FI60972B - ELSTATISKT SKYDD FOER DIATERMI ANVAENT BEHANDLINGSHUVUD - Google Patents

Description

I · * & £ * »· Ι ΓΒ1 Π1Ϊ ANNOUNCEMENT / Τ Λ Q 17 n ^ || ΪΑ IBJ (11) UTLÄGGNINGSSKRIFT 6U972 c (^ 5) Patent granted 10 05 1982 Patent meJdelat v (51) Kv.ik.3 / Int.ci.3 A 61 N 1/16 ENGLISH - FI N LAN D (21) Patent application - Patentanseknlng 773973 (22) Hakemlipilvt - Anseknlngtdag 29.12.77 '(23) Initial cloud - Glltlghtttdag 29.12.77 (41) Become public - Bllvlt offentlig on q6 79

National Board of Patents and Registration .... M. ... .......

______ '(44) Date of issue and date of issue. -

Patent · ocn registrstyrelsen Antökan utlagd och utl.akrift «n publicerad 29 01.82 (32) (33) (31) Privilege claimed — Begird prloritet (71) International Medical Electronics, Ltd., 2805 Main Street, Kansas City, MO, USA ( (72) Frederick Marion Berry, Leawood, Kansas, James Nelson Shirley,

This invention relates in particular to an apparatus for reducing the electrostatic field radiated by conventional diathermy equipment in the body. skin surface thermal effects.

Medical diathermy involves the use of high-frequency electrical currents for the therapeutic heat treatment of body tissues. The radio frequencies used are high enough so that nerves and muscles are not adversely stimulated. The intensity fed is low enough so that the temperature developed in the tissue is below what is needed to destroy the tissue or damage its viability.

The radiofrequency currents generated in the diathermy machine are adjustably supplied to the patient by a diathermy adapter head, which is designed to transmit high-frequency energy through the skin to deep affected tissue areas. However, the radiated energy must pass through the skin and fat layer before it reaches the target muscle tissue. The fat layer has little transfer and cooling capacity and, in addition, has a lower specific heat than lower tissues, resulting in a higher temperature rise of 2,60972 per unit of heat input. Thus, with typical adapter heads, painful warming of the subcutaneous fat layer is by no means quite rare. Irritant and painful skin burns are also a regular occurrence in conventional diathermy treatment. As a result of preheating, sweating occurs on the skin. Sweating contains a relatively large amount of sodium chloride in solution and thus sweat is highly electrically conductive. Steam burns occur when currents circulating in brine raise the temperature to the point of evaporation.

It has been found that the detrimental surface heating effect described above is primarily caused by the electrostatic fields radiated by conventional diathermy adapters. This is described, for example, in an article entitled "Therapeutic Application of Electromagnetic Power", published on page 55 in Proceedings of the I.E.E.E Volume 62, No. I, January 1974.

However, the radiated electromagnetic field does not cause harmful burning of the surface tissues. Instead, it penetrates deep enough to cause relative warming in the muscle tissues. This deep-heating phenomenon stems from the fact that the lines of the electromagnetic field are tangential to the tissue surface rather than perpendicular, so that the interface phenomena do not significantly affect or cause surface heating phenomena. Thus, the therapeutic benefits of deep heating for diathermy treatment are primarily due to electromagnetic energy. This conclusion refutes a previously known doctrine, described, for example, on page 285 of the book, the second edition of Therapeutic Heat and Cold, published by Sydney Licht, M.D. and published by Waverly Press Inc. Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A. 1965.

The present invention provides shielding for diathermic ends, which strongly attenuates radiated electrostatic fields while still allowing electromagnetic energy to pass through it, and includes a method for heat treating internal tissues with diathermy I hardware. placed at the same level, mainly round si Suction part. Each of these strips is oriented substantially perpendicular to the current-carrying windings at this diathermy adapter head on which the cover is to be mounted. The width of these strips is very narrow in terms of the wavelength of radiated energy from this diathermy adapter end. Each of these strips which extends substantially radially outward in the vicinity of the center of the loop terminates at the loop and is electrically connected thereto. This loop, which is wide enough to prevent 3 60972 interference with the electromagnetic field that radiates through it, provides an additional electrostatic shielding effect by preventing edge scattering of the electrostatic field.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, two most preferably circular shields, which are made substantially as mentioned above, are stacked together. One of the round shields can be mounted to allow relative rotation relative to the other so that it can be rotated as desired to control the amount of electrostatic energy that can pass through the patient. In a particular position of the strips, they are aligned in each circular shield, allowing a certain amount of electrostatic energy to pass through the patient. However, in the closed position, the strips of the second circular shield are aligned between the strips of the second shield so that the energy transmission of the electrostatic field (to the patient) is substantially reduced.

The method presented in the present invention consists in the steps of generating radio frequency electric currents in order to provide electrostatic and electromagnetic energy, which can be directed to the body tissues to be treated by means of a diathermy adapter head. This method also includes the step of attenuating at least a portion of the radiated electrostatic energy before it reaches the surface outside the skin in order to minimize skin soaking, which is associated with athermic dermatitis. Finally, this method involves the subcutaneous transfer of radiated electromagnetic energy substantially without attenuation to the tissues of the body being treated. Electrostatic energy damping is best accomplished using an electrostatic shield mounted on the diathermy drive end.

As a result, the principal purpose of the method and apparatus of the present invention is to reduce surface soaked infants (such as skin burns) associated with conventional shortwave diathermy adapter heads while still allowing therapeutic muscle treatment. Accordingly, the present invention dampens the transfer of harmful electrostatic energy to a patient, which is still treated while allowing the passage of the desired electromagnetic energy substantially unattenuated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shield of the type described which minimizes the loss of electromagnetic energy. It is a feature of the present invention that the width of the conductive strips mentioned above, 4,60972, is extremely narrow when compared to the wavelength of the radiated energy. The phenomenon of a short-circuited loop is reduced when a space is left in the middle of the loop to which these strips do not extend. Finally, a certain loop surrounds these strips, preventing electrostatic edge scattering. Together, these properties contribute to the overall effectiveness of this shield, helping to transfer electromagnetic energy and preventing the passage of electrostatic energy.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic shield of the type described which can be easily used in a wide variety of diathermy adapter heads. It is a feature of the present invention that the aforementioned strips and loop can be attached to existing adapter ends with glue or the like. These strips and the loop can also be made by suitable metal placement methods.

This pattern can be, for example, metal coated on a plastic cover at a conventional adapter head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for reducing the side-tuning effect that occurs at the diathermy ends when these ends are placed under a desired "load" (formed by the patient's body). It is a feature of the present invention that the detrimental electrostatic (capacitive) coupling between the patient's body and the adapter head is substantially reduced when this cover is installed. Thus, when the adapter head incorporating the present invention was placed next to the patient's body, it el more strongly aside from its resonance. This latter feature is relevant to the energy economy that is characteristic of this invention. Thus, when the cover is mounted on conventional diathermy heads, ease of use and efficiency are increased and adverse side effects are increased.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a uniquely provided "adjustable" cover for diathermy adapter heads that a patient (or user of a diathermy device) can adjust by adjusting a preselected amount of electrostatic energy that passes through it.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in connection with the following description.

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The objects of the invention are achieved by an electrostatic shield, which is mainly characterized in that it is provided with means for damping the transfer of electrostatic energy from said end to a patient, said damping devices consisting of said conductive coils and electrically conductive strips arranged between the patient.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and are to be considered in conjunction therewith, and which are used by reference numerals to identify like parts throughout the several views, are:

Figure I shows a top view of an electrostatic shield for a diathermy adapter head made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a diathermy adapter head having an electrostatic shield mounted thereon.

Figure 3 is a top view of an adjustable electrostatic shield for a diathermy adapter head made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cover taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figures I and 2, the electrostatic shield is generally indicated by reference numeral 10, including a circumferential loop II and a plurality of electrically conductive strips 12. The loop 11 and the strips 12 are disposed on a non-metallic mounting surface 13, most preferably attached to its inner surface with adhesive or the like. Alternatively, this loop and strips may be metal coated on surface 13 by conventional etching methods. A plurality of mounting holes 14 are located in opposite corners of this cover 10 within loop II. The cover 10 is attached to the adapter head 15 by mounting screws 1a extending through the mounting holes 14 and threaded at suitable points at this end 15. The screws 16 provide the correct position for this loop II (and thus for the cover 10) relative to the metal mounting frame.

Loop II needs to be large enough to avoid internal interference with the electromagnetic field that the diathermy adapter head radiates.

However, this loop must be close enough to the edge of this adapter head to prevent edge scattering of the electrostatic fields of the radiation. As a result, the loop II should be approximately the same size as the adapter head - that is, just large enough to surround the underlying current carrying coil 18 within this end (Figure 2). When properly properly grounded with the screws 16, the loop prevents edge scattering of the electrostatic field that the conventional diathermy adapter head radiates, preventing surface tissue heating.

Each of the strips 12 (which are also most preferably made of copper) extends substantially radially outward from the center of the region 17 surrounding the loop II. The strips 12 are flush with the loop and are electrically connected to it by soldering or the like.

It is important to note that the width of the strips 12 is very small compared to the wavelength of energy transmitted by the associated diathermy equipment (usually approximately II meters) in order to minimize eddy currents and the electromagnetic energy losses thus associated.

Each strip 12 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the loop II and the underlying winding 18 (Figure 2) at this adapter end. These strips work together as Faraday or electrostatic shielding, effectively isolating the energy of the electrostatic field that the diathermy head radiates from the patient. The energy of the electrostatic field is substantially lost in the form of eddy currents in each of these strips 12.

These strips 12 are sized to provide a surface 17 to avoid the "short loop" phenomenon. If, for example, the strips extended beyond this range, currents induced from the electromagnetic field would result in these strips, thus reducing the heating efficiency. This "short circuit" is located around the outer edge of the shield (loop II) located outside the magnetic field so that the electromagnetic energy losses caused by it are minimized.

In Figure 2, the diathermy adapter head 20 includes an inductive, helically wound coil 18, most preferably located in a metallic, box-like, substantially tapered state 22. The coil 18 is most preferably located on a planar mounting surface 19 spaced a predetermined distance from the surface. in the sliding surface 22. This intermediate space minimizes the effect of the metallic barrier 7 60972 on the radiated magnetic field. This adapter head is supported by an arm 27 which is mechanically connected to a diathermy generating apparatus (not shown). The arm 27 is adjustably attached to the housing 22 by a conventional fire socket assembly 22. The cable 23, which starts from the generator equipment, enters the adapter end and supplies radio frequency energy to the windings 18 through the end portions 24 and 25. The head 15 may have been manufactured, e.g., according to the principles contained in the patent application owned by the applicant of this patent application, entitled "Inductive Adapter Head for Short Diatodermy" filed in the United States on March 3, 1974 under application number 449,372, which has now been revoked. The surface 13 which fits or is suitable for the housing 22 includes the upper part of this adapter head. For purposes of illustration, the cover 10 is shown in its operating position above the mounting surface 13.

Each of the strips 12 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the loops of the underlying coil 18 and the coil is surrounded substantially by loop II. Although the loop II may be grounded in a number of different ways, in the preferred embodiment it is grounded by mounting screws 16 when the surface 13 is reattached to the housing 22, thus electrically connecting the loop II to the shell portion of this diathermy adapter head.

As radio frequency energy is applied to the coil 18 (via conductors 23 and 24), the electrostatic field which the adapter head normally radiates substantially in the shield 10 thus minimizes the harmful heating of the surface tissues that occurs in the patient. At the same time, however, the electromagnetic energy passes through the shield 10 and reaches the patient, providing the desired therapeutic warm-up infants.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the circular pivotable cover 30 includes a pair of stacked cover surfaces 31 and 32. As before, the cover 30 is suitable to be placed between the patient and the current carrying coils at this diathermy adapter end. Each surface of the shield includes a circular conductive loop 34 and a plurality of evenly spaced conductive strips 36 (or 36a) extending radially outward from the central region 37 toward the loop 34. The region 37 corresponding to region 17 in Figures I and 2 is electrically non-conductive and thus avoids "short circuit". "phenomenon.

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The strips 36 are electrically connected to the loop 34. The loop 34 has a plurality of mounting holes 38 formed therein for grounding and mounting it in a suitable diathermy adapter head frame. As mentioned earlier, this loop thus prevents electrostatic edge scattering, while the strips dampen the electrostatic energy that passes through the shield.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the width of each of the strips 36 increases evenly between the central region 37 and the loop 34. Most importantly, the dimensions of each intermediate space 40 between adjacent strips are substantially identical to the dimensions of these strips 36. Thus, when the surface 30 is aligned with the surface 32 and frictionally but rotatably attached thereto by the rivet 40b, it can be rotated to a "closed" position so that the strips 36 on the surface 31 block the underlying spaces 40a on the surface 32 and the strips 36a on the surface 32 . on the other side of the surface 31 may be rotated in an "open" position, so that the tabs 36 are located directly on the strips 36a on. Obviously, a number of points between the positions is also available. thus, the patient (or the operator) can adjust 30 thereby changing the amount of protection the radio frequency energy which it passing through.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention is well suited to achieve all of the above objects and purposes, along with other advantages, which are obvious and characteristic of it.

It is to be understood that certain properties and combinations of compounds are useful and may be applied independently of other properties and compounds. This is intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Since several possible embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown herein or what is shown in the accompanying drawings is to be construed as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (14)

An electrostatic shield shortens a test term for a device provided with a diameter head comprising one or more conductive windings, which cover is arranged to be placed between the diameter concept and the patient's body, characterized in that it is provided with devices for electrostatic discharge from said end to the patient. to dampen the transfer of energy, the damping devices consisting of electrically conductive strips (I2; 36,36a) arranged between said conductive windings (18) and the patient, and members Cl 1,16; 34) for grounding said damping devices i. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with means (16) for attaching said cover to the processing head. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strips (12; 36, 36a) are arranged in a plane which is substantially parallel to the windings (18). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a loop-like member (II; 34) for reducing the electrostatic edge effect, which loop-like member is electrically connected to said damping devices (I2; 36, 36a). Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the strips (I2; 36, 36a) are arranged in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the windings (18) and the plane of the loop-like member (II; 34). Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the loop (II; 34) is substantially the size of a processing head (15). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the strips (12; 36, 36a) extend substantially radially outwards from the center of the surface surrounded by said annular member CM; 34) and are electrically connected to said loop-like member. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a part of the central surface of the surface surrounded by said loop-like member (11; 34) is without said strips (I2; 36, 36a). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the strips (12; 36, 36a) are in the same plane as said loop-like member (i I; 34). 9,60972 Patent claims Device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least a part (17; 37) of the center of the surface surrounded by said loop-like member (11; 34) is without said strips. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it is provided with means (16) for attaching said cover (10) to the treatment head. A shield according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises first and second shield plates (31, 32), each of which is provided with means for damping the supply of electrostatic energy to the patient and a loop-like member (34) for earthing said damping devices. the damping devices consist of electrically conductive strips (36, 36a) arranged between said conductive windings and the patient, and fastening devices (40b) for said first cover plate (31) arranged to allow it to rotate relative to said second cover plate (32). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the strips (36, 36a) are oriented substantially perpendicular to said loop-like members (34). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and second cover plates (31, 32) have a central surface (37) which is substantially free of strips (36, 36a) directed substantially radially outwards from said central surface. ,, 60972 Pa + en + krav