Light conductor and treatment for ailments involving the throat
A light conductor device comprises an elongated structure suitable for insertion into the mouth, having a distal end for gathering sunlight and a proximal end for distributing collected sunlight to the interior of the throat. The light conductor device, when used as described, permits the use of natural sunlight for irradiating harmful germs and bacteria in the throat. Alternative embodiments may include a battery and LED light source.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device used to irradiate and reduce or eliminate harmful bacteria and other “germs” that may reside in the rear mouth and throat area. More specifically, the invention relates to a self-contained device, capable of being used by one individual without assistance, wherein natural sunlight is transmitted to the throat area to accomplish the desired result. Upon viewing this disclosure, the invented device will be recognized as extremely useful by those persons wishing to accomplish self-healing methods for afflictions such as a sore throat without resorting to the typical drugs and antibiotics consumed for such purposes.
2. Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,900, Okamoto, et al., addresses a root canal sterilization method, wherein a hand-held light guide attached to a counter-top UV generating means is used. This device is designed to be used by a dentist and does not permit use of natural sunlight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,090, Maeda, et al., addresses a toothbrush connected to a power source by a power supply cord, which toothbrush uses optic fibers to admit irradiating light to the teeth. This device is designed to be used to cleanse the teeth and does not permit of use of natural sunlight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,608, Chen, et al., addresses an implantable probe comprising LED's or LD's used to emit irradiating light to various tissues of the body for extended periods of time. This device is designed to be used on a long-term basis within the body and does not permit of use of natural sunlight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to devices used to irradiate harmful bacteria and other “germs” within the human mouth and throat. The invented device, called a “light conductor” or “light conductor device” utilizes light to treat infections and eliminate harmful germs and bacteria within the human body, with natural sunlight being the especially-preferred light source and other sources of UV-spectrum light being alternative sources.
The invented device may be used safely by an individual, without assistance, to treat infections by reducing or eliminating bacteria or other microorganisms that are susceptible to sunlight, specifically within the rear mouth and upper throat areas. The invented device may be used as a supplement to, or instead of, conventional and/or homeopathic treatments and medicines. The inventor believes that treatment at home, using the invented device, may help prevent or at least postpone the need for doctor visits, emergency room visits, and antibiotics. The invented device may help those who are traveling or are far away from medical care, for example, those who are hiking, sailing, or traveling or living in remote regions. Further, the inventor believes that some embodiments may be effective in treating, reducing or eliminating the bacteria in the mouth that cause many cases of “bad breath.”
The invented device is held in the mouth so that an elongated portion of the device extends at least to the rear of the mouth and preferably into the upper region of the throat. The device is adapted to receive natural sunlight at its outer, distal end and to carry it to its proximal end inside the user's throat. The distal end extending outside the mouth is placed in the sunlight, and the sunlight travels through the device to the proximal end inside the rear of the mouth or throat, from which the sunlight radiates. The proximal end is preferably designed to radiate light in many directions at the same time, so that the natural sunlight reaches much of the surface of the rear mouth and upper throat. By virtue of sunlight's natural tendency to kill or otherwise inactivate micro-organisms, the sunlight reduces or eliminates the micro-organisms causing the sore throat and illness.
The preferred embodiments are larger at the distal, sunlight-collecting end, thence tapering along the length of the device to the proximal, sunlight-emitting end. The preferred embodiments are preferably constructed of optically clear plastic and are also preferably at least somewhat flexible, permitting comfortable insertion within the mouth and at least some conforming to the interior contours of same. The optically clear plastic may be in the form, for example, of a single piece that forms the entire or substantially the entire body of the light conductor, or a bundle or group of light fibers extending along the length of the body, as will be understood by one of skill in the fiber optics.
Preferably, the preferred light conductor has no power source except that it receives and transmits sunlight, for example, the preferred light conductor has no battery and no electrical connection. The preferred sunlight conductor has no light-bulbs, no light-emitting diodes, and no other devices that create or emit UV or other radiation except for structure and material from which sunlight may radiate.
The elongated light conductor structure is adapted to extend through the user's mouth and to the upper throat area, preferably with minimal, or at least comfortable, contact with the tongue and the throat, by means of the light conductor having a slightly curved shape and a size, shape, and thickness that fit well over the tongue and into the throat. Preferably, the light conductor is long enough to extend past all or a substantial portion of the tongue, and is of proportions, shape, and flexibility or texture preferably do not trigger a gag reflex in most people. The light conductor may be shorter than that shown in the drawings for users that may comfortably place a device in their mouth but feel they must keep it slightly forward of the throat. Also, the light conductor may optionally be rigid or substantially rigid, but this may tend to cause discomfort or gag reflex in more people.
The distal, light-collecting end need not be large or have a large surface area, as the preferred optically-clear plastic, once hit by sunlight, will carry the light to the proximal end. The distal end may be a small member, plate, or other protrusion that extends only 1-4 inches from the mouth, for example. The optically-clear plastic of the distal end is uncovered and unsheathed, so that all of it, or a substantial portion of it, is exposed to light when the user stands in the sunlight.
The middle portion of the tubular structure, between the distal and proximal ends, may be covered with a thin layer of opaque material, preventing sunlight captured at the distal end from exiting the device until said sunlight reaches and exits the proximal end of the tube.
The device may comprise some structure for helping the user position the light conductor in his/her mouth, for example, a positioner for placement at the outside of the lips and/or a positioner for being bitten or clenched between the teeth. In the embodiments shown, a ring is placed around and affixed to the light conductor, in close proximity to the distal end, wherein said structure is comprised of soft, pliable and flexible material upon which the teeth are closed or clenched to aid in keeping the light conductor at the proper attitude within the mouth and allowing hands-free use of the device. This positioner structure, and the other portions of the light conductor, should be waterproof, easily cleaned, and resistant to available cleaning aids such as soaps and detergents.
Referring to the Figures, there are shown several, but not the only, embodiments of the invented light conductor device used to kill, weaken, or otherwise reduce the effects of harmful bacteria or other germs in the throat. It is understood that the invented light conductor may also eliminate or reduce bacteria in the mouth or throat that are considered “good” bacteria or at least are considered not harmful. The preferred light conductor provides mild enough treatment that the “good” bacteria are not all destroyed as the harmful bacteria are reduced, and a more healthy balance of “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria is reestablished.
Referring now to
While the light conductor assembly 10 is portrayed in
The teeth 30 of the person P are closed or clenched upon ring 20 to aid in keeping the light conductor 10 in the proper position within the mouth M, thereby permitting the user to have his or her hands free for other tasks.
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Alternatively, the battery and LED(s) may be combined together in a unit generally in the central portion of the body of the device, and fiber optic tubes or a larger member of optically-clear plastic may be interposed between the battery/LED unit and the light-emitting proximal end. Such light fibers, or other optically-clear member(s) would transmit light generated by the battery and LED unit to the proximal end, which end would preferably be an unsheathed, optically-clear plastic member adapted to radiate light out to the mouth and throat.
In these battery-powered embodiments, the general shape and principle of operation may remain the same as in the preferred embodiments, however, the light conductor body may be comprised of an opaque material, with the exception of proximal end 16, as there is no sunlight being gathered at the distal end 14′ for transmission through the body of the conductor. Light in these battery-powered embodiments is being transmitted from an LED in the proximal end or inside the body, so light only needs to travel from the LED out of the proximal end to the mouth and throat. If the LED is provided at the distal end, the light will only have to travel through the LED cover/casing. If light travels from an LED(s) located away from the end of the conductor body, light fibers or a larger light-transmitting member may be provided to carry the light, and the body itself will not necessarily need to be optically-clear.
The distal end 14′ of such embodiments, not being used to collect sunlight, may be of a different shape, for example, a flared or slightly enlarged end, preferably sufficient only to prevent swallowing or choking on the device by the user.
The main body of the light conductor may have alternative shapes and contours, and also the distal end and proximal end may have alternative shapes and contours. For example, while the proximal end shown in
In summary, many light conductors according to embodiments of the invention may be described as: A light conductor device for treating sore throat and other ailments caused by bacteria or other micro-organisms in the throat, the light conductor having an elongated body having a proximal end adapted for insertion into the human mouth and a distal end adapted for being outside the mouth and receiving natural sunlight, the elongated body comprising optically-clear plastic extending between the distal end and the proximal end so that said natural sunlight received by the distal end is transmitted to said proximal end from which it radiates out from the light conductor into the throat of the user to radiate said bacteria or other micro-organisms. The light conductor device may have no power source other than the sunlight being received on said distal end, and, preferably, the conductor device has no battery and no connection to any electrical power source.
The light conductor device may have an elongated body made substantially of optically-clear plastic, or an elongated body comprising light fibers which are said optically-clear plastic, both the plastic body or the body holding light fibers being adapted to carry said natural sunlight from said distal end to said proximal end. Said proximal end preferably is adapted to radiate sunlight in greater than 180 degrees around the proximal end, for example, by means of being shaped generally as a part-spherical or semi-spherical surface, or a generally cylindrical surface, adapted to radiate sunlight to the throat. Most preferably, the proximal end is adapted to radiate sunlight almost 360 degrees (typically about 340 degrees, leaving room for the body of the device connecting to the proximal end) around the proximal end so that the sunlight reaches substantially the entire upper throat.
The device may be made in different sizes and lengths for children, teens, and adults, for example, ranging from about 4 to 12 inches long, and more typically, from about 5 to 8 inches long. The device may be curved on a radius between said proximal end and said distal end, so that the proximal end may curve down into the throat. Many of the embodiments will be curved on about a 4-6 inch radius.
The light conductor distal end typically only needs to protrude from the mouth (beyond the lips) about 1-4 inches, as sunlight will hit the distal end and, due to the natural properties of sunlight and the preferred materials of the device, will travel efficiently through the device to the proximal end. The user may want to tilt his/her head back slightly to allow the sun to hit a substantial portion of the distal end, as shown in
The user may find the invented device an easy-to-use self-treatment tool, and may find that even a few minutes of self-treatment will help. Use of the device does not require a doctor or nurse or other assistant, but users are encouraged to monitor their health and seek medical advice if the sore throat persists more than a few days. Typically, the inventor recommends 2-15 minutes of use per treatment, and more preferably, 3-5 minutes of use per treatment, with multiple treatments separated by ½-4 hours. The user should be careful not to overuse the device, due to possible concerns about over-exposure to sunlight. The invented device is not intended for sterilization during root canals, or other dental work, and the invented device preferably does not include any tooth brushing member.
In the embodiments including a battery and one or more LED's, features similar to those of the sunlight-powered device may be included, for example, the part-spherical, semi-spherical, cylindrical, or semi-cylindrical proximal end, the curvature and/or contours and/or preferred (but not required) flexibility for making the device more comfortable in the mouth. One would expect that battery-powered embodiments would also be in the range of 4-12 (more preferably 5-8) inches long and curved on a 4-6 inch radius. The distal end of such embodiments could be smaller/shorter as it need not collect sunlight; for example, such distal ends may protrude about 0.5-2 (more preferably −0.5-1 inch) from the mouth.
Embodiments of the invention may include methods of using a light conductor to help cure sore throats or other illness. The methods may include not connecting the device to any external power source (except the sun). The preferred methods may include not treating the teeth, root canals, or sinuses, but, preferably, treating the throat.
Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A throat-treating light conductor devices, comprising:
- an elongated body that includes: a proximal end shaped to insert into a human mouth; and a distal end shaped to extend outside the mouth and receive natural sunlight when the proximal end is inside the mouth,
- wherein the elongated body includes optically-dear plastic extending between the distal end and the proximal end to transmit the natural sunlight received by the distal end to said proximal end and radiate the transmitted sunlight out from the light conductor into the throat of a user and radiate bacteria or other micro-organisms.
2. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein the light conductor is powered solely by the sunlight received on said distal end.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises light fibers of said optically-clear plastic and carrying said natural sunlight from said distal end to said proximal end.
6. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein said proximal end is shaped to radiate sunlight in a pattern that scans greater than 180 degrees around the proximal end.
7. The light conductor device of claim 1 wherein said proximal end comprises a generally semi-spherical surface adapted to radiate sunlight to the throat.
8. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein said proximal end includes a generally cylindrical surface adapted to radiate sunlight to the throat.
9. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein said proxmal end is adapted to radiate sunlight 360 degrees around the proximal end so that the sunlight reaches substantially an entire upper area of the throat.
10. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein an overall length of the device is in the range of 5-12 inches and is curved on a radius between said proximal end and said distal end.
11. The light conductor device of claim 10, wherein the overall length is curved on a 4-6 inch radius.
12. The light conductor device of claim 10. wherein the distal end protrudes between about 1-4 inches from the mouth.
13. The light conductor device of claim 1, wherein the device is supported while in use solely by the user's teeth.
14 (canceled)
15. A light conductor device for treating sore throat and other ailments from harmful bacteria or other micro-organisms in the throat, the light conductor having an elongated body having a distal end adapted for being held by the teeth and lips and a proximal end adapted to extend to the rear of the mouth and the upper throat, the elongated body comprising a battery and an light-emitting diode (LED), and wherein the proximal end radiates light from said LED into the mouth and throat.
16. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the device is powered solely by at least one.
17. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the elongated body comprises optically-clear plastic adapted to carry light from said LED to said proximal end.
18. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the elongated body includes light fibers which are optically-clear plastic adapted to carry light from the LED to the said proximal end.
19. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the proximal end is adapted to radiate light from the LED in a pattern that spans greater than 180 degrees around the proximal end.
20. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein said proximal end comprises a generally a semi-spherical surface adapted to radiate light from said LED to the throat
21. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the proximal end includes a generally cylindrical surface adapted to radiate light from the LED to the throat.
22. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the proximal end is adapted to radiate light from the LED in a pattern 360 degrees around the proximal end so that the LED light reaches substantially the entire upper throat.
23. The light conductor device of claim 16. wherein an overall length of the device is in the range of 5-12 inches and is curved on a radius between the proximal end and the distal end.
24. The light conductor device of claim 23, wherein the overall length is curved on a 4-6 inch radius.
25. The light conductor device of claim 23, wherein the distal end protrudes only 0.5-2 inches from the mouth.
26. The light conductor device of claim 15, wherein the device is supported while in use solely by the user's teeth.
27. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 5, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 6, 2008
Inventor: Robert D. Morgan (Parma, ID)
Application Number: 11/516,178
International Classification: A61N 5/06 (20060101);