ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE FOR RELEASING IONS

• US 20170360973A1
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NMR Technology As
• Original Assignee: NMR Technology As
• Inventors: Saue, Vidar
• Application Number:
  US15/533,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20170360973A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0008 with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0024 with means generating ions
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0034 with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1073 Denture toothbrush, i.e. used for dentures specifically
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/035 Electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0432 Anode and cathode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/22 Electromedical belts , e.g. neck chains, armbands
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/26 Electromedical brushes; Electromedical massage devices massage devices in general A61H; Combs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 : Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 : ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/225 : the changeable unit being resiliently mounted on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/405 : Electric features; Charging; Computing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/4087 : Usage or wear indication
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/00 : Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper B65D45/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 : with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4606 : for producing oligodynamic substances to disinfect the water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46109 : Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46176 : Galvanic cells
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 : characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46135 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 : Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/02 : as part of a bottle
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/335 : using semiconductor devices only

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrochemical device for releasing ions, comprising an electrical circuit comprising a first electrode and a second electrode adapted for providing a galvanic cell when the electrodes are exposed to a fluid constituting an electrolyte, and a boost converter adapted for amplifying a potential generated between the first and the second electrode. The electrical circuit further comprises a third electrode connected with an output side of the boost converter, wherein the second and the third electrode constitutes an electrolytic cell powered by the galvanic cell when the electrodes are exposed to a fluid. The present invention further relates to devices, such as a toothbrush or a shaver, adapted for being used in connection with a fluid, comprising such electrochemical device for releasing ions.

Claims

1. An electrochemical device, comprising a first part and a second part, said first part comprising:

a first and a second electrode adapted for providing a galvanic cell when said first and second electrode are exposed to an external fluid, said fluid constituting an electrolyte,

one or more electrochemical system;

said galvanic cell adapted to power, when in operation, said one or more electrochemical system;

said second part comprising a boost converter adapted for amplyfing a potential generated between said first electrode and said second electrode.

2. An electrochemical device according to claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an handheld device, wherein said first part is a handle portion for being held in the hand of a user, and said second part is a head portion adapted to be in contact with said external fluid.

3. An electrochemical device according to claim 1, wherein said one or more electrochemical system are an electrolytic cell provided by a third electrode connected with an output side of said boost converter and said second electrode when exposed to said external fluid constituting an electrolyte, whereby when in operation ions are released from one or more of said first, second or third electrode into said external fluid constituting an electrolyte.

4. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said first electrode is a cathode electrode of said galvanic cell, said third electrode is a cathode electrode of said electrolytic cell, and said second electrode is a common anode electrode shared by said galvanic cell and said electrolytic cell.

5. An electrochemical device according to claim 1 wherein said one or more electrochemical system is an electric-powered device.

6. An electrochemical device according to claim 1, wherein said one or more electrochemical system are at least two electrochemical systems.

7. An electrochemical device according to claim 6, wherein said at least two electrochemical systems are an electrolytic cell and an electric powered device.

8. An electrochemical device according to claim 6, wherein electric-powered device is a light emitting device or an ultrasound transducer, connected with an output side of the boost converter.

9. An electrochemical device according to claim 1, wherein said boost converter comprises an inductor in the form of a toroidal core inductor comprising a toroidal core made from a ferromagnetic material, and a coil wound around the toroidal core.

10. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said first electrode comprises graphene, such as carbon nanotubes or fullerenes, said second electrode comprises magnesium or zinc, and said third electrode comprises silver or copper.

11. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said electrochemical device is a toothbrush and wherein said first, second and third electrodes are provided on a brush head portion of the toothbrush, whereby when said electrodes are exposed to said external fluid in the oral cavity, ions may be released from the electrodes into the oral cavity.

12. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said electrochemical device is a shaver and wherein said first, second and third electrodes are provided on a shaver head portion of the shaver, whereby when the electrodes are exposed to said external fluid on the skin, ions may be released from the electrodes onto the skin.

13. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said electrochemical device is a bottle cap for being mounted on a bottle and wherein said first, second and third electrodes are provided on an inner surface of said bottle cap arranged for being exposed to said external fluid in said bottle, whereby when the electrodes are exposed to said external fluid in said bottle, ions may be released from the electrodes into said external fluid in said bottle.

14. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said electrochemical device is a water-cleaning device adapted for cleaning water in a container, wherein said first, second and third electrodes are arranged in a housing adapted for being at least partially submerged in water, wherein said first, second and third electrodes are provided on an outer surface of said housing adapted for being submerged, whereby when the electrodes are exposed to said external fluid, such as water, ions may be released from the electrodes into said external fluid.

15. An electrochemical device according to claim 3, wherein said electrochemical device is a wound disinfection device for cleaning wounded skin, wherein said first, second and third electrodes are arranged in a housing and wherein said first, second and third electrodes are provided on an exterior interface adapted for being pressed onto an area of a wounded skin, whereby when the electrodes are exposed to said external fluids located in the wound area, ions may be released from the electrodes into said external fluids in the wound area.

16. An electrochemical device according to claim 5, wherein said electric-powered device is a light emitting device, connected with an output side of said boost converter.

17. An electrochemical device according to claim 5, further comprising an electrical circuit;

wherein said handheld device is adapted for being used in connection with said external fluid, wherein said head portion is provided with a functional unit, wherein said head portion is provided with at least said first electrode and said second electrode adapted for providing said galvanic cell when said head portion is exposed to said external fluid, said first electrode and said second electrode being connected with said electrical circuit comprising said boost converter adapted for amplifying a potential generated between said first and said second electrode, and wherein said handheld device further comprises said electric-powered device, such as a light emitting device, connected with an output side of said boost converter.

18. An electrochemical device according to claim 5, further comprising an electrical circuit;

wherein said handheld device is adapted for being used in connection with said external fluid, wherein said head portion is provided with a functional unit, wherein said head portion is provided with at least said first electrode and said second electrode adapted for providing said galvanic cell when said head portion is exposed to said external fluid, said first electrode and said second electrode being connected with said electrical circuit comprising said boost converter adapted for amplifying a potential generated between said first and said second electrode, and wherein said handheld device further comprises said electric-powered device, such as a light emitting device, connected with an output side of said boost converter, wherein said functional unit is a brush assembly or a razor assembly.

19. An electrochemical device according to claim 5, further comprising an electrical circuit;

wherein said handheld device is adapted for being used in connection with said external fluid, wherein said head portion is provided with a functional unit, wherein said head portion is provided with at least said first electrode and said second electrode adapted for providing said galvanic cell when said head portion is exposed to said external fluid, said first electrode and said second electrode being connected with said electrical circuit comprising said boost converter adapted for amplifying a potential generated between said first and said second electrode, and wherein said handheld device further comprises said electric-powered device, such as a light emitting device, connected with an output side of said boost converter, wherein the electric-powered device is a light emitting device or and ultrasound transducer adapted for transmitting pulses.

20. An electrochemical device according to claim 17, wherein said handheld device is a toothbrush and said head portion is a brush head of the toothbrush.

21. (canceled)