Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Patent
1994-05-02
1995-05-09
Kamm, William E.
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
A61N 104
Patent
active
054135907
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to devices for non-invasive treatment of localised skin disorders, for example comedones such as black heads, and pustules, by applying an electric current thereto.
GB-A-2181056, GB-A-2035805, GB-A-1471565, GB-A-1416141 and GB-A-706219 are examples of prior proposals for such treatment devices. In some of these, electrodes in the form of fine needles or wires have to be actually inserted within the affected tissue but such invasive treatment carries risk of infection and may only be suitable for use by medically qualified or other skilled operators.
The object of the present invention is to provide a treatment device which is particularly safe, effective and convenient in use; which can readily be used by a subject for self-treatment as and when required; and which can be provided in a compact and inexpensive form.
According to the invention there is provided a skin treatment device comprising a housing containing a low-tension battery-energised D.C. power source; an insulated probe carrying a first electrode operatively connected to the negative pole of said source by a flexible lead and having an electrically conductive tip to be applied non-invasively to a point on the subject's skin requiring treatment; and a second electrode operatively connected to the positive pole of said source to be gripped or otherwise contacted by the subject in use characterised in that said tip of the first electrode is conical in shape terminating at an acute point having an included angle of taper within the range of from 45 to 60 degs., and preferably around 50 degs.
The proximal part of the latter electrode preferably has a diameter of not more than 4 to 5 mm at its merging with the greatest diameter end of the tapered tip.
It is also preferred that at least said tip of the first electrode is formed from a hard corrosion-resistant metal, for example stainless steel to resist distortion or damage to said acute point and to facilitate the effective cleaning and sterilization of the tip e.g. by use of an antiseptic.
The current operatively applied through said tip is preferably less than 2 ma and may be around 0.7 to 0.9 ma.
To ensure that only the acute point of the first electrode can contact the skin so that the applied current is concentrated thereat said tip may be sheathed in an insulating material, leaving only said point exposed.
The second (positive) electrode may be constituted by a portion of said housing, the latter being shaped to be gripped in the subject's hand for electrical contact therewith. An appropriate portion of the housing may be rendered electrically conductive by being moulded or otherwise formed from a plastics compound which includes a metal powder.
Preferably the device will include an indicator light or other indicator device to show when current is flowing through the electrode circuit.
The housing may include or carry a mirror, advantageously a magnifying mirror, to facilitate the accurate application of the first electrode point to the desired location on the skin, particularly on the subject's face and/or it may incorporate an illuminating light source which may be powered electrically from the same or another battery carried in the housing, to facilitate viewing of the affected area of the skin.
The D.C. power source may include a 9 volt battery and a resistor in series with the electrodes, e.g. a 15 to 10 Kohm resistor, to drop the current at the electrodes to said level.
An embodiment of the invention is now more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional diagram of an electrical treatment device illustrating its circuitry:
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the device, and
FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.
The device includes a housing 10, conveniently of moulded plastics, a lower part of which is shaped to be conveniently gripped in a user's hand and the upper part being of circular shape viewed in elevation.
A circular hinged flap 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) overlies the front of said upper part in the ma
REFERENCES:
patent: 5314423 (1994-05-01), Seney
Getzow Scott M.
Innovative Medical Devices (UK) Ltd.
Kamm William E.
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