Cycloidal vibration technology

Cycloidal Vibration Therapy (CVT) is type of non-invasive mechanical massage therapy that employs a specialized motor to generate non-percussive vibrations at its surface in three orthogonal directions. This type of three-dimensional (3D) cycloidal vibration (CV) has been shown to increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage by stimulating deep muscle activity and is used to treat a variety of medical conditions (see below).
Cycloidal Vibration
Cycloidal vibration is characterized by small amplitude, low frequency vibrations that produce motion in three different directions. The amplitude of the vibration is typically in the range of 0.1 and 0.5 mm with a frequency typically in the range of 15-75 hertz and an acceleration rate of approximately 28 m/s . The nature of the waves allows for deep penetration, as distinct from other forms of mechanical massage. Modern CV motors utilize either 12 V or 24 V brushless DC electric motor to drive eccentrically mounted weights producing radial plane oscillations within a suspension system. Each of the three different directions of motion is created at different points in the cycle by a complex electronic speed controller (ESC) and it is the “out of phase” relationship which gives rise to a circular movement and the term cycloidal vibration.
Conventional massage products typically operate in a singular plane, either delivering percussive impacts, or orbital oscillations. The standard vibrations produced are high amplitude, high acceleration and have a high fundamental frequency.
History
Cycloidal Vibration Therapy was discovered by Wiliam L. Wettlaufer who was initially developing heavy-duty machines to screen and grade crushed stone, ores, coal and similar coarse materials. Wettlaufer had developed a motor to radially distribute loads across his screens
and the technology was employed in a Canadian coal mine in the 1930s. Curiously the workers using Wettlaufer’s coal-sorting machine were reporting therapeutic side effects from leaning up against the machine during their breaks. Inspired by the claims of muscular and joint pain relief, Wettlaufer went on to develop scaled down versions of the motor for use in therapeutic products such as beds, stools,
chairs, adjustable tables and cushions.
In 1948, one of Wettlaufer’s prototypes and patent was bought at an auction by Mr Owen K Murphy and then commercialized. The resulting company, Niagara Therapy began designing, manufacturing and selling out of Adamsville, Pennsylvania devices such as hand held units, cushions, tables and mats. By 1953, 14 CVT products were available and had been sold to such notable people as Prince Sulaiman of Saudi Arabia who bought five chairs for his wives.
Clinical Research
Musculoskeletal
The primary action has been proposed to be due to a “resetting” under conditions of excessive proprioceptor activity of some centrally controlled level of muscle relaxation.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu