Apparatus and method for controlling the application of therapeutic direct current to living tissue
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling the application of therapeutic direct current to living tissue comprising:
- (a) means for increasing the amplitude of an applied direct current passing through the tissue from an insignificant level to a first predetermined higher level at a first controlled rate,(b) means for changing the current level passing through the tissue to a second predetermined lower level and maintaining it for a predetermined controlled time period following attainment of the first predetermined current level, and(c) means for decreasing the current level passing through the tissue to an insignificant level at a second controlled rate following the controlled time period,the current levels being such as to generate voltage gradients in the tissue which are less than nerve stimulation voltage gradients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and a method for applying current of a particular form to bulk resistance means such a living tissue. The applied current is D.C. at a level so low as to generate voltage gradients within the bulk resistance such as to be substantially under nerve or muscle stimulation potential. Apparatus is provided to increase the current level at a first predetermined rate to a first level for a first period of time, to lower it to a second level for a longer period of time, then to lower it to zero at a second predetermined rate. When applied to painful living tissue substantial reduction or elimination of pain and inflamation has been found to occur.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling the application of therapeutic direct current to living tissue comprising:
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(a) means for increasing the amplitude of an applied direct current passing through the tissue from an insignificant level to a first predetermined higher level at a first controlled rate, (b) means for changing the current level passing through the tissue to a second predetermined lower level and maintaining it for a predetermined controlled time period following attainment of the first predetermined current level, and (c) means for decreasing the current level passing through the tissue to an insignificant level at a second controlled rate following the controlled time period, the current levels being such as to generate voltage gradients in the tissue which are less than nerve stimulation voltage gradients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling direct current applied to living tissue comprising:
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(a) applying a direct current source to living tissue, (b) increasing the amplitude of the direct current from an insignificant level to a first predetermined level at a first controlled rate, (c) maintaining the first predetermined current level for a first period of time, and (d) decreasing the current at a second controlled rate to an insignificant level at a second controlled rate following the first period of time, the current which is applied being predetermined to generate voltage gradients in living tissue which are less than nerve stimulation voltage gradients. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification