HUP0900580A2 - Device for light therapy - Google Patents

Description

PUBLICATION COPY

704664/ΚΟΤ ^0900580

LIGHT THERAPY DEVICE

The invention relates to a phototherapy device which is suitable for treating the surface of a living organism by light irradiation and which comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices on a light-emitting surface.

The physiological effects induced by such devices are known from the literature, including the following:

Fenyo, M. (1984):

Theoretical and experimental basis of biostimulation.

Optics and Laser technology, 16, 209-215.

Kubasova, T., Fenyo, M. (1988):

Investigations on biological effects of polarized light.

Photochemistry and Photobiology, 48, 505-509.

Fenyő, M., Mandi, J., Falus, A. (2002):

Opposite effect of linearly polarized light on biosynthesis of interlenkin-6 in a human B lymphoid cell line and peripheral human monocytes.

Cell Biology International, 26, 265-269.

Kubasova, T., Fenyo, M. (1995):

Effect of visible light on some cellular and immune parameters.

Immunology and Cell Biology, 73, 239-244.

Fenyő, M. Szita, G. Bartyik, J... (2008)

Effect of Polarized Light Treatment on Milk Production and Milk Somatic Cell Count of Cows

Acta Veterinaria Brno, 77 (157-161)

The research results presented in the above publications support the biological stimulating effect of polarized light from various aspects (primarily through stimulation of the immune system).

Polarized light, as an external influence (agent) that causes an effect by irradiation of the living body itself, the living organism's surface, is suitable for promoting the creation of various favorable cell transformations in many living organisms. These can be preventive, preventive effects, or influencing factors suitable for reversing an already established unfavorable condition or disease, as well as effects serving to improve the mental and physical performance of the living organism. Polarized light, namely its linearly polarized version, is known and proven to have a favorable effect on the biological functioning of certain living organisms through their body surface. If polarized light irradiation of appropriate intensity, wavelength and duration is applied to the appropriate part of the body surface, its physiological effect undoubtedly and proven to improve the aforementioned functions.

However, in the case of the previously recognized effects mentioned above, measures were taken to irradiate parts of the body surface with polarized light, usually of limited surface area and always targeted.

The objective of the solution according to the present invention was to create a suitable arrangement aimed at achieving these known effects in an enhanced manner, which enables the targeted application of the beneficial effects of polarized light not only locally, but also substantially, or at least approximately, through irradiation of the entire body surface.

The present invention is based on the recognition that by using a tunnel-like light-emitting surface, we can create an arrangement that essentially surrounds a living body in the longitudinal direction, which generates an appropriate light density in the appropriate wavelength range by using LED light sources, without causing excessive heat load on the living organism, and the optimal amount of energy can be communicated to the living organism in a relatively short period of time (5-40 minutes).

In its introductory design and most general form, the device according to the invention is provided with a light-emitting surface which is of a tunnel-like shape and is formed with an irradiation surface substantially surrounding at least partially a living body in the longitudinal direction. The irradiation surface comprises an LED arrangement which is provided with a polarizing filter.

The solution according to Figure 1 shows a typical embodiment of the invention in front view, in the closed position.

Figure 2 shows the solution according to Figure 1 in a side view, in the closed position.

Figure 3 shows a solution according to Figure 1 in a side view, in the open position.

Figures 4A-4H illustrate various tunnel-like cross-sections that may be used in the present invention.

In Figure 5, we see LED light sources with a first polarizing filter design.

In Figure 6, we see LED light sources with a second polarizing filter design.

Figure 7 shows LED light sources for bottom illumination of a laying surface.

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic layout to illustrate the LED devices built into the light-emitting surface and the scattering distance.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for treating a limb.

In the case of the light-emitting surface of the tunnel-like device 1 shown in Figure 1, a two-dimensional design was used, which is suitable for surrounding a longitudinally extending irradiation subject, for example a living organism, body, or a part thereof, for example a limb, from substantially all sides in the longitudinal direction. The device 1 can be conveniently opened in two parts, which parts can be opened to a given extent by means of hinges or suitable connecting elements. This can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, where the former shows the device 1 in a closed state, while the latter shows the device 1 in a side view in an opened state. This opening allows the person to be treated to lie down more easily, or in another embodiment, to fully insert a limb into the device 1 according to the present invention. If this opening allows the entire body surface of the person to be treated to be inserted into the given device, and there is no possibility of pulling the upper part in from the inside, then the assistance of an external operator is advisable. Cooling can also be used on the device 1 in order to reduce the heat load. This can be done, for example, via a cooling air inlet H.

A light-emitting surface 2 forming a tunnel-like cross-section is used on the device 1. This device 1 and its light-emitting surface 2 may, for example, have a shape corresponding to known solariums. However, any other tunnel-like geometric design is also possible, such as a round, oval, polygonal or other similar shape in cross-section. The series of figures 4A-4H show some examples of this in terms of the cross-section of the light-emitting surface 2. In order, figure 4A. shows a circular segment, figure 4B. a semicircle, figure 4C. a semiellipse, figure 4D. a parabola, figure 4E. a straight pair of sheets open at the sides, figure 4F. a triangle, figure 4G. a quadrangle, figure 4H. shows a polygonal cross-section.

A special tunnel-like shape is formed by solutions where the upper and lower radiating, light-emitting surfaces of the tunnel do not completely close in a circle, but are still capable of irradiating almost the entire body surface with polarized light.

The light therapy device 1 according to the invention is therefore provided with a so-called light emitting surface 2, which essentially forms the inner surface of the said tunnel-like part. This is at least partially formed with an LED arrangement which has a polarizing filter and thereby emits linearly polarized light, essentially in the direction normal to the light emitting surface 2. This ensures the best light efficiency and the best biological stimulating effect. The LED arrangement itself may be arranged in rows and columns, but a different arrangement, for example a diagonal or random arrangement, is also conceivable. Taking into account the light emission aperture angle of the individual LED devices 3 and the expected distance of the body surface to be irradiated, the density and spacing can be determined, in the case of which the resulting light intensity does not contain omissions or shadowed parts.

According to the invention, a time-controlled illumination is applied to the light-emitting surface 2, which is suitable for achieving the required irradiation dose. For this purpose, the operating time of the LED devices 3, which do not necessarily operate at maximum intensity, is controlled in time and set to a given time. This given time can be, for example, 10-30 minutes. In a particularly preferred case, the time is 20 minutes. In this case, the power density of the polarized light emerging from the light-emitting surface 2 corresponds to a value of 10-100 mW/cm ² , i.e. the energy density per body surface to be irradiated is approx. 4-30 J/cm ² . The polarization itself can be implemented in several alternative ways. One possible solution is to place a polarizing film in front of the LED devices 3 implanted in the light-emitting surface as light sources. Another alternative solution is to coat the LED devices 3 themselves and their associated lenses with a polarizing coating. This can be achieved through a technological step carried out before the installation of the LED devices 3, after which they are installed in the light-emitting surface 2, essentially so that they emit the maximum of their light intensity in the direction normal to it, i.e. in this case too, the direction of polarization is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light-emitting surface 2.

The tunnel-like light therapy device according to the invention may be suitable for both preventive and therapeutic treatments, as well as for improving the mental and physical performance of the body. In the description of the present invention, we do not intend to discuss the known modes of the mechanism of action per se, but only describe the device concerned by the invention, i.e. the design of the device suitable for inducing the aforementioned effect.

The polarizing filter 4 can be placed in front of the arrangement of the LED devices 3 (i.e. the polarizing filter 4 is located between the LED devices 3 and the body surface to be treated), preferably parallel to the light-emitting surface 2. This can be seen in Figure 5. In this case, for example, a transparent plastic sheet 5, e.g. a plexiglass sheet, is placed in front of the light-emitting surface 2, preferably parallel to it. The polarizing filter 4 can be made by applying the actual polarizing component to the sheet 5 in the form of a film or coating 6. Two sheets 5 and 7 can also be used, as shown in Figure 6, which sandwich the polarizing component present in the form of a film or coating 6. It is essential that the linear polarization direction of the polarizing filter 4 falls in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface 2 or closely approximates it.

In the case of typical embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface 2 in the operating position of the device is horizontal or vertical. In the former case, the device according to the invention is adapted to the lying body position, in the latter, to the standing body position.

The tunnel-like design comprises a light-emitting surface 2 which is substantially circular in cross-section. This cross-section may be round, oval, polygonal, as already mentioned, or a combination thereof. It may also comprise a laying surface 8 shown in Figures 4A-4H, on which a part for supporting the body of the person to be treated is formed. Polarized light does not necessarily have to be used for this, however, by being made of a suitably transparent material, the laying surface 8 can also be illuminated from below with polarizable light. This is shown in a simplified diagram in Figure 7. The laying surface 8 is formed by a transparent, load-bearing plate, under which, in a suitable embodiment, there are further LED devices 3 built into a bottom plate 9. These, in a similar manner to the light-emitting surface 2, produce linearly polarized light through a polarization filter 10, which illuminates the lower part of the body lying on the upper surface of the laying surface 8. The rest of the tunnel-like design, namely the light-emitting surface 2 with a substantially curved cross-section located above the laying surface 8, is designed to have a structured arrangement of LED devices 3 with polarization filters 4. The density of the LED devices 3 must be determined so that they can produce a suitable light density on the surface to be treated, for example a power density corresponding to 10-100 mW/cm ² . If the spectrum of these devices falls within the visible light range, namely between 360-800 nm wavelengths, and also includes some discrete wavelengths of the near infrared spectral range between 800-850 nm, then the light therapy device used for treatment can have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, as well as in the improvement of the mental and physical performance of the body. As an example, but not exclusively, we can mention the following cases:

1. An athlete was treated with a 2.5 cm wide muscle tear confirmed by ultrasound imaging using a light source capable of irradiating the whole body. According to current science and doctors, this injury requires 6-8 weeks to fully heal. With the help of light therapy, this injury was completely healed in 5 days. This was officially confirmed by ultrasound imaging.

2. The racehorse Overdose was diagnosed with laminitis and tendonitis in his shin. The horse was severely lame and of course could neither trot nor race. (The horse's owners had planned an operation in this situation that would have required the horse's hoof to be completely broken down and wait for it to regrow, a process that would have taken several months and it was uncertain whether the horse would ever recover). Instead, we suggested light treatment as an alternative. After two weeks of daily treatment with the limb treatment device according to the invention, the lameness ceased and after several months of absence, the horse allowed itself to be saddled and was able to trot. We managed to bring it to a state without surgery that allowed it to start regular training.

3. We also used the light treatment bed according to the invention for full body treatment in the case of a three-year-old child. This child had caught all kinds of viral and bacterial infections since birth. His immune system was extremely weak, and in practice, during the first 3 years of his life, his health could be measured in days. Of course, his parents tried all the existing medicines and even performed various surgeries to try to improve his condition, but these attempts were not successful.

We started polarized light treatment on this little child 5 months ago and he has been practically healthy since then, without any infections. The case was also confirmed by laboratory tests, because we showed that the number of cells responsible for immunity had significantly increased and the activity of immune defense had also increased.

The solution according to the invention is designed so that essentially the entire or at least a significant part of the uncovered body surface is simultaneously affected by the effect of polarized light irradiation. This is an unknown treatment method in itself, since according to the state of the art, only local, local treatments have been used with polarized light so far. According to the invention, we have recognized that the use of full body surface exposure instead of local treatment is more effective and this surprisingly does not only mean a linearly increased effect resulting from the increase in size (surface area), but also a much more intense, different in quality, dramatically increasing effect, for example, it results in an effect that can be evaluated instead of otherwise ineffective, ineffective local treatments. It means a fundamentally different, biologically higher quality. The light therapy device according to the invention provides the necessary solution for achieving biological effects corresponding to these surprising experiences for full or essentially full body surface irradiation. For this purpose, an arrangement formed of many individual LED devices 3 is used, which, by means of a linear polarizing filter 4, is able to provide an essentially uniform irradiation intensity at a given distance from the tunnel-like surface surrounding the body in the longitudinal direction, the light-emitting surface 2. This distance is called the scattering distance d. Its size depends on the type of the given LED devices 3, their light-emitting aperture angle, and their distance from each other in the given arrangement, their pitch. Typically, the scattering distance d can be calculated based on the schematic arrangement shown in Figure 8. The figure also shows a preferred embodiment of the holder 16 of the LED devices 3, together with a front lens 17 modifying the light-emitting aperture angle. This front lens 17 reduces the effective light-emitting aperture angle of the LED device 3 - this can typically be e.g. 110° - to an aperture angle a. Where the light beam cones cover the entire surface (Fig. 8).

(shown in one dimension in Figure 1), we reach the minimum scattering distance d there. In two dimensions, we can calculate the corresponding circular coverages in a similar way.

With the 3 LED devices used in practice and appropriate spacing, the scattering distance d is approximately 40-100 mm. If the distance between the 2 light-emitting surfaces and the body surface to be irradiated is greater than the scattering distance d, this does not pose a problem, since here the light distribution is already sufficiently uniform, exceeding the irradiation minimum everywhere. The scattering distance d also plays a role in the application and presence of the 8 laying surface according to Figure 7, in which case it should be taken into account for the 3 LED devices placed underneath.

In one embodiment, the tunnel-like light-emitting surface 2 of the full-body phototherapy device has end caps 11 formed at the ends, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. These may be provided with a simple reflective coating, such as a mirror. In another case, however, light-emitting LED devices 3 are also provided in these. Their light can also be converted into polarized light in the manner described above. The direction of polarization on these surfaces must be vertical, i.e. parallel to the meeting edge of the light-emitting surface 2 and the laying surface 8. It can be imagined that the polarization direction on the laying surface 8 continues at the end caps 11 and continues on the tunnel-like light-emitting surface 2. In this way - e.g. in a lying position - the top of the head and the soles of the feet also receive polarized light irradiation.

The number of 3 LED devices in a practical arrangement of a device can be in the order of 200-2000 pieces, however, it is also possible to use more devices than this, this only enhances uniform irradiation, but also increases the costs of the design.

The efficiency of the LED devices 3 can be increased by placing them in a funnel-shaped housing 16 with a reflective inner reflector coating when installed in the light-emitting surface 2. When reflected, the light retains its linearly polarized properties, or if a non-coated, parallel plate or foil polarizing filter 4 is used, then the reflection from the reflector-coated housing 16 occurs before polarization. With this reflector-coated housing 16, the light efficiency can be significantly increased, while the heat load hardly increases.

In Figure 9 we can see the embodiment of the device according to the invention for treating a limb, in perspective view. In this case, the bare limb is placed inside the tunnel-like device 12 surrounded by the light-emitting surface 13 for treatment. In this case, a laying surface is generally not required, although in special cases it cannot be excluded either. The light-emitting surface 13 completely surrounds the limb, with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 of the device 12. The direction of polarization (transmission) is naturally also in this case parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the limb and the device 12, vertical in the case of the example presented here. It is possible to treat a human lower leg in a standing or sitting position. It is also possible, for example, to treat the leg of a standing horse with a device of this design. In order to facilitate insertion, it is possible to make a two-part device 12 that can be opened and folded by rotating it around an axis pin 15. However, in some cases it is advisable to use half of the cylinder - a semicircular cross-section. This may be suitable, for example, for treating a horse's leg.

The 3 LED devices used as light sources in any embodiment are preferably powered by a mains power supply and their spectral emission is in a narrow range. It is possible to use several 3 LED devices with different spectral emissions on the light-emitting surface 2,13 in the 3 LED device arrangement, for example, LED devices emitting in the near infrared range in addition to the visible spectral range can also be used. These can constitute 20-40% of all 3 LED devices. The arrangement of the different types is preferably evenly alternating.

In a further embodiment, it is also possible to partially use UV light emitting LED devices, which can also be incorporated in an alternating manner in the arrangement of the light emitting surface. These cause a different type of beneficial biological effect, which can be made even more advantageous by polarization. It is also possible to use near infrared and UV LED devices together with high-intensity LED devices emitting in the visible range.

In the solution according to the invention, the living organism may be a human, animal body or body part. Among the animals, small and large animals, e.g. dogs or horses and cattle, can be considered. The living organism may also be a plant organism or part thereof. Thus, for example, for the treatment of grain or seeds, the tunnel-like light-emitting surface 2 may include a conveyor belt moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The conveyor belt itself may also be light-transmitting, in this case, the conveyor belt may be moved over a plate corresponding to the laying surface 8 according to Figure 7, this time not intended for laying. Each of these solutions provides a continuous passage between the ends, and consequently a treatment of the seeds with an adjustable duration.

The solution according to the invention can achieve a number of beneficial effects, so that by mixing UV or infrared radiation simultaneously with polarized light in a predetermined ratio, the desired physiological effects can be induced more completely. However, the essence of the invention is basically the application of polarized light irradiation to the entire body surface.

Claims (18)

Patent claims 1. A phototherapy device for treating a living organism by surface light irradiation, the device comprising a light-emitting surface in which a plurality of light-emitting devices are arranged, characterized in that the light-emitting surface is formed in a tunnel-like manner, at least partially surrounding the surface of the living organism in the longitudinal direction, and the light-emitting devices are LED devices (3) which are provided with a linear polarizing filter (4), where the linear polarization direction of the polarizing filter (4) is in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2). 2. Phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that closing ends are formed at the ends of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2). 3. Phototherapy device according to claim 2, characterized in that the closing ends (11) also comprise LED devices (3) equipped with a linear polarizing filter. 4. Phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED arrangement with a polarizing filter is formed with LED devices (3) emitting light with a wavelength of 360-800 nm. 5. The phototherapy device of claim 4, further comprising LED devices emitting discrete wavelengths in the near infrared wavelength range of 800-850 nm. 6. The phototherapy device of claim 1, further comprising LED devices in a discrete UV wavelength range. 7. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2) is of a size suitable for accommodating a given limb. 8. A phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two parts comprising a tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2) which are connected to each other in an openable manner. 9. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the polarizing filter (4) is arranged in front of the arrangement of LED devices (3) parallel to the light emitting surface (2). 10. Phototherapy device according to claim 9, characterized in that the polarizing filter (4) is arranged between two transparent plates (5,7). 11. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the polarizing filter (4) is applied as a coating to the LED devices (3) or their lenses in the housing (16). 12. The light therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED devices (3) are built into the light emitting surface (2) in a reflective reflector housing (16). 13. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a laying surface (8) formed horizontally therein, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2). 14. Phototherapy device according to claim 13, characterized in that the laying surface (8) is made of transparent material and LED devices (3) equipped with a linear polarizing filter (4) are arranged underneath. 15. Phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the operating position of the device the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2) is horizontal. 16. Phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the operating position of the device the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface (2) is vertical. 17. The phototherapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a conveyor belt moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light-emitting surface for treating grain and seeds. 18. The phototherapy device according to claim 17, characterized in that the moving conveyor belt is also made of a transparent material and includes a polarizing surface layer. The authorized person Dr. Zoltárt Köteles is a patent attorney and a member of the S.B.G. & K. Patent Attorneys Office. H-1062 Budapest, Audrássy út 113 Phone: 461-1000 Fax: 461-1099 ’ Φ/4, ΟΛ