Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Infrared – visible light – ultraviolet – x-ray or electrical...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-01-30
Kamm, William E. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-ray or electrical...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181962
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to cosmetic/medical therapy and more particularly to an electrically activated substance for use in such therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of transcutaneous electrotherapy to treat cosmetic/medical conditions is well known. Transcutaneous electrotherapy involves the passage of an electrical current from one electrode to another, such that the therapeutic current is caused to pass directly through a target tissue of the patient. Exemplary devices used in the performance of transcutaneous electrotherapy are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 397,474; 3,794,022; 4,180,079; 4,446,870; 5,058,605; in French Patent 2621-827-A; and European Patent Application EP-377-057-A.
Although the use of transcutaneous electrotherapy has proven beneficial, such contemporary cosmetic/medical therapy suffers from inherent disadvantages. For example, during transcutaneous electrotherapy electrical current passes through the target tissue of the patient. Many patients may find this painful or otherwise undesirable. Further, transcutaneous electrotherapy is generally not self-administrable, and therefore generally requires the presence of a skilled operator. The administration of transcutaneous electrotherapy also tends to be costly.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an effective alternative to transcutaneous electrotherapy wherein electric current is not caused to flow through the treated tissue of the patient, which is self-administrable and which is comparatively inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention comprises a method for providing cosmetic/medical therapy, the method comprising the steps of electrically activating a substance and administering the electrically activated substance to a subject. Administering the electrically activated substance to the subject provides a cosmetic/medical benefit to the subject.
Although, the subject as described herein, is a human being, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methodology of the present invention may be practiced upon various different animals. Thus, the use of a human being in this application is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
The electrically activated substance is applied topically to treat skin problems such as wrinkles, cuts, abrasions, etc. The electrically activated substance may also be ingested, so as to treat internal medical conditions, where indicated.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrically activated substance comprises water, preferably distilled water. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, various other substances, particularly those comprised of simple molecules, may likewise be utilized.
The step of electrically activating the substance comprises applying an electrical signal to the substance. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an alternating current signal, preferably having a generally symmetric waveform, is utilized. Thus, for example, a sinusoidal waveform, a square waveform, and a triangular waveform are suitable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other generally symmetric waveforms are likewise suitable.
The electrical signal preferably comprises an alternating current signal having a frequency of between approximately 5 or 10 KHz and approximately 1 MHz, preferably between approximately 50 KHz and approximately 100 KHz. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frequency of the electrical signal is varied within a frequency range of approximately 50 KHz to 100 KHz.
Preferably, the alternating current has approximately zero direct current bias. In order to mitigate direct current bias, the electrical signal is preferably applied to the substance via a capacitor-resistor network. Alternatively, the electrical signal is applied to the substance via an isolation transformer.
The electrical signal preferably has a voltage of between approximately 50 volts rms and approximately 150 volts rms.
The electrical signal is applied to the substance to be electrically activated via at least one pair of electrodes. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a plurality of pairs of electrodes may be utilized, if desired. The electrodes are preferably comprised of either a biologically inert, non-reactive metal or a non-metallic material having a low atomic number. For example, it has been found that gold, carbon 12, and graphite-carbon loaded thermo-plastic material are suitable.
When distilled water is to be electrically activated, then a substance is added to the water to form an electrolyte therefrom, so as to facilitate current flow therethrough. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, sodium chloride (table salt) is utilized to form an electrolyte from distilled water.
It has also been found that tap water is typically suitable and does not generally require the addition of any other substance thereto.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substance, e.g., sodium chloride, is added to the distilled water while monitoring current flow therethrough, until the desired current is obtained.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, approximately 1 amp rms of current is caused to flow through the substance being electrically activated. Typically, a voltage of approximately 100 volts rms is required to effect a current of 1 amp rms. It has been found that currents as low as 1 milliamp may be used, if desired. Preferably, at least 10 milliwatts of power per milliliter of substance as utilized. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the voltage required to effect the desired current is dependant upon the conductivity of the substance being electrically activated. The electrodes preferably have a resistance below 500 ohms per square centimeter, preferably below 50 ohms per square centimeter.
When administered topically, approximately 0.05 ml of the electrically activated substance is applied per square centimeter of treatment area. The electrically activated substance is preferably administered 3 to 6 times with approximately 1 to 4 days between administrations.
Such topical application of the electrically activated substance of the present invention has been found to be effective in mitigating wrinkles on human skin.
When taken orally, approximately 2 ml of the electrically activated substance is preferably ingested per day for approximately 6 weeks.
These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5350415 (1994-09-01), Cywinski
patent: 5885241 (1999-03-01), Orton
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Web Page-www.angelfire.com/biz/Korean Waterlonizer/index.html “Korean Water Ionizer” 2 pgs.
Web Page-www.alternativemedicine.com/digest/issue09/i09-a25.shtml “Rejuvenation Keys” 2 pgs.
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Kamm William E.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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