Therapeutic method of using low intensity direct current generator with polarity reversal

• US 4,019,510 A
• Filed: 02/10/1975
• Issued: 04/26/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MDT Incorporated, Santa Barbara Research Center (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sybron Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ellis, Franklin Hammond
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/548,352
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 128/172.1, 128/362, 128/404, 128/419 R, 128/421-423
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/20 continuous direct currents
• 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

Abstract

A method for treating skin ulcers, infections and the like by eletrotherapy. Therapeutic low intensity direct current is applied to a patient by electrodes, at least one of which contains silver. The polarity of the direct current is reversed from time to time to prevent the accumulation of unwanted material upon the silver bearing electrode due to electrochemical action.

Claims

1. A method of therapeutic healing skin lesions, ulcers, and the like, comprising the steps of:

maintaining electrodes at least one of which is silver bearing in proximity to said skin lesions, ulcers, and the like;

applying a first current flow of positive polarity having a first magnitude in the order of 4 microamps through said electrodes for a first period of time in the order of 50 minutes;

applying a second current flow of negative polarity and having a second magnitude in the order of 250 microamps for a second period of time in the order of 5 minutes through said electrodes, and

alternately repeating said applying steps for the duration of the therapy.

2. A method of theropeutic healing skin lesions, ulcers, and the like, comprising the steps of:

maintaining electrodes at least one of which is silver bearing in proximity to said skin lesions, ulcers, and the like;

applying a current flow of positive polarity having a magnitude in the order of 250 microamps through said electrodes for a first time period in the order of 5 minutes;

abstaining from applying current for a second time period in the order of 55 minutes; and

alternately repeating said applying and abstaining steps for the duration of the therapy.