WO1997007852A1

WO1997007852A1 - Device for prevention and removal of precipitous deposition in the human body

Info

Publication number: WO1997007852A1
Application number: PCT/IB1996/000174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamer Ozel; Huseyin Ziya Ozel
Original assignee: Vance, Ayse, Sumran
Priority date: 1995-08-28
Filing date: 1996-01-01
Publication date: 1997-03-06
Also published as: AU4730296A

Abstract

A method and device for the prevention of accumulation of precipitated deposits at bone joints and body tissue interstices along with reducing and eliminating pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia. The device incorporates two or more metal sheets having different electropositivities and being formed into various shapes to conform with a particular contour of the body. During treatment, the metal sheets are located on two sides of painful areas, and held by an adhesive or other securing devices. Through the use of body fluids, electrolytic action occurs between the metal sheets on the body. Painful areas are treated by creating an in situ galvanic cell.

Description

DEVICE FOR PREVENTION AND REMOVAL OF PRECIPITOUS DEPOSITION IN THE HUMAN BODY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of an application 08/359,025 filed on December 19, 1994 an assigned to Art Unit 3311, Examiner Steven Huang.

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and device for prevention of precipitate deposition in the human body and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a method and device for prevention of accumulation of precipitated deposits at bone joints and body tissue interstices and pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia.

(b) Discussion of Prior Art

Heretofore the treatment of bone fractures by internal fixation has been a widely used technique in the art of medicine. When this treatment was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century, it was observed that screws used to fix a plate to a bone became loose within a few months and there were many failures. Investigation of this phenomena revealed that bone resorption around metallic foreign bodies was the consequence of electrolysis. Electrical currents were observed when metals were implanted in the bone. An interesting reaction was observed when immobilizing a fracture of the hu-ϊierus with an aluminum plate and brass screws. Observers noted a strong contraction of the extensor muscles of the forearm when the radial nerve came into contact with the metals. In the early 1940's it was concluded that electrolytic resorption occurs whenever dissimilar metals are used for bone fixation. This phenomena is discussed in 1. Reginald W.J. , The Principles of Fracture Treatment. The Williams and Wilkins Company, 1952, Volume 1, Fourth Edition, page 210.

In British patent 2439 to Mennons, the use of a hair pin of two different metals twisted together is described to produce voltaic electricity in the human body. A British patent 247,095 to Graefe also describes the use of a hair pin with different metals but arranged in a zig-zag manner for transferring thermo-electric power to the skin. Also, a British patent 182,650 to Nye relates to a galvanic medical device using a copper plate, a zinc plate and an interposed layer of a chemical used to create a galvanic action. Further a British patent 4153 to Cole deals with a magnetic apparatus using strips of magnetized steel for remedial purposes.

In Japanese patents 64-52483, 61-247478 and 2-39268 different medical appliances such as a bracelet or necklace are described made of germanium for treating stiffness, lumbago etc. Also, the use of two conductive mineral blocks connected together electrically for passing ions into the body and is used for curing stiffness of the shoulders.

U.S. Patent 4,889,121 to Fassina describes the use of polarizing plates with polarization axes used for treating painful areas of the body. U.S. Patent 4,619,252 to Ibbott describes both a method and means for using a sheetlike battery for attachment to the skin. The negative and positive electrodes of the battery are used to pass an electrical charge through a portion of the body for relieving muscular pain, stiff shoulders, etc.

While some of the above mentioned United States and foreign patents have some of the individual features of the subject invention, none of them incorporate or teach the unique combination of structure and method of preventing and removal of precipitous deposition in the human body and having an analgesic effect as described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and device for prevention of precipitate deposition in the human body. More specifically, the invention is designed to prevent and eliminate accumulation of precipitated deposits at bone joints and body tissue interstices and pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia without surgery or chemical/drug therapies.

Another object of the invention is to provide matching sheets of dissimilar metals which are contoured for positioning topically on the human body between the painful site for creating electrolytic action using body fluids, body tissue and body electrolytes. The application of two or more metals of different compositions on the human body between an area causing pain due to interstitial deposition of precipitated body salts has been observed to relieve a patient's pain and prevent further deposition.

Still another object of the invention is the use of two or more different sheets of dissimilar metals which may be formed into different geometric shapes to match a portion of a contour of the body. The dissimilar metals may be placed on virtually any part of the body by proper application.

Yet another object of the device is the two or more dissimilar metal sheets may be held easily in place on the body using different types of securing devices with minimum discomfort to the patient being treated. The metal sheets may be left on the body for short periods of time or for extended periods of time depending on the length of treatment. Patients to whom metals were applied experimentally in this manner were observed to be free of pain in a few weeks time. The time required to achieve remission of the pain depends on the metals chosen, the severity of the depositions, and the areal extent of the application. The patients usually removed the metals when the pain ceased.

A further object of the invention is the use of two or more dissimilar metals and the body's tissue and electrolytes employed to create a galvanic cell. Batteries or magnetic fields are not used. The cell potential is applied to the afflicted area and an exchange of ions across the cell causes the dissolution of the foreign precipitates. The electrical cell potential also creates a partial blockage of the pain sensation by creating an interference with the neural transmission that creates the sensation of pain.

The subject invention incorporates the use of two or more matching sheets of dissimilar metals contoured for positioning topically on the human body in such a way that the painful site is between the metals. The two or more different metals must have significant differences in electropositivity. A greater difference in electropositivity accelerates the relief of pain and inhibition of deposition. For example, one metal sheet may be copper while the other sheet is made of zinc, lead/nickel alloy and other dissimilar metals having different electropositivity. The two different sheets of dissimilar metals are formed into different geometric shapes. The shapes maybe a disk shape, a "U" shape, elongated strips, and other shapes bent to conform to a particular contour of the body. The metal sheets may have different thickness depending on the application and typically the thickness is in a range of 0.07mm to 1.5mm. The sheets may vary in types of dissimilar metals, may vary in the thickness, length and width of the metal used according to the voltage and amperage intended to be created, as well as to the comfort of the patent.

Each sheet of the dissimilar metals is disposed on the body in a spaced relationship on opposite sides of an area to be treated for creating a cell potential therebetween. Through the use of body fluids, body tissue and body electrolytes, electrolytic action occurs between the two dissimilar metals in the body. The two dissimilar metal sheets may be held in place on the body using an adhesive tape, a bandage, a flexible wrap and other types of securing devices.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with medical procedures in treating of arthrosis pain and debilitation and forms of neuralgia from the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a human knee joint with the subject invention placed on opposite lateral sides of the joint.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a human back with dissimilar metal strips placed on opposite sides of the columna vertebrae.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a front and rear perspective view of a human hip area with dissimilar sheet plates placed in the front and rear of the right hip.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate perspective views of two bracelet-like plates of dissimilar metals.

FIGS. 7 illustrates the use of a bent metal bracelet shown in FIG. 5 placed on a left shoulder of a human body and the bracelet shown in FIG. 6 placed on a left wrist of the human body.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of metallic stretchable wrist and ankle bands used for treating painful sites on the body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. l, the subject invention is shown disposed on opposite lateral sides of a human knee joint 10. The invention includes in this example a first metal disc 12 placed on the left side of the knee joint 10 and a second metal disc 14 placed on the right side of the knee joint 10. The first metal disc 12 is cut from a copper sheet and the second metal disc 14 is cut from a lead/nickel alloy sheet. The dimensions of the discs were 1.5mm in thickness and 1 centimeter in diameter. The two discs 12 and 14 are designed to create a cell potential across the knee joint 10. The discs 12 and 14 may be held next to the joint 10 using a wrap, tape or any other suitable securing means as long as the discs 12 and 14 are held against the skin.

In FIG. 1, dotted arrows 15 are shown to represent ion flow from the cell created by the dissimilar metal discs 12 and 14. This exchange of ions across the cell, in this example pain in the knee joint, causes dissolution of foreign precipitates and relief of the pain.

Example 1. A 70 year old patient suffered from pain at both the left and right knee joints. The discs 12 and 14, as shown in FIG. 1, were held in place on opposite side of both knee joints to provide relief from her ailment. The patient wore the discs for three months, but reported that the pain had disappeared in approximately six weeks.

In FIG. 2, a perspective view of a back 16 of a human is shown having a first metal strip 18 and a second metal strip 20 disposed on opposite sides of columna vertebrae 22. The distance between the first metal strip 18 and second metal strip 20 may vary, but the strips 18 and 20 must be on opposite sides of the vertebrae 22 for creating the necessary cell potential. The first metal strip 18 was cut from a copper sheet and the second metal strip 20 was cut from a zinc sheet or lead/nickel alloy sheet. The strips 18 and 20 have a dimension in a range of 0.07mm to 1.5mm in thickness, in a range of 5mm in width and 200 mm in length. The strips 18 and 20 were held 80mm apart from each other. This distance may vary but must be on each side of the vertebrae 22 for creating the necessary cell potential. Also the distance between the strips 18 and 20, or cells, may vary depending on the metallurgy of each strip, the body parameters and the type of condition treated.

Example 2. A 35 year old female patient was diagnosed as having spondylosis and experienced sharp pain along the column vertebra. She was using analgesics continuously to reduce pain associated with the ailment. Using the application of the strips 18 and 20 shown in FIG. 2, the patient reported the use of analgesics for pain diminished from three hour intervals at the start of the application to one per day after four weeks, and finally to no use after three months. The patient reported to be free of pain after the three month period.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a front and rear perspective view of a human hip 24 is illustrated. In FIG. 3, an anterior view of the hip 24 is shown with a first metal strip 26 placed in the front of the right hip. The first metal strip 26 was cut from a copper sheet. In FIG. 4, a posterior view is illustrated with a second metal strip 28 placed on the rear of the right hip. The second strip 28 was cut from a lead/nickel alloy sheet. The strips 26 and 28 have a dimension of in a range of 0.07mm to 1.5mm in thickness, in a range of 5mm in width and 150 mm in length. The position of the strips 26 and 28 may vary on the hip 24, but must be on each side of the hip 24 for creating the necessary cell potential.

Example 3. A 65 year old male patient reported sharp pain in a right hip joint. He used analgesics frequently to reduce the pain and relied on a cane to aid in walking. After using the metal strips 26 and 28 applied to his body as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the patient reported he was free of pain after six months using the subject invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate perspective views of two bracelet-like plates of dissimilar metals used in the subject invention. In FIG. 5, an inverted "U" shaped metal strip 30 is cut from a copper sheet. The metal strip 30 has a thickness of 1.5mm, a 4mm width and a 400mm length. The strip 30 was bent as shown and placed on a left shoulder 32 and in direct contact with the skin as shown in FIG. 7. A portion of the metal strip 30 at the armpit area was left open for the comfort of the patient.

In FIG. 6, a wrist shaped bracelet metal strip 34 is cut from a lead/nickel alloy sheet. The metal strip 34 has a thickness of 1.5mm, a 4mm width and a 150mm length. The strip 34 was bent as shown and placed on a left wrist 36 and in direct contact with the skin as shown in FIG. 7.

Example 4. A 50 year old male patient was diagnosed in 1992 with Pancoast's tumor at the left apex of the lung. The patient developed sharp pain in the left arm. The muscles in the arm atrophied because of the pressure and incipient pain caused by the tumor on the left brachial nerves. Full atrophy and paralysis of the left arm occurred in six months time. Sharp pains were observed at sites of the left arm served by the brachial nerves. The Pancoast's tumor was treated and the patient achieved complete and sustained regression but the atrophy, paralysis and sharp pain in the left arm persisted. He used excessive amounts of analgesics for the pain with no success. Two distinct types of pain were present in the left arm. One was a dull continuous pain (achiness). The other was a very sharp pain, or neuralgia, occurring at 1/2 to 2 hour intervals and continuing for 15-30 seconds each time. The patient applied the metal strips 30 and 34 as shown in FIG. 7 in direct contact with the skin. When the patient was re- examined a month later, he stated that the neuralgia, which occurred like cramps, had disappeared and the continuous pain (achiness) had diminished in sharpness. The patient's treatment using the subject invention continues to date.

The patient was contact the early part of 1995 and was found to be free of pain, both dull, continuous background type and the sharp, intermittent variety.

In FIG. 8, the use of metallic stretchable wrist and ankle bands are shown for treating a patient. In this example, copper wrist band 38 is placed on a right wrist 40 and a copper ankle band 42 is placed on a right ankle 44. A zinc wrist band 46 is placed on a left wrist 48 and a zinc ankle band 50 is placed on a left ankle 52. Using a voltage meter and reading the voltage in millivolts and the current in microamperes, it was found that typical readings between the copper wrist band 38 and the zinc wrist band 46 where in a range of 0 to 990 millivolts and 0 to 22 microamperes. These reading fluctuated over a period of time depending on the activity of the patient, time of day, what the patient had been drinking and eating along with physical and mental stress placed on the patient. Also, readings taken from the copper ankle band 42 to the zinc ankle band 50 were in similar ranges of millivolts and microamperes. Further, readings were taken from the copper ankle band 43 to the zinc wrist band 46

Claims

12

1. A device for the prevention of accumulation of precipitated deposits at a disorder on the body of a patient, the disorder being at bone joints and body tissue interstices, the device further reducing and eliminating pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia, the device comprising: a sheet of a first metal contoured for positioning topically on the human body; a sheet of a second metal contoured for positioning topically on the human body and in a spaced relationship to said first metal, said first metal dissimilar from said second metal; and said first metal and said second metal have a significant difference in electropositivity for creating an in situ therapeutic galvanic cell in the human body, said galvanic cell used in exchanging ions of the deposited precipitates to the benefit of the patient.

2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said galvanic cell created by said first metal and said second metal uses body tissue, body fluids and body electrolytes for transfer and exchange of ions in the body.

3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said first metal is made of copper, said second metal made of zinc.

4. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said first metal and said second metal are made in different 11 and the zinc ankle band 50 to the copper wrist band 38 and these readings were in the same ranges of millivolts and microamperes.

While not shown in the drawings, earrings made of dissimilar metals can also be used in treatment of head aches and like ailments.

As mentioned above, various types of securing means such as adhesive tape, bandages, flexible wraps and the like can be used for holding the dissimilar metal strips against the skin and a various locations on the human body for treating foreign precipitates in muscular and joint interstices which cause arthrosis pain, debilitation, and neuralgia. The dissimilar metal strips may have various configurations, sizes and shapes contoured to fit against the body and designed for comfort to the patient. While copper and lead/nickel sheet metal is mentioned, other dissimilar metals can be used to create a galvanic cell with body fluids and body tissue capable of exchanging ions of the deposited foreign precipitates to the benefit of the patient.

While the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art. geometric shapes, the shapes being a disk shape, a "U" shape, elongated strips, said first and second metal designed to conform to a particular contour of the human body.

5. The device as described in claim 4 wherein said first and second metals are dimensioned in a range of 0.07mm to 1.5mm in thickness and of different lengths and widths.

6. The device as described in claim 1 further including securing means for holding said first metal and said second metal in a spaced relationship to each other and disposed against the body of the patient for short and extended periods of time.

7. A device for the prevention of accumulation of precipitated deposits at a disorder on the body of a patient, the disorder being at bone joints and body tissue interstices, the device further reducing and eliminating pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia, the device comprising: a thin sheet of a first metal such as copper contoured for positioning topically on the human body; a thin sheet of a second metal such as zinc contoured for positioning topically on the human body and in a spaced relationship to said first metal, said first metal dissimilar from said second metal; and securing means for holding said first metal and said second metal in a spaced relationship to each other, said securing means holding said first and second metals against the body of the patient for short and extended periods of time; whereby said first metal and said second metal have a significant difference in electropositivity for creating an in situ therapeutic galvanic cell in the human body, said galvanic cell used in exchanging ions of the deposited precipitates to the benefit of the patient.

8. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said galvanic cell created by said first metal and said second metal uses body tissue, body fluids and body electrolytes for transfer and exchange of ions in the body, said first metal acting as one electrode and said second metal acting as a second electrode for said galvanic cell.

9. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said securing means is in the form of stretchable wrist bands.

10. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said securing means is in the form of stretchable ankle bands.

11. The device as described in claim 8 wherein said galvanic cell created by said first metal and said second metal provides a voltage reading in a range of 0 to 990 millivolts and current in a range of 0 to 22 microamperes.

12. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said first metal and said second metal are made in different geometric shapes, the shapes being a disk shape, a "U" shape, elongated strips, said first and second metal designed to conform to a particular contour of the human body.

13. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said first and second metals are dimensioned in a range of 0.07mm to 1.5mm in thickness and of different lengths and widths.

14. A method for the prevention of accumulation of precipitated deposits at a disorder on the body of a patient, the disorder being at bone joints and body tissue interstices, the method reducing and eliminating pain associated with such deposits and from neuralgia, the steps comprising: positioning topically on the human body a sheet of a first metal contoured for receipt thereon; positioning topically on the human body a sheet of a second metal contoured for receipt thereon and in a spaced relationship to said first metal, said first metal dissimilar from said second metal; and creating an in situ therapeutic galvanic cell in the human body wherein said first metal and said second metal have a significant difference in electropositivity for creating the galvanic cell, the galvanic cell used in exchanging ions of the deposited precipitates to the benefit of the patient.

15. The method as described in claim 14 wherein the step of creating the galvanic cell uses body tissue, body fluids and body electrolytes for transfer and exchange of ions in the body.

16. The method as described in claim 14 wherein said first metal is made of copper, said second metal made of zinc.

17. The method as described in claim 14 wherein said first metal and said second metal are made in different geometric shapes, the shapes being a disk shape, a "U" shape, elongated strips, said first and second metal designed to conform to a particular contour of the human body.

18. The method as described in claim 14 further including the step of securing said first metal and said second metal in a spaced relationship to each other using a securing means for holding said first and second metals against the body of the patient for short and extended periods of time.