Quantifying stress reduction and medical treatment as a result of colored light therapies

The present invention features an apparatus for quantifying the effects that colored light therapies and treatments have upon an individual. The apparatus features an imagescope console that bathes a patient in different light colors, patterns, sequences, hues, tints, etc. A physiological monitoring unit monitors the bodily functions of the individual as the various colored light treatments are applied. A computer analyzes the monitored data, and produces a printout, or an electrostressogram, which details the quantitative effects of the light therapies. The electrostressogram can be faxed or otherwise transmitted to medical offices, and/or satellite communicated from spacecrafts and interplanetary space station to Earth for screening, preventing, diagnosing, and treating medical illnesses caused by stress.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to the prevention and treatment of stress 
through the use of colored light therapy and, more particularly, to a 
computerized system for physiologically measuring the effects that 
different colored light therapies have upon an individual in the treatment 
of stress and other related conditions, disorders and diseases. 
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,712 (issued to FRENKEL et al on May 4, 1982), a 
device called an "imagescope" is described. This imagescope bathes the 
face of a viewer in different colors of light, and determines for a given 
individual which colors are stressful and which calmative. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,410 (issued to FRENKEL et al on Nov. 12, 1991), a 
pair of colored eyeglasses is used, in conjunction with the imagescope of 
the aforementioned patent, to relieve an individual's stress during one's 
daily, stress-filled activities 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It has been known for many years that individuals are physically and 
psychologically affected by different light frequencies, colors, strobe 
lights, flashing lights, light intensities, daily light duration and light 
deprivation. Recently, members of both the medical and pharmaceutical 
research realms have been conducting experiments and developing new light 
therapies in conjunction with drugs in the treatment of disease. For 
example, in the treatment of tumors, light is being used to activate 
substances that cause necrosis of the tumorous tissue. Light is also being 
used to activate drugs that are therapeutic, as well as to eliminate side 
effects of certain drug therapies. 
It is believed by many today, including the inventors, that stress is a 
root cause or foundation of many human ailments and debilitating 
conditions. It is a significant part of the present invention to prevent 
and treat stress by improved colored lighting techniques and equipment. 
The quantitative measurement of the effects of colored light therapies, as 
well as which color light treatments work best for a given individual, are 
important parts of the present invention. The exact dosage of colored 
light in the treatment of painful symptoms is critical and, therefore, 
must be quantified. 
One of the major drawbacks of past colored light-therapy treatments has 
been the inability to quantitatively measure the effects that these 
therapies and regimens have upon the patients being treated. Treated 
individuals have experienced and felt a therapeutic difference during 
light therapy; many have been positively affected. However, to date it has 
not been possible to definitively and quantitatively determine the exact 
effects attributable to colored light treatments. 
While it has been known for some time that individuals respond differently 
to colored light-therapy, the various treatments have, therefore, been 
conducted on an experimental, subjective, and sometimes hit-and-miss 
basis. This was particularly the case when such colored light therapies 
were combined with drug treatments, in order to relieve stress, as well as 
other, painful and related ailments. Different drugs were tried until the 
right drug and the right dosage fit a particular individual and situation, 
as the nervous system reacts differently to different dosages of colored 
light and drugs. 
The present invention seeks to provide a means of measuring and recording 
both the physiological and psychological effects of colored light upon an 
individual. Such measurements quantify the effects that a particular 
treatment has upon the level of an individual's stress. Therefore, the 
inventive system provides the means by which specific colored light 
therapies can be scientifically and medically legitimized in the treatment 
and reduction of stress. 
The current invention is a system that marries the colored light-testing 
machine, or, imagescope, of the aforementioned patent, with an apparatus 
that both physiologically monitors and records. This new apparatus will be 
referred to hereinafter as an "electrostressograph" (ESG). Individuals are 
treated with varying light colors, frequencies and patterns; the resultant 
physiological effects are then measured and recorded. In 1his fashion, 
what effect(s) the experimental colored light therapies and light 
treatments are having upon an individual can now be scientifically 
determined. With the aid of the electrostressograph, medications can now 
be tested to determine the efficacy of a particular type of drug upon a 
stress level being experienced by an individual. 
A major component of the electrostressograph can comprise a glove to be 
worn by the patient during a particular colored light therapy or light 
treatment. The glove contains electrodes for measuring various bodily 
functions, such as temperature, skin conduction, blood pressure, etc. The 
patient may also be connected to an electromyelograph, an 
electroencephalograph, an electrocardiograph, an evoked-potential device, 
etc. A physiological monitoring system for analyzing the signals received 
from the electrodes can be a Johnson & Johnson (Model I-330) system, 
comprising modality modules that interface with, and which are controlled 
by, a computer. 
An imagescope is used to bathe the patient with light of different colors, 
intensities and patterns. The same computer that controls the modality 
modules is also programmed so as to provide several different colored 
light-therapy sequences or treatments. A peripheral printer connected to 
the computer produces a printout, or, "electrostressogram," during the 
treatment. The computer is programmed to receive many different kinds of 
scientific, medical data. The computer processes this data in order to 
provide a diagnostic and therapeutic overview in both the diagnosis and 
the treatment of many physical and mental illnesses. 
The imagescope may take the form of a multicolored television console, 
having a central mirror that can be attached to the surface thereof. The 
colored console can issue many different shades or patterns of color. The 
multicolored console can also comprise a cathode ray tube, around which an 
indwelling mirror is positioned. The imagescope can be designed as a 
colored, light-therapy stand, as is explained hereinafter. 
A remote control can be manually used to change colors (i.e., white, red, 
orange, brown, green, yellow, blue, purple and gray, and other patterns of 
colors), as well as patterns thereof. The console's color intensity can be 
manually adjusted by the remote control. However, it may be more 
convenient to control the colored light sequence by the computer, since 
its software contains routines that automatically adjust colored light 
bathing, intensities and patterns. A strobing or flashing of color 
sequence is also contained in the routine. 
Working the computer pad or keyboard, a doctor or technician sits behind 
the patient. The doctor or technician controls the remote control for 
changing the colors, and designates a color light-control sequence by 
typing the instructions into the computer keyboard. 
The patient sits in a chair in front of the imagescope. Electrodes from the 
sensing system are attached to the patient, as aforementioned, who is 
enclosed in a curtained, light-free space, and is receiving only colored 
light that is emitted from the imagescope. 
A remote-controlled camera or camcorder is perched atop the imagescope 
console and directed towards the patient's face, as the patient's facial 
expressions are photographed and recorded during "imageoscopy" testing. 
Data of pupillary reactions to the colors tested are also observed and 
recorded by the camera, as are changes in respiration. The sensing system 
can detect changes in blood pressure and store the data in computer 
memory, as well as provide a printout, or, electrostressogram. 
The final printout, or electrostressogram, contains all of the sensed and 
recorded data, along with analyses thereof. Therapies are thus fashioned, 
using various forms of psychological therapies and/or drug treatments that 
are measured according to the color light sequences designated by the 
electrostressograph equipment. Certain tints of colors can be analyzed for 
their effects upon a patient's stress level. Drugs that have a calmative 
effect can be equated to different medications that neutralize specific 
amounts of stress in the patient. Correct color dosing can be established 
by measuring the quantitative decrease in stress that each color dosage 
has upon a patient. In this respect, the electrostressograph provides a 
means of properly dosing with colored light and/or drugs that was 
heretofore unavailable in the treatment of stress and related problems. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a color 
light-therapy apparatus for quantitatively measuring the effects that 
light has upon the relief of stress in an individual. The apparatus 
(referred to herein as an "electrostressograph") can also use color light 
treatments as a means of quantifying a type of medication and the 
appropriate dosage thereof that is required for both calming and treating 
a patient. The electrostressograph apparatus comprises the following five 
components: an "imagescope" console, including a video monitor, for 
bathing a patient in colored light and visually recording the effects that 
the colored light has upon the patient; a physiological monitoring system 
that monitors the patient and provides signals indicative of the patient's 
bodily functions, in response to various, light-bathing colors and 
colored-light sequences that are controlled with a programmable computer; 
a programmed computer with a peripheral printer, for receiving the signals 
from the physiological monitoring system and for processing the signals to 
provide a printout, or an "electrostressogram", of results of the stress 
analysis; and a keyboard, or remote control unit, for instructing the 
computer regarding the colored light or colored-light sequences being 
introduced to the patient via the imagescope console. The 
electrostressogram can then be faxed or sent via satellite to another 
medical facility. With the information being relayed to a control center, 
even an astronaut's stress level in space can be measured and treated. 
It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which can 
quantify the effects that colored light therapies and light treatments 
have upon an individual. 
It is an object of this invention to use electrostressography at the 
microscopic cellular level to test the stress-metabolism of normal cells 
and cancer cells (pathological) for medical research. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a means by which drug 
therapies can be related to colored light effects, so that the two 
therapies can be combined into a synergistic treatment of stress. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a means to screen, 
diagnose, treat, and prevent medical illnesses caused by stress. 
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a research means 
to study the vibratory, electromagnetic (auras) and spiritual systems of 
the body by the use of colored light. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide a research means to 
study the immunology system, the creativity system and the spiritual 
system of the human body. 
These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent and 
better understood, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent 
FIGURES and detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Generally speaking, the invention features an apparatus for quantifying the 
effects that colored light therapies and light treatments and diagnostic 
screenings have upon an individual. The apparatus features an "imagescope" 
console that bathes a patient in differing colored light sequences. A 
physiological monitoring unit monitors the bodily functions of the 
individual, as the various light treatments are applied. A computer 
analyzes the monitored data, and produces a printout, or an 
"electrostressogram", which details the quantitative effects of the 
colored light therapies. 
Now referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrates a schematic of the 
light-therapy apparatus 12 of this invention, hereinafter referred to as 
an "electrostressograph system." A major component of the 
electrostressograph system 12 comprises a glove 14 that is to be worn by 
the patient 16 during colored light therapy or light treatment. The glove 
14 contains electrodes (not shown) for measuring various bodily functions, 
such as temperature, skin conduction (EMG), blood pressure, etc. The glove 
14 is connected to a physiological monitoring system 20 for analyzing the 
signals received from the electrodes in the glove 14. Other electrodes 17 
are connected between the patient 16 and the physiological monitoring 
system 20, which can comprise modality modules (not shown) such as an 
electromyelograph, an electroencephalograph, an electrocardiograph, an 
evoked-potential device, etc. The physiological monitoring system can be a 
Johnson & Johnson Model I-330 system, having modality modules that 
interface with, and which are controlled by, the computer 21. 
An imagescope console 15 is used to bathe the patient 16 with light of 
different colors, intensities and patterns. The computer 21 controlling 
the modality modules is also programmed to provide several different 
light-therapy sequences or treatments, to be introduced through the 
imagescope console 15. A peripheral printer 23 connected to the computer 
21 produces a printout or an "electrostressogram" 22 during the treatment. 
The computer 21 is programmed to receive various kinds of scientific and 
medical data. The computer 21 processes the scientific and medical data to 
provide a diagnostic overview that is used in the treatment of stress. The 
data can be relayed to other medical centers or facilities, and can also 
be beamed via satellite to and from space, so as to treat space travelers 
and astronauts. 
The imagescope console 15 may take the form of a multicolored television 
console, having a central mirror that can be attached to the surface of 
the console (not shown). This colored console can issue many different 
shades of color, color sequences, color patterns, amplified and lasered 
light, etc. The multicolored console can also comprise a cathode-ray tube, 
around which an indwelling mirror is positioned. A more detailed 
description of the components of the imagescope console 15 can be obtained 
hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, that make up the light therapy 
stand. Another imagescope form may be the use of colored laser light that 
can be reflected off of a mirrored surface for imageoscopic diagnosis and 
treatment. 
A remote control 19 can be manually used to change colors (white, red, 
orange, brown, green, yellow, blue, purple and gray), as well as color 
sequences, patterns, hues, tints, etc. The color intensity provided by the 
imagescope console 15 can be manually adjusted by the remote control 19. 
However, it may be more convenient to control the light sequence by the 
computer 21, since its software contains routines that automatically 
adjust colored light bathing, intensities and patterns. A strobing or 
flashing of color sequence is also contained in the routine. 
A doctor or technician (not shown) sits behind the patient 16 working the 
computer pad or keyboard 18 or the remote control 19. The doctor or 
technician changes the colors and designates particular colored 
light-control sequences by typing the instructions into the computer 
keyboard 18, or depressing numerical buttons 26 on the remote control 19. 
The patient 16 sits in a chair in front of the imagescope console 15, as 
shown. Electrodes 17 of the sensing system are attached to the patient 16, 
as aforementioned. The patient 16 is enclosed in a curtained, light-free 
space, and receives only colored light that is emitted from the imagescope 
console 15. 
A remote-controlled camera, camcorder or video camera 13 is perched atop 
the imagescope console 15, and is directed towards the face of the patient 
16. The camera 13 records the facial expressions, as well as inhalation 
and exhalation patterns during the "imageoscopy" testing. Data of 
pupillary reactions to the colors tested are also recorded by the camera 
13. The camera 13 can be hooked to the computer 21, and the recorded 
images can be stored in a CD ROM unit (not shown) contained in the 
computer 21 or in the computer memory. 
The final printout or electrostressogram 22 contains all of the sensed and 
recorded data, along with analyses thereof. Colored Light therapies are 
thus fashioned, using various forms of psychological therapies and/or drug 
treatments that are measured according to the colored light sequences 
designated by the electrostressogram equipment. Certain tints of colors 
can be analyzed for their therapeutic effects upon the stress level of a 
patient 16. Drugs that have a calmative effect can be measured and equated 
with different therapeutic dosages of color that neutralize specific 
amounts of stress (such as anxiety, depression and anger) in a patient. 
Correct dosing can be established by measuring the quantitative decrease 
in stress that each colored light dosage has upon a patient. In this 
respect, the electrostressograph system 12 provides a means of light 
dosing (along with combinations of Light treatment and drug medication) 
that was heretofore unavailable in the treatment of stress and related 
problems. For example, the electrostressograph can be used to prevent 
and/or treat tardive dyskinesia; it may be the first such instrument to do 
so. Electrostressography will scientifically prove the therapeutic effects 
of psychotherapy. 
Imageoscopic analysis provides for two colored light therapies: colored 
refraction therapy and colored self-image analysis therapy. 
Electrostressography monitors a patient's responses to particular colors, 
in order to determine the most comfortable color for that individual. This 
color can then be tinted on a pair of eyeglasses, for example, thus 
helping to mute past coded stressful experiences and the daily stress 
being experienced by the individual. This procedure is described in the 
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,410. 
Once the most calmative color is determined for a patient, 
electrostressography can then be used in self-image analysis to treat the 
causes of stress. After electrostressography has determined the stressful 
colors for the patient, each stressful color is desensitized with the 
imagescope until all of the stressful colors are neutralized and the 
patient is generally free of past, encoded, color-induced stress. An 
electrostressogram is taken before therapy; after the desensitization of 
each color; and at the end of therapy, when all stressful colors have been 
desensitized. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a typical imagescope console 15 is shown in more 
detail. A remote-controlled light-therapy stand 7 is used to self-diagnose 
a patient's past, color-related stress acquired over his or her lifetime. 
This color information is then used to desensitize the induced, color 
stresses. A patient 16 can counter the stress with the use of color-tinted 
eyeglasses, in order to reduce a particular reaction to newly experienced 
stresses, thus controlling or preventing such stress from reaching 
undesirable levels of discomfort. The light-therapy stand 7 can be made 
with a telescopic, vertical bar 8 that can permit the lowering or 
increasing of the stand's height. The adjustable mirror winged screw 6 
permits the height adjustment of the mirror. The mirror arm 11 inserts 
into a swivel ball & socket joint affixed to the back of the mirror 10 
permitting the mirror 10 to be angulated at a desired position for the 
patient 16 to view his/her image. 
The imagescope console 15 can comprise a light projector 3 that projects 
light 9, after power switch 2 is activated, toward the face and over the 
head of a patient, above a mirror, bathing the patient's face in a 
specific colored image reflected in mirror 10 while the patient is sitting 
in front of the imagescope console 15. The light projector 3 can comprise 
an adjustable rheostat 4 for manually changing the color intensity of the 
light, but the color is usually controlled with a computer 21 (FIG. 1). 
Likewise, the light projector 3 can comprise a switch 5 for providing 
strobing or flashing light effects for light 9. A camera or camcorder 1 
can be mounted on top of the light box 3, so as to record the effects of 
the light testing. Both the patient 16 and the imagescope console 15 are 
disposed in a curtained-off, or darkened, enclosed area of space, in which 
the patient is free of any environmental or background light. 
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating 
requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for 
purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do 
not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this 
invention. 
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by 
Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.