Device for treating inflammatory skin changes in the initial stage, and method for using same

This device for treating skin conditions with galvanotherapy features a DC power supply, one pole of which is connected to a central pin electrode. The other pole is connected either to several counter-electrodes arranged around the central electrode, or to a single counter-electrode shaped to surround the electrode. The electrode and counter-electrode(s) are pressed against the skin, and power is applied to them, treating the area of skin within the pattern defined by the counter-electrode(s) with galvanotherapy. It is possible to treat various sizes and patterns of skin conditions by specifying an appropriate counter-electrode pattern.

The present invention relates to a device for treating inflammatory skin 
changes in the initial stage with the aid of electric direct current. 
Appliances which use electric direct current for the therapeutic and 
cosmetic treatment of parts of the skin are known in principle. Thus, in 
utility model DE-G 90 17 597.2 there is an appliance for iontophoresis, in 
particular for the cosmetic treatment of parts of the face with 
direct-current source, liquid-moistened treatment electrode and hand 
electrodes, the treatment electrode and the hand electrode being connected 
electrically to the direct-current source. On the treatment electrode 
active substances of similar charges, which are present in aqueous 
solution or have been applied as ointment to the skin, are channeled into 
the skin by application of direct voltage. 
In GB-A-2 064 178 an electrical supply unit is described for an appliance 
for silver ion therapy. In this case a positive layer polarized silver 
electrode is arranged directly on the parts of the tissue of the patient 
which is to be treated. The counter-electrode is secured at another 
position on the body. By switching on the direct current, silver ions on 
the silver-containing electrode connected as anode are released, which 
silver ions can penetrate through the tissue to be treated up to a depth 
of 1 cm, and their bactericidal action is made use of in the treatment. 
Other appliances whose action is not based on the channelling of active 
substances into the tissue to be treated are likewise known. Thus, in 
GB-A-2 181 056 an appliance is described for the treatment of inflammatory 
skin changes, particularly in the mouth cavity. The appliance consists of 
a housing, which comprises a direct-current source, for example a battery, 
as well as a treatment electrode. The treatment electrode can be connected 
directly to the housing via an electrode carrier, in this case a clip then 
serves as counter-electrode, which clip is connected via a flexible cable 
to the current supply in the housing and can be arranged, for example, on 
the earlobe of the patient. As an alternative to this, the treatment 
electrodes can be connected via a cable to the direct-current source in 
the housing, the housing which the patient holds in his hand then serving 
itself as counter-electrode. 
This appliance is noted for the fact that it is not very user-friendly, 
particularly in the case of self-treatment by the patient. In addition, 
only a very punctiform treatment of diseased skin areas is possible with 
this appliance, as a function of the limited electrode radius. 
A device for galvanotherapy is known from the Swiss Patent Specification 
No. 65 020, which device comprises a housing, with a direct-current source 
fitted therein, and an electrode carrier on which are arranged at least 
two electrodes of opposite polarity, which electrodes are connected 
electrically to the direct-current source. The electrode carrier is in 
this case connected in a fixed manner to the housing. The two electrodes 
can have various shapes, the electrode and counter-electrode however being 
arranged parallel to one another in principle, as a result of which the 
area of skin to be treated is flanked by the electrodes (from two sides). 
GB-A-21 15 700 describes a device for treating pains using a treatment 
electrode which is mounted on a spring and is movable in the longitudinal 
direction in the housing. The counter-electrode in this case 
concentrically circumscribes the housing in the grip part. 
DE-A-37 19 353 discloses an electrical stimulator for nerves, whose 
stimulator circuit equipped with current stabilizer can be applied to the 
patients by means of an adhesive skin electrode and an electrically 
conducting puncture needle electrode, which is however insulated on the 
outside as far as the tip, a current intensity preselector with current 
intensity indicator for adjusting constant current intensities for the 
puncture procedure and nerve search procedure and a current intensity 
indicator being provided. 
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for 
treating inflammatory skin changes in the initial stage, with which device 
the disadvantages of the stated prior art are avoided. In addition, the 
device is to be manageable and simple to operate, so that the patient can 
carry it around and can also perform self-treatment at any time. 
This object is achieved by a device for treating inflammatory skin changes 
in the initial stage, which device comprises a housing, with a 
direct-current source fitted therein, and an electrode carrier on which 
are arranged at least two electrodes of opposite polarity, which 
electrodes are connected electrically to the direct-current source, 
characterized in that a pin-shaped electrode is concentrically surrounded 
by one or more counter-electrodes, the electrode carrier being mounted 
movably on a spring in a cylindrical housing part, and the inner pin 
electrode being mounted on a spring inside the electrode carrier, the 
restoring force of which spring is less than that of the first spring, so 
that the electrode and the counter-electrode in the operating state of the 
device bear on the area of skin which is to be treated. 
The direct-current source used is preferably a block battery, as a result 
of which the patient can carry the appliance around everywhere. However, 
in the case of a stationary treatment, it is also possible to connect the 
appliance directly to the mains supply via a power unit. 
In addition, the device can have a switch and control unit with indicator 
facility for checking the charge state of the battery and the operating 
state of the device, as well as an adjustment facility for the operating 
voltage or the operating current. A suitable indicator facility can be, 
for example, a trio LED signal lamp which indicates the charge state of 
the battery when the battery test switch is activated. 
If the battery charge is sufficient, the trio LED signal lamp then lights 
up in one color, for example red. At the same time, the trio LED signal 
lamp also serves as indicator display for the operating state of the 
device. With the electric switchout closed, the signal lamp lights up in 
another color, for example green, the brightness increasing as a function 
of the current flowing through the electrodes. 
Alternatively, two independent indicator lamps or else acoustic signal 
transmitters can also be used. 
The choice of the suitable operating voltage for the device depends to a 
great extent on the sensitivity of the area of skin to be treated. For 
this reason, an adjustment facility for the operating voltage is provided, 
which can be a changeover switch with which the voltage can be preset to 9 
or 18 volts. Alternatively, a continuous adjustment of the operating 
voltage between 3 and 18 volts or of the operating current is also 
possible. 
The electrodes of the device according to the invention should consist of a 
corrosion-resistant material which can be easily sterilized and 
disinfected. Special steel, noble metals and alloys of noble metals have 
proven particularly suitable. 
The essential feature of the present invention lies in the special 
arrangement of the electrodes relative to one another, according to which 
one pin electrode is concentrically surrounded by one or more 
counter-electrodes. This concentric arrangement of electrode and 
counter-electrode has the advantage that the area of skin to be treated is 
completely enclosed between anode and cathode, as a result of which the 
whole area is permeated by current. 
This electrode arrangement can be realized by various embodiments. 
In a preferred embodiment the device comprises two electrodes, one 
electrode consisting of a straight pin, and the counter-electrode arranged 
parallel thereto consisting of a wire whose part bent at a right angle is 
designed as a wire loop which concentrically surrounds the first 
electrode. The wire loop can in this case have a very wide variety of 
geometries, such as, for example, the shape of a circle (16), an ellipse 
(29) or a polygon (29) having 3, 4, 5 or 6 corners. The diameter of the 
circle or of an outer circle which encloses the ellipse or the polygon can 
be varied according to the size of the area of skin which is to be 
treated. A diameter in the range between 5 and 15 mm, preferably between 8 
and 10 mm, has proven expedient. In the preferred embodiment, the wire 
loop has the shape of a circle, the tip of the pin electrode and the wire 
ring of the counter-electrode lying in a common plane. 
Alternatively, the electrode arrangement according to the invention can 
also be achieved by means of the device comprising two electrodes, where 
one electrode consists of a straight pin which is concentrically 
surrounded by a cylindrical counter-electrode (30). 
Here too, a diameter of between 5 and 15 mm has proven expedient for the 
cylindrical electrode. 
Alternatively, however, the device can also comprise a number of pin-shaped 
electrodes, where one electrode is arranged centrally on the electrode 
carrier and is concentrically surrounded by three to eight 
counter-electrodes which form the corners of a polygon. Four or six 
electrodes preferably surround the inner pin electrode. The distance 
between the outer and the inner pin electrode lies in the range between 5 
and 15 mm. 
The embodiments of the device according to the invention which have been 
described hitherto permit the treatment of a spatially limited area of 
skin, as a function of the distance between the central electrode and the 
counter-electrode(s) surrounding it. For the treatment of larger areas of 
skin, the device can be correspondingly modified. 
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the 
electrode carrier is arranged in a cylindrical housing part which is 
either integrated into the housing, which comprises the direct-current 
source, or is designed in the form of a pen and is connected electrically 
to the first housing via a flexible cable. The electrode carrier is 
mounted on a spring and is movable in the longitudinal direction in the 
cylindrical housing part and can be pushed inwards into the housing 
counter to the restoring force of the spring, as a result of which a 
switch which closes the circuit to the electrodes is activated. In 
addition, the inner pin electrode is mounted on a spring inside the 
electrode carrier, the restoring force of which spring is smaller than 
that of the first spring for the whole electrode carrier. In this case the 
tip of the central electrode protrudes beyond the concentric electrode 
ring surrounding it, regardless of whether the ring is formed by a wire 
loop, a cylinder or a plurality of pin-shaped counter-electrodes. 
When the electrodes are applied to the area of skin to be treated, the 
central pin electrode therefore touches the skin first and is then pressed 
inwards counter to the restoring force of the spring, on which it is 
mounted in the electrode carrier, until the counter-electrode(s) also 
make(s) contact with the skin. As a result the distance between central 
electrode and counter-electrode is variable and can adapt to an unevenness 
of the skin. By firmer pressing of the electrodes onto the area of skin to 
be treated, the electrode carrier is pushed inwards into the cylindrical 
housing part counter to the restoring force of the first spring, as a 
result of which a switch is activated which closes the circuit to the 
electrodes. The mounting of the central electrode on a spring of smaller 
restoring force also ensures that the force with which the central 
electrode is pressed onto the area of skin is substantially less than the 
force with which the outer electrode(s) bears on the skin. This is 
particularly important since the central electrode has a smaller bearing 
surface than the counter-electrode(s) surrounding it. As a result the 
pressure of the central electrode on the area of skin to be treated is 
reduced, which means an additional treatment comfort for the patient, 
particularly in the case of painful skin changes. The device according to 
this preferred embodiment can also comprise a switch for reversing the 
polarity of the electrodes, which switch is integrated in the switch and 
control unit. 
The cylindrical housing part is additionally designed such that the 
electrode carrier can be removed in a simple manner and can thus be easily 
replaced by electrode carriers with other electrode shapes or dimensions 
or can be disinfected and sterilized. 
Skin areas in a state of incipient inflammation (serous phase) can be 
treated with the device described above. Examples of this are herpes, 
labialis, solitary skin eruptions of the neurodermatitis, insect bites. 
An existing itching disappears immediately after the current application. 
This can be used, for example, in allergology following intracutaneous 
whealing of a substance, as a result of which a strong itching is 
generally caused. 
In the treatment of an affected skin area, the following steps are carried 
out. 
First, the charge state of the battery is checked and the operating voltage 
of the appliance is preset as a function of the area of the skin to be 
treated. Thereafter, the area of skin to be treated is moistened 
intensively with an electrolyte solution in order to permit a current flow 
between the electrode and counter-electrode. 
Suitable electrolyte solutions are, for example, physiological saline 
solution, saliva or else water. The electrodes are then placed onto the 
moistened area of skin and the current flow is switched on. The treatment 
is continued until a first tingling sensation becomes noticeable on the 
area of skin to be treated. 
Without wishing to give a complete theory on the mechanism of action of a 
direct-current treatment, attention is drawn to the fact that the change 
in the pH value around the electrodes as a result of electrolysis of the 
electrolyte solution plays a role in this. 
This change in pH value not only occurs on the surface of the skin, but can 
also be observed within the indermal layer. This change in pH value 
prevents a further spreading of the pathogens of inflammation, and this 
explains why this treatment method can be used very successfully in 
particular in the initial stage of inflammation. 
An advantage of the advice according to the invention also lies in their 
small overall dimensions and in the simple operation. 
Thus, for example, a patient who is sensitive to herpes libiales can carry 
the appliance around at all times and immediately begin treatment directly 
upon the first appreciable tingling and incipient feeling of tension of 
the affected skin, regardless of where he is at the time. 
The feeling of tension and the accompanying pain sensation immediately 
subsides, and the disease recedes completely within a few hours. The 
patient remains free from the vesicles and scab formation on the herpes 
labiales wound and the unpleasant consequences of restricted movement of 
the lips and the risk of the wound healing being delayed by bursting or 
tearing of the scab, and also from a possible secondary infection.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the device 
according to the invention comprises a housing 1 in which a direct-current 
source 2, such as, for example a battery, and also a switch and control 
unit 19 are arranged. 
The switch and control unit 19 comprises a battery test switch 12 and a 
signal facility 10 which indicates the charge state of the battery upon 
activation of the battery test switch. This signal facility 10 can be 
either an indicator lamp or an acoustic signal transmitter. 
The switch and control unit 19 furthermore comprises a voltage selector 
switch 13 in the form of a change-over switch with which the operator 
voltage can be preset to 9 or 18 volts, a pole change switch 18 with which 
the polarization of the two electrodes 4, 5 can be interchanged, and a 
display device 9 which can be either an indicator lamp or acoustic signal 
transmitter and which responds when the current flows through the two 
electrodes 4, 5. In this case the brightness of the indicator lamp or the 
loudness of the acoustic signal increases in proportion to the current 
flow. 
The electrode carrier 3 is encountered in a cylindrical housing part 6 and 
is mounted on a spring 7. The cylindrical housing part 6 can either be 
connected directly to the housing 1, as shown in FIG. 1, or can be 
separate from the main housing 1, as represented in FIG. 3, and connected 
to the switch and control units 19 in the housing 1 via a flexible 
connection cable. 
As can be seen from FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment has two electrodes, 
one electrode 4 consisting of a straight pin which is arranged centrally 
in the electrode carrier 3, and the counter-electrode 5 parallel thereto 
consisting of a wire whose part bent at a right angle is designed as a 
wire ring 16 which concentrically surrounds the first electrode 4. 
As can be seen from FIG. 3, the central electrode 4 is guided through the 
wire ring 16 of the counter-electrode 5 and is spring-mounted in the 
electrode carrier 3. The restoring force of this spring 17 is in this case 
less than the restoring force of the spring 7 on which the whole electrode 
carrier 3 is mounted inside the cylindrical housing part 6. The two 
electrodes 4 and 5 are connected via connections 22 to the switch and 
control unit 19 of the housing 1. 
FIG. 3 also shows the mode of functioning of the device. The device is 
placed with the electrodes 4, 5 onto the area of skin to be treated. The 
electrode 4 is in this case pressed inwards into the electrode carrier 3 
counter to the restoring force of the spring 17 until both the wire ring 
16 and also the tip of the electrode 4 bear on the area of skin to be 
treated. 
The central electrode 4 preferably has in this case a thickened part, so 
that the pressure of the electrode on the area of skin, which may be 
painful, remains low. The spring-mounting of the central electrode 4 also 
has the advantage that unevenness of the skin can be compensated and it is 
always possible to ensure that both the tip of the electrode 4 and also 
the wire ring 16 of the counter-electrode 5 bear firmly. 
By pressing more heavily on the electrodes, the electrode carrier 3 is 
pushed inwards into the cylindrical housing 6 counter to the restoring 
force of the spring 7 until it bears on the limit stops 21. The switch pin 
23 thus engages in the switch 8, as a result of which the circuit to the 
electrodes is closed and the treatment current flows between the two 
electrodes. 
For the purpose of a simple replacement of the electrode carrier 3, the 
cylindrical housing part 6 is subdivided into a top part 24 and a bottom 
part 25 which are in each case provided with corresponding threads 26, 27 
and are screwed together. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternative counter-electrode arrangements, where in 
each case a pin-shaped central electrode 4 spring-mounted in the electrode 
carrier 3 is surrounded by four or six similarly pin-shaped 
counter-electrodes 5, respectively. 
FIGS. 6 and 7 likewise show alternative counter-electrode arrangements, 
with the counter-electrode arranged as a wire ring in the shape of a 
polygon and an ellipse, respectively. 
FIG. 8 shows the device with the DC power source (2), battery test means 
and switch (12), battery charge "OK" indicator light (10), 
polarity-reversing switch (18), operation indicator light (9), operating 
voltage adjusting means and switch (13) and cylindrical counter-electrode 
(30), as well as electrical connections from the power source through the 
various switches, etc., to the electrode and counter-electrode (note that 
between the polarity-reversing switch and the electrode and 
counter-electrode the indicated polarity is subject to being reversed from 
the depicted designations). 
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a pen-shaped cylindrical housing part (6) 
containing the electrode carrier (3) being separate and electrically 
connected to the housing (1) by a flexible cable (20) (note that the 
indicated polarity is subject to being reversed).