Bathing apparatus for thermotherapy

Abstract

A bathing apparatus for thermotherapy includes a bathtub provided with sensors for measuring a water temperature in the bathtub and for measuring the body temperature of a bather. A water supply/heating device adjusts the temperature of water by heating the water in a boiler based on the difference in temperatures measured by the sensors and circulates the water through a circulating passage leading to the bathtub. An oxidation-reduction potential reducing unit is provided in the circulating passage. It includes a container through which water in the circulating passage passes, and vitreous inorganic particles stored in the container for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential of water in the circulating passage when brought into contact with the water in the circulating passage. With this arrangement, because the oxidation-reduction potential of the water in the bathtub is reduced by the oxidation-reduction potential reducing unit, it is possible to reduce the water temperature felt by the bather by at least 1 to 2° C. if the actual water temperature is e.g. 43° C. The patient can thus be subjected to thermotherapy for a long period of time with reduced heat stress.

1 . A bathing apparatus for thermotherapy comprising a bathtub, sensors for measuring a water temperature in said bathtub and for measuring a body temperature of a bather, a water supply/heating device for adjusting the temperature of water based on the difference in temperatures measured by said sensors and circulating the water through a circulating passage leading to said bathtub, and an oxidation-reduction potential reducing unit provided in said circulating passage and comprising a container through which water in said circulating passage passes, and vitreous inorganic particles stored in said container for reducing an oxidation-reduction potential of water in said circulating passage when brought into contact with the water in said circulating passage. 
   
   
       2 . The bathing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said vitreous inorganic particles are formed by bringing a vitreous material into contact with activated mineral water pressurized to a predetermined pressure of 2 to 30 atm, said activated mineral water being produced by repeatedly bringing water pressurized to 5 to 30 atm into contact with at least one inorganic mineral selected from basalt, andesite and magnetite, and storing the pressurized water in an atmosphere kept at a pressure less than said predetermined pressure. 
   
   
       3 . The bathing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a blue lighting equipment for illuminating the interior of said bathtub. 
   
   
       4 . The bathing apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a blue lighting equipment for illuminating the interior of said bathtub. 
   
   
       5 . The bathing apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said blue lighting equipment comprises a translucent hollow case which is brought into contact and treated with said activated mineral water, and a light emitting element sealed in said case and configured to emit light under electric energy. 
   
   
       6 . The bathing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said sensor for measuring the body temperature of the bather is a sensor for measuring a rectum temperature. 
   
   
       7 . A method of producing vitreous inorganic particles for use in an oxidation-reduction potential reducing unit in a bathing apparatus for thermotherapy, said method comprising producing activated mineral water by repeatedly bringing water pressurized to a predetermined value of 5 to 30 atm into contact with at least one inorganic mineral selected from basalt, andesite and magnetite and storing the pressurized water in an atmosphere kept at a pressure less than said predetermined value, and bringing a vitreous material into contact with the activated mineral water pressurized to 2 to 30 atm.