Abstract: The Flash Technique is a new concept in thermodynamics. This technique of accumulating heat energy in a small air plenum being instantaneously flashed over the problem region of the body in a thermowave manner is capable of accomplishing with high efficiency and simultaneously Thermotherapy, Immunetherapy and Chemotherapy treatments in the patients' own home. The term “problem region” refers to tumors, a set of muscles, or any other site causing difficulty and which lends to the use of instantaneous high temperature air pulse flashes. The low power and the small size and weight of this home unit lend to the use of a flexible belt to support two applicators against different parts the body.

Abstract: A chemo-thermo applicator insertable into a tubular membrane in the body of an individual to occupy a site therein in which the surface of the membrane is disrupted by cancerous lesions. The applicator includes concentric inner and outer tubular balloons in which the annular space therebetween is filled with a chemotherapy supply the outer balloon being perforated. In operation, a stream of heated air is fed into the inner balloon which acts to inflate this balloon and to heat the supply to cause it to melt and form a cream. Inflation of the inner balloon acts to expand the outer balloon causing it to conform to the surface of the membrane. The pressure imposed on the supply as the inner balloon expands, forces the heated cream to extrude through the outer balloon perforations to coat the surface of the membrane with the heated cream which then functions as a chemo-thermo agent to destroy the cancerous lesions.

Abstract: An adjustable stand anchored on a base to support an electrically-powered applicator so that it may be brought by an operator to a properly oriented position adjacent a selected site on the body of a subject to be treated and maintained at its set position. The stand is composed of series of interconnected arms, at least two adjacent arms being formed by pipes having a right angle bend and articulated by a knuckle formed by a four-sided rectangular block. The block has a first bore extending between one pair of opposing sides and a second bore extending between the other pair, an end of one arm being socketed in the first bore and the adjacent end of the other arm being socketed in the second bore whereby the arms articulated by the knuckle are swingable about axes at right angles to each other to afford a wide range of angular adjustment.

Abstract: A technique for inducing analgesic effects to relieve pain in a living organism whose central nervous system is associated with thermal receptors in the skin that sense heat and transmit signals through afferent fibers reflecting the intensity of the heat and its duration to the brain via the spinal cord. Applied to an area of the skin for a predetermined period is an air stream whose temperature is periodically elevated to create high-temperature pulses separated by lower temperature intervals whereby as a result of heat transfer from the skin area to tissue underlying the skin, the temperature at the surface of the skin is at a tolerable level. The signals transmitted to the brain during this period that reflect the sensed high temperature pulses stimulate the brain into producing endorphins having analgesic effects on the organism and relieving pain.

Abstract: A technique for inducing analgesic effects to relieve pain in a living organism whose central nervous system is associated with thermal receptors in the skin that sense heat and transmit signals through afferent fibers reflecting the intensity of the heat and its duration to the brain via the spinal cord. Applied to an area of the skin for a predetermined period is an air stream whose temperature is periodically elevated to create high-temperature pulses separated by lower temperature intervals whereby as a result of heat transfer from the skin area to tissue underlying the skin, the temperature at the surface of the skin is at a tolerable level. The signals transmitted to the brain during this period that reflect the sensed high temperature pulses stimulate the brain into producing endorphins having analgesic effects on the organism and relieving pain.

Abstract: A combined chemo-thermo therapy technique in which a pharmaceutical agent, such as a lipolysis cream, is topically applied to a localized skin surface overlying a problem region to be treated. This surface is then subjected to an air stream whose temperature alternates periodically from a high peak level to a lower base level in a pulsatory heat energy wave pattern. Because heat transfer takes place under the skin in the intervals between successive peaks, the temperature of the problem region is significantly raised, but that on the skin surface remains at a tolerable level. As a consequence, the absorption of the agent and its diffusion throughout the tissues of the heated problem region is accelerated and its interaction therewith is promoted to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: A power control unit for a thermotherapy applicator adapted to direct toward a localized skin area of a patient overlying a problem region, a stream of hot air whose temperature cyclically alternates between a base level above ambient to a peak level above base to produce a pulsatory heat wave which promotes the transfer of heat to the problem region to raise it to an elevated temperature. The applicator includes a fan driven by a d-c motor that blows air through an a-c powered heater coil to produce an air stream whose temperature depends on the velocity of air blown through the coil; the higher the velocity, the lower this temperature. The velocity is a function of the level of d-c voltage applied to the motor by a rectifier connected to a voltage-divider tap on the coil.

Abstract: A combined thermotherapy and electrotherapy technique in which directed toward the skin surface overlying a problem region in the body is a stream of air whose temperature alternates periodically from a high peak to a low value, the duty cycle being such as to allow internal heat transfer to take place in the intervals between successive high temperature peaks, whereby the temperature of the problem region is increased to an elevated level while the skin temperature remains at a tolerable level. Concurrently directed toward the skin surface and penetrating the body region is electromagnetic energy whose therapeutic effect on the problem region is enhanced by its elevated temperature.

Abstract: A universal applicator for applying therapeutic heat to a localized skin area of a patient. The applicator includes a casing dome whose open base is maintained in spaced relation to the skin area to define an air flow zone therebetween. Coaxially mounted at an intermediate position within the dome is a motor-driven fan which creates a negative pressure region in the dome above the fan and a positive pressure region therebelow, whereby air drawn from the negative pressure region is propelled into the positive pressure region from which it is discharged into the air flow zone. From this zone, the air is returned to the negative pressure region, thereby creating a circulatory flow loop minimizing the discharge of air into the atmosphere outside the flow zone. Mounted coaxially within the dome in the negative pressure region is an electric heater ring formed by a helical resistance coil.

Abstract: A universal applicator for applying therapeutic heat to a localized skin area of a patient. The applicator includes a casing dome whose open base is maintained in spaced relation to the skin area to define an air flow zone therebetween. Coaxially mounted at an intermediate position within the dome is a motor-driven fan which creates a negative pressure region in the dome above the fan and a positive pressure region therebelow, whereby air drawn from the negative pressure region is propelled into the positive pressure region from which it is discharged into the air flow zone. From this zone, the air is returned to the negative pressure region, thereby creating a circulatory flow loop minimizing the discharge of air into the atmosphere outside the flow zone. Mounted coaxially within the dome in the negative pressure region is an electric heater ring formed by a helical resistance coil.