GB2224210A

GB2224210A - Electro-therapy apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2224210A
Application number: GB8830318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: R Omar Fakhri
Original assignee: FAKHRI DR OMAR
Current assignee: FAKHRI DR OMAR
Priority date: 1988-10-31
Filing date: 1988-12-29
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: GB8830318D0; GB8825464D0

Abstract

The invention provides electro-therapy apparatus which can be readily attached to the patient and which is arranged to pass direct current through the patient by way of electrodes A, B, C on the arms and legs. The electric current is supplied by way of a low voltage source and the apparatus is particularly useful in treating dermatological and rheumatological diseases. <IMAGE>

Description

ELECTRO THERAPY APPARATUS DESCRIPTION The invention relates to apparatus for treating the humban body by way of electric stimulation.

The invention seeks to provide such apparatus which is simple to couple to the body and simple to operate.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for treating the human body by way of electric stimulation comprising means for passing electric current through the body by way of the arms and legs.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 illustrates one embodiment of an electotherapy chair according to the present invention; and Fig 2 illustrates the current control panel of the chair of Fig 1.

The device consists of two main parts.

1. The power unit 2. The chair 1. The power unit recieves the current from the mains (240 V AC.) and transfers it to direct current of variable voltage (0-30 V) and variable current (0-50 mamp.) 2. The chair; consists of 3 main parts; a) The body which is an ordinary chair with a sponge cushion to sit on comfortably of the period of treatment.

b) The foot rest C, the height of which can be adjusted with a special screw to fit the length of the patient's feet so that the patient can sit comfortably during the period of treatment. The front half of the foot rest is fitted with a stainless steel plate to serve as an electrode. The rear part of the foot rest is fitted with an elastic wrap which will wrap the feet on the foot rest to prevent reflex movements of the feet.

c) The arms of the chair are made wide at the front to serve as a rest for the palm.

1. The left arm is fitted with 2 special stainless steel electrode in the form of four grooves B, on which to place the fingers and an elastic wrap to fix it around the arm.

2. The right arm A rest comprises of 2 parts; a) A grooved stainless steel electrode and an on-off switch with a rheostat to vary the current.

b) A display unit which comprises; 1. Voltmeter 2. Ammeter 3. Pre-set timer 4. Time lapse digital timer 5. An audible signal to mark the completion of the treatment The wooden armchair is fitted with an adjustable foot rest and an adjustable powerpack. The chair is designed to facilitate the passage of the current through the whole body from the forefinger to the toes.

The left arm rest is fitted with a grooved stainless steel electrode on which to place the forefingers and an elastic tape wrap to fix the arm preventing reflex movement.

The right arm rest is fitted with a similar stainless steel electrode and an on-off swith which can be operated by the thumb. A display unit which comprises of a voltmeter, ammeter and timers. The display is fitted at an angle of 45 to the flat surface so that it can be viewed by the sitting patient.

The foot rest is partly covered with a flat stainless steel electrode on which to place the front part of the feet. The rear part of the feet is to be wrapped with elastic tape band fixed at the back of the foot rest.

The electrodes are connected to a power pack which is fitted under the chair's main body. The power pack receives an alternating current from the mains (240 V AC.) and transfers it to direct current of low voltage (0-30 V, 0-50 mamp.). The two palm electodes are connected in parallel to the anode and the foot electrode is connected to the cathode.

The passage of the current through the body was seen to be of benefit to treat various dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, skin ulcers, certain types of allergic reactions and various rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

In operation the patient sits on the chair, rests his feet on the foot rest so that the toes and the front part of the feet rest on the stainless steel plate. The feet are then wrapped with the elastic wrap.

The left hand is rested in position with the fingers placed in the grooves; the arm is wrapped with the elestic wrap to prevent reflex movement.

The right arm is rested in position so that the fingers rest in the grooves. The pre-set timer is set to the desired time. The switch is placed to the "on" position and the rheostat is gradually adjusted to the required value with the thumb.

The patient remains in position until the time ends which is identified by the alarm signal. (1).

Then patient reduces the current gradually using the rheostat with his thumb and terminate the current. The the switch is placed in the "off" position.

The lapsed treatment time can be viewed on the display and the patient can switch off the current or re-adjust it to his comfort at any time during the treament.

The use of electric stimulation in the form described to treat dermatological and rheumatological diseases is new.

The idea is to pass the current safely and comforably thoroughout the whole body from the forefinger to the toes.

This kind df therapy was found to be useful to treat various dermatolgical and rheumatological diseases of auto-immune origin such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergy and osteoarthritis.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating the human body by way of electric stimulation comprising means for passing electric current through the body by way of the arms and legs.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for passing electric current through the body comprises at least one electrode for attachment to the hands and at least one electrode for attachment to the feet.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one electrode for attachment to the hands comprises a plurality of grooves for receiving a corresponding number of fingers.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one electrode for attachment to the feet comprises a plate for receiving the sole of the feet thereon.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2,3 or 4, further comprising support means for supporting the arms and legs in the region of the electodes.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support means include straps for restraining movement of the arms and legs.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 - 6, further comprising means for supporting the patient.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support means comprises a chair.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the chair has two arms each having an electrode disposed thereon for electrical connection to a respective hand of the patient, and further has a foot rest having at least one electrode for electrical connection to the feet of the patient.

10. Apparatus calimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for controlling the magnitude of the current.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the current control means is located such that it can be hand operated by a person undergoing treatment.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for monitoring the current supplied during treatment.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the monitoring means comprises a timer and an audio alarm.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the monitoring means comprises a voltmeter and ammeter.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a rectifier unit for rectifying a mains a.c. power supply to a d.c. supply.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a battery power supply.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electric current is in the region 0-50 mA d.c.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for passing an electric current through the human body comprises a variable voltage supply of 0-30v d.c.

19. Apparatus for treating the human body by way of electric stimulation sustantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.