Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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l 20152-1180
Electric liqht bath
The present invention relates to an electric light bath
for the areal irradiation of the human body with heat.
In the area of health care, ~he sauna is very well
known. It is used for warming up the body. Hot air is generated
; with as little humidity as possible, causing the body to perspire.
The heat activates the metabolism of the body, biochemical
processes are promoted, glands hair follicles work better. The
better circul.ation of blood through the skin provides for
accelerated removal of metabolic products and perspiration
purifies the body.
However, the sauna also has disadvantas~es. q'he ~hermal
radiation ls lony-wave, does not penetrate far into the skln, but
leads to a warming of the interior of the body. Consequently, a
warming up of the blood results. This in turn has the consequence
that the blood cannot absorb as much oxygen. In the case of
people suffering from low blood pressure or after consumption of
alcohol, after which the oxygen absorption capacity of the blood
is reduced in any case, it may easily lead to feelings of
dizziness, queeziness and even unconsciousness. But even when in
good physical condition, the sauna can only be used for limited
periods. At the latest after a perspiration session of at most 15
to 20 minutes, a break should then always be ~aken and the
application of heat possibly repeated afterwards.
Further disadvantages of the sauna are the high space
requirement, the elaborate installations and, last but not least,
the high energy requirement.
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2 20152-1180
The search for a new solution started out from the
consideration that, in order to perspire, actually it is primarily
the skin which would have to be warmed to be able to induce the
sweat glands to operate deliberately in this way, without the
entire body being heated up. However, for this it would be
necessary to apply a shorter-wave infrared radiation.
Such radiation is generated by infrared equipment, which
are also commonly called electric light baths.
~ lectric liyht baths are known in which a sizeable box
is heated by means of lamps or wires through which current flows.
The patient lies or slts in such a way that the head can be
cooled. Thls type of llght bath ls generally sub~ectlvely felt to
be extremely unpleasant and so far has only been used in cases of
disorders - ln particular rheumatism.
Furthermore, infrared radiators, for example quartz
infrared radiators, are known which are directed locally to
individual parts of the body, preferably to joints. Electric
light baths of this type, in which merely limited areas of the
skin are lrradiated may well be felt subjectively to be pleasant.
However, perspiration can hardly be achieved. An increase in the
radiation intensity quickly leads to an unpleasant heat sensation
before the desired perspiration occurs.
The inventlon achieves ~he object o~ creating with as
simple means as possible an electric light bath with which
perspiration can be achieved even over a prolonged period, ie.
more than 20 minutes, without an unpleasant heat sensation
occuring.
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2a 20152-1180
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is
provided an electric light bath for the areal irradiation of the
human body with heat, with at least one infrared light source,
~onsisting of at least one radiator element and of at least one
reflector, wherein the infrared light source operates
predominantly in the wave range between 76Q and 1300 nm, wherein
at least 50~, at most however 90~ of the surface of the body can
be irradiated, and wherein the radiation density acting on the
surface of the body is at least sufficient to cause perspiration,
but is below the limit at which a sensation of pain occurs.
After lenythy investigations, it has heen found that
with a specified radiation in~ensity acting on the body, at a
level still felt to be pleasant, a minimum proportion of the
body's surface, preferably about two thirds, has to be irradiated
in order ~or the desired perspiration to occur. This type of
perspiring is very pleasant as the interior of the body is not
heated up. Indeed, it is even possible to follow a sauna bath
right away by taking a lengthy light bath of the type accor~ing to
the invention.
If, on the other hand, too large a proportion of the
body's surface is irradiated, even a minimal radiation intensity
whiGh only just leads to perspiration, is subjectively felt to be
unpleasant. Therefore, it is essential that not too small and not
too large an area of skin is irradiated.
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To summarize, the following advantages may there-
fore be mentioned in part;cular in the case of the light
bath according to the invention:
1. The abovementioned advantages of the sweat bath:
S as in the sun, the body begins to perspire heavily within
a few minutes. As the warming up is not produced by hot
air or the very long-wave radiat;on of hollow walls, but
by the IR rays, which penetrate deep into the skin, there
is no strain on the circulation. The sweat bath therefore
does not have to be repeated 2 or 3 times after cooling
~ down. It has a purifying and dehydrating effect Com-
bined with a diet, it leads to significant wei~ht reduc-
tion after a few days.-'
2. Added to this are the advantages of an IR treat-
ment: infrared rays are used for the treatment of a wide
variety of disorders, for example rheumatism, sciatica,
gout, muscle pains, neuralg;a, skin injuries, blood ef-
fusions, sprains, bruises and many more. The overall body
irradiation now possible extends the application possibili-
; 20 ties: increases in the circulation and metabolism of the
entire cutaneous system, the skin is cleaned and tightened.
: 3. If, in add;tion the visible, in particular the light
orange, light range is used, the formation of- melatonin ;s
inhibited, the latter occurring to an increased extent in
times when there is little external light and leading to so-
called winter depression.
4. Simple assembly and immediate operational readiness
permit troublefree use in many cases in which a sauna is
not a straightforward proposit;on owing to the effort
involved, for example at the physiotherapist's, at the
hairdresser's ancl in an apartmentO Use is physiologic-
ally pleasant The functional activation of the elastic
fibers in the skin Leads to its tightening, so that use in
beauty salons is also a consideration
The invention is expLained in more detail below by
way of example and ~ith reference to a drawing, in which:
F;go 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a
preferred embodiment of an infrared light source according
to the invention, in cross-section;
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Fig. 2 shows a corresponding representation in
longitudinal section;
F;g. 3 shows an appropriate booth with reflective
walls;
S Fig. 4 shows the intensity profile of the infra-
red radiation as a function of wavelength.
Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the in-
vention. An infrared light source S is shown half in
cross-section (on the right) and half in a view of the
broad side. An infrared heat radiator element IRR prcjects
its rad;ation onto a f;rst reflector R1. This is para-
bolically shaped, the radiator element IRR being located
at its focal po;nt. Consequently, the rad;ation is reflec-
ted downward in paralLel. The width of this reflector is
at least wide enough for a person underneath to be com-
pletely covered by the radiation. For an explanat;on of
terminology, it should be mentioned at this po;nt that in
A this ~ P ~ ~ "radiator element IRR" is understood as
~ be;ng the commerc;ally ava;lable component for the gener-
; 20 ation of IRR radiation and ";nfrared light source S" ;s
understood as be;ng the ent;re rad;ator unit, including
radiator element IRR, housing and other components such as
reflectors, defLection plates etc.
In the reflector R1 there is at the side, approxi-
mately on a level with the radiator element IRR, a gapthrough which part of the radiation can pass. Thits is
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intercepted ~in each case by an additional -radiaLor R2,
which is shaped in such a way that the radiation falls
downuard at a specified, inward-directed angle A. Owing
to this angling, the radiation meets the body of a user
(not represented in Figures 1 and Z) not only from the
front but also a Little from the side. In this way, the
radiation hitting the side part of the body is intensified.
The outside distance between the two additional reflectors
R2 must, on the one hand, be chosen as wide as possible in
order that as great a radiation angle A as possible is
formed and the lateral radiation hits ~he body as steeply
as possible. On the other hand, in the interests of as
compact a design as possible of the infrared light source S
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this distance should not be too great, meaning that in
practice a distance of 60 cm or preferably 75 cm might
be chosen.
; Th;s effect can be intensified still more by means
of a further reflector R3 arranged to the sirde of the
radiation source S and aligned at least approximately
vertically. As will be explained further below, th;s can
be used to intensify stil~ more the radiation hitting the
body from the side
Figure 2 sho~s a part of the longitud;nal section
of the infrared source S shown in Figure 1 Aga;n a rad
iator element IRR can be seen A reflector R4 forms the
termination of the longitudinal side. Furthermore, two
deflection plates P are shown, which act as protection
against glare
Figure 3 shows a sketch of a complete irrad;ation
system with ;nfrared light source S, bed B underneath and
reflective walls R3~ It shows in particular how the rad;-
ation emitted by the infrared light source S also irradi-
~ 20 ates the user U from the-side, after reflection at the
; side walls R3. The reflecting walls R3 are principally
i arranged to the side of the in~rared light source S and
- of the bed B. They form for example part of an irradi-
; ati~n booth. The broken l;ne R'3 indicates that at least
one of the walls can be designed to swing up to make con-
venient entry into the booth possible. Access can also
be provided however by means of a conventional door, with
folding, sliding or other devices wh;ch are provided on
the inside with a ref~ecting surface.
figure 4 shows with curve a the intensity profile
i of a commerc;ally available infrared heat radiator element
as a function of wa~elength Curve b shows the profile wieh
a filter partially absorbing the vis;ble light but still
j allowing light orange light to pass Finally, curve c shows
the profile ~ith an infrared ~ and C absorbing filter
As was already mentioned in the introduction, itis important that, on the one hand a minimum area, but on
the other hand not too large an area of the body surface is
irradiated in order that perspiration which is felt subject-
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secondary importance how the infrared source is arranged
and whether the user sits, stands or lies. However, in any
case a position which is as relaxed as possible should be
aimed for. Preference should be given here to a comfortable
bed, for example a water bed. A bath towel takes up the per-
spiration and helps hygiene.
For use with 3 bed ~, the infrared source S is
preferably horizontally aligned, as shown in F;gure 3.
The infrared radiation source S is, for example 200 cm
long and at least 20 cm, preferably however 50 to 80 cm,
wide. This makes it possible by means of the parabolic
reflector R1 shown in Figure 1 to achieve a vertical ir-
radiation of the side of the body exposed to the radiation
source~
The rad;ation falling on the less steeply directed
reflector R2 through the gap provided in the reflector R1
provides for as even an irradiation as possible of all
three sides of the body. An intensification of the nat-
Z0 urally somewhat weaker lateral irradiation can be addition-
ally achieved with reflecting walls R3 arranged to the
side of bed and radiation source, as shown in Figure 3.
For example, special reflector walls may be set up or the
insides of a sweat bath booth are made to be reflecting.
The infrared radiation source S is 'advantageously
` designed with individual rod-like infrared heat radiator
elements IRR. Elements of the 110-1U00~ type from Messrs
Wolff are suitable for this, for example. With a length
of the infrared source of about 200 cm, three radiator
elements of this type are necessary in the case of the
exempla~y embodiment.
8ecause it is important to reach the range between
perspiration and the onset of an unpleasant feeling of heat
in a'n optimum way , it is advantageous to provide a control
unit by means of which the user himself can individually
set the irradiation intensity. The design of su~h a con-
trol unit is very well known to any person skilled in the
art and need not be discussed at this point. In a prefer-
red embodiment, the radiator e~enents are individua~ly con-
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trollable, so that for example in the exemplary embodiment
in this way the head-thorax area, the torso and the legs
can be irradiated with different intensity.
The irradiation intensity should be in the range
between 50 and 153 mWIcm2~ preferably however between
60 and 100 mW/cm2.
The power requirement for such a system is about
3000 watts, so that it can be plugged in at a normal socket.
In order to achieve perspiration which is as inten-
s;ve as possible without an unpleasant sensation of heat,
the infrared 8 and C radiation is suppressed as far as
possible. Commercially available filters exist for th;s.
If necessary, a glass shroud which may be provided for the
infrared light source can also be appropriately coated.
Because the radiation source also emits radiation
in the v;sible light range, the user may be dazzled. In
order to counteract th;s, antiglare deflection plates P
may be provided underneath the radiator elements IRR, as
shown sectionally in Figure 2.
Z0 As another or an additional measure, visible light
may be reduced by a filter which likewise can be vapor-
deposited on to a glass shroud which may be prov;ded for
the rad;ation source. As already indicated in the intro-
duct~ion, the light orange ~ight has, however, a very posi-
tive effect, meaning that the f;lter should advantage-
ously also still allow this radiation, lying in a range
between 58û and 620 nm, to pass. The rad;at;on intensity
pro~ile would thus correspond to the profile denoted by b
in Figure 4.
The distance between radiation source and bed
; should be chosen such that the user does not feel confined.
In most cases, a distance of 120 cm should be sufficient
for this.
The type of IR irradiation according to the inven-
tion can, however, also be readily combined with UV ir-
radiation. An appropriate UV radiation source can either
be set up separately or, advantageously, integrated in the
infrared light source itself. In this case, the use of a
uv-a and of a UV-C filter is advisable. An example
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of a UV radiat;on source wh;ch may be considered is a
commercially available mercury ~ow-pressure burner.
