GB2336542A

GB2336542A - Immunity enhancing device

Info

Publication number: GB2336542A
Application number: GB9808488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adan Al-Killidar
Original assignee: MARBLE ARCH MEDICAL CENTRE LIM
Current assignee: MARBLE ARCH MEDICAL CENTRE LIM
Priority date: 1998-04-21
Filing date: 1998-04-21
Publication date: 1999-10-27
Also published as: GB9808488D0

Abstract

A medical device is provided comprising a housing 2 open at the first end 3 and terminating in a sealing member 8 in contact with the skin, said housing being closed at a second end with a vacuum generating apparatus 4, the apparatus being adapted to apply a negative pressure to the skin to generate a body trauma without causing pain or discomfort thereby to enhance the immunity of the human or animal body. The invention is used to increase immunity levels within the human body.

Description

2336542 Immunity Enhancing Device The present invention relates to a

device which can be used to potentiate the immune system without causing pain or 5 discomfort.

The immune system is the body's natural defence to infection. During an infection by bacteria or viruses or if the skin is broken it helps protect and cure the body. The immune system is often supplemented with antibiotic or topically applied antiseptic ointment compositions. These compositions are artificial and are not necessarily beneficial, so in some cases it is desirable to use nonpharmaceutical methods to treat infections.

Acupuncture, acupressure and homeopathy are currently available nonpharmaceutical procedures which treat infections and other ailments with varying success rates.

A boosted immune system helps the body to recover faster and better and also, it is alleged to help healthy people ward off infection and possibly other diseases such as cancer.

An object of this invention is to provide a method for boosting the immune system which is effective, quick and easy to use and does not require the expertise of a specialist.

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for increasing body immunity levels which comprises causing a trauma induced body reaction without causing pain or discomfort, thereby to raise immunoglobulin levels in the circulating system.

Conveniently the trauma is generated by applying a vacuum to a body part. The vacuum is sufficient to cause extravasation of blood cells from vessels in the skin and so results in the formation of a light haematoma without causing pain or discomfort. The vacuum should be applied for about 10 minutes every 1-2 months.

Conveniently the immunoglobulin is IgG. Although other immune response factors are also mobilised by the trauma, IgG is one of the most desirable measurable immune responses for warding off infection.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an immunity enhancing device, said device comprising a housing open at a first end and terminating in a sealing member for contact with the skin, said housing being closed at a second end with a vacuum generating apparatus, said apparatus being adapted to apply a negative pressure to the skin to generate a body trauma without causing pain or discomfort.

Conveniently the body trauma is a light haematoma which results in the body mobilising an immune response.

In a preferred embodiment the sealing member is a separable resilient annulus formed of a rubber or plastics material. As the sealing member is separable from the housing it can be changed after use. This is desirable if the device is being used commercially because it reduces the need for sterilisation of the equipment between patients. As the material is resilient it can form a tight seal between the housing and the skin, particularly if a sealant gel is used between the sealing member and the skin. The sealant gel may be a water- based gel such as those during an Ultrasound or a petroleum based gel such as VASELINES.

Preferably the vacuum generating apparatus is a vacuum pump in operative connection with the second end of the housing.

In use the vacuum pump is required to produce a vacuum in the housing while the first end is sealed onto the skin. The vacuum causes extravasation of blood cells from vessels in the skin and results in the formation of a haematoma without causing any pain or discomfort.

Conveniently the housing is generally frusto-conically or bell shaped. It is desirable that the shape of housing used has a diameter of up to 10cm. at the first end. This diameter is adequate to cause enough trauma to mobilise a sufficient immune response and to fit on to the back or a buttock of a patient. Preferably the first end is circular so that there are no corners which could puncture the skin while the housing is being held on the skin during vacuum treatment. If the housing is shaped so that it tapers from the first end to the second end less energy may be required to produce the required vacuum than if the sides are not tapered. Negative pressures of 0.990 to 0.06 atmospheres or even down to 0.6 atmospheres are often appropriate.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the following Example and the accompanying Figure.

The Figure shows a diagrammatic vertical cross-section of the immunity enhancing device and is described with reference to the Example.

with reference to the Figure an immunity enhancing device 1 has a main body 2 which generally has an inverted-brandyglass-shape. The main body 2 is formed from a clear material which can withstand the relatively small negative pressure, for example "perspex". The first end 8 of the main body 2 is open at 3 while the second end 7 is sealable by a vacuum generating apparatus 4. The vacuum generating apparatus 4 comprises an electronic suction pump with a vacuum pressure indicator, a vacuum control knob and a vacuum release button (not shown). Abutting the vacuum generating apparatus is a one-way valve 5 associated with the vacuum release button.

The open end 3 of the main body 2 terminates at its first end 8 in a resilient annulus 6. The resilient annulus 6 is formed from a rubber or plastics sealant material.

In use the open end 3 is placed on the patient's skin (not shown) The area of patient's skin used is the buttocks or the back. If the patients skin is hairy a sealant gel such as VASELINEO or an ultrasound gel can be used to increase the efficacy of the seal. The vacuum generating apparatus is then switched on and a vacuum is created in the main body 2 of the immunity enhancing device 1 by creating a vacuum via the one way valve 5. once the desirable vacuum pressure level, preferably 0.990-0.06 atm, has been reached the electronic suction pump can be switched off. After 10 minutes the vacuum can be released via the vacuum release button to allow the pressure to equilibrate. While the main body 2 is under negative pressure the skin sealing the open end 3 is traumatised painlessly. The trauma takes the form of extravasation of blood cells which results in the formation of a mild haematoma and/or redness of the skin area covered. The treatment is repeated at intervals of 1 to 2 months.

Example

A sample of blood was taken from a patient before treatment and the haematology, immunology and biochemistry of the blood was determined (see Table 1). The immune enhancing device 1, as described in Figure 1, was then placed on the back of the patient and a vacuum was created for 10 minutes. Two days 35 after treatment another blood sample was taken from the patient and the haematology, immunology and biochemistry of the blood was again determined (see Table 1). As expected levels of immunologically significant peptides were raised which indicated that the patient"s body had mobilised an 5 immune response.

The enhanced immunity resulting from the use of the immunity enhancing device 1 therefore raised the bodyys immune response and hence speeded up recovery and healing of wounds. It also helps the patient fight viral or bacteria infections and other diseases.

Table 1

Concentrations In The Blood Immunological Factors Before Treatment After Treatment (Units) Neutrophils (109/1) 3.71 4.56 IgG (g/1) 10.6 12.2 IgA (g/1) 2.25 2.5 Igm (g/1) 1.7 1.5 It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated shows an application of the invention in one form only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied in a different configuration; the detailed changes being straightforward to those skilled in the art. For example the immunity enhancing device could be an open-ended right cylinder or frusto-conically shaped. The invention 30 relates therefore to a method for immunological enhancement, and to an apparatus for generating the same.

Claims

1. A method for increasing body immunity levels which comprises causing a trauma induced body reaction without causing pain or discomfort, thereby to raise immunoglobulin levels in the circulating system.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the trauma is generated by applying a vacuum to a body part.

3. A method according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the body trauma is a haematoma.

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the immunoglobulin is IgG.

5. An immunity enhancing device, said device comprising a housing open at a first end and terminating in a sealing member for contact with the skin, said housing being closed at a second end with a vacuum generating apparatus, said apparatus being adapted to apply a negative pressure to the skin to generate a body trauma without causing pain or discomfort.

6. A device as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying figure.

6. An immunity enhancing device according to claim 5 wherein the body trauma is a haematoma.

7. An immunity enhancing device according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the sealing member is a separable resilient annulus formed of a rubber or plastics material.

8. An immunity enhancing device according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the vacuum generating apparatus is a vacuum pump in operative connection with the second end of the housing.

9. An immunity enhancing device according to any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the housing is generally frusto-conical or bell shaped.

10. An immunity enhancing device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figure.

(Z Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A device comprising a housing open at a first end and terminating in a sealing member for contact with the skin, said housing being closed at a second end with a vacuum generating apparatus, said apparatus being adapted to apply a negative pressure to the skin to generate a body trauma without causing pain or discomfort:

characterised in that the device is adapted to enhance the immunity of the human or animal body.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the body trauma is a haematoma.

3. A device according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the sealing member is a separable resilient annulus formed of "a-., rubber or plastics material.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein th(' vacuum generating apparatus is a vacuum pump in operative.. connection with the second end of the housing.

5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the housing is generally frusto-conical or bell shaped.