WO2020024041A1

WO2020024041A1 - Piezoelectric crystal-filled pain relief device and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2020024041A1
Application number: PCT/CA2019/050664
Authority: WO
Inventors: John William MANCONI; Michael J. Flynn
Original assignee: Manconi John William
Priority date: 2018-08-01
Filing date: 2019-05-16
Publication date: 2020-02-06

Abstract

A method of reducing pain felt by a subject. It includes placing a pain relief device comprising conductive pouch filled with a piezoelectric crystal material such that the pain relief device is in contact with skin of the subject at or next to a location on a body of the subject where pain is felt; fastening the pain relief device to the patient such that the pain relief device remains in contact with the skin of the patient and the pain relief device remains at least in proximity to the location where pain is felt; and removing the pain relief device once pain has been reduced or has dissipated.

Description

PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL-FILLED PAIN RELIEF DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

THEREOF

[001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/713,171 filed on August 1 , 2018, incorporated by reference herein, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/792,557 filed on January 15, 2019, incorporated by reference herein.

Technical Field

[002] The present disclosure relates to the field of devices to relieve pain, and more specifically to pads placed next to the skin to relieve pain. Background

[003] The "Piezoelectric Effect” was discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curie in Paris in 1880. The Curie brothers demonstrated that certain crystals, such as quartz, generate an electrical potential difference (voltage) when subjected to external forces, e.g. pressure, radiation, etc.

[004] Piezoelectric crystals are known to release small electric charges when subjected to external, ambient forces caused by the“direct piezoelectric effect”.

Summary

[005] The present disclosure relates to the discovery that piezoelectric crystal material (e.g. in powder form) when placed directly or indirectly in contact with the skin of a subject for a prolonged period, can help relieve pain felt by the subject. Furthermore, when the crystal is placed in a pouch or housing made of a conductive material such as cotton (to retain the piezoelectric crystal material), this pouch or housing does not dampen the pain relief properties of the piezoelectric crystal material. Therefore, a pain relief device including a compartment of piezoelectric crystal material that is attached to a subject can help the subject relieve pain. Such may be used when the subject suffers from sudden or chronic pain, resulting, e.g., from an injury. The pain may be felt at a specific body part, such as the arm, leg, chest, back, neck, etc.

[006] It has been discovered that quartz piezoelectric powders when embedded in resinous materials and worn on the body can help soothe pain.

[007] The exemplary studied piezoelectric crystals used in the pain relief devices of the present disclosure originate from an exemplary geological site in the vicinity of a meteoritic crater in northern Quebec. However, piezoelectric crystal originating from other geological sites may also be used.

[008] A sample of the powders obtained from the geological site from Northern Quebec was tested and shown to have the chemical composition of pure silicon dioxide. Applicant studied the thermal activation energy resulting from a state of deformation in different varieties of quartz piezoelectric crystals when shocked and/or strained. Results obtained showed that the shocked pure white piezoelectric quartz crystals were able to absorb up to 10 times more incoming pressures and impulses than normal piezoelectric quartz extracted from different mines.

[009] The piezoelectric effect is at the basis of the present disclosure. The pain relief devices of the present disclosure may be in the form of bracelets, necklaces, patches, back belts, body bands, etc., as described herein, and may contain the following materials: 99.5% pure white shocked piezoelectric crystal powder (S1O2) and pure silicone resin.

[0010] The extracted minerals are embedded inside a pure silicone resin. The pain relief devices may have different characteristics and different roles depending on their location on the body and the shape of the device.

[001 1] Some embodiments of the pain relief device may be worn around the wrist as a bracelet. Some embodiments may be also worn around the neck as a necklace. Some embodiments may be worn on the back and other parts of the arms and legs. Other embodiments may be worn on the chest near the lungs and heart. [0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided a pain relief device comprising piezoelectric powder of a predetermined mesh size, and a silicone resin capable of housing the piezoelectric powder, wherein mechanical vibrations may not cause substantial separation of the composition.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may be composed of a flexible wearable bracelet, necklace, patch or body band that houses piezoelectric powder. Pain relief devices are easy to place directly onto the wrist, ankle, neck and body.

[0014] It will be understood that any crystal displaying the piezoelectric effect may provide the performances required by the present disclosure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may include cotton sheaths for securing pain relief strips around the back, wrist, arm, ankle and leg. The securing means as well as all other ancillary elements used in embodiments of the present disclosure, may be conductive, anti-allergenic and/or heat resistant.

[0016] In other embodiments, there is provided a pain relief kit for improving health wherein the kit may contain two or more bracelets, several patches and one necklace, wherein each product comprises a piezoelectric composition according to the present disclosure.

[0017] In other embodiments, there is provided a pain relief patch relieving pain of certain parts of the body.

[0018] A broad aspect of the present disclosure is a pain relief device for relieving pain of a subject at a predefined location on a body of the subject when the pain relief device is applied to a surface of the subject. The device includes a piezoelectric crystal material of a predetermined mesh size; and a silicone resin casing embedding the piezoelectric crystal material.

[0019] In some embodiments, the device may include a cotton sheath with a first end and a second end, and a length defined by the first end and the second end, shaped to house the piezoelectric crystal material and the silicone resin. [0020] In some embodiments, the device may include external metallic clasps that are attached to the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; an adhesive positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; and/or a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may include an adhesive positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath, and the adhesive is two-sided, waterproof and electrically conductive.

[0022] In some embodiments, the piezoelectric crystal material may include 99.5% of white shocked piezoelectric quartz powder.

[0023] In some embodiments, the piezoelectric crystal material may have a predetermined mesh size, and wherein the predetermined mesh size is between 50 and 500.

[0024] In some embodiments, the predetermined mesh size may be approximately 300 mesh.

[0025] In some embodiments, the silicone resin casing may be made from pure silicone resin.

[0026] Another broad aspect is a method of reducing pain felt by a subject including placing a pain relief device comprising piezoelectric crystal material contained therein such that the pain relief device is in contact with skin of the subject at or next to a location on a body of the subject where pain is felt and there is no non-conductive layer between the skin and the piezoelectric crystal material; fastening the pain relief device to the patient such that the pain relief device remains in contact with the skin of the subject and the pain relief device remains at least in proximity to the location where pain is felt; and removing the pain relief device once pain has been reduced or has dissipated.

[0027] In some embodiments, the fastening may include using external metallic clasps that are attached to the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; an adhesive positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; and/or a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath. [0028] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may be a garment, and wherein the fastening may involve the subject wearing the pain relief device as a garment.

[0029] Another broad aspect is a garment for relieving pain in a subject when the garment is worn by the subject and is in contact with skin of the subject, the garment including fabric with piezoelectric crystal material present in the fabric.

[0030] Another broad aspect is use of piezoelectric material as a pain relief device.

[0031] Another broad aspect is a method of reducing pain felt by a subject. The method includes contacting a pain relief device comprising piezoelectric crystal material contained therein with skin of the subject at or next to a location on a body of the subject where pain is felt and there is no non-conductive layer between the skin and the piezoelectric crystal material, wherein the pain relief device remains in contact with the skin of the subject and the pain relief device remains at least in proximity to the location where pain is felt; and ending the contact between the pain relief device and the skin of the subject once pain of the subject has been reduced or has dissipated.

[0032] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may remain in contact with the subject by fastening the pain relief device to the subject, the fastening may include using external metallic clasps that are attached to the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; an adhesive positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath; and/or a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first end and the second end of the cotton sheath.

[0033] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may be a garment, and wherein the pain relief device may remain in contact with the subject by the subject wearing the garment.

[0034] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may be a mattress cover, and wherein the pain relief device may remain in contact with the subject by the subject resting on a mattress covered by the mattress cover.

[0035] In some embodiments, the pain relief device may be a pillow or a pillow cover, and wherein the pain relief device may remain in contact with the subject by the subject resting a head of the subject on the pillow or a pillow case covering a pillow receiving the head of the subject.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] The invention will be better understood by way of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1A is a drawing of three exemplary pain relief devices in the form of bracelets or necklaces of different sizes;

[0038] Figure 1B is a drawing of an exemplary pain relief device in the form of a back belt;

[0039] Figure 1C is a drawing of an exemplary pain relief device in the form of a body band;

[0040] Figure 1 D is a drawing of an exemplary pain relief device in the form of a wearable article of clothing such as a t-shirt;

[0041 ] Figure 1 E is a drawing of exemplary pain relief devices in the forms of a mattress, a pillow and a bed sheet with piezoelectric material incorporated therein;

[0042] Figure 2 is a drawing of an exemplary pain relief device in the form of a bracelet or necklace;

[0043] Figure 3 is a drawing of an exemplary pain relief device in the form of a back belt;

[0044] Figure 4 is a photograph of an impulse registered by an oscilloscope following a tap of a small hammer onto the surface of an exemplary pain relief device filled with piezoelectric material; and

[0045] Figure 5 is a graph showing the placebo results of the study indicating the reduction of pain felt by the study participants. Detailed Description

[0046] The present disclosure relates generally to pain relief devices containing piezoelectric material, e.g., 99.5% white shocked piezoelectric quartz, with a predetermined mesh size, such as 300 Mesh, powders and pure silicone resin.

[0047] The pain relief device is placed on the surface of the body close to or where pain or discomfort exists. Therefore, pain relief devices are worn on the body. As shown in Figures 1 -4, the pain relief device 100 may take many forms to accommodate different parts of the body of a subject at locations where pain may be felt. For instance, the pain relief device 100, in the form of bracelets and necklaces may be fastened around the wrist, ankle or neck using fasteners. On other parts of the body the pain relief device may be fastened to the body by using a hook and loop fastener 101 attached to, e.g., cotton sheaths 103.

[0048] The pain relief devices 100 shown in Figure 1 a, in the form of bracelets, as necklaces may comprise pure silicone resin.

[0049] The pain relief device 100 may include sheaths made from a conductive material (e.g. cotton) for housing the strips 105. The cotton sheaths 103 shown in Figures 1 b and 1 c house strips 105, where each strip 105 comprises a conductive silicone resin housing exterior containing piezoelectric material.

[0050] Figure 1A is a picture of an exemplary pain relief device 100 in the form of a necklace or bracelet. Bracelets and necklaces may differ in length and width or diameter. Stiffness coefficients (e.g. Young’s Modulus) may remain the same for all pain relief devices.

[0051 ] Pain relief devices 100 in the form of bracelets and necklaces contain piezoelectric material that is housed inside a conductive resin casing. In some examples, the conductive resin casing may be out of silicone. In some embodiments, the conductive resin may be made out of pure conductive silicone resin.

[0052] Pain relief devices 100 in the form of bracelets or necklaces may be manufactured in different lengths depending on the circumference of the wearer’s wrist, ankle and neck. In some examples, the two ends of a bracelet or necklace may be connected or connectable by a fastener 101 such as a clasp as shown in Figure 1A (e.g. such as a nickel and cadmium free anti-allergenic metal clasp or other similar passive anti-allergenic fastening device 101 ).

[0053] Many types of piezoelectric materials can be used in the manufacture of pain relief devices according to the present disclosure. However, the results obtained in the exemplary studies presented herein were obtained with 99.5% shocked quartz piezoelectric 300 Mesh powders.

[0054] In some examples, a metallic conductive powder, such as pure copper or silver powder, can be added to the piezoelectric material mix. In this case, the copper or silver powder may be substantially of the same mesh size as the crystal powder in order to prevent separation when submitted to movement or vibrations.

[0055] Pain relief devices 100 may be designed and manufactured in relation to the function they perform and to the type, size and shape of the person wearing the devices.

[0056] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that energy released by piezo- electric materials may be measured in electron volts (eV).

[0057] The Tyler Equivalent Mesh size classification is a well-known mesh size classification system created by the W.S. Tyler screening company based in Mentor, Ohio, USA. Mesh size should be understood as being the number of openings per (linear) inch of mesh and is well known in the art. The Tyler scale is used for the purpose of describing the present disclosure.

[0058] In some embodiments, the powder and resin mix may be homogeneous before the resinous matter is allowed to cure.

[0059] Figure 1 B illustrates an exemplary pain relief device 100 in the form of a back belt. In this embodiment, the back belt may be fastened through a hook and loop attachment mechanism acting as a fastener 101 , where a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener is positioned at one end of the back belt and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener is positioned at the other end of the back belt. In some embodiments, the fastener 101 may be an adhesive positioned on either end of the pain relief device 100 or on a portion of the pain relief device 100 that may come into contact with a portion of the body of the subject.

[0060] In some examples, the pain relief device 100 may be a garment (such as a shirt, pants, a hat, etc.), where the piezoelectric crystal material can be integrated into the weave of the fabric of the garment as shown in Figure 1 D. As such, the pain relief device 100 is fastened to the subject simply by having the subject wear the garment, the pain reducing effect taking effect as the patient wears the garment.

[0061] In other examples, as shown in Figure 1 E, the pain relief device 100 may be a mattress cover, a mattress with piezoelectric material placed next to the surface of the mattress on which a person may rest, a pillow with piezoelectric material placed on a surface of the pillow, a pillow case, a bed sheet or bed cover with piezoelectric crystal incorporated therein. The piezo electric material may be incorporated into the weave of the fabric or may be a thin pad of piezoelectric material that is, e.g., embedded in a silicone resin casing incorporated into the pain relief device 100, or housed in a pouch made from a conductive material. For instance, a pad of piezoelectric material with exemplary dimensions of 1 mm (thickness) x 200 cm (length) x 80 cm (width) may be incorporated into a matter cover. As such, when a person is placed on a mattress or is sleeping (e.g. with its head on the pain relief device 100 in the form of a pillow or pillow case, is covered by the pain relief device 100 in the form of a bed sheet, etc.) the person is directly or indirectly in contact with the pain relief device 100, where there is no non-conductive layer between the patient and the piezoelectric material of the pain relief device 100.

[0062] EXEMPLARY METHOD OF REDUCING PAIN IN A SUBJECT:

[0063] The present disclosure also pertains to a method of reducing pain felt by a subject by the use of a pain relief device, such as exemplary pain relief device 100 described herein.

[0064] The method may include the placing of the pain relief device on or near the painful area, provided that the pain relief device is in contact with the skin of the subject. In the case where it is not possible to have direct contact between the pain relief device and the painful area, the device may be placed in an area located between the subject’s head and the painful area, closest to the painful area.

[0065] The method may also further include the fastening of the pain relief device, such that the device remains in contact with the skin of the subject and remains in the vicinity of the painful area. For instance, the fastening of the device to the subject may include putting on the pain relief device as a form of clothing as described herein. In other embodiments, the fastening of the device may involve clasping the clasp of the pain relief device, or connecting both ends of the pain relief device around a member of the patient using an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener.

[0066] The pain relief device may remain in place until the pain is reduced or completely dissipated. The subject may remove the device for a short period of time in order to bathe or clean said device, but the device may otherwise be worn at all time.

[0067] EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS:

[0068] EXEMPLARY STUDY 1

[0069] A first study was conducted where 1 14 patients suffering from localized pain volunteered to wear the pain relief device containing the piezoelectric crystal material.

[0070] Each of the patients was asked to identify the location of the pain, and the severity of the pain quantified as a function of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (0 - no pain; 1 - mild pain; 2 - moderate pain; and 3 - severe pain) prior to wearing the device.

[0071] Each of the patients was then provided with an exemplary pain relief device, and was asked to place the pain relief device over or nearest to the location of the pain and to wear the pain relief device at that location until the pain is reduced, the pain relief device touching the skin. The patients were instructed to keep the device on the painful area at all time except for short periods of time in order to bathe or clean the device.

[0072] The patients were asked to wear the pain relief device, and report the degree to which the pain had dissipated or was reduced. The results of the study are shown in the following table:

Table 1 : results of the patients wearing the pain relief device of the first study.

[0073] Each of the 114 patients experienced a reduction in pain after wearing the pain relief device for a period between 1 and 3 days. It will be appreciated that the test results demonstrate that only 5 cases (4.4%) did not end with a complete dissipation of the pain.

[0074] EXEMPLARY STUDY 2:

[0075] A second study was conducted sequentially, where the effect of the pain relief device of the present disclosure was compared to a placebo device having the same visual characteristics as the pain relief device. However, the placebo device did not contain the piezoelectrical crystal material, instead composed of a fine sugar embedded in silicone resin.

[0076] Composition of Subjects of the Study:

[0077] 23 subjects representing a diverse selection of ages and gender were provided with the placebo device. The subjects’ age ranged from 40 to 85 and there was a similar proportion of males and females. [0078] 21 other subjects were provided with the pain relief device of the present disclosure. The age of the patients ranged from 33 to 88 and there was a similar proportion of males and females.

[0079] STUDY PROTOCOL:

[0080] The 23 placebo subjects were provided with the placebo bracelet necklaces, bracelets, back belts and/or shoulder pads.

[0081] The 21 other subjects were provided with the pain relief device as explained herein. The sites of origin of the pains were wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, jaw and shoulder.

[0082] Each of the subjects (placebo, non-placebo) were asked to evaluate the severity of their pain on the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (0 - no pain; 1 - mild pain; 2 - moderate pain; and 3 - severe pain) prior to applying the pain relief device on, or close to, the painful area.

[0083] The patients were instructed to wear the device over or close to the location in which they experienced pain and to wear the device between 3 to 7 days (the patients could stop after 3 days if the pain was relieved). For the placebo results, the subjects wore the placebo device for a period between 3-4 days. The patients were then asked to quantify the severity of their pain using the same scale as when making their initial assessment.

[0084] The results from the placebo subjects is presented in the following table:

Table 2: results from the patients wearing the placebo device of the second study.

[0085] The results for the patients provided with the pain relief device are described in the following table:

Table 3: Results of patients wearing the pain relief device in the second study.

[0086] Discussion:

[0087] As shown in Table 2, it will be appreciated that the majority of the subjects wearing the placebo device did not note any reduction in the severity of their pain after using the placebo device for a duration of 3 to 4 days. Only 3 patients out of the 23 (13%) noted a reduction of their pain severity, which started at 3 and concluded at 1 for all 3 patients.

[0088] As shown in Table 2, 19 subjects had experienced relief of pain after 7 days while 2 failed to respond. The mean pain score reduced from 2.48 to 0.48 and was reduced to zero in 14 (67%) of subjects. In some instances, the onset of action was within a few minutes and in most cases within a few hours. One adverse event was reported, where one subject secured a device above the knee with an elasticated bandage and reported erythema and inflammation under the bandage. He had previously demonstrated an allergy to elasticated bandages. Subjects who removed the devices noted that the pain usually recurred and was relieved by re-application of the device.

[0089] During this study, patients also reported that removal of the device usually resulted in the recurrence of the pain, which was relieved by the re-application of the device.

[0090] The results of the first exemplary study in conjunction with the results from the second study indicate that a pain relief device with piezoelectric crystal material as described herein, when positioned next to where pain is felt, reduces the pain experienced by the subject.

[0091] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications may be resorted to as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are to be considered within the purview and scope of the present invention.

[0092] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawing. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings.

[0093] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description, as well as in the experimental examples, may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above- described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pain relief device for relieving pain of a subject at a predefined location on a body of said subject when said pain relief device is applied to a surface of said subject, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal material of a predetermined mesh size; and a silicone resin casing embedding said piezoelectric crystal material.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a cotton sheath with a first end and a second end, and a length defined by said first end and said second end, shaped to house said piezoelectric crystal material and said silicone resin.

3. The pain relief device as defined in claim 2, further comprising at least one of: external metallic clasps that are attached to said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath; an adhesive positioned at said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath; and a hook and loop fastener positioned at said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath.

4. The pain relief device as defined in claim 3, wherein said pain relief device comprises an adhesive positioned at said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath, and said adhesive is two-sided, waterproof and electrically conductive.

5. The device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said piezoelectric crystal material comprises 99.5% of white shocked piezoelectric quartz powder.

6. The device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said piezoelectric crystal material has a predetermined mesh size, and wherein said predetermined mesh size is between 50 and 500.

7. The device as defined in claim 6, wherein said predetermined mesh size is approximately 300 mesh.

8. The device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said silicone resin casing is made from pure silicone resin.

9. A method of reducing pain felt by a subject comprising: contacting a pain relief device comprising piezoelectric crystal material contained therein with skin of said subject at or next to a location on a body of said subject where pain is felt and there is no non-conductive layer between said skin and said piezoelectric crystal material, wherein said pain relief device remains in contact with said skin of said subject and said pain relief device remains at least in proximity to said location where pain is felt; and ending said contact between said pain relief device and said skin of said subject once pain of said subject has been reduced or has dissipated.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein said paid relief remains in contact with said subject by fastening said pain relief device to said subject, said fastening comprises using at least one of: external metallic clasps that are attached to said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath; an adhesive positioned at said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath; and a hook and loop fastener positioned at said first end and said second end of said cotton sheath.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein said pain relief device is a garment, and wherein said pain relief device remains in contact with said subject by said subject wearing said garment.

12. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein said pain relief device is a mattress cover, and wherein said pain relief device remains in contact with said subject by said subject resting on a mattress covered by said mattress cover.

13. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein said relief device is a pillow or a pillow cover, and wherein said pain relief device remains in contact with said subject by said subject resting a head of said subject on said pillow or a pillow case covering a pillow receiving said head of said subject.

14. Use of piezoelectric material as a pain relief device.