liner 11 is moved by the therapist T. Straps 11b could also be placed around the neck of the therapist T (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the tank 12 is preferably moved vertically on posts 13a to 13d. This movement is accomplished using threaded rods 20 mounted inside the posts 13a to 13d or bearings 21, 22 and 23 and secured in holders 24, 25 and 26. Extensions 12e and 12f from tank 12 are mounted on threaded on rods 20. A gear 27 is secured on rod 20 in a space 28 between the holder 24 and 25 adjacent to horizontal posts 13e to 13h. A horizontally rotatable chain 29 is mounted on gears 27 so as to rotate the gear 27 and rod 20. Each of the posts 13a to 13d and ends 12a and 12b of tank has a gear 27 which engages the chain 29 with an identical construction. A motor 30 with a gear 31 on shaft 32 is mounted on horizontal bar 13f adjacent post 13a so that the gear 31 engages chain 29. The holder 24a and 25a is enlarged to accommodate the mounting of the motor 30. Various screws 33 or other fasteners secure the posts 13a to 13d to holder 25 or 25a. The horizontal posts 13e to 13h are held in position on holder 24 or 24a by screws 34. Screws 35 hold the holders 24 and 25 (or holders 24a and 25a (not shown) together.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 to 7, the motor is actuated by the therapist T. The chain 29 rotates gears 27 so that the tank 12 moves up or down on extensions 12e and 12f. The motor 30 moves the gear 31 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In this manner the tank 12 is positioned for standing or sitting manipulation of the patient P by the therapist T. Once the adjustment is made, the therapist moves into segments within the enclosure of the tank 12.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show the segment A in the side 12a and segment B in the bottom 12e of the tank 12. A door 40 with a latch 41 covers the segment A when the tank 12 is not in use. A removable support 42 covers the segment B when the tank 12 is not in use. The support 42 preferably overlaps the bottom 12 of the tank 12.

After the height of the tank 12 is adjusted, the therapist T pushes the liner 11 into the enclosure of the tank 12 by the force of his or her body. The door 40 can then be closed. The straps 11b are then over the shoulders of the therapist T. The manipulation of the patient P can then begin. After the treatment is completed the door 40 and removable support 42 are closed to support the liner 11 on the side 12a and bottom 12g of the tank 12.

The door 40 can be padded (not shown). Also, the front of the therapist T can be padded (not shown) to eliminate any space where the liner 11 is unsupported between the bottom of the tank 12 and the therapist T for greater comfort.

It is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims.