TDP mineral lamp

The TDP mineral lamp is a medical device which comes under FDA Class II as a far-infrared heating device. The premise of the lamp is that the far infrared (below visible light) emissions increases microcirculation and loosens fascia to accelerate the natural healing processes of the body. The TDP mineral lamp is a therapeutic substitute for moxabustion, and is reported to be the only mechanical device that can add Qi to the body. It is used by acupuncturists, Asian bodywork therapists, and other medical professionals. The class of devices to which it belongs is approved by the FDA for temporary relief from pain and arthritis.

Components

The components are typically a rolling base, vertical pole, electronic timer (mechanical or digital), spring arm, and head. The components of the head are what makes the TDP lamp different from other far-infrared heating devices. The head consists of a wire cage, a heat reflector, an electrical heating plate, insulator, and a mineral plate. It is the mineral plate which is the unique element. The heating element operates at about 870-degrees Fahrenheit, and the lamp emits far-infrared radiation in the 2-50 micrometre range.

The mineral plate is a proprietary formula of 33 trace elements which are also found in the human body, in various chemical binding forms. The actual formula, specific mineral forms, and amounts of each of the materials used in manufacturing is secret. Twenty-six of the elements represented have been revealed by various manufacturers. They include: aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, calcium, carbon, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium, bonded onto an iron plate .3 to .6 millimeters in thickness. The iron plate is .5 to 1.5 millimeters in thickness and provides stability and protection for the more fragile mineral layer, and distributes heat evenly on the plate. The remaining seven elements are suspected to be bismuth, germanium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, strontium, and vanadium, although verification has not been available.

History of invention

TDP is an acronym for "Teding Diancibo Pu" which loosely translated means special electromagnetic spectrum.

The TDP mineral lamp was invented in China in 1978 and exhibited at the 1986 Zagreb International Fair in Yugoslavia in competition with 560 inventions from 18 countries by the inventor Mr. Gou Wenbin. It was also exhibited at the 1986 Brussels Eureka World Fair for Invention. Mr. Wenbin died in the late 1980's.

The story told about the discovery of TDP mineral lamp therapy begins in a black clay factory in rural China, where in spite of a work environment where workers were exposed to extremes of cold, wet, and heat, they had a very low incidence of illness. Upon further investigation, the differentiating factor was determined to be the beneficial far-infrared radiation from the hot clay. Analysis of the clay and later experimentation led to the development of the medical device now known as the TDP mineral lamp.

Experimentation with TDP mineral lamps started and by 1979, 36 universities, 45 graduate schools, 41 research institutes, 250 hospitals, and 3000 thousand medical doctors and researchers formed an international TDP society [TDP research initiated [http://www.findhealer.com/mall/telstar/I004.php3] ] for the purpose of performing clinical studies related to the effects of TDP mineral lamp therapy.

The state of research in 1985 showed TDP mineral lamp therapy to have been successfully used to treat over 30 different human and animal diseases and disorders. Thirty million people had received medical treatment from TDP mineral lamps. Clinical evidence [Techniques in Orthopaedics. 18(1):33-36, March 2003.
Markow, Mary J. N.D., M.S., L.Ac.; Secor, Eric R. Jr N.D., M.S., L.Ac.
] [The blood visco-elastic properties within TDP radiation
Liu Yuping, Deng Linhong, Wu Yunpeng, Wang GongRui, Yang Ruifang Chongqing University;
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1990., Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual International Conference of the IEEE
Publication Date: 1-4 Nov 1990 On page(s): 2180-2181 ISBN: 0-87942-559-8] [Electroacupuncture: An introduction and its use for peripheral facial paralysis
Journal of Chinese Medicine. Number 84, June 2007 [http://www.jcm.co.uk/media/cms/File/JCM84_electro.pdf] ] confirmed that TDP mineral lamp therapy would reduce inflammation, calm pain, and improve micro-circulation, and balance metabolism. Evidence was gathered substantiating TDP mineral lamp use promoted cell growth, reproduction, and repair, concurrently with promotion of specific enzyme activity levels and immune function. [TDP mineral lamp therapy journal references needed.]

Availability

The first company to import these lamps to the United States was the "Sacred Crane" brand as reported by the FDA 510K pre-market notification [FDA 510(k) notification [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm?ID=90651] ] . The TDP lamp was patented in China in 1992 and was granted the Medical Apparatus and Instruments Certificate by the China State Medicine Bureau.

The company who holds the Chinese patent has been unable to successfully enforce the patent, which has resulted in approximately twenty-three manufacturers selling their versions of the TDP mineral lamp. The Chongqing Silicate Research Institute (CSRI) [Chongqing Silicate Research Institute [http://www.china-tdp.com] ] is the Chinese patent holder, and sells the lamp under the trademarked names "Changle" and "Gou-Gong." The North American importation of Gou-Gong lamps by C&H Int'l [C&H International [http://www.besttdplamps.com] ] in Houston, Texas ceased in June 2007.

The importer reported that the components supplier for the heating element used in Gou-Gong lamps and most other brands was producing inferior parts. The failure rate of the heating elements spiked in lamps manufactured after July 2006 from an estimated 2% failure rate to an over 50% failure rate.

History of product models

TDP mineral lamps have been sold under a variety of descriptive names and model numbers. Most model numbers are not representative of the device, and are used because the model numbers are historically familiar, although the lamp's construction may not resemble the original lamp with that model number. It is possible to find TDP mineral lamps also being sold as "bio-spectrum lamps," "FIM Energizers," and "FIR Lamps." Common model numbers include, but are not limited to, CQ-27, CQ-12, CQ-33, CQ-36, CQ-55A, CQ-222A/B/C/D, CQ-270A/B. Version numbers are sometimes used too. The Version 1.0 lamp refers to the original invention from 1978. Later editions in the 1980's (ver. 2.0) increased the size of the head to 6.5" from 4.75" and offered models with one head or two , and desktop editions. In the 1990's (ver. 3.0) manufacturers changed the manual timer to a digital timer.

Manufactures continue to modify the original design to gain market differentiation advantages. Changes most frequently manifest in differences between the timer, the stand, and the size/shape of the head. Recent experiments with the mineral plate are adding thickness of materials, since the (replaceable) mineral plate has an estimated life of 1000-1500 hours. When the mineral plate looks ash grey, it is time to replace it. TDP mineral lamp therapy has a billable modality number 97026 for doctors to bill insurance providers.

Treatment

Treatment usually consists of bare skin exposure in the affected area with the lamp positioned 12-18 inches from the body. Length of self-treatment for a single condition is typically 15-30 minutes (not longer than 45 min.), 1 or 2 times a day, for 7-10 days. More weeks of treatment are acceptable under direction of a doctor. It is important to know there is one far infrared thermal therapy that is completely safe and free of the risk of burn or scalding that is recommended by orthopedic specialists, physiotherapists and health care professionals. FIR thermomedic therapy garments use bio-ceramic technology incorporated into new fibre technology to provide safe symptom relief of painful arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, bursitis and injury. Many sample charts are available suggesting guidelines for use. [Guidelines for use [http://www.tdplamps.net/TDP_guide.pdf] ] The patient should feel warmth but position the lamp to avoid scalding. Skin temperatures should not be allowed to exceed 130-degrees Fahrenheit.

Contraindications and safety

Patients with neuropathy are warned that the inability to accurately feel the temperature of the treatment may result in accidental burns. Infants or persons who cannot communicate when treatment is too hot should also avoid treatment. Treatment in areas with surgical implants (metal, silicone, pacemakers, etc.) should be avoided because of the risk that these foreign materials may absorb and hold heat at a different rate than living tissue, accidentally causing internal burns. Pregnant women, people experiencing fever, otitis media, splenitis, ophthalmic diseases, varicose veins, open pulmonary tuberculosis, serious arteriosclerosis, and with bleeding tendencies should avoid TDP mineral lamp therapy. People with hypertension should not use the TDP Lamp on their head. When using on the head, protection of the eyes is required so they do not become dry.

For persons with the following symptoms, TDP mineral lamp therapy may not be advised, as in Chinese medicine a therapist should not use heat treatment with someone who exhibits "hot" symptoms already:a natural tendency to be hot, rapid pulse or red face, fever or headache, dry mouth, thirst, sore throat, or cough, yellow tongue, dark urine, or sticky yellow mucus, hot flashes or night sweats, redness and swelling, mouth and tongue sores, chapped lips, or bleeding gums, heart palpitations, mental agitation, mania, or insomnia. And generally avoid treatment if the recipient does not like it.

References