WO2019157011A1

WO2019157011A1 - Apparatus for and method of treating viral infections

Info

Publication number: WO2019157011A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/016774
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve MENCANIN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-06
Filing date: 2019-02-06
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-06

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus tor and method of treating viral infections. The apparatus comprises at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm; and at least one means for emitting visible blue light in the range 405-470 nm.

Description

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF TREATS !MG VIRAL INFECTIONS

This Invention relates to an apparatus that emits both electromagnetic radiation centred around 1 072nm and visible light and method of treating viral Infections, in particular, but not exclusively, Herpesviridae infections .

BACKG ROUND

There are at least eight herpesvirus types that infect humans herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, varicella-zoster vims, EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, human herpesvirus 7, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, ail of which are extremely widespread among humans. More than 90% of adults have been infected with at least one of these, and a latent form of the virus remains in most people.

Herpes simplex viruses are categorized into two main types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1 , or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2 , or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 infection causes sores around the mouth and lips, although HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, most cases of genital herpes infection are caused by herpes type 2. For many people with the her pes virus, which can go through periods of being dormant, attacks (or outbreaks) can be brought on by the following conditions, general illness (from mild illnesses to serious conditions), fatigue, physical or emotional stress. Immunosuppression due to AIDS or such medications as chemotherapy or steroids, trauma to the affected area, including sexual activity and menstruation . Furthermore it is known that UV B light is a potent stimulus for Inducing reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. When an Individual is first infected with herpes and exhibits active symptoms, the duration of the primary outbreak will be the worst and most painful and can take 3 to 6 weeks to resolve. Subsequent recurrent outbreaks will be less severe , typically lasting 3 to 1 4 days and the frequency will become farther and farther apart with each recurring attack.

Electromagnetic radiation Is characterized by its wavelength and its intensity When the wavelength is within the visible spectrum (approximately from 39Qnm to 70Qnm), it is known as "visible light". Electromagnetic radiation less than 300nrn is ultraviolet and wavelength greater than 1 ,000 are In the Infrared region.

Low level light therapy (LLLT) in the red region (635- 700nm) has been suggested as an alternative to current medications for accelerated healing , reducing symptoms and influencing the length or the recurrence period of a herpetic infection. However it should be noted the! a study with 660 nm light as compared to topical applications with acyclovir (the "gold standard" for herpes treatment) showed no difference in the time taken to healing and that a further study of patients treated with acyclovir as the control group as compared to a test group treated with laser phototherapy with 780 nm (far red region) only showed that fesion size and Inflammation oedema was improved by the Hght therapy but not the level of pa In or monthly recurrence time.

Not al! wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are beneficial for example infrared 10 radiation at 880 nm is cytotoxic to human lymphocytes in vitro ( Bradford et al J Photochem. Photobil B: Biology 2005 (81) 9-14) whereas electromagnetic radiation centred round 1072nm has a therapeutic effect (WO9919024.) It is also known from the prior art that exposure of a herpes infected area of skin to a single restricted bandwidth Eight centred at 1072 nm. initiated within 36 hours or less of the onset of symptoms, can significantly reduce the healing time of an outbreak as compared to topical applications of acyclovir (Dougal et al Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001 26 (2).149-54) and as compared to placebo light (Dougal et al Clin Exp Dermatol. 2013; 38 713-718).

Blue light, particularly in the wavelength range of 405-470 nm. has attracted increasing attention due to its intrinsic antimicrobial effect without the addition of exogenous photosensitizers. Blue light therapy is a clinically accepted approach for the bacteria! infection Proptonittectorium acnes and has also been found effective in other bacterial infections such as Helicobacter py/or stomach infections and againsl wound pathogenic bacteria, including Staphytococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Green light therapy typically falls in the wavelength range of 515-520 nm and is most frequently used -for skin treatments such as reducing hyperpig mentation anti-aging therapies and for sleep disorders. Amber light therapy is also sometimes referred to as yellow or orange light therapy. It encompasses the range of wavelengths from 570-620 nm. Amber light has quite a shallow skin penetration but is effective in the treatment of skin issues involving redness, such as spider veins, rosacea, UV radiation damage, and reducing the appearance of the tiny blood vessels on the nose and face.

A hand held device that could reduce the pain level, provide symptomatic relief, reduce the length of a herpetic infection outbreak and reduce the interval frequency between outbreaks would offer immediate advantage to individuals afflicted with herpetic infections.

BRIEF SUMMARY OP THE DISCLOSURE

According to a flrst aspect of the invention there is provided a hand- held battery operated electromagnetic radiation therapy device comprising:

(i) a housing for accommodating the battery:

(ii) an interface region comprising a surface for aocornrnodaling al least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm: and al least one means for emitting visible blue light in the range 405-470 nm.

wherein the device is capable of producing, at the site being treated, a radialion intensity of at least 50 μWatts/cm² and up to 2 Watts/ cm²

Preferably. the electromagnetic radiation and the visible light are pulsed so thai they are out of phase so that the electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072 nm is only emitted when the visible light is not emitted.

Preferably, the device includes a frequency modulator for phasing the at least one visible light emitting source and the at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm so that the visible light from the at least one visible light emitting source is pulsed out of phase with the infrared light.

Prefe rabty. the device has a bandwidth around 120 nm and the half angle divergence of the electromagnetic radiation is in the range 15" to 45' .

Preferably, the device further includes any one or more of the following features:

(i) means for fixing ine intensity of the radialion within a pre-determined range.

(ii) an output monitor with a visible display indicating correct function ol the

device both for intensity and wavelength; (iiO means for controMng the duration of the application of the therapy.

Preferably, the at least one means of the means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is a solid state light emitting device selected from the group comprising solid state light emitting diodes (LEOs) or gas discharge devices or a laser diode device.

Preferably, the means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm includes a PN junction arranged to emit radiation with a wavelength centring at. or about, 1072nm

Preferably, the pulsed electromagnetic radiation is applied at a frequency/repetition rate in the range 300-800 Hz and more preferably at 600Hz Preferably, the at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is positioned at a substantially central position on the surface of the interface region and a plurality of means for emitting visible bine light in the range 405-470 nm are positioned around the 1072nm emitter. Preferably, the device further includes one or more means for emitting visible light selected from the group comprising red light in the range 635-700nm. orange light in the range 635- 590nm: yellow light in the range 590-580nm. green light in the range 56O-520nm. cyan light in the range 520-490nm. It will be appreciated that the design of the interface region surface may comprise a number of one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm in acid It ion to a number of means for emitting visible blue light in addition to a number of means for emitting other visible tights m the range of 470-700nm. Preferably, the minimum pulse width for 1072 nm emission is 300 mBliseconds.

According lo a further aspect of the inventiornhere is provided a method fortreating and/or improving body tissues vvherein said body tissue has a herpetic infection, the method comprising:

exposing said tissue to divergent electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength centred at 1072 nm so as to coincide with peak transmissions of a water molecule end visible blue light m the range 405-470 nm; and

selecting a radiation intensity for the electromagnetic radiation capable of producing, at the site of the tissue, a radiation intensity of at least 50 μ Watts/cm* up to 2 Watts/cm⁷

The method includes exposing herpetic virally infected tissue to the selected electromagnetic radiation and visible light resulting in alleviation of the herpetic viral infection.

Preferably, the treatment period is between 3 to 10 minutes and may be re,pealed several times a day until the symptoms of the infection are alleviated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one arrangement of the light emitting means on the surfece of the interface region.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a different embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a ye*, further embodiment of Figure 1

Figure 4 is a side view of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows the surface (1) of the interface region, the surface is surrounded by wail (2) which is raised so that the Interface surface is protected and in use is kept away from direct skin contact. Arranged on the surface (1) in a substantiaBy centrally position is a means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm (3) and arranged around the periphery are a number of biue visible Sight emitting means (4a). In use, item (3) will be on when items (4a) are off the sequence of on/off can go clockwise or anticlockwise and alternated between the 1072nm emitter and one of the peripheral blue light emitters. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 there are provided two 1072 nm emitters (3) although the number can be more and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. Surrounding items (3) there are provided visible blueemMers (4a) and other visible light emitters (4b). The (4b) emitters can be orange, ye Bow. green or cyan and could in some embodiments can be a combination of one. two. three or four different colours or they may be duplicated colours which pulse synchronously or individually in sequence and out of phase with the 1072 nm emitter. Figure 3 shows a yet further embodiment where a series of visible light emitters are blue (4a) plus any other visible light <4b, 4c).

With reference to Figure 4 there is shown the hand held device (A) of the present invention. The device comprises a body (5) which accommodates a battery and a panel (6) which has a means for turning the device on and off and which may also comprise a display for assessing duration, intensity and other parameters of the treatment.

A typical regimen for light exposure, when using. 1072nm and blue light is for four minutes total of at least 300 ms of 1072nm alternatively with at least.300 ms of blue light. A typical regimen cycle for multiple Hght exposure treatment lime of around 4 mmutes is;

I 1072rim (3O0 ms)

11. Blue light (300ms)

111 1072nm (300 ms)

IV. Green light (300ms)

V 1072nm (300 ms)

VT. Amber light (300ms)

Optionally the therapy may also include red light. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or sieps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural uniess the context otherwise requires. In particular , where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers , characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. Ail of the leatures disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or sleps are mutually exclusive The invention s not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference

Claims

1. A hand-nekt battery operated electromagn etic radiation therapy device comprising:

(i) a housing for accommodating the battery;

(ii) an interface region comprising a surface for accommodating at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm; and at least one means for emitting visible blue fight in the range 405-470 nm,

wherein the device is capable of producing, at the site being treated, a radiation intensity of at least 50 uVVatis/cm^? and up to 2 Watts/cm*

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic radiation and the visible light are pulsed so mat they are out of phase so that the electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072 nm is only emitted when the visible fight is not emitted.

3. A device according to either precedingclaim including a frequency modulator for phasing the at least one visible light emitting source and the at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm

4. A device according to any preceding claim tnat has a bandwidth around 120 nm.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the half angle divergence of the electromagnetic radiation is in the range 15° to 45°.

6. A device according to any preceding claim further including any one or more of the following features:

(i) means for fixing the mtensityof the radiation within a pre-determinedrange;

(ii) an output monitor with a visible display indicating correct function of the device both for intensity and wavelength, and

(ii) means for controlling the duration of the application of the therapy.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein, the ai least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is a solid stale light emitting device selected from the group comprising solid state light emitting diodes (LEDS) or gas dtscnarge devices or a laser diode device.

8 A device according to any preceding claim wherein, the means for emitting divergeni narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm includes a PN junction arranged to emit radiation with a wavelength centring at. or about. 1072nm.

9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein, the pulsed electromagnetic radiation is applied at a frequency/repel iiion rate in the range 300-800 Hz.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is positioned at a substantially centra! position on the surface of the interface region and a plurality of means for emitting visible blue Eight in the range 405-470 nm are positioned around the 1072nm emitter.

11. A device according to any preceding claim further including one or more additional means for emitting visible light selected from the group comprising red light in the range 700-635 nm. orange light in the range 635-590nm: yellow light in the range 590- seonrry green light m the range 560-520nm, cyan light tn the range 520-490nm.

12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the minimum pulse width tor 1072 nm emission is 300 milliseconds

13 A method for treating and/or improving body tissues wherein said body tissue has a herpetic infection, the method comprising:

exposing said tissue to divergent electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength centred at 1072 nm so as to coincide with peak transmissions of a water molecule and visible blue light in the range 405-470 nm and

selecting a radiation intensity tor the electromagnetic radiation capable of producing, at the site of the tissue, a radiation intensity of at least 50 μ Watts/cm² up to 2 Watts/cm².

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the treatment period is between 3 to 10 minutesand is repeated several times a day until symptoms of the infection are alleviated.