Cold/heat-assisted distributed wave vibration therapy

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing pain therapy by utilizing cold/heat-assisted distributed vibration therapy. The pain therapy device includes a plurality of vibration motors that are located along a grid. The device is portable and can be adaptable to the body part requiring pain therapy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for masking pain at a target body part, the device comprising:
 a plurality of vibration motors, wherein each of the vibration motors is arranged along an actuatable grid located on a medium, wherein the medium is configured to be attached to the target body part; and   a vibration intensity parameter controller operatively coupled to the plurality of vibration motors, wherein the vibration intensity parameter controller is configured to designate a vibration amplitude and a frequency of each of the vibration motors; and   a wave vibration therapy controller operatively coupled to the plurality of vibration motors wherein, at designated time intervals, the wave vibration therapy controller stimulates specific vibration motors arranged along the grid to generate a sensation of a wave vibration, and further wherein the wave vibration therapy controller is configured to provide an automatic or built-in decay time to allow the target body part to react each time the wave vibration passes through.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of thermoelectric (TE) modules, wherein at least one of the TE modules is positioned: (i) in series with a vibration motor for collocated vibration therapy with heating and cooling, or (ii) in parallel with a vibration motor for non-collocated vibration therapy with heating and cooling. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the TE module includes one or more heating and cooling elements, wherein the heating and cooling elements are independent of the vibration motor. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein a heated surface of the at least one TE module faces the target body part, and further wherein a cold surface of the at least one TE module faces the vibration motor. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein a cold surface of the at least one TE module faces the target body part, and further wherein a heated surface of the at least one TE module faces the vibration motor. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium has a generally planar first surface, the first surface providing the plane of contact with the target body part. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the thermoelectric modules are attached to the medium using a thermally conductive adhesive layer. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wave vibration involves a plurality of wave patterns. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the wave patterns are selected from a group consisting of: substantially horizontal waves, substantially vertical waves, an inward wave that travels from extremities toward a trigger point where the pain may be concentrated, a ripple wave that can travel outward from the trigger point, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method for masking pain, the method comprising steps of:
 arranging a plurality of vibration motors along a grid pattern on a medium, wherein the medium is configured to be attached to a target body part of a user;   facilitating movement of the vibration motors along a Z axis, wherein a plane of attachment of the medium and the body part of the user are along a X-Y axis;   designating a vibration amplitude and a frequency for each of the vibration motors;   creating a sensation of a wave vibration by stimulating specific vibration motors arranged along the grid at designated time intervals, wherein the sensation of the wave vibration modulates a perception of pain; and   facilitating an automatic or built-in decay time to allow for a tissue to react each time the wave passes through.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the vibrations are perpendicular to a surface in contact with a target body part. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising altering the amplitude, the frequency and a speed of the wave vibration. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the wave vibration involves a plurality of wave patterns. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the wave patterns are selected from a group consisting of: substantially horizontal waves, substantially vertical waves, an inward wave that travels from extremities toward a trigger point where the pain may be concentrated, a ripple wave that can travel outward from the trigger point, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising providing a mechanism for cooling the vibration motors while the target body part is heated.