Abstract
Method of producing a mechanism for supporting a patient while therapeutic laser or light emitting diode energy is administered providing a comfortable, relaxing position for the patient, cooling for the laser or light emitting diode emitter device and ensuring the optimum distance between the patient treatment area and the laser or light emitting diode emitter device so that correct pressure against the patient treatment area is achieved
Claims
1. A mechanism for supporting a patient (support mechanism) while therapeutic laser or light emitting diode energy is administered providing a comfortable, relaxing position for the patient, cooling for the laser or light emitting diode emitter device and ensuring the optimum distance between the patient treatment area and the laser or light emitting diode emitter device so that correct pressure against the patient treatment area is achieved, consisting of a soft, flexible air entry frame with air entry tubes for circulating cooling air through the laser or light emitting diode emitter device, in which is molded a hollow cavity to provide space for the one or more cooling fans; a second soft, flexible air exit frame with air exit tubes for circulating cooling air through the laser or light emitting diode emitter device, in which is molded a hollow cavity to allow the laser or light emitting diode emitter device to emit photonic therapy light onto the patient treatment area, the cavity has positioning notches to position and align the laser or light emitting diode emitter device; a solid backing board to keep the cooling air from escaping from the back of the support mechanism, maintain a clearance area between the object on which the support mechanism rests and the cooling fans and provide structural rigidity to the entire support mechanism.
2. The support mechanism of claim 1 wherein the flexible air entry frame is replaced with a soft, flexible air entry frame with air entry tubes for circulating cooling air through the laser or light emitting diode emitter device, in which is molded a hollow cavity to provide space for air to circulate through the laser or light emitting diode emitter device, connected to an air attachment head which is connected to an air duct tube which is connected to an air compressor which causes cooling air to be supplied to the laser or light emitting diode emitter device.
3. Soft, flexible pads to support the patient's body in conjunction with the support mechanism to provide entire body support.
4. The support mechanism of claim 2 wherein the support mechanism is imbedded into the structure of a reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed specifically designed for therapeutic laser or light emitting diode energy administration.
5. A reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed specifically designed for therapeutic laser or light emitting diode energy administration.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the air entry frame for use with laser or light emitting diode emitter devices employing fans for cooling.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the air exit frame.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the air entry frame in conjunction with the air attachment head, air duct tube and air compressor.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the solid backing board.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view showing one possible embodiment of a laser or light emitting diode emitter device, light emitting devices and the one or more fans.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the solid backing board, air entry frame, laser or light emitting diode emitter device and air exit frame as separate entities and as an assembled SM.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a view showing one possible embodiment of an assembled SM from the light emitting side. This side faces the patient treatment area.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view showing one possible embodiment of an assembled SM from the back side. This side rests against a chair back or table top.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a view showing one possible embodiment showing a soft, flexible pad.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a view showing one possible embodiment showing a patient table.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a view showing one possible embodiment showing a standard household chair.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a view showing one possible embodiment showing a reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed incorporating the SM.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the present invention with all the major assemblies depicted in a usable arrangement as a bench or table.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the present invention with all the major assemblies depicted in a usable arrangement as a chair.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a view showing one possible embodiment of the present invention with all the major assemblies depicted in a usable arrangement as a reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following references to the drawings are discussed in the narrative below. [0025] 1 Air entry frame for use with laser or light emitting diode emitter devices employing fans for cooling [0026] 2 Air entry tubes [0027] 3 Air exit frame [0028] 4 Air entry frame cavity [0029] 5 Air exit frame cavity [0030] 6 Solid backing board [0031] 7 Laser or light emitting diode emitter device [0032] 8 Light emitting devices [0033] 9 Support mechanism (SM) [0034] 10 Patient table [0035] 11 Reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed [0036] 12 Soft, flexible pad [0037] 13 Exit frame cavity positioning notches [0038] 14 Air entry frame for use with laser or light emitting diode emitter device not employing fans for cooling [0039] 15 Air duct tube [0040] 16 Air compressor [0041] 17 Air attachment head [0042] 18 Standard household chair [0043] 19 Fan [0044] 20 Air exit tubes
[0045] The present disclosure relates to producing a mechanism for supporting a patient while therapeutic laser or light emitting diode energy is administered. Specific examples of tubing, padding, materials, and other arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 of the drawings, the reference numeral (1) refers to a flexible closed cell material comprising an air entry frame. The term flexible in this context means the ability to bend in an arc with radius of 4 inches or less without permanently deforming. The term closed cell membrane in this context means a material similar to polyethylene foam, neoprene foam, polystyrene foam and others. The air entry frame (1) has air entry tubes (2) molded into it, which draw air in from the surrounding area in order to promote cooling. The air entry frame (1) also has a cavity (4) molded into it to allow the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7) to recede back into the air entry frame (1) so that correct pressure against the patient treatment area is achieved.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 of the drawings, the reference numeral (3) refers to a flexible closed cell material the same as the air entry frame (1) comprising an air exit frame (3). The air exit frame (3) has air exit tubes (20) molded into it, which channel air to the surrounding area in order to promote cooling. The air exit frame (3) also has a cavity (5) molded into it to allow the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7) to emit photonic therapy light onto the patient treatment area. The cavity (5) has positioning notches (13) to position and align the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7).
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 of the drawings, reference numeral (14) refers to a flexible closed cell material the same as air entry frame (1) comprising an air entry frame (14) that is used in conjunction with a laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7) not employing fans for cooling. Air entry tubes (2) are connected to an air attachment head (17) which is connected to an air duct tube (15) which is connected to an air compressor (16) which provides the cooling air for the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7). The air entry frame (14) also has a cavity (4) molded into it to allow the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7) to recede back into the air entry frame (14) so that correct pressure against the patient treatment area is achieved.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of the drawings, the reference numeral (6) refers to a solid backing board (6). The solid backing board (6) keeps the cooling air from escaping through the back of the SM (9), maintains a clearance area between the object on which the SM (9) rests and the cooling fans (19) and provides structural rigidity to the entire SM (9). The solid backing board can be made of thin plywood, MDF, or pressed particle board, etc.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the reference numeral (7) refers to a laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7). This device is referenced as the source of the photonic therapy light and can be any light source which can be fitted to the SM (9). Reference numeral (8) refers to any light producing diode and reference numeral (19) refers to one or more cooling fans which may or may not be utilized by the laser or light emitting diode emitter device (7).
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the reference numeral (6) refers to the solid backing board, reference numeral (1) refers to the air entry frame for use with laser or light emitting diode emitter devices employing fans for cooling, reference numeral (7) refers to the laser or light emitting diode emitter device and reference numeral (3) refers to the air exit frame. This FIG. displays the order of their assembly into a completed SM (9).
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the reference numeral (9) refers to a completed SM (9) showing a side view and a view of the SM (9) side facing the patient treatment area.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the reference numeral (9) refers to the side of the SM (9) facing away from the patient treatment area. This side rests on a supporting object such as a chair or table.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 9 and FIG. 6 of the drawings, the reference numeral (12) refers to one of the multiple soft, flexible pads. These pads are made of closed cell material the same as the air entry frame (1), air entry frame (14) and the air exit frame (3).
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, the reference numeral (10) refers to a patient table. This device is shown as a supporting device for the intended use of the SM (9) and the flexible pads (12).
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, the reference numeral (18) refers to a standard household chair. This device is shown as a supporting device for the intended use of the SM (9).
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 12 of the drawings, the reference numeral (11) refers to the reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed. This device is shown as a supporting device for the intended use of the SM (9). Reference numeral (9) refers to the SM (9) as an integral part of the reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed as designed by the manufacturer and assembled as a complete unit. That is, the manufacturer designed the reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed to incorporate and accommodate the SM (9).
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 13 of the drawings, the patient table (10), multiple soft, flexible pads (12), SM (9), air attachment head (17), air duct tube (15) and air compressor (16) are shown as a complete working configuration as intended to be used for a patient lying upon the SM (9).
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 14 of the drawings, a standard household chair (18), one soft, flexible pad (12) and the SM (9) are shown as a complete working configuration as intended to be used for a patient leaning back against the SM (9).
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 15 of the drawings, the reclining chair, work chair, sofa chair or hospital bed (11), SM (9), air attachment head (17), air duct tube (15) and air compressor (16) are shown as a complete working configuration as intended to be used for a patient reclining upon the SM (9).
