U.S. patent number 3,648,706 [Application Number 05/091,904] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-14 for irradiation apparatus.
Invention is credited to Jean Holzer.
United States Patent |
3,648,706 |
Holzer |
March 14, 1972 |
IRRADIATION APPARATUS
Abstract
An irradiation device for thermotherapy whereby there is
provided at least one series of light sources which are arranged
one next to the other and intended to be placed over a portion of
the human body. A control circuit means serves to switch-in the
light sources of the series one after the other and during a
predetermined time in order to generate a light wave which moves
from one end to the other end of the series of light sources.
Additionally, means are provided in order to again switch-in the
first light source and to trigger a new operation cycle as soon as
the last light source of the series of light sources has
extinguished.
Inventors: |
Holzer; Jean (Zurich 1234,
Niederglatt, CH) |
Family
ID: |
22230232 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/091,904 |
Filed: |
November 23, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
607/90;
362/249.13; 250/494.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N
5/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61N
5/06 (20060101); A61n 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/24.1,1C,76.5,395-398 ;240/1A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An irradiation apparatus for thermotherapy, comprising at least
one series of light sources arranged next to one another and
intended to be placed selectively over a portion of a human body to
be treated, control circuit means electrically coupled with said
light sources in order to switch in the light sources of the series
one after the other and for a predetermined period of time in order
to generate a light wave which travels from one end to the other
end of the series of light sources, and said control circuit means
incorporating means for again switching-in the first light source
of said series and for triggering a new operating cycle as soon as
the last light source of the series has extinguished.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including frame
means for carrying said light sources, a support for said frame
means, means connecting said frame means to said support such that
said frame means can be placed in a predetermined position with
respect to a portion of the body to be radiated.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said frame means is
equipped with two series of light sources arranged next to one
another along a respective axis such that the light sources are
disposed in pairs behind one another.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including means for
adjustably positioning the light sources of each series transverse
to the associated lengthwise axis of each such series of light
sources.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the spacing between
both axes of said light sources is fixed and the direction of
radiation of one series of light sources forms a fixed angle with
respect to the direction of radiation of the other series of light
sources so that a body can be radiated from two sides.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said frame means
comprises three pivotably mounted components, said three components
being positionable at an optional orientation with respect to one
another, each of said three components carrying at least one series
of light sources.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said frame means
comprises a substantially circular-shaped support, said light
sources being arranged at the region of the periphery of said
support.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said frame means
comprises a substantially circular-shaped support, said light
sources being arranged along a spiral, the center of which
substantially coincides with the center of said support.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including reflector
means for each light source.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein each reflector
means includes mechanism for attaching a filter thereto.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source
radiate radiation in the visible spectrum.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light sources
radiate infrared radiation.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light sources
radiate ultraviolet radiation.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control
circuit means incorporates relays and a plurality of relay tube
means for switching-in via an associated relay the light sources in
succession and again switching-out each such light source after a
predetermined period of time.
15. The apparatus as defied in claim 14, wherein said means for
again switching-in the first light source at the end of each
operating cycle is controlled by the last relay tube of the
aforementioned plurality of relay tubes, said switching-in means
further including an adjustable element for preselecting the
time-constant between two successive cycles.
16. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said means for
again switching-in the first light source at the end of each
operating cycle comprises a device responsive to a physiological
periodic function of the human body, said device delivering a pulse
which again switches-in the first relay tube associated with the
first light source after the expiration of a predetermined fraction
or predetermined multiple of the period.
17. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said relay means
for controlling said light sources comprise triacs.
18. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said control
circuit means further includes reversing circuitry between said
relay tubes and said light sources in order to reverse the sequence
of operation of switching-in of the light sources.
19. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including means
for adjusting the time-interval existing between switching-in and
switching-out of each light source.
20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said adjusting
means provide for the existence of a light wave generated by three
successively arranged light sources.
21. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including switch
means between said relay tube means and said relays which control
switching-in of the light sources, and which switch means serve for
selectively switching-out one or more light sources.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an irradiation apparatus for
therapeutic purposes, especially thermotherapy.
Therapeutic treatments are known which rely upon radiating the
human body with heat and light. Many of the apparatuses which have
been constructed for this purpose, the energy is radiated by
incandescent bodies, especially lamps, this energy being
distributed over a wide band of waves which extend from visible
light up to the infrared radiation. Through the use of suitable
filters, it is possible to particularly accentuate special wave
regions.
In order to ensure that an intensive hyperemia prevails at the
radiated portions of the body, a patient is generally subjected to
radiation for a period of about 5 to 20 minutes.
Since the energy absorbed by the body is dependent upon the angle
of incidence of the energy flow and since the radiated surface is
not necessarily flat or planar, locations automatically appear
which are locally more intensively heated than others. The
intensity of the radiation, transmitted by the radiation source, is
thus limited at the upper range by that temperature which that
location of the body is subjected to which absorbs the greatest
dose of energy.
Another important therapeutic treatment is the massage, and
specifically that type of massage in which the massaging hand is
moved lightly over the body in order to transmit heat from the hand
of the masseur into the skin of the patient. A masseur with a good
blood circulation in his hands has greater success in carrying-out
his treatment than one with cold hands. When the massaging hand
moves over the body of the patient, there exists an excitation or
stimulation by virtue of the thermal waves, this wave moving along
with the massaging hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to
provide an irradiation apparatus suitable for therapeutic purposes,
and particularly for carrying-out thermotherapy.
Another and still more specific object of the present invention
relates to the provision of a new and improved irradiation
apparatus by means of which it is possible to produce the effect of
a thermal wave which was obtained previously by a massaging hand
when carrying-out the above-mentioned massaging operation.
Still a further significant object of the present invention relates
to an improved therapeutic apparatus, particularly a radiation
apparatus for thermotherapy wherein a thermal wave can be
successively propagated along a defined area of the body to be
treated in a selective and controlled manner.
Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the
invention, which will become more readily apparent as the
description proceeds, the apparatus of the invention is generally
manifested by the features that it embodies at least one series of
light sources arranged behind one another which are intended to be
placed in the neighborhood of a portion or location of the body
which is to be radiated. The invention additionally contemplates a
control circuit means for switching-in in succession the light
sources of the aforementioned series one after the other and during
a predetermined time, in order to produce a source of light which
moves or propagates from one end to the other of the aforementioned
series of light sources. Further, means are provided for again
switching-in the first light source and therefore initiating a new
cycle as soon as the last light source of the series has been
switched-off.
Hence, the irradiation or radiation apparatus of the present
invention allows generating a light wave, that is to say, a thermal
wave, which moves in a predetermined direction with an adjustable
speed or velocity. Each traverse or passage of the thermal wave,
which contacts the human body, repeats itself in an adjustable time
rhythm or cycle. During the rest period or interval between two
successive passages of the thermal wave there occurs an
equalization or balancing out of the temperature between those
locations of the body which locally have absorbed more or less
energy. Therefore, it is possible to utilize an intensified,
maximum radiation capacity or power than when proceeding with
conventional irradiation apparatus. Additionally, with the
equipment of this invention, there is attained the desired effect
corresponding to that of the thermal waves which appear when a
massaging hand is lightly moved over the body. The triggering of
the thermal and light waves can be controlled by an external
signal. It is therefore possible, of course by utilizing a suitable
mechanism, to synchronize the rhythm of the triggering of the
thermal waves with a selectible fraction of the frequency of a
biorhythmic phenomena, such as for instance with the pulse
beat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of irradiation
apparatus incorporating two rows of lamps supported by a frame
unit, the apparatus shown in that figure being intended to
undertake a thermal massage in one direction at the body of a human
being;
FIG. 2 is a front view as viewed from the bottom of a portion of
the irradiation apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of irradiation
apparatus which incorporates three surfaces which have been
hingedly connected to one another, these surfaces can be placed
about a portion of the human body, and wherein a number of series
of lamps are arranged at each of the three surfaces or the three
components forming such surfaces;
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an arrangement of a series of
lamps for an irradiation apparatus which is intended to perform a
circular thermal massage;
FIG. 5 is again a schematic representation of still a further
arrangement of a series of lamps which are intended to be used with
a modified version of irradiation apparatus and disposed along a
spiral;
FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of the electronic circuitry
utilized for controlling the different lamps of any one of the
irradiation apparatuses proposed according to the inventive
teachings; and
FIG. 7 is a variant form of the upper portion of the electronic
control circuitry depicted in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Describing now the drawings, the exemplary embodiment of
therapeutic apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, specifically the
irradiation apparatus thereof will be seen to comprise a frame unit
1 which supports two rows 2 and 3 of lamps, wherein in the depicted
arrangement nine lamps are provided for each row. Above the frame
unit 1 there is arranged a housing or casing 4 serving to
accommodate the electronic circuitry for controlling the lamps,
such as the circuitry of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, and specifically a
circuit arrangement which ensures that the lamps of both rows 2 and
3 will be switched-in one after the other or in succession in order
to form a thermal wave which propagates from one to the other end
of the frame unit 1. The just-mentioned electronic control
circuitry will be considered in greater detail in conjunction with
the description of FIGS. 6 and 7.
Continuing, it is to be observed that the housing or casing 4 is
secured by means of a hinge joint 5 at two arm members 6 and 7. The
arm members 6 and 7 are arranged at a stand or upright 8 in such a
manner that the frame unit 1 can be lowered over a certain location
of the body of a patient or person to be treated who, for instance,
is lying down upon a support surface such as a bed. In order to
preserve clarity in illustration the bed has been omitted from the
representation of the drawing. The upright or support 8 is mounted
conveniently upon casters or rollers 9 so that it can be easily
brought over to the bed or support surface upon which there is
resting the patient or person to be treated. At the visible portion
of the housing 4, there are certain control lamps 10 as well as a
number of control-- and regulating knobs or buttons 11 and 12, the
function of which will be rendered apparent during the explanation
of the electronic circuitry of FIG. 6.
In the illustration of FIG. 2, it can be ascertained that the frame
unit 1 consists of two outwardly or external rod members 13 of a
slight thickness and the transverse supports or rods 15, 16, 17,
etc., which are secured to the rods 13, as shown. Between each two
transverse rods or supports, for instance between the rods or
supports 15 and 16, there is a bar or rod 18 mounted to be
displaceable in the transverse direction and pivotable about its
own lengthwise axis. Upon each of the rods 18, there are arranged
three lamps 19, 20 and 21 which, depending upon the type of thermal
massage or depending upon the surface of the human body which is to
be radiated, can be adjusted as to their direction of operation.
Hence, the arrangement of apparatus structure depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2 therefore consists of six groups of lamps, each group
consisting of three lamps which are arranged independently of one
another. Accordingly, it will be observed that the spacing between
the respective axis of both series of light sources is fixed and
that the direction of radiation of one series of light sources can
be disposed at a fixed angle with respect to the direction of
radiation of the other series of light sources so that a body can
be radiated from both sides. For each group of three lamps, there
is additionally provided a reflector mechanism 22 which, likewise,
is secured to the rod or bar 18 carrying the corresponding group of
lamps. Each reflector 22 is provided with schematically illustrated
elongate slots 22a at the lower ends 23 and 24 thereof in order to
receive a suitable filter, for instance such as an infrared
filter.
The modified version of treatment apparatus depicted in FIG. 3 will
be seen to embody the plate members 25, 26 and 27 which are
hingedly connected to one another by means of the hinge or pivot
joints 28 and 29. Furthermore, each plate member 25, 26 and 27 is
equipped with a number of rows 30, 31, 32, 33, etc. of lamps 40.
The lamps of one row, for instance the row 30, are connected for
example in series and the successive switching-in of each
corresponding row of the three components 25, 26 and 27 is
controlled by the same electronic control circuit, for example by
the control circuit to be described in conjunction with FIG. 6. The
rear face of each plate member or component 25, 26 and 27, that is
to say the face or side where the electrical connections are
located, is covered with a corresponding sheet metal member 41, 42
and 43, respectively. Further, the central region of the
intermediate sheet metal plate 42 is secured via a hinge joint at
an arm member 44, which, in turn, can be arranged upon a
nonillustrated carriage. This carriage or trolley also houses the
electronic control circuitry. Moreover, the apparatus could be
secured by means of a suitable clamping mechanism to a table or to
a bed. The exact arrangement for securing or fastening such
irradiation apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 is unimportant to the
actual concepts of the invention, and therefore, has not been
illustrated in any greater detail. Suitable attachment devices for
the purpose of securing the apparatus to a desired support will
suggest themselves to those versed in the art and are available or
capable of easily being constructed.
Just as was the case with the apparatus structure of FIGS. 1 and 2,
the lamps of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 3 are also provided
with small reflectors 45, 46, 47, etc. By virtue of these three
components or plate members 25, 26, 27 which are hingedly connected
to one another by any suitable pivot or hinge joint the apparatus
structure under consideration is therefore especially suitable for
the radiation of curved surface portions of the human body, for
instance the radiation of one side of the upper region of the body.
By appropriately positioning or arranging the three plate members
25, 26 and 27, it will be apparent that any desired portion of the
human body, which is to be treated, can be surrounded or
enclosed.
The lamps of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are incandescent
or glow lamps. Yet, it should be readily understood that these
lamps can be replaced by a different type of lamp, and therefore,
the lamps depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 can for instance be
conceptionally considered to also be ultraviolet lamps or infrared
lamps. On the other hand, with the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2, the lamps possessing the same arrangement of both rows, that
is to say, both respective lamps of FIG. 1 which are arranged
behind one another are simultaneously switched-in, it is apparent
that each group of two lamps can also be replaced by a tube which
extends over the entire length of the frame 1. The same
observations can also be made with regard to the arrangement of
FIG. 3 where all lamps of the rows 30, 31, 32, etc., which are
connected in series, can be likewise replaced by tubes which extend
from one end to the other end of the plate members 25, 26 and 27.
In such an arrangement, there would thus be present three series of
nine tubes, all of which are parallel to one another.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate schematic representations of further
arrangements of the lamps 50 and 51, respectively, which are
provided at schematically illustrated supports or holders 50a and
51a respectively used to carryout thermal massages at one point of
the human body. Switching-in of the lamps 50 or 51 likewise occurs
by means of the control circuitry illustrated in FIG. 6, that is to
say, the lamps are switched-in one after the other, and
specifically during a predetermined time, so that the thermal wave
rotates at the corresponding support or holder 50a and 51a
respectively, along a circle (FIG. 4) or along a spiral (FIG. 5).
The center of such spiral is located approximately at the center of
the associated headpiece or support 51a.
Having now had the benefit of the description of the various
embodiments of irradiation apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1 to 5,
inclusive, attention is now invited to FIG. 6 where there is
illustrated the control circuitry which is used in conjunction with
the heretofore mentioned apparatus constructions of FIGS. 1 to 5,
inclusive. More specifically, the electronic control circuitry of
FIG. 6 is utilized for switching-in the lamps or lamp series in
succession, that is to say, for the purpose of applying a voltage
to such lamps or series of lamps. Turning now to FIG. 6, in
particular, the illustrated control circuitry thereof will be seen
to embody three main components 52, 97 and 58. The circuit
component 52 serves to switch-in in succession the lamps as well as
regulating the time span during which these lamps are under
voltage, that is to say, should be switched-in. The circuit
component 52 is supplied by a voltage doubler-rectifier arrangement
53 which, in turn, is coupled electrically to the supply terminals
54 and 55 (220 volt supply for instance) through the agency of the
conductors 56 and 57. On the other hand, the terminals 54 and 55
are electrically coupled via both conductors 59 and 60 with a
supply circuit 58 for the lamps.
In particular, between these conductors 59 and 60 there are coupled
the nine or nine series of lamps 61 to 69, and a triac 70, 71,
72,...78, respectively, is connected in series with each such lamp
61, 62, 63-69. Each triac 70, 71, 72,-78 is controlled by a diac
70a, 71a, 72a,-78a, respectively, which, in turn, is connected via
a respective capacitor 79, 80, 81, 82-87 with the conductor 60 and
via a resistor 88a, 89a, 90a-96a with a respective switch 88, 89,
90,-96. The switches 88 to 96 are arranged at the output side of a
reversing circuit 97 and permit, the control signals arriving via
such circuit 97 from the control circuit portion 52, to interrupt
the lamps 61 to 69, that is, they permit switching-off that lamp or
lamps whose corresponding switch is open.
As already mentioned heretofore, the switching or control circuit
component 52 embodies a voltage doubler-rectification arrangement
53 supplied with power via the conductors 56 and 57. This rectifier
arrangement or circuit 53 encompasses two diodes 98, two capacitors
99 and 100 and a resistor 101, the diodes 98 and the capacitor 99
being coupled parallel to both output lines or conductors 102 and
103 of the rectifier arrangement 53. A third diode, namely a Zener
diode 98a is connected to the output side of the rectifier circuit
parallel to the capacitor 99, this Zener diode serving to stabilize
the voltage delivered by the voltage-doubler rectifier arrangement.
Additionally, across the output conductors 102 and 103 there are
parallelly connected a pushbutton contact switch 104 and a resistor
105 as well as two relay tubes with cold cathodes 106 and 107. A
resistor 108 and 109 is coupled with the anodes 110 and 111 of the
relay tubes 106 and 107, respectively. The anode 110 of the tube
106 is connected parallel to the anodes 112 to 116 of the further
relay tubes 117 to 121, while the anode 111 of the tube 107 is
connected parallel to the anodes 122 to 126 of the relay tubes 127
to 131. The cathodes 132 to 143 of the relay tubes 106, 107, 117,
127, 118, 128, 119, 129, 120, 130, 121 and 131 are each coupled
with parallelly connected circuit components consisting of a
respective resistor 144, 145, 146-155 and a parallelly connected
capacitor 156, 157, 158-167, respectively, such parallel connected
circuit components being, in turn, electrically coupled with the
conductor 103, as shown. On the other hand, the cathodes 132 to 142
of each of the relay tubes 106, 107, 117, 127, 118, 128, 119, 129,
120, 130 and 121 are connected with an electrode 168, 169, 170,
171-178 of the next successive relay tube i.e., the next tube
arranged at the right in the circuit arrangement of FIG. 6, and
specifically, such connection is via a potentiometer 179, 180, 181,
182-190, respectively. Furthermore, the cathode 143 of the last
relay tube 131 is connected by means of a switch 191, a conductor
192 and a potentiometer 193 with an electrode 194 of the first
relay tube 106.
The previously mentioned relay tube 106 possesses a second
electrode 195 which is connected via a resistor 196 between the
push button-contact switch 104 and the resistor 105. A respective
capacitor 197, 198,-207 is connected in series with the
corresponding electrodes 194 and 168, 169-177 and the cathodes 132,
133, 134...142 of each tube 106, 107, 117, 127, 118, 128, 119, 129,
120, 130 and 121. Finally, the cathodes 132 to 140 of the tubes
106, 107, 117, 127, 118, 128, 119, 129, and 120 are connected via
reversing switches 208 to 215, respectively, and wiring 216 with
the switches 88 to 96. The reversing switches 208 to 215, the
wiring 216 and the switches 88 to 96 constitute a portion of the
reversing circuit 97. Furthermore, it should be readily apparent
that with the position of the reversing switches 208 to 215 as
shown in FIG. 6, the tube 106 initially switches-in the lamp 61 and
specifically through the agency of the diac 70a and the triac 70,
and thereafter the tube 107 will switch-in the lamp 62, and
specifically via the diac 71a and the triac 71, and so forth.
Hence, the lamps 61, 62, 63, 64, etc., are switched-in and
switched-out from the left to the right of the circuit arrangement
of FIG. 6.
However, if the reversing switches 208 to 215, the control of which
has been schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 and particularly via a
rod 217, are switched so as to assume the phantom line position,
then it will be equally apparent that the tube 106 will now control
the lamp 69, the tube 107 the lamp 68, and so forth. Consequently,
the switching-in of the lamps will now occur from the right towards
the left of the circuitry of FIG. 6. In view of the explanation
given above, and the discussion to follow, no further explanation
will be given regarding the mode of operation of the reversing
circuit 97, and it will be assumed in the following discussion that
the reversing switches 208 to 215 are located in the position shown
in full lines in FIG. 6.
It is assumed that the terminals 54 and 55 are coupled with the
power network and that the switching circuit arrangement of FIG. 6
is supplied with voltage. The voltage doubler-rectifier circuit
arrangement 53 applies a positive voltage to the anodes 110, 111,
112, 122, 113, 123, 114, 124, 115, 125, 116, and 126 of the relay
tubes equipped with cold cathode tubes 106, 107, 117, 127, 118,
128, 119, 129, 120, 130, 121, and 131, respectively, which at the
moment do not pass any current. In order to trigger the switching
operation the pushbutton-contact switch 104 is depressed so that a
positive voltage is applied to the electrode 195 of the tube 106.
Electrode 195 cuts-in the tube 106 which then becomes conductive
and the voltage at the cathode 132 of the tube 106 becomes
positive. This positive voltage, in turn, switches-in the diac 70a
via the resistor 88a, causing the triac 70 to become conductive and
the lamp or series of lamps 61 are switched-on. The triac 70
remains conductive for such length of time as the positive voltage
is maintained at the cathode 132 of the tube 106. However, as soon
as the tube 106 becomes conductive, the positive voltage appearing
at the cathode 132 of the tube 106 begins to charge up the
capacitor 198 of the next following tube 107 via the potentiometer
179, and the electrode 168 of the tube 107 becomes positive. This
tube 107 then becomes conductive and a positive voltage appears at
the cathode 133 of such tube 107. Once again, this positive voltage
is delivered to the resistor 89a, switching the triac 71 by means
of the associated diac 71a, and the next lamp 62 is turned-on. On
the other hand, the positive voltage appearing at the cathode 133
of the tube 107 charges up the capacitor 199 of the next successive
tube 117 via the potentiometer 180, and the electrode 169 of the
next successive tube 117 becomes positive. At the moment where the
tube 117 begins to conduct there appears across the terminals of
the resistor 108 a voltage drop which is added to the voltage drop
which is present because of the already existing power supply to
the tube 106. The voltage which now appears between the anode 110
and the cathode 132 of the first relay tube 106, is no longer
sufficient to supply the just-mentioned tube and such extinguishes
or cuts-off. Now, the positive voltage at the cathode of the tube
106 disappears, the triac 70 is turned-off and the lamp 61
extinguishes. When the tube 117 begins to ignite or conduct, the
voltage at the cathode 134 of this tube becomes positive and the
lamp 63 is switched-in, and specifically via the triac 72 which has
been switched-on by means of the associated diac 72a. The capacitor
200 charges and the electrode 170 of the tube 127 likewise becomes
positive. The tube 127 begins to conduct, which in turn causes an
additional voltage drop at the resistor 109 and the tube 107,
causing the tube 107 to cutoff. The diac 71a which is no longer
furnished with power interrupts the action of the triac 71 and now
the lamp 62 extinguishes. As should be apparent from the foregoing
discussion, this operation repeats and the lamps 63, 64, 65, and so
forth are successively switched-in and again switched-out and the
light wave travels from the left towards the right, whereby in each
instance, no more than two tubes and accordingly no more than two
associated lamps are ignited or turned-on at one time. The three
additional tubes 130, 121 and 131, the cathodes 141, 142 and 143,
respectively, of which are not coupled with any lamps, are
important because it is necessary to turn off both of the tubes 129
and 120, which control the last two lamps 68 and 69, respectively,
and because the first tube 106 must again be turned-on in order
that the radiation process can automatically begin anew. To this
end, the switch 191 is closed and as soon as the last tube 131
becomes conductive, its cathode 143 charges the capacitor 197 which
is connected parallel to the electrode 194 and the cathode 132 of
the first tube 106, and specifically by means of the conductor 192
and the potentiometer 193. The electrode 194 becomes positive, the
tube begins to conduct and the entire operation begins once
again.
The potentiometers 193 and 179 to 190 enable adjusting the charging
time of the capacitors 197 to 207, respectively, in other words,
that time span after which the corresponding next successive tube
should be turned-on. By adjusting such potentiometers, it is
possible to select the propagation velocity of the light wave.
Furthermore, since these potentiometers are independent of one
another, it is also possible to regulate all desired combinations,
in other words, for instance a high propagation velocity of the
light wave for the first four lamps, then followed for instance by
a slowing down of this propagation velocity for the following
lamps, and so forth. The potentiometer 193 serves to regulate the
rest period or interpause between two successive waves. Therefore,
it permits charging-up the capacitor 197 which applies voltage to
the electrode 194 of the first tube 106. The charging time of this
capacitor therefore defines the time-constant which determines the
interpause between two successive waves. The potentiometers 179,
190 and 193 are indicated at the housing 4 of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and by the reference character 12.
The switches 88 to 96 arranged at the output side of the reversing
circuit arrangement 95 of FIG. 6 enable switching-out one or more
of the lamps, which then during operation of the apparatus remain
inoperable. These switches have been indicated in the embodiment of
FIG. 1 by the reference character 10.
With the variant embodiment of circuitry shown in FIG. 7, the
voltage doubler-rectification circuit arrangement 53A is connected
via the three resistors 226, 227 and 228 with the anodes 220, 221
and 222 of the tubes 223, 224 and 225, respectively. The tubes 229,
230 and 231 are connected in parallel with the anode of the tube
223, and the tubes 231', 232 and 233 and also tubes 234, 235 and
236 are connected with the anode 221 of the tube 224 and the anode
222 of the tube 225, respectively. The resistance values of the
resistors 226, 227 and 228 are chosen in such a way that at most
three tubes are simultaneously supplied with power. It is therefore
apparent that with the circuit arrangement of FIG. 7, three tubes
are always turned-on so that the region radiated by the light wave,
which wave for instance moves or propagates from the left towards
the right, is greater than that generated with the circuitry of
FIG. 6, by means of which, it will be recalled, in each case only
two lamps were simultaneously turned-on.
Naturally, it is readily possible to always switch-in at any one
time only one lamp or a series of lamps. In such case, it is
sufficient if the resistors 227 and 228 of the circuitry of FIG. 7
are omitted and all of the anodes of the tubes 223 to 225, 229 to
233 and 236 are connected by means of a single conductor or line.
In such case, the lamps will be switched-in one after the other in
succession, so that due to the switching-in of a lamp a voltage
drop will appear at the terminals of the resistor 226 which will
cutoff the preceding lamp. Further, it will be observed that two
terminals 237 and 238 are provided in parallel to the
pushbutton-contact switch 104A. By means of these terminals 237,
238, it is possible to connect a device or instrument 239 which,
for instance, responds to the pulse beat of a patient. This device
239 is provided for the purpose of delivering a signal by means of
which the electrode 240 should be charged in order to ignite the
tube 223 and to trigger the irradiation or radiation operation each
time when a multiple of the pulse frequency of the patient has been
reached.
For instance, the device 239 is designed to count six pulse beats
and after each sixth pulse beat, once again triggers the radiation
process. Of course, when using this device 239, the switch 191A
must be open so that the tube 236 does not automatically cut-in the
first tube 226 through the agency of the feedback line or conductor
192A.
Naturally, the device 239 could measure some other parameter than
the pulse beat of the patient, such as for instance a different
physiological rhythmic function of the human body, for instance the
breathing cycle or rhythm, the pulse beats at the extremities of
the body, or it could also respond to bioelectric currents in
conjunction with the rhythmic heart activity, and so forth.
While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of
the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention
is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and
practiced with the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *