device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device, the device comprising a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing comprises at least one opening communicating with said cavity and being configured to receive a body part, preferably a hand or an arm, a temperature module configured to provide heat or cold to the cavity, a light emitting module configured to provide light to the cavity and a frequency generator configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration to the cavity. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] DEVICE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device configured to generate electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration and to control a temperature inside a cavity as well as a corresponding method. Such device and method may be used for recreation, regeneration, or therapeutic applications.

[0003] Systems of the prior art may not use the full recreational and therapeutic potential of temperature and frequency applications.

[0004] The device and method described herein remedies the deficiencies of known systems. The advantages of the device and method described herein will be apparent for a skilled person from the description of the exemplary embodiments as described below.

[0005] The invention is specified by the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In the following description, although numerous features may be designated as optional, it is nevertheless acknowledged that all features comprised in the independent claims are not to be read as optional.

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a device, the device comprising a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing comprises at least one opening communicating with said cavity and being configured to receive a body part, preferably a hand or an arm, a temperature module configured to provide heat or cold to the cavity, a light emitting module configured to provide light to the cavity and a frequency generator configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration to the cavity.

[0007] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features.

[0008] Preferably, the temperature module is configured to provide a temperature between 0°C and 20°C, preferably between 4°C and 15°C and more preferably between 4°C and 12°C.

[0009] Preferably, the light emitting module is configured to generate visible light and / or non-visible light. Preferably, the frequency generator is configured to provide electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between 10 and 100 Hz, preferably between 40 and 70 Hz.

[0010] Preferably, the frequency generator is configured to provide a vibration having a frequency between 430 Hz and 440 Hz, preferably 432 Hz.

[0011] Preferably, the frequency generator is configured to transmit the vibration via the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the frequency generator is a speaker.

[0013] Preferably, the device further comprises a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator.

[0014] Preferably, the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator are configured to operate iteratively or continuously.

[0015] Preferably, the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator are configured to operate simultaneously and / or consecutively.

[0016] Preferably, the device further comprises a low pressure module configured to generate negative pressure inside the cavity.

[0017] Preferably, each opening comprises a sleeve configured to, when the body part is placed in the cavity, seal the cavity in a substantially air-tight manner.

[0018] Preferably, the device comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor configured to measure and / or analyse parameters of a user's heart. Preferably, the ECG sensor is configured to show a heartbeat rate and / or a heart frequency graph.

[0019] Preferably, the device comprises a display. The display is preferably tiltably connected to the housing, more preferably via a hinge connection. Preferably, the display at least partially covers an upper surface / top surface of the housing in a closed / folded state. Preferably, the display fully covers an upper surface / top surface of the housing in a closed / folded state.

[0020] The present disclosure further relates to a method for controlling a device as described above, the method comprising providing a housing defining an internal cavity, wherein the housing comprises at least one opening communicating with said cavity and being configured to receive a body part, preferably a hand or an arm, providing heat or cold to the cavity, providing light to the cavity and providing electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration to the cavity.

[0021] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features.

[0022] Preferably, providing heat or cold comprises providing a temperature between 0°C and 20°C, preferably between 4°C and 15°C and more preferably between 4°C and 12°C.

[0023] Preferably, the light is visible light and / or non-visible light.

[0024] Preferably, the frequency is between 10 and 100 Hz, preferably between 40 and 70 Hz and / or wherein the vibration frequency is between 430 Hz and 440 Hz, preferably 432 Hz.

[0025] Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the summary above, as well as from the description that follows, including the figures and the claims.

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following accompanying drawings. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows water crystal images from water crystal experiments for gold-plated contact surfaces according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and for non-gold-plated contact surfaces (reference sample). With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a device as disclosed herein comprises a housing 1, wherein an internal cavity is formed within the housing 1. The cavity is accessible via at least one opening 2, preferably at least two openings and more preferably exactly two openings. That is, the at least one opening 2 may communicate with the cavity. In the figures, two openings 2 are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this specific configuration. The opening 2 is configured to receive a body part which may be a limb such as a hand, an arm or a foot. In other words, a body part may be entered through the at least one opening 2 and received in the cavity. The housing 1 further comprises a temperature module (not shown) configured to provide heat or cold to the cavity, a light emitting module (not shown) configured to provide light to the cavity and a frequency generator (not shown) configured to provide electromagnetic radiation or sound / vibration to the cavity. As used herein, vibration encompasses sound, i.e., acoustic waves.

[0033] Sound may be generated by a vibration generator (frequency generator), conventional speaker or a resonance speaker. In particular, the sound may be transmitted as solid-borne sound. In an embodiment, the sound may be transmitted via the housing 1. By using a resonance speaker, the sound or vibration may be transferred to the housing 1 and thus transmitted. Thereby, broadband signals such as music or voice, narrow band signals or special vibrations may be transmitted. Since a user may place their hand(s) in the cavity and contact the cavity, i.e., the housing 1, sound waves may thus be transmitted to the user's body.

[0034] The sound waves may be audible or non-audible.

[0035] The frequency of the sound / vibration may be between 430 Hz and 440 Hz and preferably 432 Hz. A frequency of 432 Hz may aid a user in relaxation, lowering the pulse and lowering blood pressure.

[0036] The temperature module may be configured to provide a temperature between -4°C and 35°C, preferably between 0°C and 25°C, more preferably between 0°C and 20°C, more preferably between 4°C and 15°C, and more preferably between 4°C and 12°C inside the cavity. The temperature module may be an air conditioning device. Also, the temperature module may be provided in the cavity as contact surfaces on which a user places their hands. In particular, the temperature module may comprise contact surfaces / cooling elements 5 inside the cavity for cooling a user's palm (see Fig. 3). The cooling elements 5 may be convex such that a user may ergonomically place their hand(s) thereon without experiencing fatigue. The contact surfaces / cooling elements 5 may be formed as bumps.

[0037] This may lead to heat transport from the body part placed inside the cavity to the cooled ambient air and thus cool the body of an individual. In other words, thermal energy from the body core of the individual can be extracted.

[0038] A body temperature of an individual is normally controlled by controlled blood flow to particular skin areas, where subcutaneous vascular structures (venous plexus) are provided to deliver large volumes of blood adjacent the skin surface.

[0039] In particular, if it is desired to transfer heat from the body to the environment, the blood vessels expand (vasodilation) to increase the blood flow to said areas for transferring heat to the environment thus reducing the deep body core region temperature.

[0040] On the other hand, in colder environments, the blood vessels contract (vasoconstriction) to reduce blood flow and minimise heat loss to the environment.

[0041] In that manner, an internal body temperature is controlled for maintaining the organs within a functional temperature range. Since the heat transfer is performed via the skin, this process may additionally be sensitive to external stimuli such as heat or cold.

[0042] Vasodilation and vasoconstriction may also be pathological conditions that may be treated using temperature. The temperature treatment can find further use in a variety of applications, e.g., providing relief from temperature sensitive disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and the treatment of hyperthermia. The device and method may further be suited for use in enhancing the physical ability of an individual.

[0043] The heat or cold treatment may be further enhanced by a low pressure module provided in the housing and configured to generate negative pressure inside the cavity. Using the low pressure module, i.e., by applying a negative pressure condition to the body part placed in the cavity, blood circulation may be controlled, and / or blood pressure may be controlled. In particular, the vasoconstriction temperature may be lowered and / or the vasodilation may be increased. The contact surfaces / cooling elements 5 may be gold-plated. This may further improve the effect of the disclosed device. The improved efficacy of gold-plated elements has been analysed using the methods of Masaru Emoto, in particular water crystal experiments and water crystal images (see Fig. 6). The experiments have shown the positive impact of the described device on the generation of water crystals (ice crystals).

[0044] Each opening 2 may comprises a sleeve configured to, when the body part is placed in the cavity, seal the cavity in a substantially air-tight manner. Thus, the negative pressure condition can be generated and maintained more effectively.

[0045] The light emitting module may be configured to generates visible light and / or non-visible light. That is, light of the visible spectrum or, e.g., infra-red light may be generated and provided inside the cavity. Infra-red light may be used for heat treatment while UV-light may be used for treatment of the skin.

[0046] The light emitting module may be a laser module. The wavelength of the laser light may be specifically adapted to the individual and used to treat pain. In that regard, general reference is made to literature concerning light therapy.

[0047] The light signal may be a broadband light signal or a narrow band light signal. For example, the light may be white light, a primary colour, or a mixture of primary colours.

[0048] The light emitting module may be configured to provide non-pulsed light, in particular nonpulsed LED light. Light emission may be continuous.

[0049] A skin resistance may be measured using an appropriate sensor to individually adapt the colour of the emitted light based on the user's skin resistance.

[0050] The colour frequencies may be determined or adapted by octaves and / or quints based on the number 1. The frequencies may be determined or adapted in steps of 1 Hz, preferably 0.1 Hz, more preferably 0.01 Hz.

[0051] The device may further comprise or be connected to a pulse monitor configured to monitor a user's pulse. The light frequency (LED frequency, colour frequency) may be determined or adapted based on the user's pulse. In particular, the frequency may be determined or adapted in steps of 1 Hz, preferably 0.1 Hz, more preferably 0.01 Hz. For further information, it is referred to www.aquaquinta.com providing background to the above-mentioned concept.

[0052] The device may further be configured to analyse a user's chakra(s). In particular, colour chakra(s) (colour light chakra(s)) may be considered. In case of one or more colour chakra(s) that are not properly supplied (undersupplied), only the relevant chakra or chakras will be supplied with light. In other words, a colour of the light emitted by the light emitting module may be adapted based on the chakra(s) and / or chakra supply. The frequency generator may be configured to provide electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between 10 and 100 Hz, preferably between 40 and 70 Hz. In this context, it is generally referred to literature concerning frequency therapy.

[0053] As noted above, the frequency generator may also be configured to generate sound / vibration. The sound may be in a frequency range of 430 Hz to 440 Hz, in particular 432 Hz. Further, the frequency generator may be configured to generate broadband signals such as voice and / or music.

[0054] The device may further comprise a processor. The processor may be configured to control at least one of the temperature modules, the light emitting module, the frequency generator, or the low pressure module.

[0055] The temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator may be configured to operate iteratively or continuously.

[0056] The temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator may be configured to operate simultaneously and / or consecutively.

[0057] The housing 1 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor (not shown) for sensing a temperature of the cavity and / orthe body part placed in the cavity. The temperature sensor may be a contactless temperature sensor. Moreover, the temperature sensor may transmit a measured temperature to the temperature module and / or a controller, allowing the temperature module to control the temperature inside the cavity accordingly.

[0058] Moreover, the housing 1 may comprise a pressure sensor (not shown) for sensing a pressure in the cavity and being in communication with the low pressure module and / or the controller. Further, the device may comprise an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor to measure and analyse heartbeat rates. The heartbeat rate and / or a heart frequency graph may be output on the display described below and / or sent to a server and / or a mobile terminal.

[0059] In an embodiment, the ECG sensor may be included in the temperature module. That is, in case the temperature module is implemented as a contact temperature module, e.g., the cooling elements / contact surfaces 5 described above, ECG data may simultaneously be obtained using an integrated ECG sensor. In particular, the cooling elements / contact surfaces 5 may be used as an electrode since they are in contact with a user's palm.

[0060] In addition, or alternative to the ECG sensor, the device may comprise a pulse oximeter for monitoring a user's blood oxygen saturation. The data may be output via the display described below and / or sent to a server and / or a mobile terminal.

[0061] Further sensors for measuring further vital functions may also be provided.

[0062] The contact surfaces 5 may also be configured to detect touch movements or touch inputs / impulses by a user for controlling the device.

[0063] The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding method.

[0064] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the device comprises a housing 1 and two openings 2. On an upper surface of the housing 1, a window 3 may be provided allowing a user to view the inside of the housing 1, i.e., the cavity. The housing 1 may further comprise handles and plug providing a wired connection.

[0065] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a device according an embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen from the figure, the openings 2 may comprise sleeves which, when a body part is placed in the cavity, seal the cavity in a substantially air-tight manner.

[0066] Fig. 3 is a top view of the device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The internal cavity may be inspected via the optional window 3. The device may further comprise a display 4 and / or at least one control button. The display 4 and / or at least one button may be provided on a top surface as shown in the figure or a side surface of the housing 1. Figs. 4 is a perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device generally corresponds to the device as described above, wherein the display 4 is not provided on a top surface of the housing 1 but protrudes from the housing in a generally upward direction. In particular, the display 4 may be moveably connected to the housing 1, e.g., via a hinge, such that its angle may be tilted from being substantially flush with the upper surface of the housing 4 to being tilted to an angle allowing a user to comfortably view the display 4. The angle range between the display 4 and the top surface of the housing, i.e., the window 3, may be between 0° and 180°. Thus, the display angle may be adapted according to a user's height.

[0067] In the closed / folded state (angle 0°), the display 4 may partially or fully cover the top surface of the housing. That is, the display 4 may have the same or a smaller area that the top surface of the housing 1.

[0068] In an embodiment, the display 4 area / size may be at least 50 % of the area of the top surface. In a further embodiment, the display 4 area may be 70 % of the area of the top surface.

[0069] Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the display 4 may have substantially the same size as the top surface (100 %). That is, in a closed state, the display 4 fully covers the top surface of the housing 1.

[0070] The display 4 area as used above encompasses the complete area of a screen and a frame or side panels, if present.

[0071] The display 4 may be used to control the device and / or display an operational state thereof. For example, the display 4 may be used for displaying safety instructions, user instructions, user guidance, status of a current treatment, vital data, graphics, general information, health condition, handling of payments, advertisement, etc.

[0072] The display 4 may be a touch display. Moreover, interface elements may be located adjacent to the display.

[0073] The top surface of the housing may be a glass surface.

[0074] The device may wirelessly or via a cable be coupled to a server and / or a mobile terminal. Data generated in the device may be processed and / or display at the server and / or mobile terminal. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or configuration, which are provided to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand exemplary features and functions of the present disclosure. Such persons would understand, however, that the present disclosure is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any one of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0075] It is also understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as "first," "second," and so forth does not generally limit the quantity ororder of those elements. Rather, these designations can be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner.

[0076] Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that information and signals can be represented using any one of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits and symbols, for example, which may be referenced in the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0077] A skilled person would further appreciate that any one of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., a digital implementation, an analog implementation, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which can be referred to herein, for convenience, as "software" or a "software unit"), or any combination of these techniques. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware or software, or a combination of these techniques, depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions do not cause a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. In accordance with various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. The term "configured to" or "configured for" as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refers to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0078] Furthermore, a skilled person would understand that various illustrative logical blocks, units, devices, components and circuits described herein can be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (IC) that can include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, units, and circuits can further include antennas and / or transceivers to communicate with various components within the network or within the device. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration to perform the functions described herein. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer- readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0079] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0080] In this document, the term "unit" as used herein, refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, for purpose of discussion, the various units are described as discrete units; however, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, two or more units may be combined to form a single unit that performs the associated functions according embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be employed in embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements or domains may be used without detracting from the present disclosure. For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processing logic elements, or controllers, may be performed by the same processing logic element, or controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only references to a suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0082] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as recited in the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device, the device comprising: a housing (1) defining an internal cavity, wherein the housing (1) comprises: at least one opening (2) communicating with said cavity and being configured to receive a body part, preferably a hand or an arm; a temperature module configured to provide heat or cold to the cavity; a light emitting module configured to provide light to the cavity; and a frequency generator configured to provide electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration to the cavity.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature module is configured to provide a temperature between 0°C and 20°C, preferably between 4°C and 15°C and more preferably between 4°C and 12°C.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting module is configured to generate visible light and / or non-visible light.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frequency generator is configured to provide electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between 10 and 100 Hz, preferably between 40 and 70 Hz, and / or wherein the frequency generator is configured to provide a vibration having a frequency between 430 Hz and 440 Hz, preferably 432 Hz, wherein preferably, the frequency generator is configured to transmit the vibration via the housing (1).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator are configured to operate iteratively or continuously.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the temperature module, the light emitting module and the frequency generator are configured to operate simultaneously and / or consecutively.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a low pressure module configured to generate negative pressure inside the cavity.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each opening (2) comprises a sleeve configured to, when the body part is placed in the cavity, seal the cavity in a substantially air-tight manner.

10. Method for controlling a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: providing a housing (1) defining an internal cavity, wherein the housing (1) comprises at least one opening (2) communicating with said cavity and being configured to receive a body part, preferably a hand or an arm; providing heat or cold to the cavity; providing light to the cavity; and providing electromagnetic radiation and / or vibration to the cavity.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein providing heat or cold comprises providing a temperature between 0°C and 20°C, preferably between 4°C and 15°C and more preferably between 4°C and 12°C.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the light is visible light and / or non-visible light.

13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the frequency is between 10 and 100 Hz, preferably between 40 and 70 Hz and / or wherein the vibration frequency is between 430 Hz and 440 Hz, preferably 432 Hz.

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