Patent Publication Number: US-2020281812-A1

Title: Fixture for light acupuncture

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a fixture for light acupuncture on the head having a holding portion extending at least partially over the temporal bone above an ear of a human and being in an attached position. 
     The healing effect of traditional acupuncture with needles according to the knowledge of traditional Chinese medical science is generally known. Herein, reflex zones of specific areas of the body are stimulated by needles so that for example detoxication processes are accelerated and the immune system is activated. 
     Moreover, it is known to stimulate said reflex zones not only by mechanical needles but also by light. At this, laser light is commonly used as light in order to effect desired stimulation. 
     Light acupuncture or traditional acupuncture have proven of value in particular with chronic disorders. The problem of light acupuncture is that light must act on the chosen reflex zone over a specific period of time. This requires some physician&#39;s dexterity and sufficient knowledge. What is more, the light source must then be held on the reflex zone for a specific period of time in order to stimulate it. To this effect, the physician and the patient to be treated must keep calm. Multi-channel laser is available for laser light acupuncture on the body where the light exit source, e. g. an optical wave guide is fastened by means of an adhesive tape over the acupuncture point. This is not readily possible on the head, due to hair. 
     Experience has shown that good results were obtained by stimulating reflex zones in the area of the ear. It is also known that a multitude of reflex zones exists on the head where various body regions are mapped. Many reflex zones to be treated or acupuncture points are sometimes behind the ear and sometimes above the ear. In the area of the entire temporal bone, there are several reflex zones or acupuncture points effective for said treatment. One treatment of said reflex zones is mastoid acupuncture which has been explored thoroughly by the applicant. 
     Whereas locating of the known reflex zones is no significant problem, lighting of the chosen reflex zone for light acupuncture purposes over a prolonged period of time is rather laborious for the treating person. Therefore, the object of the invention is to configure a fixture of the type as described hereinabove enabling to conveniently carry out light acupuncture on the head. 
     The object according to the invention is resolved by the holding portion having one or several openings through which one optical wave guide each is pluggable so that its front end shining while in operation is fitted on the head in the area of the temporal bone. Said generally flexible optical wave guide enables to guide a narrowly limited light beam directly to the chosen reflex zone on the head. Flexibility of the optical wave guide enables the treating physician to conveniently guide light to the chosen spot respectively the chosen spots. Said fixture holds said holding portion in a predetermined manner over the ear so that said optical wave guides can be led through the openings to the desired reflex zones. As soon as said optical wave guide lights the desired reflex zone, the treating physician can choose another reflex point. 
     Said fixture is finally intended to fasten several optical wave guides to stimulate several reflex zones in the area of the temporal bone so that light can act on said reflex zones even over a prolonged period of time, such as several minutes. Undesirable displacements are reliably avoided by said fixture. Accordingly, only the chosen acupuncture points are actually stimulated. Moreover, the treating physician can leave the patient alone after having attached said fixture. 
     Basically, said fixture can have a holding portion of the temporal bone on one side. It is nevertheless useful for said fixture to be provided with two holding portions, each extending in its attached position at least partially over the temporal bone on both sides of the head. This enables simultaneous treatment of both sides of the head. 
     This configuration of said holding portions enables to perfectly hold said optical wave guides in direct contact with the scalp on the head. It is nevertheless useful to hold said optical wave guides in the openings movably to and fro. This enables adjustment of said fixture and length of said optical wave guide facing the head, to various head forms or various situations in the reflex zone area. 
     According to an advanced embodiment of the invention, it is proved that said optical wave guide is guided in the respective elastically expanded opening and held in the holding portion. This effects a relatively tight fixture of said optical wave guide on said holding portion by simple means so that an optical wave guide is not easily displaced in its opening following its adjustment. Hence, light can very well act on the scalp directly and thereby on the reflex zone. 
     It is useful for the openings to be arranged in said holding portion in accordance with the mastoid acupuncture reflex points. It has been found that reflex points are fundamentally always arranged in the same position relative to the ear basis, independently from every individual human being. Therefore, it is possible that the holding portion has a predetermined pattern of openings through which said optical wave guides can be guided. Then, the treating physician only needs to choose corresponding openings in order to reach stimulation of desired reflex zones with said optical wave guide. 
     It is particularly useful that the fixture is designed so that the openings in the holding sections are arranged according to the reflex zones to be treated and to be stimulated behind and/or above the ear. It is therefore provided that the openings are arranged in the holding sections for the treatment of a specific clinical picture. 
     Thus, it may be expedient that one fixture and the arrangement of the openings in the holding sections is designed for the treatment of, for example, posture problems and another fixture for the treatment of, for example, back pain. This simplifies handling. In particular, an accidental stimulation of incorrect reflex zones is avoided, since the insertion of a fiber optic cable into the wrong opening of the holder is prevented or not possible at all. The fixture has only those openings for fiber optics that are needed to handle one problem. The holder sections are therefore formed as stencils which has only the necessary openings for one possible or desired treatment. 
     Since the position of the different reflex zones on and above and behind the ear is almost the same for each person, the fixtures can be prefabricated independently of the individual patient. The position of the openings for the stimulation of the selected reflex zones then only has to be aligned relative to the patient&#39;s ear. 
     The applicant has found that the position of the reflex zones relative to the upper and front ear base is almost identical for each person and independent of the size of the person or his head. It is therefore expedient that the fixture or the support sections and the relevant stencils with the openings have a marking with which the holding sections or the stencils are aligned relative to the upper and front ear base. It can be provided, for example, that the holding section has a marking that is in the effective position vertically above the front and upper ear base. The horizontal alignment of the holding sections is caused by a lower edge of the fixture or the holding sections, which rests on the upper ear baseline. For example, the edge can be 1.5 cm to 3 cm long. The openings of the holding sections or the stencils are then aligned according to the selected reflex zones. 
     Basically, the material the holding portion or the holding portions are made of is discretionary. It is nevertheless useful for said holding portion or holding portions to be made of plastic material and in particular silicone. Silicone offers elastic as well as flexible properties so that it fits well on the patient&#39;s head. What is more, silicone can readily be cleaned. But basically, any other elastic and/or flexible plastic material can be used. 
     It is also useful for the holding portions to be made of transparent material. Then, the treating physician can monitor the right fit of said optical wave guide on the scalp with said fixture attached. 
     Alternatively, it is possible for the holding portion or the holding portions to be made of textile material. Here, said openings can be constituted such that any desired reflex zone can be reached in the area of the head. 
     In any case it is useful for said holding portion or holding portions to be movably held on said fixture. This enables to perfectly adjust said fixture to various head shapes or head sizes. 
     Moreover, it is useful for the holding portion or the holding portions to be removably connected to said fixture. This facilitates cleaning of said fixture as only the removed holding portions must be cleaned and disinfected. 
     It can be provided that a holding portion extends at least partially behind an ear. Thereby, the reflex zones of the temporal bone covered by the auricle can be charged with light. There, said holding portion also shows through-holes for optical wave guides. 
     It can also be useful for said optical wave guide to have an extension with through-holes for optical wave guides covering the area below the auricle at the rear ear basis. Said extension can be flexibly connected to the holding portion and be integrally shaped with the latter. But it is also possible that said extension is formed in the area behind the ear as downwards pointing convexity fitted under the auricle at the rear ear basis on the temporal bone in its attached position. Thereby, even reflex zones for mastoid-acupuncture on the temporal bone are covered by simple means and can be reached with optical wave guides arranged behind the ear basis. 
     For example, said fixture can be configured as a hood in order to cover the entire head area so that said optical wave guides are guidable through openings which are arranged accordingly, to various reflex zones on the head. This enables stimulation by light of reflex zones even outside said temporal bone. 
     But it is particularly useful for said fixture to be configured as bandeau. Said bandeau&#39;s width can be adjustable such that it can easily be adjusted to the head&#39;s circumference. Hence, said bandeau extends over the patient&#39;s front and occiput so that said holding portions are safely held in the area above the ear. For example, said bandeau can be configured as a rubber flexible or comprise a bandeau adjustable in length. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that said fixture is configured as a bracket extending over the head and supporting said holding portions on its free ends. Said bracket can press said holding portions in an elastic but sufficiently tight manner to the temporal bone above the ear. Moreover, said bracket can be configured to be adjustable in length so that it is easily adjustable to various head sizes. 
     In general, said optical wave guides are configured to be elastic and flexible. Hence, it is easily possible to directly position the shining front end on the scalp. The existing distance between said holding portion and said scalp enables to circumvent troublesome hair, for example. 
     The other ends of the fiber optics can be merged and fed to a common light supply source. High-performance LEDs can be used. It has been shown that high-performance LEDs can produce sufficient but not too high light intensity to stimulate the reflex zones or reflex points. By using LED, the use of the fixture is also harmless. 
     The stimulation of the periosteum is important during treatment. It is therefore essential that the acting light penetrates only up to the periosteum on the skull. The luminous intensity of the light source used is therefore dimensioned in such a way that a penetration of the light is only caused up to the periosteum on the skull. The light of a stronger light source, such as a laser light source, would penetrate into the brain and act directly on the brain cells which is not desired. It is carried out by the light acting only on the periosteum an irritation or stimulation of the relevant reflex zones, which are located on the periosteum and on which certain body regions are depicted. 
     By such a fixture or such a holding section or a stencil, the stimulation of the relevant microsystem of the body can take place. The reflex zones or reflex points of the desired microsystem are reliably found through the predetermined openings in the holding sections and can be irritated with light. It can be carried out with the fixture according to the invention an LED light acupuncture and thus a periosteum acupuncture of predetermined reflex zones in the area of the temple leg is comfortable and safe for a longer period of time for the treating physician. 
     Moreover, it can be provided that said light shines in various wave lengths. Said wave lengths can either be discretionarily selectable or be changed automatically. Pulsed light can also be used. Finally, this is at the treating physician&#39;s discretion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in more details by way of the schematic drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows the lateral view of a head with a fitted fixture according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows the front view of a head with a fitted fixture, and 
         FIG. 3  shows a cut-out view through the holding portion in the area of the openings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The fixture  10  shown in the drawing for light acupuncture purposes is configured as a bandeau  11  extending over the front area  12  and the occiput  13  of the head  14  of a human being. Hence, said bandeau  11  approximately has the aspect of a headband. 
     In the area above an ear  15 , said fixture  10  has a holding portion  16  extending over said temporal bone  17  above said ear  15  on each side. Thereby, said temporal bone  17  of the head  14  is covered at least partially. Openings  18  suitable enable passing through of said optical wave guides  19  are provided in said holding portion  16 . In detail, the arrangement is configured as to hold said optical wave guides  19  relatively tight in the openings  18  so that they are movable to and fro towards the friction force. Thereby, said optical wave guides  19  respectively their free front sides  20  which shine in operation can perfectly be fitted to the scalp  21  of the head  14 . Owing to frictional guidance of the optical wave guide  19  in the allotted opening  18 , any move back of said optical wave guide, for example due to a movement of the head, is reliably prevented. 
     Said openings  18  are arranged on the holding portion  16  such that, in an attached position, they are essentially positioned over the known mastoid acupuncture reflex zones on the temporal bone  17  of the head  14  and in particular above and partially behind the ear  15  of a human being. Said optical wave guide  19  is held vertically relative to said holding portion  16  in said openings  18  so that the free front end  10  is safely attached to the scalp  21 . The optical wave guide diameter is chosen such that said optical wave guide can perfectly be positioned between hair  22  and directly on the scalp  21 . Hence, light can directly act on the scalp and thereby on the reflex zones of the temporal bone  17 . 
     The optical wave guide  19  diameter comes for example to 1.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular to 2 mm to 3 mm. The free front ends  20  of the optical wave guides  19  can be configured to be plane. For comfortable wearing, the front ends  20  can also be configured to be round. It is at least useful for the edges to be round in order to avoid any uncomfortable pressure on the scalp. 
     In the embodiment shown, said bandeau  11  is tightly connected to the holding portions  16 . It is in particular provided for said bandeau  11  and the holding portions  16  on both sides to be made of plastic material. In particular in the holding portions  16 , said plastic material has a thickness sufficient to safely guide the passed through optical wave guide  19  in said openings  18 . Thereby, any bending down or any undesirable inclined course of said optical wave guide  19  relative to said holding portion  16  is avoided. For example, thickness of said holding portions  16  can be 3 to 8 mm. 
     But said bandeau  11  can also removably be connected to said holding portions  16 . Then, said bandeau  11  can be made of a rubber flexible material so that said holding portions can perfectly and independently from the actual head size be held in the desired position over the ear. 
     But it can also be provided that, in case of configuration in one piece of said fixture  10 , an adaption mechanism  23  is provided intended to enable adjustment of the width of said bandeau  11 . Such adaption mechanisms are basically known and therefore require no additional description. 
     Basically, it is provided that said holding portions  16  extend over an ear  15 . But it can also be provided that said holding portions  16  have, in the area of the rear ear basis, one extension  24  each with through holes  18  and which, in its attached position, is at least partially fitted below the auricle on the temporal bone  17 . This enables said optical wave guide&#39;s 19 orientation relative to the reflex zones on the entire temporal bone. 
     Said optical wave guides can have a diameter of 1.5 mm to 5 mm and in particular of 2 mm to 3 mm, thereby enabling to be perfectly guided to the scalp, passing through the hair. Hence, light exiting on the free front end  20  can directly act on the scalp  21  and the acupuncture points. Several optical wave guides  19  intended to treat several reflex zones can be arranged on one holding portion  16 . It is useful for said optical wave guides  19  to be guided in bundles at a distance from said holding portion  16  and in a consolidated form to a light source (not shown). Said light source can, for example, be positioned at a distance of 0.8 to 2.0 meters relative to said fixture such that comfortable fitting and wearing of such fixture  10  are possible. 
     Detailed configuration of said optical wave guides is basically known and does not require any further description. One or more high-power LEDs able to emit light with various wave lengths can be used as light sources. Hence, it is possible to stimulate said reflex zones by various wave lengths. 
     Said fixture is bound to be fitted easily to the head of a human being. This can be realised either by trained professionals or by the patient him-/herself. Orientation of said optical wave guides on said reflex zones can be ensured individually. Here, it can be provided that a fixture with openings is provided in the reflex zones relevant to a patient. But it can also be provided that said openings  18  are arranged alongside a pattern such that said optical wave guide is guided through the desired opening to the desired reflex zone, where said fixture is attached. Altogether, this enables to guide a sufficient amount of light directly to said reflex zone. Moreover, it is possible for said optical wave guide to remain on the same reflex zone over a prolonged period of time of, e. g., 5 to 20 minutes and in particular 7 to 15 minutes so that said reflex zone is stimulated over a sufficient period of time. 
     However, it can also be provided that the holding sections  16  have prefabricated openings  18  for the treatment of certain clinical pictures. The openings are then located in the applied position of the fixture above the selected reflex points for the treatment of the relevant clinical picture. In order that the fixture and the retaining sections  16  and thus the openings  18  can be correctly aligned to the ear  15  of the patient, the fixture  10  has a mark  25  which is aligned in the correct position of the fixture  10  vertically or cranial above the front and upper ear base  26 . The marking  25  can be formed as a notch or a protrusion. 
     The horizontal alignment can be done via a horizontal bottom edge  27  of the fixture or the holding sections  16 , which is supported in the correct position of the fixture  10  on the upper horizontal ear base line  28 . Thus, an exact alignment of the fixture or its holding sections  16  relative to the ear  15  is possible. By the elastic design of the band  11 , the fixture can be adjusted to different head sizes with the same orientation of the holding sections  16  relative to the respective assigned ear.