APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING VACUUM MASSAGE Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: medical engineering; physiotherapy. SUBSTANCE: apparatus comprises vacuum system, collector, plurality of applicators connected with vacuum ducts and applied to patient's body, control system and energy supply source. Control system includes pressure control unit, electric selector for presetting depression (vacuum) value and operating time value, pressure-sensitive element connected to collector, and comparator circuit. Pressure control unit is made in the form of hermetically sealed cavity communicated with collector and provided with two oppositely directed nozzles one of which is connected to vacuum system, and the other, with atmosphere. Electromechanical shutter valve made as bimorphous piezoceramic element is interposed between nozzles. External electrodes of element are connected with constant voltage source, while its internal electrode is connected to output of comparator circuit, first input of which is connected to electric depression value selector and second input of which is connected with output of pressure-sensitive element. Piezoceramic element closes nozzle connected with vacuum system. Width of gap h defined by working surface of bimorphous piezoceramic element and by each of nozzles in axial direction must satisfy condition h<0.25 d, where d is inner diameter of nozzle. Apparatus ensures good reproducibility of preselected depression pulse parameters regardless of particularities of patient's skin and tissues, makes possible to reduce its weight and dimensions, improve safety and lower acoustic noise level. EFFECT: higher prophylactic and therapeutic effect.