System and method to modulate an electric field in an environment

• US 10,471,253 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2017
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zhen Li
• Original Assignee: Zhen Li
• Inventors: Li, Zhen
• Primary Examiner(s): Desanto, Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US15/784,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20180185637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/08 Devices for applying needles to such points, i.e. for acupuncture ; Acupuncture needles or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/10 Applying static electricity applying ionised gases or vapours A61N1/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process

Abstract

A system and method is provided for simulating a wellness promoting, DC variable electric field in an environment. A DC power source (DC input) and converter provide a DC output and generate an electric field in between positive and negative electrodes in an environment. An electric field detector measures and transmits information (data) about the strength of the actual electric field in the environment. A microprocessor receives the data and compares the information to the parameters of a wellness promoting electric field in order to direct the function of a pulse width modulator to modulate the DC output and thereby the DC variable electric field in real-time. The wellness of a subject in the environment of the DC variable electric field is enhanced by ensuring the positive electrode is proximal to a positive part of the subject and the negative electrode is proximal to a negative part of the subject.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a DC input to a converter to produce a DC output and generate a DC electric field in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode where a subject is located, each electrode positioned contacting conductive material in an enclosed space, on a transport means, or on the subject, and operatively associated with the converter, wherein the positive electrode is positioned proximal to the head or torso of the subject and the negative electrode is positioned proximal to the feet or abdomen of the subject;

b) detecting an actual electric field in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode using a first detector and transmitting information about the actual electric field from the first detector to a microprocessor;

c) controlling the DC output by detecting an over-voltage of a voltage as the converter produces the DC output using a second detector and transmitting information regarding the over-voltage to the microprocessor to facilitate the adjustment of the DC output by changing a pulse width of a pulse width modulator and storage of the over-voltage in a capacitor, and adjusting the voltage when the voltage is over a certain pre-set amount;

d) processing the information regarding the actual electric field using the microprocessor, the microprocessor being configured to receive and process the information to direct the generation of the DC electric field such that the DC electric field changes in real-time to simulate an electric field cycle at least once over the course of a day, each electric field cycle characterized by Sine functions according to parameters comprising date, time and fair weather field strength values selected to promote the wellness of the subject, wherein the electric field cycle has a daily high field strength at midday and a daily low field strength at midnight, and a field strength range between about 100 V/m to about 200 V/m over the course of the day;

e) modulating the strength of the DC electric field using a pulse width modulator operatively associated with a switch to regulate the DC output, wherein said pulse width modulator and switch are controlled by the microprocessor, which directs the operation of the pulse width modulator and switch to generate the DC electric field that simulates the electric field cycle so that the DC electric field has a yearly cycle characterized by a Sine function with a lowest level at the spring equinox at night, and with a highest level in the morning of the fall equinox; and

f) connecting the capacitor to the DC output to filter out any pulse from an environment outside of the space between the positive and negative electrodes or from a circuit consisting of the converter, first detector, second detector, the microprocessor, and the pulse width modulator to ensure the DC output is DC.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is a human subject.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the human subject is receiving a therapy in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the therapy is acupuncture.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the human subject is practicing Tai Chi or Qigong in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on an article of furniture.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the article of furniture is a chair, stool, bench, sofa, bed, desk, or table.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on an article of clothing on the subject.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the article of clothing is a shirt, shoe, jacket, coat, hat, dress, skirt, or pants.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of detecting an over-current as the converter produces the DC output using a third detector, and transmitting information regarding the over-current to the microprocessor to facilitate the adjustment of the DC output.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the enclosed space is a room, booth, cabin, or bubble enclosure.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on a surface of a wall, floor, or ceiling of the enclosed space.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transport means is a car, truck, bicycle, carriage, cart, scooter, train, plane, snowmobile, skies, skates, or boat.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the DC electric field simulates a Carnegie curve, solar diurnal, annual, monthly, seasonal, fifteen minute, 10 year, 12 year, 60 year, or 180 year electric field cycle.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the over-voltage is caused by changes in the electric field of the environment outside of the space between the positive and negative electrodes.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor directs the generation of the DC electric field to simulate the electric field cycle by performing a series of repeating steps comprising:

i) determining an actual date and time;

ii) comparing the strength of the actual electric field (Ur) detected by the first detector with the fair weather field strength (Ut) selected to promote the wellness of the subject at a date and time corresponding to the actual date and time; and

iii) sending a signal to the pulse width modulator to regulate the DC output.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor makes the DC output smooth.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the voltage is adjusted by a plurality of Zener diodes.

19. A system comprising:

a) a converter for receiving a DC input and producing a DC output to generate a DC electric field in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode where a subject is located, each electrode positioned in an enclosed space, on a transport means, or on the subject and operatively associated with the converter, wherein the positive electrode is positioned proximal to the head or torso of the subject and the negative electrode is positioned proximal to the feet or abdomen of the subject;

b) a first detector for detecting an actual electric field in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode and transmitting information about the actual electric field;

c) a second detector controlling the DC output to detect an over-voltage of a voltage as the converter produces the DC output and transmit information regarding the over-voltage to a microprocessor to facilitate the adjustment of the DC output by changing a pulse width of a pulse width modulator and storage of the over-voltage in a capacitor, and adjusting the voltage when the voltage is over a certain pre-set amount;

d) the microprocessor for receiving and processing the information from the first detector about the actual electric field, the microprocessor being configured to process the information to direct the generation of the DC electric field such that the DC electric field changes in real-time to simulate an electric field cycle at least once over the course of a day, each electric field cycle characterized by Sine functions according to parameters comprising date, time and fair weather field strength values selected to promote the wellness of the subject, wherein the electric field cycle has a daily high field strength at midday and a daily low field strength at midnight, and a field strength range between about 100 V/m to about 200 V/m over the course of the day;

e) the pulse width modulator operatively associated with a switch to regulate the DC output, said pulse width modulator and switch being controlled by the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor directs the operation of the pulse width modulator and switch to generate the DC electric field that simulates the electric field cycle, wherein the DC electric field has a yearly cycle characterized by a Sine function with a lowest level at the spring equinox at night, and with a highest level in the morning of the fall equinox; and

f) wherein the capacitor is connected to the DC output to filter out any pulse from an environment outside of the space between the positive and negative electrodes or from a circuit consisting of the converter, first detector, second detector, the microprocessor, and the pulse width modulator to ensure the DC output is DC.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the subject is a human subject.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the human subject is receiving a therapy in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the therapy is acupuncture.

23. The system according to claim 20, wherein the human subject is practicing Tai Chi or Qigong in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode.

24. The system according to claim 19, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on an article of furniture in the enclosed space.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the article of furniture is a chair, stool, bench, sofa, bed, desk, or table.

26. The system according to claim 19, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on an article of clothing on the subject.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the article of clothing is a shirt, shoe, jacket, coat, hat, dress, skirt, or pants.

28. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a third detector to detect an over-current as the converter produces the DC output and transmit information regarding the over-current to the microprocessor to facilitate the adjustment of the DC output.

29. The system according to claim 19, wherein the enclosed space is a room, booth, cabin, or bubble enclosure.

30. The system according to claim 19, wherein the positive electrode and negative electrode are each positioned on a surface of a wall, floor, or ceiling of the enclosed space.

31. The system according to claim 19, wherein the transport means is a car, truck, bicycle, scooter, train, plane, snowmobile, skies, skates, golf cart, or boat.

32. The system according to claim 19, wherein the DC electric field simulates a Carnegie curve, solar diurnal, annual, monthly, seasonal, fifteen minute, 10 year, 12 year, 60 year, or 180 year electric field cycle.

33. The system according to claim 19, wherein the over-voltage is caused by changes in the electric field of the environment outside of the space between the positive and negative electrodes.

34. The system according to claim 19, wherein the microprocessor directs the generation of the DC electric field to simulate the electric field cycle by repeatedly performing a series of steps comprising:

i) determining an actual date and time;

ii) comparing the strength of the actual electric field (Ur) detected by the first detector with the fair weather field strength (Ut) selected to promote the wellness of the subject at a date and time corresponding to the actual date and time; and

iii) sending a signal to the pulse width modulator to regulate the DC output.

35. The system according to claim 19, wherein the capacitor makes the DC output smooth.

36. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a plurality of Zener diodes, wherein the voltage is adjusted by the plurality of Zener diodes.

37. A method comprising:

a) providing a DC input to a converter to produce a DC output at a capacitor and generate a DC electric field in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode where a subject is located, each electrode positioned contacting conductive material in an enclosed space, on a transport means, or on the subject, and operatively associated with the converter, wherein the positive electrode is positioned proximal to the head or torso of the subject and the negative electrode is positioned proximal to the feet or abdomen of the subject;

b) detecting an actual electric field in the space between the positive electrode and negative electrode using a first detector and transmitting information about the actual electric field from the first detector to a microprocessor which directs the generation of the DC electric field;

c) controlling the DC output by detecting an over-voltage of a voltage as the converter produces the DC output using a second detector and transmitting information regarding the over-voltage to the microprocessor to facilitate the adjustment of the DC output by changing a pulse width in a pulse width modulator, storing of the over-voltage in the capacitor, and adjusting the voltage when the voltage is over a certain pre-set amount, wherein the capacitor is connected to the DC output to filter out the over-voltage or another pulse from an environment outside of the space between the positive and negative electrodes to ensure the generation of the DC electric field as directed by the microprocessor;

d) processing the information regarding the actual electric field using the microprocessor, the microprocessor being configured to receive and process the information to direct the generation of the DC electric field such that the DC electric field changes in real-time to simulate an electric field cycle at least once over the course of a day, each electric field cycle characterized by Sine functions according to parameters comprising date, time and fair weather field strength values selected to promote the wellness of the subject, wherein the electric field cycle has a daily high field strength at midday and a daily low field strength at midnight, and a field strength range between about 100 V/m to about 200 V/m over the course of the day; and

e) modulating the strength of the DC electric field using the pulse width modulator operatively associated with a switch to regulate the DC output, wherein said pulse width modulator and switch are controlled by the microprocessor, which directs the operation of the pulse width modulator and switch to generate the DC electric field that simulates the electric field cycle so that the DC electric field has a yearly cycle characterized by a Sine function with a lowest level at the spring equinox at night, and with a highest level in the morning of the fall equinox.