WO2011033329A1

WO2011033329A1 - Light therapy device

Info

Publication number: WO2011033329A1
Application number: PCT/HU2010/000099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Márta FENYŐ; Péter Klein
Original assignee: Polárium Hangulat-És Közérzetjavító Kft.
Priority date: 2009-09-16
Filing date: 2010-09-15
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: HUP0900580A2; HU0900580D0

Abstract

Light therapy device for treating the surface of a living organism. The device contains a light emitting surface (2) in which a plurality of light emitting devices are arranged. The light emitting surface (2) has a tunnel-like shape and is adapted to surround at least partially the surface of the living organism in longitudinal direction, and the light emitting devices are LED devices (3) provided with linear polarizing filter (4). The direction of linear polarization of the polarizing filter (4) is in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2).

Description

A

LIGHT THERAPY DEVICE

The invention relates to a light therapy device adapted for treating the surface of a living organism wherein the light emitting surface of the device contains a plurality of light emitting devices.

The physiological effect elicited by use of these devices is known from the technical literature, e.g.:

Fenyo, M. (1984):

Theoretical and experimental basis of biostimulation

Optics and Laser technology, 16, 209-215

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

Investigations on biological effect of polarized light

Photochemistry and Photobiology, 48, 505-509

Fenyo, M. Mandl, J., Falus, A. (2002):

Opposite effect of linearly polarized light on biosynthesis of lnterleukin-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

Fenyo, 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 results of the research described in the publications mentioned above reinforce in different aspects that polarized light has biologically stimulating effect (principally through stimulation of the immune system). By exposing the surface of a living organism to polarized light - as an impact of external origin (agent) - helps various favourable cell transformation to taking place in the organism. The effects elicited may be preventive effects or they may help already existing unfavourable conditions, illnesses to be reversed, and also they may promote mental and physical performance of the living organism. It is known and proved that polarized light, especially linearly polarized light is beneficial to biological functioning of the living organism. By correctly choosing the intensity, the wavelength and the exposure time of the polarized light used on the appropriate part of the body surface the vital functions are definitely improved.

However, in prior art in case of the above mentioned effects measures generally were taken for exposing only a limited target area of the body surface.

The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement in order to enhance these known effects and by means of which the benefits of polarized light may be utilized not only on a local part but essentially on the whole or at least approximately the whole body surface.

During the surround treatment of the entire human body surface the positive effect of polarized light manifests almost immediately on all cells of the organism.

The polarized light incident on the skin surface exerts a stimulatory effect on metabolism, circulation, cell regeneration, energy production and cell function. When the whole skin surface, that is the entire living organism to be treated is exposed to polarized light, this light reaching the blood circulating in the capillaries including the shaped components is able to exert a concurrent effect on all red and white blood cells. The immune competent cells of intensified activity of the shaped components involved in blood circulation, starting from inside the body, reach almost immediately any part of the body and trigger their recognition and healing mechanisms. At the same time the red blood cells, that bind more oxygen under the effect of polarized light, transfer the increased amount of oxygen to each organ and cell of the body thereby intensifying their activity and function.

Consequently, throughout the therapy the polarized light exerts, its biostimulating effect on all cells of the whole organism in a very short time, practically immediately. This effect makes the difference between the surround treatment of the entire body versus the local treatment. This accounts for the fact that the present invention represents not only a change in quantity ( by lighting a larger body surface) but a step change in quality.

This difference is the reason why the whole-body polarized light therapy can elicit such biological effects that can not be produced by local treatment. (E.g. Prevention of viral and bacterial infections, significant acceleration of callus formation, ossification in case of fractures, etc.) The object of the present invention is to provide a means to this.

It has been realized that by employing a tunnel-like light emitting surface an arrangement may be formed which essentially surrounds a living body lengthwise. The arrangement is provided with LED light sources by means of which required intensity of light in proper range of wavelength may be generated so that it does not cause excessive heat-load on the living organism, and the optimal amount of energy may be transmitted to the living organism in a relatively short time (5-40 min.).

The device developed according to the preamble in its most general form is provided with a tunnel-like light emitting surface the emitting surface of which is formed to surround at least partially a living body lengthwise. The radiating surface contains an arrangement of LEDs provided with polarizing filter.

Figure 1 shows the front-view of a typical embodiment of the device according to the invention in its closed state.

Figure 2 is the side view of the device of Figure 1 in its closed state.

Figure 3 is the side view of the device of Figure 1 in its open state.

Figures 4A-4H show various cross-sections for forming the tunnel-like light emitting surface usable for embodiments of the invention.

Figure 5 shows LED light sources with a first arrangement of the polarizing filter.

Figure 6 shows LED light sources with a second arrangement of the polarizing filter.

Figure 7 shows LED light sources arranged for exposing the lying surface from below.

Figure 8 schematically shows an arrangement illustrating the LED devices inserted in the light emitting surface and the scattering distance.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the invention for treating a limb. The two-dimensional design of the light emitting surface of the tunnel-like device 1 is adapted to surround from all sides a lengthwise expanding object for example a living organism, a body or a part of a body e.g. a limb. Advantageously, device 1 can be opened into two parts by means of suitable joining elements (hinges) enabling opening in a required extent. This can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 showing the side views of the device 1 in its closed state (Figure 2) and open state (Figure 3). This openability makes possible for the person to be treated to lie in easily or in an alternative embodiment to place one of his limbs wholly into device 1 according to the invention. When the whole body of a person to be treated lies in device 1 and there is no possibility to shut the device from inside, assistance of an operator is required. For reducing the heat load in device 1 cooling air H may be introduced through an inlet opening.

The device is provided with a light emitting surface 2 having a tunnel-like cross-section. Device 1 especially its light emitting surface 2 may be shaped similarly to the known solariums. However, other tunnel-like geometrical shapes having e.g. circular, oval, multiangular cross-sections are also possible. Examples of forming the cross-section of light emitting surface 2 are shown in Figures 4A- 4H. Figure 4A shows the cross-section of the light emitting surface shaped as a section of a circle, Figure 4B shows a cross-section shaped as a semicircle, the cross-section shown in Figure 4C is semi-elliptical, Figure 4D shows a cross- section shaped as a parabola, Figure 4E shows the cross-section of a pair of straight plate open from the sides, the cross-section in Figure 4F is triangular, in Figure 4G it is rectangular and Figure 4H shows a multiangular cross-section.

Special tunnel-like designs may be where the radiating upper and lower light emitting surfaces of the tunnel are not closed entirely, still they are suitable for radiating polarized light on almost the whole body surface.

The light therapy device 1 is provided with a so called light emitting surface 2 forming the inner surface of the above mentioned tunnel-like part. At least partly it is comprised of a LED arrangement having a polarization filter thereby emitting linearly polarized light essentially in the direction of the normal of the light emitting surface 2. In this way the best utilization of light and bio-stimulating effect may be ensured. LEDs may be arranged in rows and columns, however, different arrangements e.g. diagonally or randomly arranged LEDs are also possible. Considering the aperture angle of the light emitted by LED devices 3 and the probable distance of the body surface to be treated, the density or spatial arrangement may be determined in order to ensure that the originating light intensity does not contain blanks, shaded portions.

According to the invention operating time of light emitting surface 2 is controlled ensuring the correct time of exposure. To this, operating time of LED devices 3 - which not necessarily operate at maximum intensity - is controlled and set to a determined period of time, advantageously 10-30 minutes, preferably 20 minutes. In this case the intensity of the polarized light emitted by light emitting surface 2 is 10-100 mW/cm², that is the energy density communicated onto the body surface to be treated is approximately 4-30 J/cm². Polarization may be realized in several ways. In a possible embodiment a polarizing foil is placed before LED devices 3 inserted in light emitting surface serving as light sources. In an alternative embodiment LED devices 3 or the lenses belonging to them may be coated with polarizing coat. This can be performed in a technological step before insertion of LED devices 3. Then LED devices 3 can be installed in light emitting surface 2 so that they emit their maximum light intensity in the direction of the normal of light emitting surface 2. That is, in this case it still holds true that the direction of polarization is parallel with the longitudinal axis of light emitting surface 2.

The light therapy device according to the invention can be used for both preventive and therapeutic treatments as well as for promoting mental and physical ability of the organism. In the present invention the different methods of effect mechanism are not dealt with as they are well known, only the device adapted to elicit the effects is described.

Polarizing filter 4 may be placed before the arrangement of LED devices 3 (i.e. the polarizing filter takes place between LED devices 3 and the body surface to be treated), advantageously parallel with the light emitting surface 2. This is shown in Figure 5. In this case e.g. a transparent plastic sheet 5 for example a plexiglass sheet is placed before light emitting surface 2, advantageously parallel with that. For polarizing filter 4 the actual polarizing component is applied on sheet 5 in the form of foil 6 or coating. Alternatively, two sheets 5 and 7 may be used and the polarizing component (foil 6 or coating) is placed between them. It is essential that the linear polarizing direction of polarizing filter 4 should be in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light emitting surface 2 or near to that.

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

The cross-section of the light emitting surface 2 of the tunnel-like form is essentially closed all around. The cross-section may be round, oval, multiangular or a combination of them as it was mentioned earlier. Inside it may contain a lying surface 8 as shown in Figures 4A-4H, which is adapted to support the body of the person to be treated. This is not necessarily exposed to polarized light, however, when suitably transparent material is used for forming the lying surface 8 the body may also be exposed to the polarized light from below. A simplified illustration of this is shown in Figure 7. Advantageously, lying surface 8 is a transparent load- bearing plate, under which a lower plate 9 provided with further LED devices 3 are positioned. They produce linearly polarized light similarly to light emitting surface 2 through polarizing filter 10 for exposure the lower part of the body lying on the upper surface of lying surface 8. The essentially arched light emitting surface 2 above lying surface 8 includes a structured arrangement of LED devices 3 provided with polarizing filter 4. The number of LED devices 3 should be determined so that correct light intensity, e.g. 10-100 mW/cm² is produced on the surface to be treated. If the spectrum of these devices is in the spectral range of visible light i.e. it is between 360-800 nm wavelength and in a certain case it contains certain discrete wavelengths between 800-850 nm of the near infrared spectral range, then the light therapy device used for treatment may exert favourable effect with respect to prevention and treatment of various illnesses and promotion of mental and physical abilities of the organism. By the device that is suitable for local treatment with polarized light, these medical effects cannot be produced.

As examples the following cases are mentioned without limiting the scope of invention: Case 1

A sportsman having a 2.5 cm wide muscle rupture diagnosed with ultrasonograph was treated by whole-body polarized light therapy. Recovery from an injury of this kind could take 6-8 weeks according to the present state of knowledge and the doctors' opinion. However, after a five-day whole body light therapy treatment this injury totally healed up. This was confirmed by ultrasonic imaging, too.

Case 2

Laminitis and tendinitis in the leg was diagnosed in case of a racehorse called Overdose. The horse had a bad limp and of course it could neither lope nor run in a race. (In this situation the owners of the horse planned a surgical intervention during which the hoof of the horse should have been destroyed and wait till it is regenerated. This could have lasted for several months and recovery was doubtful.) Instead of this, light therapy was suggested as alternative. After treating his limb daily for two weeks with the device according to the invention he stopped limping and after several months intermission allowed himself to be saddled and was able to lope. He was in such a good condition that he could start regular training without the surgical intervention.

Case 3

The whole-body polarized light therapy was applied in case of a three-year- old child. This child caught all viral and bacterial illnesses since his birth. His immune system was extremely weak. In fact, the time he spent healthily in the first three years of his life can be measured only in days. Naturally, his parents tried all existing medicines, he even had various operations in order to improve his health condition, but these trials were unsuccessful.

Treatment of the child with polarized light started five months ago. Since then he is practically healthy and has not caught any illnesses. The success was proved by laboratory tests, too, which showed that the number of cells responsible for the immunity has significantly increased and his own immune defence has become more active. The embodiment according to the invention is designed so that the whole or at least a defined portion of the uncovered body surface is exposed contemporaneously to polarized light. This method has been unknown till now, as in the prior art polarized light was used only for local treatment. It has been realized that by treating the whole body with polarized light instead of local treatment the result is more effective. One could produce such biological and medical effects that cannot be achieved by the exposure to polarized light on a limited surface.

Surprisingly this means that not merely a linearly greater effect due to the enlargement of the surface treated is achieved, but a lot more intensive effect different in quality is ensured for example in cases where local treatment appears ineffective.

The whole body treatment manifests an essentially different, biologically higher quality level. The light therapy device according to the invention provides a solution through which the aforementioned biological effects may be ensured by exposing the whole or essentially the whole body surface to polarized light. To this an arrangement formed from a plurality of individual LED devices 3 is used, which by means of linearly polarizing filter 4 is able to produce essentially uniform light intensity from the tunnel-like light emitting surface 2 longitudinally surrounding the body in a defined distance. This distance is called scattering distance d. Its measure depends on the type of the given LED devices 3, the aperture angle of their light emission and their arrangement (distance or spacing between them). Typically, scattering distance d may be calculated on the basis of the schematic arrangement shown in Figure 8. The Figure also shows an advantageous embodiment of the socket 16 of LED devices 3 together with front lens 17 which changes the aperture angle of the emitted light. This front lens 17 reduces the effective aperture angle (typically 110°) of the emitted light to aperture angle a. The minimum scattering distance d is obtained where the cone of light beams cover the whole surface (in Figure 8 it is illustrated in one-dimension). In two- dimensions this surface is circular, of course.

With suitable spacing of the employed LED devices 3 scattering distance d is between 40-100 mm. Problem is not raised if the distance between light emitting surface 2 and the body surface to be treated is greater than scattering distance d, since here the light distribution is already uniform as required, the minimum level of radiation is exceeded everywhere. Scattering distance d is also instrumental if lying surface 8 according to Figure 7 is applied. In this case it should be taken into consideration in relation to LED devices 3 positioned underneath.

In one embodiment the end parts of the tunnel-like light emitting device 2 of the light therapy device suitable for whole-body treatment are provided with closing elements 11 as it can be seen in Figure 2 and 3. They may be coated with some simple coating, e.g. mirror foil. In other case light emitting LED devices 3 may be placed in closing elements 11. The light of these may be changed into polarized light in a manner described earlier. The direction of polarization on these surfaces should be vertical, that is, it should be parallel with the meeting edges of light emitting surface 2 and lying surface 8. It may be imagined so that the direction of polarization on lying surface 8 proceeds on closing elements 11 and further proceeds on the tunnel-like light emitting surface 2. In this manner - e.g. when the body is in lying position - the top of the head and the sole are also exposed to polarized light.

In practice, typically the number of LED devices 3 arranged in an apparatus is between 200-2000, however, more LED devices may be used, this will enhance the uniform radiation, but at the same time it will increase the cost of production.

Effectiveness of LED devices 3 may be increased if they are placed in a cornet-shaped socket 16 the inside of which is coated with some reflective coating. When reflected, the light maintains its linearly polarized nature. If a polarized filter 4 formed from parallel sheets or foils is used instead of a coated one, then reflection from the socket 16 coated with reflective material takes place before polarization. With this reflective socket 16 the efficiency of light can be increased significantly while increase in the heat load is insignificant.

In Figure 9 a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention adapted for treating a limb is shown. In this case the naked limb is placed for treatment in the device 12 the inside of which is provided with light emitting surface 13. Here, there is no need for lying surface, however in special cases use of this is feasible. Light emitting surface 13 entirely surrounds the limb with regard to the longitudinal axis 14 of device 12. Naturally, in this case the direction of polarization (transmission) is also parallel with the limb and the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of device 12, in the example shown it is vertical. This device is adapted for treating a human leg in sitting or standing position. Further it is possible to treat e.g. the leg of a standing horse. To make insertion of the limb easier the device may consist of two halves which can be opened and closed by turning the halves around axle pin 15. In some cases it is preferable to use only the half of the cylinder (semi-circle cross-section). This can be suitable for treating e.g. the leg of a horse.

Advantageously, LED devices 3 used as light sources in any of the described embodiments are powered through the mains supply, and their spectral emission is in a narrow range. It is possible to use several LED devices with different spectral emission arranged on light emitting surface 2, 13. For example besides LED devices emitting light in the visible spectral range LED devices emitting light in the near infrared range may also be used. They may represent 20- 40% of all the LED devices 3. Preferably, the different types alternate evenly in the arrangement.

In a further embodiment partial use of LED devices emitting UV light is also possible. They may be installed in the arrangement of the light emitting surface alternately. These LED devices cause favourable biological effect of other nature which can be made more advantageous by polarization. Further common use of both infrared and UV LED devices (whose spectral range is near to the visible one) is also possible between high intensity LED devices emitting light in the visible range.

According to the invention the living organism can be the body or part of the body of a human or an animal. The animals can be either small or large-bodied animals, e.g. dogs, horses, cows. The living organism may be a plant or a part of it. For example for treating grain or sowing-seeds a conveyor belt moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like light emitting surface 2 may be used. The belt itself may be formed from a transparent material, in this case the lying surface 8 shown in Figure 7 may be a plate above which the belt can be moved. All of these solutions ensure that the seeds are continuously passed through and the time of treatment can be set.

The embodiments according to the invention may elicit several favourable effects. For example by combining polarized light with UV or infrared light in a predetermined proportion the required physiological effects may be achieved to a greater extent. However, the invention essentially relates to polarized light treatment on the whole body.

Claims

1. Light therapy device for treating the surface of a living organism said device contains a light emitting surface in which a plurality of light emitting devices are arranged, characterized in that said light emitting surface has a tunnel-like shape and is adapted to surround at least partially the surface of the living organism in longitudinal direction, and said light emitting devices are LED devices (3) provided with linearly polarizing filter (4), the direction of linear polarization of said polarizing filter (4) is in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2).

2. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that the end parts of said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2) are provided with closing elements.

3. Light therapy device according to claim 2 characterized in that said closing elements (11) contain LED devices (3) provided with linearly polarizing filter.

4. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that the LED arrangement provided with polarizing filter contains LED devices (3) emitting light with a wavelength of 360-800 nm.

5. Light therapy device according to claim 4 characterized in that it contains LED devices emitting light in the near infrared spectral range with certain discrete wavelengths of 800-850 nm.

6. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that it contains LED devices emitting light with certain discrete UV wavelength.

7. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2) is suitably sized to receive a limb.

8. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is formed from two parts containing said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2), the parts are coupled in an openable manner.

9. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that said polarizing filter (4) is placed before the arrangement of said LED devices (3) parallel with said light emitting surface (2).

10. Light therapy device according to claim 9 characterized in that s¾ifl polarizing filter (4) is placed between two transparent sheets (5,7).

11. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that said polarizing filter (4) is applied as coating on LED devices (3) or on their lenses being in a socket (16).

12. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that said LED devices (3) are installed in said light emitting surface (2) in a reflecting socket (16).

13. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2) contains a lying surface (8) arranged horizontally, parallel with the longitudinal axis of said light emitting surface (2).

14. Light therapy device according to claim 13 characterized in that said lying surface (8) is made of some transparent material, and LED devices (3) provided with linear polarizing filter (4) are arranged under it.

15. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that in the operating position of the device the longitudinal axis of said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2) is horizontal.

16. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that in the operating position of the device the longitudinal axis of said tunnel-like light emitting surface (2) is vertical.

17. Light therapy device according to claim 1 characterized in that for treating grain or sowing-seeds it contains a conveyor belt moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said tunnel-like light emitting surface.

18. Light therapy device according to claim 17 characterized in that said moving conveyor belt is made of some transparent material and contains polarizing surface layer.