GB2285220A

GB2285220A - Ultrasonic anti-allergen apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2285220A
Application number: GB9411464A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gabriele Tombesi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-28
Filing date: 1994-06-08
Publication date: 1995-07-05
Also published as: GB9411464D0; ITVI930203A0; ITVI930203A1

Abstract

An apparatus generating a spatial protective and/or disinfestant barrier against allergens of biological nature or origin, e.g. microorganisms, cells and cells-agglomerates, by means of the emission of continuous ultra-sounds or wave trains (modulated) of ultra-sounds having inhibitory and/or inactivating and/or repellent effect on these allergens, consisting of an ultrasound-generating electronic circuit (fig. 1), placed into containers of chosen dimension and shape, depending on the use suitable to protect the circuit and to let the ultrasound be emitted outside. The containers can be of small dimension with simply artistic, jewellery or pendant aspect if the apparatus has to be fixed to the clothes or worn, or can have bigger dimensions with aspect for specific use if the apparatus is produced to make disinfestation of bigger items.

Description

ANTI-ALLERGEN BARRIER FOR ALLERGENS OF BIOLOGICAL NATURE OR ORIGIN Many species of little organisms, microorganisms, cells and cells agglomerates are universally acknwoleged as allergens for persons and/or animals, that means able to cause allergic attacks in sensitive subjects.

Usually the allergic attack breacks out when the allergens, their parts or, if organism, their metabolic products or dejections come in contact with the skin or when they are swallowed or, as in most cases, inhaled.

Till now the commonly used barrier-systems against these allergens have been mechanical types (i.e. special membrane or microporous wovens) or chemical types, meanwhile as disinfestation-systems have been used chemical systems or thermic treatments.

This invention consists in an electronic device generating a spatial pro tective and/or disinfestant barrier against these allergens, consisting in a ultrasonic field having an inhibitory and/or inactivating and/or repellent effect on them.

The advantages of this device are the great practical advantages given by the small dimensions, the semplicity of use and the long durability of the product, by the fact that the use of filters or not very comfortable materials is not needed, that there is no contact with toxic chemical products, that it is possible to use easily in any occasion, i.e. during a journey and in any other cases when an occasional disinfestation or protection is requested.

The apparatus may be constructed to emitt ultrasounds of fixed or adjustable frequency, with continuous or wave trains emission, at fixed or adjustable power.

If the apparatus emits ultrasounds within the lower frequency band and at low power it can be left constantly working near the point where the antiallergen barrier is needed (i.e. a small apparatus of small dimension made in the shape of a pendant for a necklace or of a brooch can be used to produce an efficient barrier near the external access to the respiratory organs).

If the apparatus emits ultrasound at higher frequency and higher power it can be used desultorily and only for the disinfestation-treatment of objects infested by allergens (i.e. blankets, pillows and cushions, mattresses, carpets, curtains and similars are universally acknowleged as allergens receptacles).

From a construction point of view the invention consists in an electronic circuit generating ultrasounds, continuos or at wave train, contained in a rigid container of different dimensions and shapes depending on its destination, suitable to contain and protect the circuit and at the same time to allow the ultrasound to be emitted outside.

An example of a container of simple type is reported in Fig. 2.

These devices may be of low power and small dimension, with aspect merely functional or artistic as pendent or brooch if it has to be fixed to the clothes or wom in any way, or it may be of higher power and bigger dimension, with aspect functional to its destination if the device is used for disinfestation.

The circuit may also be made by sections contained in separate containers to be connected together with flexible, rigid or extensible electric connectors.

An example of a circuit model, reported in the block diagram of Fig.1, consists in the following sections, which can be made with any available electronic technology suitable to the purpose: - Power supply - Oscillator - Frequency divider - Frequency modulator - Power amplifier - Ultrasonic transducer These sections can consist of or can be made with integrated circuits, each of them eventually containing two or more sections.

This example of circuit is only indicative, as it may be possible to make the apparatus with simplier circuits, where one or more of these functions cannot be present, as in the case in which emission of a fixed frequency and/or not modulate and very low power is required.

Apparatuses emitting wave trains or continuous emission, at fixed or adjustable frequency and power, can be built depending on the type or types of allergens must be opposed and on its destination.

The apparatus can be, eventually, operated by a timer for a discontinuous programmable use.

If a barrier is needed for a large spatial zone or to disinfest a large area with emission at low specific power, the apparatus can be made using as transducing section a battery of transductors emitting ultrasounds at lower frequency band and low power, adequately spaced and oriented in one, two or three directions, fed by the same circuit

Claims

CLAIMS 1) An apparatus generating a spatial protective and/or disinfestant barrier against allergens of biological nature or origin by means of the emission of continuous ultra-sounds or wave trains (modulated) of ultra-sounds having inhibitory and/or inactivating and/or repellent effect on these allergens.
2) An apparatus generating a spatial protective and/or disinfestant barrier against allergens of biological nature or origin, like little organisms, microorganisms, cells and cells-agglomerates, by means of the emission of continuous ultra-sounds or wave trains (modulated) of ultra-sounds having inhibitory and/or inactivating and/or repellent effect on these allergens, consisting of an ultrasound-generating electronic circuit, which can be made with any of the available electronic technology suitable for the purpose, placed into containers of different dimensions and shapes, depending on the use destination, capable to protect the circuit and to let the ultrasound be emitted outside. The emission can consists in ultrasounds of the lower frequency band and with low power, or of higher frequency and with higher power, depending on the type of application for which the apparatus is designed. The containers can be of small dimension with simply functional or artistic or jewel or pendant or brooch aspect if the apparatus has to be fixed to the clothes or anyway worn or anyway should answer to a certain aesthetic requirement, or can have bigger dimensions with aspect functional to its specific use if the apparatus is produced to make disinfestation of bigger extension.

The power supply can be of any type functional to the apparatus to be produced: for example, but not limited to, battery and cells of any nature, photovoitaic cells, rectifier circuits, external adaptor connected to main supply line.
3) An apparatus as claimed at point 2 of which the electronic circuit can be made also in separated sections contained in separated containers and to be connected together with flexible, rigid or extensible electric connectors.
4) An apparatus as claimed at points 1,2,3, emitting wave trains or continuous emission, at fixed or adjustable frequency and power, can be built depending on the type or types of allergens must be opposed and on its destination.
5) An apparatus as claimed at points 1,2,3,4 operated by a timer for a discontinuous and programmable use.
6) An apparatus as claimed at points 1,2,3,4,5 of which the transducing section is a battery of transductors emitting ultrasounds feeded by the same circuit, adequately spaced and oriented in a space of one, two or three dimensions.
7) An apparatus as claimed at points 1,2,3,4,5,6 having the circuit located into a container usually containing a different object or device, the parts of which may be or not present and working (for example, the ultrasound generating circuit is inserted inside a watchcase).