CA1094169A - Infrared irradiation device for medical purposes - Google Patents
Infrared irradiation device for medical purposesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1094169A CA1094169A CA264,269A CA264269A CA1094169A CA 1094169 A CA1094169 A CA 1094169A CA 264269 A CA264269 A CA 264269A CA 1094169 A CA1094169 A CA 1094169A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- irradiation device
- infrared irradiation
- housing
- substrate
- infrared
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 40
- 210000000746 body region Anatomy 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003298 dental enamel Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003734 kidney Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000004185 liver Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 210000002784 stomach Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 229920005789 ACRONAL® acrylic binder Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000013543 active substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003414 extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000419 plant extract Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
- H05B3/10—Heating elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor
- H05B3/12—Heating elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material
- H05B3/14—Heating elements characterised by the composition or nature of the materials or by the arrangement of the conductor characterised by the composition or nature of the conductive material the material being non-metallic
- H05B3/146—Conductive polymers, e.g. polyethylene, thermoplastics
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
- Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
- Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
- Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
Abstract
INFRARED IRRADIATION DEVICE FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes, characterized in that in the upper part of a housing provided with a handle there are arranged in sandwich fashion a substrate of a material which, when giving off heat, emits a high proportion of radiant heat, a heating film with terminal electrodes and electric cord, and a highly effective heat insulating layer, preferably a polyurethane hard foam layer, and the lower part consists of a spacing means.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes, characterized in that in the upper part of a housing provided with a handle there are arranged in sandwich fashion a substrate of a material which, when giving off heat, emits a high proportion of radiant heat, a heating film with terminal electrodes and electric cord, and a highly effective heat insulating layer, preferably a polyurethane hard foam layer, and the lower part consists of a spacing means.
Description
~o~
The invention relates to an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes utilizing the principle of genera-ting heat emitted by a surface by applying electric potential to remote sides of a variably conductive heating film preferably produced by applying a synthetic resin dispersion blended with carbon bl~ck to a substrate and subsequently insulating the exposed ~aak side of the heating film by polyurethane hard ~oam.
Irradiation devices for medical purposes working in the infrared range have become known in many forms. Normally infrared lamps are used in stationary or movably arranged infrared irradiation devices. Such irradiation devices are best known in the form of a conventional lamp with lamp stand and rigidly or movably mounted radiation reflector in which the infrared bulb is installed. `' The manufacture and operation of these known irradiation devices are relatively expensive, particularly since the infrared bulbs have a limited service life. Moreover, it is very difficult to vary and limit the radiation emission both regarding intensi-ty and regarding the irradiated area, unless the irradiati.on is carried out with irradiation devices especially designed for treating specific parts of the body, e.g. devices developed especially for irradiation of the eyes or of the ears. Even so the handling of these devices is problematic. In particular ?
the patient must assume and maintain a qulte specific position _ 2 ~~ relative to the irradition device ove~ a longer period of time which is normally required for treat~ent with infrared radiation, in order that firstly the radiation intensity and also the irradiated area itself always remain the same. There are substantially no suitable devices available for treating ~he whole body, e.g. in intensive care hospital wards or in ambulances after accidents or the like.
The initially mentioned principle for generatillg heat utilizing an electrically conductive heating film of synthetic resin dispersion and carbon black has been described in many publications. However, in these instances ~ainly the problem of heating rooms by means of flat heating elements is concerned which may be used also for other pruposes, e.g. as electric heating pads. Insofar such flat heating elements have been proposed already for the medical fleld, but e~clusively for the purpose of direct transfer of heat~
In one particular aspect the present inventlon provides an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes utlllzlng the principle of generatlng heat emltted by a surface by applying electric potcntial to remote sides of a variably conductive heating film produced by applying a synthetic resin dispersion blended ~ith carbon black onto a substrate, comprising in an upper part (la) of a housing (1) provided with a handle (3) there is sequentially arranged a substrate (4) of a material which, when giving off heat, emits a high proportion of radiant heat, a heating film (5) with ~erminal electrodes (9) connected to electric supply means (10), and a highly effective heat insulating layer (6) 9 and adjacent substrate ~4~, a lower part (lb) which serves as a spacing - 30 means.
Such an irradiation device opens up new possibili~ies of irradiation in the medical field, and the patient is thereby ~3~
. .
3~
enabled to treat himself in his home without any difficulties and problems, particularly also because the irradiation devices o~ the invention can be manufactured at relatively low cost.
~ he irradiation devices of the invention offer the special advantage that they can be readily adapted to and placed over the part of the body to be irradiated and possibly fixed to the body itself, as will be explained further below. This permit~ very uniform irradiation which is precisely confined to the body region that is actually to be treated. Since the irradiation device and the irradiated body region form a substantially closed system which is ef~ectively insulated by the heat insulating layer on the back side of the heating film and at best provided with ventilating openings, as will be explained further below, nearly all the generated heat is converted to radiation in the infrared range, and nearly all of said radiation is supplied to the trea~ed body portion. This not only offers the advantage that body portions outside the region to be ereated are not automatically irradiated, too; ~he concentration of the irradiation treatment also permits to work with substsntially less electric power than that required by the hitherto conventional ~ 4-~ .
irradiation devices using infrared bulbs. Thus, the irradia-tion devices of -the invention can be operated withou-t disadvantage, and with the advantage of avoiding accidents, at a lower voltage of 24 voltsg for instance, which is delivered either by the mains through a transformer or by a rechargeable battery or the like.
It will he shown in more detail further below -that the invention permits in a simple way the individual design of irradiation devices for treating the ear, the eye, the extremities, espe-cially feet, knees or the like and the body as a whole, part-icularly also the kidneys, the liver, the stomach, and parts of the body af~licted by rheumatism. Also the use of the devices in intensive care , ambulances and after accidents is readily possible.
When a special irradiation is required, the substrate and, accord-ingly, also the overlying layers are arched upwardly.
Particularly in cases where -the design of the irradiation device requires a relative low spacing means, e.g. in cases where -the irradiation device is designed in the manner of a bandage that may be applied over the body portion to be treated, a detachable grid will suitably be provided in the lower portion of the hous-ing as protection against contact. A further embodimen-t of the irradiation device of the invention is particularly important in which the lower rim of the housing is provided with a cushion of soft elastic material, e.g. foamed rubber with non porous skin. This cushion has several functions. It i.nsulates the body against the spacing means in case the latter is made from therm-ally conductive material and may perhaps be heated up, too, during the treatment. It acts as a seal of the irradiation system and avoids undesirable escape of heat to the environment. With an accordingly selected embodiment it primarily permits adaption of the lower rim of the housing, namely of the spacing means, to irregular body contours on which the spacing means is placed.
Finally, the cushion avoids any unpleasant pressure of edges as the spacing means is placed on parts of the body.
The lower rim of the housing or the cushion itself should have perforations or recesses allowing ventilation of the treated body region.
A versatile infrared irradiation device according to the invent-ion is obtained when the upper part and the lower part of -the housing form two separate units~ and a desired and suitable lower part may be selected from a set of differently designed and equipped lower parts and exchangeably attached to the upper part carrying the irradiation system. In this way a universal upper part carrying the irradiation system can be at-tached to differently designed lower parts so that the device will be suited for treating various parts of the body, depending on -the height of the spacing means and depending on the configuration of the lo~-er rim.
~ccording to still another embodiment it is contemplated to apply at least one housing with irradiation sys-tem especially for 6 ~
irradiation of the ear to a device resembling the strap of ear phones. The device may be such that -the patient is able to hear also during the period of treatment.
For a number of other applications it is advantageous to design the housing with irradiation system in the form of an elongate bandage whieh may be secured to the body and which is flexible w.ithin certain limits at least in longitudinal direction for irradiation of body portions in the region of the stomach, liver, kidneys etc. The flexible embodiment requires the use of an accordingly flexible metal sheet or the like as substrate.
In a further favorable embodiment it is contemplated to design the housing with radiation system as an elongate trough with oI~en bottom for heating the whole body in case ~f accidents, in intensive care wards, etc. For such applications the irradiation device may be divided into several sections in -transverse direct-ion, if occasion arises.
~lereafter the invention will be explained in more detail by means of examples with reference to the drawings in which Fi~. 1 shows a lateral view of an infrared irradiation device, partially in section;
Fi~. 2 is a lateral view of an infrared irradiation device with exchangeable lower part;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of an in-frared irradiation device for convex body portions such as elbow, knee ete.;
" ~
Figs, ~ to 6 show various further possibilities of designing infrared irradiation devices that ar~ suited for special applications;
Fig, 7, which appears on the sheet o drawings bearing Fig, 3, is a section through an infrared irradiation device having a high elongate spacing means, The irradiation device shown in Fig, 1 has a plastic housin~ 1 which is subdivided into an uppèr part la and a lower part-lb designed as spacing means with a cushioned lower rim 2 which consists~ for instance, of a soft elastic foamed rubber pro-file with non-porous outer skin (or bettèr cleaning) and may have on its underside openings 7 for ventilation of irradiated body portions~
The upper part la which is provided with a handle 3 for convenient and safe holding accommodates the irradiation system proper. Seen from bottom to top~ this system consists of a substrate ~ with a heating film 5 on its back side with electrodes in spaced opposite relationship which are connected to a flexible cord 10 with plug 13 extending through the housing 1 and possibly with a transformer 11 to convert the power mains voltage to a lower voita~e and switch 12, a thick polyurethane hard oam layer directly overlying the heating film 5 which suitably fills all of the upper part la.
~'he lower part lb may have holes 8 to provide additional possibilities for ventilation, Furthermore~ a grid 15 of poorly heat-conductive material may be detachably installed in spaced bm:
3~3 relation from the substrate 4 in the lower part lb, as additional protection against contact.
An infrared irradiation device designed in this manner is suited, for instance, for infrared irradiation of the ear, of th~ eye, or of other body portions, depending on the selected size and output of the device. The patient himself or an operator places the device on the body region to be irradia-ted and safely holds it in the selected position by means of the handle 3. A few seconds after the power has been turned on by means of switch 12 the heat commences to radiate from the substrate 4 as soon as the heating film 5 on its back side has been heated by -the supplied power. In any event, a control should be provided at the device itself or in the electric cord 10 by means of which the desired radiation intensity may be selected by variation of the applied voltage.
The sandwiched radiation system may be manufac-tured by a tech-nique known on principle which may follow -the below indicated procedure, for instance:
First the substrate 4 is produced which ~ owing to the -type of material selected for the substrate 4 or owing ~o a suitable coating - gives off an ex-traordinarily high amount of radiation on its front side, i.e. the portion of the heat emanated by radiation as the substrate is heated up is as high as possible.
Also an enamel~coated substrate 4 may be employed, since enamel forms a hygienic, antibacterialj and toxicologically unobjectionable coating. On the back side of the substrate ~
there is provided an electrically insulating film, if necessary.
The substrate may consist, for instance~of epoxide-coatecl steel sheet. Directly on the back side of the substrate 4 or on the electrically insulating ~ilm the heating film 5 is applied which consists of a synthetic resin dispersion blended with carbon n black, e.g. the BAS~ product Acronal, and carbon black. The two electrodes 9 provided at opposi-te ends of the substrate 4 are embedded in the heating film S. In a mold suitably corresponding to the upper part la the polyurethane hard foam layer 6 is formed by direct application on the heating film 5. The thus formed radiation unit is inserted into the plastic housing 1 which, in this embodiment, is suitably made of one piece, where-upon the electric cord 10 is connected to the electrodes 9.
The heating film 5 is adjusted such that a tempera-ture that should not exceed 50 to 60C,~with 70C. as the uppermost limit, is reached at the front face of the substrate 4. Yet, in some applicati.ons it may be necessary to admit also tempera-tures up to 90C. which requires an accordingly safe design of ~he device in order to exclude any burning hazard. In this case the extra-ordinarily effective polyurethane hard foam layer 6 or its s-tab-ility sets the limit for the uppermost temperature level.
.
The heating film 5 is preferably connected to low voltage of 24 volts, at best SO volts, and the voltage should be variable in order to permit variation of the radiation intensity.
In the example shown in Fig. 2 the radiation unit is likewise accommodated in the upper part la, while the lower part lb is one component of a set of exchangeable lower parts which are designed and equipped for various applications. In the present example the lower par~ lb is suited for accommodating an insert 18 whi~h may be opened and filled with active substances such as plant extracts or the like, but which is constructed such that the radiation from the radiation unit may largely traverse the insert 18. To this end the insert 18 suitably has the form oE a grid~ or it occupies only part of the free cross section of the lower part lb. The lower part lb can be screwed into the upper portion, for instance, by means of a threaded portion 19. It may also be secured thereto by clamping.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an infrared irradiation device which is suited, for instance, for treating the knee. To this end the irradiation unit has a corresponding arch. Such an arch or dome is preferred also when a sort of radiation focussing on a relatively small body region is to be achieved.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate further embodiments of the infrared irradiation device of the invention.
In the example of an infrared irradiation device shown in Fig. 7 the housing of the device has been designed substantially entirely as`upper part la with the already described radiation system in the form of an elongate hollow structure closed at its upper end. In this way the inner heat supplying surface of the radiation device may be substantially enlarged, The polyure-thane hard foam insulation has a non-slipping surface so that the provision of special handles or the like may possibly be foregone. The cushioned lower rim 2 has recesses 7 in its con-stricted region 20 with variable ~pening widths. When more hea~ is desired, a certain pressure on the cushioned lower rim will at least partially close the openings 7. Vice versa~ the pressure can be entirely or partially relieved when warm air is to escape from the interior la and the radiation is to be less intensive.
It is assumed that the mode of effect of the infrared irrad-iation devices is due to the following circumstances:
The penetrability of animal and human tissue by electromagnetic radiation is dependent less on the type of skin (apar-t from extremely highly pigmented skin) than on the wavelength of the applied radiation. Within the range from visible light ~violet ~ 380 nm wavelength to red - 750 nm wavelength) up to long infrared waves (black-body tèmperature radiator of 40C.
- 9259 nm wavelength of the radiation maximum) -the pene-trab ility increases with the wavelength. 1 nm 1 x 10 9 m. To attain a high degree of penetration one must consequently use long-wave infrared "light".
In turn, the radiation maximum of the wavelength depends on the temperature of the radiator in the known infrared - ~2 -~ ~ ~ L~
irradiation devices and in the devices of the invention, in accordance with Wien's displacement law, since said infrared irradiation devices may be regarded as black-body radiators for the emitted radiation.
When the surface temperature for th~ infrared irradiation de-vices of the invention is 50C., for instance, the radiation maximum of the wavelength is 8972 nm. On the other hand, when a known infrared irradiation lamp is employed, two different radiation maxima of wavelength occur which are associated to two different ranges of emission 9 namely to the red-hot heating filament having a temperature of about 1700C. and to -the glass envelope of the bulb having a temperature of about 200C. The 1700C. radlation has a wavelength maximum of 1468 nm and amounts to about 25% of the total radiation with longer and shorter wavelengths - according to Planck's radiation law.
The corresponding data for the 200C. radiation are 6126 nm and 75~.
The depth of penetration of the radiation is about proportion-al to the square root of the radiation maximum of the wavelength.
Therefrom it follows that the 50C. radiation of the infrared irradiation device penetrates into the body tissue 2.472 times deeper than the 1700C. radiation and 1.21 time.s deeper than the 200C. infrared irradiation lamp. This implies tha-t with equal depth of penetration with the types of irradiation under . . . , .,. ~, lll9~11G9 comparison the infrared irradiation lamp additionally emits heat mainly absorbed in the skin strata, which may be harmful and even may cause burns, if -the deep penetra-tion is maximized.
In other words, with equal heating of -the surface the deep penetration in the infrared irradiation device of the invent-ion can be substantially intensified without any ha~ard of burning the skin, which permits far more intensive irradiation and thus a better -therapeutical effect.
It is another advantage of the invention that, on account of the comparatively larger radiation surface, a lower radiation output density per unit area is sufficient which results in the relatively lower surface temperature of the radiant area, in accordance with the Stefan-Boltzmann law. The known infra-red irradiation lamps, on -the other hand, may cause burns in case they are accidentally touched. This risk hardly exists with the infrared irradiation devices oE the inventlon clue -to the substantially lower surface temperature. ~t best a 1st degree burn (skin reddening) but in no case a 2nd degree or even 3rd degree burn may occur. The radiation of heat from a large area according to the inven-tion offers the further ad-van-tage that the radiation output density is applied with utmost uniformity over the body surface being -trea-ted.
14 ~
The invention relates to an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes utilizing the principle of genera-ting heat emitted by a surface by applying electric potential to remote sides of a variably conductive heating film preferably produced by applying a synthetic resin dispersion blended with carbon bl~ck to a substrate and subsequently insulating the exposed ~aak side of the heating film by polyurethane hard ~oam.
Irradiation devices for medical purposes working in the infrared range have become known in many forms. Normally infrared lamps are used in stationary or movably arranged infrared irradiation devices. Such irradiation devices are best known in the form of a conventional lamp with lamp stand and rigidly or movably mounted radiation reflector in which the infrared bulb is installed. `' The manufacture and operation of these known irradiation devices are relatively expensive, particularly since the infrared bulbs have a limited service life. Moreover, it is very difficult to vary and limit the radiation emission both regarding intensi-ty and regarding the irradiated area, unless the irradiati.on is carried out with irradiation devices especially designed for treating specific parts of the body, e.g. devices developed especially for irradiation of the eyes or of the ears. Even so the handling of these devices is problematic. In particular ?
the patient must assume and maintain a qulte specific position _ 2 ~~ relative to the irradition device ove~ a longer period of time which is normally required for treat~ent with infrared radiation, in order that firstly the radiation intensity and also the irradiated area itself always remain the same. There are substantially no suitable devices available for treating ~he whole body, e.g. in intensive care hospital wards or in ambulances after accidents or the like.
The initially mentioned principle for generatillg heat utilizing an electrically conductive heating film of synthetic resin dispersion and carbon black has been described in many publications. However, in these instances ~ainly the problem of heating rooms by means of flat heating elements is concerned which may be used also for other pruposes, e.g. as electric heating pads. Insofar such flat heating elements have been proposed already for the medical fleld, but e~clusively for the purpose of direct transfer of heat~
In one particular aspect the present inventlon provides an infrared irradiation device for medical purposes utlllzlng the principle of generatlng heat emltted by a surface by applying electric potcntial to remote sides of a variably conductive heating film produced by applying a synthetic resin dispersion blended ~ith carbon black onto a substrate, comprising in an upper part (la) of a housing (1) provided with a handle (3) there is sequentially arranged a substrate (4) of a material which, when giving off heat, emits a high proportion of radiant heat, a heating film (5) with ~erminal electrodes (9) connected to electric supply means (10), and a highly effective heat insulating layer (6) 9 and adjacent substrate ~4~, a lower part (lb) which serves as a spacing - 30 means.
Such an irradiation device opens up new possibili~ies of irradiation in the medical field, and the patient is thereby ~3~
. .
3~
enabled to treat himself in his home without any difficulties and problems, particularly also because the irradiation devices o~ the invention can be manufactured at relatively low cost.
~ he irradiation devices of the invention offer the special advantage that they can be readily adapted to and placed over the part of the body to be irradiated and possibly fixed to the body itself, as will be explained further below. This permit~ very uniform irradiation which is precisely confined to the body region that is actually to be treated. Since the irradiation device and the irradiated body region form a substantially closed system which is ef~ectively insulated by the heat insulating layer on the back side of the heating film and at best provided with ventilating openings, as will be explained further below, nearly all the generated heat is converted to radiation in the infrared range, and nearly all of said radiation is supplied to the trea~ed body portion. This not only offers the advantage that body portions outside the region to be ereated are not automatically irradiated, too; ~he concentration of the irradiation treatment also permits to work with substsntially less electric power than that required by the hitherto conventional ~ 4-~ .
irradiation devices using infrared bulbs. Thus, the irradia-tion devices of -the invention can be operated withou-t disadvantage, and with the advantage of avoiding accidents, at a lower voltage of 24 voltsg for instance, which is delivered either by the mains through a transformer or by a rechargeable battery or the like.
It will he shown in more detail further below -that the invention permits in a simple way the individual design of irradiation devices for treating the ear, the eye, the extremities, espe-cially feet, knees or the like and the body as a whole, part-icularly also the kidneys, the liver, the stomach, and parts of the body af~licted by rheumatism. Also the use of the devices in intensive care , ambulances and after accidents is readily possible.
When a special irradiation is required, the substrate and, accord-ingly, also the overlying layers are arched upwardly.
Particularly in cases where -the design of the irradiation device requires a relative low spacing means, e.g. in cases where -the irradiation device is designed in the manner of a bandage that may be applied over the body portion to be treated, a detachable grid will suitably be provided in the lower portion of the hous-ing as protection against contact. A further embodimen-t of the irradiation device of the invention is particularly important in which the lower rim of the housing is provided with a cushion of soft elastic material, e.g. foamed rubber with non porous skin. This cushion has several functions. It i.nsulates the body against the spacing means in case the latter is made from therm-ally conductive material and may perhaps be heated up, too, during the treatment. It acts as a seal of the irradiation system and avoids undesirable escape of heat to the environment. With an accordingly selected embodiment it primarily permits adaption of the lower rim of the housing, namely of the spacing means, to irregular body contours on which the spacing means is placed.
Finally, the cushion avoids any unpleasant pressure of edges as the spacing means is placed on parts of the body.
The lower rim of the housing or the cushion itself should have perforations or recesses allowing ventilation of the treated body region.
A versatile infrared irradiation device according to the invent-ion is obtained when the upper part and the lower part of -the housing form two separate units~ and a desired and suitable lower part may be selected from a set of differently designed and equipped lower parts and exchangeably attached to the upper part carrying the irradiation system. In this way a universal upper part carrying the irradiation system can be at-tached to differently designed lower parts so that the device will be suited for treating various parts of the body, depending on -the height of the spacing means and depending on the configuration of the lo~-er rim.
~ccording to still another embodiment it is contemplated to apply at least one housing with irradiation sys-tem especially for 6 ~
irradiation of the ear to a device resembling the strap of ear phones. The device may be such that -the patient is able to hear also during the period of treatment.
For a number of other applications it is advantageous to design the housing with irradiation system in the form of an elongate bandage whieh may be secured to the body and which is flexible w.ithin certain limits at least in longitudinal direction for irradiation of body portions in the region of the stomach, liver, kidneys etc. The flexible embodiment requires the use of an accordingly flexible metal sheet or the like as substrate.
In a further favorable embodiment it is contemplated to design the housing with radiation system as an elongate trough with oI~en bottom for heating the whole body in case ~f accidents, in intensive care wards, etc. For such applications the irradiation device may be divided into several sections in -transverse direct-ion, if occasion arises.
~lereafter the invention will be explained in more detail by means of examples with reference to the drawings in which Fi~. 1 shows a lateral view of an infrared irradiation device, partially in section;
Fi~. 2 is a lateral view of an infrared irradiation device with exchangeable lower part;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of an in-frared irradiation device for convex body portions such as elbow, knee ete.;
" ~
Figs, ~ to 6 show various further possibilities of designing infrared irradiation devices that ar~ suited for special applications;
Fig, 7, which appears on the sheet o drawings bearing Fig, 3, is a section through an infrared irradiation device having a high elongate spacing means, The irradiation device shown in Fig, 1 has a plastic housin~ 1 which is subdivided into an uppèr part la and a lower part-lb designed as spacing means with a cushioned lower rim 2 which consists~ for instance, of a soft elastic foamed rubber pro-file with non-porous outer skin (or bettèr cleaning) and may have on its underside openings 7 for ventilation of irradiated body portions~
The upper part la which is provided with a handle 3 for convenient and safe holding accommodates the irradiation system proper. Seen from bottom to top~ this system consists of a substrate ~ with a heating film 5 on its back side with electrodes in spaced opposite relationship which are connected to a flexible cord 10 with plug 13 extending through the housing 1 and possibly with a transformer 11 to convert the power mains voltage to a lower voita~e and switch 12, a thick polyurethane hard oam layer directly overlying the heating film 5 which suitably fills all of the upper part la.
~'he lower part lb may have holes 8 to provide additional possibilities for ventilation, Furthermore~ a grid 15 of poorly heat-conductive material may be detachably installed in spaced bm:
3~3 relation from the substrate 4 in the lower part lb, as additional protection against contact.
An infrared irradiation device designed in this manner is suited, for instance, for infrared irradiation of the ear, of th~ eye, or of other body portions, depending on the selected size and output of the device. The patient himself or an operator places the device on the body region to be irradia-ted and safely holds it in the selected position by means of the handle 3. A few seconds after the power has been turned on by means of switch 12 the heat commences to radiate from the substrate 4 as soon as the heating film 5 on its back side has been heated by -the supplied power. In any event, a control should be provided at the device itself or in the electric cord 10 by means of which the desired radiation intensity may be selected by variation of the applied voltage.
The sandwiched radiation system may be manufac-tured by a tech-nique known on principle which may follow -the below indicated procedure, for instance:
First the substrate 4 is produced which ~ owing to the -type of material selected for the substrate 4 or owing ~o a suitable coating - gives off an ex-traordinarily high amount of radiation on its front side, i.e. the portion of the heat emanated by radiation as the substrate is heated up is as high as possible.
Also an enamel~coated substrate 4 may be employed, since enamel forms a hygienic, antibacterialj and toxicologically unobjectionable coating. On the back side of the substrate ~
there is provided an electrically insulating film, if necessary.
The substrate may consist, for instance~of epoxide-coatecl steel sheet. Directly on the back side of the substrate 4 or on the electrically insulating ~ilm the heating film 5 is applied which consists of a synthetic resin dispersion blended with carbon n black, e.g. the BAS~ product Acronal, and carbon black. The two electrodes 9 provided at opposi-te ends of the substrate 4 are embedded in the heating film S. In a mold suitably corresponding to the upper part la the polyurethane hard foam layer 6 is formed by direct application on the heating film 5. The thus formed radiation unit is inserted into the plastic housing 1 which, in this embodiment, is suitably made of one piece, where-upon the electric cord 10 is connected to the electrodes 9.
The heating film 5 is adjusted such that a tempera-ture that should not exceed 50 to 60C,~with 70C. as the uppermost limit, is reached at the front face of the substrate 4. Yet, in some applicati.ons it may be necessary to admit also tempera-tures up to 90C. which requires an accordingly safe design of ~he device in order to exclude any burning hazard. In this case the extra-ordinarily effective polyurethane hard foam layer 6 or its s-tab-ility sets the limit for the uppermost temperature level.
.
The heating film 5 is preferably connected to low voltage of 24 volts, at best SO volts, and the voltage should be variable in order to permit variation of the radiation intensity.
In the example shown in Fig. 2 the radiation unit is likewise accommodated in the upper part la, while the lower part lb is one component of a set of exchangeable lower parts which are designed and equipped for various applications. In the present example the lower par~ lb is suited for accommodating an insert 18 whi~h may be opened and filled with active substances such as plant extracts or the like, but which is constructed such that the radiation from the radiation unit may largely traverse the insert 18. To this end the insert 18 suitably has the form oE a grid~ or it occupies only part of the free cross section of the lower part lb. The lower part lb can be screwed into the upper portion, for instance, by means of a threaded portion 19. It may also be secured thereto by clamping.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an infrared irradiation device which is suited, for instance, for treating the knee. To this end the irradiation unit has a corresponding arch. Such an arch or dome is preferred also when a sort of radiation focussing on a relatively small body region is to be achieved.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate further embodiments of the infrared irradiation device of the invention.
In the example of an infrared irradiation device shown in Fig. 7 the housing of the device has been designed substantially entirely as`upper part la with the already described radiation system in the form of an elongate hollow structure closed at its upper end. In this way the inner heat supplying surface of the radiation device may be substantially enlarged, The polyure-thane hard foam insulation has a non-slipping surface so that the provision of special handles or the like may possibly be foregone. The cushioned lower rim 2 has recesses 7 in its con-stricted region 20 with variable ~pening widths. When more hea~ is desired, a certain pressure on the cushioned lower rim will at least partially close the openings 7. Vice versa~ the pressure can be entirely or partially relieved when warm air is to escape from the interior la and the radiation is to be less intensive.
It is assumed that the mode of effect of the infrared irrad-iation devices is due to the following circumstances:
The penetrability of animal and human tissue by electromagnetic radiation is dependent less on the type of skin (apar-t from extremely highly pigmented skin) than on the wavelength of the applied radiation. Within the range from visible light ~violet ~ 380 nm wavelength to red - 750 nm wavelength) up to long infrared waves (black-body tèmperature radiator of 40C.
- 9259 nm wavelength of the radiation maximum) -the pene-trab ility increases with the wavelength. 1 nm 1 x 10 9 m. To attain a high degree of penetration one must consequently use long-wave infrared "light".
In turn, the radiation maximum of the wavelength depends on the temperature of the radiator in the known infrared - ~2 -~ ~ ~ L~
irradiation devices and in the devices of the invention, in accordance with Wien's displacement law, since said infrared irradiation devices may be regarded as black-body radiators for the emitted radiation.
When the surface temperature for th~ infrared irradiation de-vices of the invention is 50C., for instance, the radiation maximum of the wavelength is 8972 nm. On the other hand, when a known infrared irradiation lamp is employed, two different radiation maxima of wavelength occur which are associated to two different ranges of emission 9 namely to the red-hot heating filament having a temperature of about 1700C. and to -the glass envelope of the bulb having a temperature of about 200C. The 1700C. radlation has a wavelength maximum of 1468 nm and amounts to about 25% of the total radiation with longer and shorter wavelengths - according to Planck's radiation law.
The corresponding data for the 200C. radiation are 6126 nm and 75~.
The depth of penetration of the radiation is about proportion-al to the square root of the radiation maximum of the wavelength.
Therefrom it follows that the 50C. radiation of the infrared irradiation device penetrates into the body tissue 2.472 times deeper than the 1700C. radiation and 1.21 time.s deeper than the 200C. infrared irradiation lamp. This implies tha-t with equal depth of penetration with the types of irradiation under . . . , .,. ~, lll9~11G9 comparison the infrared irradiation lamp additionally emits heat mainly absorbed in the skin strata, which may be harmful and even may cause burns, if -the deep penetra-tion is maximized.
In other words, with equal heating of -the surface the deep penetration in the infrared irradiation device of the invent-ion can be substantially intensified without any ha~ard of burning the skin, which permits far more intensive irradiation and thus a better -therapeutical effect.
It is another advantage of the invention that, on account of the comparatively larger radiation surface, a lower radiation output density per unit area is sufficient which results in the relatively lower surface temperature of the radiant area, in accordance with the Stefan-Boltzmann law. The known infra-red irradiation lamps, on -the other hand, may cause burns in case they are accidentally touched. This risk hardly exists with the infrared irradiation devices oE the inventlon clue -to the substantially lower surface temperature. ~t best a 1st degree burn (skin reddening) but in no case a 2nd degree or even 3rd degree burn may occur. The radiation of heat from a large area according to the inven-tion offers the further ad-van-tage that the radiation output density is applied with utmost uniformity over the body surface being -trea-ted.
14 ~
Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An infrared irradiation device for medical purposes utilizing the principle of generating heat emitted by a surface by applying electric potential to remote sides of a variably conductive heating film produced by applying a synthetic resin dispersion blended with carbon black onto a substrate, comprising in an upper part (la) of a housing (1) provided with a handle (3) there is sequentially arranged a substrate (4) of a material which, when giving off heat, emits a high proportion of radiant heat, a heating film (5) with terminal electrodes (9) connected to electric supply means (10), and a highly effective heat insulating layer (6), and adjacent substrate (4), a lower part (lb) which serves as a spacing means.
2. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 1, in which the highly effective heat insulating layer (6) is a layer of hard polyurethane foam.
3. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 1, in which the substrate (4) has an upwardly arching configuration.
4. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 1, additionally including a detachable grid (15) in the lower part (lb) of the housing (1).
5. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 1, in which housing (1) is provided with a lower rim (2) of a cushion of soft elastic material.
6. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 5, in which the soft elastic material is of a foamed rubber having a non-porous skin.
7. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 5, in which the lower rim (2) of the housing (1) or the cushion thereof has perforations or recesses (7) for ventilation of the irradated body region.
8. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 5, in which the lower part (lb) of the housing (1) has holes (8) for ventilation of the irradiated body region.
9. An infrared irradiation device according to Claim 1, in which the upper part (la) and the lower part (lb) of the housing (1) are separable units, and the lower part (lb) is selected from a set of differently designed and equipped lower parts (lb) exchangeably attachable to the upper part (la) carrying the radiation system.
10. An infrared irradiation device according to Claims 1, 2 or 9, comprising at least one housing with radiation system designed for irradiation of the ear attached to a frame with a strap like an earphone.
11. An infrared irradiation device according to Claims 1, 2 or 9, in which the housing with radiation system is designed as an elongate bandage of limited flexibility adapted to be attached to the body.
12. An infrared irradiation device according to Claims 1, 2 or 99 in which the housing with irradiation system is designed as an elongate open-bottom trough for heating the entire body.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE2547949A DE2547949C2 (en) | 1975-10-27 | 1975-10-27 | Infrared irradiation device |
| DEP2547949.6-33 | 1975-10-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1094169A true CA1094169A (en) | 1981-01-20 |
Family
ID=5960147
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA264,269A Expired CA1094169A (en) | 1975-10-27 | 1976-10-27 | Infrared irradiation device for medical purposes |
Country Status (15)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS52103889A (en) |
| AT (1) | AT372609B (en) |
| BE (1) | BE847663A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1094169A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH612588A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2547949C2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK484476A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES452774A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI763055A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2329301A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1554597A (en) |
| LU (1) | LU76079A1 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7611900A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO763656L (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7611930L (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2829117C2 (en) * | 1978-07-03 | 1986-06-19 | Wolff System Service Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt | UV irradiation device |
| US4381009A (en) * | 1980-01-28 | 1983-04-26 | Bon F Del | Hand-held device for the local heat-treatment of the skin |
| JPS5832777A (en) * | 1980-07-14 | 1983-02-25 | 久保 哲次郎 | Remote infrared irradiating and treating apparatus |
| DE3112676A1 (en) * | 1980-11-10 | 1982-06-16 | Fritz Dr.Med. 5810 Witten Gorbahn | Thermotherapy device |
| JPS59157969A (en) * | 1983-02-25 | 1984-09-07 | Shin Kobe Electric Mach Co Ltd | Manufacture of lead storage battery |
| DE8329332U1 (en) * | 1983-10-11 | 1985-05-23 | Saalmann, Gerhard, 4900 Herford | Radiation device |
| JPS62161381A (en) * | 1986-01-09 | 1987-07-17 | 森 敬 | Solar energy irradiating remedy apparatus |
| JPS62164477A (en) * | 1986-01-16 | 1987-07-21 | 森 敬 | Solar energy irradiating remedy apparatus |
| JPS63493U (en) * | 1986-06-18 | 1988-01-05 | ||
| JP2810665B2 (en) * | 1987-06-15 | 1998-10-15 | 松下電工株式会社 | Blood circulation promotion device |
| DE3843552C1 (en) * | 1988-12-23 | 1990-06-13 | Bernhard 5143 Wassenberg De Pfeifer | |
| DE19856002C1 (en) * | 1998-12-04 | 2000-08-24 | Ismail Apul | Heat therapy treatment light for manual operation |
| US20100063565A1 (en) * | 2006-11-18 | 2010-03-11 | Braun Gmbh | Skin Treatment Device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE110376C (en) * | ||||
| US3573791A (en) * | 1969-01-07 | 1971-04-06 | Ibm | Miltiple use indicator |
| FR2154552B1 (en) * | 1971-09-27 | 1978-11-17 | Reuter Maschinen | |
| DE2148191C3 (en) * | 1971-09-27 | 1975-07-17 | Reuter Maschinen- Und Werkzeugbau Gmbh, 2844 Lemfoerde | Wireless panel heating elements and processes for their manufacture |
| US3875373A (en) * | 1974-02-14 | 1975-04-01 | Boeing Co | Vacuum-applied heating pad |
-
1975
- 1975-10-27 DE DE2547949A patent/DE2547949C2/en not_active Expired
-
1976
- 1976-10-25 GB GB44161/76A patent/GB1554597A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-10-26 NO NO763656A patent/NO763656L/no unknown
- 1976-10-26 BE BE171814A patent/BE847663A/en unknown
- 1976-10-26 CH CH1350476A patent/CH612588A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-10-26 FR FR7632229A patent/FR2329301A1/en active Granted
- 1976-10-27 NL NL7611900A patent/NL7611900A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-10-27 FI FI763055A patent/FI763055A/fi not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-10-27 JP JP12838676A patent/JPS52103889A/en active Pending
- 1976-10-27 LU LU76079A patent/LU76079A1/xx unknown
- 1976-10-27 ES ES452774A patent/ES452774A1/en not_active Expired
- 1976-10-27 AT AT0798376A patent/AT372609B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-10-27 CA CA264,269A patent/CA1094169A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-10-27 SE SE7611930A patent/SE7611930L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-10-27 DK DK484476A patent/DK484476A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES452774A1 (en) | 1977-10-16 |
| ATA798376A (en) | 1983-03-15 |
| NO763656L (en) | 1977-04-28 |
| DK484476A (en) | 1977-04-28 |
| NL7611900A (en) | 1977-04-29 |
| DE2547949A1 (en) | 1977-04-28 |
| SE7611930L (en) | 1977-04-28 |
| FR2329301A1 (en) | 1977-05-27 |
| JPS52103889A (en) | 1977-08-31 |
| DE2547949C2 (en) | 1983-07-28 |
| FR2329301B1 (en) | 1982-09-03 |
| FI763055A (en) | 1977-04-28 |
| AT372609B (en) | 1983-10-25 |
| BE847663A (en) | 1977-04-26 |
| LU76079A1 (en) | 1977-06-02 |
| GB1554597A (en) | 1979-10-24 |
| CH612588A5 (en) | 1979-08-15 |
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