Method for conditioning skin and an electrode by passing electrical energy

• US 6,032,060 A
• Filed: 01/25/1996
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Burton, Scott A., Carim, Hatim M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): YARNELL, BRYAN KEITH
• Application Number:
  US08/591,867
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/376, 600/382-384, 600/395-397, 600/508, 600/509, 600/513, 607/2, 607/50, 607/75, 607/100, 607/149, 607/72, 607/76, 728/898
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0412 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02

Abstract

A method of conditioning skin by passing electrical energy through a medical electrode and maintaining a desired chemical composition in the electrode by passing the electrical energy therethrough.

Claims

1. A method of using a medical electrode comprising the steps of:

a) placing the electrode on the skin;

b) conditioning the skin beneath the electrode by passing conditioning electrical energy through the electrode and into the skin; and

c) passing regenerating electrical energy through the electrode to substantially maintain a desired chemical composition in the electrode.