US2460707A - Electrotherapeutic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1949. T vwig-)RAY 2,460,707

ELECTROTHERAPEUTIG APPARATUS Filed April 50, 1943 A s sheets-'sheet l /4a Snvcntor.'

Feb. l, 1949. T H MORAY 2,460,707

ELECTROTHERAPEUTIG APPARATUS Filed April 30, A1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fell 1, 1949- T. H. MORAY ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 30, 1943 all PIs- 2.5.

/60 HI @E Pza.-

Cttorneg 5.

Patented Feb. 1, 1.949

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oF'FicE ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Thomas H. Moray, Salt' Lake City, Utah Application April 30, 1943, Serial No. 485,112

8 Claims. 1

This` invention relatesv to electrotherapeutic apparatus, and to methods of applying electrical, radioactive, and other radiant phenomena therapeutically.

The invention is primarily concerned with the use. ofv high potential, high frequency electricity though not necessarily limited thereto, in conjunction with radioactive and other types of electronic and radiation phenomena, for therapeutic purposes.

Among` the objects of the invention are the following:

First- To render highly effective, from a therapeutic standpoint, radioactive and other types of electronic and radiation phenomena, and, likewise, to render highly effective, from a therapeutic standpoint, high potential, high frequency electricity.

Secondf-To augment the therapeutic effect of radioactive and other types of electronic and radiation phenomena by the conjoint use of high potential, high frequency electric-ity, and, conversely, to augment the therapeutic effect of high frequency, high potential electricity bythe conjoint use of radioactive and other types of electronic and radiation phenomena.

lThird-To accomplish the above Without danger of burning or of otherwise harming the pa.- tient.

Fourth.-To provide apparatus for accomplishingthe above, which is relatively simple in construction and operation and relatively inexpensive to produce and operate.

Fifth-To provide novel electronic and radioactive devices especially adapted for use in conjunction With high potential, high frequency electrical therapy.

I have found that, by enveloping a patient in a high potential, high frequency electrical field in such a manner that no closed circuit is completed through his body, radioactive and other electronic and radiation phenomena can be; used therapeutically with considerably greater effectiveness than if used alone. The exact reason forl this is not known, nor is it known definitely which, the electric field or the radioactive phenomena, acts uponthe other to produce'the advantageous results. It is thought, however, that the electric field, permeating the body of the patient as it does, attractsthe radioactive emanations or radiations and-enables them to penetrateconsiderably deeper into the tissues and vital organs of the patient than'would otherwisebe the case. In any event, remarkable therapeuticV results have'been achieved by use of the invention in the treatment (Cl. 12S- 421) 2. of malignant tumors, arthritis, sinus infections, and various other diseased conditions;

The-invention contemplates the use,. in therapeutics, of high potential, high frequency. electricity to produce diversifiedforms of radiant energy, such forms being those which haveV been found best suited, individually, to benefitfvarious human ailments. -In accomplishing this purpose, several special discharge tubes have been devel; oped to serve. as treatment electrodes, by means of which correspondingly different curative results areV obtained. Throughout thev` practice'of the invention, arprime considerationris thatI only one terminal of any particular circuitir shall be in contact with a patients body at one time, so there will be. no iiow of current through a closed circuit. ofwhich-the patients body-is a part'. Such a terminal, too, isusually non-heat producing, so there is. no danger vof burning. In cases Where there is a tendency for a tube to produce X-rays orother. injurious rays, these are filtered out.

.The present vapplication constitutes a continuation in part Yof a copending application filed by me November l5, 1940, which bears Serial No. 365,79'8 and isentitled Method of and device for the .therapeutic application of electric currents and rays, and which has now become abancloned..

In the. accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodimentsof apparatus preferred for carrying the method of the invention into practice:

Fig 1 represents a Wiring diagram of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying out the methodof the invention in general therapeutic work,rseveral independent treatment stations being provided;

-Fig. 2, a top Vplan view of the novel corona regulator of Fig. 1, employed in` the circuit to control' and: adjust the current and as a governor to safeguard the transformer;

Fig. 3, a vertical sectiontaken'on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a verticalsection taken centrally through one novel-'typeof discharge tube usedas a treatment electrode' in the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5;, aA horizontal` section taken on the line 5'-5; Fig. 4;Y

Figi 8,- va vertical section taken centrally through anotherf novel type` of dischargev tube used as' a treatment electrode in the apparatusofFig. l;

Fig. '7, a. horizontal section taken on theline T-'l, Figy;

Fig.8, afverticalsection takencentrally through a novel discharge tube used as a treating device in the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9, a horizontal section taken on the line 9-9,Fig. 8;

Fig. 10, a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line III-I0, Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 11, a fragmentary view in vertical section, and drawn to a reduced scale, of a tub bath capable vof use as a treatment station in the apparatus .of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12, a view similar to that of Fig. 11, but showing a shower or vapor bath arrangement for the same purpose;

Fig. 13, a wiringdiagram similar to thatI illustrated in Fig. 1, but fragmentary in nature, and of a somewhat different embodiment of apparatus;

Fig. 14, an elevation, partly in central vertical section, of a novel tube used in the apparatus of Fig. 13 in place of the corona regulator of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 15, a top plan view, partly in horizontal section on the line I5-I5, Fig. 14, of the tube of Fig. 14; I

Fig. 16, a vertical section of another novel tube which may be used in place of the tube of Figs. 14 and 15;

Fig. 17, a vertical section taken onthe line II-I'I of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18, a top plan view of still another novel v tube which may be used in place of the tubes of Figs. 14 and 15 and of Figs. 16 and 17; and

Fig. 19, a vertical section taken on the line I9-I9 of Fig. 18.

In accordance with the invention, provision is made for enveloping the patient in a high potential and, in certain instances, a high frequency electric field, and for applying to the patient, while so enveloped in the electric field, radiations and emanations having therapeutic value.

The apparatus of Fig. 1 is capable of administering various specific kinds of treatment, pursuant to the invention, at the several treatment stations provided. The treatment stations are indicated A, B, C, D, and E, respectively.

For supplying the high potential electric eld, a suitable transformer is employed. This may be of any type capable of delivering high potential electricity, say'from 10,000 to 30,000 volts. It is preferred, however, to utilize a conventional double magnetic circuit type of transformer, indicated at I inFig. 1, having adjustable, laminated, magnetic shunts (not shown), the transformer being connected across an ordinary power line II charged with the customary 115 v. The output lines l2 from this transformer advantageously extend to the treatment stations A and 4 this governor or control device I4 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.

As illustrated, the device comprises a cylindrical, electrically conductive plate I surrounded by a cylindrical dielectric I6. An outer cylindrical and electrically conductive element I 'I surrounds the dielectric I6 exteriorly. It is provided with a multitude (for example, 250) of inwardly extending prongs Ila, which are advantageously formed by stamping out, and inturning, triangular portions of the electrically conductive element Il. The internal plate I5 preferably contacts the interior surface of the dielectric I 6, but, in any event, should lie closely adjacent thereto. Like- B, respectively. The rst secondary of the transformer I0 is preferably direct connected to the second secondary thereof. `It is noted that this high potential electricity may be applied, without causing injury, direct to a patient who is not grounded. However, in order to safeguard the transformer I0 from damage by sparking across its output terminals, and to render the high potential electricity more suitable for therapeutic purposes, which is believed to include the automatic changing of the frequency to an extent which depends upon electrical characteristics of the patients body, a governor or control device I4 is shunted across the leads I2.

This governor or control device I4 is a sparking condenser of high capacity embodying a multitude of spark gaps. A preferred embodiment of wise, the tips of the prongs I'Ia preferably contact the outer surface of the dielectric. The several elements are advantageously mounted in a plug-in base Illa, which is adapted to mate with a suitable receiving socket (not shown) carrying the required electrical connections. The internal plate I5 connects with one of the electric lines I 2, while the external element I I connects with the other electric line I2, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

It is preferable that the dielectric I6 be in the form of a closed tube or envelope, as shown, and be exhausted to vacuum condition. The multitude of sparking prongs Ila product a brush discharge.

Where the dielectric I6 is not a closed tube or envelope, it is preferred that'it be of quartz.

The treatment station A is a discharge tube of a novel type, exemplified by the tubes illustrated in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 and Figs, 6 and '7. Either tube is plugged into the circuit of Fig. 1 at a suitably provided, single-terminal outlet. High p0- tential electricity is, therefore, fed directly into the tube, which serves as an electrode. The tube also embodies radioactive material, which supplies radioactive emanations to the patient simultaneously with the electrical discharge.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the tube or electrode may comprise an electrically conductive discharge element 2li, having a supporting stem Za and a major discharge cap or head 20h, which is preferably in the form of a thin, convex-concave plate. The head 20h may be spot welded to the end of the stem 20a.

The discharge element 20 is enclosed within a tube 2| of dielectric material, preferably glass, the stern 20a being xed in the fused tongue portion 2 Ia of the tube. rThe tube or shell 2| is fitted into an insulating base 22, provided With a single plug-in terminal 23, and an electrical connector 2li extends from the terminal 23 to the stem 20a.

The inside surfaces of the side walls of the tube or shell 2l are coated with a radioactive material, as at 25. The coating is conveniently made from uranium salts or powdered carnotite or other radioactive ore. The ends of the tube or shell are left uncoated.

Air is evacuated Yfrom the tube ZI, and a small quantity of mercury introduced, The mercury is preferably triple-distilled to insure great purity. It is preferred that argon or like inert gas be also introduced. Y

Since the tube just described is plugged into the circuit of Fig. 1, the discharge element or cathode 20 is charged with high potential electricity, and, in its capacity of a treatment station inthe apparatus of Fig. 1, serves as an electrode to similarly charge the patient. The patient is insulated from the ground, and the tube is applied directly to the aillicted part of his body, preferably in close contact with `the body.

Because of the construction of the tube, radiation of a radioactive nature is also directed against the patient through the uncoated top end of the tube. This radiation has been found to differ somewhat from the radioactive emanations discharging from the side walls of the tube, and is thought to comprise rays lying close to X-rays on the radiation spectrum. These rays appear to have a definite healing value, and to lack the injurious nature of X-rays. Where a predominantly radioactive emanation treatment is desired, the side Walls of the tube are placed against the body of the patient.

Best results are obtained when the discharge `element or cathode is made of an alloy metal compounded from coppe-r, lead, sulphur, and, if desired, aluminum. The relative percentages of the several ingredients may vary considerably, but a satisfactory mixture comprises 5.0% copper, 55.0% lead, 30.0% sulphur, and 10.0% alulminum. Should aluminum not be used, the difference may be made up by additional copper.

In preparing the alloy, the copper and aluminum are heated to a molten state, after which the sulphur is added while stirring the mixture. After cooling, the mass is again melted, and the lead, in a molten state, is mixed with it, the

. molten mass being thoroughly stirred. This new mass is then cooled, being later rehe'ated, and,

while hot, rolled to make it ductile, so it Vcan be v shaped into the desired forms.

The discharge tube or electrode of Figs. 6 and '1 is similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5, having an enclosing tube or shell 26 which is evacuated. A cathode discharge element 21 ispositioned within the shell, being xed in the tongue portion 26a. A conductor 28 connects the stem 21a of the element 21 with a plug-in terminal 29, which extends outwardly of the base 30. The cap or head 21b of the element 21 dilfers from the cap or head 20h of the electrode of Figs. 4 and 5, in that it is spherical in form and hollow. It has an opening 3| formedl at its top, contiguous with the top inside surface of the tube 2B. A quantity 32 of radioactive material, which may be the same as used for the coating '25 of the electrode of Figs. 4 and 5, is introduced into the tube or shell 26, along with a relatively small quantity of mercury, before the tube is sealed tight. Such material 32 is preferably powdered or granulated, and is shaken into the hollow of the head 21h through the opening 3| before any given treatment is commenced. The mercury is provided primarily as a getter, and does no harm if shaken into the head 21b along with the radioactive substance. The mercury also tends to produce a vapor in the tube, which aids in the operation thereof. As in the case of the electrode tube of Figs. 4 and 5, this tube may have a radioactive coating 33 covering the inner surfaces of its side walls.

The treatment station B of Fig. 1 differs from the treatment station A only in the fact that a condenser 34 is interposed in the electric supply line l2.

The treatment station C of Fig. 1 differs from the stations A and B only in the fact that the high potential electricity is supplied from the supply line I2 through an inductance 35.

The treatment station D utilizes a germicidal discharge tube, a preferred form of which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. The high potential electricity is takenjby induction from the particular supply line I2 concerned. For this purpose, an induction coil 36 is provided, tapping the line I2 Iat 31. A pair of leads 38 from an ordinary v. supply source extend to a plug-in socket connection for the germicidal tube, one of the leads passing through a glass tube 36a, Fig. 1, which is disposed within and extends along the length of the induction coil 36. Thus, high potential electricity is impressed, by induction, upon the ordinary current liowing through the particular lead 38 concerned.

The germicidal discharge tube of Figs. 8, 9, and 10 has a pair of discharge terminals 40 and 4I, respectively, positioned in an evacuated tube or envelope 42, and electrically connected with plugf in terminals 40-l and 4l-|, respectively, by

means of stems 40a and 4ta, respectively. The tube or envelope 42 and plug-in terminals are mounted in a conventional base 43. It is preierred that insulating material 44, such as a ceramic sleeve, cover the major portions of the stems 40a and 41a. A piece oflithium metal 45, see particularly Fig. 10, is advantageously secured to the stem 40a adjacent the discharge terminal 40 to act as a getter. It may, however, be placed at any other convenient location in the tube. It is preferred that the discharge terminals 40 and 4| be formed of the special alloy previously described. Argon or other suitable inert gas is preferably injected into the tube or envelope 42, as is, also, a small quantity of mercury. The mercury, by vaporizing, aids'electrical arcing between the discharge terminals. As will be noted, the high potential electricity induced in the one lead 38 will manifest at the upper discharge terminal 40, and will charge the patient simultaneously with the discharge into his body of germicidal rays from the tube.

The treatment station E embodies the tube of Figs. 8, 9, and 10, as above described, but impresses the high potential electricity directly on the patient instead of passing it first through the tube. For this purpose, a discharge device 50, in the form of a soft, flexible pad in which a coil 50-1 is embedded, taps one of the high potential electric lines l2. This pad 50 is wrapped around the patients body adjacent the ailiicted portion thereof, thus charging the patient. Any other electrode capable of charging the patient with high potential electricity may be used in place of the pad 50. The germicidal tube has its terminals 40-l and 4l-l plugged into a suitable plug-in socket connected to leads 52 which extend to an ordinary 115 v. source of supply. The high potential electricity with which the patient is charged is induced into the germicidal tube, thereby further activitating the discharge therefrom. A certain beneficial discharge from this germicidal tube will be had by induced activation alone, it being unnecessary, in such instances, to plug the tube into the 115 v. line.

Other types of germicidaland discharge tubes may be used in placeof the tube of Figs. 8, 9, and l0, as, for instance, the well known infra-red and ultra-violet lamps, to produce results surpassing those ordinarily attained by the use of such infrared or ultra-violet lamps apart from the apparatus of the invention.

It should be remembered that the patient is insulated from the ground while being treated at any of the treatment stations of the' invention.

Figs. l1 and l2 show how a patient is treated, pursuant to the invention, while immersed in an electrically conductive fluid bath. In Fig. 11, a bath tub 53 is insulated from the ground by a layer: of insulation 54. A:treatmentl electrode-cf the type vshown in. any; of the iiguregroups'fe andV 5, 6 and 7, anda8, 9', andy 10y is positioned?. to charge the fluid ofthe.- bathv vwith'.high..potential electricity, as well astodischargeuhealing radiations. and emanationszinto; the patient. iThe particular electrode illustrated: is diagrammatic-'in formandr is designated-55. It..maybeconnected into the circuit of Fig.. 1 aseshowny atlany` ofrthe treatment stations A, B,.C,. and D.; v12', a: shower or vapor stallz'isinsulatedfrom; the ground by av layer of insulation 51.. plurality of. treatment electrodes aredesignatedi-lgrespectively. These vcorrespond to the yrtreatmerit electrode of FiglL A.Watensprayforfvapor, such as steam, may be admitted-to..thefstalki in any Well known-manner .(not#shown); thus enveloping the patient during.-.treatment;

Another embodiment, of apparatus, pursuant-to the invention,A is illustrated diagrammaticallyfiby the wiring` diagramoi; Fig.. 13. rWhile :noltreatment stations are shown, thoseprovided areidentical with the several. treatment stations desighated A, B, C, D, and E in Fig. 1. l'lhedistinctionvin; this embodiment ofiapparatusresides in f the fact that a special generator offhign frequencyy electricity is provided in the-system.

`A transformer. has itsvinputfterminalsfconnectedacross an ordinary 115 v'...ele'ctric` power line 6l. fromthe respective output terminalsfof the; transformer to a high frequency generator of the Oudin coil type, indicated generally at 64, a variable condenserf being interposed; in the. line 62, :and the circuit being grounded at 66.. Out- 1 put conductors 61 and` 68, leading. fromzthei high frequency generator t5, provide connectionsfor the several treatment stations in the samemanner as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The transformer B may be' anyA ordinary# high Voltage type. A governor or controldevice.- SS-is shunted across the conductors:62 and 63..

In the illustrated instance, thegovernorfor control device 69 preferably takes the. formaof-:a vacuum tube, having the constructionfshownlby Figs. 14 and 15, Figs. 16 and/.171, or Figs...18-' and 19.V These tubes all possess high. capacitxfand include elements effecting la brush discharge. TheyT serve, as does the device Mof Figs. .2 Vand:3.

The tube of Figs. 14 and 15 embodies aniiouter shell or envelope 'I0 ofiinsulating':material such. asglass, a plastic, or fiber coatedwith shellac. Insidethe shell l0 is a bi-cy1indrica1-element1:1. formed of electrically conductive material. ySleparatingv element 'll from thefenclosingshell. 1U are spacers l2 made of rubber, Bakeliteror'otlrer insulating material. Inter-fitting with the f element 'H isa` second electrically conductive, biicylindrical element 13, the two elements'being separated by a dielectric 14. InWardly` ofi" the element '13, and separated therefrom byaadielectric l5, is a corrugated,l cylindricalfelement 16. The shell or envelope 10 issecuredran insulating base lll-L` providedwithplugfin terminals. One of the terminals, designated. 1.1,.is electrically connected with the. elementfll, while another, designated 18, is electrically connected with the corrugated element 1E. These two terminals connect with the' conductors 62 and`f63, as illustrated in Fig. 13, and the brushdi'scharge takes place at element 1B.

Under certain circumstances, it is'desirablethat the outer shell 'l0 be made of quartzfglassgand that a filament 19 be provided, the lam'ent being' heated b'y'connection,A through plug-inf terminals Electrical conductors 62 .and `Gil-.lead

. minals Boland Btl-.with afsource of. lowfrvoltage lheating" current (not showni.. Plugein terminal #825, whichtisf el'ei-:tri'callyconnected' -With element' T31, may: be ,used .insteadof or. in connectionV with the terminali?, since element 113! actsin ay manner similar'to element ll'. A getter 83 of suitable material',afrid.anfinsulatingV and' reectingrshi'eld 8i? may tb'e;.1:n:ovided, as Ashown. :While-- tl'ie tube mayhave; eithenaf` high orfalow vacuum condi ti'Umbrniay'IL-be .filled with an inert gas,l l? have alsoxfoundl iti:advantageous'-v to. ll the tube with a.:moist..vapor;. Thel tube-acts as-an oscillator forfelectric currents, and has'vanwenormous'eapacity, acapacityy 'many timesthat of a'condenser oi.rapproximately v equal size.

Thetubeof.' Figs;A I6 and 1.7.` comprises anouter shelter. envelope;;:.vv-nichfrnavbe made ofvmetal; glass,;ortfused'cuartz'. This shell! is mounted: in ran-.'insulating .baseld Inside the shellfBS is -a metalplate 81,. and, spaced apart therefrom', -acorrugated 'metal plate 88. t9, .which extendsfirom the base,A is electrically connected-with them-late 81, and a second'fplug-in terminal. 935 is. electrically connected'with the corrugatedxplate `881 'Thesev terminals are adapted toconnect, through` a suitable socketfwithftheelectrical. conductors 6'2 and 63- of -Fig ``13.

Under certain:-conditicnseof use, it is Adesirable tohaveiother elements in the tube. These are provided', and'mayrbel utilized .or f not as occasion warrants. A lamen't'fs'l. isv disposedl bet-Ween the plates Staand 88. It' is electrically connected with the tvvoi plug-infterminals 92 andg', which are adaptedltobe connected to a source of low voltage heatingr current (not shown). A- slit screen, comprising shieldsgd. and. |95, with apertures 96 extendingtherethrough, is disposed adjacent that side of; corrugated: plate 8'8 Which'isremote from plate' 81:.. The apertures-96 are in alignment with each other, andiv .the shields! 914 andfld-a-re-l made of -lead or. other material 'capable ofscreening oir. Xeray-s. Between shields S4 and 95fisa sheet Slcf `material. which is readily permeableto Xrrays. Within'. the shell-85 there isalsovmount ed; ashell: or envelope-98 cfs-glass, quartz glass, ori similar material, having a portionfla. `which isgronndplikena lens and directed` toward Vthe slitscreen. ThissshelllQB'really constitutes a tube Within atubevA: filament or cathode tlgfcom prising'electrically lconductive legs 99a andl 991i and an electroneemittin'g portionegc, isdisposed Within tleshell` Sagplug-in. terminals l andlrbe'ing electrically connected'to the respective legs @Bazandt 81911. AV bombardment. elementV |02' isnfdisposee. witmnthe Shen: 981 opposite the pertioniQc of. cathode-199; Within the shell S5, but outside.v the shell 93,.. is: a reector-v M13 directed toward theslitfscreen. f

The tube of Figs. V18'vand-19l iss essentially the same `as the -tubeof Figs. 16 `and i7, 1 being equipped with a shell or envelope m5, abase 106;;:a :plate llll, and. a corrugated plate 08, thevtwoxpl'ates being .connected to plugein ter- Il: and H0., respectively, whichare adapted to connect electrically with the Vconductors1-62Uand63 of Fig. 1-3. There is av lament 1H "and an inner shell or envelope H2, but no1 slit screen. Instead offa lens portion' beingA providedfonfthe inner shelly H2, la 'partition Hs of lens' format-ion is4 disposedbetween the inner shell land the: corrugated pla-te- H38; It is fused' tovthef-wallscf 'the outer shell` |05; Within the inner -shell H2 is afilament or'fcathodeH, which' corresponds-f to" the similafelementV 99l of A plug-interminal.

the tube of Figs. 16 and 17. A reflector H5 is directed toward the lens partition H3.

Reverting now to Fig. 1, there is another advantageous way of ,treating a patient pursuant to the invention. As shown at Y, a foot pedestal |29 may be provided -for making the patient a part of a condenser. The pedestal comprises an electrically conductive plate. element or electrode 12|, connected electrically with one of the high potential lines I2, and covered by an insulating platform |22 upon which the patient rests his feet while being treated at any of the previously described treatment stations A, B, C, D, or E. The electrode |2| and insulating platform |22 are conveniently mounted in a frame |23, which insulates the plate from the ground. The insulating platform |22 is made of a high quality insulating material, suc'h as iirst grade hard rulbber. In certain instances it is desirable that the device be made in other than foot-pedestal form. For instance, it may be of cylindrical formation for use in a bed against any part of the patients body.

If desired, the patient may be charged with the high potential electricity by direct conta-ct with a metal or electrically conductive electrode u in place of the pad 50 of treatment station E, or of the tube electrodes.

The invention has been described in the foregoing with sole reference to its use for therapeutic purposes. It should be noted, however, that inorganic matter may also be treated to advantage pursuant to the method and with the apparatus of the invention. It has been` found that metals, for example, lead, have changed physical properties after treatment in accordance with the above. In instances Where the invention is not being used therapeutically, it is not always necessary to insulate the subject from the ground.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described With respect to particular specic embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in such specific embodiments and various other embodiments may be utilized by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit and generic scope of the invention as set forth herein and in. the claims which here follow.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for applying radiant energy therapeutically, comprising means for producing high potential, high frequency electricity; a high capacity sparking condenser; and a treatment electrode connected in circuit with the. foregoing, said treatment electrode including a discharge element adapted to charge the patient with said high potential, high frequency electricity, and radioactive means adapted to discharge radioactive emanations into said charged patient.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the sparking lcondenser is in the form of a vacuum tube of high capacity having mutually spaced capacity elements adapted to produce a corona discharge.

3. Apparatus for applying radiant energy therapeutically, comprising means for producing high potential, high frequency electricity; a high capacity sparking condenser; and a treatment device connected in circuit with the foregoing, said treatment device including `discharge means adapted to charge he patient with said high potential, high frequency electricity, and radiating means adapted to discharge radiations into the charged patient.

4. Electrical treatment apparatus, comprising a high capacity sparking condenser; a treatment outlet electrically connected to said condenser; and means for `electrically connecting said condenser to a source of high potential electricity.

5. Electrical treatment apparatus, comprising a transforme-r for producing high potential electricity; a high capacity sparking condenser electrically connected across the high potential output terminals of said transformer; and a treatment outlet electrically connected to said condenser.

6. Electrical treatment apparatus, comprising a transformer for `producing high poten-tial electricity; a high capacity sparking condenser electrically connected across the high potential output terminals of said transformer; and a plurality of treatment outlets independently electrically connected to said condenser.

7. Electrical treatment apparatus, comprising a transformer for producing high potential electricity; a treatment electrode electrically Iconnected to one `of the output terminals of said transformer; an electrical conductor sheathed by insulation electrically connected to the other of the outputl terminals of said transformer and disposed adjacent said treatment electrode so the subject to be treated may be placed between and in contact with the two; and a high capacity sparking condenser connected across the said outlet terminals of the transformer.

8. In electrical treatment apparatus equipped with. means for the supply of high potential electricity anda treatment electrode, a high capacity sparking condenser electrically connected between tlie said ysupply means and the said treatment electrode.

THOMAS H. MORAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 628,351 ONeill July 4, 1899 647,687 Topham Apr. 17, 1900 765,470 Friedlander July 19, 1904.- 950,842 Davis Mar. 1, 1910 1,156,317 Santos et al. Oct. 12, 1915 1,193,018 Howard Aug. 1, 1916 1,466,777 Winkelmann Sept. 4, 1923 1,590,930 Falkenberg June 29, 1926 1,655,783 Gallois Jan. 10, 1928 2,010,018 Hodnette Aug. 6, 1935 2,073,428 Schmid Mar. 9, 1937 2,126,070 Wappler Aug. 9, 1938 2,192,638 Dixon Mar. 5, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES Tousey; Medical Electricity and Roentgen Rays (1910), pp. 493 to 498. Copy in Division 55.

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