JP2002536132A - Electrolysis equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The electrolysis apparatus 20 includes a structure 22 having a first surface 24 having a first surface area, a thick region 29, and a plurality of openings 30 in the thick region. The plurality of openings 30 are formed by a plurality of inner surfaces 34 that together have an inner surface area. The plurality of inner surfaces include silver. A non-silver metal carrier material 40 is interspersed throughout at least some of the plurality of openings.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an electrolysis disinfection device, and more particularly to an electrolysis treatment device that includes a silver-carrying material and at least one metal other than silver, such as zinc. The present invention also relates to disinfection and treatment methods for treating human tissue by using silver-carrying materials and metals other than silver.

[0002]

[Background Art]

Techniques for applying low voltage currents to control bacteria and promote therapeutic action for medical and hygiene purposes have been developed for many years. In particular, it is known that the use of a low voltage electric field applied through the reservoir can be used to systematically distribute the drug in the reservoir or to produce a localized therapeutic effect. Further, the application of electricity to the human body with or without a drug can be used for therapy. The DC electric field can exert a bactericidal effect, the voltage can also allow the drug to penetrate deeper into human tissue via electrophoresis, and can pass through the structure of the implant, such as a biological membrane. In addition, the therapeutic effects of electricity include controlling pain, edema, and accelerating wound healing. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of partial concentration of the drug may be greater at the point of dispensing than with a single drug that is dispensed locally or systematically due to the higher available concentration of the affected area over time.

[0003] Such low-voltage antimicrobial devices are capable of leaching charged or introduced ions, and uncharged molecules, into the human body. For example, US Pat. No. 5,2,2, issued to Theeuwes et al.
No. 98,017 (the “017 patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference, is an iontophoretic method wherein a drug is delivered transdermally or transmucosally under the influence of a voltage.
process). Iontophoresis devices use two separate electrodes where at least one electrode is applied to the human body. Iontophoresis devices generally use conventional power sources, such as accumulators, to generate current. In some cases, the power supply is located separately from the appliance, and in other cases, the power supply is integrated into the appliance. These devices also rely on the formation of a separate ion path that is unique to the human body or tissue to enable electromotive force through a configuration defined by the continuation of the first electrode, tissue and the second electrode. .

[0004] There are devices described in the prior art that rely on the electric field generated by the device itself.
The power supply generally provides no therapeutic value other than providing the necessary current to drive an iontophoretic or electroosmotic device that dispense a different agent than the electrode metal. Furthermore, if for any reason the power supply is lost, the instrument is usually rendered useless. Also, when the power supply is located remotely from the instrument, there is a limitation on patient mobility. Furthermore, there are limitations even when the prior art incorporates conventional power supplies into the instrument. In particular, the prior art makes it clear that the conventional power supply must be protected from its own short circuit. Therefore, large lengths have been taken to ensure that the two electrodes are insulated to limit the possibility of a short circuit. Further limitations of these appliances include high costs due to wiring, electrical insulation, battery failure, problems with servicing the user, maintenance and damage.

[0005] Despite the fact that the use of an external power source is performed in the techniques of iontophoresis and electroosmosis, the dispensing of drugs requires the use of dissimilar materials such as zinc electrodes and silver / silver chloride counter electrodes. It is known to rely exclusively on the voltage generated by galvanic electrical coupling between them. For example, the device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of the '017 patent does not use an external power supply. The primary purpose of such a device is to dispense a drug in a drug reservoir, where galvanic electrical coupling distributes ions of the material used for the anode or cathode to the human body. Unfortunately, because the anode and cathode of prior art devices are generally made of materials having a relatively small total area, the proportion of metal ions migrating from the metal electrode is generally less than desired for a satisfactory therapeutic effect. Low.

As described in US Pat. No. 5,814,094 to Becker et al. (The “094 patent”), iontophoretic devices that provide silver ions for healing wounds include:
known. The use of nylon-coated silver as the anode of the iontophoresis device of the device of the '094 patent provides a relatively large total surface area material as a source of silver ions. However, the device of the '094 patent is characterized by the use of an external power supply connected to the nylon-coated silver cathode to generate a voltage that drives silver ions into the human body, and thus, as previously described, uses other ions. It suffers from the limitations of the introducer. In view of the foregoing, there is a clear need for a low cost, simple, rugged, and versatile user-friendly electrolyzer that provides the advantages of the prior art and provides additional use.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a first surface having a first surface area, a thick region,
And an electrolysis apparatus comprising a structure having a plurality of openings in the thick region.
The plurality of openings are defined by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner area, the plurality of inner surfaces comprising silver. The device also includes a metal-bearing material other than silver, the metal-bearing material being interspersed throughout at least some of the plurality of openings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus comprising a structure having a first surface having a first surface area, a thick region, and a plurality of openings in the thick region. The plurality of openings are defined by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner surface area, and
The surface and the plurality of inner surfaces are made of silver. The device also includes a metal-carrying material other than silver, wherein the metal-carrying material contacts the first surface.

According to yet another feature of the present invention, a first surface having a first surface area,
An electrolyzer comprising a structure having a thick region and a plurality of openings in the thick region. The plurality of openings are defined by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner surface area;
The plurality of inner surfaces are made of silver. The device may also include a second metal support material other than silver.
Area. The second area does not touch the first area.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of administering silver and a metal other than silver to a human body. The first step of the method of the invention involves providing a porous silver-carrying structure and a non-silver metal-carrying material in the immediate vicinity of the structure. Next, a porous silver-carrying structure and a metal-carrying material other than silver are attached to a human body so that at least the structure comes into contact with the human body and the structure and the metal-carrying material are not connected to a power source. Finally, before or after the aforementioned steps, moisture is added to the structure and the metal-carrying material other than silver.

[0011]

[Detailed description]

Referring to FIG. 1, an electrolysis treatment device 20 of the present invention, in one embodiment, a human body contact surface 2 where a porous base layer 22 is designed to contact a surface 26 of a human body 27.
4 and an opposite surface 28. Surface 26 is the top surface of the skin, the wall of the internal cavity of the human body, such as the vagina, the space between the cheeks and gums, the wall of a deep wound.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base layer 22 is made of a liquid permeable, high total surface area material. In this regard, the base layer 22 has a plurality of openings 30 within a thickness 29 thereof, the openings being defined by a plurality of surfaces 32.

Most, if not all, surfaces 32 contact the liquid, if present, in base layer 22 and preferably comprise silver layer 34 (FIG. 2). However, in some cases,
For example, if a low silver ion concentration is desired, or if it is desired to reduce the cost of manufacturing the base layer 22, it is desirable to provide silver only to a limited percentage of the surfaces 32 in the base layer. The silver layer 34 can cover the surface and can melt into the surface. The thickness of the silver layer 34 can vary, but preferably ranges from 0.2 microns to 6 microns. Further, the silver layer 34 has a purity of at least 9%.
It is preferably manufactured from 9.99% to 99.9999% silver, and a silver alloy such as sterling silver, a silver salt or the like can be used. Preferably, surface 2
The surface area of the silver layer 34 on the entire surface 32 within the thickness 29 plus the surface area of 4 (herein referred to as the “total surface area” of the base layer 22) is at least 1
. Equal to one. For the purposes of the present invention, a high total surface area is desirable. Therefore, a double or higher total surface area is desirable.

Various materials can be used for the base layer 22. Silver-coated nylon is an ideal material for the base layer 22. This is because this material has a relatively large overall surface area, ie, greater than 1.1. Silver coated fibers made from other materials besides nylon, such as polypropylene, polyimide or polyethylene, can also be used. Alternatively, the base layer 22 may be made of one or more sheets of silver-coated screens, or one or more silver foils with a plurality of holes or slits. (Foil) sheets, or fibers coated with silver and formed into a layer of material by threading or compression or other assembling method, or silver It may be made of a sponge-like material containing. Further, the base layer 22 is a sheet of a polymer material such as Teflon (registered trademark), polypropylene and polyethylene, and at least the surface 24 that comes into contact with the human body is coated with silver, and the silver layer 34 is provided. It may be made of a sheet in which a plurality of openings are formed in a bent portion. The present invention includes other materials having a large overall surface area, that is, other materials having an overall surface area greater than 1.1 times the area of the human body contact surface 24. Suitable processing methods for depositing silver on any selected substrate are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,105. This US patent is incorporated herein by reference. Also, the base layer 22 can be adapted to the irregular surface 26 of the human body 27.
It is desirable to be composed of a flexible material. However, this is not essential.

Since various materials can be used for the base layer 22, the shape of the opening 30 also varies. The opening 30 may take the form of a detour path, as shown as opening 30a, may extend completely through the base layer 22 vertically, as shown as opening 30b, or may extend horizontally, as shown as opening 30c. The shape may extend in the direction of the base layer, or may extend in the middle of the base layer as shown by the opening 30d. The openings 30 may have a regular shape as shown in FIG. 1 or may have an irregular shape. Therefore, the relative sizes and shapes of the illustrated openings 30 are schematic and not completely realistic. In any case, the opening 30 provides a direct or detour path that extends from the opposite surface 28 through the body thickness 29 to the body contacting surface 24.

The electrolysis treatment device 20 also includes a metal 40 that is a metal other than silver. This metal 40 is in contact with the base layer 22. The term “metal 40” is described later in “metal 40”.
The same applies to "metal 140", "metal 240", "metal 340", "metal 440", but is used as a broad concept including metals, metal oxides, metal salts and other metal-carrying materials. The metal 40 is preferably zinc oxide, but aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, platinum, titanium and elemental zinc can also be used. Furthermore, metal 40 is zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc citrate, zinc propionate, zinc heptahydrate, zinc butyrate, zinc formate, zinc glycolate, zinc glycerate, zinc lactate, zinc sulfate. ,
Includes compounds that provide free dissociated metal ions, such as iron oxide, iron sulfide and titanium oxide. Other zinc salts that are water soluble and have a low pK value, which indicates a high release of zinc ions, can also be used. Other metal salts and compounds that release metal ions when exposed to an aqueous medium can also be used. Further, the metal 40 is formed by, for example, a powder (
(Powder), which may physically dissociate when exposed to moisture. The metal 40 is desirably provided as a powder having an average particle size in the range of 0.5 to 400 microns. Alternatively, the metal 40 can be provided as a matrix, such as, for example, fibers, pieces, filaments, granules, such as zinc oxide cream, or pastes and plasters.

In any event, the metal 40 can penetrate into the opening 30 so as to be interspersed in at least a portion of the thickness 2 of the base layer 22 (preferably including the body contact surface 24). . Or, from another perspective, the opening 30 may be a metal 40
Should be sized so as to penetrate into and be scattered within the opening. As will be described in more detail below, when the device 20 becomes wet or moist due to moisture, the metal 40 reacts with the silver layer 34 to create a galvanic electricity potential,
The silver ions and metal 40 ions are thereby decomposed from the device and transported into the tissue of the human body 27 with which the device is in contact.

Due to the plurality of openings 30 provided in the base layer 22, the metal 40 (especially when in powder form) tends to be retained within the base layer. However, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of recesses 48 for holding metal 40 are provided on opposite surface 28.
Is desirably provided. The recess 48 may be elongated and straight, as shown, but may have a curved portion, be formed intermittently, or have another shape.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, in some cases, device 20 may include, for example, a cover layer,
It is applied directly to the surface 26 of the human body 27 in the form shown in FIG. 1 without using an adhesive strip or the like. However, in many cases, the barrier layer 60 (see FIG. 3,
4) and the base layer 22 are desirably provided. Preferably, the barrier layer 60 is sized to extend beyond the outer edge of the device 20, as shown in FIGS. The barrier layer 60 may be secured to a suitable adhesive 64 applied to the inner surface of the barrier layer by an adhesive strip (not shown) or other means. The barrier layer 60 may be made of a material that allows water vapor to pass, but preferably does not allow liquid to pass. A suitable material for the barrier layer 60 is a sheet of a hydrophobic material. The materials include, but are not limited to, polyisobutylene, polyethylene, polyisoprene and polyalkene, rubber, copolymers such as KRATON®, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamides such as nylon, Polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and n-butanol, 1-methylpentanol, 2-methylpentanol,
Ester polymer alone with an alcohol such as 3-methylpentanol, 2-ethylbutanol, isooctanol n-decanol or acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-alkoxymethylacrylamide, N-alkoxymethylmethacrylamide , N-tert-butylacrylamide, itaconic acid, N-branched alkylmalcamine (
acrylic or methacrylic resins copolymerized with ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as malamic acid (the alkyl group has 10 to 24 carbon atoms), glycol diacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Many of the aforementioned hydrophobic polymers are readily soluble in heat. Other suitable materials are Treewewe
and US Patent No. 5,298,017. Preferably, but not necessarily, the barrier layer 60 includes a port 62 through which moisture is introduced into the area surrounded by the barrier layer 60, ie, into the metal 40 and the base layer 22. A valve (not shown) and / or tubing may be connected to port 62 if desired.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, device 20 can have a wide range of substantially flat shapes. The shapes include rectangles, circles, and other irregular geometric shapes. In addition, the device 20 is wound around the central axis, as shown in FIG.
The multilayer cylindrical body 70 can be formed as shown in FIG. Further, the device 2
0 may be a single filament or a silk or suture (neither shown) formed from a plurality of fibers woven or bonded to form a thread-like structure It can have a thread-like structure. Other shapes for device 20 are also encompassed by the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, as another embodiment of the present invention, an electrolyzer 120
It is shown. The electrolyzer 120 has an outer layer 122 formed from a porous silver-carrying material. Outer layer 122 can be formed from the same material as base layer 22, as described above. However, if a compact configuration is not desired, forming the outer layer 122 from a material having a large total surface area is not essential.
In this regard, the outer layer 122 may be made of a porous sheet material such as a porous foil, screen, mesh, or a porous polymer material or a cluster or a metal support material in the form of a matrix. From other sheets.

The device 120 also has an absorbent material 124. Absorbable material 124
Is at least partially, preferably entirely, surrounded by an outer layer 122. Absorbent material 124 can be formed from cotton, rayon, polyimide and other absorbent materials. Disposed within the absorbent material 124 is a metal 140 other than silver. The metal 140 is preferably entirely surrounded by the absorbent material 124. However, in some cases it may be desirable to only partially surround the metal with an absorbent layer. Further, the metal 140 is preferably zinc oxide. However, aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, platinum and zinc oxide present in elemental state can also be used. Absorbent material 124
Is dimensioned or configured such that metal 140 does not contact outer layer 122.

The metal 140 is preferably provided in a state where it is physically separated when exposed to moisture (moisture), but need not necessarily be provided in that state. The metal 140 can be formed as a structure that changes shape (eg, tablet, cylinder, or cube). The metal 140 can also be formed from compacted powder or other structures, or can be loose powder, granules, chunks, strips, and other shaped structures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,031 to Kelley and U.S. Pat. No. 4 to Lukas
, 762, 715 may be used.

Referring to FIG. 7, an apparatus 220 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 220 has an outer layer 222, which is formed from a porous silver-carrying material. The outer layer 222 can be formed from the same material as the base layer 22, as described above. However, it is not essential that the outer layer 222 be formed from a material having a large total surface area. In this regard, the outer layer 222
Can be made from a porous sheet material, such as a porous foil, or from US Pat.
298,017 can be formed from other materials used for electrodes.

The outer layer 222 is formed to have an inner cavity 224. A metal 240 other than silver is sealed in the internal cavity 224. The device 220
It can have various shapes. However, in a preferred configuration, the outer layer 222 is a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet,
It is folded over itself and then stitched along line 246 to form an internal cavity 224 in which metal 240 is located. Optionally, a collection coat 248 can be attached to 220 to easily remove the device from the area of the human body 27 where the device is located. Alternatively, the device 220 can have an elongated shape with an integral “tail”. The "tail" can be used to retrieve the device from the body cavity into which the device has been inserted.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a device 320 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Device 320 is similar to device 120 in that it has the same outer layer 322 as outer layer 122 and has the same absorbent material 324 as absorbent material 124. Device 320 differs from device 120 in that it has metal 340 distributed throughout at least a portion of the absorbent material, and that at least some portion of metal 340 is in contact with outer layer 322. are doing. The metal 340 is preferably provided in the form of a powder or other fine particles. However, the metal 340 can be provided in fibers, wires, or other shapes. Device 320 can be of various shapes. One of the shapes is the tampon shape illustrated in FIG. When formed as a tampon or other structure for insertion into a body cavity, the retrieval code 348
Is desirably attached to the device 320. Alternatively, the device 320 can
It can have an elongated shape with a "tail". The "tail" can be used to retrieve the device from a body cavity into which the device has been inserted.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the present invention, apparatus 420 is shown. This is the first region 421 where the large total surface area silver holding material 422 is located.
including. Material 422 may be any of the materials used for base layer 22, as described above. The first region 421 is such that the material 422 includes a surface 424 that contacts the human body (whereby the material 422 directly contacts the surface 26 of the human body 27).
Is formed. Device 420 further includes a second region 438 where metal 440 is located.
including. Metal 440 may be any of the materials used as metal 40 or 140, as described above. The second is such that the metal 440 includes a surface 442 that contacts the human body (whereby the metal 440 directly contacts the surface 26 of the human body 27).
Region 438 is formed.

Apparatus 420 includes a housing 450 that supports and contains material 422 in a first region 421 and metal 440 in a second region 438. The housing 450 is configured such that the first region 421 is close to but separate from the second region 438. In addition, the housing 450 can be made to function as a barrier layer that blocks the passage of fluids, and may allow the passage of moisture or water vapor as needed. The use of a semi-permeable membrane as the housing 450, i.e. what is referred to as a porous closure film, allows the area enclosed by the housing to "breathe" while providing adequate microbial and liquid occlusion. provide. Materials suitable for the barrier layer 60 shown previously can also be used for the housing 450. If desired, the housing 450 can include openings (not shown) above the first and second areas, through which moisture, in particular, can be added to these areas.

The device 420 can be formed such that the first region 421 includes a drug reservoir 460 and the second region 438 includes a drug reservoir 462. If desired, only one of the first and second regions 421, 438 may be connected to the drug reservoir 460 or 4
62 may be included. Drug reservoirs 460 and 462 contain silver and metal 44
Designed to contain non-zero drugs each. In this regard, a wide range of drugs and materials, including the range of drugs and materials set forth in US Pat. No. 5,298,017.
May be included in reservoirs 460 and 462. However, generally speaking, when polar, ie, charged, drugs are used, it is desirable to provide positively charged drugs to the reservoir 460 and negatively charged drugs to the reservoir 462.

As shown in FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus 520. Apparatus 520 includes a first layer 522 made of a sponge material such as a hydrophilic foam, cellulose, gauze, cotton, polyimide, sponge rubber, and natural sponge.

First layer 522 includes a bottom surface 524 and a top surface 528. Internal surface 532
Are provided in the first layer 522. At least the interior surface 532, and preferably additionally the bottom surface 524,
Includes silver covering or integral with them.

The device 520 can also be made of copper or steel wool or registered trademark “SCOTTYR”
And a second layer 538 made of a friction-scraping material, such as a common friction-scraping material used on kitchen sponges of the type shown. Second layer 538 includes a metal 540 other than silver. Other suitable materials include aluminum, gold, iron, magnesium,
Preferably, the metal 540 is copper, including platinum and zinc. The metal 540 can be provided in the form described above for metal 40, but can also be provided in sheet form. The metal 540 can be distributed throughout the interior of the first layer 522. Also, the metal layer 540 can be embedded as a discrete structure (s) at various locations inside the first layer 522. The second layer 538 is
Adhere to the top surface 528 of the layer 522.

Although not shown in the figures, yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a viscous matrix, such as coconut oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil, beeswax, candela wax, petroleum jelly combined with hydrogen. Is a composition comprising silver particles and metal 40 particles dispersed within. The composition can be used in various applications, such as lipsticks, lip balms, sunscreens, other salves, or ointments. The silver is desirably in the form of finely chopped short yarn, and can also be in the form of fibers, splinters, granules, powders, or other strips. It is desirable that the above-described materials used for the base layer 22 be subjected to suitable mechanical, chemical, or other processing to create particulates having the above-described morphology. However, in some cases, it may be desirable to use a silver powder. The metal 40 is provided in various forms for use in the device 20 as described above. Further, metal 40 can include any of the metals used in device 20 as described above.

Considering the operation of the device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the treatment of various types of medical conditions is facilitated through the use of the device and is not limited to resection, incision ( Surgical incisions), dissections, lacerations, fractures, bruises, burns, cuts and edema. The device is used to hold and carry medicines or chemicals other than those made by the electrode metal, affecting the systemic dose to the body. Also,
The device 20 can also be used for tissue replacement, where some bodily tissue cells produce more cells that are identical to themselves to make up for lost parts. Further, the device 20 can also be used for tissue regeneration, where some or all of the limbs and internal organs and other parts of the body are regenerated. In addition, the silver ions created by device 20 as described below have significant antibacterial and antifungal effects. In this context, silver is a well-known antibiotic. In addition, silver has been shown to have an antiviral effect. Furthermore, metal 4
The ions from zero are provided as described below and, in the case of zinc, are not limited to these, but may be used to control the virus or to debride by autolysis of trauma and scarred tissue. Provide therapeutic benefits, including: Zinc is required for numerous metabolic processes, including synthesis as well as degradation of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The high prevalence of zinc in mammalian tissues indicates its importance and its role as a nutrient. In addition, trace minerals from metals like copper also
Affects the function of the organization.

Prior to device 20, it will often be required to operate the device by adding a suitable liquid, such as water, saline and a solution, ie, lactate saline (Ringer's solution). In some cases, it will be required to provide the metal 40 via the liquid used to operate the device. The fluid for actuation may also be a drug to obtain a therapeutic effect, i.e., to retain a trace amount of fluid, such as sugar, or to provide nutrients directly to tissue, such as fetal bovine plasma. Alternatively, it can be composed of chemicals. When the device 20 is intended to be used in a humid environment, such as an environment where substantially blood, saliva, sweat or other liquid is present, it is necessary to use the liquid before contacting the device with the body. And not. Device 2
When 0 has port 62, liquid may be added after application. Also, when a barrier layer 60 is used, a liquid may be added after the base layer 22 and the metal 4
0 is brought into contact with the body 27 before the barrier layer 60 is applied.

Device 20 is applied to body 27 such that body contact surface 24 contacts body surface 26. Once activated by adding liquid, the surface 32 covered with silver 34
Begins to produce silver ions. These ions move into the body 27 by a DC electrical potential created between the base layer 22 functioning as one electrode and the metal 40 functioning as the other electrode. Since the base layer 22 and the metal 40 can be in contact, the DC electrical potential will actively disperse the electrode metal from both the base layer 22 and the metal 40 and a high density of free metal ions will be generated in the device 2.
It will be kept in the liquid added to zero. Useful volta (galvanic) electrode pairs of shorted electrodes (eg, base layer 22 and metal 40) also occur in body 27 which provide an ion transfer mechanism through surface 26 into the body. The high concentration of ions around the device 20 allows penetration or a small number of dynamic movements and carries metal ions into the body.

By providing the base layer with a total surface area, as defined above, that is at least 1.1 times the area of the human body contact surface 24, the silver flakes or silver provided openings are included in its thickness. Higher concentrations of silver ions are obtained than with devices featuring human contact silver electrodes made of other monolithic materials. In this regard, it is believed that after the device 20 has been operated for a time sufficient to maximize silver ion production, the liquid obtained from the device will exhibit a silver ion concentration of 90 parts per million to 1000 parts per million. Can be A known electrolysis therapy device featuring an external power source is the device 20
Although producing higher silver concentrations, there are disadvantages associated with such power sources, as noted above.

[0038] Ions from metal 40, such as zinc ions, are also produced when activated by the addition of moisture. These ions are generated by a Galvanic electric potential generated between the metal 40 and the base layer 22. It is believed that the liquid from apparatus 20 will contain zinc ions at a concentration of 10 parts per million to 500 parts per million when metal 40 is zinc oxide.

When the device 20 is wound to form a multi-layer cylinder as shown in FIG. 5, the operation of the device proceeds substantially as described above. It is the human body 2 that is intended to be inserted with a multi-layer cylinder which is distinguished from the single-layer form of the invention shown in FIGS.
7 is an environment. In this regard, a single layer version of the device 20 may be used to insert into a body cavity, such as the nostrils, vagina and deep ear fistulas, or a body structure such as the gingival and cheek lining. Applies to interstitial insertion.

The operation of the device 120 shown in FIG. 6 is different from all other embodiments of the present invention, except for the device 520. In this device, the silver bearing material in the outer layer 122 is separated from the metal 140 by the absorbent material 124. After operation of the device 120 by the addition of liquid, the electrolytic interaction of the metal 140 causes the release of positive ions from the outer layer 122. This is 1) increasing the concentration of silver ions in the contact solution, thereby increasing the bactericidal effect, 2) acting as a cleaning catalyst to separate organics from the surface or destroy chemical bonds, and 3) act as microorganisms. Carry a weak DC field to the micro-organisms to kill microbes, and 4) leave metal ions on the surface for suppression of micro-organisms and odors. The device 120 is a metal 140 with galvanic cell pairs on the wetting of the entire device.
It functions by the interaction between the outer layer 122 and the outer layer 122. The dispersion of silver ions from 122 is
Occurs in liquids that are present both in layer 122 and in absorbent material 124. Although the formed voltage gradient promotes silver ions from the outer layer 122 to move away from the metal 140, it is nonetheless hydraulically driven during use to cause the absorption material 1
24 and in a direction opposite to the metal 140. These positive ions then move away from metal 140 when the liquid flow stops.
Thereby, the flux increases the penetration of ions through the device 120 which has a self-sterilizing effect. The electric field acting between the outer layer 122 and the metal 140 is
In addition, after the silver ions are released from the device 120, the silver ions exert a sterilizing ability against microorganisms. Outer layer 122 provides an adjacent positive potential to repel organic compounds;
It has a catalytic self-cleaning action in which free silver ions (not shown) are strongly bonded to oxygen to destroy hydrogen and sulfur bonds in the oxygen compound. Separation of the outer layer 122 and the metal 140 ensures a relatively uniform voltage gradient within the device 120 and on the outer surface of the outer layer 122 so that all portions of the device operate at similar voltage and current levels. This is desirable in the present embodiment because it is guaranteed.

The device 120 is adapted to be used on the surface 26 of the human body 27 and
It is intended for use in indentations in the human body and in areas of the type described above with respect to the multilayer roll shown in FIG. Therefore, the shape of the device 120 is not limited, and may have a wide range of shapes such as a columnar shape, a cubic shape, and a spherical shape. The device may also be used for applications such as those described below with respect to device 520.

Turning now to the use and operation of the device 220 shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment of the present invention is intended for use in a body cavity or area as described above with respect to the device 120. ing. Since the silver-carrying material of the outer layer 222 is in direct contact with the metal 240,
Ionization of metal ions occurs from both the outer layer (one electrode) and the metal (the other electrode), direct current coupling of the short-circuit electrode pair occurs in the human body 27, and dispersion of the weak electric field around and from the device 220 Occurs. This results in a supply of therapeutic concentrations of metal ions. The concentration of metal ions is preset to remain constant over a period of time until the effective metal of the electrode material is sufficiently reduced.

With regard to the use and operation of the device 320 shown in FIG. 8, the device is adapted to be inserted into the same body cavity or area as described above with respect to the device 120. As described above, the operation of the device 320 is essentially the same as the operation of the device 20.

As described above with respect to device 20, device 420 is adapted for use on surface 26 of human body 27. The spatial arrangement of the first region 421 (anode) and the second region 438 (cathode) creates an ion path (indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9) through the human body 27, and the drugs and effects created by these regions The drug is delivered or the drug or active drug is held in containers 460 and 462. Second region 421 of device 420
A hydroxyl group (OH) and hydrogen (H) are created at the (anode), and hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) are created at the first region 421 (anode). Chlorine is an acid that further promotes the dissociation of silver ions from the anode material. Water and oxygen between the electrode pairs form what provides a therapeutic benefit. These by-products are not toxic in the concentrations formed and aid in tissue repair.

The device 520, in addition to being usable for wound healing or as a surface cleaning device not designed for wound healing, is intended for use in other applications of the present invention. Device. In this latter application, silver or metal 540 is provided primarily for antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Thus, typical applications for the device 520 are dishwashing,
As a kitchen sponge used for counter cleaning and other daily kitchen cleaning tasks. Further, the device can be used in hospitals, operating rooms, field treatment kits, restaurants, laboratories, or in situations where it is necessary to clean potential pathogens from surfaces. In addition, the device 520 can be used as a bandage for wound hemostasis, high liquid absorption, and safe control of microorganisms. Due to the radiopaque properties of the material, a further application is as a therapeutic sponge for non-hazardous substances that are detected by X-rays to prevent accidental loss in the human body. Yet another application of the device 520 is as a feminine napkin.

The use of the silver and metal properties of the examples in the viscous matrix is performed in the same manner as using stick red, lip balm, sunscreen or other lotion, gypsum or ointment. Ion generation and migration occurs as described above.

An important advantage of all embodiments of the present invention is that they do not require an external power source,
The ability to provide therapeutic and / or antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. This reduces the cost of the device, simplifies its use and increases its reliability.

Compared to known wound healing and silver ion generators without an external power source, the present invention typically provides higher concentrations of silver ions than known devices. This is achieved by using a material with a high total surface area in combination with a dissimilar material, such as zinc. The present invention provides for the optional distribution of non-silver metal with other chemicals.

The description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and do not limit the invention. Other embodiments and variations are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electrolyzer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a small portion of the silver-carrying layer of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the porous structure of the silver-carrying layer.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of recesses.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 with a barrier layer covering the device.

5 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 wrapped around a central axis to form a multilayer cylinder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cross section of an embodiment of the present invention, with a metal other than silver separated from a silver bearing layer.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a metal other than silver surrounded by and in contact with the silver bearing material.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a metal other than silver interspersed within an absorbent material coated with a silver bearing material.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first region including a silver-carrying material, a second region including a metal other than silver and separated from the first region, and at least a first region and a second region. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention having one drug reservoir. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sponge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZWF terms (Reference) 4C053 BB02 BB07 BB31 BB32 HH02 4C058 AA28 BB02 BB07 BB09 JJ05 JJ06 JJ21 4C167 AA71 BB06 BB13 BB42 CC01 GG09 GG16 GG21

Claims (50)

[Claims] 1. An electrolyzer comprising: a) a structure having a first surface having a first surface area, a thick region, and a plurality of holes provided in the thick region; A structure wherein the plurality of holes are formed by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner surface area, wherein the plurality of holes comprises silver; and b) over at least some of the plurality of holes. An electrolyzer comprising: a metal-carrying material other than silver studded. 2. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure is formed of a single member. 3. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a single foil. 4. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a sponge. 5. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a polymerizable material. 6. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a filament. 7. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a plurality of members. 8. The electrolyzer according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of members include fibers. 9. The electrolyzer according to claim 8, wherein the fibers are mutually bonded to form a fiber layer. 10. The electrolyzer according to claim 9, wherein said fiber layer is made of silver-coated polyimide. 11. The electrolyzer according to claim 8, wherein the fibers are grouped together. 12. The electrolyzer according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of members include a plurality of foils. 13. The electrolyzer according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of members include a polymerizable material. 14. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the vulnerable material is physically dissociated when exposed to moisture. 15. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer discharges ions when exposed to the metal-supporting material other than silver and moisture. 16. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver contains zinc oxide. 17. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver is selected from aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, platinum, titanium, zinc, and oxides thereof. An electrolysis device selected from the group consisting of: 18. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver is in a powder form. 19. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first surface area and the inner surface area are at least equal to at least 1.1 times the first surface area. 20. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the first surface area and the inner surface area are at least equal to at least twice the first surface area. 21. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structure further includes a body contact surface and an opposite surface, and the body contact surface and the opposite surface. Electrolyzer, wherein the surface of the electrolyzer is essentially flat. 22. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structure further includes a body contact surface and an opposite surface, and the body contact surface and the opposite surface. The electrolysis apparatus, wherein the surface of the electrolysis device includes a plurality of recesses. 23. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the metal other than silver is present on a surface in contact with the body. 24. The electrolyzer of claim 1, further comprising a body contacting surface, an opposite surface, and a barrier layer proximate the opposite surface. . 25. The electrolyzer according to claim 24, wherein the barrier layer includes at least one hole for moving a fluid. 26. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the structure is wound around a central axis to form a multilayer cylinder.
Electrolysis equipment. 27. An electrolysis suture comprising: a) a thread having a first surface having a first surface area, wherein the first surface comprises silver; and b) a thread. A metal other than silver in contact with at least some of the threads. 28. The suture for electrolysis according to claim 27, wherein the thread is a filament. 29. An electrolyzer comprising: a) a structure having a first surface having a first surface area, a thick region, and a plurality of holes provided in the thick region. A structure wherein the plurality of holes are formed by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner surface area, wherein the first surface and the plurality of holes include silver; and b) the first surface. An electrolyzer comprising: a metal-supporting material other than silver that comes into contact with the material. 30. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the structure includes an inner region, and wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver is disposed in the inner region. apparatus. 31. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, wherein the structure comprises a sponge strip material. 32. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver is selected from aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, platinum, titanium, zinc, and oxides thereof. An electrolysis device selected from the group consisting of: 33. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, wherein the metal-carrying material other than silver has a tablet shape. 34. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, wherein the metal-carrying material other than silver is physically dissociated when exposed to moisture. 35. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, further comprising an absorbent material. 36. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the metal-supporting material other than silver is disposed in the absorbing material in a free state, and the metal-supporting material other than silver is provided. An electrolysis device adapted to contact a structure. 37. The electrolyzer according to claim 36, further comprising a drug disposed within the absorbent material. 38. The electrolyzer according to claim 29, further comprising a polishing layer attached to the structure. 39. An electrolyzer comprising: a) a structure having a first surface having a first surface area, a thick region, and a plurality of holes provided in the thick region. A structure wherein the plurality of holes are formed by a plurality of inner surfaces having an inner surface area, the plurality of inner surfaces including silver; and b) a second region including a non-silver metal-carrying material. And a second region not in contact with the first region. 40. The electrolysis device according to claim 39, further comprising at least one drug reservoir for containing a drug other than silver and the metal other than silver, wherein the at least one drug reservoir is An electrolysis device disposed in at least one of the first region and the second region. 41. The electrolyzer of claim 39, wherein the first surface is adapted to contact a body surface, and wherein the second region includes a body contact surface. There is an electrolysis device. 42. The electrolyzer according to claim 39, wherein the first surface area and the inner surface area are at least equal to at least 1.1 times the first surface area. 43. The electrolyzer according to claim 39, wherein said first region surrounds said second region. 44. The electrolyzer according to claim 43, further comprising an absorbent material, wherein the first region at least partially surrounds the absorbent material, Electrolyzer, wherein the region is at least partially disposed within the absorbent material. 45. An electrolyzer comprising: a) a plurality of silver-carrying members; b) a plurality of members including at least one metal-carrying material other than silver; c) the plurality of silver-carrying materials. A matrix in which a plurality of members containing at least one metal-supporting material other than silver are dispersed. 46. The electrolyzer according to claim 45, wherein said plurality of silver bearing members are pieces of silver coated equipment. 47. The electrolyzer according to claim 451, wherein said plurality of members including at least one metal supporting material other than silver are zinc oxide particles. 48. The electrolyzer according to claim 45, wherein the plurality of silver-carrying members are 1 part by weight or less, and 1 part by weight of a plurality of members including at least one metal-carrying material other than silver. Wherein the matrix comprises 10 parts by weight or less, wherein the matrix is 8 parts by weight or less. 49. A method of administering silver and zinc for wound treatment, comprising: a) providing a solution of liquid, silver and one of zinc and zinc oxide; b) The solution is applied to a human body or a wound on the human body, and the current collector is collected.
on) and silver ions are supplied to the wound at concentrations ranging from 90 ppm to 1000 ppm, and zinc ions are supplied to the wound at concentrations ranging from 10 ppm to 500 ppm, without using a power source other than the voltage generated by the human body. And b. A method comprising: 50. A method for administering silver and a metal other than silver to a human body, comprising: a) applying a porous silver-carrying member and a metal-carrying material other than silver to a human body; The silver ions are provided in a concentration and physical relationship such that the silver ions are supplied at a concentration in the range of 90 ppm to 1000 ppm without using a power source other than the voltage generated by the porous silver carrier and the human body. And b) applying the silver-carrying member and the non-silver metal-carrying material such that at least the porous silver-carrying member contacts a human body.