A DEVICE SERVING TO GENERATE INFRA-RED RADIATION, EFFECTIVE ON CUTANEOUS AND ON DEEP-SEATED TISSUE OF THE HUMAN BODY

Abstract: The device disclosed comprises a light source (1) located internally of a shield (5), and a photo­ thermal converter (3) embodied as a foil (3a); light radiated from the source is exploited as energy, falling incident upon the converter in such a way that the radiation re-emitted is exclusively infra red, within the 8...9µm wavelength band, and capable of producing a marked therapeutic action both at cutaneous level and on deep-seated bone and internal body tissue.

Description: The invention relates to a device for generating therapeutic infrared radiation, effective both on cutaneous tissue and on deeper-seated tissue of the human body, comprising a light source and a photothermal converter of highly conductive metal provided with a light absorbing surface directed towards the light source and an emessive surface. Conventionally, use is made in medicine of infrared rays. Known, in U.S. Patent n. 1.681.654, is a cataract absorber comprising a shield adapted to be placed over the eyes of the patient and provided with an electric adjustable heating element whereby the heat generated in the eye shield will be utilized in the treatment of the eyes of the patient. Substantially, this device simply provides a direct transmission of heat to the eyes, without permitting to define the wavelength of the emitted heat. This device is anyway efficacious and limited to the treatment of the eyes. Also known, in U.S. Patent n. 1.768.519, is a device which emits only infrared rays in a large quantity without any direct contact with the patient. This device comprises a heating unit, constructed solely from the standpoint of the requirements for producing efficiently the requisite temperature, regardless of the wavelength of the rays given off by it, and in connection with such a heating unit, a shell of suitable material surrounding said unit to intercept the rays given off by said unit and as a result of the action of said rays upon it, to be heated sufficiently to give off only or principally infrared rays. Also in this case, however, there was no certainty about the ideal wavelength for the efficacious treatment of the human body. Subsequently to this kind of solutions, therapeutical lamps, today still known, have been employed. These lamps emit infrared rays having a wavelength of between 1 and 2 µm. Such lamps emit infrared rays by a tungsten filament capable of temperatures between 2500 and 3000 °C, or with electric resistances. Lamps of this conventional type are positioned at 50 ... 60 cm. from the surface of the part of the human body to be treated, and the therapeutic effect is obtained by inducing thermogenesis in the affected area. The essential shortcoming of near-region radiation generated by conventional infrared lamps consists in the fact that the therapeutic effect is limited, and restricted almost exclusively to the treatment of arthritic aid osteoarthritic conditions (for which a low percentage of cures is obtained). The object of the invention disclosed is to overcome the drawbacks thus outlined by providing a device capable of emitting infrared rays of wavelength and intensity such as prove highly effective from the therapeutical standpoint. A further object of the invention is to permit the use of infrared radiation in the field of cosmetic treatment (cellulitis, dermatitis & c.). The stated objects, and others besides, are realized with a device according to the invention, comprising a light source and a photothermal converter of highly conductive metal provided with a light absorbing surface directed towards the light source and an emessive surface characterized in that the photothermal converter is a foil, the light absorbing side of which comprises microscopic cavities internally of which each light ray from the source is reflected many times such that its entire energy content is converted into heat within the foil and the power output of the light source is proportioned such that the foil is held at a temperature between 80° and 90°C for emission of a corresponding infrared radiation of wavelenghts of substantially 8 to 9 µm. The problem confronting the inventor is, how a light source and a photothermal converter may be combined in such a way as to enhance infrared radiation and permit of its exact regulation to more advantageous wavelengths (8.....9µm); this the invention succeeds in doing, and in a novel and effective manner. In contrast to what is discernible from medical literature, which states generally that the infrared rays possessing greatest penetration fall within the near region (1 .... 1,5µm), though different authors are by no means all of one voice, it has been found with the device disclosed that wavelenghts of the intermediate order mentioned above are in fact the more effective. Contributing significantly to such effectiveness, moreover, is the intensity of the infrared emission obtained with a photothermal conversion medium. Practical evidence of this assertion is likewise available, inasmuch as the device disclosed has produced optimum results in therapy not only on commonplace arthritic and osteoarthritic conditions, but also on deeper seated organs such as the bronchi and the colon. Accordingly, an essential advantage provided by the invention is that it produces a healing action not only on conditions already known to respond to infra red therapy, but also on those falling within the scope of internal pathology. A further advantage of the invention is discernible in the high percentages of cures effected, and of positive and lasting results obtained. In the great number of pathological conditions treated, 85...90% success was obtained, and this with no additional use of drugs. Only in cases of osteoporosis does it become advisable to administer calcium or calcitonin for the purposes of correcting natural deficiency. The applications mentioned below are all medical, though applications in other pathological fields are by no means ruled out. Treatment effected with the device disclosed: -orthopaedic subacute and chronic instances of osteoarthritis, arthritis, post-traumatic conditions; percentage of complete cures or positive and lasting results: 80...90% -internal respiratory: chronic bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis, otitis; digestive: colitis with marked constipation, post-hepatitic conditions; circulation: thrombo-angitis obliterans, lower limb disorders, nervous headache; percentage of positive and lasting results likewise 80...90% -dermatological psoriasis, mycotic dermatitis, healing of scars: good results; leucodermia (vitiligo) of relatively short history: appreciable results; lipomatosis: reduction of approx 50% in volume of accumulated fat; finally, it has been found that subjects treated for cervical osteoarthritis and suffering concurrently from anxiety or depression, have gained a lasting restabilization of their nervous system. Another advantage of the device disclosed is that of its extreme simplicity in construction, considered in the light of the results obtainable. Lastly, it will be noted that the device features significantly low electrical power consumption. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: fig 1 is a schematic representation of the device disclosed, with certain parts omitted better to reveal others; fig 2 is an illustration of the photothermal foil converter according to the invention, as seen under the microscope; figs 3 and 4 show two examples of the shape of a foil converter as in fig 2. With reference to the above drawings, a preferred embodiment of the device disclosed comprises a light source 1, which in the example illustrated is an ordinary electric lamp 1a, the light 2 radiated from which is incident upon a photothermal converter 3 providing the actual surface from which infrared radiation is emitted. In the drawings, the photothermal converter 3 is embodied as a foil 3a of highly conductive metal, copper, for example, or copper and nickel &c. Use has in fact been made of a material already known for its photothermal conversion properties, though employed hitherto chiefly in solar heating panels, namely "Coppersun". Foil 3a of the type in question has an absorbent surface 31 on one side, treated in such a way as to exhibit a myriad of microscopic cavities 4. A ray of light thrown by the lamp 1a produces a considerable number of reflections 11, dissipating its energy in so doing; such energy converts to heat, and is then transformed into infrared radiation RI emitted from the remaining surface 32 of the foil 3a, which is rendered highly emissive and reflective (it will be noted that the radiation emitted is exclusively infrared). The power output from the lamp will be proportioned such that the foil 3a can emit infrared radiation IR at a wavelength Γ of approx. 8...9µm. To obtain such intermediate wavelengths, the foil 3a must be held at a temperature of 80...90 °C. More precisely, the electric lamp is accommodated internally of an opaque shield 5 carried by an arm 6 to which it is pivotably attached via a hinge 7. In a preferred embodiment, the electric lamp 1a will be surrounded by a baffle 8 so as to concentrate the light down onto the foil 3a beneath and permit of creating slots 9 in the shield that vent the hot air upwards without any dispersion of the light source. The foil 3a is attached to the shield 5 by way of a rigid peripheral edging 10 made fast to the foil itself and suitably retained in position. In a simple embodiment, the foil 3a will be flat, as illustrated in fig 1. However, the option exists of more advantageous geometry, say, a cone (fig 4), or a dome (fig 3), or any other shape with downwardly divergent walls; thus, the infrared rays IR can be gathered into a vertical beam and concentrated at the tissue 12 to be treated. The additional option exists of embodying both the shield 5 and the foil 3a in a shape to match the somatic profile of the surface treated, entirely or in part. Other materials might be used for photothermal conversion, as long as the surface of one side is capable of absorbing light, and that of the opposite side is emissive. It will also be clear that the emitting surface of the device disclosed is generously proportioned, and accordingly, a greater number of infrared rays can be generated per unit surface area of the treatment zone than is the case with significantly limited emitting surface areas such as those of a filament or a resistance lamp. Finally, it will be noted that the device disclosed is abundantly simple in construction, and features a low electrical power supply requirement amongst its other advantages.

Claims: A device serving to generate infrared radiation for therapeutic purposes, effective on cutaneous and on deep-seated tissue of the human body comprising a light source (1) and a photothermal converter (3) of highly conductive metal provided with a light absorbing surface directed towards the light source (1) and an emissive surface (32) characterized in that the photothermal converter is a foil (3a), the light absorbing side of which comprises microscopic cavities (4) internally of which each light ray (11) from the source is reflected many times such that its entire energy content is converted into heat within the foil (3a) and the power output of the light source (1) is proportioned such that the foil is held at a temperature between 80° and 90°C for emission of a corresponding infrared radiation of wavelengths of substantially 8 to 9 µm. A device as in claim 1, characterized in that the emissive surface (32) is rendered highly reflective. A device as in claim 1, characterized in that the light - absorbent surface (31) of the foil (3a) is dark in appearance, and functions as a black body. A device as in claim 1, characterized in that the light source (1) is embodied jointly as an ordinary electric lamp (1a) accommodated internally of an opaque shield (5) that is carried by an arm (6), attached pivotably thereto by way of a hinge (7) located between the shield (5) and the arm (6), and wherein the foil (3a) exhibits a rigid peripheral edging (10) insertable into and removable from the opaque shield (5). A device as in claim 4, characterized in that the foil (3a) is embodied flat. A device as in claim 4, characterized in that the foil (3a) is embodied as a cone. A device as in claim 4, characterized in that the foil (3a) is embodied as a dome. A device as in claim 4, characterized in that the foil (3a) is of shape to match the somatic profile of the surface treated, either wholly or in part. A device as in claim 4, characterized in that a baffle (8) is fitted above the electric lamp (1a), and slots (9) are fashioned in the shield (5) above the level of the baffle (8).

Inventors: CAVICCHI, UMBERTO
Applicants: CAVICCHI, UMBERTO
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61N5
IPC codes: A61N5