Output controller for electrotherapeutic device directed to use in bath

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel output controller for electro­ therapeutic device directed to use in bath, comprising a container (1) having an oscillator (2) that generates a low-frequency therapeutic voltage; and a variable resistor (4) used as the output controller for said oscillator, said variable resistor being enclosed in said container in such manner that the rotary shaft (5) projects outwardly through a bearing and the periphery is elas­ tically and airtightly held in the bearing projection.

Description: The present invention relates to an output controller for low-frequency electrotherapeutic device directed to use in bath. Conventional devices require protection from water and moisture when used in a bath or bath water. Although the low-frequency oscillator and battery can be protected by enclosing them in a container having sufficient moistureproof and water-resistive properties, perfect protection of the variable resistor and power switch is very difficult because they may have a movable part such as a rotary shaft. Reference is made in this respect to DE-A-2.262.385 which describes a low-frequency electrotherapeutic device which has no water resistive protection. In DE-A-2.721.757 a low-frequency medical treatment apparatus is described. This document addresses the problems in preventing excessive electrical power being applied to the human body and describes a shock preventing circuit. In "Feinmechanische Bauelemente" - Siegfried Hildebrand, 4th ed, the protection of precision mechanical components from mechanical, electrical, magnetic and climatic effects is described. In particular, the standard International Protection Code letters are explained and some basic sealing structures described for rotary shafts through walls where the sealing member is located between the shaft and the wall of the hole through which the shaft passes. Reference is also made to DE-C-0.657.458 and FR-C-0.811.113 which both describe switches sealed by means of a plate-like resilient material in which the switches are movable to describe an arc about a fulcrum located behind the resilient material. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an output controller for a low-frequency electrotherapeutic device wherein the rotary shaft of the variable resistor is elastically and airtightly held in order to prohibit the permeation of humidity and moisture through the movable parts. The present invention accordingly provides an electrotherapeutic device using a variable resistor for control thereof, comprising: a container having a water-proof and moisture-proof structure; an oscillator that generates a low-frequency therapeutic voltage, said oscillator being enclosed in said container; and said variable resistor comprising: a variable resistor having a rotary shaft, said variable resistor being connected with an output terminal of said oscillator to control the output level thereof and also being enclosed in said container in such a manner that an end of said rotary shaft projects outwardly through said container characterised in that there is further provided means to hermetically seal a clearance between said rotary shaft and container, said sealing means comprising: a soft resilient material in sheet or plate shape that covers a top outside wall of the container, said soft resilient material having a hole in which the rotary shaft is hermetically and rotatably inserted; and a mounting member being removably attached to an outside wall of said container such that a peripheral part of said soft resilient material is pressed onto the top outside wall of said container. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an electrotherapeutic device wherein the bearing is composed of a soft resilient material; FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the principle part of an embodiment according to the present invention wherein a sealing member of a soft resilientmaterial is provided; and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the principal part of a therapeutic device using a spring. In the drawings, reference numeral (1) designates container; (2), low-frequency oscillator including amplifier; (3), battery; (4), variable resistor; (5), rotary shaft; (6), bearing portion; (7), knob; (8), lock nut; (9), sealing member; (10), periphery of the sealing member; (11), mounting member; (12), bore provided through the sealing member; (13), tapered bore in bearing; (14), tapered plug; (15), spring; and (16), pin. FIG. 1 is the vertical sectional view of an electrotherapeutic device not in accordance with the invention wherein a bearing is provided and is composed of a soft resilient material. Reference numeral (1) designates the container of a waterproof and moistureproof structure for enclosing battery (3) and low-frequency oscillator (2) including amplifier. Reference numeral (4) designates a variable resistor that is built in container (1) to control the output level of low-frequency oscillator (2). Reference numeral (5) designates the rotary shaft of variable resistor (4), and a part of rotary shaft (5) projects outwardly through container (1). Rotary shaft (5) is rotatably held in bearing (6) provided through container (1). Although desirably rotary shaft (5) and variable resistor (4) are provided in one body, a prescribed shaft length can be attained by connecting an axis member with an appropriate length to rotary shaft (5) as shown in FIG. 1. Bearing (6) is composed of a soft material resilient enough to elastically, airtightly and rotatably hold the periphery of rotary shaft (5), such as rubber and synthetic resin. Thus, permeation of humidity and moisture through the bearing clearance can be prevented. Reference numeral (7) designates a knob provided at the end of rotary shaft (5), and rotary shaft (5) rotates in association with knob (7). Knob (7) can be suitably marked in correspondence with a dial that may be provided on container (1). FIG. 2 is the vertical sectional view of the principal part of an embodiment according to the invention wherein a sealing member of a soft resilient material is provided. Variable resistor (4) is attached to container (1) with lock nut (8) so that rotary shaft (5) projects outwardly through container (1). Reference numeral (9) designates a sealing member of a soft resilient material in sheet or plate shape, such as rubber or synthetic resin, that is arranged to cover the upper part of container (1). Reference numeral (10) designates the periphery of sealing member (9) that is adhered on the upper surface of container (1). To attain such adhesion, beside using an adhesive, a method wherein mounting member (11) removably provided by screwing around the outside wall of container (1) pushes and fixes rotary shaft (5) can be employed. Reference numeral (12) designates a bore provided centrically through sealing member (9) in which the periphery of rotary shaft (5) is elastically and airtightly held to prevent possible permeation of humidity and moisture through the bearing clearance. FIG. 3 is the vertical sectional view of the principal part of another electrotherapeutic device not in accordance with the invention using a spring. In this Figure, bore (13) of bearing (6) is tapered, while plug member (14) correspondently tapered is provided as the end of rotary shaft (5). These tapers can be upwardly or downwardly provided. Reference numeral (15) designates a spring to be placed between bearing portion (6) and pin (16) provided on rotary shaft (5). When the taper is provided downwardly, spring (15) is placed between bearing (6) and knob (7) to be attached to rotary shaft (5). Since airtight insertion of plug (14) into bearing (13) by spring (15) elastically and airtightly seal the clearance therebetween, permeation of humidity and water through bore (13) can be effectively prohibited. The effect is further improved by using bearing (6) composed of a soft resilient material such as rubber or synthetic resin. Since the present invention is arranged using a soft resilient material in sheet or plate form to cover the top outside wall of the container, it is very useful as the output controller for low-frequency therapeutic device directed to use in bath or bath water. Furthermore, the use of a low-frequency therapeutic device according to the invention is effective in improvement and treatment of blood circulation, muscular strength, muscular fatigue, and haemorrhoids. At a frequency of 100 hertz or lower, preferably, about 10-70 hertz, the device is effective in improvement and treatment of blood circulation, muscular strength, muscular fatigue and haemorrhoids; and at a frequency of 100-300 hertz, in prevention of alopecia as well as acceleration and regeneration of hair.

Claims: An electrotherapeutic device using a variable resistor (4) for control thereof, comprising: a container (1) having a water-proof and moisture-proof structure; an oscillator (2) that generates a low-frequency therapeutic voltage, said oscillator (2) being enclosed in said container (1); and said variable resistor (4) comprising: a variable resistor (4) having a rotary shaft (5), said variable resistor (4) being connected with an output terminal of said oscillator (2) to control the output level thereof and also being enclosed in said container (1) in such a manner that an end of said rotary shaft (5) projects outwardly through said container (1) characterised in that there is further provided means to hermetically seal a clearance between said rotary shaft (5) and container (1), said sealing means comprising: a soft resilient material (9) in sheet or plate shape that covers a top outside wall of the container (1), said soft resilient material (9) having a hole in which the rotary shaft (5) is hermetically and rotatably inserted; and a mounting member (11) being removably attached to an outside wall of said container such that a peripheral part of said soft resilient material (9) is pressed onto the top outside wall of said container (1). The device of claim 1, wherein said soft resilient material is of rubber or synthetic resin. The device of claim 1, wherein the frequency of said low-frequency voltage is in the range of 10-70 hertz or of 100-300 hertz.

Inventors: MASAKI KAZUMI, MASAKI, KAZUMI
Applicants: HAYASHIBARA KEN, HAYASHIBARA, KEN
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61N1
IPC codes: A61N1, H01C1