TREATING LICE WITH GASEOUS COMPOUNDS IN AN AIRTIGHT SPACE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of medical treatment devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for lice treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lice infest hundreds of millions of people each year. The life cycle of lice comprises an egg stage, three nymphal stages and an adult, and takes about one month. A female louse lays approximately 100 eggs (aka nits) which are glued to hairs of the host. The nymphs and adults suck blood, causing disturbance (itching, aka pruritus) and secondary infection.

[0003] Lice, being insects, use tracheae for respiration. Tracheae are a system of internal tubes (invaginations of the cuticle) penetrating the insect's body, through which air diffuses or is being pumped directly to the body tissues. Within body cells, chemical respiration takes place in the mitochondria, where ATP is produced under oxygen consumption.

[0004] The common treatment methods against lice involve liquids or lotions. For instance, US patent US2033357 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety discloses treatment of lice within a gas-tight garment by using a volatile liquid, specifically methyl-formate, that is spread on a pad inside the garment and evaporates inside the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention discloses a device for treating lice and nits on a head of a patient. The device includes a cap for defining an airtight space around the head and a container for storing a mixture of gases and compressed gases for treating lice. In addition, a gas release mechanism for delivering the mixture of gases into the airtight space is also provided. Specifically, the mixture of gases is selected so that it causes irreversible damage to at least one essential mechanism of said lice.

[0006] In embodiments, the amount of the mixture of gases stored in the container, when released outside said cap (for example, after the treatment or accidentally), is diluted by surrounding air to non-toxic levels to the patient.

[0007] In embodiments, the mixture of gases comprises At least one gas with low molecular weight and high diffusivity.

[0008] In embodiments, the device further comprises a unidirectional valve attached to the cap, for depleting the airtight space of air prior to the treatment.

[0009] In embodiments, the gas release mechanism comprises a release valve contained within the container and, and the container is attached to the inner side of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The subject matter regarded as the invention will become more clearly understood in light of the ensuing description of embodiments herein, given by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figures, or simply "Figs."), wherein:

[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates a device for treating lice and nits on a head of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a device for treating lice and nits on a head 130 of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a method of treating lice and nits on a head of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0014] The disclosed invention describes a device and method for treating lice on a patient's head. The invention utilizes a cap for defining the space around the treated hair, and an airtight sealing of the space around the treated hair, to apply a gas for treating lice. Reducing the volume that is treated allows using a small amount of gas, such that in case of releasing the gas outside the cap, the patient faces no danger due to the strong dilution of the gas. Keeping the gas compressed in a container permit a rapid delivering of the gas into the airtight space.

[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates a device 100 for treating lice and nits on a head 130 of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention. Device 100 comprises of an airtight cap 105 defining an airtight space 160 around head 130, a container 110 for storing a mixture of gases 150 for treating lice and a gas release mechanism 120 for delivering mixture of gases 150 into airtight space 160 as an aerosol. Cap 105 is kept

airtight by a sealing means 170 at the rim of cap 105. Mixture of gases 150 comprises at least one gas that causes irreversible damage to at least one essential mechanism of said lice. Container 110 is located outside cap 105, and is coupled to cap 105 by gas release mechanism 120, that comprises a tube.

[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a device 101 for treating lice and nits on a head 130 of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention. Device 101 comprises of an airtight cap 105 definingfSl] an airtight space 160 around head 130, a container 110 for storing a mixture of gases 150 for treating lice and a gas release mechanism 122 for delivering mixture of gases 150 into airtight space 160. Cap 105 is kept airtight by a sealing means 170 at the rim of cap 105. Mixture of gases 150 comprises at least one gas that causes irreversible damage to at least one essential mechanism of said lice. Gas release mechanism 122 is a release valve contained within container 110. Container 110 is attached to the inner side of cap 105. [0017] According to some embodiments of the invention, the amount of mixture of gases 150 stored in container 110, when released outside cap 105, is diluted by surrounding air such that the diluted mixture reaches non-toxic levels to the patient. The amount of mixture of gases 150 stored in container 110 is such, that it would be highly toxic to the lice in a high concentration, and not toxic to the patient if accidentally set free to the surrounding air. The high concentration is achieved by defining and sealing the space 160 around the patient's head 130 and delivering mixture of gasses 150 only into space 160.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the invention, container 110 holds mixture of gases 150 in a compressed state. Holding mixture of gases 150 in a compressed state allows a rapid release of mixture of gases 150 into airtight space 160. [0019] According to some embodiments of the invention, cap 105 is a version of a swim cap, worn tightly on the patient's head. According to other embodiments of the invention, cap 105 is a version of a shower cap, worn loosely on the patient's head. According to yet other embodiments of the invention, cap 105 is made in a version that is attractive in color and form to children. According to some embodiments of the invention, cap 105 is made of at least one of the following materials: silicone, rubber, polyethylene, latex, lycra, or cloth coated with a gas tight layer. [0020] According to some embodiment of the invention, exemplary composition of the gas mixture may include Butane mixed with Nitrogen, in a ratio ranging from 2:8 to 7:3 respectively.

[0021] According to some embodiment of the invention, the cap is configured to enable the mixture of gases to gradually flow outside of the cap to enhance safety. [0022] According to some embodiment of the invention, exemplary duration of treatment ranges from 10 seconds to 30 minutes.

[0023] According to some embodiment of the invention, the cap is configured to comprise small holes enabling a slow escape of the gas mixture, or alternatively the cap is made of a fabric made to allow slow gas escape to the outside and air to the inside.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the invention, cap 105 is attached to the patient's head and sealed by sealing means 170 for preventing mixture of gases 150 from escaping out of cap 105. According to some embodiments of the invention, sealing means 170 comprises of a rubber band on the rim of cap 105. Sealing cap 105 provides a higher effectiveness of applied mixture of gases 150 as well as enhanced user safety.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 comprises a gas with low molecular weight and high diffusivity. These properties are needed to allow a quick penetration of the gas to airtight space 160, below hair 140 and into the tracheal system of the lice. According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 comprises a gas having a molecular weight below 100 dalton, for example gaseous hydrocarbons, NH ₃ , SO ₂ , CO ₂ , CO. According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 comprises a gas having a molecular weight below 1000 dalton, for example amino acids and peptides. [0026] According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 depletes oxygen from airtight space 160 by physical or chemical means. Such means may be inert gases like N ₂ that displace oxygen with airtight space 160 and within the tracheae of the lice. Alternatively the oxygen depletion may be chemically achieved by a reaction between at least one of the gases in the mixture and the oxygen in the air tight space.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the invention, a unidirectional valve is attached to cap 105. The unidirectional valve is configured to allowing air out of cap 105 but preventing air from entering cap 105, The unidirectional valve further reduces the airtight space 160 around the head of the patient, particularly depleting oxygen out of airtight space. Using the unidirectional valve also enhances the effectivity of

mixture of gases 150 by concentrating the fixed amount of mixture of gases 150 in container 110 to a smaller space 160.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 causes irreversible damage to at least one essential mechanism of the lice, such as the mitochondria, nervous system, reproductive system, feeding system. According to some embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 comprises of specific inhibitors or destroyers of enzymes or reactions related to the proper functioning of these systems. According to other embodiments of the invention, mixture of gases 150 comprises of compounds preventing copulation or compounds that render nits sterile. [0029] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a method of treating lice and nits on a head of a patient, according to some embodiments of the invention. A patient with lice on hair 140 wears an airtight cap 200, defining whereby a space around hair 140. The patient seals the cap 210, whereby the delimited space is sealed to be airtight. Then the patient delivers a mixture of gases 220 for treating lice from container 110 into the airtight space 160. After waiting a predefined period 230 the lice and lice-egg are treated.

[0030] Applying cap 105 is required for defining and sealing an airtight space around head 130, and delivering a mixture of gases 150 into airtight space 160 treats the lice. Mixture of gases 150 comprises at least one gas that causes irreversible damage to at least one essential mechanism of the lice.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the invention, delivering a mixture of gases into cap 230 is rapid and takes less than a minute. The rapid delivering is due to nature of gases and specifically the small molecular weight, high diffusivity, of the mixture of gases.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the invention, applying the cap is repeated after a predefined period of time relating to life cycle parameters of the lice. [0033] According to some embodiments of the invention, sealing the cap 220 comprise applying sealing means 170 for preventing mixture of gases 150 from escaping out of cap 105. According to some embodiments of the invention, sealing the cap 220 may comprise of applying a rubber band, applying a Velcro strap, tightening a belt or buttons. Some leakage may occur, in a rate and amount that is harmless.

[0034] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or

"some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0035] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0036] Reference in the specification to "some embodiments", "an embodiment", "one embodiment" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

[0037] It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

[0038] The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples.

[0039] It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0041] It is to be understood that the terms "including", "comprising", "consisting" and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0042] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional elements.

[0043] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

[0044] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure _; or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0045] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. [0046] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. [0047] The term "method" may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

[0048] The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. [0049] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

[0050] The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

[0051] Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

[0052] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it is to be understood that alternatives,

modifications, and variations of the present invention are to be construed as being within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.