This invention relates to en apparatus that emits both electromagnetic radiation centred around 1072nm and visible tight and method of treating viral infections, in particular, but not exclusively, Herpesvfridae infections.

BACKGROUND

There are at least eight herpesvirus types that infect humans: herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, E8V (Epsteln-Berr virus), human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, human herpesvirus 7. and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, ail of which are extremely widespread among humans More than 90% of aduKs have been infected with at least one of these, and a latent form of the virus remains in most people.

Herpes simpiex viruses are categorized into two main types, herpes type 1 (HSV-1 . or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes) Most commonly, herpes type 1 infection causes sores around the mouth and Bps. although HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, most cases of genital herpes infection are caused by herpes type 2. For many people with the herpes virus, which can go through periods of being dorman.t attacks (or outbreaks) can be brought on by the following conditoi ns general illness (from mid illnesses to serious conditions), fatigue, physical or emotional stress, irnrnunosunnression due to AIDS or such medications as chemotherapy or steroids. Irauma to the affected area, including sexual activity and menstruation. Furthermore it Is known that UV 8 light is a potent stimulus for inducing reactivation of latent herpes simpiex virus (HSV) infections. When an individual is first infected with herpes and exhibits active symptoms, the duration of the primary outbreak will be the worst and most painful and can take 3 to 6 weeks to resolve Subsequent recurrent outbreaks wilt be less severe, typically lasting 3 to 14 days and the frequency will become farther and farther apart with each recurring attack.

Electromagnetic radiation is characterized by its wavelength and its intensity. When the wavelength is within the visible spectrum (approximately from 390nm to 700nm) it is known as "visible light". Electromagnetic radiation less than 300nm is ultraviolet and wavelength greater than 1 ,0O0 are in the infrared region

Low level light therapy (LLLT) in the red region (d35-700nm) has been suggested as an alternative to current medications for accelerated rveaSng. reducing symptoms and A hand held device that could reduce the pain level, provide symptomatic relief, reduce the length of a herpetic infection outbreak and reduce the interval frequency between outbreaks would offer immediate advantage to individuals afflicted with herpetic infections.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hand-held battery operated electromagnetic radiation therapy device comprising:

(i) a housing for accommodating the battery:

(ii) an interface region comprising a surface for accommodating at least one means for emitting; divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm: and at least one means for emitting visible green-cyan light in the range 470-580 nm.

wherein the device is capable of producing, at the site bei ng treated, a radiation intensity of at least 50 uμWatts/cm ² and up to 2 watts/cm ²

Preterabiy, the electromagnetic radiation and the visible Merit are pulsed so that they are out of phase so that the electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072 nm is only emitted when the visible light is not emitted.

Preferably, the device includes a frequency modulator for phasing the at least one visible iignt emitting source and the at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm so thai I he visibie light from the at least one visible light emitting source is pulsed out of phase with the infrared light.

Preferably, the device has a bandwidth around 120 nm and the half angle divergence of the electromagnetic radiation is in the range 15° to 45 °.

Preferably, the device further includes any one or more of the following features:

(I) means for fixing the intensity of the radiation within a pre- determined range.

(II) an output monitor with a visible display Indicating correct function of the device both for intensity and wavelength: (iii) means for controlling the duration of the application of the therapy.

Preferably, the at least one means of the means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is a solid state light emitting device selected from the group comprising soBd state light emitting diodes (LEDs) or gas discharge devices or a laser diode device.

Preferably, the means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm Includes a PN junction arranged to emit radiation with a wavelength centring at. or about. t072nm.

Preferably, the pulsed electromagnetic radiation is applied at a frequency/repetition rate in the range 300-800 Hz and more preferably at 600Hz. Preferably, the at least one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm is positioned at a substantially central position on the surface of the interface region and a plurality of means for emitting visible green-cyan light in the range 470-560 nm are positioned around the 1072nm emitter. Preferably, the device further includes one or more means for emitting visible light selected from the group comprising red light in the range 700-635 nm, orange light In the range 635- 590nm: yellow fight in the range 590-560nm and blue light in the range 405-470nm.

It win be appreciated that the design of the interface region surface may comprise a number of one means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm in addition to a number of means for emitting visible green/cyan light in addition to a number of means for emitting other visible lights in the blue, yellow and amber range. Preferably, the minimum pulse width for 1072 nm emission is 300 milliseconds.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for treating and/or improvlngbody tissues wherein said body tissue has a herpetic Infection, the method comprising:

exposing said tissue to divergent electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength centred at 1072 nm so as to coincide with peak transmissions of a water molecule and visible green/cyan light in the range 470-560 nm: and

selecting a radiation intensi ty for the electromagnetic radiation capable of producing, at the site of the tissue, a radiation intensity of at least 50 μ Watts/cm ² up to 2 Watts/cm ²

The method includes exposing herpetic viralty infected tissue to the selected electromagnetic radiation and visible light resulting in alleviation of the herpetic viral infection.

Preferably, the treatment period is between 3 to 10 minutes and may be repeated several times a day until the symptoms of the infection are alleviated

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one arrangement of the light emitting means on the surface of the interface region.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a different embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a yet further embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of the device of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows the surface (1 ) of the interface region, tno surface is surrounded by wall (2) which is raised so that the Interface surface is protected and in use is kept away from direct skin contact Arranged on the surface (1) in a subsiantially centrally position is a means for emitting divergent narrow bandwidth electromagnetic radiation centred at 1072nm (3) and arranged around the periphery are a number of blue visible light emitting means (4a) In use. item (3) will be on when items (4a) are off, the sequence of on/off can

go clockwise or anticlockwise and alternated between the 1072nm emitter and one of the peripheral green/cyan light emitters In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 there are provided two 1072 nm emitters (3) although the number can be more end is not intended to limit the scope of the application . Surrounding items (3) there ere provided visible green/cyan emitters (4 a) and other visible light emitters (4b). The (4b) emitters can be red. orange, yellow or blue and could in some embodiments can be a combination of one, two, three or four different colours or they may be duplicated colours wnlch pulse synchronously or individually in sequence and out of phase with the 10 72nm emitter. Figure 3 shows a yet further embodiment where a series of visible light emitters are green/cyan (4a) plus any other visible light (4t>. 4c).

With reference to Figure 4 there is shown the hand held device (A ) of the present invention. The device comprises a body (5) which accommodates a battery and a panel (6) which has a means for turning the device on and off and win oh may also comprise a display for assessing duration intensity and other parameters of the treatment.

A typical regimen for light exposure, when using. 1072nm and green/cyan light is for four minutess total of at least 300 ms of 1072nm alternatively with at ieast 300 ms of green/cyan light

A typical regimen cycle for multiple light exposure treatment time of around 4 minutes is:

I. 1072nm (300 ms)

II. Green/Cyan light (300ms)

III.10 72nm (300 ms)

IV. Blue light (300ms)

V, 1072nm (300 ms)

VI. Amber light (300ms)

Optionally red light may be included in the therapy

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise " and "contain" and variat ions of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatibletherewftn. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and/or ail of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination except combinations where at least some of such features and tor steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any loregoing embodimemts The invention extends to any novei one. or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one. or any novel combination of the steps of any method or process so disclosed

The reader's attention is directed to ail papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.