High voltage transcutaneous electrical stimulation device and method
First Claim
1. A system for treating a medical disorder in a patient in need thereof, the system comprising a source of variable AC voltage having a voltage in a range of about 500-2000 volts, and at least one sealed glass electrode filled with inert gas and connected to the source, the source adapted to energize the electrode at a constant frequency, the glass electrode containing therein a metallic electrode plate connected to a metallic wire for conducting the variable AC voltage to the plate from the source, the glass electrode having an application region configured for placement in contact with an area of skin or mucosa of the patient, the glass electrode configured such that when the application region of the glass electrode is placed in contact with an area of skin or mucosa of the patient and the metallic electrode plate is sufficiently energized by the source, the inert gas inside the glass electrode becomes ionized sufficiently to allow the glass electrode to conduct high frequency current to the area of skin or mucosa, the high frequency current having a frequency in a range of about 10-100 kHz.
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Abstract
The invention comprises a system for treating a medical disorder using transcutaneous electrical stimulation. The system includes an apparatus that supplies voltage to one or more glass electrodes that is shaped to treat a particular tissue or disorder and that is applied to an affected area of the patient'"'"'s body. Voltage is applied in a range of about 500-2000 volts and a constant frequency in a range of about 10-100 kHz. The electrode may also be used to sterilize the surface of a tissue through the production of ozone. The system may be used to treat a variety of medical disorders including edema and dermatological, neurological, intestinal, vascular, and orthopedic disorders. In addition, the system may be used to improve drug delivery to specific sites by locally increasing blood circulation.
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38 Claims
- 1. A system for treating a medical disorder in a patient in need thereof, the system comprising a source of variable AC voltage having a voltage in a range of about 500-2000 volts, and at least one sealed glass electrode filled with inert gas and connected to the source, the source adapted to energize the electrode at a constant frequency, the glass electrode containing therein a metallic electrode plate connected to a metallic wire for conducting the variable AC voltage to the plate from the source, the glass electrode having an application region configured for placement in contact with an area of skin or mucosa of the patient, the glass electrode configured such that when the application region of the glass electrode is placed in contact with an area of skin or mucosa of the patient and the metallic electrode plate is sufficiently energized by the source, the inert gas inside the glass electrode becomes ionized sufficiently to allow the glass electrode to conduct high frequency current to the area of skin or mucosa, the high frequency current having a frequency in a range of about 10-100 kHz.
Specification