SUCTION ASSEMBLY
A suction assembly is described. The suction assembly includes a therapy unit with a body that can apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface. The suction assembly also includes a cup that can be removably connected to the therapy unit and that can interface with a skin surface to define a chamber within the cup. A pump of the therapy unit can reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber in a cupping therapy. In response to the skin surface being drawn into the chamber, the body can move in a longitudinal direction to maintain contact with the skin surface. A wall of the cup is translucent and the suction assembly is dimensioned to provide a user with a view into the chamber through the wall of the cup that is substantially unobstructed by the housing.
1 . A suction assembly comprising:
a therapy unit comprising:
a housing having an inlet formed through the housing,
a pump in fluid communication with the inlet,
a therapy plate moveably coupled to a first end of the housing, wherein the plate is configured to apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface,
a sensor, and
a controller configured to control the supplemental therapy applied to the skin surface; and
a cup removably coupled to the housing and configured to define a chamber between the housing and a skin surface of a user,
wherein the pump is configured to reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber.
2 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or a proximity sensor configured to detect deformation of the skin surface.
3 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a pressure within the chamber, and
wherein the controller an intensity of the pump based on the pressure within the chamber.
4 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the therapy unit further comprises a heater operatively connected to the plate and configured to heat the plate, and wherein the supplemental therapy is heat.
5 . The suction assembly of claim 4 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a temperature within the chamber or a temperature of the therapy plate, and
wherein the controller adjusts an intensity of the heater based on the temperature within the chamber or the temperature of the therapy plate.
6 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the therapy plate is movable in the longitudinal direction between an extended position and a retracted position.
7 . The suction assembly of claim 6 , wherein the therapy plate is biased towards the extended position.
8 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the therapy unit further comprises a motor operatively coupled to the therapy plate and configured to vibrate the therapy plate and wherein the supplemental therapy is vibration.
9 . The suction assembly of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to control the motor at a predetermined intensity.
10 . The suction assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control a function of the therapy unit in response to a command received from an external device.
11 . The suction assembly of claim 10 , wherein the external device is a second suction assembly.
12 . A suction assembly comprising:
a therapy unit comprising:
a housing having an inlet formed through the housing,
a pump in fluid communication with the inlet,
a therapy plate moveably coupled to a first end of the housing, wherein the plate is configured to apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface, and
a controller configured to control a function of the therapy unit, wherein the controller comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with an external device; and
a cup removably coupled to the housing and configured to define a chamber between the housing a skin surface of a user,
wherein the pump is configured to reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber.
13 . The suction assembly of claim 12 , wherein the external device is a remote electronic device, and wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a therapy command.
14 . The suction assembly of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to execute the therapy command.
15 . The suction assembly of claim 12 , wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.
16 . The suction assembly of claim 12 , wherein the external device is a second therapy unit, and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a control command to the second suction assembly.
17 . A suction assembly comprising:
a therapy unit comprising:
a housing having an inlet formed through the housing,
a pump in fluid communication with the inlet,
a therapy plate moveably coupled to a first end of the housing and configured to apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface, and
a vibration assembly comprising a motor operatively coupled to the therapy plate; and
a cup removably coupled to the housing and configured to define a chamber between the housing and a skin surface of a user,
wherein the pump is configured to reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber.
18 . The suction assembly of claim 17 , wherein the therapy plate comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to extend towards the skin surface, and wherein the supplemental therapy is acupressure.
19 . The suction assembly of claim 17 , wherein the vibration assembly further comprises a vibration plate coupled to the therapy plate and configured to evenly distribute vibration across the surface of the therapy plate.
20 . The suction assembly of claim 17 , wherein the vibration assembly further comprises a noise reducing material configured to suppress sound generated by the motor.