ELECTRIC CONTACTOR WITH VENTURI-SUCTION MEANS FOR ORGANIC TISSUE

• US 3,640,270 A
• Filed: 07/29/1970
• Issued: 02/08/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heiner Hoffmann
• Original Assignee: Heiner Hoffmann
• Inventors: Hoffmann, Heiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/059,283
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.6E,2.6R,2.1E,2.1R,404,410,411,417,418,DIG.4
• US Class Current: 600/387
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/252 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/26 Electromedical brushes; Electromedical massage devices massage devices in general A61H; Combs

Abstract

A contactor for diagnostic or therapeutic use on human or animal tissue comprises a suction cup of elastomeric material containing an electrolyte-impregnated sponge near the mouth of the cup supported on an electrode plate from which a conductor extends insulatedly outwardly inside a tube leading to a source of air under pressure. This tube, traversing the cup inwardly of the electrode plate, forms a Venturi nozzle for aspirating air from the interior of the cup and terminates in an outlet which opens into the atmosphere for dispersing entrained liquid.

Claims

1. A contactor for establishing electric communication with organic tissue, comprising a generally cup-shaped housing consisting at least partly of conductive material, said housing having a mouth bounded by a tissue-engaging rim;

storage means in said housing accessible through said mouth for maintaining a supply of liquid electrolyte in contact with the conductive part of said housing;

conduit means leading from a source of highpressure gas to the atmosphere, said conduit means forming a Venturi nozzle and being provided with a branch leading from said nozzle to the interior of said housing for creating in the latter a partial vacuum to hold said rim in contact with tissue engaged thereby while dispersing entrained liquid from said storage means into the open air, and conductor means extending outwardly from said conductive part for connection to an external circuit.

2. A contactor as defined in claim 1 wherein said conduit means comprises a tube rigid with said housing.

3. A contactor as defined in claim 2 wherein said conductive part comprises an electrode plate in said housing spaced inwardly from said rim, said plate having a hole forming part of said branch.

4. A contactor as defined in claim 3 wherein said tube is metallic and contacts said electrode plate on the side thereof opposite said mouth.

5. A contactor as defined in claim 4 wherein said conduit means includes a metallic nipple integral with said tube and said conductor means comprises a lead tied to said nipple, said conduit means further including a hose fitted around said nipple and enveloping at least part of said lead.

6. A contactor as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing comprises an elastomeric shell surrounding said electrode plate and said tube.

7. A contactor as defined in claim 3 wherein said storage means comprises a sponge carried on a surface of said electrode plate confronting said rim.