Method and apparatus for reducing physiological stress

• US 5,562,597 A
• Filed: 08/01/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Van Dick
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Van Dick
• Inventors: Van Dick, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUANG, STEPHEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/509,813
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 600/9-15, 600/26, 607/1, 607/2
• US Class Current: 600/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/16 Screening or neutralising undesirable influences from or using, atmospheric or terrestrial radiation or fields using atmospheric electricity or earth currents H05F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

Physiological stress in a human subject is treated by generating a weak electromagnetic field about a quartz crystal. The crystal is stimulated by applying electrical pulses of pulse widths between 0.1 and 50 microseconds each at a pulse repetition rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second to a conductor positioned adjacent to the quartz crystal thereby generating a weak electromagnetic field. A subject is positioned within the weak electromagnetic field for a period of time sufficient to reduce stress.

Claims

1. A method of treating physiological stress in a human subject which comprises the steps of:

(a) stimulating a quartz crystal by applying electrical pulses of pulse widths between 0.1 and 50 microseconds each at a pulse repetition rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second to a conductor positioned adjacent to the quartz crystal thereby generating a weak electromagnetic field, and

(b) positioning the subject within the weak electromagnetic field.

2. The treatment method of claim 1 wherein the pulses are applied at a voltage less than 500 volts.

3. The treatment method of claim 1 wherein the pulses are applied to a conductive coil mounted about the quartz crystal.

4. The treatment method of claim 1 wherein the pulses are applied to a generally linear conductor oriented at least 45°

to longitudinal axis of the quartz crystal.

5. The treatment method of claim 1 wherein the quartz crystal is stimulated by application by multiple pulse trains of diverse electrical parameters.

6. The treatment method of claim 5 wherein the multiple pulse trains are applied to the conductor.

7. The treatment method of claim 5 wherein the multiple pulse trains are applied to multiple conductors positioned adjacent to the quartz crystal.

8. The treatment method of claim 1 wherein the quartz crystal is stimulated with electrical pulses of modulated pulse repetition rates.

9. Apparatus for use in the treatment of physiological stress of a human subject which comprises, in combination, a quartz crystal, an electrical conductor mounted adjacent said quartz crystal, and means for applying to said conductor electrical pulses of pulse widths between 0.1 and 50 microseconds each at a pulse repetition rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pulse application means comprises a low voltage pulse generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pulse application means comprises a plurality of low voltage pulse generators.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said low voltage pulse generator comprises a battery power source.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pulse application means comprises a frequency sweep pulse generator.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pulse application means comprises a staircase frequency pulse generator.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said quartz crystal has a length of between 1/2 inch and 3 inches.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said quartz crystal has a diameter of between 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said quarts crystal has a length of between 1/2 inch and 3 inches and has a diameter of between 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch.