GB2128093A - An electrical therapy device - Google Patents

Abstract

A needle-like probe is connected to a source of low current, high voltage electrical discharge. The probe can be placed in skin contact with a patient to introduce a stream of negative charge into the anatomy of the patient in order to effect relief, and in some cases cure, of inflammatory ailments. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for therapy of the human or animal body The invention relates to a device for therapy of the human or animal body by discharge of electricity into body tissues.

Electrical discharge devices are known for use in therapeutic practices. In general, however, such devices are employed to ionize air inhalation and no such devices are known which discharge electrical energy directly into the tissues by electrical contact of the skin of a patient with an electrode for the purpose of correcting electrical imbalance.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for electrical therapy of the human or animal body by application thereto of an electrical discharge, the device comprising electrical discharge generation means and an electrode mounted to a manually grippable member and so disposed that said electrode and the skin surface of a patient are in contact or at least in electrically conductive proximity when a skin contact surface of the member is disposed in skin contact with a patient. During use, the electrode assumes a negative electric charge and serves to provide electrons directly to body tissue.

In preferred forms of the invention, said manually grippable member defines a housing in which said discharge generation means is disposed.

Conveniently, surfaces of the member define a cavity which is open at an extremity thereof and has said electrode disposed therein and exposed through the open extremity. For instance, the electrode may extend substantially along the axis of the cavity to a point proximate the opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a manually grippable member which defines a housing having an open recess defined in a skin contact surface of the member, and an electrode disposed in said recess and exposed so as to be in contact with or juxtaposed with respect to the skin of a patient when the aforesaid surface is in skin contact, a transformer being provided in said housing and electrically connected to said electrode, and electrical power supply means such as a battery being provided in said housing in electrical connection with the transformer. Of course, in as-sold form, an apparatus as just described may be devoid of the battery (and the same may in some instances apply to the transformer) and apparatus of such form are to be understood as included within the scope of the invention.

Switch means will conveniently be provided in circuit with the electrode, in general between the power supply means and the transformer in the case of the preferred embodiment described above. A cut out to isolate the electrode in the event of an abnormally high current flow can be provided.

The electrode in any of the forms of the invention described above may preferably take the form of a needle-like probe or some other type of electrode disposed for direct skin contact in use of the device.

The following is a description, by way of example only, intended to illustrate the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device forming a preferred embodiment of the invention with the working parts removed for the sake of simplicity; Figure 2 is a plan view from the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge electrode assembly as received in a fully assembled device; Figure 4 is an electrical circuit diagram of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 comprising views Figures 5a and 5b represent a modified device constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is an alternative electrical circuit diagram;; Figure 7 comprising views Figures 7a and 7b represent another device constructed in accordance with the invention; and Figure 8 comprising views Figures 8a and 8b represent a further device constructed in accordance with the invention.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises an elongate timber block 1 of rectangular cross-section. The block 1 has four recesses 2, 3, 4 and 5 formed in its upper surface by wood working machinery. A cover plate 6 (not shown in Figure 2) covers recesses 2, 3 and 4.

Recess 2 is provided to receive a battery (not shown) which is a proprietary 9v dry cell.

Recess 3 remains essentially vacant in the assembled device and is provided simply as a convenient means of connecting earth contact (not shown) exposed for skin contact through aperture 7 in the undersurface 8 of block 1 in the electrical circuit of the device.

Recess 4 houses transformer not shown in Figure 1 but indicated generally by the reference numeral in Figure 4. Two apertures 11 and 12 perforate the base of recess 4 and receive, respectively, a switch and neon indicator light (both not shown).

A corona discharge probe 13 is received in recess 5 and is connected electrically in circuit with the transformer.

Probe 13 comprises a needle-like electrode 14 which penetrates a plastics disc 15 which carries a copper annulus 16 proximate its periphery. In the assembled device, probe 13 is received in recess 5 so that the outward tip of electrode 14 lies in or just behind the plane of skin contact surface 17 of the upper surface of block 1. In this way, the electrode 14 can be brought into electrical contact with the skin of a patient by placing the skin contact surface 17 upon the skin of the patient.

In use with the device switched on at the switch and the earth contact connected to earth as through the patient's body the electrode 14 will assume a negative electric charge. An electrical arc (of voltage for example, between 1000 and 5000 volts, say 2000 volts, and current of, for example 1 sA) discharges to the patient's skin. This discharge has been found through experiment to be most beneficial. Many so called incurable physical ailments are caused by an electrical imbalance produced by a increase in acidity, resulting in an abnormal increase of positive ions, which cause pain, inflammation and muscular disability. This electrical balance cannot be restored by chemical means or by drugs. It can only be restored by introducing electrons. The body's supply of electrons is obtained from the breakdown of the atmospheric gases oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen.Oxygen may or may not be available in the diseased tissue and even if it is available this in itself is no guarantee of activation. The foregoing provides a miniature instrument capable of safely supplying electrons to the body by directly introducing them into the skin. One application of the invention is the relief of the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory ailments and the assistance in their cure.

Considerable effectiveness has been achieved in the relief of neuralgic pain and in the promotion of peripheral tissue renewal after burning and scalding. Therapy practiced by use of the device also finds use in connection with botanically and insect inflicted stings in particular bee and wasp stings and in muscular restoration.

A parts list for the circuit of Figure 4 is shown below: Item Supplier Qty 9v battery (rechargeable) 1 TRI Transistor BC182 Camtec 2 D1D2 Diode IN4148 Camtec 2 D3-D22Diode lN4007 Camtec 10 Inverter Transformer RM10 R/S 1 Enamelled Copper Wire R/S AIR R1,R2,Rs Resistor R/S 3 1 5KQ1/4w R3 Resistor 270Q1/4w R/S 1 R4,R5 Resistor 10Mfl R/S 2 Rg Resistor 470Q R/S 1 Capacitors Ceramic R/S 20 C1-C20 .01 iF11000v Test Probe R/S 1 Battery Clip R/S 1 P.C.B.'A' Minnitron 1) P.C.B.'B' Minnitron Nylon Ring Mr. Head 1 Push Button RIS 1 LED. Red R/S 1 Earthing Stud Mr. Head 1 Case Mr.Head Various modifications of the above-described device are contemplated as future developments. In particular, the main body of the device (grippable member) is likely to be replaced by a mouled plastics body which will be formed to facilitate easier grasping by the hand (in particular, without the rectangular cross-section shown in Figures 1 and 2). The probe 13 may be a probe without corona discharge characteristics (i.e. omission of annulus 16) although the local atmospheric ionization achieved by possession of such characteristics 13 conducive to propagation of charge from electrode 14 into the skin.

A modified form of the device (shown in Figures 7a and 7b) just described comprises a housing having a head connected to a terminal electrode for direct skin contact in what can conventionally be termed non-invasive acupuncture, the therapy provided thereby being similar to acupuncture but involving charge propagation into the anatomy (e.g. to nerve points) without tissue perforation. An electrical circuit for this form of device is shown in Figure 6. The parts list for the Figure 6 circuit is set out below: M.K.IV Item Supplier Qty Aux Probe Wire R/S (388-237) 1 mtr Mains Wire White R/S (377-962) 2 mtr Mains transformer 9511 Clairtronics 1 off TR1,TR2 Transistor BC 182 Camtec 2 off D1D2 Diode IN4148 Camtec 2 off D3-D22 Diode IN4007 Camtec 20 off Inverter Transformer R/S (228-258) 1 off RM10 Enamelled Copper Wire R/S (357-918) A/R VR1 5KQ adjustable R3R5 Resistor 15KQ1/4w Camtec 2 off R4 Resistor 270#w Camtec 1 off R1 Resistor510Q1/4w Camtec 1 off R7a-R8C, Resistor Camtec 1 off 1 00Mflw R2 Resistor 1 KQ1/4w Camtec 1 off R6 Resistor 100MQ1/4w R/S (158-222) 1 off C1 Electrolytic470 > F16v Camtec(103-351) 1 off C3 Electrolytic 1pF Camtec (104-051) 1 off C2Ceramic.1FxF35v Camtec( 1 off C4-C22 Ceramic .01#F/1000v R/S (125-941) 20 off BRI 1A800v Bridges10 Camtec 1 off VVR Voltage Reg. 317m R/S (303-184) 1 off SW1 Mains Switch R/S (316-888) 1 off F33 P.C.B.Fuse Holder R/S (412-784) 6 off Fuse 100mA R/S (412-100) 2 off Fuse 160mA R/S (413-052) 1 off 4mm Socket Red R/S (444-646) 1 off 4mm Socket Black R/S (444-618) 1 off 4mm Socket Green R/S (444-630) 1 off Neon Indicator R/S (577-608) 1 off Test Probe Sprung R/S (434-324) 2 off Terminal Block R/S (423-762) 1 off 4mm Plug Black R/S (444-179) 1 off 4mm Plug Red R/S (444-208) 1 off Front Panel T.E.C.A. 1 off P.B.C. Main Minnitronics 1 off P.B.C. Ring Minnitronics 2 off Perspex Assemblies T.E.C.A. 1 off Nylon Rings 2 off 13amp Plugs 1 off Spade Terminals R/S (533-005) 4 off Nuts and Bolts R/S (524-039) AIR Sleeving H/S R/S AIR & Rubber Rubber Feet R/S (543-254) 4 off Internal Wire R/S AIR Harwin Pins R/S (433-854) AIR Varnish R/S (555-550- AIR Case Mr.Head Mains Grommet R/S (543-872) 1 off 5k Preset RIS (186-738) 1 off The electrical circuitry is encapsulated in resin for insulation purposes. The negative electrode of the "bioelectron" is at 3kV d.c. and so the d.c. resistivity and electrical-stress capability of the resin should be compatible with this. The Transformer gives an output of 400 Volts peak-topeak at a frequency of around 50 kHz. As the voltage multiplier takes the form of a series of half-wave rectifiers then the 3kV d.c. output will contain a 50 kHz ripple of up to 400 Volts amplitude.

The following specifications apply to the resin materials Crystic 17449 and 199: Crystic 17449 Crystic 199 Tan = 0.018 (at 106 Hz) Tan = 0.005 (at 103 Hz) Dielectric Dielectric constant K = 3.12 constant K = 3.1 At any frequency f Hz the resistivity of a material is given by = (2 f.K Tan )-1 = 1.8 x 1012(fKTan )- ohm.cm For materials such as these which exhibit a weak and broad electrical loss peak, then for the frequency range 1 Hz to 106 Hz the resistivity will vary with frequency according to the relationship = of-1.0 Using the data given above and these two equations, then the following resistivity values can be derived for the two resin types:: Crystic 17449 Crystic 199 Tan8=0.018(at106Hz) Tan8=0.005(at103Hz) Dielectric Dielectric constant K = 3.12 constant K = 3.1 At any frequency f Hz the resistivity p of a material is given by p = (27rfeOKTan 8)- = 1.8 x 1012 (fKTan8)- ohm.cm For materials such as these which exhibit a weak and broad dielectric loss peak, then for the frequency range 1 Hz to 106 Hz the resistivity will vary with frequency according to the relationship p = p0f#1,0 Using the data given above and these two equations, then the following resistivity values can be derived for the two resin types:: Crystic 17449 Crystic 199 Resistivity at 1 Hz = 3.2 x 1013 ohm.cm 1.2 x 1014ohm.cm Resistivity at 50kHz = 6.4 x 108 ohm.cm 2.4 x 109 ohm.cm The resistivity at 1 Hz can be taken to approximate (on the safe side) to the d.c. resistivity, and these values will be maintained for electric field stresses up to at least 5 x 103 Volts/cm. At such a stress the current density (1.6 x 1 O-loamp/cm2 and 4.2 x 10-11 am p/cm2 for Crystic 17449 and 199 respectively) will be negligible with respect to the 3 kV potential. At the same electrical stress the 50 kHz rms currents will be 5.5 x 10-6 amp/cm2 and 1.5 x 10-6 am p/cm2 for Crystic 17449 and 199, respectively.

Crystic 199 has the slightly better electrical insulating properties, although either resin will be completely adequate for the purpose of providing electrical insulation for the circuitry. If Crystic 199 is used with a resin insulation thickness of not less than around 2.5 mm, then the d.c. leakage current will be less than 10-9 amp/cm2 and the 50 kHz leakage current will be less than 10-6 amp/cm2.

The circuitry provides a series resistance of 3 x 107 ##ohm at the 3 kV electrode, which limits the short-circuit current flow to 100 microamperes at d.c. and to about 10 microamperes for the 50 kHz ripple. Such currents are physiologically safe (the threshold of sensation is about 2000 microamperes d.c.).

A variation of the device shown in Figures 7a and 7b is shown in Figures 8a and 8b (the circuitry being as shown in Figure 6).

A further modification is shown in Figure 5 the device shown using the Figure 6 circuit without microencapsulation. In use, an anatomical part (e.g. one or more limbs - e.g. a leg) is placed in the cavity C of the housing H. Electrical charge from the emitter parts of the circuit produces atmospheric ionization which is concentrated in the region of the anatomy by the enclosing walls of the housing.

Claims (15)

1. A therapy device comprising a source of electrical discharge and a probe connected thereto for introducing a charge stream into the anatomy.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the probe is a needle-like electrode.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the probe comprises a needle-like electrode extending from a corona discharge ring.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use the probe is in skin contact or in close juxtaposition to the skin so as to introduce said discharge substantially completely into the anatomy.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the source generates low current and high voltage.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the current is less than the human sensation threshold.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the voltage is at least one KV.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the voltage is at least 2 KV and the current is less than 1000 A.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the current is less than 500 A.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the current is less than 100,aA.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the current is between 5 and 50 FA.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the current is a d.c. current of 100 pA or less.

13. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the current is an a.c. current of 10 ILA or less.

14. A method of therapy for treating an inflammatory ailment in humans or animals which method comprises discharging a negative electrical charge stream into body tissues so affected, the charge stream being of low current and high voltage.

15. A therapy device comprising an ionizing current source, an enclosure concentrating the ionized atmosphere produced thereby in use and an opening for introducing a substantial portion of a limb into said enclosure.