FOR ACHIEVING SAME

Technical Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to reducing oxidative stress in a subject, and more particularly to the reduction of oxidative stress in order to treat certain illnesses that are caused or aggravated by oxidative stress.

Background

[002] Oxidative stress relates to the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, where the free radicals more particularly relate to reactive oxygen species in the body, where the body has difficulty effectively detoxifying the reactive intermediates or to repair the damage caused therefrom.

[003] The body produces free radicals during normal metabolic processes. Free radicals are effectively unstable oxygen-containing molecules that have an uneven number of electrons on their outer valence band. In this condition, they effectively act as ionized oxygen molecules.

[004] Ionized oxygen molecules are produced naturally when the body breaks down food or is exposed to certain substances.

[005] Oxidative stress is dangerous and has a deleterious effect on health because it can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, as well as contributing to ageing, cancer, as well as certain neurodegenerative and life-threatening diseases. For instance, as detailed in “Oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease” from Peter Jenner DSc, Supplement: Neurogeneration and Prospects for Neuroprotection and Rescue in Parkinson's Disease , Vol. 53, Issue S3, pages. S26-S38, a correlation between Parkinson’s disease and oxidative stress is described. In “Oxidative stress, aging, and diseases”, by Liguori et ak, Clin Interv Aging. 2018; 13: 757-772, it is detailed that oxidative stress is related to several age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer. As such, a solution for reducing oxidative stress may stave off the advancement of such diseases or reduce the aggravation of these diseases. Oxidative stress has also been shown to play a role in traumatic brain injury, such as the one following a collision during a sporting injury, as explained in Toklu et ak, “Chapter 5: Oxidative Stress, Brain Edema, Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability, and Autonomic Dysfunction from Traumatic Brain Injury”, Brain Neurotrauma: Molecular, Neuropsychological, and Rehabilitation Aspects, Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2015

[006] It would therefore be advantageous to find effective means of diminishing the amount of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) in the body in order to reduce the damage done therefrom to the body.

[007] Furthermore, it would be advantageous for the means to diminish the amount of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the body to be minimally invasive.

Summary

[008] The present disclosure relates to the unexpected discovery that a device composed of pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz, when combined with pure metal substances in the form of pure metal powders, can reduce oxidative stress in a subject when applied to a skin of the subject. As such, the device can be used to impede the progress and/or reduce the symptoms of certain diseases and disorders that are caused by or worsened by oxidative stress such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke, neural disorders, lung diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue syndrome and asthma. The device includes a titanium catalyst; a selection of pure metal and non-metal powders capable of being ionized including one or more of zinc, silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide, and graphite; and a conducting substance that serves to embed the latter such as a medical-grade pure silicone resin.

[009] Once intact and cured, the device is normally placed on the body of the subject in direct contact with the skin, and as close as possible to where the body’s heartbeat pulses are strongest.

[0010] In some embodiments, a helmet liner can be made from the composition detailed above, the helmet liner being placed inside a helmet in such a way that the helmet liner contacts the skin covering the wearer’s skull.

[0011] The pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz in powder form and the pure metal and non-metal substances in the form of pure metal and non-metal powders may be embedded inside a filler material such as medical grade pure silicone resin. [0012] Furthermore, the substance may be placed in a pouch or housing made of a conductive material such as cotton (to house the piezoelectric crystal substances), where the pouch or housing does not dampen the anti-oxidative stress properties of the piezoelectric quartz crystal material.

[0013] The present disclosure introduces an oxidative stress-relieving substance containing piezoelectric crystal material embedded within a filler material (e.g. pure medical-grade silicone resin) that can be placed in contact with skin of a subject. This substance helps reduce the subject’s oxidative stress levels by eliminating excess amounts of free radicals in the subject’s body.

[0014] A sample of the powders used in devices of the present disclosure was obtained from a site in the region of one of Canada’s meteoritic craters. Powders from this site were tested and shown to have the chemical composition of > 99.5% pure silicon dioxide (Si02). The activation energy levels of this shocked quartz can reach levels as high as 20 eV.

[0015] In fact, with respect to pure ‘ shocked’ piezoelectric quartz powders used in the present device, in 1970, the article, in The American Mineralogist, entitled “Thermal Activation Energy of Shocked and Stressed Quartz” was published in which it was demonstrated that activation energies released by ‘shocked’ piezoelectric quartz powders are substantially higher that those released by normal quartz powders and that, in some cases, the activation energy levels of shocked quartz can reach levels as high as 20 eV.

[0016] Ionization energies of metals can vary from 6 eV to 13.5 eV.

[0017] The oxidative stress-relieving devices of the present disclosure may be in the form of necklaces, bracelets back belts, body bands, patches or helmet liners, etc., as described herein, and may include the following materials: pure white, shocked, piezoelectric crystal powder (Si02); pure titanium-doped zirconia powder (Zr02.Ti); pure silver, copper, titanium, lithium, zinc, iron oxide, and graphite powders.

[0018] It has therefore been discovered that pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz powders when embedded in silicone resinous materials as described above and worn on the body may help relieve oxidative stress in the body.

[0019] In some embodiments, the device may include a catalyst powder of a second predetermined mesh size.

[0020] In some embodiments, catalyst may be ZrCk.Ti. [0021] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be equal to or substantially equal to the second predetermined mesh size.

[0022] In some embodiments, the piezoelectric shocked quartz material may be 99.5% pure quartz (SiCk).

[0023] In some embodiments, the filler material may be pure silicone resin.

[0024] In some embodiments, the device may be in the form of a necklace, bracelet, back belt, body band, pad, or helmet liner.

[0025] In some embodiments, the filler material may be a cream with zinc oxide.

[0026] In some embodiments, the filler material may be a yarn used in a fabric.

[0027] In some embodiments, the device may be an article of clothing comprising the fabric.

[0028] In some embodiments, the one or more metal powders may include one or more of: zinc, silver, copper, titanium, lithium, and iron oxide.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be between 50 and 500 mesh.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be approximately 300 mesh.

[0031] Some embodiments of the oxidative-stress-relieving device may be worn around the wrist as a bracelet. Some embodiments may be also worn around the neck as a necklace. Some embodiments may be worn on the back. Some embodiments may be worn on the chest or breast near the lung and/or heart. In some other embodiments the crystal material, catalysts and metal powders may be mixed with a pure zinc oxide medicinal preparation to create a cream that can be applied to parts of the body that are difficult to access or are locally inflamed.

[0032] A broad aspect is a wearable device for reducing or preventive at least one of oxidative stress and/or inflammation in a subject. The device has a shocked piezoelectric quartz material composed of at least 99.5% silicone dioxide, of a predetermined mesh size; a catalyst powder of a second predetermined mesh size composed of titanium - doped zirconia (Zr02.Ti); a selection of one or more powders capable of being ionized selected from one or more of silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide, zinc and graphite; and a filler material that embeds therein the piezoelectric shocked quartz material, the catalyst powder, and the one or more metal and non- metal powders.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be equal to or substantially equal to the second predetermined mesh size.

[0034] In some embodiments, the filler material may be pure silicone resin.

[0035] In some embodiments, the device may be in a form of a necklace, a bracelet, a back belt, a body band or a helmet liner.

[0036] In some embodiments, the device may include a fastener on either end of the necklace for causing both ends of the necklace to connect and secure around a neck of the subject.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fastener may be a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0038] In some embodiments, the device may be a helmet comprising a liner shaped from the filler material that includes the shocked piezoelectric quartz material and the catalyst powder.

[0039] In some embodiments, the device may be a helmet liner.

[0040] In some embodiments, the one or more powders may include one or more of: silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide and zinc.

[0041 ] In some embodiments, the one or more powders may include graphite.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be between 50 and 500 mesh.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first predetermined mesh size may be approximately 300 mesh (50 microns).

[0044] Another broad aspect is a method of reducing or preventing at least one of oxidative stress and inflammation in a subject. The method includes contacting an epidermis of a subject for a given period with a composition comprising a shocked piezoelectric quartz material at least 99.5% purity of silicone dioxide; a catalyst powder of a second predetermined mesh size composed of titanium - doped zirconia (Zr02.Ti); and a selection of one or more powders capable of being ionized selected from one or more of silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide, zinc and graphite.

[0045] In some embodiments, the given period may be greater than four weeks. [0046] In some embodiments, the composition may be embedded in a filler material that is pure medical grade silicone resin.

[0047] In some embodiments, the one or more powders may include one or more of: silver, copper, titanium lithium, iron oxide and zinc. [0048] In some embodiments, the one or more non-metal powders may include graphite.

[0049] In some embodiments, the contacting may include wearing the composition as at least part of a necklace around a neck of the subject.

[0050] In some embodiments, the contacting may include wearing the composition as at least part of a necklace, a bracelet or a back belt that contacts the epidermis of the subject when the necklace is worn around the neck, the wrist or the back of the subject.

[0051] In some embodiments, the composition may be contained in a liner of a helmet, and wherein the contacting occurs when the subject wears the helmet.

[0052] Another broad aspect is use of the device as defined herein for reducing at least one of inflammation and oxidative stress in a subject. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053] The invention will be better understood by way of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0054] Figure l is a drawing of an exemplary device for reducing oxidative stress in the form of a necklace; [0055] Figure 2 is a drawing of a side-view of an exemplary helmet with an exemplary liner with piezoelectric shocked quartz powder; and

[0056] Figure 3 is a drawing of a cross-section of the exemplary helmet of Figure 2.

Detailed Description

[0057] The present disclosure relates generally to oxidative stress-relieving compositions and devices containing shocked pure piezoelectric quartz powder material (SiCk), a catalyst such as pure titanium-doped zirconia (ZrCk.Ti), and a selection of one or more pure powders (such as Ag, Ti, Cu, Zn, Li, Fe203) and graphite, capable of being ionized - all embedded in a filler material such as pure medical-grade silicone resin or embedded in a cream or a fabric yarn. [0058] It has been discovered that contacting a subject (e.g. placed on the skin or epidermis of a subject) the composition or device including pure shocked piezoelectric quartz powder material - pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz powder - reduces oxidative stress in the patient over time. The composition or device may be placed on the body part of a patient where there is pain, or inflammation. The device may be placed around the neck as a necklace, around the wrist as a bracelet, or around the waist as a back belt. In such cases the devices may be placed on the body as close as possible to where heartbeat pulses are the strongest.

[0059] The device containing oxidative stress-relieving substances is normally placed on the surface of the body. Necklaces may be fastened around the neck, the wrist, or back using fasteners. On other parts of the body, the oxidative stress-relieving device in the form of a pad that can be attached to the body using a cotton sheath support system or fastened to the body as a back belt or body band by using a Velcro fastening system attached to the cotton sheaths. The device may also be placed on the head as a helmet liner inside helmets.

[0060] Definitions:

[0061] In the present disclosure, by “pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz” it is meant a material that is at least 99.5% pure white, shocked, piezoelectric quartz.

[0062] In the present disclosure, by “shocked quartz”, it is meant quartz that has microscopic differences from normal quartz, resulting from intense pressure from shock waves (more than two gigapascals), but limited temperature, causing deformation along the planes inside the crystal lattice structure of the quartz.

[0063] In the present disclosure, by “treatment”, it is meant one or more of (i) preventing at least partially oxidative stress, (ii) inhibiting or arresting at least part of oxidative stress (temporarily or permanently) and (iii) relieving part or all of oxidative stress (temporarily or permanently).

[0064] Exemplary Devices for Reducing Oxidative Stress

[0065] The exemplary oxidative stress-relieving device shown in Figure 1 includes pure silicone resin as a filler material.

[0066] Figure 1 shows a picture of an exemplary oxidative stress-relieving device in the form of a necklace, bracelet or back belt. All three may differ in length and width or thickness. Stiffness coefficients (e.g. Young’s Modulus) may remain the same for all of these devices, or may be different.

[0067] The device may have a cotton casing or portion used to surround a body part of a subject.

[0068] Oxidative stress-relieving devices in the form of necklaces contain the pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz powder and other materials, as described herein, housed inside a conductive resin casing. In some embodiments, the resin may be made out of pure conductive silicone resin.

[0069] Oxidative stress-relieving devices in the form of necklaces, bracelets or back belts may be manufactured in different lengths depending on the circumference of the wearer’s neck, wrist or waist. In some examples, the two ends of a necklace may be connected by a nickel and cadmium- free, non-allergenic metal clasp 101 or other similar passive non-allergenic fastening device, such as a hook and loop fastener, as shown in Figure 1.

[0070] When metallic conductive powders such as pure copper, zinc, titanium, lithium, iron oxide or silver powder are added to the piezoelectric material composition, these copper, zinc, titanium, lithium, iron oxide or silver powder may be substantially of the same mesh size as the crystal powder in order to prevent separation when submitted to movement or vibrations.

[0071 ] Oxidative stress-relieving devices may be designed and manufactured in relation to the function they perform and to the type, size and shape of the person wearing the devices. In some embodiments, the device may be positioned for attachment to the neck, to the back, to the wrist, etc. The device may also be in the form of a cream, for application to the skin (e.g. the lips, the toes, etc.)

[0072] The Tyler Equivalent Mesh size classification is a well-known mesh size classification system created by the W.S. Tyler screening company based in Mentor, Ohio, USA. Mesh size should be understood as being the number of openings per (linear) inch of mesh and is well known in the art. The Tyler scale is used for the purpose of describing the present disclosure.

[0073] In some embodiments, the powders and resin mix may be made homogeneous before the resinous matter is allowed to cure.

[0074] The oxidative stress-relieving substance may include catalytic powders (e.g. ZrCk.Ti) and pure metal and non-metal powders capable of being ionized. [0075] Exemplary Device Applied as a Helmet Liner

[0076] Reference is now made to Figure 2, illustrating the device incorporated into a helmet 100

[0077] The helmet 100 includes a shell 120, a fastener 110 and a protective ‘helmet liner’ layer 140.

[0078] The helmet may include an inner padding 130.

[0079] The shell 120 defines the outer casing of the helmet 100 and is usually hard. The shell 120 may be made, e.g., from plastic or metal.

[0080] In some examples, the shell 110 may include piezoelectric shocked quartz powder. [0081 ] The fastener 110 is configured to attach the helmet 100 to the head of the subject.

[0082] The fastener 110 may be connected to two opposite sides of the helmet 100. The fastener 100 may include two parts that can be interconnected via a securing portion (e.g. a hook and loop fastener, a clip, a button) to interconnect the two parts of the fastener 110. The fastener 110 may include a strap that is adjustable in length. [0083] The padding 130 is in direct contact with the shell 120 and is adapted to cushion the head of the subject.

[0084] In some examples, the protective ‘helmet liner’ layer 140 may be integrated inside the helmet shell 120, or may be integrated into the padding 130.

[0085] The helmet liner layer 140 may be used to avoid or reduce traumatic brain injury, as described herein, associated with oxidative stress.

[0086] The shell 120 and the other layers (e.g. padding 130, protective layer 140) placed next to the shell 120 define an inner space for receiving the head of the subject.

[0087] Reference is now made to Figure 3, illustrating a cross-section of the exemplary helmet

100 [0088] In the example of Figure 3, the protective ‘helmet liner’ layer 140 is contained (located) between the shell 120 and padded layer 130 and the head of a subject, in sufficient proximity with the skin of the subject. However, in some embodiments, the protective layer 140 may be a liner that makes direct contact with the skin of the subject.

[0089] The protective layer 140 (e.g. lining) contains piezoelectric shocked quartz powder 141.

[0090] The piezoelectric shocked quartz powder 141 is of a purity of 99.5% or more by weight of SiCk (e.g. pure white piezoelectric shocked quartz powder). In some examples, the purity of the piezoelectric shocked quartz powder 141 may be of at least 99.5% by weight of SiCk. [0091] The protective layer 140 includes a filler material 142 that embeds the piezoelectric shocked quartz powder 141. In some embodiments, the filler material 142 may be a silicone resin

(e.g. pure medical grade silicone resin) or polyurethane.

[0092] In some embodiments, the protective layer 140 may include a catalyst 143, such as titanium - doped zirconia (ZrCk.Ti), embedded in the filler material 142.

[0093] The catalyst 143 may be of a predetermined mesh size, such as anywhere between 50 to 500 mesh.

[0094] In some embodiments, the catalyst 143 may be of 300 mesh.

[0095] In some embodiments, the mesh size of the catalyst 143 may be equal to the mesh size of the piezoelectric shocked quartz powder 141.

[0096] In some embodiments, the protective layer 140 may include a pure white shocked piezoelectric quartz powder 144 capable of emitting UVC photons that subsequently generate photo electrons or positive ions from one or more of the pure metal powders 144 embedded in the filler material 142.

[0097] In some embodiments, the protective layer 140 may include a selection of one or more pure metal powders 144 that is capable of emitting photo electrons or generating positive ions, the selection of one or more pure metal powders 144 embedded in the filler material 142.

[0098] In some embodiments, the selection of one or more pure metal powders 144 includes copper, zinc, silver, copper, lithium, titanium and iron oxide.

[0099] EXEMPLARY STUDY 1:

[00100] Reference will now be made to an exemplary study supporting the teachings of the present disclosure. The results presented with regard to the exemplary study are for illustration purposes only.

[00101 ] Cohort Identity:

[00102] The study involved ten subjects, composed of men and women between the ages of 20 to 89. The subjects were selected from a series of volunteers that were suffering from different illnesses attributable to oxidative stress, such as diabetes, cancer (e.g. breast cancer; kidney cancer), osteoporosis, vascular disorders.

[00103] Study Protocol:

[00104] The ten subj ects were provided with a necklace comprising super-shocked piezoelectric quartz, a titanium catalyst, and a selection of powders capable of being ionized including one or more of zinc, silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide, and graphite. In such case the amount of each of the aforementioned powders embedded inside the silicone resin should be approximately equal to 2% of the total combined weight of the powder and resin mix. The powders are embedded in a silicone resin shaped as a necklace, bracelet, back belt or body band, and worn around the neck, wrist, waist or other parts of the body such as the thigh.

[00105] The subjects wore the necklace for 4 to 12 weeks. The subjects were requested to wear the device day and night, but were permitted to remove the device when showering or bathing.

[00106] The subjects presented themselves to a medical practitioner prior to, during and after wearing the device, and biomarkers indicative of inflammation, and oxidative stress, were taken prior to wearing the device and after wearing the device.

[00107] The subjects were not informed of the benefits of the device tested during the study. [00108] A second cohort of subjects were used as placebos, also composed of men and women were also presented with a similar-looking device, a necklace. However, the necklace contained normal quartz and not the super-shocked piezoelectric quartz as described herein.

[00109] Results:

[00110] Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), a marker indicative of inflammation and oxidative stress, was measured for each subject prior to wearing the device, and after wearing the device. ESR is used to detect certain chronic diseases resulting from inflammation, such as temporal arteritis, systemic vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica. It is also a biomarker used for indicating the presence of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The results of the cohort provided with the device are presented in Table 1. The results of the cohort provided with the placebo are presented in Table 2. Table 1: ESR measurements for each subject prior and after wearing the device of the present disclosure for a given period as explained herein.

Table 2: ESR measurements for each subject prior and after wearing the placebo device for a given period as explained herein. [00111] Discussion:

[00112] As demonstrated by the results showcased in Table 1, it is shown that the quantities of the biomarker dropped for each of the subjects after the wearing of the device, despite the degree of change varying per subject. The average change in the biomarker values from before wearing the device to after wearing the device is of minus 39.1%. In contrast, as presented in Table 2, the average change in the biomarker values from the cohort of subjects wearing the placebo device, from before to after wearing the placebo device, is of plus 10.4%. As such, these results strongly indicate that the wearing of the device of the present disclosure results in a decrease of the presence of the inflammatory marker, and therefore a drop in inflammation and oxidative stress as shown by the drop of ESR. [00113] The contact of the device with the skin of the subject appears to be sufficient to reduce the levels of inflammation in the subjects, thereby also reducing oxidative stress. Reference is made to Subrata Kumar Biswas, “Does the Interdependence between Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Explain the Antioxidant Paradox?”, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity , Volume 2016, explaining the intimate correlation and interdependence between oxidative stress and inflammation.

[00114] Therefore, it would be sound to indicate that sustained wearing of the device may result in reducing oxidative stress and avoid or at least reduce the impact of diseases caused by oxidative stress.

[00115] EXEMPLARY STUDY 2:

[00116] Reference will now be made to a further exemplary study demonstrating the teachings of the present disclosure. The results presented with regard to this second exemplary study are for illustration purposes only.

[00117] The following study is a qualitative study, where patients with diseases attributable to oxidative stress were monitored prior to and after the wearing of the device of the present disclosure and evaluated qualitatively by a medical practitioner to assess worsening or improvement of the condition. Due to the qualitative nature of the present study, the purpose of this study is to supplement and further contextualize the results of exemplary study 1.

[00118] Cohort Identity:

[00119] The study involved 85 subjects, composed of men and women between the ages of 20 to 89. The subjects were selected from a series of volunteers that were suffering from different illnesses attributable to oxidative stress, such as diabetes, cancer (e.g. breast cancer; kidney cancer), osteoporosis, vascular disorders, or minor conditions such as anxiety or stress, the illnesses indicated in Table 3. Certain of the subjects (8 subjects) are featured twice in the chart for different conditions, wearing a different device tailored for a different part of their body to address the different condition.

[00120] Study Protocol:

[00121] The 85 subjects were provided with a device (e.g. necklace; bracelet; back belt; cream) comprising super-shocked piezoelectric quartz, a titanium catalyst, and a selection of powders capable of being ionized including one or more of zinc, silver, copper, titanium, lithium, iron oxide, and graphite. The amount of each of the aforementioned powders embedded inside the silicone resin should be approximately equal to 2% of the total combined weight of the powder and resin mix. The powders are embedded in a silicone resin shaped as a necklace, bracelet, back belt or body band, and worn around the neck, wrist, waist or other parts of the body such as the thigh, as in exemplary study 1.

[00122] The subjects wore the necklace for 4 to 12 weeks. The subjects were requested to wear the device day and night but were permitted to remove the device when showering or bathing. [00123] The subjects presented themselves to a medical practitioner prior to, during and after wearing the device. The medical practitioner assessed a change in the condition that is being monitored for the patient, the medical practitioner ranking the seriousness of the condition from 3 (apparent and debilitating associated symptoms) to 0 (no detection of associated symptoms).

[00124] The subjects were not informed of the benefits of the device tested during the study. [00125] Results:

[00126] The subjects presented themselves to a medical practitioner prior to, during and after wearing the device. The medical practitioner assessed changes in the condition associated with the patient, the medical practitioner providing a score for the seriousness of the condition from 3 (apparent and debilitating associated symptoms) to 0 (no detection of associated symptoms). These values are detailed in Table 3.

Table 3: Overview of scores for changes in the monitored condition given by a medical practitioner before and after wearing the device.

[00127] Discussion:

[00128] It will be understood that these scores, as they are based upon the observations of a medical practitioner, are only of a qualitative nature and rely upon the diagnostic and assessment abilities of the medical practitioner. As such, these results are to be appreciated within this context and are to be weighed appropriately by the skilled person in the art.

[00129] Moreover, certain of the conditions monitored, such as infections and stress, may have improved independently of the presence of the device, as the factors causing the condition dissipate (e.g. the stress factors; the bacteria or infectious agent). However, by appreciating the overall cohort of patients being monitored by the medical practitioners, the patients have experienced at least an overall measurable improvement of the monitored conditions associated with oxidative stress, further indicating, in combination with the results of exemplary study 1, that the device play s a role in improving the subj ecf s well being with regard to conditions attributable to oxidative stress and/or inflammation.

[00130] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications may be resorted to as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are to be considered within the purview and scope of the present invention.

[00131] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings.

[00132] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description, as well as in the experimental examples, may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.