JPH04502867A - Electrotherapy device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating the human body with electrical therapeutic stimulation.

Disclosure of invention The present invention seeks to provide a device that can be easily attached to the human body and is easy to operate. be.

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for treating a human body with electrical stimulation, and The device includes a first electrode shaped to provide a substantial area for latching onto the human hand. means and a second electrode shaped to provide a substantial area for anchoring the human foot. means, and connectable to the first and second electrode means, thereby passing an electric current through the human body. and an electricity supply means.

Preferably, the device is in the form of a chair supporting the patient, with arm and leg rests on the chair. The section comprises electrode means. For further advantage, electrical The pole means each include a plurality of grooves for receiving the patient's fingers.

Alternatively, the invention can be portable. such mobile Typically, the electrode means provides an essential area for the human hand to engage during the procedure. It can be provided in a unit that is placed on the patient's lap. It can also be used to lock human feet. Electrode means providing a substantial area can be provided in a unit placed on the floor .

Separate portable power supply for coupling to knee and floor units also includes an AC mains transformer and a rectifier circuit or battery. knee unit and/or power supply may be provided with control means.

Therefore, the portable device can be used in a home location, with the patient seated in a typical home chair. Easy to install. Electrode means are placed on the floor and on the patient's lap, respectively. , whereby electrical contact can be made with the hands and feet and the procedure can proceed. can.

According to another aspect of the invention, the treatment of autoimmunogenic dermatological and rheumatological diseases The method consists of passing a direct current through the human body.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides treatment for skin inflammatory diseases and poor peripheral blood circulation. A method of treating tumor-based diseases is provided, the method comprising passing a direct current through the human body. It consists of

Although the present invention should not be considered as dependent on the above description, the present invention Something like this is possible. That is, for autoimmune diseases, the passage of electric current is It interferes with autoimmune reactions and is recommended for diseases associated with circulatory difficulties. Calcitonin genetic element-related peptide (CGRO) and potential vasodilator peripheral blood by stimulating release and by increasing tissue permeability Increase circulation.

Preferably, the electrical current is passed between the patient's hands and feet.

Brief description of the drawing The invention will be described further below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a device in the form of an electrotherapy chair according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the current control panel of the device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another device according to the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The device of the invention comprises a chair fitted with 12, 4 and 16 electrodes to be contacted with the patient. 10 and power supply and control means for supplying suitable voltages to electrodes 12, 14 and 16. It consists of steps.

The device of the invention complies with British Standard B, S, 5724 for the Safety of Medical Electrical Equipment. It is designed to The power supply unit is powered by mains power (240V, AC). It receives current and rectifies it to provide variable voltage direct current. Adjustable DC voltage Adjustable voltage range of 0-36v and 0-50m amperage. Provides a current.

Chair 10 includes a cushioned seat and back to comfortably support a patient undergoing a procedure. It can be a typical easy chair with a wooden frame and a backrest. The chair is , a leg rest 20 and an arm rest 22 each having an enlarged support area 5 at its free end. I'm wearing it.

The footrest 20 is vertically slidable on a support portion 28 extending downward from the chair frame. It consists of a substrate 24 extending generally horizontally from an upright portion 26. screw clamp 3 0 is such that the distance to which the substrate 24 is adjusted from the floor is such that the patient's legs are comfortable during treatment. Can be accommodated. The substrate 24 has electrodes 16 made of stainless steel. have The back of the footrest has elastic straps that lock onto the patient's foot or ankle. A step is provided to prevent reflex movements of the patient's feet and legs during treatment. will be stopped.

The front area of the arm 22 of the chair 10 serves as a palm rest for the patient's hand. It has a suitable shape.

The arm rest for the patient's left arm has four grooves for receiving the fingers of the patient's left arm. Conveniently constructed with stainless steel electrodes and 34 elastic straps. , and means for inhibiting reflex movements of the patient's hands and arms. instead of that , one or more clips can be used. This one or more The upper clip or strap may have a buckle or other solution with an elastic fastener. A releasable fastener is provided with a device, and between the elastic devices is a wrist or lower Arms can be placed.

The arm rest 22 for the patient's right arm has two main features. That is, grooved Stainless steel electrode 14 and rheostat switch for current control and display This is unit 18.

The display unit 18 is further shown in FIG. flowmeter 40, setting timer 42, elapsed digital timer 44 and at the end of treatment. A device 46 for emitting an audible signal is included.

Rest the patient's right arm with the grooved stainless steel electrode 14 and the patient's thumb. An actuatable open/close rheostat switch 48 is included. Voltmeter, ammeter and tie The panel 50 of the display unit consisting of a marker display is 45" from the surface of the armrest. It is positioned at an angle that allows for comfortable viewing from a seated patient. Wear.

Electrodes 12, 14 and 16 are connected to a power supply container (not shown) on the underside of the chair. ing. The power supply container receives alternating current from the mains supply and supplies it with a typical sized Rectifies to low voltage DC supply from 0 to 36v and 0 to 50 mamps. one more In this method, batteries are used as the power source. The two hand electrodes 12 and 14 are flat The rows are connected to constitute an anode, and the foot electrodes 16 constitute a cathode.

The passage of electric current through the human body is useful in the treatment of diseases such as: i.e. various skin inflammations Sexual diseases, autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, various allergic reactions, rheumatoid joints Various rheumatic diseases such as inflammation, diseases caused by poor peripheral blood circulation, and various skin diseases. Edema such as skin ulcers. The chair 10 is particularly designed to support the entire human body from the index finger to the toes. designed to facilitate the passage of favorable currents.

During the procedure, the patient is seated in a chair with his feet resting on a footrest, thereby The front of the fingers and feet rest on electrodes 16 made of Stainless 9 steel plate. So, my feet is fastened onto the footrest 20 by elastic straps 32 or other fastening means. It will be done.

The patient's left hand is placed in position, the fingers housed in the grooves of the electrode 12, and the lower part of the left arm is wrapped in an elastic strap 34 or housed in clip means, and is attached to the left arm. Projectile movement is prevented.

The patient's right arm is placed in place, with the fingers received within the grooves of the electrodes 14. setting The timer 42 is set to a desired time. The rheostat switch 48 is in the on position. increased supply current by being placed in the position and adjusted stepwise by the patient's thumb and adjust until the patient feels a tingling sensation without discomfort.

The procedure continues until the end of the time when the alarm device 46 issues an alarm signal. During treatment At the end of the interval, the current control device controls the magnitude of the current until the current flow ends. Start reducing by Typically, the treatment time for each sitting is 30 ~60 minutes, depending on the severity of the conditions.

Alternatively, the elapsed time of the procedure can be viewed on display 18 and the patient Readjust or stop the current as comfortable for you at any time during the procedure. be able to. The current can be increased or decreased in steps by the rheostat switch 48. This allows patients to avoid inconveniences.

Treatment sessions are repeated twice a week until complete relief of the disease is achieved. Psoriasis and In the case of rheumatoid arthritis disease, treatment seating is recommended after a low degree of relief has been achieved. (once a week for 4 to 6 weeks), then decrease to once every 2 weeks and should be continued at this rate to avoid further recurrence.

The conduction of current from the electrodes to the human body can be further facilitated by the use of conductive gels. can. In this way, a suitable gel is applied to the contact surfaces of electrodes 12.14 and 16. can be used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of electrode means 52 and 54 of a portable device according to the invention. This is the solution.

The device has a plurality of grooves 60 for locking the patient's hand and receiving the patient's fingers. A unit 52 consisting of an insulating substrate 56 on which is attached a single electrode means having It is designed to be held on the patient's lap. The electrode has a hole through which the As mentioned above, a switchable adjustable resistor is used to control the magnitude of the current. anti-switch 72.

The device also includes an electrode hand with a single electrode 64 for anchoring the front of the patient's foot. It includes a stage 54. The electrode 64 is attached to an insulating plate 62. The shaft bin 70 is insulated A support located along the central longitudinal axis of plate 62 and extending from substrate 66 Pivotally engaged with retaining portions 68 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 3). Ru. In such a manner, the patient's foot is placed over the insulating plate 62 of the electrode means 54 and the electrode 64. It is located in The patient then moves the insulating plate 6 to the most comfortable position for the foot. 2 can be pivotally engaged.

The portable device may also be adapted for connection to the knee and/or floor unit by suitable leads. Includes a portable power source (not shown), which can be permanently connected with a suitable plug or socket connection. Can be permanently or removably connected. The device may also conveniently include a first 1 and 2, with control and timer devices as described with reference to FIGS.

In this case, the control and timer device is associated with a portable power source.

The purpose of the present invention is to safely and comfortably conduct electric current throughout the human body from fingertips to toes. As mentioned above, electrical stimulation is used to treat dermatological and rheumatological diseases caused by inflammation. , treat autoimmunogenic diseases, and diseases resulting from poor peripheral blood circulation and edema. In particular, it provides a novel treatment for these diseases.

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Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. In a device for treating the human body by means of electrical stimulation, the device does not require human intervention. a first electrode means shaped to provide a substantial area for locking the foot of the person; a second electrode means configured to provide a substantial area of the first and second electrodes; connectable to the means, thereby allowing electrical current to flow between the first and second electrode means and through the human body; device comprising electrical supply means for passing a stream of water through it. 2. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode means comprises a corresponding number of fingers. A device with multiple grooves for receiving. 3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electrode means device placed to receive the front of a person's foot on top of a person's feet. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the patient is seated in a conventional chair. The first electrode means is positioned above or above the patient's knees so that the first electrode means can be used while sitting on the patient's lap. and the second electrode means is located on the floor or above the floor. Place. 5. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the device comprises an arm and a and/or having support means for supporting and/or placing the legs and/or the arms and/or or a device in which the hands and/or feet of the legs are latched to electrode means. 6. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or each said support device is device consisting of strap or clip means 7. 7. A device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6, which comprises: Device with a chair or similar support means for support. 8. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electricity supply means comprises: In the range 0-30v and from 0-50m from rectified AC supplies or batteries A device arranged to supply direct current within the amperage range. 9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electricity supply means comprises: control means arranged to stop after a fixed or suitably adjusted time; equipment with 10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device A device designed to reduce the amount of electricity in stages. 11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electricity supply means , a device having an opening/closing rheostat switch for adjusting the magnitude of the supply current. 12. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the rheostat switch is located near the first electrode means for manual operation with a hand located on the electrode means; equipment that is being used. 13. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the rheostat switch is thumb activated. A device arranged for adjustment. 14. A device for treating a human body by means of electrical stimulation, the device comprising: a first electrode means having a plurality of grooves for receiving the plurality of fingers of the person's hand; a second electrode means arranged to receive a portion between the first and second electrode means; A device comprising an electrical supply means for passing an electric current through the body. 15. A method of treating autoimmunogenic cutaneous and rheumatoid diseases, the method comprising: The method consists of passing an alternating current through the human body. 16. A method for treating diseases resulting from inflammation, insufficient peripheral blood circulation and edema, the method comprising: , the method comprising passing an alternating current through the human body. 17. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the method comprises: A method consisting of passing a stream. 18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the current is passed through a patient's finger. How to do it. 19. 19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the current is applied to a patient's toe or How to pass through. 20. 19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18 above, comprising: A method in which the supply AC voltage is given within the range of 0 to 36V.