Device for stimulation of the brain by laser circularly or elliptically polarized light

Abstract

The device intended for the stimulation of the brain by laser circularly or elliptically polarized light consists of the main unit (1) equipped in the front part with control buttons (3), and a display (2) from which at least one laser diode (16, 17, 18, 19) is supplied. At least one nasal applicator (8, 9, 10, 11) or nasal applicators (38, 39) suitably equipped in the rear part with laser diodes (40, 41) can be connected to the upper part of the main unit (1). The main unit (1) is supplied in its lower part through a connector (33), and the programmable control unit (51) with built-in battery (56) and autonomous processor (57) is an integral part of the device.

Claims

1. A device for stimulation of a brain, comprising: a programmable control unit having a power source and a display, the power source capable of being controlled by engaging a button or by engaging the display; and one or more applicators having an exit end, at least one applicator comprising one or more laser diodes; wherein the programmable control unit is capable of storing a first set of parameters and a second set of parameters; wherein the programmable control unit is capable of changing the first set of parameters to a second set of parameters; wherein one or more applicators are supplied electrical energy; wherein the laser diodes are capable of emitting polarized laser light to a nasal cavity or to an internal ear based on the second set of parameters; and wherein at least one applicator comprises of a light plate adapter at the exit end, a removable adapter, and an intermediate piece capable of fitting with the removable adapter.

2. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 1, wherein the laser light is circularly polarized.

3. The device for the stimulation of a brain claim 1, wherein wavelengths of one or more of the laser diodes is from 400 nm to 1,300 nm.

4. The device for the stimulation of a brain of claim 1, wherein the applicator is a nasal applicator.

5. The device for the stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of a polarizer.

6. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of a quarter-wave plate.

7. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of a circular polarization foil.

8. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of an adhesive layer.

9. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of a glass plate.

10. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises of a lens shaped glass.

11. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the nasal applicator is connected to the programmable control unit tangentially to a light axis.

12. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the first set of parameters is adjustable by an external computing device.

13. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the nasal applicator equipped with a laser diode is connected to the programmable control unit by at least one optic fiber.

14. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the nasal applicator equipped with a laser diode is connected to the programmable control unit by at least one hollow tube.

15. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the light plate adapter comprises a polarizer and a quarter-wave plate, such that the polarizer and the quarter-wave plate are located between two pieces of glass; and wherein the glass is manufactured with polarization of light.

16. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein the intermediate piece is covered by at least one adapter such that the adapter is capable of swiveling around a longitudinal axis.

17. The device for stimulation of a brain of claim 4, wherein at least one adapter is terminated at the exit end by elements that generate polarization.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention capable of being used for clinical and outpatient use.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention capable of being used for domestic use.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the invention capable of being used with a computer.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the invention capable of being used with a mobile phone.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a first embodiment of a nasal adapter according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a nasal adapter according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a first embodiment of a nasal applicator according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a nasal applicator according to an embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of a nasal applicator according to an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a nasal applicator according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the device consists of the main unit 1 equipped with control buttons 3 and display 2 in the front part, from which at least one of laser diodes 16, 17, 18, 19 is supplied with electric energy, and to which at least one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11 or nasal applicators 38, 39 suitably equipped with laser diodes 40, 41 in the rear part are connected in the upper part by electric power cables 36, 37 or by at least one of optic fibers 4, 5, 6, 7. All nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11 include an intermediate piece 110 in the central part. They are suitably equipped with at least one of replaceable nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 in the end part at exit, and with nasal clips 21 in the peripheral part. At least one of nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 includes polarizer 47, quarter wave plate 48, circular polarization foil 99, adhesive layer 98, and/or one of the pieces of glass 46, 49 in the end part at the exit. The main unit 1 is supplied or charged in the lower part through connector 33 using cable 30 from the mains or from adapter 32. Programmable controller 51 with built-in battery 56 and autonomous processor 57 can also be part of the device. It is equipped with button 58 in the front part, and can be connected to the computer 50 or to the mobile phone 60.

(12) If laser diodes 40, 41 is an integral part of at least one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11, 38, 39, then at least one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11, 38, 39, suitably manufactured from plastic, can be connected to the main unit 1 with one of electrical power cables 36, 37 in the lower part, in light axis or tangentially to the light axis or perpendicularly to the light axis. If at least one of laser diodes 16, 17, 18, 19 is located in the main unit 1 then at least one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11 is connected to the main unit 1 with one of optic fibers 4, 5, 6, 7.

(13) Polarizer 47 and quarter-wave plate 48 are included in pieces of glass 46, 49, which can have the shape of lenses for the formation of the shape of light and protection of polarizer 47 and quarter-wave plate 48 included between pieces of glass 46, 49 or they are straight.

(14) At least one of nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 can be slipped over or slipped into the intermediate piece 110, with hollows or optic fiber 100 equipped with light guide and swivel adjustable around the longitudinal axis. It is manufactured from materials with chemical disinfection or a protective element manufactured from an elastic medicinal silicone small hole at the end, or without the hole is slipped over from outer side.

(15) The device is operated by buttons 3 or from touch screen, and the main unit 1 can be stationary or portable. If display 2 is a touch screen, display 2 replaces buttons 3. At least one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11 or suitably at least one of nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 is terminated at the exit with elements for generation of linear, circular, or elliptical polarization. Polarizer 47 can be used only if the light upstream of the first piece of glass 46 is not polarized, if at least one of nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 includes linear polarization of light, so the device does not include the quarter-wave plate 48. If at least one of nasal adapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 42, 43 includes piece of glass 46, polarizer 47, or quarter-wave plate 48, then piece of glass 46 is manufactured with circular or elliptical polarization of light, while the angle of polarization plane from polarizer 47 to fast axis of quarter-wave plate 48 and the matching of light wave length and quarter-wave plate 48 is crucial. Wave length range of at least one of laser diodes 16, 17, 18, 19 is from 40 nm to 1,300 nm. The main unit 1, computer 50, and mobile phone 60 can include the option of selection of power output of at least one of laser diodes 16, 17, 18, 19 or frequencies of pulsations or interruptions of light by mechanical control elements, such as buttons 3 or by selection of buttons on touch screen of the main unit 1 or mobile phone 60 or buttons in application in computer 50.

(16) One embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 can be represented by a larger main unit 1 with a complete and complex offer of functions on display 2, control buttons 3, while if display 2 is a touch screen, it replaces buttons 3. The main unit 1 is supplied from the mains with cable 30, from socket 31 and at least one of laser diodes 16, 17, 18, 19 with a range of wave lengths from approximately 400 nm to 1,300 nm, located in the device or near the device, generates light that is conducted at least through one of optic fibers 4, 5, 6, 7 at least to one of nasal applicators 8, 9, 10, 11. One person can simultaneously use in the nose one or two applicators 8, 9, 10, 11, or two persons are simultaneously treated, while each person uses his or her applicator 8, 9, 10, 11, while one person can use two applicators 8, 9, 10, 11 in the nostrils and two applicators in the ear holes, while four persons can be treated simultaneously. Replaceable nasal adaptors 12, 13, 14, 15 are integral parts of applicators 8, 9, 10, 11. Such devices are suitable for medicinal applications in health facilities, first aid facilities, out-patient departments, and specialized work places for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and neurological work places, as well as in other applications.

(17) One embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 2 can be represented by a small portable device consisting of the main unit 1 with complete and complex offer of functions on display 2, control buttons 3, while display 2 can be a touch screen, and in this case it replaces buttons. The main unit 1 of device is charged from the mains by cable 30 from adapter 32 through connector 33 connected to the main unit 1. Two laser diodes 40, 41 that are located in nasal applicators 38, 39 are supplied from the device by two conductors 36, 37. Light generated by laser diodes 40, 41 passes through optic fiber 100, 101, which is run through nasal adapters 42, 43 into the nasal cavity and subcranial pit. Nasal applicators 38, 39 are used mainly in the nasal cavity, but their use for the irradiation of ear holes and tissues of internal ear is not excluded. Two persons can be simultaneously treated by the device.

(18) One embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3 is a small programmable control unit 51 with built-in battery 56, and autonomous processor 57 that can be connected to the computer 50. Parameters of adjustment of treatment can be stored in the programmable control unit 51 through interconnecting cable 53 that is connected to the computer 50 by connector 54 and to the programmable control unit 51 by connector 33. After finishing the programming, the programmable control unit 51 is disconnected from the computer 50, and is connected to the nasal applicator 38 through cable 52. The programmable control unit 51 has own batteries 56 and is charged either from USB port of the computer 50 or from adapter 32. Basic parameters can be seen on display 2 of the programmable control unit 51, but in the simpler case, the programmable control unit 51 does not include it, and the programmable control unit can be switched on by holding button 58 for a longer time, and it is started by holding button 58 for a short time. The application can be interrupted by pressing button 58 for a short time. The device is switched off automatically after expiration of the application time, or by holding button 58 for a longer time, or if the application is not started, the device is switched off after expiration of time adjusted in the programmable control unit 51. This design allows a physician to program the device for a patient, recommend his or her dosage by defining the daily number of applications and the time of one application, and the continuous evaluation of changes in his or her health state. Miniature size of the programmable control unit 51 and simple operation for the user are advantages. The device can be charged by a patient from adapter 32 or from port of a computer 50, and the programmable control unit 51 cannot be switched on if the battery status is below a certain value of voltage. In this case the device must be charged. The nasal applicator 38 is connected to the small programmable unit 51 by cable 52 using connector 55. It has built-in laser diode 40 and nasal applicator 42.

(19) The example of another embodiment of the invention is represented by the use of a nasal applicator with mobile phone 60 (alternatively with computer 50) according to FIG. 4. The nasal applicator 38 is connected by connector 54 to the phone 60 (or to the computer 50). Then cable 52 follows, with control circuit 61 of laser diode 40 or without it. An application that allows changing or adjusting all parameters of treatment is installed in the mobile phone 60 (or in the computer 50). The treatment program can be adjusted in phone software. The type of polarization is by selection of the nasal adapter 42 and wave length for treatment is by selection of applicator 38.

(20) The design solution of the nasal applicator is clear from FIGS. 5-7. The nasal applicator 38 is with laser diode 40, with optic fiber 100, or with cavity without optic fiber 100 in intermediate piece 110. The intermediate piece 110 can be hollow, or with inserted optic fiber 100. The nasal adapter 42 is slipped over the intermediate piece 110. It includes the device for the generation of circular or elliptical polarization, that is, piece of glass 46, piece of glass 49, polarizer 47, quarter-wave plate 48, polarization foil 99, rubber pad adhesive on both sides or adhesive layer 98, while this device can be installed from the inner side of the nasal applicator or from its outer side using a different manner of its fixation to the nasal adapter 42. Pieces of glass 46, 49 can have the shape of lenses for the formation of the shape of light and for the protection of polarizer 47 and quarter-wave plate 48 included between pieces of glass 46, 49.

(21) An alternative structural design of the nasal applicator is clear from FIG. 8. The nasal applicator 38 with intermediate piece 110, with or without optic fiber 100, with nasal adapter 42 at end of the intermediate piece 110 the device is intended for generation of circular polarization, i.e. pieces of glass 46, 49 that can have the shape of lenses, polarizer 47 and quarter-wave plate 48

(22) Additional embodiments of the nasal applicator pursuant to FIGS. 9-10 is represented by the nasal applicator 38 with laser diode 40 and device for generation of circular polarization by pieces of glass 46, 49, polarizer 47, quarter-wave plate 48 located immediately behind laser diode 40.

(23) The main unit 1 intended for stimulation of the brain by laser circularly or elliptically polarized light allows creation of programs for power outputs of laser diode and frequencies of pulsations or interruptions of light, or they are pre-programmed in it, or they are transmitted to unit 51 from computer 50, or are created by the application in mobile phone 60.

(24) The device for stimulation of the brain by laser circularly or elliptically polarized light can be used for research purposes, the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hyperlipidaemia, and increased blood viscosity, consequences of injuries to brain, damage to organism due to the effects of increased viscosity, hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycemia, influences of life style, improvement of removal of waste substances accumulated in organism and in brain tissue, neurological diseases, disorders in behavior and concentration, seasonal affective disorder, anxieties and depressions, geriatric diseases, memory and intelligence, improvement of behavior, development of personality, and capabilities of the brain. It is also possible to anticipate its use in the therapy of tumors in achievable areas of the brain through the nasal cavity using substances that cause the photosensitivity of tumor tissues when suitable wave length of suitable power output is used, in order that tumor tissue is irradiated. The device can be used as a medical device in health care facilities and out-patient departments, as well as domestic treatment and nursing care within the framework of the prevention and therapy of diseases.