GB2356137A

GB2356137A - A therapeutic flotation system

Info

Publication number: GB2356137A
Application number: GB0023820A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Czik
Original assignee: FINDERS INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: FINDERS INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-29
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-28
Also published as: GB9923067D0; GB2356137B; GB0023820D0

Abstract

A therapeutic flotation system comprises a bath (1), means (4, 5 and 7) for circulating a therapeutic flotation medium through the bath, and means (8) external to the bath for filtering the medium. The bath (1), the circulating means (4, 5 and 7), and the filtering means (8) are all adapted to resist the chemical action of the constituents of the medium. The therapeutic flotation medium is preferably Dead Sea Water.

Description

2356137 A therapeutic Dead Sea water flotation system This invention

relates to a therapeutic flotation system, and in particular to such a system which uses Dead Sea water as the flotation medium.

The therapeutic benefits of floating in the Dead Sea are well known. Dead Sea water contains a large percentage of dissolved salts as well as some insolubles.

Typically, Dead Sea water includes 31 to 35% of magnesium chloride, 24 to 28% of potassium chloride, 3 to 8% of sodium chloride, 0.1 to 0.5% of calcium chloride, as well as relatively small amounts of bromides, sulphates and insolubles. Typically, the actual water content is only 32 - 38%. As a consequence of the high percentage of dissolved salts, Dead Sea water constitutes a medium in which any one can float.

Moreover, the dissolved salts have the remarkable ability to attract and retain moisture, which is an important factor in maintaining a healthy skin. Also, flotation in Dead Sea water can counter the hormonal and metabolic imbalances which result from the ever increasing pace of urban life, combined with stressful working conditions. Floating in Dead Sea water can, therefore, be a source of health, regeneration and relaxation. The chemical compounds contained in Dead Sea water can be utilised to reconstitute lost elements in our bodies. The holistic effect of such Dead Sea minerals on the body and the skin results in a healthy, glowing complexion and a relaxed state of mind.

The scientific documentation regarding the benefits of Dead Sea therapy can be summarised into three categories, namely psychosomatic disorders, skin disorders, and rheumatic aches and joint immobility. Under the psychosomatic category, the average content of bromine in Dead Sea water has a calming effect on the nervous system, and induces a deep sense of relaxation. The evidence suggests that people who bathe in Dead Sea water have fewer breathing difficulties, so that asthma sufferers benefit. It has also been reported that people with a nervous disposition benefit from a homeopathic dose of bromine through bathing and floating in Dead Sea water.

Having regard to skin disorders, for many years sufferers from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis have visited the spas and clinics on the shores of the Dead Sea to improve their skin conditions. Indeed, several health organisations (for example those in Germany and Sweden) have recognised this type of therapy as being useful and 2 effective, and have included this type of treatment as part of their national health services.

With reference to rheumatic aches and joint immobility, Dr I Machtey said, in a lecture at an International Seminar on Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases, that "48 of 62 patients under treatment (77.3%) said they had less pain. Improved mobility of the limbs treated was observed in 46 out of 56 patients (82%). No deterioration of mobility was noted.". Joint disorders, stiff muscles, sports injuries, can all be treated in a Dead Sea flotation environment, because the patient who is in pain and discomfort can float in Dead Sea water without motion and effort while, at the same time, obtaining relief from pain.

In order to obtain the benefit of floating in the Dead Sea without having to make a journey to the sea itself, it is known to provide flotation tanks containing artificial Dead Sea water, that is to say water to which the appropriate chemicals have been added.

Unfortunately, because of the corrosive nature of at least the sodium, potassium and magnesium salts, such Dead Sea water must be drained and discarded after a relatively short time of use. Moreover, known flotation tanks are enclosed, so that the user floats in unattractive closed and dark environment.

The present invention provides a therapeutic flotation system comprising a bath, means for cycling a therapeutic flotation medium through the bath, and means external to the bath for filtering the therapeutic flotation medium, wherein the bath, the cycling means and the filtering means are all adapted to resist the chemical action of the constituents of the therapeutic flotation medium.

In a preferred embodiment, Dead Sea water constitutes the therapeutic flotation medium.

Preferably, the system further comprises means for checking the chemical composition of the therapeutic flotation medium, and means for adjusting said chemical composition, and more preferably the checking means comprises means for checking the density, the pH level and the alkalinity of the therapeutic flotation medium, and means for checking the amount of free bromine in the therapeutic flotation medium, and the adjusting means comprises means for restoring the density, the pH level, the alkalinity and the free bromine level to predetermined levels.

3 Advantageously, the cycling means comprises a pump and pipes leading to and from the bath, and the pipes are made of polyvinyl chloride. The filtering means may be positioned downstream of the pump, and the system may further comprise isolation taps in the pipes leading to and from the bath.

Preferably, a cartridge filter constitutes the filtering means, the cartridge of the filter being made of paper.

In a preferred embodiment, the bath is made of fibreglass coated with a gel resistant to the chemical action of the constituents of the therapeutic flotation medium.

The system may further comprise a topping-up pipe for providing the bath with topping-up water, and a drain pipe for draining the bath.

Preferably, the system further comprises heating elements positioned within the walls of the bath. In this case, the system may finther comprise a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the therapeutic flotation medium, the sensor being linked to the heating means and to control means associated with the bath.

Advantageously, the system further comprises pneumatic switches associated with the bath for controlling lights within the bath, and lights around the bath.

The invention also provides a method of operating a therapeutic flotation system comprising a bath and means for cycling a therapeutic flotation medium through the bath, the method comprising the steps of.- 1) placing a predetermined volume of therapeutic flotation medium of a predetermined chemical composition in the bath; 2) after a first -predetermined number of treatment steps, cycling the therapeutic flotation medium from the bath, through filtration means external to the bath, and returning the therapeutic flotation medium to the bath; and 3) after a second predetermined number of treatment steps, testing the chemical composition of the therapeutic flotation medium and, if necessary, adding appropriate chemical constituents to restore the predetermined chemical composition.

Advantageously, the testing step includes testing the density, the pH level and the alkalinity of the therapeutic flotation medium and checking the amount of free bromine in the therapeutic Rotation medium.

4 A therapeutic flotation system constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure I is a schematic plan view of the system; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the system; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of part of the system; and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the electrical and pneumatic connections of the system; Referring to the drawings, Figure I shows a flotation system including a bath I which constitutes a flotation pool which, in use, contains Dead Sea water, that is to say water to which the appropriate Dead Sea salts have been added The bath I is positioned within a pool room R. The bath 1 is made from fibre glass coated with a Scottbeda 69 PA gel which has been post cured (that is say it has been oven baked).

The bath I is provided with an inlet 2 and a pair of skimmer outlets 3. Dead Sea water is supplied to the bath I via an inlet pipe 4 and the inlet 2, and Dead Sea water is removed from the bath via an outlet pipe 5 and the skimmer outlets 3. The pipes 4 and are made of polyvinyl chloride, and each has a diameter of 50 mm. A 25 min drain pipe 6, also made of polyvinyl chloride, leads from a drain (not shown) provided the base of the bath 1.

The pipes 4 and 5 lead to a pump/filter plant installation positioned in a plant room P adjacent to the pool room R. The plant installation includes a pump 7 and a main filter 8, the pump being positioned at the downstream end of the outlet pipe 5, and the main filter being positioned downstream of the pump. The pump 7 can be isolated from the pipe 5 by means of an isolator tap 9. The outlet of the filter 8 is connected to an inlet pipe 4 via a pipe 10 and an isolator tap 11. The pipe 10 incorporates a drain tap 12 for draining the pump/filter installation.

A topping-up pipe 13 is provided for topping up the bath I from a mains hot and cold supply (not shown). A topping-up filter 14 is provided in the pipe 13 downstream of the mains supply and upstream of a topping-up tap 15 which can be operated, in a manner described below, from the pool room R.

A pool temperature controller 16 and a switch box 17 are provided in the comer of the pool room R adjacent to the pump/filter installation. As shown in Figure 4, the temperature controller 16 and the switch box 17 are powered from a 240 volt ac mains supply 18, and the controller is connected to a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the bath 1 by means of a wire 19. The controller 16 is connected, by means of a wire 20, to heating elements (not shown) which are embedded in the fibreglass construction of the bath 1. A wire 21 is provided to power pool lights (not shown) with a 12 volt supply from the switch box 17. The switch box 17 supplies the pump 7 with a 240 volt ac power supply via a wire 22, the power supply being controlled via a switch (not shown) in the plant room P and a wire 23. Wires 24 and 25 connect the switch box 17 respectively to the main lights (not shown) in the pool room R, and to electric windows (not shown) in the pool room. The switch box 17 can be controlled by an occupant of the bath 1, via four pneumatic tubes 26a to 26d and four air switches 27a to 27d. The switch 27a and the tube 26a can be used to control the pool lights, the switch 27b and the tube 26b can be used to control the main lights of the pool room R, the switch 27c and the tube 26c can be used to control the electric windows, and the switch 27d and the tube 26d can be used to call a pool attendant.

The flotation system described above is specially designed to permit the use of a flotation medium such as Dead Sea water. In particular, all the pipes 4 to 6 which carry Dead Sea water to and from the bath I are made of polyvinyl chloride which is resistant to the corrosive salts contained in Dead Sea water. Moreover, the bath I is made of coated fibreglass, the fibreglass being more resistant to high temperatures than acrylic which is the standard material used for baths, and the coating is specially chosen to cope with the corrosive nature of Dead Sea salts. Moreover, the filter 8 is a cartridge type filter which has no internal metal components that can be corroded by the constituents of Dead Sea water, the cartridge itself being made of paper. The filter 8 is provided to remove the insolubles found in Dead Sea water. If these insolubles are not removed, the water in bath I soon becomes unsightly, taking on a yellow and scummy appearance. In order to facilitate removal of the cartridge of the filter 8 when this needs replacing, the filter is positioned with a sufficient free space thereabove to permit this.

The isolation taps 9 and 11 and the pump 7 are operated only when the Dead Sea water in the bath I needs to recirculate for filtration purposes. Although the frequency of recirculation obviously depends upon usage, it is expected that recirculation once a day will suffice to maintain the water in an attractive state.

6 The drain pipe 6 is used to drain the Dead Sea water from the bath I at the end of its useful life. Again, this will depend upon the extent of use, but is expected to be about six months.

The main purpose of the topping-up pipe 13 is to top up the bath 1 to replace water 5 lost when users getting in and out of the bath.

It is important to maintain the chemical composition of the Dead Sea Water at the required level. Accordingly, every morning before the flotation system is used, the following procedure should be followed:- 1. The density of the water is checked using a hydrometer. The specific gravity should be within the range 1. 10 to 1.20. If not, a sufficient amount of Dead Sea salts is added to bring the specific gravity into the required range. This ensures that the Dead Sea salt mixture is completely saturated, so that the user of the system will float easily on the surface of the water.

2. The amount of free bromine available in the pool is checked. This reading should be 8ppin and, if not, bromine tablets (bromo-chloro6, 5dimethylhydentoin) are added to raise the bromine level to that required. The required bromine level ensures that the water is free of bacteria.

3. The pH level of the pool is measured. The required pH level is about 7. 2 and, if not, sodium carbonate powder is added where an increase is required, and sodium bisulphate is added where a decrease is required.

4. The alkanity of the pool is checked. The required level is between 80 and 120 ppm, and sodium carbonate powder is added where it is necessary to increase the alkalinity.

The flotation system also requires a number of additional checks. In particular, filtration should occur between successive uses of the system. In this connection, 10 to 15 minutes of filtration is required, ensuring that the Dead Sea water is recirculated two to three times.

A visual check of the water in the bath can also be carried out from time to time, to ensure that the water is clear and there are no visible deposits. If the water is discoloured, 5mI of ethylenediamine tetracetic is added per 800 litres of Dead Sea water. Finally, to clear scum lines from the bath, a small amount of bicarbonate of soda 7 is used where the Dead Sea water has a tendency towards acidity. If the water tends towards to alkalinity, lemon juice is used instead.

It will be apparent that the flotation system described above has many advantages over known systems. In particular, its components are designed to resist the corrosive nature of Dead Sea salts, whilst adequately filtering the water to remove unsightly discolourations. Moreover, as opposed to known Dead Sea flotation systems, a user does not float in an unattractive closed and dark environment. Rather, the flotation pool of the invention is attractive and welcoming, like a large spa bath in a small room. The surrounding area can be softly lit, and the room can be heated to a comfortable temperature so there is no condensation on walls or ceiling. If customers want to float in the dark, this can be selected using the poolside air switches 27a and 27b. Customers can also choose to float with soft underwater light throwing patterns onto the ceiling of the pool room R.

Claims

8 Claims

1. A therapeutic flotation system comprising a bath, means for cycling a therapeutic flotation medium through the bath, and means external to the bath for filtering the therapeutic flotation medium, wherein the bath, the cycling means and the filtering means are all adapted to resist the chemical action of the constituents of the therapeutic flotation medium.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein Dead Sea Water constitutes the therapeutic flotation medium.

3. A system as claimed in claim I or claim 2, ftu-ther comprising means for checking the chemical composition of the therapeutic flotation medium, and means for adjusting said chemical composition.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the checking means comprises means for checking the density, the pH level and the alkalinity of the therapeutic flotation medium, and means for checking the amount of free bromine in the therapeutic flotation medium, and the adjusting means comprises means for restoring the density, the pH level, the alkalinity and the free bromine level to predetermined levels.

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the cycling means comprises a pump and pipes leading to and ftom the bath.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pipes are made of polyvinyl chloride. 7. A system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the filtering means is positioned downstream of the pump. 30 8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, ftu-ther comprising isolation taps in the pipes leading to and from the bath.

9 9. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, wherein a cartridge filter constitutes the filtering means.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cartridge of the filter is made of paper.

I I A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, wherein the bath is made of fibreglass coated with a gel resistant to the chemical action of the constituents of the therapeutic flotation medium.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 11, Ru-ther comprising a topping-up pipe for providing the bath with topping-up water.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, ftu-ther comprising a drain pipe for draining the bath. 14. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 13, fin-ther comprising heating elements positioned within the walls of the bath. 20 15. A system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the therapeutic flotation medium, the sensor being linked to the heating means and to control means associated with the bath. 25 16. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 15, ftuther comprising pneumatic switches associated with the bath for controlling lights within the bath, and lights around the bath. 17. A method of operating a therapeutic flotation system comprising a bath and 30 means for cycling a therapeutic flotation medium through the bath, the method comprising the steps of-- 1) placing a predeterniined volume of therapeutic flotation medium of a predetermined chemical composition in the bath; 2) after a first predetermined number of treatment steps, cycling the therapeutic flotation medium from the bath, through filtration means external to the bath, and returning the therapeutic flotation medium to the bath; and 3) after a second predetermined number of treatment steps, testing the chemical composition of the therapeutic flotation medium and, if necessary, adding appropriate chemical constituents to restore the predetermined chemical composition.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the testing step includes testing the density, the pH level and the alkalinity of the therapeutic flotation medium and checking the amount of free bromine in the therapeutic flotation medium.