GB2422313A

GB2422313A - Therapeutic infrasound generator and amplifier for clinical application

Info

Publication number: GB2422313A
Application number: GB0501490A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Surtees Wykeham Bradford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-25
Filing date: 2005-01-25
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Also published as: GB0501490D0

Abstract

A unit for generating, propagating and broadcasting low frequency sound into space to relieve muscular spasms in the body of a patient placed in close proximity to it. Preferably the unit generates low frequency sound waves or a complex of low frequency sound waves stored electronically, magnetically, mechanically or by any other means coupled to an amplifier which is in turn coupled to a loudspeaker. The unit may be self-contained, including a signal generator, amplifier and loudspeaker in a portable cabinet for therapeutic application. The unit may generate and deliver infrasound via the loudspeaker and may be used without medical supervision, particularly to relieve lower back pain.

Description

1 2422313

THERAPEUTIC INFRASOUND GENERATOR AND AMPLIFIER FOR CLINICAL

APPLICATION

This invention relates to a device which generates low frequency audible sound waves and propagates them into space close to the affected part of a patient's body.

There are a number of chronic medical conditions, variously described as lower back pain', lumbago', back strain', or fibrositis' which manifest the common symptoms of acute and chronic pain in the lumbar region of the back accompanied by inflammation of the muscles and the fibrous tissues around the joints. This condition is usually, if not always, accompanied by spasm of the muscles around the spinal column, which serve to immobilise the spine by preventing the normal articulation of the vertebrae. This mechanism, which is often initiated by trauma or strain, usually strikes' with extreme rapidity, that is, in a fraction of a second, and may thereafter increase in severity over the succeeding minutes or hours. The condition tends to remain Iocalised, but the mechanical effect of the localised loss of articulation tends to cause strain in adjacent regions.

This condition, once developed, tends to become chronic, lasting for weeks, months or years. There is no single medical condition which in the British Isles causes more days off work.

The cure is to effect a release of the spasm and the reduction of the inflammation. The conventional treatments include anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic drugs, massage, manipulation, heat, and ultrasound, all of which, with the exception perhaps of heat, have to be administered by a medical or orthopaedic practitioner and cannot be self- prescribed or administered.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronically or mechanically recorded and stored infrasound signal or complex of signals as part of the self- contained unit plus an amplifier plus a loudspeaker of appropriate dimensions and tolerances to propagate the signals into space, that is, into the air, as an audible sound wave.

The therapeutic application of this device is to direct the infrasound towards the affected region of the patient's body at a distance of 50 centimetres in order to effect the release of the spasm.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a typical unit, comprising signal source - in this case a compact disc player, an amplifier, a tuner and a bass loudspeaker, although the signal-source might equally well be magnetic tape, I-Pod', MP3 player', memory stick', or any other solid-state memory source or chip'.

Figure 2 shows a sketch, in perspective, of an integrated infrasound unit for clinical therapeutic use.

Figure 3 shows an outline sketch of a unit in use with a patient standing in front of it, although the unit may be used with the patient lying on his or her side so long as the focus of the sound emitted by the loudspeaker is central to the point on the patient's body to be treated.

Referring to the drawings, the infrasound unit comprises an integral signal generator, amplifier and loudspeaker contained in a portable cabinet propagating low-frequency sound (infrasound') waves at an appropriate amplitude to relieve back spasm in a patient close to the unit.

In order to be easily portable, the unit may be provided with a carrying handle.

The unit may be provided with a tuner so that different frequencies may be selected.

The unit may be provided with a volume-control to vary the amplitude of the sound and the power output thereby.

Claims

1 A unit generating, propagating and broadcasting low-frequency sound into space for the purpose of relieving muscular spasm in the body of a patient placed in close proximity to it.

2 A unit as claimed in claim I comprising a generator of low-frequency sound waves or a complex of low-frequency sound waves stored electronically, magnetically or mechanically, or by any other means, coupled to an amplifier, coupled in turn to a loudspeaker transmitting low-frequency sound waves.

3 A unit as claimed in claim I and 2 comprising a self-contained unit containing signal generator, amplifier and loudspeaker in a portable cabinet for therapeutic application in a clinical situation.

4 An infrasound generator and loudspeaker system substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.