Therapeutic device for inflammation, pain pathology and neuromuscular and posture readjustment

Abstract

Therapeutic device (1) for inflammatory, painful pathologies and neuromuscular and postural readjustment of a person, comprising at least one supporting layered element (2) made of a material permeable to a reference wavelength between 400 and 990nm, a first side of the layered element (2) being adapted to be brought into contact with the person's skin, a second side of the layered element (2) being adapted to be brought into contact with the person's skin, and a third side of the layered element (2) being adapted to be brought into contact with the person's skin. On a first side of the layered element (2), and on a second side of the layered element (2) opposite said first side, at least one nanocrystal or a mixture of nanocrystals (3) is placed or incorporated or diffused, which nanocrystal or mixture of nanocrystals is capable of emitting photons of a reference wavelength when subjected to stress of at least one infrared, light or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, the device comprises a photoluminescent material (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to therapeutic devices for inflammation, pain pathologies and neuromuscular and postural re-regulation. Background Art

[0002] Innovative technologies and techniques are now known, which aim to integrate with traditional and modern treatments of the human body by increasing their effectiveness, especially aimed at treating inflammatory and painful diseases or movement disorders, and improving posture and proprioception.

[0003] This technology is disclosed in document WO2021 / 084424A1, which describes a therapeutic device capable of transmitting photons in line with the human body. This therapeutic device continuously stimulates the unbalanced nerve pain points without releasing any chemicals, increases proprioception, and therefore constitutes an innovative technology for health and well-being based on modern biophysical knowledge applied to health and well-being.

[0004] This therapeutic device is designed to improve the body's movement, help restore joint function, reduce any pain caused by incorrect posture patterns, correct this incorrect posture pattern, thereby facilitating the restoration of energy that the body can use to improve overall health and wellness.

[0005] This therapeutic device has the shape of a small foil element, which is applied to the skin with the help of a patch tape. This allows for long-term maintenance of postural balance and is combined with the therapeutic effects studied.

[0006] This therapeutic device comprises at least one supporting laminar element and at least one nanocrystal. The laminar element is made of a material that is permeable to a reference wavelength between 400 and 990 nm. A first side of the laminar element is suitable for contacting with human skin, and on a second side of the laminar element opposite to the first side, at least one nanocrystal or a mixture of nanocrystals is placed, incorporated or diffused in the laminar element itself, and when subjected to the stress of at least one infrared, light or ultraviolet incident electromagnetic radiation, the nanocrystal or its mixture can emit photons of the reference wavelength.

[0007] However, the duration of the device's action strictly depends on the stress of infrared, light or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation: when this stress is interrupted, the photon emission of the nanocrystal or nanocrystal mixture is exhausted within a short period of time.

[0008] Document EP2383017A1 discloses a phototherapy patch adapted to relieve nociceptive pain in a part of the body by irradiating the part of the body. The patch is adapted to conform to the part of the body and comprises an active light source configured to emit light having a wavelength in the range of 430nm to 475nm to illuminate the part of the body to which the patch is applied.

[0009] Therefore, for greater autonomy, a device is needed that significantly prolongs its action time and reduces its dependence on external electromagnetic stresses, which is not met by the existing technology. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome this limitation of the prior art by means of a support device as described at the outset, which also comprises a photoluminescent material capable of absorbing photons under the action of said incident electromagnetic radiation and of reemitting photons even after the stress of said incident electromagnetic radiation has ceased.

[0011] Thus, the photoluminescent material absorbs photons under the action of said incident electromagnetic radiation and then re-emits them, which allows a prolonged action of the therapeutic device even after the external electromagnetic stress has ceased: the photons from the incident electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the photoluminescent material are subsequently re-emitted by the photoluminescent material itself; these photons constitute the electromagnetic stress on the nanocrystal or the mixture of nanocrystals; thus, the stressed nanocrystals emit photons of the reference wavelength even when the external electromagnetic radiation has ceased.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the device is passive, ie it has no light source.

[0013] In one embodiment, a layer of said photoluminescent material is provided.

[0014] This allows for easy assembly of devices starting from independent layers, each with its own specific functionality.

[0015] Alternatively or in combination, the photoluminescent material may be provided mixed or incorporated into the layered elements and / or nanocrystal mixture.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the nanocrystals or the mixture of nanocrystals form an active layer, the layer of photoluminescent material being disposed between the layered element and the active layer.

[0017] Maintaining the photoluminescent material in direct contact with the active layer comprising nanocrystals or a mixture of nanocrystals can optimize the effect of the electromagnetic stress exerted by the layer of photoluminescent material.

[0018] In one embodiment, the thickness of the layer of photoluminescent material is between 50 and 100 micrometers. In particular, the thickness of the layer of photoluminescent material is between 75 and 85 micrometers.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the photoluminescent material comprises a powdered fluorescent pigment diluted in an ink.

[0020] In one implementation example, the fluorescent pigment is diluted in the ink at a percentage of 20% to 80%.

[0021] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the photoluminescent material comprises strontium aluminate.

[0022] This material has proven to be particularly advantageous as it allows for a long-lasting photoluminescent effect without producing adverse effects such as unpleasant odours or adverse reactions with other elements of the device, such as the layer-retaining glue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following disclosure of some embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a therapeutic apparatus is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a therapeutic apparatus is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The figures show an embodiment of a therapeutic device 1 for inflammation, pain pathologies and neuromuscular and postural re-regulation in humans according to the invention. The figures are for illustration purposes only and do not show the device to scale.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the device 1 comprises a supporting laminar element 2 made of a material transparent to a reference wavelength between 400 and 990 nm. A first side of the laminar element 2 is adapted to be in contact with human skin.

[0028] The laminar element 2 is composed of a material that is transparent to at least one of infrared, optical, and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. This material is a polymer that can bond to the human epidermis and is impermeable and inert to the sweat emitted by the skin. The material is flexible and can follow the movement and / or deformation of the human epidermis without falling off the human epidermis. Preferably, the thickness of the foil element 2 is between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, and even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, so as to better adapt to the deformation of the epidermis.

[0029] On the second side of the laminar element 2, opposite the first side placed on the epidermis, there is placed at least one nanocrystal or mixture of nanocrystals 3. The nanocrystal or mixture of nanocrystals is capable of emitting photons of a reference wavelength when stressed by infrared, light or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

[0030] Nanocrystals or mixtures of nanocrystals can be incorporated or diffused into the layered element 2. In this case, the at least one nanocrystal or the mixture of nanocrystals 3 is arranged on the support in a distributed manner, occupying a large part of the surface of the arranged side thereof, like a varnish, using the entire surface to achieve a high transmission efficiency of the radiation, without being hindered by the overlap of nanocrystals, with a thickness between 0.001 and 1 mm.

[0031] The at least one nanocrystal or the mixture of nanocrystals 3 may be arranged in discrete areas on the laminar element 2, concentrating the radiation flux in defined areas so as to have significant intensity and be received by the laminar element 2, with a thickness between 0.005 and 1 mm.

[0032] Preferably, the mixture of nanocrystals is placed on the layered element 2, or incorporated or diffused into the layered element 2 itself, at a concentration of 1 mg / cm 2 Up to 6g / cm 2 , and is capable of emitting photons of a reference wavelength.

[0033] Alternatively or in combination, the at least one nanocrystal or the nanocrystal mixture may be contained in a separate layer to form the active layer 3 .

[0034] The nanocrystal or mixture of nanocrystals preferably comprises one or more of the following quantum dots:

[0035] - Graphene quantum dots, code 900708, or quantum dots with fluorescence indication corresponding to λex 350nm; λem 445nm, full width at half maximum FWHM 65nm, quantum yield >65%;

[0036] - Blue luminescent graphene quantum dots, code 900726, or quantum dots with fluorescence indication corresponding to λex 350nm; λem 445nm+10nm, full width at half maximum FWHM 75nm, quantum yield >20%;

[0037] - Cyan luminescent graphene quantum dots, code 900707, or fluorescence indicators corresponding to quantum dots with λem 475-495nm, full width at half maximum FWHM 70nm, quantum yield >17%;

[0038] - Light green luminescent graphene quantum dots, code 900712, or quantum dots with fluorescence indication corresponding to λex 485nm; λem 530nm+10nm, full width at half maximum FWHM 80nm, quantum yield >17%;

[0039] - Perovskite quantum dots coated with oleic acid and oleylamine, code 900747, or quantum dots with fluorescence corresponding to approximately λem 480nm;

[0040] -COOH functionalized core CdTe QDs, code 777978, or QDs with fluorescence corresponding to λem 710nm, quantum yield >15%;

[0041] - CdS / ZnS functionalized oleic acid core-shell quantum dots, code 900286, or quantum dots with fluorescence indication corresponding to λmax 385nm, λem 400nm ± 10nm, quantum yield > 50%;

[0042] - CdS / ZnS functionalized oleic acid core-shell quantum dots, code 900283, or quantum dots with fluorescence corresponding to approximately λmax 405nm, λem 425nm ± 10nm;

[0043] Nanocrystals or mixtures of nanocrystals can reach and produce the same wavelength as ULLT (ultra-low level laser therapy), but at a much weaker intensity.

[0044] The device further comprises a photoluminescent material 4, preferably provided in a photoluminescent layer 4 separate from the other components of the device. Alternatively or in combination, the photoluminescent material 4 may be provided mixed or incorporated in the layered element and / or nanocrystal mixture.

[0045] Preferably, the layer of photoluminescent material 4 is interposed between the laminar element 2 and said active layer 3 and has a thickness between 50 and 100 micrometers, in particular between 75 and 85 micrometers.

[0046] Preferably, the photoluminescent material 4 comprises powdered fluorescent pigments diluted in ink, in particular at a percentage of 20% to 80%.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the photoluminescent material 4 comprises strontium aluminate. This is particularly advantageous because a photoluminescent layer comprising strontium aluminate of the above thickness absorbs photons, in particular ultraviolet light, reaches a maximum recharge state within a few minutes, and releases photoluminescence of a longer duration, even up to 24 hours.

[0048] Other rare earth or other suitable photoluminescent materials, such as barium titanate, zinc sulfate, etc., may be used alternatively or in combination.

[0049] The photoluminescent layer 4 can provide various emission colors, such as yellow-green, green, cyan, purple, orange.

[0050] Figure 2A second embodiment is shown, in which a second laminar element 5 is provided to protect and confine the photoluminescent layer 3. The second laminar element 5 consists of a material transparent to infrared radiation or optical radiation in the visible or ultraviolet spectrum, so that radiation coming from the outside and passing through the second laminar element 5 can recharge the photoluminescent layer 4 and excite the above-mentioned mixture of nanocrystals 3 to emit the frequency of interest.

[0051] The supporting laminar element 2 and the second protecting and confining laminar element 5 comprise between them said nanocrystals or said mixture of nanocrystals 3 and confine said nanocrystals or said mixture of nanocrystals 3, protecting them from external factors or mechanical stresses that could cause damage.

[0052] The second laminar element 5 has an extension corresponding to that of the supporting laminar element 2 and rests on it with its lateral surfaces facing the laminar element 2, retaining and tightly confining the nanocrystals or the mixture of nanocrystals 3 and the photoluminescent layer 4.

[0053] The second laminar element 5 is preferably composed of a protective permeable ink or film of polymer material, managing to keep the overall thickness of the device down, making it more wearable.

[0054] The mixture of nanocrystals 3 can be diluted in an ink in order to be able to be printed directly on the mutually facing sides on the laminar element 2 and / or on the second protective laminar element 5. The pigments of the photoluminescent material 3 can also be diluted in the same ink.

[0055] The wearable therapeutic device, depending on the type of nanocrystals used and the frequency of interest of the therapeutic radiation, has greater activity with the nanocrystals or a mixture of nanocrystals 4 with 95% to 20% nanocrystals, managing to calibrate, redefine and incorporate the amount of photons emitted by the device according to the patient's needs and the stimulation they wish to obtain.

[0056] The ink is preferably ink-penetrating, allowing only the properties of the glue and ink to remain in the dispersion medium and all outgoing photon emissions and incident radiation to reach the nanocrystal or mixture of nanocrystals 3 with minimal attenuation.

[0057] The overall thickness of the device is minimal to maintain high elasticity and the ability to adapt to the surface stresses of the dermis without cracking, breaking or tearing.

[0058] The mutual bonding between the leather and the laminar element 2 and / or the second laminar element 5 can be obtained by means of a flexible double-sided adhesive material.

[0059] The device can be mostly penetrable and placed near primary and secondary endings, tendons, muscles, skin irritants, nerve endings to promote neuromuscular and postural re-regulation by combining adhesion to the skin, which means that the skin can be checked for any redness.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device (1) for inflammatory, pain pathologies and neuromuscular and postural re-regulation in humans, the device (1) comprising at least one supporting laminar element (2), the laminar element (2) being made of a material transparent to a reference wavelength, the reference wavelength being between 400 and 990 nm, the laminar element (2) having a first side adapted to be in contact with the skin of the human being, and having at least one nanocrystal or a mixture of nanocrystals (3) placed, incorporated or diffused on a second side of the laminar element (2) opposite to the first side, the nanocrystal or the mixture of nanocrystals being capable of emitting photons of the reference wavelength when stressed by at least one incident electromagnetic radiation of infrared, light or ultraviolet, Features: The device (1) comprises a photoluminescent material (4) which is capable of absorbing photons under the influence of the incident electromagnetic radiation and of re-emitting photons even after the stress of the incident electromagnetic radiation has ceased.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The device is passive, ie the device has no light source.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A layer of photoluminescent material (4) is provided.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The nanocrystals or the mixture of nanocrystals form an active layer (3) placed in contact with the layered element (2), and the layer of photoluminescent material (4) is in contact with the active layer (3) on its side opposite to the side in contact with the layered element (2).

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The thickness of the layer of photoluminescent material (4) is between 50 and 100 micrometers.

6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The photoluminescent material (4) comprises powdered fluorescent pigment diluted in ink.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The fluorescent pigment is diluted in the ink at a percentage of 20% to 80%.

8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The photoluminescent material (4) includes strontium aluminate.

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