FR2917606A1 - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MASSAGE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a massage method implemented in a massage apparatus comprising a massage tool (2) and a force sensor (3), said method comprising: - a measurement by the sensor (3) of a main force (Fz) exerted by a patient on the massage tool in a main effort direction (Z), - a correction of a position of the massage tool along the main effort direction (Z) ), the correction being a function of the main effort (Fz) measured. By correcting the position of the tool along the main direction of effort, the effort between the patient and the massage tool is modified. the main effort direction, and we therefore master this effort. The invention also relates to a massage apparatus implementing this method. The field of the invention is more particularly that of muscle massage apparatus for physiotherapy.

Description

-1- Method and apparatus for massage Technical field This

  The invention relates to a massage method. It also relates to a massage apparatus implementing this method. The field of the invention is more particularly that of muscle massage apparatus for physiotherapy. State of the Prior Art A first type of massage tool is known which is intended to be directed to the body of a patient by a masseur. For this type of tool, it is the massager who dose the effort of the massage tool on the body of the patient, by pressing more or less strongly on the tool. The control of this effort by the masseur is not perfect. The masseur can hurt the patient by pressing too hard, or doing an ineffective massage if he / she does not press hard enough. There is also known a second type of massage tool, provided for the patient to lie on it. For this type of tool, it is the weight of the patient that puts pressure on the tool, and this weight is not necessarily adapted to a massage effort. The object of the invention is to provide a method and a massage apparatus providing better control of the effort of the massage. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved with a massage method implemented in a massage apparatus comprising a massage tool and a force sensor, said method comprising: a measurement by the sensor of a main effort exerted by a patient on the massage tool in a direction of main effort, - a correction of a position of the massage tool along the main direction of effort, the correction being a function of the main effort measured. Of course, the force exerted by the tool on the patient in the direction of main effort is equal in modulus to the effort exerted by the patient on the tool in the direction of main effort. By correcting the position of the tool along the main direction of effort, the effort between the patient and the massage tool is modified according to the main direction of effort, and this effort is mastered. Thus, the pressure of the tool on the patient is mastered. The main force direction may be substantially perpendicular to a patient surface on which the massage tool is applied.

  Preferably, the position correction approximates the value of the main force with a value of an imposed force, the correction being substantially zero for a main effort substantially equal to the effort imposed. The value of the imposed force can typically be between 5 and 15 Newtons, and is preferably substantially equal to 10 Newtons.

  The correction of the position of the tool can be calculated at least in part as a polynomial of the main effort and of odd degree. At least partly calculated as a polynomial is understood to mean that the calculation of the correction may comprise other terms in addition to the polynomial. The polynomial is preferably of the third degree. The polynomial can be of the third degree of the form: CZ = a.FZ3 + b.FZ2 + c.FZ + d with CZ the correction of the position of the tool, and FZ the main effort measured, and, for the main force FZ expressed in Newton and the position correction of the tool CZ expressed in millimeters, the parameter a can be between 0.00178 and 1 and is preferably substantially equal to 0.0026, the parameter b can be between -0.094 and -0.00001 and is preferably substantially equal to -0.078, the parameter c may be between 0.04 and 2.5 and is preferably substantially equal to 0.8, and the parameter d may be between -8.5 and -0.01 and is preferably substantially equal to at -3. Of course, the process according to the invention can be repeated several times in succession. At each iteration, the correction of the position of the massage tool can be limited in amplitude. The amplitude limit is preferably substantially equal to 15 millimeters.

  The method according to the invention may further comprise a movement of the massage tool along a direction of movement. The direction of movement is preferably substantially perpendicular to the direction of main effort. The method according to the invention may comprise a measurement of the moment, along an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of displacement and -3 substantially parallel to the surface of the patient to which the massage tool is applied, of the force total amount exerted by the patient on the tool, and the correction of the position of the tool can be calculated at least partly proportionally at this time.

  The movement of the tool can be carried out step by step, said method then being preferably repeated at each step. The movement step of the tool is preferably substantially equal to 1 millimeter. The method according to the invention may furthermore comprise a measurement of a tangential force exerted by the patient on the massage tool in the direction of displacement, and may furthermore comprise a calculation of the pitch as a function of the measured tangential effort. so that the pitch decreases as the tangential force increases. The step may for example be equal to a standard value to which is subtracted a term proportional to the tangential effort.

  According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a massage apparatus comprising: a massage tool; a force sensor arranged to measure a main force exerted by a patient on the massage tool in one direction; main effort, - means for correcting a position of the massage tool along the main direction of effort, said position correction being a function of the measured main effort. Such an apparatus can thus implement a method according to the invention.

  The correction means may be arranged so that the position correction approximates the value of the main force with a value of an imposed force, the correction being substantially zero for a main effort substantially equal to the effort imposed. The correction means may be arranged so that the correction of the position of the tool is calculated at least in part as a polynomial of the main effort and of odd degree. The polynomial is preferably of the third degree. Each correction of the position of the massage tool can be limited in amplitude. The apparatus according to the invention may further comprise means for moving the massage tool along a direction of movement. The direction of movement is preferably substantially perpendicular to the direction of main effort.

  The apparatus according to the invention may furthermore comprise means for measuring the moment, along an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement and substantially parallel to a surface of the patient to which the massage tool is applied. the total force exerted by the patient on the tool, and the correction means may be arranged so that the correction of the position of the tool is calculated at least partly proportionally at this time. In addition, the displacement means may be arranged to move the tool step by step, the sensor being arranged to reiterate a measurement of effort at each step, the correction means being arranged to correct the position of the tool at each not. The apparatus according to the invention may then further comprise means for measuring a tangential force exerted by the patient on the massage tool in the direction of movement, and may furthermore comprise means for calculating the pitch as a function of the tangential effort measured so that the pitch decreases as the tangential force increases. Finally, the displacement means are preferably arranged to move the massage tool according to six degrees of freedom comprising three orthogonal components of translation and three complementary components of rotation.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, and the following appended drawings: FIG. 1 is a view schematic profile of a massage apparatus according to the invention used on an elongated patient, - Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 used on the patient in a sitting position, - Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of a massage tool applied to the skin of the patient; FIGS. 5 and 6 each graphically illustrate a formula for calculating a correction of the position of the massage tool; function of a measured main effort, and - Figures 7 and 8 each illustrate a desired path and a real path of the massage tool on the patient's skin relative to a rest position of the patient's skin. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a preferred embodiment of a massage device 1 according to the invention will be described, implementing a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

  The massage apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a massage tool 2, a force sensor 3, a base 4, an articulated arm 5, means for moving the tool and a calculation unit. The base 4 is placed on the ground. The arm 5 connects the tool 2 to the base 4, the tool 2 being mounted with the sensor 3 at one end of the arm 5.

  The displacement means comprise drive means of the articulated arm 5, which are arranged to move the end of the arm 5, and therefore the tool 2 and the sensor 3, in six degrees of freedom: three translational components perpendicular to each other , and three complementary rotation components.

  The force sensor 3 is arranged to measure the forces exerted on the tool 2 according to three perpendicular components and according to any combination of these components, and is arranged to measure the moment of these forces at the sensor according to n ' any of these components or combination of components.

  The massage tool 2 typically comprises a rolling roller. The computing unit comprises a conventional computer such as a microprocessor or a central unit of a computer, and can be integrated in the apparatus 1 on the arm 5 or the base 4. For the arm 5 and the moving means, can for example use a robot Staübli brand model RX90 with an ADEPT CS7 control panel. The sensor 3 can be ADEPT brand and compatible with Staübli or Adept robots, such as the force sensor model AdeptForce 50/100, MV. In use of the apparatus 1, the massage tool 2 is applied to an outer surface of the skin 8 of a patient 6. The patient may be elongated as shown in Fig. 1, or seated as shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate schematic views of the profile of the tool 2 in contact with a portion 7 of the skin surface 8 of the patient. In these figures, the massage apparatus 1 is not entirely represented, only the sensor 3, the tool 2 and a portion of the arm 5 appear. Generally, the tool 2 is brought into contact with the muscle mass of the patient. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the skin is soft so that the tool 2 in contact with the skin is sinking slightly into the skin.

  The method according to the invention implemented by the apparatus 1 comprises the following steps: a measurement by the sensor 3 of a main force FZ exerted by the patient on the massage tool 2 according to a main direction of effort Z, and - a correction of a position of the massage tool along the main effort direction Z, the correction being a function of the measured main effort FZ. The correction is implemented by correction means comprising the calculation unit and the displacement means, the calculation unit calculating the correction as a function of the measured main effort, and sending a command to the displacement means so that these move the tool 2 along the main effort direction Z according to the calculated correction. The main force direction Z is preferably substantially perpendicular to the portion 7 of the skin 8 with which the tool 2 is in contact, the main force FZ then being the force normal to the skin 8 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The main force direction Z can also be any as illustrated in FIG. 4. The position correction is calculated so as to bring the value of the main force FZ closer to a value of a force imposed, the correction being substantially zero for a main effort FZ substantially equal to the effort imposed. Thus, the position correction of the tool 2 makes it possible to maintain the main force FZ substantially constant, with an optimum value for the patient's massage, in particular during a movement of the tool 2 along the surface of the patient. the skin 8 of the patient. The value of the imposed force is typically between 5 and 15 Newtons, and is preferably substantially equal to 10 Newtons. The process according to the invention is repeated several times in succession. As long as the tool 2 is not in contact with the patient, the moving means move the tool 2 along the main effort direction Z towards the patient's skin 8, the measured main effort being substantially zero . As soon as the tool touches the skin of the patient, the tool sinks into the skin until the measured main force Fz is substantially equal to the force imposed.

  For any major effort greater than the imposed force, that is to say when the tool 2 is too deep in the skin 8, the correction in position is such that the tool 2 is away from the patient. For a main effort less than the imposed force, that is to say when the tool 2 is not pushed enough into the skin 8, the correction in position is such that the tool 2 continues to sink in the patient's skin. The correction of the position of the tool is calculated as a polynomial of the main effort Fz and of odd degree. More precisely, the polynomial is of the third degree of the form: Cz = a.Fz3 + b.Fz2 + c.Fz + d (equation 1) with Cz the correction of the position of the tool along the direction of main effort Z, and Fz the main effort. For the main force Fz expressed in Newton and the position correction of the tool Cz expressed in millimeters, the parameter a is substantially equal to 0.0026, the parameter b is substantially equal to -0.0781, the parameter c is substantially equal to 0.8208 , and the parameter d is substantially equal to -3. The polynomial for calculating the correction Cz as a function of the main force Fz is represented by the curve 9 in FIG. 5. For safety reasons, the position correction can be limited in amplitude for each iteration of the method according to FIG. invention. This makes it possible to avoid injuring the patient, particularly in the case of a measurement of major main effort, which can happen for example during a shock on the sensor 3 or during a sudden displacement of the patient. Typically, the amplitude limit of the correction Cz is substantially equal to 15 millimeters. The amplitude-limited polynomial for calculating the correction Cz as a function of the main force Fz is represented by the curve 10 in FIG. 6. -8 For the parameter a, values between 0.00178 and 1 are also acceptable. For parameter b, values between -0.094 and -0.00001 are also acceptable. For parameter c, values between 0.04 and 2.5 and is also acceptable. For parameter d, values between -8.5 and -0.01 are also acceptable. It is noted that CZ the correction of the position of the tool can be positive which corresponds to a distance of the tool relative to the skin 8, and that CZ the correction of the position of the tool can be negative which corresponds to a depression of the tool 2 in the skin 8. During a massage, the method implemented by the apparatus 1 further comprises a displacement, by the moving means, of the massage tool the along a direction of movement Y. Preferably, the direction of movement Y is substantially perpendicular to the direction of main effort Z. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, when the massage tool 2 is moved along of the direction of displacement Y, the skin 8 of the patient exerts on the tool 2: the main force FZ, and a tangential force Fy which is exerted in the direction of displacement Y and which corresponds to the friction of the surface of the skin 8 on the tool 2. It is called rest position of the surface of the skin 8 the position of the surface when the tool 2 is not in contact with the surface. As can be seen from FIG. 3, when the tool 2 moves along a surface of the skin which, in the rest position, is substantially parallel to the direction of movement Y, the main force FZ and tangential force Fy are substantially constant during the movement of the tool if the position of the tool 2 is not corrected in the direction of main effort.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the tool 2 moves along a surface of the skin which, in the rest position, is not parallel to the direction of displacement Y, and if the position of the tool 2 is not corrected according to the main effort direction Z, the main force FZ and the tangential force Fy increase or decrease during the movement of the tool according to the direction of movement of the tool along the direction -9 of displacement Y. The variations of the main force FZ and of the tangential force Fy are proportional to the angle B between the direction of displacement Y and the tangent 11 to the rest position of the area. This angle is called slope B.

  As for FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the skin of the patient, in section along the plane comprising the directions Y and Z. In each of FIGS. 7 and 8: the line 12 represents the position of rest of the surface of the skin 8, the line 13 represents the desired trajectory of the massage tool 2 so that the main force FZ is during the movement of the tool substantially constant and equal to the force imposed; the trajectory of the tool 2 is called the trajectory of the point of the tool that is most deeply embedded in the skin during the movement of the tool.

  The muscle mass of the patient being substantially uniform, it is noted that the desired trajectory 13 substantially corresponds to a tracking of the rest position 12 by the tool 2 during its movement, that is to say that the trajectory of the tool must be substantially parallel to the rest position.

  Each iteration of the method further comprises a measurement by the sensor 3 of the moment Mx, at the sensor 3 and along an axis X substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement Y and substantially parallel to the rest position of the part 7 of the surface with which the tool 2 is in contact with the total force exerted by the patient on the tool. The total effort includes the main effort FZ and the tangential effort Fy. Thus, the directions Y, Z and the direction of the X axis preferably form an orthogonal reference. In the particular case where the straight line connecting the tool 2 to the sensor 3 is parallel to the principal force direction Z (FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a more general case), the moment Mx is equal to the tangential force Fy multiplied by the distance between the tool 2 and the sensor 3. When moving the tool along Y, the calculation of the correction comprises an additional term which is added to the polynomial described above, this additional term being proportional to the moment mx. The position correction is then calculated by the calculation unit by the following formula: Cz = a. Fz3 + b. Fz2 + c. Fz + d + e. Mx (equation 2) with Cz the correction of the position of the tool along the main effort direction Z, Fz the main effort, abc and d the previously described parameters, Mx the measured moment, and e a parameter to calibrate which is a function of the sensor used. In the case of the Staübli RX90 robot associated with the AdeptForce 50/100 sensor, the parameter e is typically equal to -1.500 for the main force Fz expressed in Newton, the position correction of the tool Cz expressed in millimeters, and the moment Mx expressed in Newton times millimeter. This additional term makes it possible to improve the monitoring of the rest position 12 by the tool 2 during its displacement along the Y direction. The displacement means are arranged so that the movement of the tool along the direction Y displacement is carried out step by step, and the apparatus 1 is arranged to repeat at each step the Fzr measurement steps of Mx and position correction of the tool. The order of magnitude of the pitch is typically one millimeter. In FIG. 7, the line 14 represents a real trajectory of the tool 2 during the displacement of the tool 2 along the Y direction, with a position correction along Z calculated using equation 2, and with constant displacement steps p along Y. Note that when the tool 2 is in contact with a portion 7 of the surface of the skin which in the rest position is not parallel to the direction of movement Y, the actual trajectory 14 deviates from the desired trajectory 13. The greater the slope, the greater the difference.

  To improve the position correction along Z, that is to say to approach the real trajectory of the desired trajectory, the method implemented by the apparatus 1 may comprise, for each correction of the position of the tool, a measurement by the sensor 3 of the tangential force Fy, and a calculation, by the calculation unit and as a function of the tangential force measured, of the next displacement step p carried out, so that the pitch p decreases when the tangential effort increases. In other words, the displacement step p is updated as a function of the measured tangential effort. Thus, the position correction of the tool 2 is more frequently repeated in the regions of the surface of the skin which have a steep slope. In practice, the pitch p is equal to a typical value N typically equal to one millimeter to which is subtracted a term proportional to the tangential force: p = N - f.FY (equation 3) the parameter f being typically equal to 0.1 for the value type N and the pitch p expressed in millimeters and the tangential force Fy expressed in Newton, the pitch p having a lower limit which is equal to the minimum resolution of the means for moving the tool 2. On In FIG. 8, the line 15 represents a real trajectory of the tool 2 during the displacement of the tool 2 along the Y direction, with a position correction along Z calculated using equation 2, and with displacement steps p calculated using equation 3. Note that when the tool 2 is in contact with a part of the surface of the skin which in the rest position is not parallel to the direction of Y displacement, the actual trajectory 15 is closer to the trajectory However, in the case of FIG. 7, 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.

  In particular, the massage tool may not be placed directly in contact with the patient's skin, but may be brought into contact with a patient's surface such as a garment separating the tool 2 from the patient's skin. In addition, the direction of movement Y may change over time. Thus, the trajectory of the massage tool on the patient's skin may be circular, oval, triangular, or a scan of parallel lines, and may for example be adapted to perform a circulatory massage or lymphatic drainage of a body area of the patient. Finally, the patient shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a human, but it may be more generally an animal.

Claims (13)

  A massage apparatus comprising: a massage tool (2); a force sensor (3) arranged to measure a main force (Fz) exerted by a patient (6) on the massage tool in one direction; main force (Z), - means for correcting a position of the massage tool (2) along the main force direction (Z), said position correction being a function of the main force ( Fi) measured.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the main direction of effort (Z) is substantially perpendicular to a patient surface on which is applied the massage tool (2).   3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the correction means are arranged for the position correction approximates the value of the main force (Fz) of a value of a force imposed, the correction being substantially zero for a main effort (Fi) substantially equal to the effort imposed.   4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the correction means are arranged so that the correction (Cz) of the position of the tool is calculated at least in part as a polynomial of the main effort (Fz) and odd degree.   5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the polynomial is third degree. 30   6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the polynomial is of the third degree of the form: Cz = a.FZ3 + b.FZ2 + c.FZ + d with Cz the correction of the position of the tool, and Fz the main effort, and in that, for the main force Fz expressed in Newton and the position correction of the tool CZ expressed in millimeters, the parameter a is between 0.00178 and 1 and is preferably substantially equal to at 0026, the parameter b is between -0.094 and -0.00001 and is preferably substantially equal to -0.078, the parameter c is between 0.04 and 2.5 and is preferably substantially equal to 0.8, and the parameter d is between -8.5 and -0.01 and is preferably substantially equal to -3.   7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each correction (Ci) of the position of the massage tool is limited in amplitude.   8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises means for moving the massage tool (2) along a direction of movement (Y). 15   9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the direction of movement (Y) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of main effort (Z).   Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it further comprises means (3) for measuring the moment (Mx) along an axis (X) substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel ( Y) and substantially parallel to a surface of the patient to which the massage tool is applied, of the total force exerted by the patient on the tool (2), and in that the correction means 25 are arranged so that the correction of the position of the tool is calculated at least partly proportionally at this moment (Mx).   11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the displacement means are arranged to move the tool (2) step by step, the sensor being arranged to reiterate a measurement of effort at each not (p), the correction means being arranged to correct the position of the tool at each step (p).   12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises means (3) for measuring a tangential force (Fy) exerted by the patient on the massage tool (2) in the direction of movement ( Y), and in that it further comprises means for calculating the pitch (p) as a function of the tangential force (Fy) so that the pitch decreases as the tangential force increases.   13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the pitch (p) is equal to a standard value to which is subtracted a term proportional to the tangential force (Fy).