EP1962151A1 - Kirlian diagnosis devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a sensor plate (30) with a bearing surface for contact with fingers and feet of a patient and an electrically conductive high voltage unit is connected at the sensor plate. The high voltage generator has a thyristor which connect an oscillating circuit with tesla transformer and the excitation of the oscillating circuit produces oscillating output voltage which has same frequency. An independent claim is also included for a sensor plate to receive corona discharge.

Description

The invention relates to a medical diagnostic device and for recordings of corona discharges according to the Kirlian principle according to the preamble of the main claim.

Kirliandiagnostik evaluates discharge images taken on one or more human fingers or toes. The fingers form an electrode. Its electrical potential is the earth potential. If a thin insulating material layer of high permeability material is touched with the finger, on the opposite surface of which an electrode is arranged with high voltage to earth, creates a high electric field strength at the edge of the resting finger. At sufficient height, this field strength on the disk surface leads to excitations and immediately thereafter to feedback of the excited electrons. This produces light flashes, which are also called corona discharges.

The corona discharges can be recorded on photo paper and used as a basis for diagnostics.

From the US 4,386,834 For example, a kirlian photography apparatus is known which has a circuit with a transformer arranged in front of an electrode for generating the high voltage.

From the US 4,222,658 For example, a kirliandiagnose apparatus is known comprising two spaced-apart electrodes, a hand and a foot electrode.

In the DE 31 11 929 C2 In particular, the structure of an electrode for receiving the resulting in Kirliandiagnostik corona discharges is described. There, a glass plate is provided on the side facing away from the finger, an electrically conductive layer is applied.

From the DE 198 20 609 A1 a Kirliandiagnose device with foot electrode and hand electrode is known in which the high-frequency high voltage is generated via an ignition coil.

The mentioned diagnostic devices generate evaluable Kirlian photos. The quality, d. H. Evaluability of the corona discharges, depends fundamentally sensitive on the ambient conditions, as well as the choice of high voltage. It has been found that the high voltage used in the above devices can not be used to diagnose a sufficient number of diseases.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medical diagnostic device for recordings of corona discharges according to the Kirlian principle, with the aid of which better evaluable Kirlian photos can be made available.

The object is achieved by an aforementioned medical diagnostic device having the features of the characterizing part of the main claim. The Kirlian images produced by corona discharges are highly sensitive to disturbances caused by surrounding electric fields and other external influences.

A shield electrode encircling the sensor plate, which is circumferentially connected to the conductive layer, significantly reduces the effect of interfering fringing fields along the conductive layer of the sensor plate and leads to much more stable Kirlian images.

Conventionally, the corona discharges are recorded directly on photographic paper. That's costly. The inventive structure of the sensor plate as a transversely to the support surface translucent medium can provide relief because it allows the arrangement of a camera, in particular digital camera, on the side opposite the patient side of the sensor plate.

Conveniently, the shielding electrode is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of rotation. As a result, very few strong fields generating edges are formed. Clearly demarcated images are generated.

Preferably, the layer order of the sensor plate is based on the patient: outer protective layer, insulating layer, current-conducting layer and inner insulating layer. At best, the insulating layers are glass plates, preferably tempered glass plates. On the patient-facing side of the insulating layer or the outer protective layer can also be applied a mirrored layer. That has that Advantage that the patient can not look directly through the glass panes of the sensor plate into the interior of the device.

It has been shown that Kirlian photos which can be evaluated particularly well arise when the high-frequency high voltage applied to the sensor plate has a substantially constant frequency and an amplitude which drops over time. To generate such an output voltage, a high-voltage device with a circuit is provided according to the invention, which comprises an electronic resonant circuit, which is connected via a thyristor. Thyristors are durable even under high voltage load. According to the invention, the resonant circuit has a tesla transformer, which, in contrast to conventional coils, is particularly suitable for generating high frequencies.

The Tesla transformer is preferably equipped with a common ferrite core for primary and secondary coil. Both coils are wound on top of each other and separated by an insulating layer and potted together in resin. In contrast to the air couplings customary in Tesla transformers, the modified Tesla transformer according to the invention produces more stable output frequencies.

Also due to the particularly safe design of the Tesla transformer, the medical diagnostic device according to the invention could get the approval according to German Medical Devices Act. In contrast, conventional Tesla transformers are not suitable for installation in medical devices.

Due to the mains connection, the device can be connected to a sufficiently strong power source and it is still largely self-sufficient. In principle, it is also conceivable that the device is powered by a battery with power. Downstream of the mains connection is first an isolating transformer and then a rectifier with which the at least one permanent intermediate storage capacitor can be charged, the voltage of which switches the thyristor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thyristor is connected to a potentiometer, which can be adjusted manually or computer-controlled from the outside. The potentiometer controls the level of the ignition voltage of the thyristor and thus the level of the output voltage. Preferably, the output voltage is between 25 kV Pk-Pk and 2.5 kV Pk-Pk adjustable by means of the potentiometer. The statement Pk-Pk also refers to the difference between the two peaks of the first oscillation of the alternating voltage dropping over time,

However, it has surprisingly been found that the most meaningful Kirlian recordings at an output voltage without load, i. arise without contact of the finger and / or toe with a frequency of 35 kHz and an amplitude voltage of 25 kV Pk-Pk. On contact - ie at load - this frequency changes to 36 kHz at a voltage of 19 kV Pk-Pk.

Because the medical diagnostic device is intended for approval according to the German Medical Devices Act, the output currents are at most in the μA range.

Preferably, at least one permanent latch capacitor is connected to the input of the thyristor and thus determines its input voltage, and the output of the thyristor is electrically connected via a decoupling diode to the resonant circuit, and the at least one storage capacitor is dischargeable via the thyristor and stimulates the resonant circuit to oscillate.

The circuit according to the invention is also suitable for installation in conventional Kirliandiagnose devices based on the use of photographic paper.

The circuit of the high voltage generator is controllable in a development of the invention from the outside via a first control terminal, which is in communication with the potentiometer and a second control terminal, which is in communication with the Tesla transformer and controls its switched coil number.

Preferably, a digital camera is provided as a recording device. Both the digital camera and the first and second control ports can be connected to a USB-II interface of a PC via a USB BUS. This allows a computer-controlled evaluation of the Kirlian photos. It opens next to the possibility of remote diagnosis.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kirliandiagnose-Gerätes auf einem Ständer,

Fig. 2

eine schematische seitliche Ansicht des Gerätes gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Schaltung zur Erzeugung der Kirliandiagnose erfindungsgemäßen Kirliandiagnose-Spannung aus einer Netzspannung,

Fig. 4

ein Prinzipschaltbild der Schaltung in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung einer maximalen Ausgangsspannung ohne Last,

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung einer maximalen Ausgangsspannung bei aufgelegtem Finger,

Fig. 7

eine Darstellung einer minimalen Ausgangsspannung ohne Last,

Fig. 8

eine Darstellung einer minimalen Ausgangsspannung bei aufgelegtem Finger,

Fig. 9

eine Schnittansicht des Aufbaus eines Teils einer Sensorplatte,

Fig. 10

Anschlüsse der Hochspannungseinheit,

Fig. 11

ein Wellenspektrum der Koronaentladung,

Fig. 12

ein Foto einer Koronaentladung eines Fingers bei einer Ausgangsspannung von 4,3 kV,

Fig. 13

ein Foto einer Koronaentladung eines Fingers bei einer Ausgangsspannung von 8,9 kV,

Fig. 14

ein Foto einer Koronaentladung eins Fingers bei einer Ausgangsspannung von 13 kV,

Fig. 15

ein Foto einer Koronaentladung beider Hände und Füße,

Fig. 16

eine digitales Foto eine Koronaentladung beider Hände,

Fig. 17

einen schematischen Aufbau des erfindungsgemäßen Teslatransformators.

The diagnostic device according to the invention is a digital photon diagnostic device based on the digital detection of photons.
The invention will be described with reference to an embodiment and in FIGS. Showing:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of a Kirliandiagnose device according to the invention on a stand,

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of the device according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a circuit for generating the Kirliandiagnose invention Kirliandiagnose voltage from a mains voltage,

Fig. 4

a schematic diagram of the circuit in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

a representation of a maximum output voltage without load,

Fig. 6

a representation of a maximum output voltage with the finger on,

Fig. 7

a representation of a minimum output voltage without load,

Fig. 8

a representation of a minimum output voltage with the finger on,

Fig. 9

a sectional view of the structure of a part of a sensor plate,

Fig. 10

High voltage unit connections,

Fig. 11

a wave spectrum of the corona discharge,

Fig. 12

a photo of a corona discharge of a finger at an output voltage of 4.3 kV,

Fig. 13

a photo of a corona discharge of a finger at an output voltage of 8.9 kV,

Fig. 14

a photo of a corona discharge of one finger at an output voltage of 13 kV,

Fig. 15

a photo of a corona discharge of both hands and feet,

Fig. 16

a digital photo a corona discharge of both hands,

Fig. 17

a schematic structure of the Tesla transformer according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view (schematically) of a Kirliandiagnose device 10 according to the invention, which is arranged on a wooden stand 20. The Kirliandiagnose device 10 is suitable for receiving corona discharges ( Fig. 12-14 ) of the fingertips or toes. Corona discharges occur when fingertips or toe tips are placed on an outer bearing surface 35 of a sensor plate 30 of the Kirliandiagnose device 10 and at the same time the sensor plate 30 is connected to a high-frequency high voltage. The sensor plate 30 houses a conductive layer 33 to which the high voltage is directly applied. The conductive layer 33 is capacitively coupled to the applied fingertips. As a result, an electric field is formed between fingertips and the conductive layer 33, which, with sufficient strength, can cause charges to escape from the finger surface, the corona of the finger, and excite or even ionize the medium between them. The excited or ionized atoms revert to their ground state after a short time, emitting medium-specific light.

The discharges are visible as sparks or flashes of light and are recorded with a digital camera arranged on the inside behind the sensor plate. The photo of the corona discharge is diagnosed by a doctor, and from the photo can be drawn conclusions about the health of the patient.

The corona discharge image is sensitive depending on a number of external factors. These include, inter alia, in the vicinity of the sensor plate arranged conductive objects that influence the field generated by the sensor plate. For this Reason is the Kirliandiagnose device on a wooden stand 20 according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 stored.

Fig. 2 shows the Kirliandiagnose device according to Fig. 1 in a schematic side view. In this case, a slightly sloping rearwardly sloping arrangement of the Kirliandiagnose device 10 on the wooden stand 20 can be seen. The Kirliandiagnose device 10 is tilted at an angle of about 15 °. This angle has been found to be favorable for a patient (not shown) sitting in a chair in front of the sensor plate 30 of the diagnostic device 10, first his fingertips on the sensor plate and then instead his toes in the sitting position on the sensor plate 30th can lay.

Essential for the informative value of the photos of the corona discharge eg according to Fig. 12, 13 . 14 the time profile is in particular the height of the peaks of the high-frequency high voltage generated in Kirliandiagnose device 10. The exact course of the high voltage can only be determined experimentally in lengthy test series and slight changes already have considerable effects on the informative value of the Kirlian photos according to Fig. 12, 13 . 14 ,

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 represent a circuit according to the invention for generating a particularly suitable for the diagnosis of coronary discharges high-frequency high voltage.

Fig. 3 provides the exact structure of this circuit 60 with size information of the components and Fig. 4 represents a principle circuit 70 of the circuit 60. The operation of the circuit 60 will be explained with reference to the principle circuit 70. The basic circuit 70 is connected via an isolating transformer Tr to the supply voltage of the publicly available power grid of 230 V and 50 Hz.

The isolation transformer Tr is connected in series with a rectifier Gl, which charges a storage capacitor Sp. The storage capacitor Sp charges intermediate storage capacitors ZSp via a decoupling resistor EW.

In the in Fig. 4 shown basic circuit 70 are permanently connected in parallel with a further predetermined intermediate storage capacitor ZSp three more latch capacitors ZSp1, ZSp2, ZSp3.

A freewheeling diode FD prevents when switching a thyristor TS, that charge is subtracted from the permanently connected buffer capacitor ZSp. The thyristor TS can be controlled via a ten-turn potentiometer Pt. The thyristor TS triggers at an adjustable in height by the Zehngangpotentiometer Pt ignition voltage. Upon reaching the set ignition voltage to the latching capacitors ZSp the thyristor TS automatically switches their voltage to the resonant circuit with resonant circuit capacitor SK and high voltage transformer HT. A decoupling diode ED prevents the current reversal and retransmission of energy to the latch capacitors ZSp. The high-voltage transformer HT according to the invention is a Tesla transformer HT. The thyristor TS falls back into the blocking state after discharge of the intermediate storage capacitors ZSp, ZSp1, ZSp2, ZSp3. The vibrations excited in the resonant circuit are canceled out. During the decay of the high voltage in the resonant circuit, the intermediate storage capacitors ZSp, ZSp1, ZSp2, ZSp3 are charged again via the decoupling resistor EW to the ignition voltage of the thyristor TS and the process described is repeated.

The complete circuit with the determined values of the components is in Fig. 3 shown. The current consumption at the 230 V mains is approx. 800 mA. After switching on the device, raising the voltage with the Zehngangpotentiometer Pt and switching all switchable with associated switches latching capacitors ZSp, ZSp1, ZSp2, ZSp3, with connected device for generating corona discharge images with a sensor plate 30, as described below, the current consumption is approx. 210 mA. This results in a apparent power of almost 50 VA. The placing of a finger on the sensor plate 30 does not noticeably change the power consumption. At the output of the rectifier GL, a DC voltage of 315 V is produced. Here an effective value of the direct current of 146 mA was measured.

The Tesla transformer HT has a coil core with high-voltage windings which are cast in resin. A ferrite core is replaced by non-ferromagnetic and insulating plates as spacers in both legs each have a gap of 1 mm width. It is connected to ground by a copper foil coated with conductive adhesive. The primary coil is six turns of insulated wire of 1 mm cross-section, which are wound on the free legs relative to the high-voltage coil on the ferrite core.

The Fig. 5 to 8 show the time course of the high-frequency high voltage at the output of the high-voltage unit at different settings of the ten-turn potentiometer Pt. The Fig. 5 and 6 show a maximum voltage curve and the Fig. 7 and 8th show a minimal voltage curve.

In the Fig. 5 The vibration shown has a frequency of 35 kHz while the voltage difference between the first two peaks is 25.4 kV (Pk-Pk). Pk-Pk means the voltage difference between the two peaks of the first oscillation period.

In the Fig. 6 shown high-frequency high voltage can be measured at the output of the Tesla transformer when placed on the sensor plate 30 finger. The oscillation frequency is about 30 kHz, while the voltage is 19 kV (Pk-Pk).

Fig. 7 shows a minimal voltage curve. The frequency of the circuit according to Fig. 3 generated vibration is here at 37 kHz at a voltage of 2.5 kV (Pk-Pk) is.

When a finger is placed on the sensor plate, the voltage changes accordingly Fig. 8 in a frequency of 32 kHz and a voltage of 1.88 kV (Pk-Pk) easily.

The voltage pattern according to the invention already allows the recording of evaluable corona discharge images even at low voltages. At higher output voltages, in particular the maximum output voltage of 25 kV (Pk-Pk), the most suitable corona discharge images result.

The frequency spectrum of the corona discharge depends crucially on the structure of the sensor plate 30. Fig. 9 shows a peripheral region of the sensor plate 30 according to the invention in a sectional view. In this case, the sensor plate 30, starting from the patient or the patient's finger, has the following layer sequence: outer protective layer 31, glass plate 32, current-conducting layer 33, inner protective layer 34. The glass plate 32 is coated with the outer protective layer 31 on the side facing the patient , which among other things reduces mirror reflexes. On the side facing away from the patient, the glass plate 32, the translucent, current-conducting layer 33 along its entire extent. The current-conducting layer 33 is laterally pulled out of the sensor plate 30 and the entire sensor plate 30 circumferentially connected to a shield electrode 40 conductively connected. The shielding electrode 40 also completely orbits the sensor plate 30.

In a plan view, the support surface of the sensor plate 30 is substantially the size DIN A4. Thus, both hands or both feet of the patient can be placed on the support surface at the same time. The bearing surface is smaller than the extent of the sensor plate 30 itself by the extent of an enclosure in the frame of the Kirliandignaose device 10.

The conductive layer 33 is in turn coated on the inside of the device by protective layer 34. The shield electrode 40 is conductively connected to the high voltage unit 50. The circumferential shielding electrode 40 reduces the generation of interference fields at the edges of the current-conducting layer 33. The sensor plate 30 according to the invention makes it possible to generate a very homogeneous electromagnetic field as a prerequisite for evaluable Kirlian photos.

The frequency spectrum of a corona discharge in a sensor plate 30 according to Fig. 9 is in Fig. 11 shown. There it shows that the frequency spectrum is not only in the visible range, but high intensities are present especially in the IR range but also in the UV range. According to the invention, not only the spectrums are evaluated in visible light, but also intensities in the IR and UV range can be recorded via an appropriately aligned digital camera and subjected to an evaluation. By evaluating a larger one Spectral range, the diagnostic options over the prior art significantly expanded.

The in the Fig. 12 to 14 shown corona discharges are in Fig. 12 at a voltage of 4.3 kV (Pk-Pk), in Fig. 13 at 8.9 kV (Pk-Pk) and in Fig. 14 at 13 kV (PkPk). It can be clearly seen that the most meaningful corona discharges are to be found at the highest output voltage at the high voltage unit 50. The Kirliandiagnose device 10 has a shield 11 against external interference.

On the high voltage device 50 are according to Fig. 10 essentially four connections provided. A grid connection 51 is provided for direct connection to the public power grid. The power connector 51 is connected to the isolation transformer Tr. Furthermore, the high frequency high voltage output voltage terminal 52 is provided, which is connected to the shield electrode 40 via a cable.

The circuit 60 itself can be finely tuned via two further connections. On the one hand, a first control connection 53 for the ten-turn potentiometer is provided, with which the ignition voltage of the thyristor can be adjusted. In addition, a second control connection 54 is provided with which the Tesla transformer HT is controllable by changing the switched number of turns. Both control terminals 53, 54 are preferably connected to a computer. The high voltage unit according to the invention is computer controlled by software.

The sensor plate 30 is transparent in wavelength ranges that are to be subjected to the evaluation, in particular in the visible light, but also in the UV or IR range. The same applies to the conductive layer 33 and the outer and inner protective layer 31, 34. It is possible behind the sensor plate 30, facing away from the patient, housed in Kirliandiagnose device 10, a (not shown) to arrange digital camera, the inside of the sensor plate 30 is directed. It should be noted that the digital camera must be highly accurately aligned with the sensor plate, since its depth of field is usually in the range of only one millimeter and thus even the slightest tilting would lead to blurring, at least at the edges of the image.

The digital camera makes it possible to further process the resulting photos with a PC and even send them to a remote location via the Internet or other networks for diagnosis.

Both the camera and the circuit 60 are connected via a USB bus with a USB-II interface of a computer and controlled by the computer. In the computer, an interface card VM110 is provided, which is in communication with a relay card. The relay card is connected to the circuit 60 via the USB bus.

The in the FIGS. 12, 13 . 14 shown photos of the corona discharge each of a finger of the patient show a voltage-dependent different jag length of the surrounding the finger discharge star.

To produce images that are easier to reproduce, all the patient's fingers and toes are simultaneously photographed. It has been shown that the reproducibility of the photo by simultaneously recording the large number of fingers and toes according to Fig. 15 is increased. The photo in Fig. 15 has been recorded on photo paper.

In Fig. 16 a digital photo is shown on which corona discharges of all ten fingers of the patient are recorded simultaneously. The quality of the digital photos is even higher than that of the photos on photo paper according to Figure 15 ,

Fig. 17 shows the schematic structure of a Tesla transformer HT according to the invention. Two E-shaped ferrite legs 80 are placed against each other while maintaining three air gaps 81 between the respective opposite leg ends. The two middle legs are inserted into the open ends of a tube 82, along which initially the primary coil 83 is applied with a winding number of about 80 windings. The primary coil 83 additionally taps at 30 and 60 windings. Over the primary windings 83, an insulating layer is pulled and then the secondary coil 84 is applied with a winding number of about 3740 windings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Kirliandiagnose device

11

shield

20

wooden stand

30

sensor plate

31

outer protective layer

32

glass plate

33

Current conducting layer

34

inner protective layer

35

bearing surface

40

shield

50

High-voltage unit

51

mains connection

52

Output voltage terminal

53

control connection

54

control connection

60

circuit

70

Block diagram

80

E-shaped ferrite legs

81

air gap

82

tube

83

primary coil

84

secondary coil

ED

decoupling diode

EW

decoupling resistor

FD

Freewheeling diode

gl

rectifier

HT

High voltage transformer / Tesla transformer

SK

Resonant circuit capacitor

sp

storage capacitor

Tr

Isolation transformer

TS

thyristor

Pt

potentiometer

ZSp

Interim storage capacitor

ZSP1

Interim storage capacitor

ZSP2

Interim storage capacitor

ZSp3

Interim storage capacitor

Claims (11)

Medical diagnostic device for recording corona discharges according to the Kirlian principle with
at least one sensor plate (30) with an outer, in a plane of the sensor plate (30) extending support surface (35) for fingers and / or toes of a patient and
with a current-conducting layer (33) running essentially completely through the plane of the sensor plate along the bearing surface (35), with a connection for a radio-frequency unit (50) for generating a field between the fingers and / or toes and the current-conducting layer ( 33)
and a current insulating layer (32) between support surface (35) and current conducting layer (33).
marked by
a on the sensor plate (30) directed releasable receiving device for the corona discharges, wherein
the sensor plate (30) extends transversely to the support surface (35) for wavelengths of the corona discharge generated by the field, and the sensor plate (30) is circulated by a conductive shielding electrode (40) which is circumferentially connected to the current conducting layer (33). Medical diagnostic device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the high voltage generator comprises a thyristor (TS), which switches a resonant circuit with Tesla transformer (HT) and the excited resonant circuit generates a decaying output voltage with a substantially constant frequency. Medical diagnostic device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the output voltage has a frequency without contact of the patient with the sensor plate (30) of about 35 kHz and voltage of about 25 KV Pk-Pk. A medical diagnostic device according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that the output voltage is a frequency upon contact of the patient with the sensor plate (30) of about 30 kHz and voltage of about 29 KV Pk-Pk. A medical diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4,
characterized in that at least one permanent latch capacitor (ZSp) is connected to the input of the thyristor (TS) and determines its input voltage and the output of the thyristor (TS) is electrically connected to the resonant circuit and the at least one permanent storage capacitor (ZSp) via the thyristor (TS) is dischargeable and stimulates the resonant circuit to vibrate. Medical diagnostic device according to claim 5,
characterized in that the thyristor (TS) is connected to a potentiometer (Pt) through which an ignition voltage of the thyristor (TS) is adjustable. Medical diagnostic apparatus according to claims 1 to 6,
characterized by a rectifier (GL) connected between an isolating transformer (Tr) and the at least one permanent latch capacitor (ZSp). Medical diagnostic apparatus according to claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that a plurality of intermediate storage capacitors (ZSp1, ZSP2, ZSp3) are switchable individually via a freewheeling diode (FD) parallel to a decoupling resistor (EW) switchable. Medical diagnostic apparatus according to claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the receiving device has a digital camera on the side facing away from the patient of the sensor plate (30). Medical diagnostic device according to claim 2 to 9,
characterized in that the high voltage unit (50) comprises a first control terminal (53) for a potentiometer and a second control terminal (54) for controlling a number of turns of the Tesla transformer (HT) and both control terminals (53, 54) with a Data processing unit are connectable. Medical diagnostic device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the shielding electrode (40) is formed in a cross section perpendicular to the circulation direction substantially circular.

Images