WO2006007665A1

WO2006007665A1 - Method and apparatus for applying an electrical signal to a human

Info

Publication number: WO2006007665A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Allan Greenberg
Original assignee: Ronald Allan Greenberg
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2005-07-25
Publication date: 2006-01-26

Abstract

There is provided a method (10) and apparatus (46) for applying an electrical signal to a subject (12). The present invention provides a non-invasive method of applying an electrical signal (10) to a subject (12) which combines the benefits of electroacupuncture without the use of needles. The apparatus (46) is configured to apply a first and second electrical signals, by way of applicators (54, 56), to the subject (12). The apparatus (46), by way of measurement probe (52), is configured to test the response of the subject (12) to the first and second electrical signals. A processor (30) cross-references the response of the subject (12) to the second electrical signal against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals. The third signal is applied to the subject using applicators (54, 56). The third signal is a binary code that represents a known substance.

Description

Method and apparatus for applying an electrical signal to a human

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The effects of magnetism and the flow of energy on the human body have been examined since the time of the Greek and Roman empires. These ideas were also significant in ancient Chinese and Indian cultures and the concept of an energy based systems is a central aspect of traditional Chinese and Indian medical practices. In modern times, the discovery of electricity brought about the promotion of electromagnetic therapies. Some electromagnetic and electrical technologies have become mainstays of modern medical practice, including diagnostic X-rays, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cardiac pacemakers.

Western science has established that electrical and magnetic energy exists in the human body. Electrical energy is used by physicians to re-start the heart after heart attacks and is applied to promote bone growth. Some accepted electrical devices commonly used in hospitals include EEGs to measure electrical activity in the brain and EKGs or ECGs to measure electrical patterns of heartbeats.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world and originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Acupuncture has, in the past two decades, become widely used throughout the world. The procedure involves the puncturing of the skin with hair-thin needles at particular locations, called acupuncture points, over the patient's body. Acupuncture points are characterised by a lower resistance

(higher conductance) than the surrounding skin. Sometimes the needles are twirled, given a slight electric charge (electroacupuncture) or warmed (moxibustion).

Although initially viewed with scepticism by the Western medical and scientific professions, research has begun to show that acupuncture is beneficial in treating a variety of health conditions. In November of 1997 the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the United States of America issued a consensus statement that stated "acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program".

Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system to release chemicals such as endorphins into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body's self-regulating systems.

Western scientists have found evidence that acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulating points along these pathways through acupuncture enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater rate than under normal conditions. Research has found that a healthy or balanced subject has a resistance value at their acupuncture points of 100,000 Ohms. Subjects that had inflammation processes occurring in their body had lower resistance whilst a higher resistance value has been recorded where there is a degenerative process in the body of the subject. It has been observed that substances placed near a subject affect the resistance values of their acupuncture points.

A method of treating the human body that has recently been developed is electromagnetic therapy. This treatment encompasses several different kinds of therapy and uses an energy field to diagnose or treat an illness by detecting imbalances in the body's energy fields and then correcting them. Electronic devices, which emit some form of low-voltage electrical current or radio frequency, are used in such therapies.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus of stimulating a human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-invasive method of applying an electrical signal to a human subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in one form of the invention there is proposed a method of applying an electrical signal to a subject, including the steps of: applying a first signal to said subject, wherein said first signal comprises a first subset of individual signals having known amplitudes; measuring the response of said subject to said first subset of individual signals; identifying which of the first subset of individual signals is not within a pre-determined range; applying a second signal to said subject, wherein said second signal comprises a second subset of individual signals having known amplitudes; measuring the response of said subject to said second subset of individual signals; identifying which of the second subset of individual signals is not within a pre¬ determined range; and applying a third signal to said subject, wherein said third signal is selected by cross- referencing the response to the second individual signal which is not within said pre¬ determined range against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals.

Preferably, the response of said subject to said a first and second electrical signal is performed at an acupuncture point on said subject.

Preferably, an Ohm meter is used to evaluate the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals.

Preferably, a processor cross-references the response to the identified second individual signal against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals.

Preferably, said first, second and third signals are of a known frequencies.

Preferably, said third signal is a binary code that represents a known substance.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed a method of applying an electrical signal to a subject, wherein said electrical signal is a binary code that represents a specific substance.

In yet a further form of the invention there is proposed an apparatus for applying an electrical signal to a subject including: a processor having a memory string which includes a first, second and third set of data; a generator adapted to generate a first, second and third electrical signal; at least one applicator connected to said generator and adapted to apply said first, second and third electric signal to said subject; an analyser adapted to test the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals. Preferably, the processor cross-reference the response of said subject to said second signal against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals.

Preferably, said analyser includes a hand held probe that facilitates the measurement of the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals produced by said generator.

Preferably, said hand held probe is adapted to locate said acupuncture point.

Preferably, said hand held probe has a pressure sensitive sensor which is adapted to locate said acupuncture point and measure said subject's response to said first and second electrical signals.

Preferably, said first, second and third signals are of a known amplitudes or frequencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the first step of applying an electrical signal to a human subject in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the second step of applying an electrical signal to a human subject in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the third step of applying an electrical signal to a human subject in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus for applying an electrical signal to a human subject in accordance with the present invention illustrating a first mode; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 4 illustrating a second mode; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the measurement probe of the apparatus of

Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is a method of applying an electrical signal 10 to a subject 12 such that the electrical signal penetrates the surface 14 of subject 12. The method 10 includes the steps of applying a first subset of electrical signals 16 to the subject 12, as illustrated in Figure 1. The first subset of electrical signals 16 are produced by a generator 18. It is envisaged that the generator 18 will emit a low- voltage electrical current. It is further envisaged that the first subset of electrical signals 16 comprises seven individual signals 20. The individual electrical signals 20, having known amplitudes or frequencies, each correspond to a particular colour from the visible spectrum of light, e.g. red, yellow, green, blue etc. The individual signals 20 are typically applied to the subject 12 using a device 22 such as a hand held probe. The device 22 facilitates the application and measurement of electrical signals 20. It is envisaged that the device 22 will take the form of a plurality of rods or probes used to create a circuit or apply an electrical signal to the subject 12.

The response of the subject 12 to the first subset of electrical signals 16 is measured using measurement apparatus 24 housed within device 22. The measurement apparatus 24 is used to measure the resistance of the subject's body to the signals 16. The measurement apparatus 24 measures the resistance between two points of a circuit by determining the resistance to electron flow through the circuit. The measurement apparatus 24 is adjusted to measure each of the signals 20 individually. In this way the resistance to each individual electrical signal 20 can be measured to determine whether it is within a pre-determined measurement range 26. It is preferable that the response of the subject 12 to the electrical signals 20 is measured at an acupuncture point 28, however, the reader should appreciate that measurement can be performed at any point on the surface 14 of subject 12 that gives an accurate measurement of the resistance to a low-voltage electrical current.

A processor 30 is used to compile the information obtained from the measurement apparatus 24 and identifies any of the individual signals 20 that is not within a pre-determined measurement range 26. The processor 30 also controls the generator 18 used to apply electrical signals 20 to the subject 12.

If it is found that one of the individual electrical signals 20 is not within the pre¬ determined range 26 then a second subset of electrical signals 32 is applied to the subject 12, as illustrated in Figure 2. The amplitude of the second subset of signals 32 corresponds to the individual signal 20 that was not within the pre-determined range 26. The second subset of electrical signals 32 comprises individual signals 34 having known amplitudes or frequencies.

The response of the subject 12 to the individual signals 34 is tested using the measurement apparatus 24. The resistance to electron flow through the circuit is calculated and compiled using processor 30. The measurement apparatus 24 is adjusted to measure each of the individual signals 34. In this way the resistance to each individual electrical signal 34 can be measured and it can be determined whether it is within a predetermined measurement range 38.

As illustrated in Figure 3, if it is found that one of the second subset of electrical signals 32 is not within the predetermined range 38 then the processor 30 cross-references the response of the subject to the identified individual signal 34 against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals 40. The catalogue of third signals 40 comprises a plurality of individual binary code signals 42 that each represents a known physical substance, for instance, the binary code signal 42 can represent a specific herbal product, colour or musical note. The selected binary code signal 42 is then applied 44 to the subject 12 using generator 18 which is housed within device 22. Although it is envisaged that a digital binary code signal 42 will be used the reader should appreciate that any signal could be used including an analog signal. In a preferred form of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, there is provided an apparatus 46 for applying an electrical signal 10 to a subject 12. The apparatus 46 includes a housing 48, which is configured to accommodate processor 30, generator 18, a control panel 50, a measurement probe 52 connected to apparatus 46 by way of cable 54 and applicators 56 and 58 connected to apparatus by way of cables 60. The control panel 50 includes switches 62 and 64 used to operate apparatus 46, volume controls 66 and 68 and electrical application duration controls 70 and 72. The control panel 50 further includes a series of illuminating portions 74 which correspond to the first subset of individual signals 16, a second series of illuminating portions 76 which correspond to the second subset of electrical signals 32 and a third series of illuminating portions 78 which corresponds to the catalogue of third signals 40.

During operation an illuminating portion 74 which corresponds to one of the individual signals 20 of the first subset of individual signals 16 is selected using switches 80 and 82. When an illuminating portion 74 is selected apparatus 46 applies a signal to the subject 12 that is equivalent to the corresponding individual electrical signal 20. The individual electrical signals 20 are applied to the subject 12 using applicator 56. The measurement probe 52, which includes on/off switch 84 and display 86, is applied to an acupuncture point 28 on the subject 12 thereby forming a circuit. In this way the subject's response to the individual electrical signal 20 applied by applicator 56 can be measured.

The apparatus 46 is configured to indicate whether the response of the subject 12 to an individual electrical signal 20 is not within a pre-determined range 26. If the response is not within range 26 then a subset 32 of the individual electrical signal 20 is selected using the illuminating portions 76 which correspond to the individual electrical signals 34 of the second subset of electrical signals 32. It is envisaged that there are four individual signals 34 which are selected using switches 88 and 90. The individual electrical signals 34 are applied to the subject 12 using applicator 56.

If the response of the subject 12 to one of the individual signals 34 is not within a pre-determined range 38 then an appropriate binary code signal 42 is selected from a catalogue of third signals 40 each of which are represented by illuminating portions 78. The particular binary code signal 42 can be selected using switches 92 and 94, however, it should be appreciated that this function could be automatic. Switch 96 is used for initiating the application of the binary code signals 42 to subject 12. As illustrated in Figure 5, the binary code signals 42 are applied to the subject 12 using applicators 56 and 58. Although the applicators 56 and 58 are illustrated in the form of rods it should be appreciated by the reader that they may be in the form of rollers, forked probes or patches placed on the surface 14 of the subject 12, which are all configured to conduct the binary code signals 42. The apparatus 46 further includes holder 98 which are configured to accommodate measurement probe 52 and applicators 56 and 58 when they are not in use.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the measurement probe 52 includes housing 100 and a sensor 102 that is biased to protrude out through sheath 104. The housing 100 includes finger grips 106 to facilitate ease of use. The display 86 includes two LED's 108 and 110 which are used to indicate when an acupuncture point 28 on subject 12 has been located. The display 86 may further include a device for indicating the actual voltage measured at a particular acupuncture point 28.

As the reader would now appreciate the present invention provides a non¬ invasive method of applying low-level electrical signals to a human. The present invention utilises the well documented benefits of acupuncture points without the use of needles. Although the needles used in acupuncture are thin, many people avoid acupuncture because they are afraid of needles and because improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a deflection in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. The present invention therefore incorporates the benefits of electroacupuncture without requiring the use of needles. Furthermore, the body of a subject is able to be treated with electrical signals that are specific to the subject's needs.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the description so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. In the summary of the invention and the claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of applying an electrical signal to a subject, including the steps of: applying a first signal to said subject, wherein said first signal comprises a first subset of individual signals having known amplitudes; measuring the response of said subject to said first subset of individual signals; identifying which of the first subset of individual signals is not within a pre¬ determined range; applying a second signal to said subject, wherein said second signal comprises a second subset of individual signals having known amplitudes; measuring the response of said subject to said second subset of individual signals; identifying which of the second subset of individual signals is not within a pre-determined range; and applying a third signal to said subject, wherein said third signal is selected by cross-referencing the response to the second individual signal which is not within said pre-determined range against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the response of said subject to said a first and second electrical signal is performed at an acupuncture point on said subject.

3. A method as in any one of the above claims wherein an Ohm meter is used to evaluate the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals.

4. A method as in any one of the above claims wherein a processor cross- references the response to the identified second individual signal against a catalogue of pre-determined third signals.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein said third signal is a binary code that represents a known substance.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein said first, second and third signals are of a known frequency.

7. A method of applying an electrical signal to a subject, wherein said electrical signal is a binary code that represents a specific substance.

8. An apparatus for applying an electrical signal to a subject, including: a processor having a memory string which includes a first, second and third set of data; a generator adapted to generate a first, second and third electrical signal; at least one applicator connected to said generator and adapted to apply said first, second and third electric signal to said subject; an analyser adapted to test the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals.

9. An apparatus as in claims 8 wherein said processor cross-reference the response of said subject to said second signal against a catalogue of pre¬ determined third signals.

10. An apparatus as in claims 8 or 9 wherein said analyser includes a hand held probe that facilitates the measurement of the response of said subject to said first and second electrical signals produced by said generator.

11. An apparatus as in claims 8-10 wherein said hand held probe is adapted to locate said acupuncture point.

12. An apparatus as in claim 8-11 wherein said hand held probe has a pressure sensitive sensor which is adapted to locate said acupuncture point and measure said subject's response to said first and second electrical signals.

13. An apparatus as in claim 8-12 wherein said first, second and third signals are of a known amplitudes or frequencies.

14. An apparatus as in claim 8-13 wherein said third signal is a binary code that represents a known substance.