Iontophoresis device

• US 7,885,708 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erchonia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Erchonia Corporation
• Inventors: Shanks, Steven C, Tucek, Kevin B
• Primary Examiner(s): BOCKELMAN, MARK
• Application Number:
  US11/880,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 604/20, 607 2- 3, 607 85- 86, 205/701, 205742-761, 210/748.01, 21074816-74818, 210/749, 210/764
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/006 for the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/445 Hydro-electric baths

Abstract

A device for iontophoresis. A first battery-powered array is submerged into a liquid contained in a first reservoir and a second battery-powered array is submerged into a liquid contained in a second reservoir. Each array has one or more degradable electrodes that releases ions into the liquid in the reservoir. The electrodes can be copper, zinc, steel, nickel, or a combination thereof. At the first array one of the electrodes can be positively charged while at the second array one of the electrodes can be negatively charged. Alternatively, an electrode at the second array can be positively charged while an electrode at the first array is negatively charged. The solution in the reservoir may also contain positively or negatively charged ions. Powering the arrays causes the charged molecules contained in the liquid to transport through a patient'"'"'s skin. The device uses a current and voltage regulator to deliver a regulated amount of current through the arrays regardless of the conductivity of the liquid, and electronic circuitry is used to control the duration, polarity, electrode choice, and intensity of the treatment. Excessive heat is dissipated with a heat sink.

Claims

1. An iontophoresis device comprising:

a) a first and second array, each comprising;

i. a cap having one or more apertures;

ii. a copper winding having a diameter;

iii. tubular stainless steel having a smaller diameter than that of the copper winding;

the steel connected to the copper winding;

iv. a zinc post having a smaller diameter than the steel tube, the zinc post connected to the copper winding;

v. a base having one or more apertures;

vi. a second winding having a diameter equal to or larger than the copper winding;

wherein the cap, the second winding, the copper winding, steel, and base are substantially concentric around the zinc post;

b) one or more rechargeable batteries connected between the first array and the second array, each of the batteries connected to each other in series with fuses between adjacent batteries;

c) a first reservoir for containing a first liquid, into which the first array is substantially submerged;

d) a second reservoir for containing a second liquid, into which the second array is substantially submerged;

e) a control box connected to the first and second arrays, the control box further comprising an

i. an on/off switch;

ii. a user interface for selecting parameters of the therapy;

iii. a display for viewing the parameters;

iv. a current limiter;

v. a heat sink; and

vi. a charge port for enabling the rechargeable batteries to be connected to a source of power;

such that when the on/off switch is turned on, the batteries supply direct current to at least one of the electrodes in the first array and charged particles in the first liquid are repelled by like charges from at least one of the charged electrodes and driven through the skin of a patient who has submerged a body part in the first reservoir.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the copper winding is connected to the zinc post with a brass fitting.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first liquid contains a positively charged medicament and wherein the direct current source is applied to one of the electrodes of the array submerged in the positively charged medicament so that positively charged ions are driven through the skin of the body part submerged in the positively charged medicament.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first liquid contains a negatively charged medicament and wherein the direct current source is applied to one of the electrodes of the array submerged in the negatively charged medicament so that negatively charged ions are driven through the skin of the body part submerged in the negatively charged medicament.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the second winding comprises nickel.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the second winding comprises stainless steel.