Apparatus for applying pulsed light to the forehead of a user

• US 6,129,748 A
• Filed: 01/02/1998
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tsutomu Kamei
• Original Assignee: Tsutomu Kamei
• Inventors: Kamei, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YARNELL, BRYAN KEITH
• Application Number:
  US09/002,486
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 600/544, 600/545, 600/26-28, 600/322, 600/323, 600/340, 600/344, 607/88-90, 607/93, 362/103-107, 362/257-261, 362/263, 362/457, 362/458, 362/804, 602/2
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0647 the applicator adapted to be worn on the head
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

An apparatus for enhancing immunosurveillance capacity, particularly NK cell activity, without administration of medicines or immunological therapy. The apparatus comprises a light source, arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead while preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes. The frequency of the pulsed light preferably is in the range of 0.5-13 Hz.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a light source arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead;

means for preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a fitting device detachably fittable onto the head of the user;

and wherein the frequency of the pulsed light is 0.5-13 Hz.

2. An apparatus for applying pulsed light to forehead as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frequency of the pulsed light is a representative value of the frequency of α

wave generated originally by the user'"'"'s brain or any frequency near that representative value.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a light source arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead;

means for preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a fitting device detachably fittable onto the head of the user;

and wherein the fitting device is provided with electrodes for measuring brain waves.

4. An apparatus for applying pulsed light to forehead as set forth in claim 3, wherein provided is a brain wave indication means which is connected to the brain wave measuring electrodes and indicates the representative value of the frequency in the range of α

wave.

5. An apparatus for applying pulsed light to forehead as set forth in claim 4, wherein the brain wave indication means makes analog or digital display for visible observation.

6. An apparatus for applying pulsed light to forehead as set forth in claim 4, wherein the brain wave indication means transmits the representative value of the frequency in the form of a sound signal.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a light source arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead;

means for preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a fitting device detachably fittable onto the head of the user;

wherein the fitting device is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the frequency of light to be applied;

and wherein the adjusting means for adjusting the frequency of pulsed light is a manually operable frequency adjuster for causing the frequency of pulsed light to correspond with a brain wave frequency.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a light source arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead;

means for preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a fitting device detachably fittable onto the head of the user;

wherein the fitting device is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the frequency of light to be applied;

and wherein the frequency adjusting means is formed separately from a main body of the apparatus and communicates therewith through wire, radio waves or a light.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a light source arranged to apply pulsed light to a user'"'"'s forehead;

means for preventing light produced by the light source from impinging on the user'"'"'s eyes; and

a fitting device detachably fittable onto the head of the user;

wherein the fitting device is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the frequency of light to be applied;

and wherein the adjusting means for the frequency of pulsed light picks up a signal component in the range of α

wave and/or θ

wave among brain wave signals of the user from brain wave measuring electrodes and calculates a representative value of that signal component, and feeds back the representative value or any frequency near the same as a light applying signal.