RS20240787A1 - Method and device for activation of acupoints using a tesla coil by means of applying a ground connection - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for applying an electrical stimulus to an acupuncture point using an electrode connected to ground on a patient exposed to the emitted electromagnetic field of a Tesla transformer.  The intention of  the invention is increasing the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment, while making its use painless for the general population, and especially suitable for the pediatric population. The device can be used to relieve symptoms and pain caused by trauma, post-Covid 19 syndrome, for prevention of worsening of such symptoms, for the prevention and treatment of symptoms associated with depression and other psychiatric, neurological and developmental disorders, including major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease and autism. The device consists of a Tesla transformer (1) and an electrode or set of electrodes (6) connected to an electrical ground (4). The Tesla transformer (1) consists of a primary coil (1.a), a secondary coil (1.b), a feedback coil (1.c) and a control circuit (2). The system also includes a variable resistor (7), which regulates the radiation intensity of the Tesla transformer (1).

Description

[0001] PROCEDURE DEVICES FOR ACTIVATING ACUPUNCTURE POINTS USING A TESLA TRANSFORMER AND USING A GROUNDING CONNECTION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] This invention belongs to the field of acupuncture and applied electrical engineering. Generally, it refers to the non-invasive electrical activation of acupuncture points in contact with the skin of a mammal, via acupuncture points of interest on the mammal's body, and the process of stimulating those acupuncture points. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a Tesla transformer as a means of creating a variable electromagnetic field in the patient's body and then treating the patient by applying electrodes connected to the ground, to the skin at an acupuncture point of interest, in order to achieve a therapeutic or physiological effect.

[0007] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0009] How to structurally solve a device that would enable the procedure of treating a patient by applying electrodes connected to grounding, on the skin in an acupuncture point of interest, in order to achieve a therapeutic or physiological effect.

[0011] STATE OF THE ART

[0013] Acupuncture therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine and Daoist medicine therapy used in the treatment of simple and complex diseases and conditions by piercing acupuncture points with an invasive metal needle to facilitate the flow of energy through the meridians. The authors of this invention believe that acupuncture points are means for meta-programming the physiological state of a biological organism.

[0015] Recently, electro-acupuncture therapy has been used to improve the effect of traditional acupuncture therapy. Electro-acupuncture therapy is a method that combines traditional acupuncture therapy with electrical stimulation using an electrical stimulator.

[0016] In particular, electroacupuncture therapy is a therapeutic method by which, after inserting a metal needle into the skin, a clip is attached to the needle for transmitting electrical stimulation, which enables the application of electrical stimulation to the acupuncture point. This approach was used to elicit a stronger therapeutic response than would be achieved using needles alone.

[0018] This paragraph provides introductory information related to the disclosed invention, which does not necessarily represent prior art. The authors of this device could not find similar devices that correspond to the current technique, which consist in the passive application of radiation emitted by a Tesla transformer for therapeutic purposes, especially for acupuncture.

[0020] Electrical stimulation systems, such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) devices and EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) devices, can provide stimulating waveforms and electrical impulses to muscle groups and nerve areas of the body. Specifically, electrodes are used to send electrical impulses to specific areas of the human body to relieve pain.

[0022] Also, there are hand-held electro-acupuncture devices on batteries, which are impractical for the therapist to use, because they need to be constantly held in the hand during the treatment.

[0024] A TENS device, as defined by Korean Patent No. 10-1669181, consists of three main elements: (1) an electrical signal generator, which generates an electrical stimulating signal; (2) an electrode unit, which transmits said electrical stimulating signal generated by the electrical signal generator to the user via the electrode; and (3) connecting means, which connects the electrical signal generator to the electrode unit. The electrode unit includes a pair of ring-shaped contact points for electrical connection between the electrical signal generator and the electrode unit.

[0026] Additionally, all existing electro-acupuncture stimulators, including the aforementioned device, use a two-electrode or two-link configuration. In this configuration, one connection is an active electrode, while the other passive electrode is attached to an irrelevant part of the patient's body with no intended therapeutic use. This configuration is necessary to establish a circuit through which the electric current will flow and stimulate the acupuncture point. This electrical configuration it implies the existence of current inside the body between two electrodes, which can disrupt the body's internal energy system and reduce the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. In the invention shown here, there is no current flowing inside the body, and the flow of electricity occurs only between the surface of the skin where the acupuncture point with the electrode is located and the ground.

[0028] EXPOSITION OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The invention relates to a device for stimulating acupuncture points and a method of stimulating acupuncture points using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to an acupuncture point stimulation device used in traditional Chinese medicine or similar practices to facilitate the flow of energy through meridians, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with imbalances that can be regulated by stimulating acupuncture points using the procedure described below. Acupuncture points are important reaction sites located on the skin or muscles and are associated with a change in the physiological state of a human being or other mammals.

[0031] The procedure in this invention is based on the application of a grounded electrode, which is applied to the skin in the acupuncture point of the patient, exposed to the electromagnetic field of the device - the Tesla transformer, whose housing is also grounded. When a patient is placed near the secondary circuit (coil) of a powered Tesla transformer, a changing electromagnetic field will be generated inside the patient's body as a result of the radiation emitted from the Tesla transformer. An acupuncture electrode, connected by a ground cable, applied to the patient's skin will serve as a conductor between the patient's body and the ground. The electrical potential thus created by induction in the patient's body will be conducted to the ground through an acupuncture electrode that is electrically (directly) connected to the patient's skin. This flow of electrons, which occurs from the patient to the ground, will result in a profound therapeutic effect without negative effects.

[0032] The invention also relates to a device - a Tesla transformer, which serves to generate a variable electromagnetic field, necessary for the above-mentioned procedure of stimulating the patient's acupuncture points using a grounded electrode (or a set of electrodes, for several acupuncture points). The device is designed in such a way that it is adapted for the application of the described procedure: it generates oscillations of a high-frequency electromagnetic field, the strength of which can be adjust from 0 to 100% emission power and adapt to the patient to prevent unpleasant effects during the treatment. Also, the radiation emitted by the Tesla transformer can be further modulated by a low (audio) frequency signal, in order to improve the therapeutic effect.

[0034] In general, the invention represents a system consisting of a Tesla transformer operating at a frequency of 60 kHz, and an electrode or a set of electrodes connected to an electrical ground. Tesla's transformer consists of a primary coil (a turn of wire), a secondary coil, a return coil and a control circuit, which is housed in a grounded metal housing.

[0036] Note: For seconds, the coil of the Tesla transformer must be directly grounded (via a grounding device), while the control circuit in the metal housing, and also the electrodes can be grounded through the network grounding of the electrical installation in buildings.

[0038] The advantage of the invention is that the described method of stimulation of acupuncture points, using a grounded electrode, represents non-invasive electrical activation of acupuncture points in contact with the skin of mammals. Also, the passive application of radiation emitted by the Tesla transformer for therapeutic purposes, especially for acupuncture, has not been used so far.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention will be described in detail according to the attached drawing, on which:

[0044] Figure 1 shows a general schematic illustration of the system, including an overview of the electrical circuits.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the functionality of the system in stimulating acupuncture points.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the appearance and dimensions of the electrode.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Figure 1 shows a Tesla transformer 1, which consists of a primary coil 1.a, a secondary coil l.b and a return coil l.c. It also includes the control circuit 2, the audio amplifier and modulator 3, the mains ground of the control circuit 4, the direct ground of the secondary coil 5 and the ground electrode 6. The device also contains a variable resistor 7, which changes the voltage of the other grids of the electron tube, which regulates the intensity, i.e. the output power of the Tesla transformer. Also shown is the power supply unit 8.

[0053] The schematic representation of the Tesla transformer given in Figure 1 is a standard configuration (Armstrong oscillator) that uses a vacuum-electron tube (here a pentode) as a control circuit. The radiation emitted by the Tesla transformer causes a changing electromagnetic field in conductive objects in its vicinity. The human body is composed of water ranging from 45-65%, in addition to several electrolytes, including potassium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium ions, and others. The presence of water and electrolytes in the human body makes it a good conductor of electricity. Consequently, a changing electro-magnetic field will be induced in a human body placed near a switched-on Tesla transformer. This condition is used in the present invention as a means of stimulating acupuncture points, in order to achieve a therapeutic effect in accordance with the principles and models of traditional Chinese medicine.

[0055] The audio amplifier and modulator enable amplitude modulation of the main (carrier) frequency of the 60 kHz Tesla transformer, thus improving the therapeutic effect by applying known frequencies within a specific range (1-60 Hz). A specific signal can be generated by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a computer, connected to an audio amplifier and modulator. The computer program is then activated to generate a suitable signal with a specific frequency, which is fed through an amplifier and modulator to the control circuit of the described invention.

[0057] It is important to emphasize that the grounding of the Tesla transformer (marked in Figure 1 with number 5) must be a direct grounding, while the grounding of the acupuncture electrode (marked in Figure 1 with number 4) can be the grounding provided by the electrical network available in households and buildings.

[0058] The ground of the acupuncture electrode also serves as ground for the control circuit.

[0060] Figure 2 shows the Tesla transformer in operation 1, the patient 2 and the acupuncture electrode 3 connected to the patient and ground. In the context of electrical circuit theory, the concept of "ground" is typically thought of as an idealized infinite source or sink for charge, capable of absorbs an unlimited amount of current without affecting its potential. In this case, the electrode intended for application to an acupuncture point on the patient's skin is connected by means of a conductor to the ground. When a patient is placed near an on Tesla transformer, a changing electromagnetic field will be generated inside the patient's body as a result of the radiation emitted from the Tesla transformer. An acupuncture electrode applied to the patient's skin will serve as a conductor between the patient's body and the ground. The electrical potential thus created by the induction in the patient's body will be conducted to the ground through the acupuncture electrode which is electrically (directly) connected to the patient's skin. This flow of electrons, which occurs from the patient to the ground, will result in a profound therapeutic effect without negative effects. The current flowing through the conductor from the electrode to the ground has been measured and is in the milliampere range (0.1-1 mA), with a voltage in the range of 3-50 V. The intensity of the current depends on the intensity of the electromagnetic field of the Tesla transformer, the distance from it, the frequency of the electromagnetic field, the duration of exposure and individual sensitivity.

[0062] Figure 3 shows the shape of the acupuncture electrode and its dimensions. The electrode shown in Figure 3 is made of silver or any other suitable conductor of electricity which is also a durable alloy. The electrode can be attached to the patient's skin with simple medical tape and can be sterilized after each use. The electrode is circular in shape, with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. It is connected to a conductor that is connected to the ground at the other end. An electrode or a set of several electrodes is initially placed on the appropriate acupuncture points, chosen by the therapist, while the patient is placed in a relaxed state on the bed approximately 3-5 m from the Tesla transformer. Once the electrodes are attached to the patient's skin, the Tesla transformer can be activated. The Tesla transformer should be started with minimum power - the intensity of the electromagnetic field and its power may be increased until the patient reports discomfort. It is safe to say that there are no inherent risks associated with operating this device in this configuration. This is because the grounding of the electrode is separated from the grounding of the secondary coil of the Tesla transformer.

[0063] The idea of the invention is explained from the drawing and description of the invention, and its application is also considered. The invention can be modified within the framework of the patent claim: for example, the frequency of oscillations of the electromagnetic field of the Tesla transformer can be changed, and thus the dimensions of the secondary coil. Then, changes in the control circuit by choosing a different vacuum tube lead to a change in the emission intensity of the Tesla transformer, etc.

Claims (5)

1. PATENT CLAIMS 1. A device for stimulating one or more acupuncture points, indicated by this, consists of: a Tesla transformer (1) operating at a frequency of 60 kHz and an electrode or a set of electrodes (6) connected to an electrical ground (4) which are applied to the acupuncture points of a patient placed near said Tesla transformer while it is in operation. 2. The device according to patent claim 1, part of the Tesla transformer (1), consists of a primary coil (l.a), a secondary coil (l.b), a return coil (l.c) and a control circuit (2) composed of a vacuum electronic tube, as well as means for adjusting the intensity (power) of the emission of the electromagnetic field of the Tesla transformer (7), indicated by the applied low-frequency (audio) modulation of the carrier signal 60 kHz, emitted by Tesla transformer, is achieved by using the appropriate electronic circuit (3): amplifier and modulator, integrated with the control circuit (2) of the Tesla transformer, which improves the therapeutic effects of the system. 3. The procedure of stimulating one or more acupuncture points, indicated by that, includes exposing the patient to the emission of the electromagnetic field of the Tesla transformer (1). 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the electric potential induced in the patient's body by the mentioned Tesla transformer will, when the electrode (6) is connected to the electric ground (4), through that electrode applied to the acupuncture point on his body, cause a variable electric current in the same acupuncture point with the aim of its stimulation and corresponding therapeutic effects. 5. The method according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that it enables the treatment of a patient related to a physical or psychological condition, in particular for the mitigation, cure or prevention of cognitive impairment, prevention or treatment of cognitive decline associated with aging, prevention or treatment of depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, autism, post-Covid!9 syndrome, or their combination, which includes stimulation of one or more acupuncture points using the proposed method and device described herein.