WO2000040285A1

WO2000040285A1 - Apparatus and method for applying substances and energy forms to a mammal in coordination with its respiration

Info

Publication number: WO2000040285A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hongwei Zhao
Original assignee: Hongwei Zhao
Priority date: 1999-01-08
Filing date: 2000-01-07
Publication date: 2000-07-13
Also published as: AU1885900A

Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying substances and/or energy forms to a mammalian body features coordinating the application of such substances or energy forms in coordination with the respiration phase of the mammal being treated.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING SUBSTANCES

AND ENERGY FORMS TO A MAMMAL IN COORDINATION

WITH ITS RESPIRATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Serial No. 09/052,569, filed March 31 , 1998, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING PRESSURE CHANGES I N A MAMMALIAN ORAL/THROAT CAVITY.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to methodology and apparatus for applying substances and/or energy forms to a mammalian body in coordination with the mammal's respiration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, many external energy and substances forms have been applied to a mammalian body, such as that of a human, to treat illness or physical discomfort.

Examples of such energy and substances forms are heat, far-infrared radiation, magnetic fields, sound, light, electricity, massage, acupuncture, and autonomic drugs. Some of those methods have been proven to have certain effects on a variety of illnesses and diseases. Explanations about the effectiveness include that the energies and substances used in these therapies selectively affect sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems that play a crucial role in the body's vital physiologic functions including blood and lymphatic circulation.

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are also selectively responsive to the basic respiratory phases of inhaling and exhaling. Usually sympathetic nerves are active during inhalation and parasympathetic nerves are active during exhalation. Although this phenomenon has been documented, however, its significance has not been fully understood and explained. Except for the delivery of air by some ventilators which are coordinated with a patient's respiratory pattern, application of energy and substances forms to a patient's body has never been used in a way that is coordinated with the respiratory-modulated activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, a system for selectively applying substances or energy forms to a mammalian body includes a respiration phase sensor coupled to the mammalian body and operative to generate a first signal whenever the mammal is inhaling and a second signal whenever the mammal is exhaling. A control unit having at least one input coupled for receipt of the first and second signals has a first control output coupled to at least one source of a predetermined substance or energy form and a second control output coupled to at least one switching element. The control unit is operative to couple the output of the at least one source to an appliance coupled to the mammalian body via the switch element. Whether or not the substance or energy form is coupled via the switch element to the appliance is a function of at least one of the first and second signals indicating the phase of respiration of the mammal.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for selectively applying substances or energy forms to a mammalian body includes monitoring the respiration phases of the mammal and applying the substances or energy forms to the body of the mammal in coordination with the monitored respiration phases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG 1 sets forth a functional diagram in conjunction with the body ot a mammal, such as a human, arranged in accordance with the invention System 100 is configured for use with human body 101 In system 100 as shown in FIG 1 , two different substances or energy types are designated 105 and 1 1 1 , respectively

Associated with each source is a regulator 1 07 and 1 1 3 shown respectively coupled to source #105 via connection 140 and to source 1 1 1 via connection 1 50

Regulators 1 07 and 1 1 3 for controll ing intensity ot appl ied energy and/or the amount of applied substances are under the control of a microprocessor-based control unit 103 via buses 1 34 and 1 36, respectively

Controlling unit 103 additionally controls the state of switching elements

109 and 1 1 5 via buses 1 32 and 1 38, respectively

Switch 109, when enabled via bus 1 32 at its input 1 1 2 to couple its input

1 10 to its output 1 14, couples a regulated substance or energy form 105 to a suitable appliance 1 1 9 which is associated with body 101 Regulator 107 has an output coupled via path 142 to input 1 10 of switch 109, while output 1 14 of switch 109 is coupled via path 144 to the first appliance 1 1 9

In a similar manner, control unit 103 establishes the state of switch element 1 1 5 via bus 1 38 which is coupled to input 1 18 of switch 1 1 5 When enabled, switch 1 1 5 couples its input 1 16 to its output 1 20 thereby establ ishing a connection of the regulated source 1 1 1 to a second appliance 121 associated with body 101 An output of regulator 1 1 3 is coupled via path 1 52 to input 1 1 6 of switch 1 1 5, while output 120 of switch 1 1 5 is coupled to the second appliance

The control unit 103 establishes the state or switches 109 and 1 1 5 in accordance with predetermined functions of the respiration phase of the body 101 with which respiration sensoi 1 1 7 is associated. Sensor 1 1 7 therefore is coupled via bus 1 30 to an input of control unit 103. Sensor 1 1 7 may, for example, take the form of that sensor shown in parent appl ication Serial No. 09/052,569, referenced at the beginning of this specification Parent Application Serial No. 09/052,569 is hereby incorporated by reference.

While two sources of either a substance or an energy form are shown in the system of FIG. 1 , it is to be understood that the invention contemplates a single source or a plurality of sources of virtually any number Typical substances that could be used with the system 100 of FIG. 1 include, but are not limited to, chemical substances, medicinal compounds, water, air or gas or treatment fluid. Typical energy forms could include, by way of example, thermal energy in the form of hot packs or cold packs, and mechanical energy such as vibration from massage or acupuncture or physical impact. Additional energy forms could include electromagnetic fields, magnetic fields, electrical impulses, electric fields, sound, or even predetermined positioning of body parts. Electromagnetic fields would include virtually the entire spectrum, including light waves, microwaves, and infrared energy.

Appliances 1 19 and 121 could comprise, for example, the oral appliances disclosed in parent application Serial No. 09/052,569. Alternatively, the appliances could comprise devices with a wide range of complexity, such as complex intravenous drip systems down to relatively simple devices, such as an acupuncture needle.

In operation, system 100's control unit 103 keeps track not only of which phase of respiration (i.e. inhalation or exhalation) the body is assuming, but additionally of the duration and amplitude of the various respiration phases and the length of the transition phases therebetween in order to regulate various parameters of the applied energy or substances, such as the intensity or the frequency of the energy

In general the substances and energies to be used in the invention can be categorized in two types- Type A which comprises those substances and energies which either stimulate the sympathetic nervous system or inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system, and

Type B which comprises those substances and energies which either inhibit the sympathetic nervous system or stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system

For proper application of Type A and Type B substances and energies, control unit 103 may be programmed to perform one or more of the following activities according to a patient's monitored respiratory pattern.

1 . Applying Type A substances or energies during inhalation;

2. Applying Type B substances or energies during exhalation; 3. Applying Type A substances or energies during exhalation;

4. Applying Type B substances or energies during inhalation;

5. Applying Type A substances or energies only during inhalation and applying nothing during exhalation whenever the patient's sympathetic nervous system is dominating the autonomic nervous system; 6. Applying Type B substances or energies only during exhalation and applying nothing during inhalation whenever the patient's parasympathetic nervous system is dominating the autonomic nervous system;

7. Applying Type B substances or energies only during exhalation and applying nothing during inhalation whenever the patient's sympathetic nervous system is dominating the autonomic nervous system; or

8 Applying Type A substances or energies only during inhalation and applying nothing during exhalation whenever the patient's parasympathetic nervous system is dominating the autonomous nervous system. The invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment solely for the sake of example. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations can be made to this specific example. The scope and spirit of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A system for selectively applying substances or energy forms to a mammal ian body, the system comprising: a respiration phase sensor coupled to the mammalian body and operative to generate a first signal whenever the mammal is inhaling and a second signal whenever the mammal is exhaling; a control unit having at least one input coupled for receipt of the first and second signals and first and second control outputs; at least one source of a predetermined substance or energy form having an input coupled to the first control output of the control unit and an output; at least one switching element having a switch output, a switch input coupled to the output of the at least one source and a switch control input coupled to the second control output of the control unit; and at least one appliance coupled to the mammalian body and to the switch output; the control unit operative to couple the output of the at least one source to the appliance by enabling the at least one switching element as a predetermined function of the at least one of the first and second signals.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the at least one source further comprises a regulator coupled between the source output and the switch input of the switching element, the regulator coupled for receipt of control signals from the first control output of the control unit.

3. A method for selectively applying substances or energy forms to a mammalian body comprising: monitoring respiration phases of the mammal; and applying the substances or energy forms to the body in coordination with the monitored respiration phases.

4 The method of Claim 3 wherein the substances or energy forms are appl ied only during inhalation phases.

5. The method of Claim 3 wherein the substances or energy forms are appl ied only during exhalation phases.

6. The method of Claim 3 wherein a first substance or energy form is applied during inhalation phases and a second substance or energy form is appl ied during exhalation phases.