Windproof temperature control cover for scientific research of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion
By designing an adjustable windproof and temperature-controlled hood for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture research, the problems of insufficient privacy protection, inaccurate environmental control, and poor spatial adaptability are solved, patient comfort and treatment accuracy are improved, and it is suitable for a variety of medical and scientific research environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423054503.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing acupuncture treatment and scientific research have problems such as insufficient privacy protection, imprecise environmental control, and poor spatial adaptability, which affect patient comfort and treatment effectiveness.
A windproof and temperature-controlled cover for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture research has been designed. It includes an adjustable bed frame and cover body. It uses breathable materials and a hollow structure to achieve uniform airflow through airways and air holes. It is equipped with adjustable legs and universal wheels to support the use of treatment beds of different sizes.
It improves patient privacy and comfort, reduces discomfort and treatment errors caused by needle shaking, enhances the accuracy of environmental control and the reliability of scientific research data, and is suitable for a variety of medical and scientific research scenarios.
Smart Images

Figure CN223350505U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical appliances, in particular to a windproof and temperature-controlling cover for scientific research on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Background Art
[0002] Acupuncture, as one of the core treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine, has a history of thousands of years and is widely used in many fields, such as relieving pain, regulating body functions, and promoting recovery. By precisely stimulating specific acupuncture points on the human body, acupuncture can harmonize qi and blood, dredge the meridians, and thus achieve the purpose of treating diseases. With the development of modern medicine, the scientific nature and efficacy of acupuncture therapy have gradually been recognized, and more and more clinical and scientific research practices have verified its effectiveness in treating various diseases. However, in the clinical application and scientific research of acupuncture, there are still a series of problems that need to be solved:
[0003] 1. Privacy and Comfort Issues: Acupuncture treatments often require exposing the treatment area, especially the back and abdomen, which can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Furthermore, privacy protection during treatment is weak, making it difficult to fully safeguard patients' personal privacy. While some medical institutions have implemented screens or curtains to address this issue, these measures only provide limited shielding and fail to effectively protect patient privacy and comfort while ensuring treatment effectiveness.
[0004] 2. Environmental issues: In clinical acupuncture, environmental stability has an important impact on the therapeutic effect. In modern medical environments, most treatment rooms are equipped with air conditioners to regulate the indoor temperature, but the design of the air conditioning system often makes it difficult to ensure uniform temperature distribution throughout the treatment area. Since the air outlet of the air conditioner is directional, patients may feel different airflow and temperature at different positions, which not only affects the patient's comfort, but may also affect the effect of acupuncture treatment. In scientific research experiments, the control of environmental factors is particularly important, but in existing treatment rooms, the unevenness of temperature and airflow will lead to instability of environmental data, which in turn affects the accuracy and repeatability of experimental data.
[0005] 3. Spatial adaptability: Acupuncture treatment requires flexible operation tailored to different patients and treatment areas, but existing clinical environment facilities (such as screens and curtains) often lack sufficient flexibility and adaptability. For example, screens and curtains cannot be adjusted to the size of the treatment bed, and airflow and temperature distribution cannot be effectively controlled, resulting in different experiences and therapeutic effects for different patients in the same treatment environment. In addition, the influence of air flow during treatment can lead to local temperature instability, which in turn increases treatment uncertainty and reduces treatment effectiveness.
[0006] 4. The need for precise control of the research environment: During acupuncture research, researchers often need to precisely control multiple factors of the treatment environment, such as temperature. Due to the limited space and equipment in clinical treatment rooms, precise control of these environmental factors is difficult, especially in terms of air conditioning output and temperature distribution, which can lead to errors in experimental results. Therefore, existing facilities and methods fail to fully meet the high standards of environmental control required for scientific research.
[0007] In summary, current acupuncture treatment and research suffer from issues such as insufficient privacy protection, imprecise environmental control, and poor spatial adaptability, which urgently require new technologies and solutions. Therefore, developing a treatment space device that can both protect patient privacy and comfort, precisely control ambient temperature and airflow disturbances, and exhibit high adaptability and flexibility will revolutionize acupuncture treatment and research. Utility Model Content
[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model provides a windproof and temperature-controlling cover for traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research that is applicable to treatment beds of different sizes.
[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model designs a windproof and temperature-control cover for scientific research of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, comprising a bed frame and a cover body, the bed frame comprising slide rails, telescopic arms and legs, the slide rails being arranged in parallel with each other, and the same-side ends of the two slide rails are respectively connected by a telescopic arm; the legs are connected to the bottom side of the slide rails, and several legs are arranged at intervals along the sliding direction of the slide rails; the cover body comprises a support rod, a telescopic rod and a shielding cloth made of breathable material; the bottom end of the support rod is slidably connected to the slide rail, and multiple legs are respectively arranged along the sliding direction of the two slide rails; the top ends of the corresponding support rods on the two slide rails are connected by the telescopic rod, and the shielding cloth cover is provided on the support rod and the telescopic rod to cover the slide rail and the telescopic arm.
[0010] In order to improve the user experience, the support rod and the telescopic rod are both hollow structures and are connected to each other to form an airway; the support rod and the telescopic rod are both provided with a number of air holes connected to the airway; the support rod is provided with a quick-release connector connected to the airway.
[0011] In order to make the air flow more evenly distributed, the air holes are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the support rod and the telescopic rod.
[0012] In order to avoid stuffiness, ventilation gaps are opened on the opposite sides of the two slide rails to avoid stuffiness. The ventilation gaps extend in the vertical direction, and multiple ventilation gaps are provided along the sliding direction of the slide rails.
[0013] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the cover, a fixing plate is provided at the bottom end of the support rod; the fixing plate is fixedly connected to a T-shaped wheel frame by screws; a portion of the T-shaped wheel frame extends into the track groove of the slide rail; pressure wheels are provided on both sides of the portion of the T-shaped wheel frame located in the track groove, which are in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the track groove.
[0014] In order to facilitate adjustment, a scissor-type telescopic structure is also included for synchronously adjusting the spacing between the support rods, and the support rods located on the same slide rail are connected by the scissor-type telescopic mechanism.
[0015] In order to ensure the stability of the connection, the telescopic arm includes an inner sleeve and two outer sleeves, and the two outer sleeves are respectively sleeved on both ends of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are adjustably fixedly connected by hand screws.
[0016] In order to prevent rotation, the radial cross-sections of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are square.
[0017] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the height of the bed frame and the movement of the entire device, the supporting legs adopt a telescopic structure, and universal wheels are provided at the bottom ends of the supporting legs.
[0018] In order to facilitate disassembly and assembly, a plurality of permanent magnets are provided on the shielding cloth.
[0019] This utility model features a windproof and temperature-controlled hood for TCM acupuncture research. It features a retractable hood that can be flexibly adjusted to suit treatment needs, effectively protecting patient privacy and ensuring greater comfort and peace of mind during treatment. The hood protects against wind and warmth, preventing interference from external airflow, thereby enhancing patient comfort and reducing discomfort and treatment errors caused by needle movement. This improves the accuracy of acupuncture treatments and the reliability of research data. Furthermore, the device is adaptable to various treatment beds, making it suitable for use in a variety of medical and research settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and research institutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure of a windproof and temperature-controlled cover for traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture research provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of the structure of a windproof and temperature-controlled cover for traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture research provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the use of a windproof and temperature-controlled cover for traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture research provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view at AA in the middle;
[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The enlarged schematic diagram of point B in the middle;
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ventilation gap structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the shielding cloth structure provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0027] Among them: bed frame 100, cover body 200, treatment bed 300, slide rail 10, ventilation gap 11, telescopic arm 20, inner sleeve 21, outer sleeve 22, thumb screw 23, support leg 30, universal wheel 31, support rod 40, fixing plate 41, T-shaped wheel frame 42, pressure wheel 43, telescopic rod 50, shielding cloth 60, permanent magnet 61, airway 70, quick release joint 71, scissors-type telescopic structure 80. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.
[0029] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the windproof and temperature-controlled cover for TCM acupuncture research described in this embodiment includes a bed frame 100 and a cover body 200. The bed frame 100 is designed to support the cover body 200 and enable it to be adjusted as needed, while the cover body 200 is designed to shield the patient's treatment area and provide windproof and warmth retention.
[0030] Specifically, the bed frame 100 includes two parallel rails 10, telescopic arms 20, and legs 30. The rails 10 are connected at their same ends by a telescopic arm 20. The telescopic arm 20, in conjunction with the two rails 10, forms a frame with a rectangular opening, allowing the treatment bed 300 to be placed within. The width of the bed frame 100 is also adjustable to accommodate treatment beds 300 of varying sizes. The legs 30 are connected to the bottom of the rails 10 and are spaced apart along the sliding direction of the rails 10 to provide support for the entire device. In this embodiment, a leg 30 is positioned at each of the four corners of the frame formed by the rails 10 and the telescopic arms 20 to enhance stability. The number and position of the legs 30 can also be adjusted based on actual needs.
[0031] The cover 200 comprises support rods 40, telescopic rods 50, and a masking cloth 60 made of breathable material. The bottom ends of the support rods 40 are slidably engaged with the slide rails 10, and multiple support rods are provided along the sliding direction of the two slide rails 10. The top ends of the corresponding support rods 40 on the two slide rails 10 are connected by the telescopic rods 50. The masking cloth 60 is placed over the support rods 40 and telescopic rods 50 to cover the slide rails 10 and telescopic arms 20. The design of the telescopic rods 50 thus allows the width of the cover 200 to be adjusted. This, combined with the adjustment of the telescopic arms 20, allows the cover 200 to adapt to treatment beds 300 of varying sizes.
[0032] When a patient lies on the treatment bed 300 for acupuncture treatment, the coverage of the cover 200 can be adjusted by sliding the support rods 40 and the telescopic rods 50 on the two side rails 10, accurately covering the patient's exposed treatment area, providing privacy protection and windproof and warm functions. The shielding cloth 60 covers the support rods 40 and the telescopic rods 50, not only covering the slide rails 10 and the telescopic arms 20, but also covering the patient's treatment area, thereby avoiding external airflow interference, thereby improving patient comfort, reducing discomfort and treatment errors caused by needle shaking, and improving the accuracy of acupuncture treatment and the reliability of scientific research data. In this embodiment, a material with good air permeability is selected to make the shielding cloth 60 to ensure that the inside of the cover 200 is not completely isolated from the outside, so as to avoid stuffiness and improve patient comfort. For example, cotton cloth, breathable mesh cloth, etc. can be selected.
[0033] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the support rod 40 and the telescopic rod 50 are both hollow structures and are interconnected to form an airway 70; the support rod 40 and the telescopic rod 50 are both provided with a plurality of air holes connected to the airway 70; the support rod 40 is provided with a quick-release connector 71 connected to the airway 70.
[0034] In actual clinical use, for example, during acupuncture treatment involving the patient's face, the mask 200 needs to cover the patient's head area. Due to the relatively small internal space of the mask 200, even if the masking cloth 60 is made of a breathable material, it may still cause stuffiness as the treatment progresses, and even collect moisture from the patient's exhaled water, affecting the treatment experience. In this embodiment, the airway 70 formed by the hollow support rods 40 and telescopic rods 50 can be connected to a suction terminal (such as a central suction system or a small negative pressure pump) on each bed during clinical use via a quick-release connector 72. By controlling the negative pressure of the suction terminal, the stuffy air and moisture within the mask 200 can be evenly extracted through the air holes 71. At the same time, fresh air can enter the mask 200 through the gap between the masking cloth 60 and the treatment bed 300 to achieve ventilation. This design avoids the disturbance of acupuncture needles caused by large, concentrated air flows, ensuring the stability and accuracy of treatment and the comfort of the patient.
[0035] In one embodiment, to provide a more comfortable treatment experience in hot environments, the quick-release connector 72 can also be connected to an air terminal on each bed to deliver fresh, cool air into the mask 200 through the air duct 70 and evenly distributed air holes 71. It is understood that to prevent direct air supply from interfering with the needle and treatment, the air supply volume of the air terminal can be adjusted to make the air supply softer and more uniform.
[0036] In another embodiment, in order to cope with cold environments, a heating wire (not shown) can be provided in the air duct 70. When the external ambient temperature is low, the heating wire can be activated to heat the air supplied by the air terminal, and the warm air can be sent into the cover body 200 through the air hole 71 to ensure the patient's comfort and avoid catching a cold. The power and control method of the heating wire can be adjusted according to actual needs. For example, a temperature sensor and a controller can be provided to automatically adjust the heating power of the heating wire according to the temperature inside the cover body to achieve more precise temperature control. In order to ensure safety, an over-temperature protection device can be added to prevent the heating wire from overheating. In addition, the use of safer and more reliable heating methods such as PTC heating elements can also be considered.
[0037] In some embodiments, the air holes are evenly spaced along the length of the support rods 40 and telescopic rods 50. This ensures more uniform air circulation within the mask 200. This structural design ensures that, regardless of the size of the area covered by the mask 200, each area receives adequate ventilation, avoiding localized airflow that is excessive or insufficient. This not only improves patient comfort but also ensures stable and precise treatment.
[0038] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 、 Figure 6 As shown, to avoid stuffiness, ventilation gaps 11 are provided on opposite sides of the two slide rails 10. These ventilation gaps 11 extend vertically, and multiple ventilation gaps 11 are provided along the sliding direction of the slide rails 10. Specifically, after the bed body 100 is assembled, the outer walls of the slide rails 10 are tightly attached to both sides of the treatment bed 300, and multiple ventilation gaps 11 are provided along the sliding direction of the slide rails 10. This allows fresh air from the outside to enter the cover body 200, even if the masking cloth 60 covers the area tightly. For example, when suction is performed by connecting a suction terminal through the air hole 71, the ventilation gaps 11 can serve as air inlets, providing sufficient fresh air to the cover body 200, improving ventilation efficiency, and maintaining the negative pressure inside the cover body within an appropriate range, thereby avoiding discomfort to the patient.
[0039] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5As shown, the bottom end of the support rod 40 is provided with a fixing plate 41; the fixing plate 41 is fixedly connected to a T-shaped wheel frame 42 by screws; a portion of the T-shaped wheel frame 42 extends into the track groove of the slide rail 10; and pressure wheels 43 that are in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the track groove are provided on both sides of the portion of the T-shaped wheel frame 42 that is in the track groove. In specific implementation, compared to the support rod 40 directly contacting and sliding with the slide rail 10, the structure of the T-shaped wheel frame 42 enables it to be stably installed in the track groove of the slide rail 10, and the design of the pressure wheel 43 converts sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby significantly reducing the friction force of the support rod 40 when sliding on the slide rail 10, making it easier and smoother to adjust the position of the cover body 200. Even if the position of the cover body 200 needs to be adjusted frequently, the sensitivity and convenience of the adjustment can be guaranteed, and the stability and durability of the device are improved, thereby extending its service life.
[0040] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The device also includes a scissor-type telescopic structure 80 for synchronously adjusting the spacing between the struts 40. The struts 40 located on the same slide rail 10 are connected by the scissor-type telescopic structure 80. Specifically, the design of the scissor-type telescopic structure 80 cleverly connects the struts 40 to each other, forming a linkage mechanism. When the control point of the mechanism is operated (for example, pulling or pushing one end of the scissor-type structure), the transmission and conversion of force causes all the struts 40 to expand or retract synchronously. In this way, the user can precisely control the length of the mask body 200 with a simple operation to perfectly match the intended treatment area, without the tedious adjustment of each strut one by one, greatly improving the adjustment efficiency and convenience.
[0041] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 Figure 3 As shown, the telescopic arm 20 includes an inner sleeve 21 and two outer sleeves 22. The two outer sleeves 22 are respectively mounted on both ends of the inner sleeve 21. The inner sleeve 21 and the outer sleeves 22 are adjustably fixedly connected by thumb screws 23. With this structural design, the length of the telescopic arm 20 can be varied by adjusting the relative position of the inner sleeve 21 and the outer sleeve 22 to accommodate treatment beds 300 of varying widths. The use of thumb screws 23 for fixed connection makes adjustment quick and easy. The user can easily tighten or loosen the thumb screws 23 as needed to adjust the length of the telescopic arm 20 and secure it securely.
[0042] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the radial cross-sections of the inner sleeve 21 and the outer sleeve 22 are square. Compared with the circular cross-section, the square cross-section can more effectively prevent the relative rotation between the inner sleeve 21 and the outer sleeve 22, thereby avoiding loosening or connection failure caused by rotation during use.
[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the legs 30 are telescopic, and universal wheels 31 are provided at the bottom ends of the legs 30. The telescopic legs 30 can be adjusted in height as needed, allowing the bed frame 100 to adapt to treatment beds 300 of different heights to meet the needs of different users. The design of the universal wheels 31 allows the entire device to be easily moved and steered, facilitating use in different locations, such as moving between different treatment rooms, or adjusting the device's position as needed.
[0044] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 As shown, the shielding cloth 60 is provided with a plurality of permanent magnets 61. In a specific implementation, the support rods 40 and the slide rails 10 can be made of metal materials. By utilizing the adsorption effect of the permanent magnets 61, the shielding cloth can be quickly and conveniently fixed to the support rods 40 and the slide rails 10 without the need for additional fixing devices such as buckles, straps, and Velcro, which simplifies the installation process. Similarly, due to the use of magnetic adsorption, the shielding cloth 60 is also very easy to remove. It only needs to be gently pulled apart, which facilitates the cleaning and replacement of the shielding cloth 60.
[0045] The windproof and temperature-controlled hood for TCM acupuncture research provided in this embodiment features a retractable cover that can be flexibly adjusted to suit treatment needs, effectively protecting patient privacy and ensuring greater comfort and peace of mind during treatment. The hood provides windproof insulation and warmth, preventing interference from external airflow, thereby enhancing patient comfort and reducing discomfort and treatment errors caused by needle movement, thereby improving the accuracy of acupuncture treatments and the reliability of research data. Furthermore, the device is adaptable to treatment beds of varying sizes, making it convenient for use in a variety of medical and research settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and research institutions.
[0046] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "vertical", "up", "down", "horizontal", etc. indicating orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.
[0047] It should also be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they may refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they may refer to internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.
[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A windproof and temperature-controlled cover for traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture research, comprising a bed frame and a cover body, characterized in that: The bed frame includes slide rails, telescopic arms and legs. There are two parallel slide rails, and the same-side ends of the two slide rails are connected by a telescopic arm respectively; the legs are connected to the bottom side of the slide rails, and several legs are arranged at intervals along the sliding direction of the slide rails; the cover body includes a support rod, a telescopic rod and a shielding cloth made of breathable material; the bottom end of the support rod is slidably connected to the slide rail, and multiple legs are respectively provided along the sliding direction of the two slide rails; the top ends of the corresponding support rods on the two slide rails are connected by the telescopic rod, and the shielding cloth cover is provided on the support rod and the telescopic rod to cover the slide rails and the telescopic arm.
2. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod and the telescopic rod are both hollow structures and are interconnected to form an airway; the support rod and the telescopic rod are both provided with a plurality of air holes connected to the airway; the support rod is provided with a quick-release joint connected to the airway.
3. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air holes are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the support rod and the telescopic rod.
4. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: Air-permeable gaps are provided on opposite sides of the two slide rails. The air-permeable gaps extend in a vertical direction, and a plurality of air-permeable gaps are provided along the sliding direction of the slide rails.
5. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing plate is provided at the bottom end of the support rod; the fixing plate is fixedly connected to a T-shaped wheel frame by screws; a portion of the T-shaped wheel frame extends into the track groove of the slide rail; pressure wheels are provided on both sides of the portion of the T-shaped wheel frame located in the track groove, which are in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the track groove.
6. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion research according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a scissor-type telescopic structure for synchronously adjusting the spacing between the support rods, and the support rods located on the same slide rail are connected through the scissor-type telescopic structure.
7. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion research according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic arm comprises an inner sleeve and two outer sleeves, the two outer sleeves are respectively sleeved on both ends of the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are adjustably fixedly connected by hand screws.
8. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion research according to claim 7, characterized in that: The radial cross-sections of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are square.
9. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion scientific research according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting legs adopt a telescopic structure, and the bottom ends of the supporting legs are provided with universal wheels.
10. The windproof and temperature-controlling cover for Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion research according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of permanent magnets are arranged on the shielding cloth.