Blood circulation disorder improving device and blood circulation disorder improving method

Abstract

To provide a device for effectively improving a blood circulation disorder with a simple configuration, and a method for effectively improving the blood circulation disorder.SOLUTION: There are provided a feed pump 12 for feeding any one of air, oxygen, and ozone and water, a gas-liquid mixing tank 14 for mixing any one of air, oxygen, and ozone fed by the feed pump 12 and water, a bubble generation nozzle 16 for converting gas-liquid mixed water obtained by mixing in the gas-liquid mixing tank into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles, a bathtub 23 for storing the micro-nano bubble water, and a drainage pump 25 for discharging the micro-nano bubble water in the bathtub.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving blood circulation disorders.

[0002] For example, peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs is a condition in which the arteries from the abdominal aorta to the lower limbs become chronically narrowed or blocked due to arteriosclerosis (arteriosclerosis obliterans) or other causes (e.g., embolism, aneurysm occlusion). It is particularly common in association with arteriosclerosis, and is known to frequently develop due to underlying diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and dyslipidemia, as well as deterioration of lifestyle habits (smoking, Westernized diet). Furthermore, in recent years, the worsening of chronic diseases such as diabetes and dialysis, as well as increased susceptibility to infection, can rapidly worsen circulatory disorders in the lower limbs, resulting in small foot wounds becoming ulcers or gangrene.

[0003] Severe ischemia, a condition characterized by intractable pain at rest and foot ulcers and gangrene associated with impaired circulation in the lower extremities, can lead to major amputations of the thigh or lower leg if appropriate testing and treatment (revascularization and wound care) are not performed. Diagnostic methods for impaired circulation in the lower extremities include palpation of arterial pulsation from the body surface, visual inspection, and palpation (coldness, dryness, ulcers, and gangrene) to assess the general condition of stenosis or occlusion in the lower extremity arteries. The severity of lower extremity ischemia is assessed by measuring the ankle / brachial artery pressure ratio (the ratio of ankle blood pressure to brachial artery pressure). Other methods include vascular physiology tests such as lower extremity arterial echocardiography to assess the presence or absence of arterial stenosis or occlusion, contrast cardiac catheterization to identify the course of arteries and the location of stenosis or occlusion, and angiography to diagnose and determine treatment options for stenosis or occlusion in small blood vessels below the leg arteries.

[0004] Based on the above diagnosis and test results, revascularization procedures such as bypass surgery and catheter treatment, wound treatment such as infection control, wound cleansing and negative pressure wound therapy, drug therapy using antiplatelet agents, anticoagulant therapy and antibiotics, nutritional management for malnutrition and hypoproteinemia, and rehabilitation such as muscle maintenance and prevention of joint contracture are performed.

[0005] As described above, when lower limb circulatory disorders occur, many complicated diagnostic and examination procedures are required, followed by long-term treatment.

[0006] As a prior art document related to the present invention, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing oxygen nanobubbles, which contain oxygen nanobubbles, and when measured with a cryo-transmission electron microscope using an ice embedding method, the average particle size and density of the oxygen nanobubbles are 1 to 30 nm and 10 per ml, respectively. 16 However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is an aqueous solution that can be administered to a living body, and does not describe the improvement of blood circulation disorders by directly contacting the solution with the human body.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a treatment method in which a nanobubble dispersion containing positively or negatively charged nanobubbles with an average particle size of 10 to 500 nm is brought into contact with the affected area to control the antibacterial effect against pathogenic microorganisms in the affected area. However, Patent Document 2 only shows a schematic diagram illustrating the action of microbubbles on viscous discharge or infectious exudate and a diagram comparing the time required for detachment of the serosal membrane of cancer cells with a control, and does not mention the improvement of circulatory disorders in the invention described in Patent Document 2.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a cleaning device that uses nanobubbles, in which when nanobubbles contained in water collide with a living body and the bubbles collapse, high-pressure air inside is ejected, removing dirt components adhering to the surface of the living body. However, even if it were possible to remove dirt components, the invention described in Patent Document 3 does not mention improving blood circulation disorders.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes an apparatus for producing a gas-enriched aqueous fluid composition for healing superficial wounds, having a schematic configuration as shown in Fig. 13 and a partial cross-sectional side view as shown in Fig. 14. In Fig. 13, a first material 61 such as water, saline, a chemical suspension, a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a colloidal suspension, or a cell growth medium is supplied to a first chamber 63 by a pump 62. The first material in the first chamber 63 is then supplied to a mixing chamber 65 by a pump 64. A second material 66 such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur gas, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, argon, helium, or bromine is then supplied to the mixing chamber 65 by a pump 67. A third material 68, which may be a liquid or gas, is then supplied to the mixing chamber 65 by a pump 69. The mixed material in the mixing chamber 65 is then output to a storage container 72 by a pump 71 via a second chamber 70. The materials in the first chamber 63, the mixing chamber 65, and the second chamber 70 are mixed by a drive shaft 74 driven by a motor 73. In FIG. 14, the mixing chamber 65 is located inside a central portion 78 of a housing 77 between a first mechanical sealing housing 75 and a second mechanical sealing housing 76, and it is described that the mixing chamber 65 is formed between a rotor 79 and a stator 80. However, in the invention described in Patent Document 4, in order to produce a gas-enriched aqueous fluid composition, it is necessary to use an apparatus with an extremely complicated structure, which results in high production costs and complicated maintenance of the apparatus.

[0010] Patent Document 5 describes a method for producing footbath water, which involves supplying a micro-nano bubble generator with a mixture of radon and carbon dioxide gas as gases and a liquid containing an active ingredient, and generating radon-carbon dioxide micro-nano bubbles containing radon, carbon dioxide, and the active ingredient from the micro-nano bubble generator in the footbath water in a footbath tank. However, Patent Document 5 also describes that in order to provide a footbath device that can further improve foot blood flow and reduce costs, the micro-nano bubbles are bubbles with a diameter of approximately 10 μm to several hundred nanometers, and that a mixture of radon and carbon dioxide gas and a liquid containing the active ingredient are used. However, the invention described in Patent Document 5 does not describe mixing water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6751876 specification [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-104688 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-121962 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 5491185 specification [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-22624 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a device and a method for effectively improving circulatory disorders, while having a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The first invention of the present application, which aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, is (1) an apparatus for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs, comprising: a feed pump for feeding water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone; a gas-liquid mixing tank for mixing the water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone fed by the feed pump; a bubble generating nozzle for converting the gas-liquid mixed water obtained by mixing in the gas-liquid mixing tank into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles; a bathtub for storing the micro-nano bubble water; and a drain pump for discharging the micro-nano bubble water from the bathtub.

[0014] The second invention of the present application is (2) a device for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs described in (1), which has an inline heater for heating micro-nano bubble water between the bubble generating nozzle and the bathtub.

[0015] The third invention of the present application is (3) a device for improving impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs as described in (2), which has a removable lining on the inner surface of the bathtub.

[0016] The fourth invention of the present application is a method for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs, characterized by immersing the lower limbs in micro-nano bubble water in a bathtub of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs described in (4)(1), (2), or (3).

[0017] The fifth invention of the present application is (5) a method for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs, characterized by immersing the lower limbs for 10 to 30 minutes in micro-nano bubble water in a bathtub of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs described in (2) or (3), which has been heated to 25 to 40°C by an inline heater.

[0018] The sixth invention of the present application is (6) an apparatus for improving blood circulation disorders, characterized by comprising: a feed pump for feeding water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone; a gas-liquid mixing vessel for mixing the water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone fed by the feed pump; and a bubble generating nozzle for converting the gas-liquid mixed water obtained by mixing in the gas-liquid mixing vessel into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles.

[0019] The seventh invention of the present application is a method for improving blood circulation, characterized by supplying micro-nano bubble water produced by the device for improving blood circulation described in (7)(6) to a site where blood circulation is impaired.

[0020] The eighth invention of the present application is (8) a method for improving blood circulation disorders, comprising: mixing water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone to obtain gas-liquid mixed water; converting the gas-liquid mixed water into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles; and immersing an affected area in the micro-nano bubble water at 25 to 40°C for 10 to 30 minutes.

[0021] A ninth aspect of the present invention is (9) the method for improving circulatory disorders according to (8), characterized in that the affected area is the lower limbs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The present invention's device and method for improving impaired blood circulation skillfully utilize the effects of micro- and nano-bubbles. Microbubbles are bubbles with diameters of 0.1 mm to 0.001 mm, nanobubbles are bubbles with diameters of 0.001 mm to 0.000001 mm (1 nm), and micro- and nano-bubbles encompass both. Microbubbles have three properties: rising, contracting, and collapsing, and behave differently from ordinary bubbles. Microbubbles have high internal pressure, remain in water for long periods of time, and slowly rise and contract. Because microbubbles are negatively charged, they adsorb dirt during the rising and contracting process. They then continue to rise and contract, eventually collapsing into nano-sized bubbles. As described above, the first to third inventions of the present application utilize the properties of micro-nano bubbles, which are much smaller than regular air bubbles, allowing them to easily penetrate the skin. Furthermore, as in the fourth invention, by immersing the lower limbs in a bathtub filled with micro-nano bubble water, water pressure is applied to the blood vessels on the surface of the body and in the skin, which pumps out the blood that has accumulated in the extremities, promoting blood circulation and effectively improving circulatory disorders in the lower limbs. In particular, the fifth invention of the present application can more effectively improve circulatory disorders in the lower limbs. Furthermore, by supplying the micro-nano bubble water produced in the sixth invention of the present application to various parts of the body where blood circulation is impaired, as in the seventh invention of the present application, circulatory disorders can be improved. For example, using the micro-nano bubble water of the present application to treat bedsores (severe pressure sores) on the lower back or back can improve the symptoms of bedsores. That is, as in the eighth invention of the present application, immersing the affected area in micro-nano bubble water at 25 to 40°C for 10 to 30 minutes can improve blood circulation disorders, and as in the ninth invention of the present application, for example, blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of one embodiment of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the micro-nano bubble generating nozzle. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the micro-nano bubble generating nozzle. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the micro-nano bubble generating nozzle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 5(b) is a plan view of the high-speed liquid jet ejection nozzle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a high-speed liquid jet spray nozzle. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing vessel. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the circled area E in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing vessel including a cross section of the float. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the particle size distribution of micro-nano bubbles used in one embodiment of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is another diagram showing the particle size distribution of micro-nano bubbles used in one embodiment of the device for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the bathtub of the device for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a liquid and gas mixing device described in Patent Document 4. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the mixing device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Micro- and nano-bubbles have various characteristics, such as (a) small bubble diameter, (b) slow rising speed, (c) reduced frictional resistance, (d) high intra-bubble pressure, (e) large gas-liquid interface, (f) large amount of dissolved gas, (g) dissolution and contraction, (h) negatively charged bubble surfaces, (i) as the particle diameter becomes smaller, buoyancy becomes much smaller compared to viscous forces, so that they can remain as ultrafine bubbles in liquid for a long time without floating to the top, and (j) the spherical diameter of the bubbles becomes so small that liquids containing nano-bubbles are invisible to the naked eye and are colorless and transparent. Utilizing these characteristics, micro- and nano-bubbles are expected to be applied in a wide range of fields, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor cleaning, and plant cultivation.

[0025] The device for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs and the method for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs using the device of the present invention contain micro-nano bubbles having the above-mentioned characteristics. Water that can be used to produce micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles includes tap water, purified water, natural water, carbonated water, deionized water, alkaline ionized water, deep-sea water, distilled water, RO water, purified water, etc., and although purified water is a solvent used in medical treatment, it penetrates the skin much better than regular water and, being free of impurities, can be used safely by people with sensitive skin without worrying about skin irritation, making it a preferred choice.

[0026] The micro-nano bubble water of the present invention is characterized by the micro-nano bubbles dispersed in water. Micro-nano bubbles include both microbubbles with diameters of 0.1 mm to 0.001 mm and nanobubbles with diameters of 0.001 mm to 0.000001 mm (1 nm), but the diameter of micro-nano bubbles preferably ranges from 1 nm to 55 nm. The gas used for the micro-nano bubbles can be air, oxygen, or ozone.

[0027] Next, an apparatus for improving blood circulation disorders in lower limbs according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of an apparatus for improving blood circulation disorders in lower limbs according to one embodiment. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pipe through which water is supplied, and the water in pipe 1 passes through an on-off valve 2, a dechlorination filter 3, and pipe 4 to reach a buffer tank 5. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pipe through which one of air, oxygen, and ozone gases is supplied, and the gas in pipe 6 passes through an on-off valve 7, a flow meter 8, and pipe 9 to be connected to pipe 10, which discharges the water from buffer tank 5. Reference numeral 11 denotes a water level gauge.

[0028] Thus, by connecting pipe 9 to pipe 10, the gas-containing water is sent by feed pump 12 through pipe 13 to gas-liquid mixing tank 14. In gas-liquid mixing tank 14, gas and water are mixed to form gas-liquid mixed water, which is sent to bubble generating nozzle 16 through pipe 15. The micro-nano bubble water obtained in bubble generating nozzle 16 and containing micro-nano bubbles is heated to an appropriate temperature by in-line heater 18 arranged in the path of pipe 17. Note that in-line heater 18 is equipped with a temperature over-rise prevention sensor that can heat the water flowing through pipe 17 to a temperature not exceeding 100°C. Of course, in-line heater 18 does not have to be constantly operating, but can be operated as needed.

[0029] The micro-nano bubble water in pipe 17 passes through joint 19, pipe 20, check valve 21, and pipe 22 to reach bathtub 23. The micro-nano bubble water discharged from pipe 22 toward lower limbs 24 at a predetermined pressure is sucked in by drainage pump 25 and discharged through pipe 26, check valve 27, pipe 28, joint 29, and pipe 30. Reference numeral 31 denotes a pressure gauge. Excess gas in gas-liquid mixing tank 14 is appropriately discharged into the atmosphere through pipe 32. As described above, the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 1 is micro-nano bubble water generator / supply device 36, which generates micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles of any one of air, oxygen, and ozone gases, and supplies the micro-nano bubble water to bathtub 23. The inside surface of bathtub 23 has a removable lining 33, so that every time a new person uses the device shown in Figure 1, the contaminated micro-nano bubble water 34 inside bathtub 23 can be drained and the used lining 33 can be removed and replaced with a new lining 33. At the same time, joint 19, pipe 20, check valve 21, pipe 22, pipe 26, check valve 27, pipe 28, joint 29, and pipe 30 can also be discarded as contaminated parts and replaced with new ones (disposable parts).

[0030] Furthermore, in FIG. 1, the micro-nano bubble water generating and supplying device 36, which is the part surrounded by the dashed line, is portable. Therefore, the effect of the present invention can be enjoyed by installing the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs of the present invention in an appropriate location together with the disposable part 35 including the lining 33 described in paragraph 0027.

[0031] Next, one embodiment of a method for operating the apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. <Filling water into the buffer tank> The on-off valve 2 is opened, and the water in the pipe 1 is injected into the buffer tank 5 via the dechlorination filter 3 and pipe 4. The water level is monitored by the water level gauge 11, and when the upper limit water level is reached, the on-off valve 2 is closed and the water injection is stopped.

[0032] <Gas supply> The on-off valve 7 is opened, and while the flow rate is monitored by the flow meter 8, gas is supplied through the pipes 6 and 9 so that the gas flow rate becomes approximately 0.2 liters / minute.

[0033] <Feed pump drive> After the gas supply starts and 5 seconds later, the feed pump 12 is driven to supply the water in the buffer tank 5 and the gas supplied via the pipes 6 and 9 to the gas-liquid mixing tank 14. At this time, it is preferable to adjust the rotation speed of the feed pump 12 so that the pressure gauge 31 located before the bubble generating nozzle 16 indicates a value of 0.2 to 0.4 MPa.

[0034] <Gas-liquid mixing> By driving the feed pump 12, the mixture of water and gas is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 14, and the water and gas are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing tank 14. At this time, excess gas is discharged into the atmosphere via the pipe 32 as appropriate.

[0035] <Micro-nano bubble water generation> The gas-liquid mixed water discharged from the gas-liquid mixing tank 14 is converted into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles in the bubble generating nozzle 16. Thus, the micro-nano bubble water generated by the micro-nano bubble water generator / supply device 36 is supplied to the bathtub 23 and discharged toward the lower legs 24. In addition, the in-line heater 18 is operated as needed to heat the micro-nano bubble water.

[0036] <Drainage> To prevent the micro-nano bubble water 34 from overflowing from the bathtub 23, the drain pump 25 appropriately drains the micro-nano bubble water 34. The amount of drainage at this time is preferably the same as the amount of micro-nano bubble water discharged as described in paragraph 0033.

[0037] Next, a method for generating micro-nano bubbles in the bubble generating nozzle 16 will be described. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bubble generating nozzle 16, in which 41 and 42 are outer cases of the nozzle. Outer cases 41 and 42 are arranged opposite each other and fixed with bolts 43 and nuts 44. The gas-dissolved liquid is supplied into the opposing outer cases 41 and 42 as shown by the arrows. 45 and 46 are high-speed jet liquid injection nozzles, and the discharge flow rate and flow velocity of the gas-dissolved liquid can be determined by the size of the nozzle holes. The gas-liquid mixed water generated in the gas-liquid mixing tank 14 is supplied to the bubble generating nozzle 16 as shown by arrow C in Figure 2, and is discharged as micro-nano bubble water as shown by arrow D.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the bubble generating nozzle 16, and the micro-nano bubble water is discharged in the direction of arrow D.

[0039] A method for generating micro-nano bubbles using the water flow discharged from this high-speed liquid jet spray nozzle is described below. The water is discharged from pump 12 at a pressure of 0.2 MPa to 0.4 MPa, passes through gas-liquid mixing tank 14, and is discharged from high-speed liquid jet spray nozzles 45 and 46. When the gas-dissolved liquid collides with another liquid, the water hammer force breaks up the gas-dissolved liquid, generating a large amount of micro-nano bubbles.

[0040] Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 5(b), and Fig. 4(b) is a plan view of the high-speed liquid jet ejection nozzle. The high-speed liquid jet ejection nozzles 45 and 46 are centered using a center pin 47 that determines the center, and are aligned and fixed using positioning pins 48 and 49.

[0041] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a high-speed liquid jet nozzle, and as shown in Figure 6, high-speed liquid jet nozzles 45 and 46 are arranged opposite each other, and the gas-dissolved liquid discharged from one high-speed liquid jet nozzle 45 or 46 breaks up the gas-dissolved liquid by the water hammer force generated when it collides with the gas-dissolved liquid discharged from the other high-speed liquid jet nozzle 45 or 46, generating a large amount of micro-nano bubbles. In order to supply the gas-dissolved liquid as a high-speed jet, the gas-dissolved liquid is ejected from the nozzle portions 45b and 46b after being rapidly constricted from the small flow path holes 45a and 46a, and the collision of the jet streams ejected from the nozzle portions 45b and 46b breaks up the gas-dissolved liquid, generating a large amount of micro-nano bubbles.

[0042] The reason for sending the liquid at high pressure is to increase the speed at which the liquid comes out of the small holes. In other words, by colliding the liquid at high speed, the impact energy increases, making it possible to generate a larger number of smaller micro-nano bubbles.

[0043] Let F be the force that occurs when the gas-dissolved liquid collides. Let the density of the liquid be ρ (g / cm 3 ) and S is the cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle (cm 2 ) and the liquid velocity is V (cm / sec), then F = ρSV 2 To optimize F, it is necessary to consider the relationship between the density of the liquid, the cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle, and the velocity of the liquid.

[0044] It is believed that pumps that generate higher pressures can generate more micro- and nano-bubbles. For example, there are high-pressure pumps with discharge pressures of 0.5 MPa to 250 MPa. When using such pumps, the liquid velocity increases in proportion to the pressure, and the water hammer force F increases as the square of V, so the amount of micro- and nano-bubbles generated is likely to increase. However, applying such high-pressure pumps to micro- and nano-bubble generators makes it difficult to meet various requirements, such as light weight, compact size, metal-free design, and low maintenance costs.

[0045] However, by using the micro-nano bubble generating nozzles shown in Figures 2 to 6 and the high-speed jet liquid injection nozzles shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is possible to generate an amount of micro-nano bubbles equivalent to or greater than conventional amounts, provided that the pressure when injecting the gas-dissolved liquid in a gas-liquid mixture is atmospheric pressure (approximately 0.1 MPa) or higher. Furthermore, by setting this pressure to 0.2 MPa or higher, it is possible to generate a sufficient amount of micro-nano bubbles for thorough cleaning and sterilization. Furthermore, when the injection pressure of the dissolved liquid exceeds 0.4 MPa, the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated tends to saturate. Therefore, in the present invention, the pressure when injecting the gas-dissolved liquid is preferably 0.2 to 0.4 MPa.

[0046] The micro-nano bubble generating nozzle of the present invention is capable of spraying a jet stream of gas-dissolved liquid at atmospheric pressure or higher, preferably at a pressure of 0.2 to 0.4 MPa, which is lower than conventional pressures. Therefore, the diameter of the nozzle portions indicated by 45b and 46b in Fig. 6 is preferably 0.1 to 6.0 mm. In Fig. 6, the flow path small holes 45a and 46a need only have a throttle function for converting the gas-dissolved liquid into a high-speed jet and sending it. They may be continuously tapered toward the nozzle portions 45b and 46b. The amount of micro-nano bubbles generated is primarily determined by the diameter of the nozzle portions 45b and 46b; therefore, the flow path small holes 45a and 46a may also be omitted.

[0047] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing vessel 14. Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of the circled area E in Figure 7. Conventional gas-liquid mixing vessels mix gas and liquid at high pressure, but when the gas and liquid are mixed and sent using a pump, they are mixed by spraying them like a fountain from the top inside the gas-liquid mixing vessel. However, this method is inefficient at mixing and does not allow for a large amount of micro-nano bubbles to be generated.

[0048] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, gas and liquid are sent from a pump in the direction of arrow A to arrow B, and then sent to gas-liquid injection pipes 52 and 53. As shown in Figure 8, in order to increase the efficiency of gas-liquid mixing when the gas and liquid are discharged from hole 52a of gas-liquid injection pipe 52 and hole 53a of gas-liquid injection pipe 53, the water hammer force generated by colliding the liquid from the directions of arrows X and Y is utilized, thereby efficiently mixing the gas and liquid, rapidly producing a gas-liquid mixture liquid that serves as the raw material for micro-nano bubbles, and also increasing the mixing ratio of the gas and liquid. In Figure 7, 54 is a Teflon (registered trademark) side wall.

[0049] The float 51 shown in Figure 7 is provided for the purpose of safely discharging excess gas to the outside when too much gas is mixed into the gas-liquid mixture, and functions to adjust the amount of gas and liquid to an appropriate level. In other words, by eliminating the adverse effect of excess gas remaining in the gas state flowing into the nozzle and inhibiting the generation of micro-nano bubbles, the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated can be adjusted and stabilized.

[0050] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing vessel including a cross-section of the float. This float 51 has a float tip 51a (sharp), a reinforcing rib 51b that prevents the float 51 from collapsing due to the pressure of the liquid, and a stopper 51c.

[0051] In order to mix gas and liquid, it is important to increase the contact area between the gas and liquid to increase the efficiency with which the gas dissolves in the liquid. If this gas dissolution efficiency decreases, there will be a shortage of gas, which is fatal to the generation of micro-nano bubbles, and this will lead to a shortage of micro-nano bubbles.

[0052] After examining the liquid-to-gas ratio to determine whether it increases the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated, we found that a volume ratio of 60% liquid to 40% gas in the gas-liquid mixing vessel is the ideal balance. To automatically control the ratio, the buoyancy of the liquid in the float 51 is used to discharge excess gas through the excess gas outlet 56 of the float receiver 55. This automatic adjustment of the gas volume optimizes the mixing of the dissolved gas and liquid, stabilizes the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated, and increases the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated. To increase the amount of micro-nano bubbles generated, it is preferable to control the volume ratio of liquid to gas in the gas-liquid mixing vessel within a range of 50:50 to 95:5, with the liquid ratio being higher. The float 51 can be installed not only inside the gas-liquid mixing vessel 14 but also outside it. In this case, the volume ratio of liquid to gas present inside the gas-liquid mixing vessel 14 can be controlled by connecting the inside and outside of the vessel 14 with a connecting pipe or other means. [Example]

[0053] The following describes examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

[0054] In Figure 1, tap water was supplied to pipe 1, oxygen gas was supplied to pipe 6, the supply pressure of feed pump 12 was set to 0.2 MPa, and gas-liquid mixed water was generated in a gas-liquid mixing tank 14 under the conditions of a volume ratio of 60% liquid to 40% gas. The micro- and nano-bubbles generated by bubble generating nozzle 16 were used to generate the gas-liquid mixed water. Figure 10 shows the particle size distribution of nanobubbles, and Figure 11 shows the particle size distribution of microbubbles. The horizontal axis of Figure 10 is particle size (nm), and the vertical axis is the number of particles (pieces), while the horizontal axis of Figure 11 is bubble diameter (μm), and the vertical axis is concentration (number of bubbles per milliliter).

[0055] The micro-nano bubbles of the present invention are preferably small in size and in large quantities, because when small and large quantities of micro-nano bubbles are ejected into the lower limbs, the micro-nano bubbles can penetrate deep into the pores and promote better blood circulation. Figure 10 shows the results of measurements using an atomic force microscope. A weak force called atomic force acts between all materials. By approaching the nanometer-sized, sharp needle of an atomic force microscope to a sample and detecting changes in the atomic force acting between the needle tip and the sample, the surface roughness of the sample can be measured, thereby detecting nanometer-order microstructures. Specifically, the atomic force acting between the atomic force microscope probe attached to the tip of a leaf spring called a cantilever and the sample causes the cantilever to bend. The deflection of the cantilever is measured by illuminating the back of the cantilever with a laser beam and detecting the reflected laser light with a two-segment photodiode. The degree of deflection of the cantilever changes the reflected position of the laser beam, which changes the difference in the amount of light emitted by the two-segment photodiode. By detecting the cantilever displacement as an electric current, it is possible to nondestructively measure nanometer-order microstructures. FIG. 11 shows the results of measurements made by dynamic image analysis.

[0056] 10 and 11, it can be seen that the micro-nano bubbles in the micro-nano bubble water of the present invention are approximately 85% in the particle size range of 1 to 5 nm, approximately 90% in the particle size range of 1 to 10 nm, and that there is a mixture of nanobubbles with a particle size distribution in which no bubbles exceed 55 nm in size, and microbubbles with a particle size distribution in the range of 10 to 110 μm.

[0057] Such micro- and nano-bubble water can be used to treat and prevent skin wounds caused by critical limb ischemia and skin ulcers caused by bedsores. Furthermore, if the micro-nano bubble generator / supply device 36 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a place such as a shower room, and the micro-nano bubble water of the present invention is used to treat bedsores (severe bedsores) on the lower back or back, it is possible to improve the symptoms of bedsores.

[0058] Furthermore, to further enjoy the effects of the present invention, a heating element can be inserted into the components constituting the bathtub, as shown in Fig. 12, to keep the temperature of the micro-nano bubble water in the bathtub. That is, a heating element 58 (electric heater) is inserted into component 57 of bathtub 23, and the heat generated by heating element 58 can heat the micro-nano bubble water 34 in bathtub 23 to an appropriate temperature. Also, in Fig. 1, a vibrator (not shown) can be installed below the lower legs 24 in bathtub 23, and the vibrations of the vibrator can be used to massage the lower legs, further promoting blood circulation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The device and method for improving blood circulation of the present invention can be widely applied to improving blood circulation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Pipes through which water is supplied 2. On-off valve 3. Dechlorination filter 5 Buffer Tank 6. Gas supply piping 7 On-off valve 8 Flow Meter 11 Water level gauge 12 Feed pump 14 Gas-liquid mixing tank 16 Bubble generating nozzle 18 Inline heater 23 Bathtub 24 Lower limbs 25 Drainage pump 31 Pressure gauge 33 Removable lining 34 Micro- and nano-bubble water 35 Disposable parts 36 Micro / nano bubble water generator / supply device

Claims

1. An apparatus for improving blood circulation in the lower limbs, comprising: a feed pump for feeding water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone; a gas-liquid mixing tank for mixing the water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone fed by the feed pump; a bubble generating nozzle for converting the gas-liquid mixed water obtained by mixing in the gas-liquid mixing tank into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles; a bathtub for storing the micro-nano bubble water; and a drain pump for discharging the micro-nano bubble water from the bathtub.

2. 2. The device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs according to claim 1, further comprising an in-line heater for heating the micro-nano bubble water between the bubble generating nozzle and the bathtub.

3. 3. The device for improving impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs according to claim 2, further comprising a removable lining on the inner surface of the bathtub.

4. A method for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs, comprising immersing the lower limbs in micro-nano bubble water in a bathtub of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs according to claim 1, 2 or 3.

5. A method for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs, comprising immersing the lower limbs for 10 to 30 minutes in micro-nano bubble water in a bathtub of the device for improving blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs according to claim 2 or 3, which has been heated to 25 to 40°C by an inline heater.

6. An apparatus for improving blood circulation disorders, comprising: a feed pump for feeding water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone; a gas-liquid mixing vessel for mixing the water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone fed by the feed pump; and a bubble generating nozzle for converting the gas-liquid mixed water obtained by mixing in the gas-liquid mixing vessel into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles.

7. A method for improving blood circulation disorders, comprising supplying micro-nano bubble water produced by the device for improving blood circulation according to claim 6 to a site where blood circulation disorders are present.

8. A method for improving blood circulation disorders, comprising: mixing water with any one of air, oxygen, and ozone to obtain gas-liquid mixed water; converting the gas-liquid mixed water into micro-nano bubble water containing micro-nano bubbles; and immersing an affected area in the micro-nano bubble water at 25 to 40°C for 10 to 30 minutes.

9. 9. The method for improving circulatory disorders according to claim 8, wherein the affected area is a lower limb.

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