METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MEASURING THE MIGRATION OF MERCURY IONS FROM A TEST PIECE

Abstract: A method for executing the measurement of the migration of mercury ions from test pieces (1), such as tooth fillings or amalgam samples, which consist of dental amalgam and mercury. Effective measurement is made possible. The test piece (1) is subjected to a negative charging voltage which exceeds the inherent negative ionization voltage of the test piece, by causing the aforementioned negative charging voltage to be applied externally or by utilizing a measuring cell (3) for the application of the aforementioned negative charging voltage, causing mercury ions to migrate from the test piece (1) in question. The invention also relates to an arrangement for the implementation of the method.

Description: Method and arrangement for measuring the migration of mercury ions from a test piece The present invention relates to a method for executing the measurement of the migration of mercury ions from test pieces, such as tooth fillings or amalgam samples, which consist of dental amalgam and mercury. The principal object of the present invention is in the first place to establish a method which permits the effective measurement of test pieces, for instance in order to be able to produce 24—hour curves and to reveal the previous effect of the test piece. The aforementioned object is achieved by a method in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the test piece is subjected to a negative charging voltage which exceeds the inherent negative ionization voltage of the test piece, by causing the aforementioned negative charging voltage to be applied externally or by utilizing a measuring cell for the application of the aforementioned negative charging voltage, causing mercury ions to migrate from the test piece in question. A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for the implementation of the method of measurement. The aforementioned further object is achieved by an arrangement according to the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that means are provided for the application to the test piece in question of a negative charging voltage which exceeds the inherent negative ionization voltage of the test piece, in conjunction with which the aforementioned means for the application of the charging voltage contain a negative measuring cell which consists of an inner envelope of zinc or some other metal which produces a high negative voltage, or in that the aforementioend means for the application of the charging voltage • comprise means situated outside the aforementioned test piece, which means are so arranged as to permit a negative charging voltage to be obtained from same. The invention is described below in the form of a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows a measurement curve for a test piece; Fig. 1A shows part of a measurement curve on an enlarged scale; Fig. 2 shows an outline sketch of the pattern for a mercury amalgam; Fig. 3 shows a measurement cell in cross section. Mercury amalgam and liquid mercury contain four electronsin the outermost electron orbit of the atom, i.e. two electrons more than in conventional theory. Since the attraction force of the atomic nucleus is not sufficiently strong to hold these electrons in a stable path, they adopt an oscillating state with the result that a radio frequency in the GHz range is generated. The presence of the two previously unknown electrons causes the mercury atom to produce a negative ion, HG 2 . These ions are insulated from one another because of the electromagnetic oscillating field and the negative repulsion field, so that electron equalization is prevented from taking place. Because of their inherent negative charges, the ions will migrate away from the amalgam through mutual repulsion, in conjunction with which the surface of the amalgam will be negatively charged. This charging will retard the intensity of the migration in proportion to the increase in the charging voltage. The circumstances described above endow HG 2 with highly unique properties: Since the ionic charges in a test piece 1 of the kind in question, such as a tooth filling or an amalgam sample, vary considerably as a result of eating food and brushing the teeth, etc., exhibiting a maximum whilst sleeping at night and a minimum after breakfast and during the hours of the day, a 24— our voltage curve 2 will exhibit considerable variations. These variations progress inwards into the amalgam (the 'stop—light' effect). By using a negative special cell 3, these 24— our curves 2 can be played back in reverse sequence in order to produce an accurate picture of the varying surface charging conditions in the test piece 1. This phenomenon can produce a picture of the living habits of the individual concerned. During meals and when brushing the teeth, etc., or if the surface of the amalgam is discharged electrically, mercury will be lost in the form of mercury vapour, HG 0. The ionic charges in the amalgam are also subjected to charging compression ranging from 25:1 to 50:1 at a temperature of +37°C. The compression is temperature— ependent and increases as the temperature rises and reduces at lower temperatures. The composition and the age of the amalgam also have an effect on the compression. What this means from a purely practical point of view is that a 24—hour curve can be played back over a variable period of from 30 up to 60 minutes on a recorder, to which the measuring cell 3 can be connected. When use is made of a negative special cell 3, an amalgam filling is able by means of its radio frequency to influence an adjacent filling, amalgam sample or ampoule of mercury and to transmit its 24—hour curves to same without a conductor being present. The absolute resonance which exists between the various HG 2 ions makes this possible. The measurement curve shown in Fig. 1A indicates various points A—0 at which a specific event has taken place in relation to the tooth filling 1 which constitutes the test piece for the measurement in question. The point A indicates the time of maximum ion discharge during the night. The point B indicates the voltage reduction in the test piece, which voltage reduction demonstrates that the person concerned had taken food or drink before his breakfast and before brushing his teeth. The point C indicates the voltage surge which occurs in conjunction with the breakfast. The point D indicates the varying level of the voltage during the day. The outline sketch of the ionic charges in the mercury amalgam sample 1 presented . in Fig. 2 shows the direction of migration 4 of the ionic charges in the sample 1. The negative ion charges 5 of the negatively charged mercury molecules migrate towards the surface of the sample, so that mercury vapour 6 from the ionic charging 5 is released into the surrounding air 7. A method for the measurement of the migration of mercury ions from a test piece 1 of the kind in question, such as tooth fillings or other amalgam samples, which consist of dental amalgam and mercury, is executed by causing the test piece 1 to have applied to it a negative charging voltage which exceeds the inherent negative ionizing voltage of the test piece. Use can be made in this respect of a measuring cell 3 as described above in order to bring about the application of the charging voltage, or else a negative charging voltage can be caused to be applied externally. A measuring cell 3 may, for example, be in the form of an arrangement of the kind illustrated in Fig. 3, which consists of an insulated outer casing 8 with a lid 9, a holder 10 made of an insulating material for supporting the test piece 1, an electrolyte 11, such as water, contained in the cell, and a cathode terminal and an anode terminal 12 and 13, which can function as antennae and which are capable of being connected to the test piece 1 and to the electrolyte 11. A negative ion chamber 14, which is capable of detachable connection to the holder 10, can be incorporated into the arrangement 15 for certain measurements. The holder 10 can include a securing screw 16 or some other fastener consisting of an insulating material for securing a test piece 1 of the kind in question to the tip 12A of the cathode terminal, and the anode 13 can be gold-plated. The negative blocking ' charge can be generated by a zinc material 17 or some other metal exhibiting a high negative voltage, for example a voltage of approximately .900 V, present in the measuring cell 3. The cathode terminal and the anode terminal 12, 13 can be connected to terminals 18 so as to enable the arrangement 15 to be connected to a recorder for the purpose of producing, for example, 24— our curves 3 for the test piece 1. A high—frequency Lock can be connected in certain cases between the aforementioned cathode terminal and anode terminal 12, 13 and the recorder connection terminal 18. By incorporating temperature control of the test piece 1 in conjunction with the measurement, it is possible to modify the ion migration and the charging compression to an appropriate measurement value. The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention. The invention may be used as a receiver—rectifier, and as a transmitter cell for the Hg2 " ~ and Hg " -- ions.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i a s 1. A method for executing the measurement of the migration of mercury ions from test pieces (1), such as tooth fillings or amalgam samples, which consist of dental amalgam and mercury, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the test piece (1) is subjected to a negative charging voltage which exceeds the inherent ionization voltage of the test piece, by causing the aforementioned negative charging voltage to be applied externally or by utilizing a measuring cell (3) for the application of the aforementioned negative charging voltage, causing mercury ions to migrate from the test piece (1) in question. 2. A method according to Patent Claim 1, in which a measuring cell (3) is utilized for the application of the aforementioned negative charging voltage, c h a r a c t e r z e d in that a negative blocking charge (17) from zinc or some other metal exhibiting a high negative voltage is utilized. 3. A method according to either of the above Patent Claims, in which a measuring cell (3) is utilized for the application of the aforementioned negative charging voltage, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a cathode and an anode (12, 13) present in the aforementioned measuring cell (3), where they function as an antenna, are connected to a recorder and/or a load resistance. 4. A method according to any of the above Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z ed in that temperature control of the test piece (1) is provided in conjunction with the measurement. 5. A method according to any of the above Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z ed * in that a blocking charge of about 900 V is applied. 6. An arrangement for executing the measurement of the migration of mercury ions from test pieces (1), such as tooth fillings or amalgam samples, which consist of dental amalgam and mercury, in accordance with any of the above Patent Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that means are provided for the application of a negative charging voltage to the test piece (1) in question, which charging voltage exceeds the inherent negative ionization voltage of the test piece, in conjunction with which the aforementioned means for the application of the charging voltage contain a negative measuring cell (3) which consists of an inner envelope (17) of zinc or some other metal which produces a high negative voltage, or in that the aforementioned means for the application of the charging voltage comprise means situated outside the aforementioned test piece (1), which means are so arranged as to permit a negative charging voltage to be obtained from same. 7. An arrangement according to Patent Claim 6, in which the means for the application of the charging voltage contain a negative measuring cell (3), which consists of an inner envelope (17) made of zinc or some other metal which produces a high negative voltage, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the measuring cell (3) consists of an insulated casing (8) with a lid (9), a holder (10) for a test piece (1), an electrolyte (11) contained within the cell (3), cathode and anode terminals (12, 13) capable of being connected to the test piece (1) and the electrolyte (11), and a detachable negative ion chamber (14 ) capable of being connected to the holder (10).

Inventors: JOHANSSON AOKE, JOHANSSON, AOKE
Applicants: ELEKTROBIO LAB AO W JOHANSSON, JOHANSSON A W ELETROBIO LAB
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61C19, G01N27