WO2005051282A1 - Acoustic acupuncture probe and acupuncture device using this probe - Google Patents

Acoustic acupuncture probe and acupuncture device using this probe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005051282A1
WO2005051282A1 PCT/FR2004/002994 FR2004002994W WO2005051282A1 WO 2005051282 A1 WO2005051282 A1 WO 2005051282A1 FR 2004002994 W FR2004002994 W FR 2004002994W WO 2005051282 A1 WO2005051282 A1 WO 2005051282A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
probe
acoustic
acupuncture
enclosure
wall
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Application number
PCT/FR2004/002994
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Lablanchy
Original Assignee
Jean-Pierre Lablanchy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Jean-Pierre Lablanchy filed Critical Jean-Pierre Lablanchy
Publication of WO2005051282A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005051282A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
    • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H23/0218—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
    • A61H23/0236—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H39/00—Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture
    • A61H39/007—Stimulation by mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an acoustic acupuncture probe. It also relates to an acoustic acupuncture device implementing this probe.
  • the field of the invention is that of electrotherapy and more generally therapeutic applications of acupuncture in many fields of medicine, aesthetic care and weight loss treatments.
  • acupuncture probes implementing vibrating systems, which by implementing vibrating systems of electromagnetic, electromechanical or piezoelectric type.
  • an apparatus and a method for producing stimuli from acupuncture points includes a probe for applying pressure stimuli to an acupuncture point at a stimulation frequency chosen from the range of sound frequencies.
  • a vibrator activates a foam tip which resonates directly on the bone.
  • This Vibrator generates a sound wave bringing in the bone on which the tip is applied in so-called solid resonance.
  • This resonance is performed at a short distance, within the perimeter of the bone mass concerned.
  • the object of the present invention is to propose a new type of acoustic acupuncture probe making it possible to treat deep organs inside a patient or an animal.
  • an acoustic acupuncture probe intended to apply acoustic waves to an organ located inside the body of a human or animal, comprising, within a housing that can be held by hand, means for generating said acoustic waves comprising electrodynamic transduction means comprising a vibrating membrane, and means for transmitting said acoustic waves comprising an enclosure intended to contain a fluid and whose first wall is closely coupled to said vibrating membrane and a second wall is provided to be applied against a portion of skin of said body which is substantially at the level of said organ, this first wall of the fluid-filled enclosure being bonded to the vibrating membrane of the electrodynamic transduction means.
  • This enclosure can be produced in the form of a pocket made of a material suitable for supporting and transmitting acoustic vibrations.
  • the fluid contained in the enclosure can be a liquid, for example pure or additive water.
  • an acoustic acupuncture apparatus comprising an acoustic acupuncture probe intended to apply acoustic waves to an organ located inside the body of a human being or of a animal, and a power supply and control unit provided for generating a variable frequency signal applied to said acoustic acupuncture probe.
  • This probe comprises, within a housing which can be held by hand, (i) electrodynamic transduction means comprising a vibrating membrane and (ii) an enclosure filled with fluid comprising a first wall bonded to the vibrating membrane and a second wall intended to be applied to a portion of skin of the body.
  • the contact surface of the probe according to the invention with the part of the body on which this probe is applied can be much larger than that observed with the acoustic acupuncture probe of the prior art. We can thus consider contact surfaces of approximately 5 to 20 cm 2 .
  • the transmission of the vibration then takes place through the fluid, and no longer through the air and the bone as in the probe of the prior art.
  • the propagation of the acoustic wave takes place from the membrane of the transducer through the fluid contained in the pocket, and this fluid is thus put into kinetic movement and propagates itself the acoustic vibration in the aqueous medium of the liquid organs, knowing that water represents about 85% of the body mass of a human being.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram in principle of an acoustic acupuncture apparatus according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention
  • - Figure 3 schematically illustrates the operating principle of an acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention.
  • This device S comprises an acoustic acupuncture probe 1 connected to a power supply and control unit 10.
  • the probe 1 comprises, within a housing 6 which can be held in the hand, an electro- acoustic 2 (loudspeaker) comprising a vibrating membrane 8 on which is stuck a pocket 3 filled with a liquid 4 such as water.
  • the external wall 30 of the liquid bag 3 is intended to be applied to the skin P of a patient.
  • the power supply and control unit 10 comprises a power supply module 14 provided for supplying supply voltages to a generator 12 of a signal of sinusoidal or substantially sinusoidal shape at variable frequency and to a power amplifier 13 receiving at the input the signal from the generator 12 and outputting a variable frequency power signal which is applied via a power cable 7 to the electro-acoustic transducer 2.
  • the signal generator 12 is frequency controlled by a setpoint module of frequency 11, which can be produced in mechanical form using switches and potentiometers, or in electronic form by means of conventional digital components for setpoint adjustment.
  • the frequencies used in the power supply and control unit 10 correspond to the acoustic frequency bands, namely from a few Hz to more than 20 kHz.
  • the acoustic acupuncture probe 1 ' according to the invention comprises, within a housing 6 ′, an electro-acoustic transducer of the loudspeaker type 2 against the membrane 8 which is bonded an internal face 31 of a pocket 3 filled with liquid 4 such as water.
  • the transducer 2 is electrically powered by a variable frequency electrical signal from the power supply and control unit via the cable 7 and a switch 60 provided on the housing 6 'of the probe 1'.
  • a current I (t) corresponding to a signal E (t) at variable frequency in the acoustic bandwidth, is injected into the winding of the voice coil 24 of the transducer 2.
  • This voice coil 24 is crossed by a radial magnetic field B generated by an annular permanent magnet 21 and channeled in a soft magnetic circuit in soft iron 20, 22, and is subjected to alternating electromagnetic forces of axial result having the effect of vibrating the membrane 8 of the transducer 2 fixed on its periphery to the roof 25 via an elastic ring 26.
  • the bag 3 filled with liquid 4, made of a synthetic material suitable for mechanically supporting acoustic vibrations, has a first internal face 31 glued to the internal face 80 of the membrane 8 and a second outer face 30 adapted to be applied to the skin of a patient.
  • the function of the bag 3 filled with liquid is to ensure an impedance adaptation with the medium with a high aqueous component and therefore to optimize the propagation of the acoustic waves.
  • the loudspeaker used as an electrodynamic transducer can be of a standard type or designed specifically for the acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention.

Abstract

The invention relates to an acoustic acupuncture probe (1) provided for applying sound waves to an organ (O) located inside the body of a human or animal, comprising: a housing (6) that can be hand-held; means (2) for generating sound waves containing electrodynamic transduction means (2) having a vibrating diaphragm (8), and means (3) for transmitting these sound waves having an enclosure (3) for containing a fluid (4) and whose first wall (31) is tightly coupled to said vibrating diaphragm (8) and whose second wall (30) is provided for being placed against a portion of skin (P) of the body essentially located at the location of the organ (O). The first wall (31) of the enclosure (3) filled with fluid (4) is adhered to the vibrating diaphragm (8) of the electrodynamic transduction means (2).

Description

« Sonde d'acupuncture acoustique et appareil d'acupuncture acoustique mettant en oeuvre cette sonde » "Acoustic acupuncture probe and acoustic acupuncture device using this probe"
La présente invention concerne une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique. Elle vise également un appareil d'acupuncture acoustique mettant en œuvre cette sonde. Le domaine de l'invention est celui de l'électrothérapie et plus généralement des applications thérapeutiques de l'acupuncture dans de nombreux domaines de la médecine, des soins esthétiques et des cures d'amaigrissement. Il existe déjà de nombreuses exemples de sondes d'acupuncture mettant en œuvre des systèmes vibrants, qui par mettent en œuvre des systèmes vibrants de type électromagnétique, électromécanique ou piézoélectrique. On connaît également, par le document de brevet FR2773709 au nom du présent déposant, un appareil et un procédé de production de stimuli de points d'acupuncture. Cet appareil comprend une sonde pour appliquer sur un point d'acupuncture des stimuli de pression à une fréquence de stimulation choisie dans la gamme des fréquences sonores. Un vibreur active une pointe mousse qui résonne directement sur l'os. Ce Vibreur génère une onde sonore faisant entrer l'os sur lequel la pointe est appliquée en résonance dite solide. Cette résonance est effectuée à courte distance, dans le périmètre de la masse osseuse concernée. Or on ne peut pas envisager d'atteindre avec ce type de sonde des organes profonds, liquidiens, tels que le foie, les intestins ou la rate, car la résonance de cette sonde avec l'eau est physiquement impossible. En effet, si une sonde de ce type est appliquée sur la peau de l'abdomen, le son généré est immédiatement amorti, annihilent tout effet d'acupuncture à destination d'organes profonds. Le but de la présente invention est de proposer un nouveau type de sonde d'acupuncture acoustique permettant de traiter des organes profonds à l'intérieur d'un patient ou d'un animal. Cet objectif est atteint avec une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique, prévue pour appliquer des ondes acoustiques sur un organe situé à l'intérieur du corps d'un être humain ou d'un animal, comprenant, au sein d'un boîtier pouvant être tenu à la main, des moyens pour générer lesdites ondes acoustiques comprenant des moyens de transduction électrodynamique comportant une membrane vibrante, et des moyens pour transmettre lesdites ondes acoustiques comprenant une enceinte prévue pour contenir un fluide et dont une première paroi est étroitement couplée à ladite membrane vibrante et une seconde paroi est prévue pour être appliquée contre une portion de peau dudit corps qui est sensiblement au niveau dudit organe, cette première paroi de l'enceinte remplie de fluide étant collée à la membrane vibrante des moyens de transduction électrodynamique. Cette enceinte peut être réalisée sous la forme d'une poche constituée d'un matériau adapté pour supporter et transmettre les vibrations acoustiques. Le fluide contenu dans l'enceinte peut être un liquide, par exemple de l'eau pure ou additivée.The present invention relates to an acoustic acupuncture probe. It also relates to an acoustic acupuncture device implementing this probe. The field of the invention is that of electrotherapy and more generally therapeutic applications of acupuncture in many fields of medicine, aesthetic care and weight loss treatments. There are already many examples of acupuncture probes implementing vibrating systems, which by implementing vibrating systems of electromagnetic, electromechanical or piezoelectric type. Also known, from patent document FR2773709 in the name of the present applicant, is an apparatus and a method for producing stimuli from acupuncture points. This device includes a probe for applying pressure stimuli to an acupuncture point at a stimulation frequency chosen from the range of sound frequencies. A vibrator activates a foam tip which resonates directly on the bone. This Vibrator generates a sound wave bringing in the bone on which the tip is applied in so-called solid resonance. This resonance is performed at a short distance, within the perimeter of the bone mass concerned. However, we cannot envisage reaching with this type of probe deep liquid organs, such as the liver, intestines or spleen, because resonance of this probe with water is physically impossible. Indeed, if a probe of this type is applied to the skin of the abdomen, the sound generated is immediately damped, annihilating any acupuncture effect intended for deep organs. The object of the present invention is to propose a new type of acoustic acupuncture probe making it possible to treat deep organs inside a patient or an animal. This objective is achieved with an acoustic acupuncture probe, intended to apply acoustic waves to an organ located inside the body of a human or animal, comprising, within a housing that can be held by hand, means for generating said acoustic waves comprising electrodynamic transduction means comprising a vibrating membrane, and means for transmitting said acoustic waves comprising an enclosure intended to contain a fluid and whose first wall is closely coupled to said vibrating membrane and a second wall is provided to be applied against a portion of skin of said body which is substantially at the level of said organ, this first wall of the fluid-filled enclosure being bonded to the vibrating membrane of the electrodynamic transduction means. This enclosure can be produced in the form of a pocket made of a material suitable for supporting and transmitting acoustic vibrations. The fluid contained in the enclosure can be a liquid, for example pure or additive water.
On pourrait également envisager comme fluide un gaz, une substance colloïde, ou toute combinaison de fluides présentant des propriétés suffisantes de transduction. Suivant un autre aspect de l'invention, il est proposé un appareil d'acupuncture acoustique comprenant une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique prévue pour appliquer des ondes acoustiques sur un organe situé à l'intérieur du corps d'un être humain ou d'un animal, et une unité d'alimentation et de commande prévue pour générer un signal à fréquence variable appliqué à ladite sonde d'acupuncture acoustique. Cette sonde comprend, au sein d'un boîtier pouvant être tenu à la main, (i) des moyens de transduction électrodynamique comportant une membrane vibrante et (ii) une enceinte remplie de fluide comportant une première paroi collée à la membrane vibrante et une seconde paroi prévue pour être appliquée sur une portion de peau du corps. La surface de contact de la sonde selon l'invention avec la partie du corps sur laquelle cette sonde est appliquée peut être bien plus large que celle observée avec la sonde d'acupuncture acoustique de l'art antérieur. On peut ainsi considérer des surfaces de contact d'environ 5 à 20 cm2. La transmission de la vibration se fait alors à travers le fluide, et non plus à travers l'air et l'os comme dans la sonde de l'art antérieur. Ainsi, avec la sonde selon l'invention, la propagation de l'onde acoustique s'effectue à partir de la membrane du transducteur à travers le fluide contenu dans la poche, et ce fluide est ainsi mis en mouvement cinétique et propage lui-même la vibration acoustique au milieu aqueux des organes liquidiens, sachant que l'eau représente environ 85% de la masse corporelle d'un être humain. D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront à l'examen de la description détaillée d'un exemple de réalisation nullement limitatif d'une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique, et des dessins annexés sur lesquels : - la figure 1 illustre un schéma de principe d'appareil d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention ; - la figure 2 illustre schématiquement un exemple de réalisation d'une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention ; - la figure 3 illustre schématiquement le principe de fonctionnement d'une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention. On va maintenant décrire, en référence à la figure 1, un exemple de réalisation d'un appareil d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention. Cet appareil S comprend une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique 1 reliée à une unité d'alimentation et de commande 10. La sonde 1 selon l'invention comprend, au sein d'un boîtier 6 pouvant être tenu à la main, un transducteur électro-acoustique 2 (haut-parleur) comportant une membrane vibrante 8 sur laquelle est collée une poche 3 remplie d'un liquide 4 tel que de l'eau. La paroi externe 30 de la poche de liquide 3 est prévue pour être appliquée sur la peau P d'un patient. L'unité d'alimentation et de commande 10 comprend un module d'alimentation 14 prévu pour délivrer des tensions d'alimentation à un générateur 12 d'un signal de forme sinusoïdale ou sensiblement sinusoïdale à fréquence variable et à un amplificateur de puissance 13 recevant en entrée le signal issu du générateur 12 et délivrant en sortie un signal de puissance à fréquence variable qui est appliqué via un câble d'alimentation 7 au transducteur électro-acoustique 2. Le générateur de signal 12 est commandé en fréquence par un module de consigne de fréquence 11, qui peut être réalisé sous forme mécanique mettant en œuvre des commutateurs et potentiomètres, ou sous forme électronique au moyen de composants numériques conventionnels de réglage de consigne. Les fréquences employées dans l'unité d'alimentation et de commande 10 correspondent aux bandes de fréquence acoustiques, à savoir de quelques Hz à plus de 20 kHz. Dans une autre forme de réalisation illustrée par la figure 2, la sonde d'acupuncture acoustique l' selon l'invention comprend, au sein d'un boîtier 6', un transducteur électro-acoustique du type haut-parleur 2 contre la membrane 8 duquel est collé une face interne 31 d'une poche 3 remplie de liquide 4 tel que de l'eau. Le transducteur 2 est alimenté électriquement par un signal électrique à fréquence variable provenant de l'unité d'alimentation et de commande via le câble 7 et un interrupteur 60 prévu sur le boîtier 6' de la sonde l'. On va maintenant décrire, en référence aux figures 2 et 3, le fonctionnement de la sonde d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention. Un courant I(t), correspondant à un signal E(t) à fréquence variable dans la bande passante acoustique, est injecté dans l'enroulement de la bobine mobile 24 du transducteur 2. Cette bobine mobile 24 est traversée par un champ magnétique radial B généré par un aiment permanent annulaire 21 et canalisé dans un circuit magnétique doux en fer doux 20, 22, et est soumise à des forces électromagnétiques alternatives de résultante axiale ayant pour effet de faire vibrer la membrane 8 du transducteur 2 fixée sur sa périphérie au pavillon 25 via un anneau élastique 26. La poche 3 remplie de liquide 4, réalisée dans un matériau synthétique adapté pour supporter mécaniquement les vibrations acoustiques, a une première face intérieure 31 collée à la face intérieure 80 de la membrane 8 et une seconde face extérieure 30 adaptée pour être appliquée sur la peau d'un patient. Les ondes acoustiques produites par le transducteur haut-parleur 2 du fait de la vibration de la membrane 8, se propagent, à travers la paroi intérieure 31 de la poche 3, dans le liquide 4 contenu dans la poche 3, puis à travers la paroi extérieure 30 de cette poche 3, successivement dans la peau P d'un patient, dans un milieu A à forte composante aqueuse jusqu'à un organe profond O cible du traitement par acupuncture. La fonction de la poche 3 remplie de liquide est d'assurer une adaptation d'impédance avec le milieu à forte composante aqueuse et donc d'optimiser la propagation des ondes acoustiques. Bien sûr, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples qui viennent d'être décrits et de nombreux aménagements peuvent être apportés à ces exemples sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. D'autres fluides que des liquides peuvent être contenus dans la poche, par exemple des gaz ou des substances colloïdales présentant de bonnes performances de transduction. Ainsi, on peut prévoir d'autres géométries de la poche collée au transducteur électrodynamique que celle qui vient d'être représentée et décrite. Le haut-parleur utilisé comme transducteur électrodynamique peut être d'un type standard ou conçu spécifiquement pour la sonde d'acupuncture acoustique selon l'invention. One could also consider as fluid a gas, a colloid substance, or any combination of fluids having sufficient transduction properties. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an acoustic acupuncture apparatus comprising an acoustic acupuncture probe intended to apply acoustic waves to an organ located inside the body of a human being or of a animal, and a power supply and control unit provided for generating a variable frequency signal applied to said acoustic acupuncture probe. This probe comprises, within a housing which can be held by hand, (i) electrodynamic transduction means comprising a vibrating membrane and (ii) an enclosure filled with fluid comprising a first wall bonded to the vibrating membrane and a second wall intended to be applied to a portion of skin of the body. The contact surface of the probe according to the invention with the part of the body on which this probe is applied can be much larger than that observed with the acoustic acupuncture probe of the prior art. We can thus consider contact surfaces of approximately 5 to 20 cm 2 . The transmission of the vibration then takes place through the fluid, and no longer through the air and the bone as in the probe of the prior art. Thus, with the probe according to the invention, the propagation of the acoustic wave takes place from the membrane of the transducer through the fluid contained in the pocket, and this fluid is thus put into kinetic movement and propagates itself the acoustic vibration in the aqueous medium of the liquid organs, knowing that water represents about 85% of the body mass of a human being. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment which is in no way limitative of an acoustic acupuncture probe, and the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 illustrates a diagram in principle of an acoustic acupuncture apparatus according to the invention; - Figure 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention; - Figure 3 schematically illustrates the operating principle of an acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention. We will now describe, with reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of an acoustic acupuncture device according to the invention. This device S comprises an acoustic acupuncture probe 1 connected to a power supply and control unit 10. The probe 1 according to the invention comprises, within a housing 6 which can be held in the hand, an electro- acoustic 2 (loudspeaker) comprising a vibrating membrane 8 on which is stuck a pocket 3 filled with a liquid 4 such as water. The external wall 30 of the liquid bag 3 is intended to be applied to the skin P of a patient. The power supply and control unit 10 comprises a power supply module 14 provided for supplying supply voltages to a generator 12 of a signal of sinusoidal or substantially sinusoidal shape at variable frequency and to a power amplifier 13 receiving at the input the signal from the generator 12 and outputting a variable frequency power signal which is applied via a power cable 7 to the electro-acoustic transducer 2. The signal generator 12 is frequency controlled by a setpoint module of frequency 11, which can be produced in mechanical form using switches and potentiometers, or in electronic form by means of conventional digital components for setpoint adjustment. The frequencies used in the power supply and control unit 10 correspond to the acoustic frequency bands, namely from a few Hz to more than 20 kHz. In another embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, the acoustic acupuncture probe 1 'according to the invention comprises, within a housing 6 ′, an electro-acoustic transducer of the loudspeaker type 2 against the membrane 8 which is bonded an internal face 31 of a pocket 3 filled with liquid 4 such as water. The transducer 2 is electrically powered by a variable frequency electrical signal from the power supply and control unit via the cable 7 and a switch 60 provided on the housing 6 'of the probe 1'. We will now describe, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the operation of the acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention. A current I (t), corresponding to a signal E (t) at variable frequency in the acoustic bandwidth, is injected into the winding of the voice coil 24 of the transducer 2. This voice coil 24 is crossed by a radial magnetic field B generated by an annular permanent magnet 21 and channeled in a soft magnetic circuit in soft iron 20, 22, and is subjected to alternating electromagnetic forces of axial result having the effect of vibrating the membrane 8 of the transducer 2 fixed on its periphery to the roof 25 via an elastic ring 26. The bag 3 filled with liquid 4, made of a synthetic material suitable for mechanically supporting acoustic vibrations, has a first internal face 31 glued to the internal face 80 of the membrane 8 and a second outer face 30 adapted to be applied to the skin of a patient. The acoustic waves produced by the loudspeaker transducer 2 due to the vibration of the membrane 8, propagate, through the interior wall 31 of the pocket 3, in the liquid 4 contained in the pocket 3, then through the wall outside 30 of this pocket 3, successively in the skin P of a patient, in a medium A with a high aqueous component up to a deep organ O target of the acupuncture treatment. The function of the bag 3 filled with liquid is to ensure an impedance adaptation with the medium with a high aqueous component and therefore to optimize the propagation of the acoustic waves. Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Other fluids than liquids may be contained in the bag, for example gases or colloidal substances having good transduction performance. Thus, it is possible to provide other geometries of the pocket glued to the electrodynamic transducer than that which has just been shown and described. The loudspeaker used as an electrodynamic transducer can be of a standard type or designed specifically for the acoustic acupuncture probe according to the invention.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Sonde (1) d'acupuncture acoustique, prévue pour appliquer des ondes acoustiques sur un organe (O) situé à l'intérieur du corps d'un être humain ou d'un animal, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend, au sein d'un boîtier (6) pouvant être tenu à la main, des moyens (2) pour générer lesdites ondes acoustiques comprenant des moyens (2) de transduction électrodynamique comportant une membrane vibrante (8), et des moyens (3) pour transmettre lesdites ondes acoustiques comprenant une enceinte (3) prévue pour contenir un fluide (4) et dont une première paroi (31) est étroitement couplée à ladite membrane vibrante (8) et une seconde paroi (30) est prévue pour être appliquée contre une portion de peau (P) dudit corps qui est sensiblement au niveau dudit organe (O), ladite première paroi (31) de l'enceinte (3) remplie de fluide (4) étant collée à la membrane vibrante (8) des moyens de transduction électrodynamique (2).1. Acoustic acupuncture probe (1), designed to apply acoustic waves to an organ (O) located inside the body of a human or animal, characterized in that it comprises, at within a housing (6) which can be held in the hand, means (2) for generating said acoustic waves comprising means (2) of electrodynamic transduction comprising a vibrating membrane (8), and means (3) for transmitting said acoustic waves comprising an enclosure (3) intended to contain a fluid (4) and a first wall (31) of which is closely coupled to said vibrating membrane (8) and a second wall (30) is intended to be applied against a portion of skin (P) of said body which is substantially at the level of said organ (O), said first wall (31) of the enclosure (3) filled with fluid (4) being glued to the vibrating membrane (8) of the transduction means electrodynamics (2).
2. Sonde (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'enceinte est réalisée sous la forme d'une poche (3).2. Probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the enclosure is made in the form of a pocket (3).
3. Sonde (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de transduction électrodynamique comprennent un haut-parleur (2).3. Probe (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrodynamic transduction means comprise a loudspeaker (2).
4. Sonde selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'enceinte contient un liquide.4. Probe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure contains a liquid.
5. Sonde selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'enceinte contient un gaz.5. Probe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure contains a gas.
6. Sonde selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'enceinte contient un colloïde.6. Probe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure contains a colloid.
7. Appareil d'acupuncture acoustique (S) comprenant une sonde d'acupuncture acoustique (1) prévue pour appliquer des ondes acoustiques sur un organe (O) situé à l'intérieur du corps d'un être humain ou d'un animal, et une unité d'alimentation et de commande (10) prévue pour générer un signal à fréquence variable (E(t)) appliqué à ladite sonde d'acupuncture acoustique (1), caractérisé en ce que cette sonde (1) comprend, au sein d'un boîtier (6) pouvant être tenu à la main, (i) des moyens de transduction électrodynamique (2) comportant une membrane vibrante (8) et (ii) une enceinte (3) remplie de fluide (4) comportant une première paroi (31) collée à la membrane vibrante (8) et une seconde paroi (30) prévue pour être appliquée sur une portion de peau (P) dudit corps. 7. Acoustic acupuncture apparatus (S) comprising an acoustic acupuncture probe (1) designed to apply acoustic waves to an organ (O) located inside the body of a human or animal, and a power supply and control unit (10) designed to generate a variable frequency signal (E (t)) applied to said acoustic acupuncture probe (1), characterized in that this probe (1) comprises, at within a housing (6) which can be held by hand, (i) electrodynamic transduction means (2) comprising a vibrating membrane (8) and (ii) an enclosure (3) filled with fluid (4) comprising a first wall (31) glued to the vibrating membrane (8) and a second wall (30) intended to be applied to a portion of skin (P) of said body.
PCT/FR2004/002994 2003-11-25 2004-11-24 Acoustic acupuncture probe and acupuncture device using this probe WO2005051282A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR0313843 2003-11-25
FR0313843A FR2862528A1 (en) 2003-11-25 2003-11-25 Acoustic acupuncture probe for acoustic acupuncture apparatus, has pouch filled with fluid and comprising internal wall adhered to vibrating membrane and external wall applied against portion of skin of organ to be treated

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CN110384876A (en) * 2018-08-12 2019-10-29 黑龙江创绘空间孵化园有限公司 Human body dredges physiotherapy equipment

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DE102015110175A1 (en) * 2015-06-24 2016-12-29 Josef Riffner Device for introducing defined vibrations into the human or animal body
WO2016207377A1 (en) 2015-06-24 2016-12-29 Josef Riffner Device for introducing defined vibrations into the human or animal body
CN110384876A (en) * 2018-08-12 2019-10-29 黑龙江创绘空间孵化园有限公司 Human body dredges physiotherapy equipment

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