GB2190840A

GB2190840A - Portable electric skin and muscle stimulator

Info

Publication number: GB2190840A
Application number: GB8613115A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Dawson Bond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-05-29
Filing date: 1986-05-29
Publication date: 1987-12-02
Also published as: GB8613115D0

Abstract

A portable electric skin and muscle stimulator in a self-contained probe to provide a controlled and adjustable stream of sparks to any part of the skin of the operator. "Return" connection to the body is through the hand holding the metal or metalized portion of the probe. The strength of the sparks is limited via selected resistances 5 to be suitable to the operator. Shaping of the probe end 7 permits the stream of sparks to be applied to all parts of the operators body. The sparks are generated by a piezoelectric device 3 operated by a trigger 2. The probe end 7 (Fig. 2) has a semi-circular conducting electrode (10) enclosed between a pair of similar shaped insulating pieces (9) of slightly larger radius so as to maintain 1 mm. spark length. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable electric skin and muscle stimulator This invention relates to a portable electric skin and muscle stimulator.

Electric skin stimulator and electric muscle stimulators are used in a number of skin, beauty and therapeutic establishments.

According to the present invention, the probe is provided with a metal or metalized hand-grip; a piezo-electric high-voltage generator and connection to a suitable mehanical connection to a hand-operated lever to generate a stream of high-voltage pulses; resistances to limit the current through the device to a safe, non-lethal value (less than 10 milli-amperes); an insulated end to the probe with the spark-to-ski n electrode maintained approximately one millimeter from the skin by a protuberance of insulating material; the end of the probe set at an angle to provide access to all parts of the operators body.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows shows the probe; Figure2 shows an enlarged view of the probe-end.

Referring to the drawing, the probe conssts of a metal or metalized hand-grip (1) and operating lever (2). Inside the hand-grip is a piezo-electric high-voltage generator (3), in a housing which provides a mechanical advantage to the movement ofthe hand lever (4).

One side of the electrical output is connected to the metalized hand-grip (1), and the other side is connected through resistances (5) selected through switches (6) to limit the currentthrough the device.

The output from the resistors is connected to the insulated spark-gap (7) which is constructed from a plastic or other insulating material so that a clearance of approximately one millimeter between the metal of the probe and the operator's skin is obtained. The shape ofthe insulated probe-end is such thatthis 1 m.m. gap is possible to all parts ofthe operator's body.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged viewofthe end ofthe probe. At the end ofthe probe (8)-the current, via the switch (6) and the resistors (5), is connected to the semicircular conducting shape (10). This is enclosed between two pieces of insulating material (9) so that a spark of approximately one millimetre is maintained to the operators skin.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable electric skin and muscle stimulator in which all parts are housed in a light-weight probe, allowing free access to all parts of the operator's skin with the shaped operating contact, providing a current-limited spark to the surface of the skin. 2. A portable electric skin and muscle stimulator as claimed in claim 1, in which the electrical connection to the body is made through a metal or metalised connection on the probe to the operator's hand. 3. A portable electric skin and muscle stimulator as claimed in Claim 1 orClaim2inwhichthe operating end is angled, and shaped to facilitate treatment to all parts of the body of the operator. 4. A portable electric skin and muscle stimulator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the spark current is limited by resistances and selected by the operator by a switch. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 8 January 1 987. Superseded claims ALL. New or amended claims:

1. An electrical therapeutic device for applying a series of therapeutic electrical impulses to human and animal skin, via point sources, and comprising a high voltage generator, resistances to reduce the currentto a value in the order of 100 microamperes, (plus or minus 60 microamperes), and a probe or nozzle by which these impulses can be introduced to the skin as a low energy spark via a built-in spark-gap at the operating end of the probe or nozzle.

2. A portable device, as claimed in Claim 1 in which the E.H.T. generator is a piezo-electric squeeze generator of the type that provides a series of sparks for commercial "gas lighters".

3. A device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which the electrical currenttothe user can be varied by means of rheostats and/or switched resistors, to adjust the current through the user to a value suitable to the comfort of the user while maintaining the therapeutic effects.

4. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the electrical outputs are connected (a), to the skin ofthe user, and (b), applied to the skin via a spark-gap in the vicinity of the pain.

5. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the metal handle or the metalized casing ofthe instrument provides the non-sparking electrical connection to the user.

6. A device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 5 in which a metal surround on the nozzle or probe provides the non-sparking electrical connection to the user.

7. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the non-sparking electrical connection is connected via a flexible wire to a metal hand-held probe.

8. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the high-voltage source is replaced by one constructed on well known principles such as those for providing E.H.T. circuits of 3 Kilovolts or more, in television and similar circuits.

8. A device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims for releasing the bodies own pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphines or similar mind-controlling chemicals.

9. Adeviceasclaimed inanyoftheforegoing claims to provide a controlled, low power, spark either directly to the skin, orthrough a limited amount of clothing, without damage to the clothing, in the vicinity of any pain centre.