GB2460949A - A therapeutic temperature maintaining device - Google Patents

Abstract

A therapeutic device for relieving an affected part of the body comprises a mass of material such as beeswax, paraffin wax or soya wax which in use is capable of maintaining the natural temperature range of the affected part when retained on the skin near the affected part. The wax may contain a thermoelectric device for controlling the temperature of the wax. The invention also extends to articles of apparel containing such a therapeutic device.

Description

A THERAPEUTIC DEVICE

The present invention relates to a therapeutic device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device in which one or more blocks of beeswax are, in use, retained adjacent the skin.

Many different treatments are known which involve the application of substances to the skin. These substances are generally intended to either heat or cool the relevant area of the body. Although they may give temporary 0 relief, they do not tackle the underlying cause. This is because low temperatures decrease cellular metabolism and, therefore, interfere with natural replenishment and healing. On the other hand, high temperatures destroy delicate cells of the already stressed organ. For example, temperatures above 40C can result in death of the living organism.

It has been found that the rate at which many ailments can be treated is dependant on the flow of blood through the capillaries in the area affected.

The inventor developed the Theory of Capillaries' Activity. Supported by the experimental studies on rats, his findings show that many chronic health disorders are caused by certain processes at the capillary level: a) The constriction of capillaries leads to the deficiency of blood in the stressed tissue of the organ, and thus to the lack of nutrients and the lowering of the temperature locally; b) The expansion of the capillary network follows, leading to the growth of the tissue. This increases the pressure inside the organ and damages its proper functioning.

Depending on the rigidness of the organ's capsule, the pressure resulting from the tissue's growth either leads to the enlargement of the organ, or to the eventual necrosis (death) of its tissue.

These fmdings lead the inventor to develop a device that can stabilise the temperature in the affected organ locally, and thus treat the underlying reason for the problem, not just the symptoms.

Thus the stabilised normal body temperature makes the flow of blood in the tissue easier and so recovery can take place more quickly. It has been found that certain substances, such as beeswax, have a reservoir of latent energy and when placed adjacent the skin maintain the temperature of the affected area at or near the natural body temperature. This in turn enables blood to flow more effectively, resulting in improved treatment of the particular ailment.

According to the present invention there is provide a therapeutic device for relieving an affected part of the body, comprising a mass of material which in use is capable of maintaining the natural temperature range of the affected part when retained on the skin near the affected part.

The material may comprise beeswax.

The material may comprise paraffm wax.

The material may comprise soya wax or any other wax or mix of waxes which is able to accumulate the heat of the body.

The material may comprise one or more blocks of one or more of the above waxes.

The material may be located within an article of apparel The article of apparel may be a belt and the material may be located within one or more pockets disposed along the belt.

The article of apparel may be a flexible framework and the material may be located within one or more pockets disposed along the framework.

The belt or framework may comprise an elastic material, such as neoprene.

The pockets may comprise cotton.

The article of apparel may be an article of clothing such as boxer shorts, briefs, shorts, pants, panties, pyjamas, singlets, shirts, sports bras, sweaters, trousers, hats, caps, berets etc. The mass of material may be united to a thermo electric device for controlling the temperature of the material.

For many years people have been frying to relieve different health disorders by applying crystals, precious metals, magnets, thermogen wool, hot-water bottles, and other substances. Empirical evidence shows that such applications can bring some relief to the symptoms of a disorder, such as pain but not to the disorder itself.

The aim of the present invention is to treat the underlying cause of a health disorder, not just its symptoms. The device according to the present invention works as a stand-alone treatment, without the need for additional procedures, which are frequently painful and lead to negative and harmful side effects.

The present invention realises a device which will maintain the normal body temperature range in the area to which it is applied by enabling a natural recovery process to occur in the tissue of the affected organ by regulating to physical processes inside the body rather than its inimune, hormonal or any other reactions. The device can be made to have an optimal composition and size thereby ensuring precise coverage of the body area to be treated, and be comfortable to wear over a prolonged period of time.

The fact is that there is an increased pressure inside a diseased organ is the actual cause of its disorder. The discovery of a physical factor as the primary cause of the organ's disorder is totally original. Depending on the rigidness of an organ's capsule, the pressure resulting from the tissue's growth either leads to the enlargement of the organ (tumour, e.g. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) or to the eventual necrosis, i.e. death, of its tissue (heart attack, cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure).

Another original feature of the medical research which led to the present invention is the discovery of the initiation of damaging processes at the capillary level. This theory of Capillaries' Activity shows that chronic health disorders are caused by certain consecutive processes that occur in a similar way in tissues of different organs. When a device according to the present.

invention is retained against the skin blood flow is enhanced and pressure in the tissue is relieved, encouraging restorative processes and treatment of the particular ailment.

Known substances which have been applied to the skin are generally intended to either heat or cool the relevant area of the body. Although they may give temporary relief, they do not tackle the underlying cause. This is because low temperatures decrease cellular metabolism and, therefore, interfere with natural replenishment and healing. On the other hand, high temperatures destroy delicate cells of the already stressed organ. For instance, temperatures above 40°C may result in death of the iivlng organism. The present invention establishes that it is the normal body temperature range that is necessary for the restoration to occur.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is technologically possible to control the temperature inside the organ without harmful interventions.

An affected organ with a strong capsule tends to enlarge prior to necrosis of its tissue. For instance, it is common for a post heart attack examination to reveal a left ventricular hypertrophy. The first symptom of hepatitis is the enlargement of the liver, consequently leading to cirrhosis, i.e necrosis of its tissue. Patients with acute kidney failure tend to have swollen and enlarged kidneys, whilst, in the case of chronic kidney failure, the kidneys are wrinkled. On the other hand, the tissue of the organs not surrounded by a strong capsule grow, which leads to different types of tumour, as in the case of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Thus the present invention is useful in the treatment of many disorders such as kidney stones, heart problems, arthritis, gall-bladder stones, obesity, problems with vertebra, tumours and diabetes.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures Ia and lb show a belt which can be used on the lower spine, Figure 2 shows a belt which can be used around the head, Figures 3a and 3b show a belt which can be used on the kidney region, Figures 4a and 4b show framework arrangement which can be used on the upper spine, and Figures 5 to 16 show various articles of clothing in which is located masses of material in accordance with the present invention, Figures 17 and 18 show various locations on the body for the material mass, and Figure 19 shows a thermo electric device.

Referring to figure la, there is shown a front part of a belt 1 made from an elastic material such as neoprene, which has a region 2 that is wider than the remainder of the belt. In this wider region 2 there are located three pockets 4 made from, for example, cotton, each containing a block of beeswax 5.

Alternatively, the belt may comprise a single larger pocket containing a single block (not shown). The back part of the belt 1, shown in figure Ib, is fixed to the lower spine by means of a clasp attachment 6 which can be adjusted so that the beeswax blocks fit closely against that region of the lower spine that has become affected. This belt is particularly useful in treating prostate problems.

Figure 2 shows a belt 7 which can be fitted to the head in the manner of a bandana by tying the end parts 8 and 9 together in a knot or bow, or connecting the ends with, for example, Velcro (not shown). This particular embodiment has two enlarged regions 10 in each of which there are located two pockets 11, each containing a pair of blocks of beeswax 12. As in the embodiment shown in figure 1, the belt may be made from neoprene and the pockets from cotton. In use each pair of blocks is located at opposite sides of the head.

Figures 3a and 3b show the front and back part respectively of a belt 13 for use on the kidney region of the body, and comprises a single enlarged region 14. Within the enlarged region 14 are two sets of five spaced pockets 15, each containing a beeswax block 16. Alternatively, the belt may comprise two larger pockets, each containing a single larger block (not shown). The space between the two sets of pockets 15 is so designed that when worn each set lies on a respective kidney region of the body. As above the belt may be made from neoprene and the pockets from cotton.

Figures 4a and 4b show a framework arrangement 17 for use on the upper spine. The framework is effectively in two parts, a front part 18 shown in figure 4a and a rear part 19 shown in figure 4b. The two parts comprise a single strap 20 which passes horizontally around the lower region of the spine. The ends of the strap are joined together by, for example, two co-operating pieces of Velcro 21 and 22, or by an adjustable clasp (not shown) similar to that illustrated in figure lb. The framework comprises five pockets 23, two of which extend across the upper region of the back of the wearer and three extend down the spine. Located within each pocket is a block of beeswax 24.

Figures 5 and 6, respectively, show the front and back of a pair of shorts 25 incorporating pockets 26 containing blocks of wax 27. The provision of wax at the back helps to prevent back pain and sciatica. The wax is pressed against the body by the elastic band 28 at the top of the shorts. The provision of wax at hip region helps with hip disorder. The location of the wax is equally applicable to pants, boxers, pyjamas etc. Figure 7 shows the front of a pair of shorts 25a incorporating a single pocket 26b at the front containing a single block of wax 27b. The provision of wax in this position helps to treat prostate problems.

Figures 8 and 9, respectively, show the front and back of a sports bra 29 incorporating pockets 30 containing rectangular blocks of wax 31. the blocks at the front help to treat heart disorders and those at the back, which are positioned along the vertebrae, help with osteochodrosis and osteoarthritis by improving the condition of the inter-vertebral discs.

Figures 10 and 11, respectively, show the front and back of a bra, similar that shown in figures 7 and 8 but with the pockets and blocks of wax at different positions; there being a block 32 at the front right side at the region of the gall bladder to help dissolve gall stones. At the upper region of the back is a pair of wax blocks 33 for treating pam in the shoulder blade area.

At the lower region is a pair of blocks 34 for helping to dissolve kidney stones.

Figure 12 shows the front of a dress 35 incorporating two pockets 36 at the upper chest region in which are located rectangular blocks of wax 37. The blocks are located at the region of the lungs for helping with coughing, bronchitis and lung disease.

Figure 13 shows a Stetson hat 38 incorporating two pockets 39 within the crown and each containing a rectangular block of wax 40.

Figure 14 shows a baseball cap 41 incorporating two pockets 42 each containing a rectangular block of wax 43.

Figure 15 shows a chef's hat 44 incorporating two pockets, each containing a circular block of wax 45.

The wax blocks shown in figures 13 to 15 are so located as to help in the treatment of headaches, brain problems, obesity and cold etc, Figure 16 shows a pair of ladies panties 46 incorporating a single pocket 47 in the front, containing a block of wax 48. The block is pressed against the body in order to help treat period pain.

Figures 17 and 18 show various possible locations of wax blocks for helping to cure different ailments.

Figure 19 shows a side and top view of a thermo electric device 49. The device comprises a thermo controller 50 for controlling the temperature of a wax block 51 which is adhered to the thermo controller. Extending from the thermo controller the wax block is an anode 52 and a cathode 53 which pass heating electrical current through the wax. Also extending from the thermo controller 50 is a pair of temperature controlling needles 54 which sense the temperature in the wax block and regulate the current flowing through the anode and cathode. The arrangement is such that preferably a temperature of between 36°C and 37°C is maintained in the wax.

The principle of the wax thermo electric device is that it accumulates energy from the body and returns it back in such a way that the normal body temperature is maintained in the suffering tissues.

In general heath problems, the capillaries of the entire body react and the consequential reduced temperature across the body may be unable to provide sufficient energy to the wax alone. By using a thermo electric device extra thermal energy can be imparted to the wax (or other diathermal substance) at a controlled temperature of substantially 37°C to 38°C and, thereby, the body.

Thermo electric devices may have an impact on the tissues of the body by virtue of the use of electricity and, therefore, may not always be appropriate for domestic use. In such cases they should be used in a controlled environment such as a hospital. ii