DK163345B

DK163345B - Scar treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: DK163345B
Application number: DK431285A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Joern Kristensen
Original assignee: Joern Kristensen
Priority date: 1984-01-26
Filing date: 1985-09-24
Publication date: 1992-02-24
Also published as: DK431285A; DK431285D0; DK163345C

Description

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Den foreliggende opfindelse angår et apparat til behandling af ar,og af den i indledningen til krav 1 angivne art.The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating scars, and of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

Ved slankeprogrammer er det kendt at anvende elektro-stimulering især af muskulaturer på arme og ben. Opfindelsen bygger på den 5 iagttagelse, at kendte apparater til elektrostimulerende slanke-behandling i nogen grad også har vist sig at indvirke gunstigt på ar - det være sig uregelmæssige ar efter brandsår eller mere regelmæssige operationsar.In dieting programs it is known to use electro stimulation especially of the muscles of the arms and legs. The invention is based on the observation that well-known electrostimulating slimming devices have also been found to have a beneficial effect on scars - irregular scars after burns or more regular surgical wounds.

Fra beskrivelsen til USA-patent nr. 3.918.459 kendes et elektro- 10 terapeutisk apparat, der er beregnet til behandling af åbne sår 0 med henblik på at opnå hurtigere opheling af såret. Apparatet har et meget enkelt og pålideligt arrangement til forhindring af, at patienten eller andre ukvalificerede personer ændrer størrelsen af den foreskrevne strøm, idet en akustisk signalgiver akti-15 veres ved ukorrekt tilkobling af patienten eller ved defekt batteri. Dette kendte apparat arbejder med konstant strømbehandling ved en DC-spænding imellem elektroderne på ca. 6 volt, og det tjener som sådan et helt andet formål end apparatet ifølge opfindelsen.From the disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 3,918,459, an electrotherapeutic apparatus known for treating open wounds 0 is known to achieve faster healing of the wound. The apparatus has a very simple and reliable arrangement for preventing the patient or other unqualified person from changing the size of the prescribed current, activating an acoustic signal generator by improperly connecting the patient or by defective battery. This known apparatus operates with constant current processing at a DC voltage between the electrodes of approx. 6 volts, and as such serves a completely different purpose than the apparatus of the invention.

20 Fra beskrivelsen til USA-patent nr. 4.019.510 kendes en fremgangsmåde til behandling af hudsår, infektioner og lignende ved elektro-terapi. Her anvendes en DC-strømgenerator med reversibel polaritet, idet polariteten af en meget svag jævnstrøm (4/250 uA) fra tid til anden (50/5 min.) ændres. Uden at påvirke den fordel-25 agtige effekt af den elektro-terapeutiske behandling, modvirkes herved aflejring af uønsket materiale på elektroderne. Også dette kendte apparat, der arbejder med en DC-spænding på 4,8 volt, tjener et helt andet formål end apparatet ifølge opfindelsen.From the disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 4,019,510, a method of treating skin ulcers, infections, and the like is known by electrotherapy. Here, a reversible polarity DC current generator is used, changing the polarity of a very weak DC current (4/250 uA) from time to time (50/5 min). Without affecting the beneficial effect of the electro-therapeutic treatment, deposition of unwanted material on the electrodes is thereby counteracted. Also, this known apparatus, operating at a DC voltage of 4.8 volts, serves a completely different purpose than the apparatus of the invention.

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22

Opfindelsen har til formål at angive et apparat til behandling af ar, og ved hjælp af hvilket kan opnås en effektiv og mere målrettet genopbygning af arvæv - herunder også en genopbygning af arrets underliggende hudlag.The invention aims to provide an apparatus for treating scars and by means of which effective and more targeted reconstruction of scar tissue can be achieved - including a reconstruction of the underlying skin layer of the scar.

5 Apparatet ifølge opfindelsen er ejendommeligt ved, at det er indrettet til at påtrykke elektroderne en pulserende strøm, der udgående fra 0 ampere og med en pulsbredde af størrelsesordenen 1-2 msek., fortrinsvis 1,2 msek., vokser til ca. 30 mA., idet afstanden imellem de enkelte strømpulser i pulstogene er 2-4 msek.The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it is arranged to apply to the electrodes a pulsating current starting from 0 amperes and having a pulse width of the order of 1-2 msec, preferably 1.2 msec, growing to approx. 30 mA, the distance between the individual pulses in the pulse trains being 2-4 msec.

10 Herved frembringes tilsvarende strømpulser i og omkring aret, ligesom der genereres en DC-strøm i underhuden, der således udover strømpulsstimuleringen også opvarmes af DC-effekten. For at opnå en ensartet strømtæthed imellem huden og elektroderne anvendes hensigtsmæssigt et dispersiveringsmiddel opslemmet i et 15 sugende materialelag såsom viskose (vat). Som dispersiveringsmiddel kan anvendes almindeligt, kalkholdigt vand. Ved behandlingen anses det for vigtigt at arbejde med en god strømfordeling imellem elektroderne og huden, idet man herved undgår ukontro-lerbare strømforhold samt overophedning af huden, hvilket eksem-20 pelvis ellers kunne forekomme, hvis elektroderne dækker de særligt følsomme akupunkturpunkter ("hot spots").10 In this way, corresponding current pulses are produced in and around the scar, as well as a DC current is generated in the subcutaneous tissue, which, in addition to the current pulse stimulation, is also heated by the DC effect. In order to achieve a uniform current density between the skin and the electrodes, a dispersing agent suspended in a suction material layer such as viscous (cotton) is suitably used. Ordinary calcareous water can be used as a dispersant. In the treatment, it is considered important to work with a good current distribution between the electrodes and the skin, thereby avoiding uncontrollable current conditions and overheating of the skin, which could otherwise occur if the electrodes cover the particularly sensitive acupuncture points ("hot spots"). ").

Med henblik på at tillade oplagring af energi i behandlingsområdet omfatter apparatet ifølge opfindelsen en spærrediode indskudt imellem strømgeneratoren og en af elektroderne. Behand-25 lingstiden er normalt ca. 20 min. og behandlingsfrekvensen er normalt 2 dage. Sædvanligvis opnås resultater efter 4-6 behandlinger, idet aret begynder at klø, ligesom aret især fra dettes kantområde begynder at væske, hvilket vedvarer i ca. 8 dage. Den synlige effekt viser sig iøvrigt ved, at aret trækker sig sam-30 men i bredden samt ved, at arets normalt lyse og pergamentagtige hud igen får normal rødmen og smidighed.In order to allow storage of energy in the treatment area, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a blocking diode inserted between the current generator and one of the electrodes. The treatment time is usually approx. 20 min. and the treatment frequency is usually 2 days. Usually results are obtained after 4-6 treatments as the scar begins to itch, just as the scar, especially from its edge area, begins to fluid, which persists for approx. 8 days. The visible effect is also shown by the fact that the scar extends along the width and that the normally pale and parchment-like skin again regains normal redness and suppleness.

Det vides ikke med sikkerhed, hvorfor behandlingen har dette meget gunstige resultat; men sandsynligvis sker der ved den komIt is not known for certain why the treatment has this very favorable result; but most likely it will happen at the coming

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3 binerede elektrostimulering og varmebehandling en heldig påvirkning af immunsystemet, hvilket især underbygges'af den nævnte afgivelse af lymfevæske fra arkanten. Efter ca. 18 behandlinger synes opnået den maksimale effekt, hvor aret næsten ikke kan ses.3, electrostimulation and heat treatment have a successful effect on the immune system, which is particularly supported by the said release of lymph fluid from the arc. After approx. 18 treatments seem to have achieved the maximum effect where the scar is barely visible.

5 Arets hud er igen blevet blød og smidig, dvs. at sågar hudens naturlige kolagen ser ud til at være blevet gendannet. Desuden ser det ud til, at underhuden er reetableret også hvad angår det fine net af blod- og lymfekar. Selv underhudens pigmentering ser ud til at være gendannet, idet aret ikke længere er uimodtagelig 10 for solrødmen.5 The skin of the skin has again become soft and supple, ie. that even the natural collagen of the skin appears to have been restored. In addition, it appears that the subcutaneous tissue is also re-established in terms of the fine network of blood and lymph vessels. Even the pigmentation of the subcutaneous skin appears to be restored, as the scar is no longer susceptible to sunburn.

Opfindelsen forklares i det følgende nærmere i forbindelsen med tegningen, på hvilkenThe invention is explained in greater detail below in connection with the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 viser en udførelsesform for et apparat ifølge opfindelsen, fig. 2 viser et systemdiagram’ af apparatet tilkoblet en elektro-15 nisk "hudmodel", fig. 3 viser en målt spændingskurve ved påbegyndelse af en behandling, medens fig. 4 viser en tilsvarende målt spændingskurve, der blot repræsenterer et længere tidsforløb.FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; FIG. Figure 2 shows a system diagram of the apparatus coupled to an electronic "skin model"; 3 shows a measured voltage curve at the start of a treatment, while FIG. 4 shows a similarly measured voltage curve that simply represents a longer time course.

20 Det i fig. 1 viste apparat består af en mikrodatamat-styret strømgenerator, der via terminalledninger 4 er forbundet med pladeformede aluminium elektroder 6, der er anbragt på huden 8 ved hver side af et aflangt operationsar 10. Elektroderne 6 skal naturligvis være tilpasset efter den aktuelle behandling 25 (arets størrelse og form) og helst være så store som muligt, 2 og normalt fra 50-100 cm .20 The FIG. 1, a microcomputer-controlled current generator is connected via terminal wires 4 to plate-shaped aluminum electrodes 6, which are arranged on the skin 8 at each side of an elongated operating artery 10. The electrodes 6 must of course be adapted to the current treatment 25 ( size and shape of the scar) and preferably be as large as possible, 2 and usually from 50-100 cm.

Strømgeneratoren har følgende data:The power generator has the following data:

Kortslutningsstrøm (dvs. Strømmen uden belastning imellem hud og elektroder) max. 88 mA. Tomgangsspænding - 60 volt. Driftsspæn-3u ding: 25-40 volt. Driftsstrømstyrke: 25-35 mA. Elektrodelednings- 2 4Short-circuit current (ie current without load between skin and electrodes) max. 88 mA. Idle voltage - 60 volts. Operating voltage: 25-40 volts. Operating current: 25-35 mA. Electrode wiring 2 4

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evne: 50-60 mS/m . Dispersiveringsmiddel: Kalkholdingt vand,dvs. hårdt vand med følgende specifikationer: Hårdhed 8-9. Ledningsevne 0,5-0,7 mS. PH-værdi 7-8. Clorid (C1-) 2,5-3,5 mg/1. Potentiale -40 til -100 mV.ability: 50-60 mS / m. Dispersant: Calcium-containing water, ie. hard water with the following specifications: Hardness 8-9. Conductivity 0.5-0.7 mS. PH value 7-8. Chloride (C1-) 2.5-3.5 mg / l. Potential -40 to -100 mV.

5 Strømpulsbehandlinger sker via de pladeformede aluminiumelektroder 6, der i behandlingssituationen er anbragt på huden med et mellemlæg af viskose, hvori dispersiveringsmidlet, der skal tilsikre en jævn strømfordeling samt køling af huden, er opslemmet.5 Current pulse treatments are effected via the plate-shaped aluminum electrodes 6, which in the treatment situation are applied to the skin with a viscous intermediate, in which the dispersant, which is intended to ensure an even distribution of current and cooling of the skin, is suspended.

Den i fig. 2 viste "hudmodel" -"8" er beregnet til indkobling 10 direkte imellem terminalledningerne 4, dvs. uden dispersiveringsmiddel .The FIG. 2, the "skin model" - "8" is intended for connection 10 directly between the terminal lines 4, ie. without dispersant.

Specifikation af kredsløbet jfr. fig.2: Z.j =zenerdiode med kipspænding 60 volt. ID=0-40mA. D =spærrediode. Z2og Z^ modkoblede zenerdioder, kipspænding 2,7 volt. C =680 nF.Specification of the circuit cf. Fig.2: Z.j = zener diode with tilt voltage 60 volts. ID = 0-40mA. D = blocking diode. Z2 and Z ^ disconnected zener diodes, tipping voltage 2.7 volts. C = 680 nF.

15 R^=4,7Kohm. R2= 10 Kohm.= 4.7Kohm. R2 = 10 Kohm.

Ved måling er konstateret, at energi kan oplagres i vævet. Ladingen opbygges med 25mA på 0,5 -1ms., og udlades igen ved typiske værdier på 2-4ms. Hudcellerne må således have et naturligt spændingspotentiale (zenervirkning) og en kapacitiv elektrolyt.Measurement has shown that energy can be stored in the tissue. The charge is built up with 25mA of 0.5 -1ms. And is discharged again at typical values of 2-4ms. Thus, the skin cells must have a natural voltage potential (zener effect) and a capacitive electrolyte.

20 Ved forsøg med apparatet ifølge opfindelsen arbejdes der på anerkendte hospitalsafdelinger ud fra følgende terorier med hensyn til behandlingens virkning:In testing the apparatus of the invention, recognized hospital departments work on the following theories as to the efficacy of the treatment:

Teori 1: Stofskiftemodellen.Theory 1: The metabolic models.

En celle har et spændingspotentiale i forhold til vævsvæsken på 10-100 mV afhængig af celletype. Potentialet opstår dels ved difussion og osmose samt ved aktiv udpumpning af kaliumioner (K+) til vævsvæsken igennem cellemenbranen. Ved at påtrykke et statisk felt givet ved en konstant strøm i vævet flyttes natriumioner (Na+) og clorioner (Cl—) til henholdsvis den negative og positive 30 elektrode. Da der nu bliver underskud af natriumioner (Na + ) iA cell has a voltage potential relative to the tissue fluid of 10-100 mV, depending on the cell type. The potential arises partly by diffusion and osmosis as well as by actively pumping out potassium ions (K +) into the tissue fluid through the cell membrane. By applying a static field given by a constant current in the tissue, sodium ions (Na +) and chlorine ions (Cl -) are moved to the negative and positive electrodes, respectively. As there is now a deficit of sodium ions (Na +) in

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5 vævsvæsken, tømmes flere ioner ud i vævsvæsken. Cellen bliver aktiv overfor kalciumioner (Ka++), der tiltrækkes imod cellemembranen og udløser regenereringsmekanismer. Muligvis udløses vævshormonet histamin ud af bindevævets mastceller og cellernes gra-5 nula (korn). Herved stimuleres cellernes produktion af et stof, cyklisk AMP, der derefter aktiverer cellens enzymapparat.In the tissue fluid, several ions are discharged into the tissue fluid. The cell becomes active against calcium ions (Ka ++) which are attracted to the cell membrane and trigger regeneration mechanisms. Possibly, the tissue hormone histamine is released from the connective tissue mast cells and the granules (grains) of the cells. This stimulates the cells' production of a substance, cyclic AMP, which then activates the cell's enzyme apparatus.

Terori 2: Elektrodynamisk stimulering.Theory 2: Electrodynamic stimulation.

Det har længe været kendt, at kalciumioner har en kraftfuld påvirkning på cellemembranens funktion og spiller en væsentlig ”•0 rolle i exitationen af nerveimpulserne. Derfor er der opkastet teorier om, at kalciumioner kan bindes til proteiner bundet til cellemembranen og her virke som iongates overfor kaliumioner og I ' » clorioner, dvs, have en uliniær karakteristik, som frigør store energimængder ved små stimuli. ELF (extremely low frequency <300 15 Hz) vil kunne slå kalciumionerne løse fra bindingerne ligesom støv fra en vibrerende flade. Denne virkning vil give en mekanisme, som vil danne resonans med et Q over 1, og transmitere feltet mekanisk ind i cellekernens store DNA-molekyler.It has long been known that calcium ions have a powerful influence on the function of the cell membrane and play a significant role in the excitation of nerve impulses. Therefore, theories have emerged that calcium ions can be bound to proteins bound to the cell membrane and here act as ion gates to potassium ions and I '' chlorine ions, i.e., have a nonlinear characteristic which releases large amounts of energy by small stimuli. ELF (extremely low frequency <300 15 Hz) will be able to release the calcium ions from the bonds like dust from a vibrating surface. This effect will provide a mechanism that will resonate with a Q above 1 and mechanically transmit the field into the large DNA molecules of the cell nucleus.

Claims

An apparatus for treating scars and comprising a stable flow generator (2) and a set of plate-shaped electrodes (6) for application to the skin at each side of the scar (10), characterized by. the generator (2) is arranged to apply to the electrodes (6) a pulsating current starting from 0 amperes and having a pulse width of the order of 1-2 msec, preferably 1.2 msec, growing to approx. 30 mA, with the distance between the individual pulses in the pulse trains being 2-4 10 msec.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrodes (6) each have a surface area of 50-100 cm 2 and that the electrodes (6) are arranged to connect to the skin by means of a layer of absorbent material. such as viscose, in which is suspended a dispersant, preferably calcareous water.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the between said current generator (2) and one of said electrodes (6) comprises a blocking diode (D), thus allowing storage of energy in the treatment area.