US2452450A - Therapeutic device - Google Patents

Description

Patented Ust. 26, 1948 paaren sTAres smear orrice THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Charles Henry Fredenburg, Nyssa, Greg.

Application December 6, 1946, Serial No. 714,558

(Cl. 12S- 399) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a therapeutic device and more particularly to a device for applying light and heat to the 'inside of the mouth and throat of a patient.

`v The beneficial effects of light and heat for skin and other irritations is very well known and it is common knowledge that heat and light are very beneficial for killing and destroying many bacteria. It is a simple matter to apply this light and heat to any part of the exterior of a body or to an open Wound, but the application of heat and light Within the body presents many diiculties. Many irritations in the mouth and throat may be relieved or cured byv destroying such bacteria in the mouth and throat as will be eiected by heat and light by placing a light within the mouth of the patient. For applying such heat and light in the mouth of a patient, I have provided an insulating socket s o constructed and designed that it will readily support a light bulb in the mouth with little or no discomfort to the patient, wherein the full effect of the heat and- First, 'the treatment does not aifect the person I' in any other or adverse manner as do the medicines and other treatments; and secondly this treatment will not interfere with or affect any other treatment for the same or other afictions which the patient may be taking, and may then be used or taken at the same time.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a therapeutic device constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a front end elevation.

Referring to the drawing the numeral I5) designates generally a therapeutic device for applying light and heat to thethroat and mouth of a patient in the treatment oi colds and sore throat, certain lung troubles, and particularly respiratory ailments. The use of light and heat in the treatment of respiratory ailmentsl and many other ailments of the human body has long been appreciated and many devices havebeen provided for app-lying light and heat exteriorly ofthe body, and it is an object of this vinvention to apply light and heat within the throat of a patient.

The numeral I designates a device of this kind which may be placed in the mouth of the patient without undue discomfort. The device Ill is formed with a cylindrical body I I which may be made of Wood, rubber, plastic or other suitable insulating material, having an annular ange i2 at one end thereof and an' annular groove I4 about the body forwardly of the flange I2. A light bulb socket I5 is secured within the body l I at the rear end thereof for supporting a light bulb I6 Within the `body II. The socket I5, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with slots I1 for the connection of a bulb having lugs or bayonets I8 on the base thereof. A metal base conf tact I9 is secured within the socket I5 for en gagement of the lower or center contact of the light bulb I6. The outer end of the socket I5 is exteriorly threaded as at 2D, and a cap 2l or handle is adapted to be engaged about the rearwardly extending portion 20 of the socket I5. The handle 2l is made of plastic or other suitable insulating material and is formed with a central opening 22 through which the wires 24 and 25 are adapted to be extended to be connected to the socket I5 and the center contact I9.

The wires 2f! and 25 connect the light bulb I6 to an exterior source of supply. The light bulb I6 will preferably be made for a low voltage and so a transformer 26 is provided in the supply line for reducing the standard alternating current of 110 volts to the 6 volts required for the light I6.

The body I I is adapted to be placed in the mouth I of the patient so that the heat and light from the bulb I6 may be applied directly to the membrane of the mouth and throat and it has been found that the heat and light applied at this point is also advantageous in treating diseases in the lungs.

To provide for the comfort of the patient, a rubber sleeve 2l is provided about the body II, along the entire length thereof. The sleeve 2l will be cylindrical in shape and made of rubber or other resilient material of a length greater than the length of the body Il. The forward end of the sleeve 21 is reverted inwardly as at 28 to Drovide a double layer at the forward end of the body I l and the rear end of the sleeve 21 encompasses the flange l2. An apertured disk 29 ts about the sleeve 21 for securing the sleeve on the body Il and to provide a, limiting stop to prevent the device IB from being placed too far within the mouth of the patient.

The central opening 30 of the disk 29 is greater than the'diameter'of the body Il and is smaller than the diameter of the sleeve 21 in its normal expanded position in order to press the sleeve 2l in place. The bulb I6 is completely housed within the body Il so that no part of the bulb may be extended to touch the walls of the mouth or any of the delicate membranes in the throat of the patient. While a bayonet type bulb is shown, it is understood that other types of bulbs as those having a, threaded base or otherwise may be used with the appropriate type of socket and .w

while the device as shown in the drawing is for vuse with a`6'volt transformer, other voltages and suitable bulbs maybe used with the necessary changes in the wiring for the required bulb.

Ido'not mean to coniine Amyself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. kA therapeutic vdevice for applying ,heat and light to the mouth and throatof a person comprising a cylindrical body, a metal socket in said body, a, contact member in said socket, a light bulb in said socket engaging said contact member, an annular flange on the rear end of said body, said body formed with an annular groove adjacent said ange on the'orward side thereof, an open ended cylindrical insulating cover about said body, said coverengaging in said groove and about said flange, an annular` disk about said body engaging in said groove, and means connecting said socket and said Contact with a source of electric supply.

2. A therapeutic device for applying heat and light to the mouth and throat of a person com- 5 prising a cylindrical body, a metal socket in said body, a contact member in said socket, a light bulb in said socket engaging said Contact member, an annular flange on the rear end of said body, said body formed with an annular groove lo adjacent said flange on theforward side thereof, an open ended cylindrical insulating cover about sai-d body, said cover engaging in said groove and about said flange, an annular disk about said body engaging in said groove, means 3;, connecting said socket and said contact with a source of electric supply, a portion of said socket extending rearwardly of said body, an insulating handle about said rearwardly extending portion, and means connecting said light with a source of electric supply.

v3, A therapeutic device for applying heat and light to the mouth and throat of a person Comprising an open ended cylindrical body, a light bullo in said body, 'an annular vdisk 'about rsaid 3;, body at the rear end thereof,an open ended cylindrical insulating cover for said body, and means connecting said light bulb with a source of electric supply wherein said cover is reverted inwardly upon itself at Athe front end about said body.

CHARLES HENRY FREDENBURG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 35 leof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 734,306 Merwin Nov. 3, 1903 4r, 1,771,076 Chesney July 22, 1930 1,976,084 Morrow Oct. 9, 1934

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