NEURO-IMMUNE-ENDOCRINE REGULATING DEVICE AND TREATMENT

DISPOSITIF DE REGULATION NEURO-IMMUNO-ENDOCRINIENNE ET TRAITEMENT CORRESPONDANT

English Abstract

This invention comprises a method and device especially designed for treating
neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction by photostimulating pigmented neurons of
the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex with filtered light, so as to achieve
a modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and/or of the brain-
bone marrow axis (or some other axis). The method of treatment consists of
placing the tips of the lens-holders of the device consecutively at three or
more contiguous sites of each orbtial roof for 2 to 4 minutes per site, twice
weekly, for two months and for further periods as required. Patients are
treated in a recumbent (or seated) position with eyes closed. No light is sent
through the eyes. This treatment is used for essential hypertension, chronic
pharyngitis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies (especially respiratory),
immunodeficiency arising from any cause, cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus,
eczema, psoriasis, thyroid desease, viral syndromes and other pathologies
involving neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction. The device is equipped with (at
least) two lens-holders, each with a filter transmitting wavelengths peaking
at 350-400nm and 750-800nm (or with other appropriate specifications), quartz
glass, biconvex lens of 50 dioptres (minimum) and low-powered medical bulb or
other light source. In the hand-held model, the holders are mounted in a
rectangular platic casing containing a printed circuit, pivot for positioning
the holders, an output regulator with a digital display for voltage/mA. The
input is 6V DC (battery model), 220V DC (mains model) and output is 0.5-3V DC
(variable); 50-300 mA. The hospital model is equipped with computerized
circuits comprising craniometric, densitometric, and other programmable
functions.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif spécialement conçus pour traiter les dysfonctionnements neuro-immuno-endocriniens au moyen de photostimulation des neurones pigmentés des zones orbitales du cortex cérébral avec de la lumière filtrée, et ce de manière à effectuer une modulation de l'axe hypothalamo-hypophysaire-surrénal et/ou de l'axe cerveau-moelle osseuse (ou de tout autre axe). Le procédé de traitement consiste à placer de manière consécutive les bouts des supports de lentilles du dispositif sur trois ou plusieurs sites contigus de chaque voûte orbitaire, pendant 2 à 4 minutes par site, deux fois par semaine, et ce pendant deux mois, voire plus si nécessaire. Les patients sont traités en position couchée ou assise, les yeux fermés. Aucune lumière n'est envoyée dans les yeux. Ce traitement est utilisé en cas d'hypertension artérielle essentielle, de pharyngite chronique, d'arthrose rhumatoïde, d'allergies (notamment en cas d'allergies respiratoires), d'immunodéficience (quelle qu'en soit la raison) et de lupus érythémateux systémique, d'eczéma, de psoriasis, de maladie de la thyroïde, de syndromes viraux et d'autres pathologies accompagnées de dysfonctionnements neuro-immuno-endocriniens.es dispositif est équipé d'au moins deux supports de lentilles dont chacun est muni de longueurs d'ondes d'émission à filtre culminant à 350-400 nm et à 750-800 nm (ou ayant d'autres spécifications appropriées), de verre de quartz, de lentilles biconvexes de 50 dioptries (au minimum) et d'une ampoule médicale basse intensité ou d'une autre source lumineuse. Dans le mode de réalisation portatif, les supports sont montés dans un boîtier plastique rectangulaire qui contient un circuit imprimé, une charnière servant à positionner les supports et un régulateur de sortie avec un afficheur volts / mA. L'entrée est à 6 V c.c. (modèle à piles), 220 c.a. (modèle secteur), la sortie étant de 0,5-3 V c.c. (variable) et 50-300 mA. Dans le mode de réalisation pour hôpitaux, le dispositif comprend les fonctions de craniométrie, de densitométrie et d'autres fonctions programmables.

Claims

1
Claims
1. A medical device for treating neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction by
photostimulating pigmented neurons of the orbital areas of the cerebral
cortex, the
device including means for providing light, characterized in that the said
means
provides light peaking at 350-400 nm and 750-800 nm.
2. A medical device ass claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for providing
light
comprises a low-powered light source.
3. A medical device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light source is a low-
powered medical bulb.
4. A medical device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
means for providing light comprises at least two lens-holders, each with a
quartz glass and a lens.
5. A medical device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for providing
light
comprises a filter in front of each lens operable to transmit light peaking at
350-
400nm and 750-800 nm.
6. A medical device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filter is provided with
a
diffuser.
7. A medical device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further
comprising an output regulator for varying the voltage/current supplied to the
means for providing light and a display for displaying the output
voltage/current
supplied.
8. A medical device as claimed in claim 7 and provided with programmable
functions.
9. Use of a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in a method of
treating a
medical condition by photostimulating the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex
via
the orbital roofs.
10. Use of a device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the medical conditions that
are
treatable include the following
Allergies (especially respiratory), immunodeficiency, cancer, systemic lupus
erythematosus, eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease, viral syndromes,
pathologies involving neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction, essential
hypertension, chronic pharyngitis, rheumatoid arthritis.


2
11. A method of treating a medical condition comprising photostimulating an
orbital
area of the cerebral cortex via an orbital roof using light peaking at 350-400
nm
and 750-800 nm.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the medical conditions that are
treatable
include the following:
allergies (especially respiratory), immunodeficiency, cancer, systemic lupus
erythernatosus, eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease, viral syndromes,
pathologies
involving neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction, essential hypertension,
chronic pharyngitis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Description

CA 02348792 2001-04-23
- WO 00/24465 PCT/IB98/01865
NEURO-IMMLfNE-ENDOCRINE REGULATING
DEVICE AND TREATMENT
TECHNIC',AL FIELD AND BACKGROUND
This invention, which comprises a device and method of treatment, applies
principles of photobiolo~y to the field of neuro-immune-endocrinology.
Intended for
the treatment of neuro-unmune-endocrine dysfunction, the invention is designed
to
photostirnulate pigmented neurons in the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex
with
filtered light. It is known that there are direct afferent and efferent
projections between
the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamus. The
hypothalamus-
pituitary-adrenal axis and the brain-bone marrow axis have a central role in
neuro-
immune-endocrine regula~ian. Several experiments have shown us that the method
of
photostimulation, with our device, of the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex
can
produce a modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis andlor of the
brain-
bone marrow axis (or conceivably of some other axis), crucial for treating the
following pathologies: essential hypertension, chronic pharyngitis, rheumatoid
arthritis, allergies (especi;~lly respiratory), immunodeficiency arising from
any cause,
cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease,
viral
syndromes and other pathologies involving neuro-immune-endocrine dysfunction.
For most of the afore-mentioned diseases, conventional (pharmacological)
treatment offers benefits that do not always outweigh the risks to the
patient. The
device we have invented uses filtered light and no medication of any kind.
Treatment
with the device is painless, non-invasive and non-toxic.


CA 02348792 2001-04-23
Insert on page 1 before "DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION"
FR-A-2 746 321 discloses a deuce for 'treatment without surgery, chemotherapy
or
radiotherapy of (auto-immune) pathologies characterized by immunological
imbalance.'
The device includes means providing light and filters for blocking LTV and IR.
This device was tested on a pre-experimental basis for two months. Its
effectiveness was
found to be eactremely limited. Clinical improvement was not significant and
not
sustained for more than a week.
rt: ~: ;,t:~.~r.


CA 02348792 2001-04-23
DISCLOSUP;E OF THE INVENT10N
The device has optical .and electronic components with (but not restricted to)
the
30 following specifications" ,ill such technical specifications concerning the
device
provided throughout this document are for the purpose of illustration, not of
linvtation.
In the hand-held model, the optical components comprise two lens-holders made
of
plastic or other light-weiglht material (of cylindrical or other form). Each
holder is
equipped with a quartz glass (diameter : about 9mrn, thickness : 1, lmm),
placed at the
35 tip, a biconvex lens (minimum SO dioptres, diameter : about 9mm, thickness
: 3mm ;
or of other specifications suitable for photostimulating the orbital areas of
the cerebral


CA 02348792 2001-04-23
WO 00/24465 PCT/IB98/01865
2
cortex) placed at the appropriate focal distance inside. In front of each
biconvex lens is
a filter with (or without) a diffuser (diameter : about 9mm, thickness : lmm),
transmitting wavelengths with peaks at 350-400nm and 750-800nm (or with other
peaks suitable for photostimulating the orbital areas of the cerebral cortex).
A low-
s powered (2.7V-4V) medical bulb (or light source of similar power) is
positioned
behind each biconvex lens near the base of each holder.
In the hand-held model of the device, the two holders are mounted in a
rectangular
plastic casing (approx. 1:32mm x 170mm) which contains a printed circuit,
battery
housing (for the battery model) and a pivot mechanism for positioning the
holders at
different sites of the orbital roofs. ~fhe input is 6V DC (battery model),
220V DC
(mains model) and output is 0.5 - 3 V DC (variable) ; 50 - 300 mA . The device
is
equipped with an output regulator, and a digital display showing voltage or
mA.
A hospital model of the device is planned which will include computerized
circuits
comprising craniornetric, densitometric, and other programmable functions.
The method of treatment consists of placing the tips of the lens-holders
consecutively at three or snore contiguous sites of each orbital roof for
periods of 2 to
4 minutes per site. This treatment is administered twice weekly for a period
of up to
two months. According to the pathology and the condition of the patient,
treatrnent
may be repeated for sirnil~~r periods as required. Patients are treated in a
recumbent (or
seated) position, with eyes closed. It must be emphasized that the treatment
itself
makes no use of the eyes ; in other words, no light is sent through retinal
pathways.
The orbital roof was selected as the point of entry for photostimulation,
since it
consists of a thin translucent layer of bone tissue.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the light of practical experience with this invention, the following
specifications are
of particular importance
- For convenience in treatment, the weight of the hand-held model of the
device
(batteries included) should not exceed 500gr.
- Though the lens-holders can be made of various light-weight substances, non-
conductive material such as hard plastic is recommended.
- The tip of each holdex must be smooth enough to avoid scratching or causing
irritation to the roofs of the orbits.


CA 02348792 2001-04-23
WO 00/24465 PCT/IB98J01865
3
Although filters of 2nnm thickness can be used, lmm thickness is recommended
to
ensure efficient light transmittance.
- In order to reduce internal reflection, the surface of each filter facing
the light
source should have a diffuser.
- Lenses of various specifications can be used. However, lenses should meet
the
following requireme~its : 50 dioptres (minimum) ; 100 dioptres (maximum) ;
biconvex.
AR coating is recomnnended for the lenses and quartz glasses.
- Treatment should be: carried out in subdued lighting conditions (i.e. a low
powered, shaded non-halogen lamp should be used ; fluorescent tubes must be
avoided).
- Although treatment can be administered to patients in a seated position, a
recumbent position is recommended since it is more conducive to relaxation.
- The duration of the treatment per orbital site should be no less than 2
minutes.
However, periods of 3-4 minutes per site tend to be particularly effective in
most
cases.
- Treatment twice a week yields the best results.
- Normally, treatment ;should be given for an initial period of two months.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Given the type of components required, this medical device can be produced at
relatively low cost.
The optical and electronic parts can be produced independently and are simple
to
assemble. An optical compamy, for example, could subcontract the electronic
part of the
device (or vice versa).
With widespread use of the appliance, it would be quite easy for industry to
produce
more sophisticated models based on the principles and specifications outlined
in the
sections above. For instance, an upgraded hospital model could be used in
conjunction
with brain-imaging devices, EEGs and other neurological equipment.
Since the treatment entails sessions of very short duration, the cost to the
patient and
running costs for the therapist are limited.
It should be emphasized that all technical specifications relating to the
device that
are provided throughout tlhis document are for the purpose of illustration,
not of
limitation.