TREATING LICE WITH GASEOUS COMPOUNDS IN AN AIRTIGHT SPACE

摘要

A device and method 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 for treating lice. A gas release mechanism for delivering the mixture of gases into the airtight space as an aerosol. When released outside the cap, the mixture of gases is diluted by surrounding air such that the diluted mixture reaches non-toxic levels to the patient. Specifically, the mixture of gases causes irreversible damage to essential mechanisms of the lice. The mixture of gases may include a gas with low molecular weight such as hydrocarbons. The container may be located outside the cap and coupled to the cap with a tube. The container may be located inside the cap and the gas release mechanism may be a valve.