USE OF CANNABINOIDS IN THERAPY AND WELL-BEING APPARATUSES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for applying energy to a human body. The device comprises a contact surface which defines an application region in which a human body can be placed in the effective range of the energy. The device further comprises at least one means for outputting the energy directed substantially onto the application region, and at least one means for generating a vapour mixture comprising at least one cannabinoid. The device according to the invention also comprises at least one means for guiding the vapour mixture, which has an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid, into the surroundings of the breathing orifices of a human body. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a device, and to the use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid in designated devices.

Claims

1. Device for exposing a human body to energy, comprising: a. A contact surface that defines an exposure area in which a human body can be positioned within the coverage area of the energy; b. At least one means of emitting the energy essentially directed at the exposure area, and at least one means of generating a vapour mixture comprising at least one cannabinoid, and at least one means of conveying the vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of emitting the energy essentially directed at the exposure area is designed to emit electromagnetic energy, in particular radiation energy.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of emitting the energy essentially directed at the exposure area is designed to emit kinetic energy, in particular a directed jet of fluid.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of generating a vapour mixture is a vaporizer.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of conveying a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body includes a retaining hood that is suitable for the generation in a vapour mixture of an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid in the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body and the maintenance thereof.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the retaining hood is designed to be transparent to electromagnetic waves, in particular to electromagnetic waves in the wavelength regions between 380 nm and 1100 nm.

7. Device according to claim 1, including a storage tank for a vaporization agent comprising at least one cannabinoid and a heating element for heating a defined amount of a vaporization agent such that a vapour mixture comprising a defined amount of the at least one cannabinoid forms.

8. Device according to claim 1, including at least one fan for generating an air flow in the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system (A) of the human body, in particular an air flow for extraction of the vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid from a retaining hood.

9. Device according to claim 1, including at least one optoelectronic sensor, in particular for the determination of at least one photoelectrically measurable physiological parameter of the human body in the coverage area of the energy.

10. Device according to claim 1, including at least one bioelectronic sensor, in particular for the measurement of resistance.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of conveying a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body includes an inlet opening that feeds vapour mixture generated outside a retaining hood into said hood.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of conveying a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body includes an outlet opening, in particular one connected to a suction device.

13. Method for the operation of a device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: a. providing a device for exposing a human body to energy according to claim 1; b. providing a vaporization agent comprising at least one vaporizable herbal medicinal substance, in particular comprising at least one cannabinoid; c. vaporizing the vaporization agent such that this results in the formation of a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of the at least one herbal medicinal substance, in particular a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid; d. conveying the vapour mixture to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body, in particular such that the effective dose of at least one cannabinoid is formed inside a retaining means.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the device includes a control, and wherein operating parameters of the means of generating the vapour mixture and of the means of emitting the energy essentially directed at the exposure area are regulated and/or controlled.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the device includes at least one sensor and the method further comprises the steps of: a. the control receiving measured data determined by the sensor; b. evaluating the measured data in respect of one or more operating parameters; and c. converting the evaluation into one or more control signals for regulating the one or more operating parameters.

16. Use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid in devices for exposing a human body to energy, wherein a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid is conveyed to the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body.

17. Use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid according to claim 16, wherein a retaining hood is provided that is suitable for the generation in a vapour mixture of an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid in the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the human body and the maintenance thereof.

18. Use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid according to claim 16, wherein the energy comprises electromagnetic energy, in particular comprises radiation energy.

19. Use of vapour mixtures comprising at least one cannabinoid according to claim 16, wherein the energy comprises kinetic energy, in particular comprises a directed jet of fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures below. In these figures

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a device of the invention;

[0094] FIG. 2 shows the device of the invention from FIG. 1 in use;

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device of the invention;

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the device of the invention, and

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] FIG. 1 shows a particularly simple embodiment of a device of the invention. Arranged at a head end of a contact surface 2, which in the present example is designed as a lying surface, is a retaining hood 1.

[0099] The retaining hood 1 can in the present case be opaque in design, e.g. made of a plastic material. For the present use it may be advantageous when the retaining hood 1 additionally causes slight darkening of the head area. The retaining hood 1 is closed in the crown region and opens downwards towards the lower body. The chosen dimensions of the present embodiment are such that the head and shoulders of a person lying on the contact surface 2 are inside the retaining hood 1, whereas the limbs and the upper body lie outside the retaining hood.

[0100] The contact surface 2 may in the present example take the form of a membrane. The membrane may seal off a liquid-filled space in which jet nozzles are arranged that are suitable for directing a jet of water onto the contact surface, such that said membrane at the same time defines an exposure area. During operation, a user would be lying on the contact surface and exposed to kinetic energy through said membrane, by means of jets of water. During this time, his/her head would be lying beneath the retaining hood 1. The retaining hood 1 may be furnished e.g. (not shown in the present example) with LED illumination to aid relaxation. For example, strips of red LEDs in the interior or around the edge of the retaining hood can create a subdued, warm atmosphere conducive to relaxation.

[0101] The retaining hood may be provided with inlet openings (likewise not shown). Through these inlet openings can be fed a vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of at least one cannabinoid. If the patient is now lying with his/her head beneath the retaining hood, a controlled atmosphere develops around the head that enables the administration to the patient of a defined effective dose of a cannabinoid. In the present example, the retaining hood is convex in design, such that it defines a volume in which the vapour mixture may be present.

[0102] With the device of the invention. as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible e.g. for a wellness unit for the treatment of psychosomatic complaints such as seasonal mood changes or muscular tension to be used. Depending on the planned use, those appropriately skilled in the art can define the composition of a vapour mixture and specify the corresponding effective dose needed in order to achieve the desired therapeutic or sedative effect.

[0103] This is explained in more detail in the example in FIG. 2, which provides a schematic representation in use of the device of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0104] A contact surface 2 is also provided, on which a patient 10 can lie down. Over the head of the patient 10 can be positioned a retaining hood 1, which defines an area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system A as a volume. The retaining hood 1 is furnished on the inside 1.1 with light-emitting diodes intended to enhance the relaxation effect. It is also possible for the retaining hood 1 to have a coating intended to prevent condensation of water vapour inside the retaining hood. Condensed water vapour could result in droplet formation, which would be undesirable for the relaxation effect in the present example. It would also be possible for the retaining hood 1 to be provided with cooling and/or heating elements either to create an appropriate atmosphere or to prevent condensation from forming. The retaining hood 1 is in the distal region, i.e. it can be ventilated through an opening 1.2 towards the extremities.

[0105] Gas exchange with the surroundings results in the effective dose decreasing over time if the vapour mixture is not replenished. The vapour mixture is fed into the retaining hood 1 via a supply connector 20. The vapour mixture is in the present example generated through a convective vaporization process. This is accomplished by circulating a warm air flow around a vaporization agent 22 at a predefined temperature so that the desired amount of vaporization agent 22 vaporizes and is conveyed into the retaining hood 1 via a supply connector 20 and the outlet opening 21.

[0106] Although the retaining hood is in the present case opaque in design, it can of course also be transparent in design in this use.

[0107] During operation, a heating element (not shown) would be circulating air heated to an operating temperature of between 130° Celsius and 226° Celsius around a defined amount of a vaporization agent, e.g. a mixture comprising 1.7 mg of finely ground cannabis, so that a vapour mixture forms. Particularly suitable is a temperature of approx. 185° Celsius. The cannabis used in the present example has a content of at least tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). The THC content in the standardized mixture is between 3.5 and 4.5%, preferably 4.15%. CBD and CBN are present in traces. The water content in the present example is approx. 10% to 15% by weight (see also Gieringer, D., et al.; Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds; Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, October 2008).

[0108] A cannabis vapour resulting therefrom can have a THC content of between 36 and 61%. On the basis of these data, those skilled in the art are able to generate an effective dose of a vapour mixture in a targeted manner based on a volume in the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of a patient.

[0109] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device of the invention having a contact surface 2 and an appropriately designed retaining hood 1, showing how they may be supplied, by means of two supply connectors 20 connected by hose connections 31 to a vaporizer 30, with an appropriate vapour mixture comprising an effective dose of a cannabinoid.

[0110] An appropriate embodiment for an irradiation device is shown in FIG. 4. The design shown in FIG. 4 likewise includes a contact surface, on which a patient can lie down. Unlike in the previous embodiment, the contact surface is there solely for the specific purpose of orienting the patient for the exposure to energy. The contact surface 2 and a facing lid surface 5 are appropriately provided with light sources 42, 41 that form an exposure area on which the patient is exposed to light. In a solarium, these would accordingly be UV lamps. Extending in this exposure area is a retaining hood 1 that defines an area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system of the patient A. This retaining hood 1 is connected to a vaporizer by means of a hose connection 31. The vaporizer uses a suitable method, for example conductive heating of a vaporization agent, to generate an appropriate vapour mixture that is channeled through the hose connection 31 into the retaining hood 1. In the present example, the retaining hood is of course transparent in design, made for example from a UV-permeable polymethyl methacrylate, such as those used by way of example for greenhouses as plexiglas under the trade name Alltop®. Likewise particularly suitable is SUNACTIV GS 2458 plexiglas.

[0111] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, in which the device is conceived for seated use.

[0112] In this device too, the energy is kinetic energy and exposure takes place by means of massage elements.

[0113] Accordingly, the contact surface 2 is provided with an appropriate mechanical massage device 51, such as a rotating massage stick. This too can be integrated into a membrane so as to enhance comfort during therapy. The device stands on a plinth 18. During operation, the patient sits on the massage stick 51 and an, in this case foldable, retaining hood 1 is closed over the patient's head such that the area surrounding the openings to the respiratory system A forms a defined area. A vapour mixture in a vaporizer 30 is fed to the patient via hose connections 31 into this surrounding area A by means of a supply connector 20 and a nebulizer 21.