Innovative massage device powered by pneumatics

Kurzfassung

An Italian spin-off company has developed a new pneumatic massage device to be mounted on seats of trucks, bus, tractors and cars. The device is made of pneumatic cushion realised out of silicon rubber. The massage action can be applied to the lumbar end dorsal region of the back and under the thighs. An industrial partner in the automotive sector is sought in order to industrialise and manufacture the device.

Details

The spine is often affected by diseases such as lumbago or back pain. Many people over 30 years old suffer from back pain, and massage is the most non-pharmaceutical diffused therapy. For people such as truck and bus drivers it would be useful if the massage action could be applied by a device directly mounted on the seat of their vehicle.
In order to address this need, a new pneumatic massage device was developed by an Italian spin-off company. The company is made of a team of university researchers with mechanical engineering background and with main expertise in the field of development of robots (modelling, design, control and testing), with innovative actuators such as pneumatic muscle and Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators, and with development of powered orthosis.
The massage device is made of pneumatic cushions realised in silicone rubber. By inflating pressured air inside them in an alternate manner it is possible to practise the massage action. By a programmable logic controller it is possible to choose the desired sequence and frequency of massage, and by regulating the air pressure it is possible to choose the massage intensity.
The company has developed both the design of the innovative device and the production technological know-how.
A prototype of the device is available for demonstration and further tests.
An industrial partner belonging to the automotive or furniture sectors is sought in order to industrialise and manufacture the device and/or for further developments of it.

Innovative Aspects:
- According to a market research, this kind of device for trucks, bus and tractors is not available (generally, massage devices on the market are not powered by pneumatics, but use vibrations or mechanical solicitations).
- Innovative production technology.
- The cost-effectiveness of solution allows widening the market application.