Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring or detecting nonradioactive constituent of body...
Patent
1998-02-10
1999-11-02
Winakur, Eric F.
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring or detecting nonradioactive constituent of body...
600556, A61B 505
Patent
active
059786922
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for examining the electrochemical effects of in vivo metal implants causing allergic symptoms and/or inflammation in a living organism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent research has demonstrated that metal implants in living organism can cause allergic symptoms as a result of ionic migration from the metal alloys implanted in vivo toward the living tissues. These migrated ions easily connect to protein bodies at the temperature of the human body. As a result, in the organism already implanted with metal, allergic symptoms can appear, i.e. local or long-distance mucosal and cutaneous reactions, eczema, dermatitis, dermatosis, etc. Under certain circumstances, this effect can cause extraordinary serious altercations, and the risk exists until the anaphylactogemic factor, i.e. the metal implants which can be dental prosthesis, filling of a tooth, screw, nail, etc., is removed from the organism.
HU-PS 192 218 describes a method and apparatus for exploring and examining such effects. By use of the mentioned apparatus and method, potential difference is measured between the implanted metal alloys and, at the same time, ion currents effected by the potential difference are measured in vivo in the neighboring soma tissues. For making the measurement, a specially formed measuring probe is applied, the current values are measured by a current/potential (I/U) converter connected to the measuring probe, and by a signal processing unit connected thereto, then displayed.
It has been found in practice that during the application of the mentioned known apparatus, the ion migration causing the harmful effects cannot be explored to the extent necessary. During the application, it has been also demonstrated that the measured values cannot be reproduced consistently, and that the measurements obtained are influenced by numerous parameters and by chance as well. Also, the measuring unit is embedded in a relatively large instrument case, so that its application becomes difficult. A further problem is that more than one person is required to perform the measurement, to accomplish suitable location of the probes and their connection, and for reading the measured values on the instrument.
WO 89100400 describes a solution where the reference electrode is integral part of the apparatus and, as such, the reference electrode cannot be releasably connected to the apparatus. Neither the reference electrode, nor the measuring electrode can be made as a disposable article.
A further serious disadvantage of both mentioned solutions is to meet the requirements of hygienic regulations, which, considering the spreading of the newer epidemic-like diseases, become increasingly strict with respect to handling of instruments and apparatuses used during medical treatment. In the case of this known solution, the sterilization of the apparatus embedded in the instrument cannot be operated in accordance with the regulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the invention is partly to eliminate the disadvantages of the mentioned known solutions and partly to develop an apparatus, which, on the one hand, performs the electrochemical examination of the metal implants in vivo more accurately and reliably, and on the other hand, the apparatus processing the measured data can be handled easily and meet all the requirements of the latest hygienic regulations as well.
In electrochemistry, it is well known that every metal and every metal alloy can be determined by the so called anodic polarization curve. On the basis of that curve, it can be seen on which potential no metal dissolution can be found in given medium, the potential value above which chloride containing solution pitting corrosion attack begins, and where the metal dissolution is expected. Thus, in the case of the metals as well as metal alloys used for metal implants, the anodic polarization curve provides an indication of which cases an undesirable effect can occur.
The invention is based
REFERENCES:
patent: 4040129 (1977-08-01), Steinemann et al.
patent: 5415164 (1995-05-01), Faupel
Kiss Laszlo
Krisko Zoltan
Sziraki Laura
Varsanyi Magda Lakatosne
Vass Zoltan
Dentimpex Kft.
Winakur Eric F.
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