GB2224936A

GB2224936A - Apparatus for the treatment of the human body by means of electro-therapy

Info

Publication number: GB2224936A
Application number: GB8913774A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Omar Fahkri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-11-17
Filing date: 1989-06-15
Publication date: 1990-05-23
Also published as: GB8826903D0; GB8913774D0

Abstract

Electro-therapy apparatus is provided comprising first and second electrode means 22, 24 at least the first of which is shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement with an outer surface region of the human head or face, and a current source 12 connectable with the first and second electrode means so as to thereby pass current through at least a portion of the human head. <IMAGE>

Description

ELECTRO-THERAPY APPARATUS DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to apparatus for treating the human body by way of electro-therapy.

The invention seeks to provide such apparatus which is easily attached to the body and can easily be operated by the patient or some other party administering the treatment.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for treating the human body by means of electro-therapy, the apparatus comprising first and second electrode means arranged for engagement with respective spaced portions of the human head, at least the first electrode means being shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement with an outer surface region of the human head, and a current source connectable with the first and second electrode means so as to thereby pass current through at least a portion of the human head.

Preferably, each electrode means is shaped for engagement by a respective side of the tempro frontal region of the head.

According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the second electrode means is shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement by the human tooth.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1. is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention and illustrates a pair of electrodes 22, 24 as if located on respective sides of the tempro frontal region of the human head.

A current supply control unit 12 is provided which provides a d.c voltage in the range 0-12v across the electrodes 22,24 and current in the range 0-lOmamp.

The electrodes are electrically connected to the unit 12 by way of respective leads 18, 20. The unit 10 includes a battery (not shown) for providing the d.c voltage but may alternatively included a transformer for stepping down a mains voltage supply and a rectifier for converting the a.c voltage to the d.c voltage required at the electrodes 22, 24.

An on/off rheostat switch 16 for controlling the current supply to the electrodes is provided on a front panel of the unit adjacent a timer control knob 14.

The timer control knob 14 can be set to allow the unit 12 to supply current to the electrodes 22, 24 for a predetermined period of time. As a further measure, the unit also includes means for automatically ensuring that the magnitude of the current supplied is reduced gradually. As such, the automatic current control circuitry (not shown) acts so as to effect a gradual decrease of the current supplied by the electrodes 22, 24. This measure ensures that the patient does not experience any sudden shock-type sensations when the preset time has elapsed.

In use, the electrodes are received by respective sides of the tempro frontal region of the head of the patient and the unit 12 is switched on by means of the rocker switch 16. The patient can gradually increase the magnitude of the current and voltage supplied at the electrodes 22, 24 until a tingling sensation is experienced. The timer is then set by means of the timer control knob 14 so as to switch the unit off after the required treatment time has elapsed. As mentioned above current control circuitry (not shown) ensures that the magnitude of the voltage developed at the electrodes 22, 24 is reduced gradually once the treatment is terminated.

The electrodes 22, 24 illustrated in Fig 1.

comprise stainless steel discs 26, 30, 3cm in diameter and 2mm in thickness having respective connection pins 28, 32 extending from the centre of one side thereof for mating connection with the leads 18, 20.

Fig 2. shows an alternative form of electrode 34 for use in the present invention comprising a stainless steel rectangular plate 36, 20cm in length and 1cm in width and having a connection pin 38 extending from the centre region of one side thereof.

Within the scope of the present invention electrodes are provided which are shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement by a human tooth or teeth.

A lint cloth soaked in an electrically conductive gel may be provided for location between the patient and each respective electrode and the connection pin of each electrode allows for secure attachment of the lint cloth to the electrode. However, e'ectrical contact to the patient may be made solely by way of the electrodes and the gel.

The particular use of the apparatus is as follows: For the treatment of autoimmune diseases and Cerebral Oedema, a pair of circular electrodes are used. The electrodes are covered with lint cloth. A suitable gel is applied to the cloth. The electrodes are then placed on the two sides of the head at the tempro frontal region and are fixed in position by means of an elastic ribbon located around the head.

The timer control knob 14 is set to the recuired treatment time and the on/off rheostat switch 16 is turned to the on position to signal the start of the therapy. The current, initially at zero, is then gradually increased until the patient starts to feel some tingling sensation without discomfort. The current supply will continue until it automatically terminates. The therapy is usually applied for twenty minutes each time and at an average of 2 times per week. This can be increased or decreased according to the patient's condition.

For the treatment of dental diseases such as perirepical abcess and pulpitis, the electrodes are similarly covered with lint or any other suitable cloth. They are then soaked in the gel. One electrode is placed outside the mouth under the affected tooth if it is in the lower jaw, or on the side of the mouth near to the affected tooth if it is in the upper jaw and the other electrode is place directly on the affected tooth inside the mouth while both are connected to the power pack. The timer control knob 14 is set to the desired time and the on/off rheostat switch 16 is turned to the on position to signal the beginning of the therapy. The current is then increased gradually until the patient starts to feel some tingling sensation. The current will then terminate at the end of the preset time.

For the treatment of bedsores, a pair of electrodes shown in Fig. 2 having a length appropriate to that of the bedsore, are chosen. The electrodes are covered with a lint cloth of approximately the same width of the electrode and fixed in the pin from both ends. The cloth has a suitable gel applied thereto.

They are placed on the sides of the bedsore and held by hand. The timer control knob 14 is set to the desired time and the current is applied after switching the unit 12 on by way of the rheostat switch 16. The current initially at zero, is increased gradually until the patient starts to feel some tingling sensation without discomfort. The current is then switched off automatically at the end of the preset time.

The use of electricity in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, cerebral oedema, dental diseases is new. It was found that direct current in the range stated in this description is of value in the treatment of such diseases.

Administering the treatment for the correct period of time is important since supplying the current for an insufficient period of time will not achieve the purpose. Also, over exposing the patient to the current will be harmful. The addition of a preset timer unit ensures the application of the current for the required period of time. The main part of the instrument is the power unit, the specification of which is based on research carried out to find the optimum current to treat such conditions.

The different types of electrodes were designed to conform with the requirements of the therapy methods, and are made of stainless steel for the following reasons. Firstly to prevent rusting of the electrodes by the frequent application of the electrically conductive gel, and secondly since stainless steel is less ionizable than other metals which, if ionized, might penetrate the skin by iontophoresis which will cause dermatitis.

Although not shown in the diagrams, the apparatus can also include means for reversing the priority of the electrodes at least once during the treatment period. Primarily, the polarity is reversed once, midway through the treatment period. Further, the means for reversing the polarity may be operated manually or automatically.

By applying the current to different sites by way of specially designed electrodes, the apparatus of the invention is used to ameliorate autoimmune diseases such as exophthalmos, retinal vasculitis uveitis, diabetes mellitus, thyrothoxicosis, ulcerative colitis, myelitis and coeliac disease etc. It is also used to treat bedsores and cerebral oedema and some dental disease such as pulpitis and periepical abcess.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating the human body by means of electro-therapy, the apparatus comprising first and second electrode means arranged for engagement with respective spaced portions of the human head, at least the first electrode means being shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement with an outer surface region of the human head, and a current source connectable with the first and second electrode means so as to thereby pass current through at least a portion of the human head.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrode means is shaped for engagement by a respective side of the tempro frontal region of the head.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second electrode means is shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement by the human tooth.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first electrode means is shaped to provide a substantial area of engagement with the human cheek or outer surface of the jaw.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second electrode means each comprise a stainless steel disc having a connecting pin extending from the centre of one side thereof.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the discs are of different diameters.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for automatically reversing the polarity of the electrodes at least once during the treatment.

8. Apparatus as claims in claim 7, wherein the polarity of the electrodes is reversed after half the treatment period has elapsed.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for automatically gradually decreasing the voltage supplied to the electrodes once the treatment period has elapsed.

10. Apparatus for treating the human body by means of electro-therapy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.