Current producing surface

• US 20050187580A1
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franklin Mountain Investments Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Vomaris Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Skiba, Jeffry B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,457,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428

Abstract

In an embodiment, an article includes a primary surface, and a pattern of spaced dissimilar materials, on the primary surface. The pattern is to spontaneously produce electrical surface currents when brought into contact with an electrically conducting solution.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

making a surface pattern of spaced dissimilar electrodes to spontaneously produce electrical currents when brought into contact with an electrically conducting solution, by

printing a first ink onto a primary surface of an article to form a first pattern comprising at least one discrete design, wherein the first ink includes a first element; and

printing a second ink onto the primary surface to form a second pattern that is interspersed throughout the first pattern, but such that the first element does not amalgamate with a second element, wherein the second ink includes the second element,

and wherein at least part of the first pattern and the second pattern are to spontaneously produce the electrical currents when at least part of the primary surface is interfaced with the electrically conducting solution.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

grinding the first element into a first powder; and

mixing the first powder with a binder to form the first ink, wherein the binder used to form the first ink is a biocompatible polyacrylic ink.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

grinding the first element into a first powder; and

mixing the first powder with a binder to form the first ink, wherein the binder used to form the first ink is a biocompatible epoxy.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein printing is performed using a screen printing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second pattern is interspersed throughout the first pattern such that there is at least a half millimeter spacing between selected ones of the first element and the second element.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

grinding the first element into a first powder;

sifting the first powder through at least one screen such that those particles of the first powder that are substantially of a predetermined size are used in the first named mixing step;

mixing the first powder with a binder to form the first ink;

grinding the second element into a second powder;

sifting the second powder through at least one screen; and

mixing those particles of the second powder that are substantially of a predetermined size with a binder to form the second ink.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

grinding the first element into a first powder; and

mixing the first powder with a binder to form the first ink, wherein the binder mixed with the first powder comprises at least fifteen percent, by weight, of the first ink.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a primary surface of an article;

a first design formed from a first ink that includes a mixture of a polymer and a first element, wherein the first ink is printed into a position of contact with the primary surface;

a second design formed from a second ink that includes a mixture of a polymer and a second element, wherein the second element includes a different metal species than the first element, and wherein the second ink is printed into a position of contact with the primary surface;

a spacing on the primary surface that is between the first design and the second design such that the first design does not physically contact the second design;

at least one repetition of the first design and the second design, the at least one first design repetition being substantially adjacent the second design,

wherein, when an electrolytic solution is brought into contact with the primary surface, the first design, the second design, and the at least one repetition are to spontaneously produce electrical currents.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first design includes at least one dot, wherein selective ones of the at least one dot have approximately a 1.5 mm±

1 mm mean diameter; and

wherein the second design includes at least one other dot, wherein selective ones of the at least one other dot have approximately a 2.5 mm±

2 mm mean diameter; and

wherein the spacing is approximately 1.5 mm±

1 mm.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a fine line of one of the first or second inks printed at least partially in the spacing and connecting to at least one of the first or second designs.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first design includes a hexagonally shaped dot;

the second design includes two hexagonally shaped dots that are spaced from each other by approximately 2.5 mm±

2 mm; and

wherein multiple repetitions of the first design and the second design result in at least one pattern characterized by the first design being surrounded by six hexagonally shaped dots of the second design.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first design includes a line that is approximately 2.5 mm±

2 mm wide; and

wherein the spacing is approximately 1.5 mm±

1 mm.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first design is comprised of visible symbols.

14. A method comprising:

applying a first fluid to a face of a pliable dressing material to form a first design, wherein the first fluid includes a first biocompatible polymer and a first element;

applying a second fluid to the face of the pliable dressing material to form a second design such that the second design is not physically contacting the first design, wherein the second fluid includes a second biocompatible polymer and a second element to form a second fluid; and

repeating the first design and the second design to create a pattern that alternates between the first design and the second design,

wherein the pliable dressing material is to be applied to an area of damaged tissue such that an electrically conducting solution at least partially contacts the area and the face of the pliable dressing material, to cause at least part of the pattern of the first design and the second design to spontaneously produce electrical currents.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising fixing an absorbent cloth layer to a back of the pliable dressing material.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising bonding an elastic adhesive layer to the absorbent cloth layer such that there is at least one overlapping piece of the elastic adhesive layer for securing the pliable dressing material over an area of damaged tissue.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the first element includes a silver powder, and wherein the second element includes a zinc powder.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein applying the first fluid and applying the second fluid include screen printing the first fluid and the second fluid onto the pliable dressing material.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein at least some of the particles of the silver powder are approximately 100 microns or less in size.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the biocompatible polymer is to slowly degrade when in contact with the electrically conducting solution such that the elements are gradually to expose to the electrically conducting solution.

21. An apparatus comprising:

an article having a primary surface; and

a pattern of spaced dissimilar materials, on the primary surface, wherein the pattern is to spontaneously produce electrical surface currents when brought into contact with a conductive material.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pattern comprises:

a first pattern of one or more first electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more first electrodes include silver; and

a second pattern of one or more second electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more second electrodes include zinc, and wherein the second pattern is positioned in proximity to and physically separated from the first pattern.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pattern comprises:

a first pattern of one or more first electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more first electrodes include silver and a first binder; and

a second pattern of one or more second electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more second electrodes include zinc and a second binder, and wherein the second pattern is positioned in proximity to and physically separated from the first pattern.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pattern comprises:

a first pattern of one or more first electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more first electrodes include silver;

a second pattern of one or more second electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more second electrodes include zinc, and wherein the second pattern is positioned in proximity to the first pattern; and

one or more conductive lines between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, wherein the one or more conductive lines are to deplete more rapidly than the pattern when brought into contact with the conductive material.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the article includes a wound dressing.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the article is selected from a group of articles that includes a medical instrument, a dressing, an implant, a gown, a glove, a sock, a table, and a door knob.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

an elastic adhesive layer to secure the article over an area of damaged tissue such that the primary surface is toward the area of damaged tissue.

28. An apparatus to facilitate wound healing comprising:

an article having a primary surface, wherein the article is flexible, enabling it to conform to an area of damaged tissue; and

a pattern of spaced dissimilar materials, on the primary surface, wherein the pattern is to spontaneously produce electrical currents when brought into contact with a conductive material.

29. An apparatus comprising:

an article having a primary surface; and

a pattern of spaced dissimilar electrodes, on the primary surface, wherein the pattern is to spontaneously produce an array of electrical currents when brought into contact with a conductive material.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pattern comprises:

a first pattern of one or more first electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more first electrodes include silver; and

a second pattern of one or more second electrodes on the primary surface, wherein the one or more second electrodes include zinc, and wherein the second pattern is positioned in proximity to and physically separated from the first pattern.

31. A method comprising:

securing a medical apparatus to an area of damaged tissue, wherein the medical apparatus includes a pattern of spaced dissimilar electrodes on a primary surface of the medical apparatus, and wherein the medical apparatus is secured to the area of damaged tissue so that the primary surface contacts the area of damaged tissue, resulting in production of spontaneous electrical currents generated across the spaced dissimilar electrodes.

32. A method comprising:

applying a pattern of spaced dissimilar materials to a primary surface of an article, wherein the pattern is to spontaneously produce electrical currents when brought into contact with a conductive material.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein applying the pattern comprises:

applying a first pattern of electrodes, which include silver; and

applying a second pattern of electrodes, which include zinc.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein applying the pattern comprises:

applying the pattern to an article selected from a group of articles that includes a medical instrument, a dressing, an implant, a gown, a glove, a sock, a table, and a door knob.