Instruments for transcutaneous and subcutaneous investigation and treatment

• US 3,894,532 A
• Filed: 01/17/1974
• Issued: 07/15/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Earl Morey
• Original Assignee: Robert Earl Morey
• Inventors: Morey, Robert Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/433,986
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1C,2.1R,2.1Z,2.1M,303.14,419R,420,422 307/235R
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/907 Acupuncture

Abstract

Instrument provides three modes of operation: (1) An impedance measuring probe and meter and a tone generator, the frequency of which is a function of the skin impedance at the test point. A squelch circuit disables the tone generator when the probe is not in contact with the skin; (2) A sensitive voltage measuring meter can then be switched on using the same indicator. The polarity of the voltage at the probe is indicated by differently colored lights; (3) A voltage generator can then be switched on to provide bursts of electrical energy to the test point. Multiple electrodes are also provided.

Claims

1. Instrument for determining transcutaneous points of minimum impedance comprising a probe electrode and a common body electrode, means for applying a direct voltage between said electrodes to establish a current the amplitude of which is a function of the impedance between said electrodes, means for generating an audio tone the frequency of which varies continuously as a function of the value of the amplitude of said current and thus of the impedance betweeen said electrodes and squelch means operative to disable said tone generator when the value of said impedance exceeds a predetermined value.

2. An instrument according to claim 1 in which said squelch means includes an operational amplifier having two input terminals and an output terminal, means for applying to one of said two input terminals a voltage proportional to said current, means for applying a reference voltage of selectable amplitude to the other of said two input terminals, the voltage appearing at said output terminaL being determined by the relative amplitudes of the two voltages applied to the respective input terminals, and means for utilizing said voltage appearing at said output terminal to disable said tone generator.

3. Instrument for transcutaneous and subcutaneous investigation and treatment comprising a probe electrode and a common body electrode, means for applying a d.c. voltage between said probe and common body electrodes, means for visually indicating the relative impedance of a portion of the human body when said electrodes are placed in contact with said body at selected positions thereon;

means for generating an audible tone the frequency of which is a function of the amplitude of the probe current flowing between said probe electrodes whereby points of minimum impedance may be visually and aurally located by moving said probe electrode over the surface of said body;

squelch means responsive to probe currents which have less than a selected minimum amplitude for disabling said audible tone generating means when the impedance between said electrodes exceeds a selectable value; and

means for selectively applying treating pulses between said probe and common body electrodes after a point of minimum impedance has been located without moving said probe electrode from said point, said last-named means including a pulse generator for producing variable frequency and duty-cycle pulses, an oscillator for producing electrical oscillations of selectable frequency and amplitude, said oscillator being under the on-off control of said pulse generator so as to apply bursts of said oscillations of selectable duration and spacing between said electrodes during said treatment.

4. An instrument according to claim 3 in which said oscillation generator produces oscillations having an amplitude symmetrical above and below the reference potential of said common electrode.