WO2007042029A1

WO2007042029A1 - An ion transmitting device

Info

Publication number: WO2007042029A1
Application number: PCT/DK2006/000553
Authority: WO
Inventors: John F. Wetling
Original assignee: Iolife International Limited
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: EP1948306A1; JP2009509698A

Abstract

An electric ion transmitting device for treating a living object, the device comprising an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions, a radiation emitting element for directing a dose of electromagnetic radiation, e.g. light, in a direction, and a feedback structure which is adapted to determine an electrical current through a portion of the object. A method of treating an object with air-ions, the method comprising the steps of: locating the object in a support structure which is electrically isolated from ambient space; exposing the object to a controlled dose of electromagnetic radiation, and exposing the object to a controlled dose of air-ions.

Description

AN ION TRANSMITTING DEVICE

Introduction

The present invention relates to an air-ion transmitting device for treating a living object such as a human being. The device comprises an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions and at least one radiation emitting element for generating a dose of electromagnetic radiation.

Background of the invention

An air-ion transmitting device is known e.g. from WO98/50110 and from WO2004/012645. The latter describes a device comprising an ion generator and a feedback unit to monitor the exposure of charged particles.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the known devices and to facilitate an increased perception of the treatment.

Description of the invention

In a first aspect the present invention relates to an ion treatment device for treating a living object, the device comprising an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions, at least one radiation emitting element for generating a dose of electromagnetic radiation, and a feedback structure which is adapted to determine an electrical current through a portion of the object.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the combination of electromagnetic radiation and air-ions increases the effect of the treatment.

In the context of the present invention the term "ion treatment" shall be understood as a method of encouraging the body of a living object to promote natural healing and to improve functioning by exposing a predetermined surface area of the living object to electrical stimulation by means of air-ions. The living object may be a mammal such as a human being or an animal.

The air-ions may be generated with both positive and negative electrical charge. However, it may be an advantage to neutralise the positively charged air-ions and only to direct the negatively charged air-ions towards the object. The opposite situation, i.e. only to direct the positively charged air-ions towards the object may also apply. At least a part of the air-ions may be directed in a predetermined charging direction extending towards the living object. In one embodiment a substantial part of the ions are directed towards the living object such as at least 30 percent of the ions, such as at least 50 percent of the ions, such as 70 percent of the ions.

In one embodiment the generated air-ions may be directed towards an exposure zone of the living object, whereby the predetermined charging direction extends from the transmitting structure towards the exposure zone. In one embodiment the device is arranged to expose the exposure zone to at least a part of the generated air-ions and/or at least a part of the electromagnetic radiation, while in other embodiments the exposure to air-ions and electromagnetic radiation is limited exclusively to the exposure zone. The latter may be achieved by providing a shield adapted to shield surfaces of the living object other than the exposure zone from the air-ions and the electromagnetic radiation. Alternatively, the transmitting structure could be provided with a variable spreading of the air-ions, or a magnetic field could be used to control the direction of the air-ions from the transmitting structure towards the treated object.

The device according to the present invention may comprise a pointing device for directing visible light towards the exposure zone such that a user (e.g. a therapist) may be able to determine which area is exposed and to change the exposure zone to an area to be treaded. In one embodiment the pointing device forms part of the radiation emitting element such that at least a part of the radiation is visible to the human eye and indicates the exposure zone.

There may be provided at least one radiation emitting element such as two, three, four, five or ten radiation emitting elements. The radiation emitting elements may be adapted to emit radiation with identical intensity and at identical wavelengths. Alternatively, the radiation emitting elements are chosen such that they emit radiation at different wavelengths and/or intensities.

In one embodiment the transmitting structure may comprise an air-ion transmitting surface with at least one air-ion transmitter for transmitting the air-ions.

Furthermore, the electromagnetic radiation may be transmitted from areas located around the air-ion transmitter. Such areas may be positioned within the one meter of the air-ion transmitting surface, such as within half a meter or within 30 or 10 centimetres. There may be provided at least one radiation emitting element in the vicinity of the air-ion transmitting surface.

In one embodiment the radiation emitting elements and the air-ion transmitting surface form part of the same structure e.g. such that a surface of said structure comprises the air-ion transmitting surface and the radiation emitting elements. In one such embodiment the air-ion transmitting surface may be positioned in a centre zone while the radiation emitting elements are provided in an encircling zone e.g. such the radiation emitting elements are provided on a circle defining a centre point at which the air-ion transmitting element is provided. In one embodiment the relative distance between the radiation emitting elements and the air-ion transmitting surface is adjustable, e.g. such that a radius of the aforementioned circle may be changed.

The voltage output of the air-ion generator may be between 0 and 40.000 V, such as between 0 and 12.000 V, such as between 0 and 6.000 v, such as 1.500 volts, or 3.000 volts or 4.500 volts. Furthermore, the current output may be between 0 and 50 μA, such as between 0 and 25 μA, such as between 0 and 10 μA, such as between 0 and 5 μA, such as between 0 and 1 μA, such as between 0.05 and 3 μA, such as between 1 and 3 μA.

In one embodiment, the transmitting structure is adapted to transmit the air-ions trough air, so that a larger surface area of the treated object can be influenced by the air-ions simultaneously. In particular, the transmitting structure could be adapted to spread the air- ions over an area which increases with a factor 2 for each 10 cm increase in the distance between the treated object and the transmitting structure. It has been found that such ions when conducted in free air from the transmitting structure towards the object may improve the treatment over the traditionally known methods implying direct contact between the ion transmitter and a surface of the treated object.

The electromagnetic radiation may comprise at least one of ultra-violet radiation, visible light and infrared radiation. Alternatively, or as a supplement, the electromagnetic radiation may comprise micro waves and/or radio waves. Accordingly, the electromagnetic radiation may have wavelengths in the range of 10⁴ and 10^'9 meters, such as in the range of 10^"8 and 10^'3 meters, such as in the range of 400 nm and 700 nm.

The electromagnetic radiation intensity may be in the range of 0 and 100.000 Lumens, such as between 100 and 10.000 Lumens, such as between 1.000 and 5.000 Lumens. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention the intensity of radiation incident on the treatment zone is between 0 and 10.000 Lux, such as between 100 and 5.000 Lux, such as between 500 and 1.000 Lux.

Moreover, the device according to the present invention may comprise a feedback structure which is adapted to measure a dose of at least one of the air-ions and/or the electromagnetic radiation received by the object. The measured dose may be the dose received in a treatment zone of the living object. Generally, the air-ions are carrying an electrical charge which is transferred to the treated object. To measure a received dose, the device may comprise a first connecting structure for establishing electrical connection between the object and the feedback structure. Furthermore, it may comprise a second connecting structure for establishing electrical connection between the transmitting structure and the feedback structure. In that way, a closed loop is established from the transmitting structure, through the air to the surface of the treated object, along a surface of the object or through the body of the object to the first connecting structure, through the first connecting structure to a feedback structure and from the feedback structure to the transmitting structure. The feedback structure could be an ampere meter which determines an electrical current through a body portion of the object, and the device may be adapted to stop automatically after a certain duration of the treatment. Alternatively, the device may be adapted to stop after a certain quantity of electricity, e.g. after a certain amount of Coulomb (i.e. quantity transferred by one ampere in one second). As an example, the device may stop after 1-2 minutes, or after 5-10 minutes, or after 30-90 minutes or which ever time interval or quantity of electricity is suitable for a specific object.

The device may further comprise a support structure for supporting the living object, e.g. during treatment. In order to provide predetermined and predictable operating conditions, the support structure may comprise an insulation structure for electrically insulating the object from ambient space. The insulating structure may be provided as an insulating surface, e.g. a surface of an examination couch on which the object is supported.

Alternatively, or as a supplement, legs of the couch or similar supporting structure may comprise the insulating structure. The insulating structure may be provided as an insulating layer on a couch or it may be implemented in a suspension or stand of the couch. The insulation of the object during treatment enables measuring of an electrical current through the object during the treatment.

Moreover, the device may comprise control means adapted to adjust the dose of at least one of the air-ions and/or the electromagnetic radiation. The dose may be adjusted based on a measurement from the feedback structure. The dose may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the distance between the exposure zone and the transmitting structure and/or the radiation emitting element. Alternatively, or as a supplement, the air-ions and the electromagnetic radiation may be transmitted at intensities, at least one of which being variable. The treatment may thus be varied by varying at least one of these intensities.

Furthermore, the control means may be adapted to vary each intensity in accordance with a predetermined specification or scheme of treatment. Such a specification/scheme may define periods of different dosing intensities.

Additionally the control means may comprise data storage means for storing a pre-specified sequence/scheme of control signals for controlling the treatment.

In order to expose the exposure zone to a predetermined dose of air-ions, the control means may be adapted to vary the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation and to select an intensity at which the feedback structure measures said specific dose of the air-ions.

The device according to the present invention may further comprise a suspension structure for positioning the transmitting structure and/or the radiation emitting element at various positions relative to the support structure and/or the living object. The suspension structure may comprise a plurality of pivotally connected elements. Furthermore, the suspension structure may be adapted to move the transmitting structure and/or radiation emitting element relative to the support structure (e.g. horisontally) during operation of the transmitting structure and/or the radiation emitting element.

Furthermore, the suspension structure may be adapted to move the transmitting structure and/or the radiation emitting element relative to the support structure in accordance with a predetermined pattern, e.g. by means of the actuating means. Additionally, the actuating means of the suspension structure may communicate with the control means, and the control means may specify the aforementioned pattern based on measurements received from the feedback structure.

In one embodiment, the device comprises one or several light emitting diodes (LEDs). In particular such LEDs may be arranged peripherally around the transmitting structure and they may be adapted to transmit differently coloured light.

To prevent the electromagnetic radiation to reenter into the device, the device may have a mirror located to form a front face of the device towards the object. The mirror could preferably be semipermeable towards light and to allow the ions a free passage, the mirror may have an opening through which the ions are transmitted.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating an object with air-ions, the method comprising the steps of: locating the object in or on a support structure which is electrically isolated from ambient space, exposing the object to a controlled dose of electromagnetic radiation, and exposing the object to a controlled dose of air-ions.

The exposure of the object to air-ions may be simultaneous with the exposure of the object to electromagnetic radiation.

In particular, the method comprises the step of conducting an electrical current through a portion of the body of the object or along a surface of the body of the object. The electrical current is established by the the air-ions, and the dose of the ions is controlled by measuring the electrical current which is through the body portion.

In a third aspect, the invention provides an electric air-ion transmitting device for treating a living object, the device comprising an air-ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions, and a transmitting structure for directing a part of the air-ions in a predetermined direction, characterised in that the device further comprises at least one radiation emitting element for directing a dose of electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined direction.

The invention according to the second and third aspects of the invention may comprise any feature or element of the first aspect of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 discloses an arrangement comprising an air-ion transmitting device according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 discloses a unit comprising an air-ion stransmitting structure and radiation emitting elements,

Fig. 3 illustrates in a cross sectional view, one embodiment of a device,

Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the device shown in Fig. 3,

Figs. 5 illustrates a device in a side view, and

Figs. 6-9 illustrate varius results of measurements conducted on treated objects.

Detailed description of the drawings

Fig. 1 discloses an air-ion treatment device 100 for treating a living object. The device 100 comprises a unit 102 comprising an ion generator connected to an ion transmitting structure for directing a part of the air-ions in a predetermined direction. The flow of air-ions is indicated by dash-dotted line 104, which thus indicates the predetermined direction. The ion transmitting structure comprises an air-ion transmitting surface 106, as may be seen in Fig. 2 in which the unit 102 is seen from below. Furthermore, the unit 102 comprises three radiation emitting elements 108 which are adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the living object 110 as indicated by dotted lines 112 in Fig. 1. In the embodiment of the figures, the radiation emitting elements 108 comprises conventional light bulbs, however any radiation transmitting elements may be used. As it may be seen in Fig. 2 the radiation transmitting elements are arranged on a circle indicated by dashed line 114, such that the distance 116 between the ion transmitting surface 106 and each of the radiation emitting elements 108 is identical. Furthermore, the radiation emitting elements 108 are movable such that the distance 116 may be changed. The living object is connected to a feedback structure 118 by means of a first connecting structure 120. In the figure the first connecting structure 120 is connected to the wrist of the object. Furthermore, the feedback structure 118 is connected to the ion generator via a second connecting structure 122. Due to the first connecting structure 120 the feedback structure 118 may measure a dose of at least one of the air-ions and/or the electromagnetic radiation received by the living object 110. This information may be used to control the ion generator by means of the second connecting structure 122, such that the received ions/ radiation is at a predetermined level. During treatment the living object llO is located on a support structure 124 which is insulated from ambient space as it comprises an insulating layer, which may be provided on a surface 126 of the support structure 124 or forms part of one of the legs 128. In general, the object should be electrically isolated from the ambience by any means, e.g. by use of legs or leg parts made of an insulating material, e.g. rubber legs under the couch, by use of an insulating layer between the couch and the legs, between the legs and the floor or by an electrically insulating sheet between the object and the couch or by hanging the couch on a wall or from the sealing by use of an insulating suspension.

Fig. 3 illustrates an air-ion treatment device 129. The device comprises an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions. The ions are transmitted from the transmitting structure 130 which is located in the shield 131. In addition, the device comprises a plurality of red LEDs 132, yellow LEDs, 133 and green LEDs 134 and blue LEDS 135. The LEDs are located behind a mirror 136 which allows light from the LED to pass through the mirror in the downward direction indicated by the arrow A. The LEDs are all joined by a printed circuit board 137. As indicated more clearly in Fig. 4, the LEDs are arranged circumferentially around the ion transmitting part of the device. In another embodiment, all or at least some of the LEDs or alternative light sources are adapted to transmit white light, and specific colours are generated by use of coloured glass between the object and the light source. Any other kind of light sources could be used.

Fig. 5 illustrates a device 140 seen from one side. The device comprises a housing 141 in which the air-ions are generated and in which the lamps which generate electromagnetic radiation are located. The device is provided with electrical power via the power cord 142. As indicated by the grey zone 143, the air-ions and the light are transmitted in a transmission zone downwardly onto the object which is treated.

The connecting structure 144 electrically connects the device to a portion of the object so that an electrical current through the body, or along a surface of the body of the treated object, can be measured. The air-ions are transmitted from the transmitting structure 145. A relatively large area, indicated by the gray area 146, on the surface of the treated object is exposed to the electrically air-ions and electromagnetic radiation.

In the following, an example of a treatment is described:

A patient is placed on the support structure with the chest upwards and with a bare upper body. The unit is positioned 25 cm from the upper body of the patient. The device is set to transfer 1.5 μA for a period of 10 minutes. The radiation emitting device is set to emit radiation during the 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes the device is turned off automatically. The total transfer of electrical charge is 900 coulomb. Hereafter the patient is turned around such that the chest faces downwards and the process is repeated.

Alternatively, the current output could be between 0 and 50 μA, such as between 0 and 25 μA, such as between 0 and 10 μA, such as between 0 and 5 μA, such as between 0 and 1 μA, such as between 0.05 and 3 μA, such as between 1 and 3 μA. The following two examples are to illustrate an observed effect of the treatment when carried out on two different objects.

To control the patients, a well-known method (Prognos from the German company MedPrewent) has been used for measuring the electrical resistance in the meridians in the body.

A normal meridian resistance has to be about 800-1200 ohm, the higher the resistances are, the strong is the indication of pain.

Patient A

Fig. 6 illustrates the result of a measuring of a 53 years old female suffering of pain in her shoulders and in the lover part of her spinal. According to the patient, the pain is most of the time concentrated in her right side.

According to the result of the measuring is can be seen that the highest resistant is in the right side at the meridians for the large intestine, c.f. numeral 150, the stomach, c.f. numeral 151, and the urine bladder, c.f. numeral 152 This is a very good indication that the patient in fact does has the pain which she has asked to be relieved of.

Fig. 7 illustrates the results of a measurement after three times with a treatment with the device according to the present invention. The patient tells that the pain is reduced considerably.

The measurements illustrates that the resistance in the meridians has changed to the better. The resistance in three meridians in focus after the first control has been reduced by the treatment, and the patient confirms that the pain has been reduced. A very good result is also to be seen at the meridian for the circulation, c.f. Fig. 7 numeral 153.

Patient B

A young professional sportsman 22 years old having some pain in his knee and his common condition is not sufficient to keep him on the first team. He is asking for help with both problems.

The control measuring illustrated in Fig. 8 shows a too large unbalance, and both of the above-mentioned problems are considered to relate to this unbalance. A control measuring after the fifth treatment, c.f. Fig. 9, shows a much higher balance between the meridians, and combined with the patients own explanation about his condition, the treatment was finished.

Claims

1. An air-ion treatment device for treating a living object, the device comprising an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions, at least one radiation emitting element for generating a dose of electromagnetic radiation, and a feedback structure which is adapted to determine an electrical current through a portion of the object.

2. A device accordign to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting structure for transmitting a portion of the air-ions through air towards the object.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one radiation emitting element is adapted to direct the dose of electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined direction.

4. A device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the transmitting structure comprises an air- ion transmitting surface with at least one ion transmitter for transmitting the air-ions, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted from areas located around the air-ion transmitter.

5. A device according claim 4, further comprising a mirror located adjacent the transmiting surface to form a front face of the device towards the object, the mirror being more reflective towards visible light in a direction towards the device than in a direction away from the device.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a heat shield which is permeable towards visible ligth and which reduces heating of the object when influenced by the light.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the heat shield comprices a plate of glass located between a front face of the device and the emitting elements, or which forms a front face of the device towards the object.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiation emitting element is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation within the wave-length of ultra-violet radiation, visible light radiation, and infrared radiation.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein visible light is emitted at an intensity below 100.000 Lumens.

10. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1 mm.

11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitting structure is adapted to direct a portion of the air-ions in a predetermined direction towards the object.

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feedback structure is adapted to measure a dose of at least one of the electrically air-ions and/or the electromagnetic radiation received by the object.

13. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first electrically conductive connecting structure for establishing electrical connection between the object and the feedback structure.

14. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second connecting structure for establishing electrical connection between the feedback structure and one of either the ion generator or the transmitting structure.

15. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a support structure for supporting the object.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the support structure comprises an insulation structure for electrically insulating the object from ambient space.

17. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising control means adapted to adjust the dose of at least one of the air-ions and/or the electromagnetic radiation.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the control means is adapted to adjust the dose based on a measurement from the feedback structure.

19. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air-ions and the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted at intensities, at least one of which is variable.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the control means is adapted to vary each intensity in accordance with a predetermined specification stored in a data storage of the device.

21. A device according to any of claims 17-20, wherein the control means comprises data storage means for storing a pre-specified sequence of control signals for controlling the treatment.

22. A device according to claims 17-21, wherein the control means is adapted to vary the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation and to select an intensity at which the feedback strucutre determines a specific current through a portion of the object.

23. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a suspension structure for positioning the device at various positions relative to the support structure.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the suspension structure is adapted to move the device relative to the support structure during treatment of the object.

25. A device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the suspension structure is adapted to move the device relative to the support structure in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

26. A device according to any of claims 23-25, wherien the suspension structure communicates with the control means, and the control means specifies the pattern based on measurements received from the feedback structure.

27. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiation emitting element comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

28. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiation emitting element comprises at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit diferently coloured lights.

29. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ion generator or transmitting structure is movable relative to at least one of the radiation emitting elements.

30. A method of treating an object with air-ions, the method comprising the steps of:

- locating the object in a support structure which is electrically isolated from ambient space,

- exposing the object to a controlled dose of electromagnetic radiation, and

- exposing the object to a controlled dose of air-ions.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the exposure of the object to air-ions is simultaneous with the exposure of the object to electromagnetic radiation.

32. A method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein an electrical current is conducted by a portion of the object, the electrical current being established by the air-ions.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the dose is controlled by measuring the electrical current.

34. An electric ion transmitting device for treating a living object, the device comprising an ion generator for generating a dose of air-ions, and a transmitting structure for directing a part of the air-ions in a predetermined direction, characterised in that the device further comprises at least one radiation emitting element for directing a dose of electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined direction.