APPARATUS FOR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENTS
The present invention reltes to an apparatus and relevant method for therapeutic treatments.
More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus of the above kind, and the relevant method, by the application of acoustic waves and/or electric pulses, and/or ozone and/or negative ions and/or luminous radiation and/or music-therapy. Still more specifically, the invention concerns and apparatus and a method of the above kind based on the cutaneous and endo- tissue induction of low frequency acoustic waves by mechanic oscillations made in a pressurised atmosphere enriched with ozone and negative ions in presence of local bio-stimulation with differentiated wave lenght.
The solution suggested according to the present invention comprises a multifunction apparatus, and the relevant method, absolutely innovative that can be validly and efficiently used for phisiotherapy, motive rehabilitation, pain therapy, angiology and sport and aesthetic medicina under very safe and reliable conditions.
These and other results are obtained according to the present invention by an apparatus comprising in combination, all or some of the following components:
1 . an acoustic wave generator, with fixed or variable or music frequency;
2. a pressurised Ozone generator;
3. a negative ion generator in a pressurised atmosphere flow;
4. a monochromatic luminous radiation generator at 590 nm or 635 nm and at 940 nm;
5. a music generator;
6. an electric signal generator for neuro-muscular stimulation.
It is therefore specific object of the present invention an apparatus for therapeutic treatments, comprising, in combination, two or more of the following sections:
1 . a section for the generation of acoustic waves, with fixed or variable or music frequency;
2. a section for the generation of pressurised Ozone;
3. a section for the generation of negative ion in a pressurised atmosphere flow;
4. a section for the generation of monochromatic luminous radiation;
5. a section for the generation of music;
6. a section for the generation of electric signal for neuro- muscular stimulation.
Preferably, according to the invention, in said section for the generation of acoustic waves a frequency wave between 1 6 and
1 6,000 Hz, preferably lower than 500 Hz is generated.
Preferably, according to the invention, said section for the generation of acoustic waves provides a support body, comprised of an open cylinder; on a face of the body being glued a rubber membrane, centrally stiffened by the application of two plastic discs, one of which, namely that provided toward the opening of the body, has a conical shape, to limit the volume of the compression chamber comprised of the space between said disc and the head, on the top of said head being applied an outlet manicotto coupled with a flexible tube, and at a second outlet manicotto, for the connection with a transducer.
Particularly, according to the invention, said transducer is comprised of a frontally open plastic cylinder.
Preferably, according to the invention, said transducer provides Laser and/or not Laser photo-emitters.
Particularly, said Laser photo-emitters are gallium arsenurio Laser diodes.
Still according to the invention, said transducer can comprise a handle. Said acoustic wave generator will preferably be of the elctromechanic kind, operated by crank and connectiig rod motor, or by a electromagnetic system comprised of a solenoid integral with said disc, fixed at the rear, and of a fixed magnet, in each case being provided a pilot electronic control. Preferably, according to the invention, said ozone is generated using an outflow obtained by corona effect, feeding electrodes contained within a glass tube, through which air or oxigen
is let passing at a pressure sligthly hogher than the atmospheric pressure.
Furthermore, according to the invention, said negative ion generation section is included in said pressurised ozone generation section.
Still according to the invention, said monochromatic luminous radiation generation section is preferably comprised of gallium arsenurio photo-emitters having differentiated wavw Iwnght, usually with yellow or red light and an infrared emission, respectively at 590 nm or at 635 nm in the visible and at 940 nm in the infrared.
Furthermore, according to the invention, said section for the generation of music provides an acoustic wave generator, fed by a music amplifier having suitable power and piloted by a CD driver or by a magnetic tape driver, or by another music source. Still according to the invention, said section for the generation of electric signal for neuro-muscular stimulation provides a generator assembly for currents suitable to electrotherpeutic treatments, and comprises a tension supply-elevatore, an electric pulse generated controlled by a microprocessor, a program selector with a display, amplifiers and adjusters in a number corresponding to the number of outlets that are provided in the apparatus, instruments to measure the signal provided at the different outlets.
Furthermore, according to the invention, said generator assempbly can control both the electro-stimulation functions and the acoustic wave functions, since most treatments carried out usually have the two functions correlated each other.
The invention further relates to a method providing the use of the apparatus described in the above.
Analysing now the different sections of the apparatus, and of the method, according to the invention, it can be noted that the acoustic wave is applied on the part to be treated by a suitable resonating cavity, thus inducing in the tissue a synchronous vibration having the frequency of the same wave. Said vibration is sufficiently intensa to extend through the adjacent zone, and, according to the frequency used and to the application mode used, determines bio- phisiological effects of different, according to the phollowing scheme:
• very low frequencies, 1 6 - 25 Hz: have a very decontratturante ation;
• low frequencies, 25 - 50 Hz: have a decontratturante, analgesic, drenante action; • natural resonance frequenciy, 50 Hz: has a strong decontratturante and antalgic action;
• medium frequencies, 51 - 1 00 Hz: have an action on the muscular tone and trofismo, conditioning of the motive memory, rehabilitation; • medium - high and high frequencies, beyond 100 Hz up to 2 kHz: this is an experimental field, bringing to a possible conditioning of receptors and neurotransmitters of pain. Within the low and very low frequency range, acousti wave, by the produced vibration, has a remarkable drenante action both at the venous and linphatic level, thus allowing the fast reabsorbing of edemi and ematomi. Further, it allows to treat venous ristagno conditions, particularly for lower limbs, due to cinsufficency of circulation, or more simply by long standing stasi. An important property of the acoustic wave is that of not causing damages to the surface capillary vasi, since vibration of the tissue is induced by resonance and thus there is no contact with moving mechanical elements.
However, in order to adapt the treatment to particular capillary fragility cases, the system can be provided with a power reducer, that has no influence on the wave frequency, that is always constant on the preset value. Effects of the acoustic wave can be increased, in particular pathologic situations, by the two following iperbaric, ozone and negative ion sections. Within the frequency range included between 51 and 1 00
Hz, interesting results are noted in the treatment of muscle-schelectric apparatus and particularly for the restituzione of the muscular tone and the powering also at at the fatigue resistance level. Treatment can be used for the rehabilitation of subjects having central origine lesioni. Frequency range beyond 100 and up to 2000 Hz should be used for the treatment of pain of different origine through suitable methodology.
The section for the generation of pressurised ozone allows to obtain vibration of the tissue in a pressurised environment with a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. Higher pressure does not prevent the return phase of the tissue during the vibration, but even promotes the propagation of teh acoustic wave, esaltando its action, and further promotes the ozone penetration, when this section is activated.
Ozone section directly transforms oxigen from air into O3 by a obscure dicharge system that can be polirised thus giving the possibility of enriching said gas with negative ions. Ozone has in the treatment remarkable functions for its antispetic and strongly oxigening properties. It is introduced by trans-cutaneous way using the pumping effect caused by the fast succession of the opening and closure moments of the pores due to the acoustic vibrations and to the iperbaric pressurisation.
As to the section for the generation of negative ions, it provides to input in the acoustic circuit a pressurised negative ion flow. As it is known, ions are atoms to which an electron has been added or subtracted, thus creating a negative ion having an additional electrone or a positive ion, if it is subtracted. According to their polarisation, ions produce on the man-kind different effects: positive ions really give not wished effects, such as irritabilita, nervosismo, tireness, more or less reduction of the immunitary defenses, while negative ions, on the contrary, cause distensione of the psycho- phisycal sphere, buon umore, better resistance to the fatigue, improve the immunitary potential and are able to exploit a remarkable germicid actio, so that they can be usefully applied for differentdermatologic pathologies.
Coming now to take into consideration the effects of the section for the generation of monochromatic luminous radiation, the simultaneous presence of two wave lenghts is basic for the system since, by the interaction of the two wave lenghts, a third wave lenght is generated in the irradiated tissue, by the interaction of the two wave lenghts, due to the eterodina known phenomenon, said third wave lenght corresponding to the difference ot the two frequencies, or to the sum of the two frequencies.
The third wave lenght, included between 1 550 and 1 600 nanometers, coresponds to the human infrared wave lenght, and thus is perfectly biocompatible.
This kind of of treatment exercises a remarkable mitocondrial activity, accelerating the transformation of ADP into
ATIP, increase the cellular methabolism and the change of the interstitial intercellular liquids, promotes the microcirculation, power the immunitary activity, promotes the cutaneos lesioni guarigione, exerts an anti-inflmmatory actio on the cutaneous, muscular and nervous tissue, and increases the pain treshold level, thus being a not- invasive analgesic.
The section for the generation of music allows to apply modulated sound waves in a suitable way according to set schemes, that can be musical brani suitably composed or adapted. It is known that music, beyond by the ears, is listened by the body, and it is perhaps for this reason the youg people prefer listening at very high volume, since, without being aware of it, perceive acoustic waves on the body, and it is further known the effect of music on various pathologies, mainly psycho-phisycal pathologies, so as to justify the introduction in the medicine field of music-therapy.
Method suggested according to the present invention allows the listening of modulations or music by the ear directly from a loudspeaker or better from headset and through the body by the same transducers used to apply s fixed frequency acoustic wave. To this kind of cutaneous music-therapy it is associate dthe biophotonic musictherapy, employing the visible and infrared light photoemitters provided into the transducers that, in the specific case, are fed by the music power instead that by direct current or by fixed frequency pulse current.
Nervous system is aimed to assolve all the perception, motive and control functions, and in the perception function range a remarkable attention is paid to the radiation within the visible light band and in the two adjacent bands of infrared and ultraviolet. Nervous cell specialises in preceiving such electromagnetic waves, codifying, interpreting an using the same in different ways in the various enviromental conditions. Through the eye, vision phenomenon
is realised and by the neuroreceptors distributed all along the body heat and cold perception occurs, but other kinds of messages, always connected to the electromagnetic radiations, are produced at the inconscious level since they do not produce sensorial stimulations, but they also determine biochemical and photoelectric phenomenons. For these reasons, musical kind messagee can be employed that, if not directly evident in the perception and phisiologic effects, surely contribute in the synergism between auricolare and cutaneous musictherapy. Electric signal generator plays a very important role, since one of the primary functions of the apparatus according to the invention is that of obtaining neuro-muscular tonification and condictining by the acoustic induction on a muscle subjected to an isometric condition, it i understood that the contraction of the muscle is the essential condition to reach the wished rsult. Isometric contraction condition can be, obviously, easily obtained voluntarily, but the following conditions can occur:
• the subject does not know if he has to maintain the contraction condition all along the treatment; • the subject does not properly know how to make the required contraction;
• the subject cannot voluntarily make the wished isometric contraction.
In all the above cases it has been individuated the utility of implementing this section, by which an efficient isometric contraction condition can be obtained in an absolutely autonomous and involuntary and proper way all along the treatment, with the further possibility of carrying out the same treatment according to different modes and protocols even during the therapy. The presence of the electrostimulation section further extends the possibility of application of the apparatus according to the invention, since it can be used also alone, by the various programs provided, and thus it can be used for all the treatments for which electrotherapy is indicated, included neuromuscular motive rehabilitation treatments. T.E.N.S., limphatic drenaggio and ionoforesi.
The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments,
with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure is a section view of the structure of the acoustic wave generator and of the acoustic transducer; figure 2 particularly shows the acoustic transducer; figure 3 is a view similar to the view of figure 2 of the acoustic transducer; figure 4 is a front view of the transducer of figures 2 and 3; figure 5 is a further view of an acoustic transducer; and figure 6 is a block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention.
Observing first the figures of the enclosed drawings, and particularly figure 1 , it is shown a section of the structure of the acoustic wave generator and of the acoustic transducer of the apparatus according to the invention.
Acoustic wave generator provides a support body 1 , comprised of an open cylinder; on a face of the body 1 being glued a rubber membrane 2, centrally stiffened by the application of two plastic discs 3, one of which, namely that provided toward the opening of the body 1 , has a conical shape, to limit the volume of the compression chamber comprised of the space between said disc 3 and the head 4.
Thanks to the elasticity of the rubber membrane 2 supporting them, discs 3 can oscillate in a direction perpendicolar to their own main extension plane, in the two directions indicated by arrow 9.
On the top of the head 4 it is applied an outlet manicotto 5 ensuring the coupling of the generator with a transducer 8 by a flexible tube 6, and a further outlet manicotto 7. Transducer 8 is comprised of an plastic cylinder, open on one of its basis, while other base is coupled with said manicotto 7.
Observing now also figures 2 - 5, it can be observed the specific structure of the transducer 8.
Figure 2 shows the positioning the the Laser or not Laser kind photemitters that can be provided in the acoustic transducer. By the numeral reference 1 1 it is indicated the housing suitable for the gallium arsenurio Laser diodes.
In figure 4, the same transducer 8 is shown frontally. Radial holes 1 1 houses Laser diodes 1 2, while the central one 1 3 allows the exit of the acoustic wave.
In the embodiment shown in figure 3, holes 1 1 are differentiated to allow the use at the same time of Lased diodes 1 2 and of not Laser diodes 1 4.
In the embodiment of figure 5, a handle 1 5 has been applied to the transducer 8 to make its use easier.
In figure 6 it is shown a block diagram of the whole apparatus.
By the references A, B, C, D and E are, respectively indicated, the fixed or variable acoustic wave generator A, with the relevant control and feeding circuits, the Ozone and negative Ions generator B, the music generator C, comprised of the acoustic generator and of the music drivers with the relevant amplifiers and adjusters, the electrostimulation unit D, with the relevant controls. The latter unit D is not connected with the transducer, but it is provided with its own applicative electrodes.
By the numeral reference 1 6 it is indicated the T shaped collector, allowing to the acoustic signals and to the Ozone - negative Ions mixture to reach the transducer 8.
Connectio 1 7 transduces electric signals generated and processed by Laser block E to the transducer 8, while the couplings 18 and 1 9 connects the acoustic wave generator A and the Ozone and negative Ions generator B with the T shaped collector.
As it can be clearly noted evaluating the drawings, the apparatus according to the invention provides five single blocks, each one of which has a specific function.
Block A has the main function since it is the acoustic wave generator, function on which all the system is based. Inside the same, two sub-sections are present, the electromechanic generator and the pilot electronic circuit.
Electromechanic generator, described in detail with reference to figure 1 , resemble the structure of a loudspeaker, since it is comprised of an elastic membrane 2, made centrally rigid by the disc
3, in such a way to be able to oscillate in the two directions perpendicular with respect to its own axis (arrow 9) . The motion can
be provided by a crank and connectiig rod motor, or by a electromagnetic system comprised of a solenoid integral with said disc 3, fixed at the rear, and of a fixed magnet.
The motor system represents a very efficient and ecnomic osolution, but it can generate only fixed frequencies, depending on the number of revolutions, each revolution of the motor corresponding to a complete oscillation of the membrane 2, and thus to a haertz referred to the generated acoustic wave.
On the contrary, the reluctance elctromagnetic device, due to its very low inertia, is able to adapt in real time to the frequency variations of the feed current and thus is able to provide at the outlet acoustic waves both with fixed frequency and with modulated frequancy.
As already said, a hollow head is justapposed with respect to the membrane 2, glued on the fixed body 1 , said head 4 being attraversata by the outlet manicotto 5, serving to collect the acoustic signal produced by the oscillation of the disc 3 and to transfer it to the transducer 8 through the flexible tube 6.
If the amplitude of the generated acoustic signal is sufficiently high with respetc to the power necessary for each transducer, by each generating unit different transducers can be fed, providing the corresponding number of outlet manicotti on the head 4.
Pilot electronic circuit must be provided both in case the motor solution is adopted and in case the reluctance solution with movable solenoid and fixed magnet is adopted.
In the first case, it will be very simply a speed adjuster - stabiliser, in such a way to constantly obtain the frequency of the acoustic wave.
The case of the reluctance generator is more complex. It sis based on a square or sinusoidal symmetric wave generator, wherein both the positive semi-waves and the negative semi-waves are present, do that the membrane of the same generator can make its oscillation according to the two directions with respect to the central or rest point. Electric central produced is then suitably amplified and sent to the solenoid of the generator. Obscillator can be of the fixed or
programmable kind, or it can be replaced by a music generator, CD driver or music cassette driver, in case the music therapy is chosen.
The acoustic transducer 8 is comprised of a stiff rigid material, preferably comprised of not metallic material, open in correspondence of one of the two basis. Entrance manicotto 7 attraversa the closed base or the side of the cylinder to ensure the passage of the acoustic wave. Transducer 8 can be also comprised according to different embodiments, for example provifing the adoption of biophotostimulating diodes or of Laser souces, and can have a handle.
Block 8 comprises the functions of the sections respectively for the generation of Ozone and of negative Ions in a pressurised atmosphere.
Ozone is generated using an outflow obtained by corona effect, feeding the electrodes contained within a glass tube through which air or Oxigen is let passing at a pressure slightly higher than teh atmospheric one.
Electric feeding is ensured by a high frequency transformer and by a Tesla transformer. Only the negative semi-waves are taken from the outlet, and in this way a Ozone and negative Ion flow is obtained. T shaped collector 1 6 connetcs on one side the tubular connection 1 9 arriving from the block B and from the other side with the tubular connection 1 8 arriving from the acoustic wave generator. However, Ozone and negative Ions can be generated separately employing different methods with respect to the one described and make suitably converging toward the collector 1 6.
Block E of the music section is used when the programs involving the cutaneous music therapy are provided.
It includes an acoustic wave generator, as shown in figure 1 , fed by a music amplifier with suitable power piloted by a CD driver of magnetic tape driver or by every other kind of music source.
Furthermore, feeding and piloting circuits are provided (not shown) for the biophotostimulation and Laser sorces provided in the acoustic transudcers. Connection is independent for each single transducer, so that this block has outlet prese in number corresponding to the number of the transducers provided by the machine.
Sectiond D is comprised of an assembly generating currents adapted to electrothepeutic treatments, and provides a tension feeder
- increasing device, since the feeding at this section, due to safety resons snd to respect the present rules, is made at 1 2 V D.C. or by a 12 V rechargeable battery, an electric pulse generator controlled by a microprocessor, a program selection with the relevant display, amplifiers and adjusters in a number corresponding to the number of outlets that are provided in the apparatus, instruments to measure the signal provided at the different outlets. The same assembly can control both the electro-stimulation functions and the acoustic wave functions, since most treatments carried out usually have the two functions correlated each other.
In the following, a presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention will be described. The most delicate part of the apparatus is comprised of the acoustic wave generator, both for the various problems relevant to its mechanic structure and since the oscillating parts, and particularly the elastic membrane 2, are subjected to the corrosive action of ozone.
In the realisation of the apparatus, it must be put much attention to the choice of the materials, mainly to king of rubber chosen, that must at the same time allow a large axial elasticity, indeformability in the diametral direction and resistance to the chemical agents, particularly, as already said, to Ozone.
As to the movement, in case the crank and connecting rod system operated by an electric motor is adopted, there are not particular difficulties, but a limited system is obtained due to the fact that, being the generated frequence directly proportional to the motor speed according to the ratio F = rpm/1 60, wherein F is the frequency and rpm is the number of revolutions per minute of the motor. Thus, if it is easy obtaining 50Hz from a motor at 3000 rpm, it is critical to reach 100 Hz, since 6000 rpm must be reached, thus causing heat, noise and vibration problems, and the situation is even worse in case 1 00Hz must be passed.
Further, being the electric motor a very high cinetic speed device, it has very long tempi di risposta with respect to the speed variations, due to the flywheel effect opposed by the rotor, and thus it
does not allow to suitably modulate the frequency of the acoustic wave.
These considerations seem to make preferable the magnetic reluctance system. A solenoid integral with the disc on the opposite side of the generator head is the movable part of the system, while the fixed part is comprised of a large power permanent magnet: by the effect of the magnetic field generated by the solenoid, it will be attracted or respinto by the magnet according to the polarity of the current feeding the same solenoid. Making alternatively changing the polarity of the feeding current, solenoid will ritmicamente move avanti e indietro in synchronism with the frequency of the feeding current.
The higher is the frequency of the feeding current, higher will be the frequency of the generated acoustic wave.
Possibility of producing mechanic obscillations with relatively high frequency create a further problem, the mechanic inertia, connected to the weight of the movable part comrpised of the membrane - bobina group. Thus it is evident the need of employing materials having suitable lightness and robustezza features.
Commection wires between the bobina and the static part, being subjected to wide oscillations all along its operation, must be resistant and flexible, paying also attention to the insertion point between these connections and the outlet terminals of the bobina, to prevent disconnessioni or interruption in the welding point.
Last, but not less important feature of the system is the slidability of the bobina within the magnetic group. In fact, since it moves within an annular space only some tenth larger than the same bobina, if the maximum care is not put when making the centering, a strofinio against the magnet will occur, and as a consequence of the friction between the two parts, loss of power will occur and a fast and irreversible deterioration of the movable parts.
Ozone and negative ion generator has a static structure and thus does not require particular mechanical tricks for its realisation.
Particular care must be put on the insulating elements since to operate tension between 10 and 1 5 kV are required, even if with very low intensity.
Thus it is necessary that said group is perfectly insulated and prodided with solutions to guarrantee the maximum safe.
Finally, since a section of the apparatus according to the invention must be electrically connected directly with the body of the patient, it must be guarranteed a suitable insulation between the electric supply and the electronic circuits by the use of double galvanic insulation transformes or by other systems that can include the use of rechargeable batteries and photocouplers.
The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.