Iontophoretic treatment apparatus

• US 4,325,367 A
• Filed: 11/19/1979
• Issued: 04/20/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Tapper
• Original Assignee: Robert Tapper
• Inventors: Tapper, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/095,632
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.21, 128/783, 128/791-793, 128/795, 128/796, 128/798, 128/802, 128/803, 128/640
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0432 Anode and cathode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0436 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428

Abstract

A self-contained iontophoretic treatment apparatus is provided which includes a support structure on which is mounted a pair of electrodes in generally close proximity to one another as well as a source of electrical power and appropriate controls for delivering electrical power to the electrodes. The electrodes are arranged so that, for example, the palm of a single human hand can be placed on the device and simultaneously contact both electrodes, thereby confining the iontophoretic treatment to the palm surface of the hand. Alternative embodiments of the invention specially adapted for treating the plantar surfaces of the feet and the axillae are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A self-contained iontophoretic treatment apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

a source of electrical power and a control means therefor on said support structure;

a pair of electrodes mounted on said support structure in generally close proximity to one another, said electrodes being connected to said source of electrical power through said control means;

porous pads on said electrodes, and an insulating member extending between said electrodes, a first of said electrodes being connected to said source of electrical power and arranged to act primarily as a cathode, and the other electrode being connected to said source of electrical power and arranged to act primarily as an anode, said first electrode being formed of stainless steel and said other electrode being formed of substantially pure aluminum, said support structure and said electrodes being sized and arranged so that a surface to be treated can extend across said insulating member and simultaneously contact both of said pads, whereby electric current from said electrodes for effecting iontophoretic treatment will pass only through the surface being treated.

2. An iontophoretic treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said porous pads are moisture absorbing, said insulating member extending between said moisture absorbing pads.

3. An iontophoretic treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pads are formed of polyester material.

4. A self-contained iontophoretic treatment apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

a source of electrical power and a control means therefor on said support structure;

a pair of electrodes mounted on a treatment surface of said support structure in generally close proximity to one another, said electrodes being connected to said source of electrical power through said control means;

porous pads on said electrodes, and an insulating member extending between said electrodes on said treatment surface, said treatment surface being the upper surface of said support structure and being sized to conform generally with the size of the plantar surface of a human foot, said treatment surface including a centrally located raised portion along one side thereof to cooperate with the arch portion of said plantar surface of said foot, said insulating member being disposed transversely across said treatment surface between said electrodes so that said plantar surface of said foot to be treated can be placed on said treatment surface extending across said insulating member and simultaneously contact both of said pads, whereby electric current from said electrodes for effecting iontophoretic treatment will pass only through said plantar surface of said foot being treated.

5. A self-contained iontophoretic treatment apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

a source of electrical power and a control means therefor on said support structure;

a pair of electrodes mounted on a treatment surface of said support structure in generally close proximity to one another, said electrodes being connected to said source of electric power through said control means;

porous pads on said electrodes, and an insulating member extending between said electrodes on said treatment surface, said support structure forming a generally upright housing, said treatment surface including two generally vertical, parallel planes on said housing facing oppositely from one another and the top of said upright housing connecting said oppositely facing planes, said treatment surface being sized to conform generally with the size of a human axilla, said insulating member being disposed transversely across said treatment surface at the top of said upright housing and between said electrodes so that a human axilla to be treated can extend across said insulating member and simultaneously contact both of said pads, whereby electric current from said electrodes for effecting iontophoretic treatment will pass only through the surface of the axilla being treated.