Method for treating biopsychiatric disorders

• US 5,720,773 A
• Filed: 01/05/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marcelo Enrique Lopez-Claros
• Original Assignee: Marcelo Enrique Lopez-Claros
• Inventors: Lopez-Claros, Marcelo Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US08/583,683
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/104, 607/108-112, 607/714, 604/291, 126/204
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0003 Face
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0004 Eyes or part of the face surrounding the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0242 heated by microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0257 with a fluid impermeable layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 383/901 Hot water or ice bag

Abstract

The present invention is a heating and cooling pad for therapeutically treating the orbital, frontal, nasal, and temporal regions of a patient'"'"'s head with a non-ambient temperature fluid that circulates through the pad. The pad includes a pair of molded membranes that enclose a central reservoir. Capillaries extend outwardly from opposing sides of the central reservoir into collector channels that extend around the outer periphery of the pad. The reservoir and collector channels are connected to an external source of the fluid. The design of the reservoir and capillaries is optimized to deliver the temperature-adjusting fluid to key anatomical structures. The pad includes a unique integral support structure that allows adjustment of its shape.

The present invention also provides a method for treating a variety of biopsychiatric and physiological disorders by using the pad of the invention to heat the orbital and temporal areas of a person'"'"'s head, which ultimately results in greater neurotransmitter activity in the orbital cortex.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient suffering from clinical depression comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

2. A method for treating a patient suffering from suicidal tendencies comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

3. A method for treating a patient suffering from impulse control disorders comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

4. A method for treating a patient suffering from addictive disorders comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

5. A method for treating a patient suffering from psychosis comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

6. A method for treating a patient suffering from learning disabilities comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.

7. A method for treating a patient suffering from manic depression comprising the step of heating the orbital area of the person'"'"'s face to increase the temperature of blood in the cavernous sinus and in the orbital cortex of the brain.