GB2200284A

GB2200284A - Electrode for skin treatment

Info

Publication number: GB2200284A
Application number: GB08729549A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazumi Masaki
Original assignee: HAYASHIBARA KEN
Current assignee: HAYASHIBARA KEN
Priority date: 1986-12-31
Filing date: 1987-12-18
Publication date: 1988-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-18
Also published as: GB8729549D0; JPH0345739Y2; KR880007099A; GB2200284B; JPS63109153U

Abstract

An electrode to apply a treatment current to a subject's skin comprises a cover member (3) of a nonconductive material through which a plurality of holes (4) are provided and a plate member (1) of a conductive material. The cover member replaces the conventional pad of cotton wool or foam which is soaked in water or medicament solution to provide the conductive path. The cover member is in the form of a pouch into which the plate 1 is removably slid. Alternatively (figs 3,4) the plate 1 is sandwiched between the cover member 3 and a baseplate (2) having a circular upstanding rim (6). The rear of the baseplate (2) may have a detachable connector 7 serving also as a handle. <IMAGE>

Description

FLECTI20D: FOR SKIN TREATMENT The present invention relates to an electrode for applying a treatment current to the subject's skin, especially, to an electrode that is soaked in water or medicament solution when in use.

Conventional electrode that is soaked in water or medicament solution when in use is covered with cotton wool or sponge, if necessary, further with cotton cloth. For this reason, conventional electrode has the drawbacks that the cotton cloth tends to become soiled, insanitary and wound by repetitive contacts with the subject's body; as well as that constant electric application to the subject's body is scarcely attained.

The present invention provides means that overcomes these drawbacks of conventional electrode.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode to apply a treatment current to the subject's skin, comprising a cover member of a nonconductive material through which a plurality of holes are provided; and a plate member of a conductive material, said plate member being covered with said cover member.

In the accompanying drawings: FIG.1 is the plane view partly in section of an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG.2 is the plane view of another embodiment according to the invention.

FIG.3 is the plane view partly in section of still another embodiment according to the invention.

FIG.4 is the perspective view of an embodiment wherein the electrode and lead can be removably attached.

Throughout the drawings, reference numeral (1) designates electrode plate; (2), nonconductive baseplate; (3), nonconductive cover member; (4), hole; (5), lead; (6), separating wall; (7), hold member; (8), leaf spring; (9), guide rail; and (10), metal projection.

The present invention will hereinafter be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIG.1, reference numeral (1) designates an electrode plate of a conductive material such as metal, while reference numeral (2) designates a baseplate usually of plastic for supporting electrode plate (1). Reference numeral (3) designates a cover member of a nonconductive material such as plastic that sandwiches electrode plate (1) onto baseplate (2). Nonconductive cover member (3) is made entirely of a net structure having a plurality of hole (4) so that, when soaked in a conductive medium such as water or medicament solution, it prevents direct contact of the subject's skin to electrode plate (1), as well as that it can supply a constant level of treatment current to the subject's skin through a conductive medium filling in hole (4).Reference numeral (5) designates a lead that connects electrode plate (1) to the output terminal of a treatment device. An arrangement wherein, for example, the center of baseplate (2) is projected and electrode (1) is sandwiched between the projection and nonconductive cover member (3) can be advantageously used to effect thermotherapy and electrotherapy in combination for treating hemorrhoids. Baseplate (2) can be replaced with an additional nonconductive cover member of a shape and size similar to those of nonconductive cover member (3).

This embodiment can be advantageously used for iontophoretically treating dermatophytosis.

FIG.2 illustrates another embodiment according to the invention, wherein electrode plate (1) is positioned in envelope-shaped nonconductive cover member (3) in which a plurality of slits (4) are provided regularly through the surface of opposite side wall(s).

This embodiment can be advantageously used similarly as the previous one for iontophoretically treating dermatophytosis. Since in this embodiment electrode plate (1) and nonconductive cover member (2) are removably arranged, the electrode can be easily kept sanitary.

FIG.3 illustrates still another embodiment according to the invention, wherein separating wall (6) is provided around circular nonconductive baseplate (2), while electrode plate (1) is sandwiched between the bottom inside of baseplate (2) and nonconductive cover member (3) having a plurality of holes (4) circularly and regularly perforated therethrough. As shown in FIG.4, hold member (7) can be provided on the backside of nonconductive baseplate (2) so that the subject can hold the electrode and tightly contact it onto the subject's skin.Hold member (7) and the body of the electrode can be removably attached by U-shaping as shown in FIG.4 a nonconductive material such as plastic; attaching on the side wall in the cavity conductive leaf spring (8) having lead (5); providing at the backside of nonconductive baseplate (2) two lines of guide rails (9)(9) and metal projection (10) connected with electrode (1) sandwiched on the inside bottom of nonconductive baseplate (2); and inserting hold member (7) along with guide rails (9)(9) to the direction as shown with the arrow.

This embodiment is characterized in that the treat ment current is scarcely leaked to non-affected sites of the subject's body even when soaked, for example, in bath tub because the inside and outside of nonconductive baseplate (2) can be kept isolated from each other by allowing nonconductive cover member (3) to contact tightly to the subject's skin.

Hole (4) can be provided without special limitation, usually, simultaneous or after shaping of nonconductive cover member (3). Nonconductive cover member (3) having a net structure intrincically provides hole (4).

As described above, the electrode of the invention is characterized in that even when repetitively used it causes less attrition than conventional electrode because the electrode member is covered with a nonconductive cover member having a plurality of holes.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that it can easily supply a constant level of treatment current because the electrode member is covered with a nonconductive cover member having a plurality of holes.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electrode to apply a treatment current to the subject's skin, comprising a cover member of a nonconductive material through which a plurality of holes are provided; and a plate member of a conductive material, said plate member being covered with said cover member.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said cover member is made of plastic.

3. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said cover member has a net structure.

4. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said plate member is removably covered by the cover member.

5. The electrde of claim 1, wherein said plate member is sandwiched between the cover member and the bottom inside of a circular baseplate of a nonconductive material having a circumferential separating wall.

6. An electrode substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.