WO1991015256A1

WO1991015256A1 - Exciting current device for very low currents and electrodes with sensor switching

Info

Publication number: WO1991015256A1
Application number: PCT/DE1991/000285
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johann Zimmermann; Isabella KÖSTER; Silvia Zimmermann
Original assignee: Johann Zimmermann; Koester Isabella; Silvia Zimmermann
Priority date: 1990-04-04
Filing date: 1991-04-04
Publication date: 1991-10-17
Also published as: CH687002A5; AU7574091A

Abstract

Exciting current device for very low currents and fields, preferably below one milliampere, and for superimposed currents which have a higher-frequency component preferably of some 30,000 Hz and a proportional d.c. component of preferably below 50 % with a maximum voltage of some 100 V, which, together with the derivation electrodes and the envelope curve of the higher-frequency current which can be controlled by hand by touching the sensor electrode, can be controlled in oscillation period and amplitude (with a potentiometer set to the gas field effect transistor of the invention). This also applies to the plaster electrode of the invention which preferably has its own power supply and control - facilitated by the control of the invention and the components of the invention used therein - and, with its pharmaceutical agent(s) stored in the electrode material, makes possible a medically prescribed iontophoresis to insert active agents into the skin of a human being or animal in uniform and repeatable doses, duration, nature of the active material and its penetration.

Description

Description ^~

Excitation current αeräc for fine currents and electrodes with sensor circuit

Technical field:

The invention relates to a stimulation current device for fine currents and fine fields with a sensor circuit, which enables fine currents, preferably below one milliampere current strength, electrical fields preferably below one ampere flow strength and applied potentials of voltages below 24 volts, preferably by varying the pulse strength and length by influencing non-contact or touchable sensor electrodes according to the principle in electrotherapy books, which according to Dr. med.RAMayer- Furtwangen was written before 1928, weak, short, often at the site of the physical disorder, to be used, preferably with the direct current component of the applied current, to galvanize the human or animal body tissue, and if necessary, to perform an iontophoresis Example of the targeted and painless introduction of a drug into the organism. This device is also a so-called high-voltage stimulation in the sense of modern stimulus current therapy, with ultrashort pulses of approximately 30 microseconds in duration and with a peak voltage of up to approximately 100 volts at a maximum current of up to approximately one milliampere. possible.

Furthermore, due to the pulsing by the user, by actuating the sensor electrodes of the device, in the sense of the stimulation current application, medium-frequency currents (here currents with a frequency above a kilo-heart are meant) to be applied as alternating currents with a low-frequency envelope.

This is one way of reducing the sensory stress on the skin with the therapeutically necessary current density, while at the same time increasing the depth effect (see brochure of Robert Bosch GmbH, Medical Technology, D-1000 Berlin 33, with the designation MC2 WFJB 8 699 992

(0395) F).

The electrodes used are partly new, such as the syringe electrode, the plaster electrode, the comb electrode Fig.5- on the container (100) for active substances in iontophoresis, the magnetic field electrode, the active substance fog electrode for iontophoresis and the wearable clothing electrode, which are preferred for creating Potentials on the body is used. State of the art:

Devices for stimulation current therapy are offered worldwide in large numbers with different constructions by a large number of manufacturers, to which such important companies as Robert Bosch QnbH, the General Electrical Company. Siemens AG and a variety of specialty companies such as Carle, Berthold and Sutter in Freiburg. Worldwide there are probably about 100 manufacturers of such devices, with a rapidly increasing trend in terms of their number and sales, but it can be seen that the interest of medical professionals is again turning to stimulation therapy after this sub-area of physical therapy Despite its long history, which can be traced back to our time, it was neglected in favor of pharmacy from around 1930. The fact that stimulation current therapy is gaining in importance is also due to the fact that today a large number of electronic switching elements such as diodes and the like. Transistors are available with which the currents and current forms for the various therapies are safely regulated. What is astonishing in the development, however, is that little attention is paid to the fine currents in the range up to one milliampere. In the electro-galvanic medicine of Wohlmuth A.-G. From 1928, for example, in the case of diseases of the human brain, maximum currents between 0.5 and 1.5 milliamperes were given after 15 minutes of use.

The Wohlmuth apparatus described in this medical work is constructed in such a way that an electrogalvanic low current is generated by dry elements, which can be applied via a current transformer and the like. a rheostat (current regulator) is fed to the electrodes, a very fine current gradation between 0 and 6 milliamperes being possible, but only approximately adjustable in the range from 0 to 1 milliamperes. However, the fact that the lower range (0 to 1 milliampere) of the current strength can only be set approximately on this device is disadvantageous, since this range represents an important therapeutic area according to the authors of this medical work.

In modern devices, currents graded from 0.1 milliampere can be set on the display, but the range indicated for the patient current of, for example, 0 to 70 milliamperes, that the use of fine currents up to a strength of approximately 1 milliamperes was not decisive for the design of these devices, at least not predominantly. The various current forms and strengths are fixed prior to the therapy by, for example, pressing dial keys on such devices and cannot be adjusted during therapy without the therapist having to re-position such devices. But such an inflexible current setting is likely to often in the presence of an organism turn not members of the biological processes and the Wanting _¬ meet the patient, so much better than a fixed pro¬ grammed circuit, the electrical stimulation can control.

Such a control of the stimulation current according to the pulse sequence, pulse type and current strength which can be undertaken by the patient does not exist in any of these devices; probably not advisable at all, because at the quite high current levels that are used or can be set in such devices, there is a risk of a shock effect on the patient. Unfortunately, however, the possibilities of low-voltage therapy are not used because no devices for this are currently available on the market.

Unfortunately, this also means that electrotherapy has not yet reached the area of application, as was the case 60 years ago. but he only reads a little in these medical works of the time, because of the abundance of the treatment options described there and the rapid successes described, such as in the treatment of hair loss, for example, and symptoms of fatigue caused by severe physical or mental distress Effort regrets, even in pain relief and healing, for example in wounds, but also swellings. In these medical works, too, an abundance of electrotherapeutic treatment options for rheumatic diseases are specified. However, this knowledge can largely not be used because the device required for self-treatment, for example, is no longer available together with the electrodes suitable for this purpose. The present invention is intended to remedy this. Furthermore, according to the invention, with the novel stimulation current device for fine currents, together with the associated electrodes with sensor circuit, it is possible for the first time in comparable devices that stimulation currents can be finely graded up to approximately one with a current strength of 1 milliamperes and thus completely harmless recognizable and tangible current strength of less than 0.1 milliamperes - controllable by the patient and / or therapist, can be used and this also with the aid of a very inexpensive sensor circuit for the dissipative electrodes and a novel, very cheap diσmer circuit using a flat - If a novel gas field effect transistor was developed for this device, in order to reduce the cost of the device to a fraction of the cost of comparable devices and also due to the low purchase price, the use of electrotherapy also in the home area, as required>. In addition, it should be possible for the first time in this device to achieve a high level of efficiency in current conversion, dimming of the current and sensor circuitry of the electrodes, which was previously unknown in such devices due to the electronic circuit used. With a battery ..- set of, for example, 6 batteries with a capacity of 6 ampere hours (Ah) and a nominal voltage of 9 volts, the device can be operated for about 300 hours when a current which is particularly suitable for therapeutic purposes is delivered at maximum load be so that replacing or recharging the batteries may be unnecessary for years.

This is possible because a return to the traditional principle: "WEAK, SHORT, OFTEN AT THE LOCATION OF PHYSICAL DISTURBANCE" was at the beginning of the development of this device. Comparable devices are not on the market, according to research. For comparable dimming, see "Tab. Circuitry, Energy Technology", Frankfurter Fachverlag, Häberle, Gregor D. ISBN: 3-87234-083-2 and 3- 88173-037-0, pages 176 and 178 and in the same table book, page 179 for sensors . However, the circuits shown therein require a considerably higher amount of electronic components and in some cases can only be operated together with a base load, with a correspondingly low efficiency and high power consumption.

The technical advantage of the novel stimulation current device according to the invention, which was presented in retrospect, can also be clearly recognized from this. Presentation of the invention:

In view of the current state of the art, the invention aims to simplify and reduce the cost of switching an electrical stimulation device, or its types, while simultaneously using novel electrodes and gas field effect transistors according to the invention. Furthermore, the current shaping of the applied stimulation current is according to the invention by the pulsing, by the user / patient, and / or therapists, for example by touching a sensor electrode or, in a further embodiment, by approaching the body field of the patient Patients and / or therapists on the electrodes of a gas discharge lamp. _{'achieved in a} novel way.

In further versions of the stimulation current device, it is now possible, according to the invention, by simplifying and thereby reducing the size of the circuit, to place the control on an active substance container which, with the control part and its power supply, is no larger than comparable cosmetic packs for, for example, shower gel ( 6) or even to accommodate plasters which, according to the invention, already contain the active ingredient which is introduced into the skin of the user / patient by the iontophoresis to be controlled by a touch sensor or field proximity sensor electrode, and as intensely as necessary and as specified by the doctor , without the need for pharmaceutical reinforcing agents, which are harmful to the organism, in order to achieve an optimal effect of the active ingredients (Fig.9). With the sensor electrodes, or a sensor electrode on the novel syringe electrode / the novel syringe electrodes (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8), the doctor or the patient also controls on a contact / device removed from the device or the syringe and connected with it. Field proximity electrode / s during the intervention - the insertion of the syringe electrode / s into, for example, the joint capsule of a hip joint - the ion flow during iontophoresis itself.

This results in a variety of novel treatment options, in particular in the case of joint arthrosis, in which the breakdown of the articular cartilage is to be stopped or the development of the same is to be initiated, in that the articular cartilage is nourished more intensely by the iontophoresis. The administration of the syringe with any active ingredient and the control of the ion flow is only necessary for about 3 minutes, after which the iontophoresis continues automatically over a multiple of this puncturing time, that is to say the cannula of the syringe electrode only remains about 3 minutes in the patient's tissue.

Because of the low current intensity of the stimulation current in the novel device (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) and the only proportionate direct current in the higher-frequency other current component, there is no risk of burns to the tissue surrounding the cannula. In addition, in the case of iontophoresis, a particularly great depth effect is achieved by the low-frequency envelope curve generated by the patient and / or doctor's pulse generation around the higher-frequency current, which corresponds to the patient's biological characteristics.

Such a device is novel according to the invention and permits novel therapies.

The higher-frequency current has an oscillation number of 30,000 hearts, the low-frequency current as an envelope for the higher-frequency current has, depending on the setting of the potentiometer connected in series with the sensor touch electrode, approximately between 1.5 and 10 times, preferably selected, Greater amplitude than the basic value set on the potentiometer ^ of the higher-frequency current superimposed by a DC component before touching the sensor electrode (1) or (l ¹ ) or approaching a field - for example the patient's / doctor's body field - the electrode of the gas discharge lamp (for example a glimm la pe) (9 ¹ ) in Fig. 3, biologically determined, a number of vibrations between under one heart and about 10 hearts, for example if I "drummed" a "staccato" on the sensor touch electrode with two fingers is done by alternately moving the index and middle fingers of one hand up and down. With simultaneous use, for example, of two sensor touch electrodes by patients and / or a doctor, an oscillation number of more than 10 hearts can also be achieved, but this would then be above the biologically and therapeutically desirable frequencies for the envelope.

With the applied high-voltage stimulation at up to approximately 100 volt and maximum currents of 1 milliampere, with the above described ultra-short single pulses - due to the "chopping" of the direct current of preferably 9 volt at the input in the stimulation current device for the standing current from preferably dry cell batteries, frequency generator used (preferably as an astable multivibrator with a transistor and an electrolytic capacitor as a capacitor and the corresponding other electronic components commonly used for such circuits. share) -therapeutically valuable effects, which are well tolerated by the patient and are below the response time of the skin sensors, can be used for the first time in a device of this price range because the use of new switching elements according to the invention, such as the Gas field effect transistor and the field proximity switch, but also through simplified new circuits, such as the novel diameter circuit for the gas discharge lamp / s and the novel sensor circuit / s for the touch sensor electrode (s) and field proximity sensor electrode. e / en.

These improvements in circuit simplification and ver¬ for used circuit components, the construction made of a plastic container on a Wirk¬ mountable electrical stimulation device (according to Fig.6) in small Bau¬ example with foldout comb electrode (4 '') _r-mounted control (45) of the aerosol electrode (4 """), integrated power supply sufficient for charging the atomized active substance content and introducing the iontophoresis into the skin surface after application of the active substance, application of galvanization and stimulation according to the high-voltage method As in the previously presented embodiment, stimulating current occurs with the aid of a sensor touch electrode (1) and the control of the ion flow in the gas discharge lamp (9) by influencing the channel resistance of the gas channel between the electrodes, in this device version, preferably a light-emitting diode of conventional design (low - Current version lead), which are in series with the frequency generator, the transformer, the electrode (4) - resistance layer, on the active substance container

- The human or animal body, a setting resistance of preferably reaching up to about 400 kilohms and of fixed resistors with about 2000 ohms together and a second electrode (4) with about 900 ohms on the top of the stimulation current device attached to the active substance container

- The user is often switched to appear as the cap of the drug container. The electrode resistor (4) of part 100 is approximately 6oo ohms. Between the resistors (13) and (14) the sensor contact electrode is in series with a preferably adjustable resistor with up to approximately 400 kilohms, preferably additionally a bipolar dry capacitor with approximately 1 Microfarad, the human or animal body and said sensor touch electrode, which has a resistance of about 600 ohms. The electrodes (4) are held by holding the active substance container and touching the human or animal skin (here the therapist must touch the animal and hold the container (100)) with the comb electrode (4 "") or electrode ( 4) on the top of the "cap" of the active substance container (20), which carries a resistance layer with approximately 900 ohms, or via an active substance fog layer, which has approximately 2 kilohms of resistance in the case of poor training and approximately 1 kilohm in the case of strong training opened nozzle opening and a dense cloud of fog, preferably made of active ingredient and water whose conductivity has been changed, by turning the actuating wheel (45) (principle of the needle nozzle).

A current flows from the battery (6) to a frequency generator (7) which feeds a transformer (8), from where a gas discharge lamp, preferably a low-current LED, is fed at 05 millimeters. The potentiometer (5) connected in series permits a basic setting of the stimulation current. In this embodiment, the installation of a field effect transistor (10), as shown in FIG. 1, is preferably dispensed with. Furthermore, the reversing switch (12) according to Fig. 1 is preferably dispensed with in this version. A resistor as described above is attached between the resistors (13) and (14) as shown in FIG. 1, and a capacitor (MKH) can also be connected in series. The touch electrode (1) of the embodiment shown (Fig. 6) and the block diagram (Fig. 1) consists of a resistance layer, which is preferably glued to the active substance container (100).

By applying a voltage / a field or a current flow to the touch sensor electrode (1), the gas channel in the gas discharge lamp (here preferably a light-emitting diode) is ionized more or less, depending on the polarity. Since the gas discharge lamp has a rectifying and stabilizing effect on the ion flow, as long as the voltage / field or current flow is / is acting, the ion flow / current flow corresponds to the voltage / field applied or the current acting on the sensor touch electrode ( 1), which is subsequently seen and referred to as the gate, in a repeatable manner, very stably defined. As with the known solid-state field effect transistors, a channel change is effected. In retrospect, this The novel component according to the invention is referred to as a gas field effect transistor and is designated as such with the connections S (source), D (drain) and G (gate).

As an advantage over the known field-effect transistors, this transistor has rectifier properties and is not at all sensitive to external fields in the non-installed state without special precautions. The known field effect transistors are sensitive to this and must be provided with short-circuit rings, which have to be removed after assembly, in order to destroy them immediately upon exposure to such, even weak, fields, such as those caused by them to avoid touching people.

Furthermore, the novel gas field effect transistor according to the invention has the advantage over the known field effect transistors in that it indicates its switched-on state and thus saves a special display on the presented stimulation current device (Fig. 6) and moreover by changing its luminous intensity in a throttled state State indicating the intensity of gas channel ionization. In the case of the stimulation current device described (Fig. 6), a special display device (millimeter) can be dispensed with, since the display can be changed by changing the luminous intensity of the gas field-effect transistor at the low applied currents (up to a maximum of 1 milliamperes) is preferably sufficient as an indication. Devices for medical treatments can be provided with measuring devices that display analogue or digital signals.

It should be of interest for many areas of application to use the change in the light intensity on the gas field effect transistor via an opto-electronic circuit for controlling, regulating or limiting the correspondingly changing ion flow / current flow in the gas field effect transistor other than electrical stimulation devices.

Since the direct current (preferably 30%) is superimposed on the higher-frequency current component t that is required for operating the gas field-effect transistor (dimmer circuit with a simple sensor touch electrode), the stimulation current device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 , Figures 4 and 5 and also Figures 6, Fig.7 and Fig.8 are advantageous according to the invention for the area of application of the stimulation current device or its embodiments, but may make it necessary to filter out certain current components in other applications. It is of interest here that only the direct current component in the gas field effect transistor and here in the gas channel thereof is controlled by the applied field _/ the applied voltage / current at the gate of the same, but at the drain, because here the direct current is applied to the higher-frequency current - is stored, analogously to the change in the channel current, an analog change in the higher-frequency current can also be determined, simply because - at the source, of the transformer, which is preferably designed as a stray field transformer; a current is drawn which directly influences the total current drawn linearly. This behavior of the novel gas field effect transistor can be explained as if a control part were to control a power part linearly. In addition to the other described properties of the novel gas field effect transistor according to the invention, this behavior can also lead to widespread use in areas other than that of physical stimulation current devices.

Another version of the stimulation current device according to Fig. 2, Fig.3 and Fig. 6 is suitable for connecting the fine magnetic field electrode (4 "") according to Fig.4 and the clothing electrode (4 "') according to Fig.5, but also for connecting the potential electrodes (4 ¹ ) and (4 ") according to Fig. 4 and the plaster electrode (4"""') according to Fig. 9 if a connection (16) is provided on these electrodes.

In the case of the syringe electrodes (200) according to FIGS. 7 and 8, this is preferably the case that a connection (16) is provided for the stimulation current devices listed above. The stimulation current device according to Fig. 6 is particularly suitable for the clothing electrode, which preferably consists of silk fabric with woven-in resistance tracks and is worn like a sari or doti (Indian clothing) if, in a further embodiment, a connection (16) on the Stimulation current device part (20) and then has a retaining clip on it, which is hooked into the clothing electrode, and thus allows the user / patient to move freely. In this case, the active substance container can be removed by rotating the same relative to the stimulation current device part; As a result, the stimulation current device is small and light and now allows it to be carried in a garment bag, for example.

A corresponding application / application preferably applies to the plaster electrode (4 '"" ") according to Fig.9.

The patch electrode is preferably made of natural rubber, mixed with beeswax, larch balm and an 8% aqueous solution of basic aluminum acetate (acetic acid clay), with an active substance that is introduced into the cathode and, depending on the active ingredient, also / or according to Fig. 9 into the anode 5 is available; the edge of the plaster, with the adhesive layer also exposed, serves for attachment to the skin of the human or animal body.

Another version of such a plaster electrode (4 ^{, I} "" ^, ) according to Fig.9, which is supplied in different sizes - for example from 50 mm X 100mm to 10100mm X 250 mm - and depending on the physical disorder treated with the appropriate / the the corresponding active ingredient (s) according to composition and quantity and prescribed by the doctor after use, for the first time according to the invention an exact dosage of the active ingredient (s) is possible in iontophoresis. 15 With a battery of appropriate capacity, the time of exposure can still be limited. From the empirical value of 0.05 milliamperes per square centimeter of effective electrode area and an application time of 3X3 = 9 minutes, for example, there is a capacity of approximately 25 millimeter-hours with an effective electrode area (preferably 20 the cathode) of 250 square centimeters, with simultaneous power supply of a frequency generator, preferably a miniature transformer, a gas discharge lamp - a light-emitting diode - and the sensor contact electrode for controlling the stimulation current, which is attached directly to the patch electrode (1) 5 according to Fig. 9 or with it via a control line (15) is connected in a further embodiment.

A further embodiment carries a field approach electrode of the novel construction according to the invention to control the stimulation current, which is conveniently operated through the clothing. A plaster electrode with a built-in battery and circuit parts as described represents a safe and cost-justifiable solution to the dosage problems in iontophoresis that have not yet been solved in the conventional manner. According to the invention, the use of the inexpensive, novel components and 5 circuits according to the invention is the first time As already described, repeatable use according to active substance (s), quantity of active substances and duration of exposure in ionophoresis is possible, which should give the use of the same a strong boost, for example, a button cell suitable for this purpose (alkaline Battery) with 1.5 volt voltage and 25 milliamp hour capacity with a height of 2.1 millimeters and a diameter of 11.8 millimeters at a single price of only 0.95 DM available on the market; the other necessary components can also be purchased very inexpensively on the market, so that reuse of the parts does not have to be considered, which is very user-friendly and user-friendly. Also, the plaster electrodes used only once should not pose an environmental problem, since they preferably consist of easily rotten material.

It is anticipated that this type of application of iontophoresis will soon be widely used in, for example, rheumatism. This application of the invention will probably be one of the best ways of carrying out the invention.

Industrial applicability:

The utility model uu-c αer roll number G 90 03 913.0

Main class A61N 1/36 Subclass A61N 1/08 additional information: // A61N 1/04

Filing date 04.04.90 Registration day 11.10.90 Announcement in the patent sheet 22.11.90 Name of the subject:

Stimulation device with touch electrode (s) for controlling the city / potential control Name and place of residence of the owner

Ziπmermann, Silvia, 7981 Schlier, DE LBE Interest in licensing declared non-binding, shows a stimulating current device that is fully functional and has been developed quite well in the production stage.

It was tested intensively in self-tests for more than 1 year. It will shortly be handed over to the technical monitoring association for assessment.

Over a test period of more than a year, the device, which has the novel components and circuits according to the invention mentioned in the preceding text, showed constant performance without failure. Description of the drawings:

Show it

Sheet 1/6, Fig.l the circuit of the stimulation current device with the component of the field effect transistor (9) shown therein, its gate G, or (1), (1 ') and the resistors (13), (connected in series) 15) and the capacitor (15 '), which also acts as a resistor in the context. Furthermore, the source S and its drain D. Furthermore, the current source (6), the on / off switch (17), the frequency generator (7), the transformer (8), the polarity reversing switch (12), the potentiometer (5), the series resistor (14) and the dissipative electrodes

(4) which come into contact with the patient / user and consist of resistance rubber (preferably black rubber) and are connected to the stimulation current device by means of movable lines (so-called cords) via a plug connection (16), not shown here . Sheet 2/6, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show stimulating current devices in "desk version", which have the components according to Sheet 1/6. Fig.3 shows a version with rechargeable battery pack and built-in charger.

Fig.3 also shows a field proximity electrode, which is connected together with the sensor contact electrode (1 ') via the line (15) to the device connector (16). The mechanical fuse with the cover (18) for covering the pole-reversal switch (12) and the mains socket (23) in the housing (20) is also shown. Sheet 3/6, Fig.4 and Fig. 5 show the application of the devices and in Fig.4 the schematic structure of the magnetic fine field electrode (4 "" ') is shown and their application.

Sheet 4/6, Fig. 4/6 the hand electrode with active substance mist, which is ionized by the device and the active substance container (100) together with the nozzle and the nozzle adjustment by means of an adjustment wheel mounted in the upper part (20), which closes the nozzle more when it is turned to the left (in plan view) and turns on the device when it is turned to the right while leaving the setting of the nozzle opening (17) and at

Continued turning the current regulated (5). The folded-in comb electrode (4 "") is also shown. Also the circuit according to claim 1 and the reversible double socket with two successive contact rings (not shown here) in the inserted position as a connection for the dissipative electrodes (4) and pulled out (dash-dotted) and with the identification number for the Pole switch (12) provided, shown.

Sheet 5/6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 The syringe electrodes, which are used for the iontophoresis of tissue that cannot be reached through the skin of a human or animal by applying the electrodes (4). With (201) the cannula is designated, with 200 the

Syringe cylinder, 199 denotes the piston, 198 the piston rod, 16 denotes the lines to an electrical stimulation device according to claim 1. 5 is the potentiometer and 9 is the gas discharge lamp. 1 designates the sensor touch electrode, which is connected to the stimulation current device via the line. Sheet 6/6, Fig.9: Patch electrode with the circuit according to Fig.l, however without potentiometer (5) and pole switch (12). The dissipative electrodes are designated here by 4 """'because they have pockets / perforations for receiving the active substance, and as such, like containers in the stimulation current devices, they are designated by 100. The covering textile covering above the electrode material is 302 as core layer, covered by removable fo .lie with the designation 302 and with 300 in the tear-out at the top left. The contact pair, which is not yet covered by a film used state is only labeled (17), but not shown. Contrary to the representations of the views otherwise chosen in the drawings, the so-called American representation is chosen here and explained by a cone on the sheet.

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Claims

Patent claims:

1.Stimulating current device for fine currents and electrodes with sensor circuit for fine currents and fine fields, preferably less than one milliampere current strength and for superimposed currents that have a higher frequency component, preferably with 30,000 Hertz and a direct current component with preferably less than 50%, with a Voltage of preferably up to about 100 volts, whereby the voltage of the direct current is usually limited to 24 volts when galvanization is used as therapy, and this is determined by the user in the current strength of the dissipating electrodes and in the current form at any time during the therapy / of use can be controlled in order to meet the wishes regarding the intensity, the tolerability of the stimulation current, the duration of the application, the feeling of well-being during the treatment, preferably by the person being treated immediately and without any adverse consequences for him and without the need for consultation with the therapist, for example, to be able to comply, characterized in that that

Stimulating current device and the associated emitting electrodes/emitting electrodes through novel components and circuits according to the invention, preferably through their interaction in new versions of this stimulating current device according to the invention, which are reflected in their design(s), the operation _of the form/forms / present as new due to the diversity of possible applications, particularly in the field of stimulation current therapy and cosmetics. The plaster electrode, which is due to the stimulation current control integrated into it and the possibility of using it with a built-in sensor-touch electrode (1'), which, depending on the length required, can be used from the point of application of the plaster for iontophoresis/galvanization on the skin of the human or animal body is connected at the point of control to the line (16), which can be removed from the surface of the plaster (302) as required, according to the invention, it now makes it possible for the values for the dosage of an active ingredient, the current values and duration of action during iontophoresis , the polarity can be maintained in a repeatable manner, which should give iontophoresis a big boost for the introduction of active pharmaceutical ingredients, since the active ingredient can be introduced directly into the skin at the area to be treated, or at least nearby, without passing through the gastrointestinal tract the same, without putting a strain on the entire organism - according to the invention, this is now possible thanks to the new stimulation device, What was previously not possible according to the specified values because the facilities were missing. In contrast to this, the doctor can now prescribe a certain type of plaster with a battery with a certain capacity and thus ensure that his prescription can be adhered to, and this with an inexpensive plaster, which is only possible thanks to the novel components according to the invention and their interaction with tried-and-tested components, preferably very inexpensive film resistors, in novel circuits according to the invention, which were made possible by the use of higher-frequency currents.

However, higher frequency currents are required for effective stimulation current therapies. In the development of all of these new versions of the stimulation current device according to the invention with electrodes and with sensor circuitry for their control, this fact was specifically used.

In the case of the plaster electrode (Fig. 9), a direct current with a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts flows from the battery (6) to the frequency generator (7) after, according to the invention, a pair of contacts (17) after the cover layer (301) has been removed and so when an insulating strip is pulled away between the Contacts of (17) were closed. From the frequency generator (8), which now has a higher-frequency current (preferably around 30,000 Hertz) to a gas discharge lamp (9), which, due to this frequency, does not require any additional circuit parts, which would otherwise be the case with longer gas discharge paths, as is the case with the larger stimulation current device according to the invention (Fig. 2 , Fig. 3) would otherwise have to be pre-built and can also be dispensed with here, which has a favorable effect on the production price.

A very inexpensive low-cost light-emitting diode, preferably 03 millimeters, is used as the gas discharge lamp, which has similar values to a low-current light-emitting diode that can also be used or a mercury gas discharge lamp, which has a length of about 150 millimeters and a 0 of about 20 millimeters is used in the stimulation current device (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). This can be explained by the fact that in comparison to the electrode spacing in light-emitting diodes, which is only measured in tenths of a millimeter, the difference in size compared to the gas atoms or gas molecules remains very significant even in such small gas discharge lamps. This was taken into account in the invention and, above all, the miniaturization of the stimulation current device was designed with this in mind. Such a use of light-emitting diodes, according to the invention, allows them to be used as part of a gas field effect transistor with the source connected to the transformer (8) and the drain connected to the dissipating ones Electrodes (4) or (4"""') in the plaster electrode are connected in series via resistors (13) and (14).

The gate of the same is in series with the resistor (15), the capacitor (15') - metal film capacitor, preferably with about 1 microfarad and the sensor contact electrode (1'). A potentiometer, as in the other versions of the stimulation current device, is not necessary for the plaster electrode, or even desirable, since the basic setting of the current should not be able to be changed by the user of the plaster in order not to endanger the success of the therapy. However, the fact that the user uses the sensor touch electrode (1') to control the current flow to a predetermined multiple of the basic current value by applying his body field/body tension/body current or deriving it from the gate of the novel component according to the invention, which will now be referred to below as the gas field effect transistor, is favorable for therapy. because a fixed value is reached when touched (for example 0.3 milliamperes) and after releasing the sensor touch electrode, the current suddenly drops to, for example, 0.1 milliamperes, so the user can immediately reduce the current if the load is too high. This has become possible for the first time with this novel dimmer circuit according to the invention by using preferably film resistors and a preferably sensor electrode made of resistance rubber (black rubber) with a high series resistance at low costs for the mass-produced parts available on the market. In a further embodiment for, for example, piastr electrodes for long-term use in, for example, _clinics , such an electrode/pair of electrodes can be provided with plug-in connections for the power supply from a stimulation current device of larger design and thus also a larger battery capacity. According to the invention, the plaster electrode consists of a mixture of preferably natural rubber, beeswax, larch needle balm, an aqueous solution (about 8%) of basic aluminum acetate and, to achieve about 900 ohms, flour preferably made from animal skins as an additive contains this material Pockets ⁽ 100) are incorporated _: in which the active ingredient(s) are located. The top and bottom of the plaster are provided with cover layers (302) and (301), with (302) carrying a conductive resistance layer (1), analogous to the other stimulation current devices, which forms part of the fabric (302) covering the intermediate layer. takes. Furthermore, (302) has an approximately meandering pattern on the line (16) for (1) which is glued/welded on/vulcanized so that it can be easily "reeled off". The covering layer (301), which preferably consists of a polyethylene film (PE) which is approximately 0.2 millimeters thick, is removed before use of the plaster is removed. In addition to the electrodes (4 ^< "'" ^» ), the intermediate layer material has a skin-friendly adhesive layer that is self-adhesive to the resistance material as well as to the user's skin and can be easily removed with soap, as alcohol is in any case must be avoided during iontophoresis. The larger stimulation current devices according to the invention have essentially the same circuit structure, with the additional use of one or more potentiometers (5), which are in series with the dissipating electrodes/electrodes, the resistors (13). , (14) and a pole changer (12). These versions preferably have a potentiometer for setting the multiplication factor, which according to the invention is used when a field, a voltage or a current flow is applied to the gate of the gas field effect transistor for the drain current. According to the invention, the current strength of the higher-frequency current is also multiplied to the same extent - by the same amplification factor - although only the direct current component flows in the gas field effect transistor, due to the rectifying property of the gas discharge gap. a stable direct current controlled via the field/voltage/current at the gate after changing. According to the invention, _U n is displayed very sensitively by the change in the luminous intensity of the gas field effect transistor, which means that analog or digital measuring devices are preferably not used in the versions of the stimulation current device, which further saves costs and simplifies the device circuit results (Fig.l). The stimulation current device, in the version with a larger battery ^capacity than the plaster electrode, here the version as a desk device (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) and also that of a hat device with an active ingredient mist electrode (4""") and active ingredient container (100) ,(Fig.6) ,in addition to the similar circuit and the use of preferably similar/identical components, such as the gas field effect transistor and the dimmer circuit (Fig.l, Fig.6 - in part (20); and the components (15), (15'), (1) and optionally (l') used for this purpose in the case of a sensor touch electrode/s that are removed from the stimulation current device but are connected * The features according to the invention mainly have features such as the plaster electrode; in addition, electrodes and control lines such as the clothing electrode (4 "'), the potential electrodes (4 ¹ ) and (4"), the galvanic electrode / general electrode / s ( 4) can be connected together with the novel fine magnetic field electrode (4'"") according to the invention, which is constructed very simply by winding around an iron wire with a diameter of preferably about 3 millimeters, preferably about 1000 turns of a copper wire with a diameter of about 00.1 millimeters and with the potentiometer (5.) is connected in series parallel to the lines of the dissipating electrodes (4), which is fed from the connection (16) of the stimulation current device via a potentiometer £ü-), preferably via a field effect transistor (10) as a current limiter ( Fig.4). The ends of the iron wire can easily be bent according to the parts of the body to be treated and their ends transmit a relatively dense magnetic line flux to the body tissue, which, according to the invention, is transmitted to the user via the sensor touch electrode (1) in terms of its intensity and frequency in accordance with his feeling communicated by the analog controlled electrodes (4). Despite the low electrical power used to generate the fine magnetic field (less than 0.1 watts), this therapy has positive effects on the human and animal body because the magnetic field is one that is controlled by hand Sensor contact electrode, a magnetic field with a frequency between approximately 5 and 10 Hertz.

This magnetic fur electrode is connected in the same way to the handheld device (Fig. 6), to the outlets (4/12), whereby this outlet is a double connection, which in a novel way saves space by pulling it out of the upper part (20). The polarity is reversed a few millimeters in the position then reached compared to the previous polarity. The control line from the sensor contact electrode is plugged into the socket with the designation l ¹ when using an electrode (1') that has been removed from the device. According to the invention, a field/voltage/current flow is applied to the gate of the gas field effect transistor located in the device via the connecting line and series-connected resistors (15) and preferably a capacitor (15*) and the star's strength and shape are changed.

In the same way, the novel syringe electrodes according to the invention are connected to the various stimulation currents via the lines (16). devices with a larger battery capacity than the Piaster electrode, connected and controlled (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8), with the active ingredient in the syringe (200) for the first time via the connection (196), the piston rod (198), the piston (199 ) of the syringe is polarized in the sense of iontophoresis, via the other current-carrying electrodes at the base of the syringe (200), which are supplied via the connections (16) ^" and the connection (16) which projects into the interior of the syringe with its free end can be used when used Using a suitable contrast medium, the ion flow in the cylinder space in front of the piston (199) can be made visible in a novel way.

With an analogous polarity of the counter electrode on the patient's body, the ion flow required for the active ingredient can be checked for accuracy as a precaution before the contents of the syringe are administered, with the cannula (201) not yet inserted into the tissue. This is an important consideration when using the novel syringe electrode according to the invention in prefilled or refilled form. Condition.

Another feature according to the invention of these novel syringe electrodes, which enable a novel treatment of damaged cartilage, among other things, is that the patient feels so much at the puncture site during the procedure, which is usually carried out under anesthesia, that he over the sensor electrode (1), which is connected to the stimulation current device, preferably in a desk version, can significantly determine the intensity of the iontophoresis, as can the doctor who carries out the procedure.

Another essential, novel electrode according to the invention for the first-time determination of body fields using simple means with an effort that is only a fraction of the effort required so far and for diagnosing the charge status of human and animal bodies, but also as a comfortable switching element under clothes, for example The field proximity electrode, which consists of a gas discharge lamp or glow lamp connected in parallel to the electrodes (4), as is common in phase testers, for example, can be used, as occurs with carriers of plaster electrodes, for example, but only there For alternating voltages above 60 volts, when you touch the conducting end, it glows and thus indicates a voltage difference between, for example, the phase and the tester.

The feature of the field proximity electrode (9 ¹ ), (Fig.5), which is used to display the charge status before and after applying a clothing electrode or in Connection to a touch sensor electrode (1') in the stimulation current device in the form of a desk (Fig. ) is used and there is connected to the control line (15) with an electronic operational amplifier, which amplifies the voltage change at the electrode of the field proximity electrode, etc. For example, a transistor or thyristor switches or the field proximity electrode communicates the change in luminous intensity that occurs in this new type of display device when used together with the gas field effect transistor when approaching the electrodes to an optoelectronic switch that is connected to the field proximity electrode trode is assembled.

When the polarity is reversed, a field proximity electrode switched in this way is deleted. The sensitivity of the field proximity electrode, connected internally together with the gas field effect transistor, is so great that a one-sided connection of the field proximity electrode to a dissipating electrode (4) from the stimulation current device is sufficient to ensure that the field proximity electrode always remains the same the tolerance measured in millimeters, for example the finger of a human hand is removed from the glass body of the field effect electrode to cause it to react. 0 This display option is important when detecting fields, for example, during treatments with potentials (Fig. 4) and treatment with the clothing electrode, and here for setting the potentiometer (5") used and the effective application of the electricity ¬ electrodes (4"') and checking the field effect transistors (10) when the touch sensor electrode (1) is actuated and the gas discharge lamp (9) responds correctly by changing the light intensity. This also proves that such fields exist and how they can be influenced with the novel stimulation current devices according to the invention. In addition, this novel field proximity switch according to the invention can be used for many other tasks, for example industrially.

2. Stimulation device according to claim 1 as a hand-held device with an active ingredient container (100) and a foldable comb electrode (4 ""), (Fig. 6), characterized in that, according to the invention, a drug mist electrode (4 """) for iontophoresis is used as an electrode When the active ingredient flows through the inner electrode, which is passed through the upper part (20) as a tube, the quantity of the active ingredient flow is determined by the intensity when the container (100) is compressed with the hand and the opening width of the nozzle determined, by turning the nozzle adjustment to the left (seen in plan view) and thereby narrowing the continuous elastic hose and thus the nozzle opening by eccentric movement of the adjusting wheel - with the circuit specified in claim 1 "corresponding to a dissipating electrode (4) listed there.

If you continue turning to the left, the adjustment wheel jumps over and the nozzle, which is completely closed at the end of the movement, opens again when turning - according to the eccentric shape. Turning to the right causes the stimulation current device to be switched on using the switch (17) 0 and turning on when you continue turning Change the basic setting of the stimulation current on the potentiometer (5) to a larger current strength. Such a space-saving and ergonomically developed switching element for a stimulation current device is novel. 3. Stimulus device according to claim 1 as a hand-held device with an active ingredient container and 5 and foldable comb electrode, characterized in that the active substance jet is directed into a hole/chamber sealed against the top of the upper part (20) by opening the comb electrode (4 "") ¬ nally redirected" which nebulizes the active ingredient between the tines and/or into the hollow tines, which are conductive as a dissipating electrode (4).

Further characterized in that the upper part (20) preferably acts as a dissipating electrode (4) when the comb electrode is folded in and the container (100) acts as a counter electrode on the body/hand (4) both in the opened and in the folded state of the comb electrode the surface (4) of the upper part (20) used as a massaging electrode/smoothing electrode.

Further characterized in that the container (100) can only be replaced by a sealed container (100) as a replacement container, which is caused by cams on the plug-in connection of the container (100), which break off when the container is twisted for the purpose of opening and thus prevent that the container can be attached to the upper part (20) again.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the container (100) cannot be removed from the upper part (20). Stimulation current device according to claim 1 as a desk device (Fig.

3) carried out, characterized in that it contains a rechargeable battery set, the battery charger of which is integrated into the stimulation current device and, when fully charged, is used with one of the known ones

REPLACEMENT SHEET Circuits double electronically ensure that the device can be used when the cable is plugged into the mains and, moreover, it becomes mechanically impossible to operate the potentiometer (5) when the plug is plugged in, because the potentiometer is provided with a key that can only be used when the rotary knob of the potentiometer is in the zero position A security locking cylinder can be inserted into the counterpart, and after the security key attachment, which is permanently attached to the rotary knob, has become form-fitting with the security cylinder through a slight rotational movement (about 3 degrees), the coupled to the rotatable locking cylinder of the security lock (with Sleeve coupling) potentiometer is then further actuated via an attached, equally rotating - preferably with advance due to a translation of the cam ring - cam ring, micro switch (connected twice in series), which only transfers the current to the dissipating electrodes after about 3 degrees of rotation of the rotary knob the safety key attachment attached to it, which acts as a sash in the counterpart, the lock, which is permanently installed in the housing (20) of the stimulation current device, and after turning the rotary knob with the cover (18) permanently attached to it, in cooperation with then on the housing permanently attached hinge of the same, in that the security key attachment is only slightly axially displaceable (preferably only a few millimeters), but is rotatably mounted in the cover (18).

This also ensures mechanically that the dissipating electrodes are only connected when the plug of the line to the mains is pulled out of the connection (23).

(4) and the sensor electrodes (1) and (1 ¹ ) with the field proximity sensor (9') are connected to the battery in the stimulation current device, which makes it impossible for the mains voltage/current to pass through to the electrodes. Furthermore, the polarity reversal switch (12) is covered by the cover (18) and thus, with this device with a higher battery capacity and stimulation currents of over 1 milliamperes, as used in clinics, a shock due to polarity reversal of electrodes connected to the patient is avoided. _ Stimulus device with clothing electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that fabrics other than silk fabric and conductors other than those made of gold threads can also be used as electrode material for the clothing electrode, which are provided with a coating as resistance material (black rubber) on the metal electrodes ( 4"') is connected, is used. Further characterized in that the position of the potentiometer, the control points of contact between the body surface and the clothing electrode are fixed in the clothing electrode according to a doctor's prescription, i.e. the electrode is "Taylormade"/made for a specific patient and to cure a specific physical disorder. 5 Furthermore, due to the connections attached to it, this clothing electrode is suitable for applying potentials as well as for galvanization and the use of fine magnetic fields.

5. Stimulating current device for fine currents and electrodes with sensor circuit for fine currents and fine fields, preferably for a power supply of the 0 dissipating electrodes below 1 milliamperes, characterized in that there is a circuit for the sensor contact electrodes (1) and (l') and the dissipating electrodes (4 ) ,(4' ) ,(4") , (4"' ) , (4"") , (4"" ^• ) , ($""") , (4""'" ) , further for the field proximity electrode / en ( 9 ' ) has a connection / connections and operational amplifiers and electronic switches, which it is with 5 a 9-volt block battery (replaceable / rechargeable) according to the circuit / s according to claim 1 with the switching elements there, such as the gas field effect transistor Dimmer circuit with sensor touch electrode(s), field proximity electrode(s) and the variable resistors, fixed resistors and capacitors used for their adjustment as a universally usable stimulation current device with a carrying handle (21) on it in an even smaller, preferably narrower design than the hand-held device with active device mist nozzle and active ingredient container.

Such a design preferably only has dimensions of less than 20 millimeters by 50 millimeters by 70 millimeters and can be used universally for the stimulation current therapies in question according to the description of the application and the patent claims in the same and also corresponding relevant drawings.