Abstract:
An electroionic cellular agitation apparatus for the biophysical stimulation of the cellular metabolism of live systems uses a generator emitting high-voltage pulses at time intervals typically comprised between 1 ms and 100 ms, corresponding to a pulse-frequency pf between 1,000 and 10 pulses/second, respectively, and which by means of a capacitive application device generates an electrical flow penetrating the soft and osseous tissues and originating short duration electrical impulsive forces on the ions situated within and outside the cells thus causing an ionic agitation influencing the metabolic characteristics to increase the development of bacterial and fungal cultures, soft and osseous live tissues, and also for the treatment of a variety of ailments, thus attaining an anticipated healing and the reduction of rehabilitation times. The range for the voltage and pulse frequency values are selected such that the RMS value of the electrical current density has a power level that does not cause any significant heating on said tissues.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus causing the agitation of ions within the cells and the intercellular fluids for influencing the metabolic characteristics of live systems by accelerating the development, healing and cicatrizing of live tissues, both osseous and soft of animal and vegetal origin, unicellular organisms included, based on the application of high-voltage low-frequency pulses transmitted to the live system in a capacitive way.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     It is well known that the effect of magnetic and electric fields on live beings was observed at the onset of the XX Century when an increase of vegetation was observed beneath high-tension overhead power lines. It was then that the Russian physician Danilewsky started an exhaustive research on the biological effects of the Hertzian waves on the cells and nervous system; his work was reassumed and extended by the Frenchman D&#39;arsonval.  
         [0003]     In 1940 another Russian, Lakoski, treated some malignant tumors with high-frequency waves, and in the 50&#39;s the Japanese Fukada and Yesuda and the Americans Basset and Pilla diversified their research to understand the behavior of said electromagnetic waves which increase the electrical potential of the cells, improve the enzyme kinetics, and reduce the reproduction time for soft and osseous tissues, therewith achieving a beneficial antiedemateous, antiphlogystic and antialgyc action.  
         [0004]     There are nowadays several equipments useful in physiotherapeutics based on electromagnetic waves as short waves, microwaves and magnetotherapeutics. The former two are based on low-voltage very high-frequency waves applied by means of two isolated electrodes forming a capacitor. Said capacitor generates between its plates an electromagnetic field, also of high frequency, and therefore generates heat in the tissues and metallic implants. This kind of heating is technically known as “diathermia”. In many cases it is counterproductive and therefore unwanted.  
         [0005]     In recent times it has been recognized that the therapy achieved by the application of a radiofrequency field is not characterized only by the heating of the tissues due to the field effect. A review on this subject can be found in: “Healing by Electromagnetism—Fact or Fiction”. New Scientist Apr. 22, 1976.  
         [0006]     On the contrary, magnetotherapeutics, because of being based on variable magnetic fields with a low frequency of 50-60 Herz, does no cause heat, its effects being attributed to the action of the magnetic field on the ions in the tissues.  
         [0007]     A combination of both alternatives are the electromagnetic devices using magnetic fields the intensity of which is lower than the magnetotherapeutic devices, but being of the high-frequency type (their frequency being in the range of radiofrequencies). In these combined devices heat is reduced by using low intensity fields, intermittent emissions or by modulating the radiofrequency carrier wave with a low-frequency modulation wave. Another variant of electromagnetotherapeutic devices are those implementing very low intensity electric fields (their intensity being much lower than short wave and microwaves) and high frequencies which are applied capacitively or by means of an antenna thus generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field. These devices also reduce the tissular heating through intermittent emission or by modulating the radiofrequency carrier wave amplitude with a low-frequency modulation wave.  
         [0008]     In more recent times it has been widely recognized that the biological stimulation of the calcium and sodium-potassium pumps is caused by the electrical field, same being applied either directly or being induced by the variation of the magnetic field due to the Maxwel/Lenz Law. A review on this subject can be found in “Calcium signaling in lymphocytes and ELF fields” Federation of European Biochemical Societies, volume  301 , number 1.5359, R. P. Liburdy-1992.  
         [0009]     This same publication concludes that the action of the 60 Hz sinusoidal electric field interactuates with the plasmatic cellular membrane and with the calcium channels situated on same in contrast to the internal cellular structures not involved in said interaction. The cellular membrane having virtually an isolating feature (lipidyc bilayer membrane) it ensues that the field from a sinusoidal wave as well all the movements of the ions (electric current) show up mostly in the intercellular fluids and enter the cell proper in small amounts only.  
         [0010]     Regarding present invention, the electroionic cellular apparatus differentiates itself from the prior ones by following features:  
         [0011]     It does not use sinusoidal or quasi-sinusoidal waves, square radiofrequency waves, nor low-frequency waves.  
         [0012]     It does not use magnetic fields.  
         [0013]     It does not cause a significant tissular heating.  
         [0014]     It does use an activation signal consisting of high-voltage very low duration pulses, which allows the field to perform both in the intercellular fluids as well within the cell.  
         [0015]     It allows selecting the electrical polarity of the pulses applied.  
         [0016]     The utilization of high-voltage low-duration pulses separated at time intervals great enough allows to mobilize the ions within the cell, because when there is no pulse, the ions are virtually in electrical balance. Once the pulse has begun, and due to the effect from the electrical field, all the ions mobilize both within and outside the cell. The movement of the ions is directed to cause the cancellation of the factor originating it (Law of Lenz), i.e., they form a field equal and opposed to the external one. The exterior pulse being of short duration, when same is cancelled the ions within the cell and within the intercellular fluid attain their electrical equilibrium (the internal polarization vanishes). At this moment the next pulse comes up and mobilizes again the ions in the same manner, this process repeating itself as long the pulse emission is going on. This causes the ionic agitation within the cells, increases the enzymatic efficiency and therefore the rate of the metabolic cellular reactions without significatively increasing the temperature, as there is no diathermic effect.  
         [0017]     Therefore present invention further to interactuate with the plasmatic membrane, also interactuates with the cell&#39;s internal structure, both effects adding themselves and increasing the biophysical stimulation.  
         [0018]     The electroionic cellular agitator may be applied to all kind of cellular cultures, both under wet and dry conditions. It can also be used as a therapy system in human beings and higher animals, its minimal treatment intervals being 10 minutes, twice a week. The frequency of sessions depends of the nature of the injury; typically 6 to 20 sessions are required. The system not presenting collateral effects, it is possible to implement up to two or more sessions a day.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0019]     Accordingly the primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus generating high-voltage pulses for influencing a live system&#39;s metabolism, said pulses being applied continuously or intermittently for short periods of time (e.g., during 10 to 20 minutes) said pulses being transmitted in a capacitive way to the subject to be treated, thus optimizing the penetration of the electric field both outside as well inside the cells and without causing any substantial heating to the system being treated.  
         [0020]     In general terms and within the scope of present invention an electrical apparatus is provided causing an electroionic agitation within the cells in such a manner to influence the metabolic characteristics of live systems, comprising means, for generating a biological activation signal because of consisting of high-voltage pulses with a predetermined characteristic regarding their waveform and pulsewidth, as well the time interval between pulses, and the means for the rhythmical activation for applying said pulses with said characteristics repetitively for time intervals during a total time of treatment.  
         [0021]     More specifically, and according to the present invention, a device is provided for a capacitive application to influence the metabolic characteristics of live systems consisting e.g of bacteria, fungi and cell cultures, in order to accelerate the development of same and increasing the production rate of the products obtained from the cellular metabolism of said cultures. The capacitive application device comprises the means for receiving the high-voltage pulses and generating an electrical flux which penetrates the live system and interactuates with the inner and outer parts of the cells thus originating an ionic agitation that alters and enhances the cellular metabolism but without producing any significant heating to the system, as the RMS value of the capacitively-induced electrical current density has a power level such that the heat produced does not cause a significant increase of said system&#39;s temperature.  
         [0022]     Another aspect of present invention is oriented to the providing of a capacitive application device for biomedical therapeutic applications. The capacitive application device comprises the means for receiving the high-voltage pulses and generating and focusing an electrical flux penetrating the tissues in the area to be treated, and interactuates uniformly in the interior of the cells, originating a ionic agitation which alters and increases the cellular metabolism, without causing any significative heating in the tissues, as the RMS value of the electrical current density, capacitively induced, has a energy level such that the heat caused does not originate a significative increase of the temperature within the tissues treated and nowhere in the patients body.  
         [0023]     The apparatus according to present invention preferably comprises:  
         [0024]     means for generating al least an activation signal formed by high-voltage short duration pulses, periodically separated at regular time intervals;  
         [0025]     means for a rhythmical activation for an intermittent operation, said means defining said periodical intervals for the treatment period;  
         [0026]     means for defining the emission and pause duration times of said treatment cycle and the whole duration of said treatment as well:  
         [0027]     means for manually defining the frequency value of the high-voltage pulses, optionally including:  
         [0028]     means for the periodical and automatic sequential variation of said frequency;  
         [0029]     means for defining the electrical polarity of the high-voltage pulses in a manual way; and  
         [0030]     means for automatically defining said polarity by means of a program;  
         [0031]     and means for defining the peak tension value of the high-voltage pulses, and:  
         [0032]     means for detecting the correct operation of the apparatus;  
         [0033]     means for displaying the indication of the values defined with the means above-mentioned and through with the apparatus is being operated.  
         [0034]     The apparatus according to present invention may also include:  
         [0035]     means for defining the frequency value of the low-frequency wave in order to modulate the amplitude of the high-voltage pulses, and:  
         [0036]     the display means for showing the indication of said frequency for which said apparatus is being operated;  
         [0037]     means for simultaneously defining the functioning of the high-voltage generators; and  
         [0038]     means for defining the in-phase or out-of-phase functioning of the latter, and:  
         [0039]     means for displaying the indication of the simultaneous functioning of said generators, for which the apparatus is being operated.  
         [0040]     Another object of the present invention is the providing of an activation signal for optimizing the penetration of the electrical flux within the biological tissues including within the cells proper. Said activation signal is applied to at least a capacitive application device. Said activation signal comprises a sequence of high-voltage pulses their amplitude being modulated by a low-frequency treatment wave of between approximately 5 and 200 Hz, wherein said modulation wave further determines the electrical polarity of the high-voltage pulses. Every high-voltage pulse shows a strongly damped sinusoidal waveform wherein the first peak the value of which is above the remaining ones determines the pulse polarity, the second polarity pulse opposed to the first one may attain at most a 60% of the value of the first one, the third peak of equal polarity as the first one may attain at most 25% of the value of same, thereafter the polarity inverts again thus initiating the final section with a land form and with an tension value below 12% of the first pulse value and with a duration time superior to 1,2 times the duration of the damped pulsation, till the onset of the next pulse. In said latest section the voltage value and the slow variation do not have any biological effect; this section is the reset time during which the ions within and outside the cells attain their electrical equilibrium, i.e. they depolarize.  
         [0041]     More particularly and according to present invention the damped sinusoidal wave forming every pulse has a wave frequency typically no above approximately 3,000 Hz. The maximum maximorum value of the first peak value is not less than approximately 3,000 volt measured between the generator output and ground. This activation signal upon being applied to the capacitive application device sets up between said device and the body of the system being treated a potential gradient with the same waveform as said signal and said electrical potential gradient pulses attain maximum maximorum peak values typically not below approximately 300 volt/mm.  
         [0042]     In conformity with present invention it can be appreciated that an apparatus producing an activation signal like the one described and applying same by means of a capacitive application device generating a potential gradient like above described, provides satisfactory results by influencing cellular metabolism either through increasing the growth of biological systems or for biomedical applications.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0043]     The features, nature, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the attached drawings wherein:  
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is basic schematic block diagram of an electroionic cellular agitator apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention of one high-voltage pulse generator;  
         [0046]      FIG. 3   a  is the first part of the schematic block diagram of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 3   b  is the second part of the schematic circuitry of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention with frequency modulation of the electrical mains;  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the invention with two high-voltage generators;  
         [0050]      FIGS. 6    a - b  show the wave-like diagrams of the high pulse activation signal for two alternative operation modes corresponding to the diagrams in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a wave-like diagram showing output waveforms in several parts of the diagrams in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 8    a - d  are a detailed view and cutouts of the connection system between the high pulse generator and the capacitive application device.  
         [0053]      FIG. 9    a - b  are a view and cutouts of a capacitive application device for biomedical use in human beings and superior animals; and  
         [0054]      FIG. 10    a - c  are detailed views of a capacitive application device for treating live systems in culture test tubes.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0055]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electroionic cellular agitator apparatus comprises basically a power source  2  connected to the mains  1 , said power source  2  being a converter transforming the alternate voltage of the power input into a direct (continuous) output power, and may include an electric battery.  
         [0056]     The output of power source  2  connects and feeds the inputs of electric ondulator  6 , electric oscillator  9 , timer  15  and display  16 .  
         [0057]     Ondulator  6  converts the DC voltage into quasi-sinusoidal alternate current voltage of frequency F 1  variable from 5 Hz to 200 Hz and with a peak value Up 1  which through its output A connects to and feeds the CCA (convertor-amplifier) circuit  10  through input E of same. Ondulator output B forwards the information on its functioning frequency to display  16 .  
         [0058]     Oscillator circuit  9  is a digital square wave generator with a variable frequency from 10 to 1,000 Hz, the time interval between pulses being denoted as TP; for logical state 1 (one) the mark time is TC and for logical time 0 (zero) space-time is TO, this making TP=TC+TO.  
         [0059]     This pulsation frequency of oscillator  9  through its output FB connects with input FP of CCA  10 . Output G 1  of oscillator  9  communicates the functioning frequency information to display  16 .  
         [0060]     The low voltage frequency F 1  wave is processed by CCA  10  which amplifies the frequency and voltage transforming it into a strongly damped high-voltage sinusoidal pulsation emitted at the onset of time intervals TO (space time). Further, the pulse voltage value will be amplitude-modulated by same F 1  frequency wave. This makes CCA  10  to generate a sequence of high-voltage sinusoidal pulses, strongly damped and emitted al time intervals TP=TC+TO, amplitude-modulated, which constitute the activation signal the latter by means of its output H and through the high-voltage cable  12  connects to the capacitive application device, same being supported directly on the surface of live system  171  object of treatment which is referred to ground by means of a reference electrode.  
         [0061]     Following are the transformation factors defining the functioning of CCA  10 :  
         [0062]     Ku=voltage amplification factor.  
         [0063]     Kf=frequency amplification factor.  
         [0064]     Ka=damping factor.  
         [0065]     Following are the mathematical equations defining the activation signal for output H of CCA  10  (see  FIG. 6   b ): 
 
 w 1=2 ¶F 1=sinusoidal wave pulsation of input  E.  
 
 wh= 2 ¶kfF 1=pulsation of output pulse  H.  
 
 FH=kfF 1=frequency of output pulse  H.  
 
         [0066]     t=0(zero)---onset of pulse coincident with onset of TP=TO+TC−Ka (FH t) — 
 
Pulse — 0 ≦t≦ 1,5  TH Uhn=−Ku Un  sin( wh t ) — 
 
Pause — 1,5 TH&lt;t&lt;TP=TO+TC Uhn&lt; 0,12  Ku Un  
 
         [0067]     Wherein:  
         [0068]     Uhn=instantaneous voltage in output H in instant “t” 
         [0069]     TH=1/FH=pulsation period at output H.  
         [0070]     1,5 TH=time for the first three hemicycles en output H.  
         [0071]     n=number of digital pulses counted from the onset of positive hemicycle of the frequency F 1  wave.  
         [0072]     Un=modulated voltage corresponding to digital pulse number “n”.  
         [0073]     Un=Up 1  sin [w 1  (n TP−TO−_TC)] 
         [0074]     Up 1 =peak voltage for the modulation wave with frequency F 1 .  
         [0075]     The basic operative margins are:  
         [0076]     Modulation frequency: F 1 =5-200 Hz.  
         [0077]     Damped sinusoidal pulse frequency: FH=200-3,000 Hz  
         [0078]     Damping factor: Ka≧0,9  
         [0079]     Digital pulse frequency: Fp=10-1000 Hz  
         [0080]     Voltage of output maximum peak: Upm&gt;3.000 Volt  
         [0081]      FIG. 6   b  shows in an exemplary way waveform  6   b  (i) corresponding to input E of CCA  10  and with frequency F 1 =50 Hz.  
         [0082]     Waveform  6   b  (ii) corresponding to input FP of CCA and with frequency FP=500 Hz, and at last waveform  6   b  (iii) corresponding to output H of CCA  10  showing the resulting activation signal with a damped sinusoidal frequency FH=2 Khz, and a damping factor Ka=1,095 which originates a ratio of the second peak and first peak Uim/Upm=0,54.  
         [0083]     The neat pulse polarity is defined as the polarity of first peak which in all cases is the one with the highest voltage and as shown in waveform  6   b  (ii) depends on the polarity of the frequency F 1  modulation wave.  
         [0084]     The automatic control system of CCA  10  allows to select the functioning values, be it manually or by way of automatic programs for the sequential variation of the peak voltage Upm, frequency FH and polarity of the damped sinusoidal pulses.  
         [0085]     CCA  100  Output “Y” forwards to display  16  the functioning values for the parameters adjusted by the manual-automatic control system.  
         [0086]     Through its output W timer  15  emits a digital signal which starting from logical state 1 (one) goes to logical state 0 (zero) after time T 6  has elapsed. Said signal enters CCA  10  through input W and commands the sequential variation of the parameters adjusted by an automatic programmation.  
         [0087]     Output Q of timer  13  starts from logical state 0 (zero) and after a time interval T 5  has elapsed reaches logical state 1 (one). This signal enters CCA  10  through input Q and when attaining logical state 1 (one) cancels the emission of the activation signal, thus ending the treatment session.  
         [0088]     Timer output Z forwards the elapsed time information to display  16 .  
         [0089]     Output H of CCA  10  connects through high-voltage cable  12  with metallic plate  13   a  (the active pole) of application device  13 . Metallic plate  13 A is covered by plastic housing  13 B which rests on live system  171  and maintains a separation distance “d” between the plate and the live system being treated, thus forming a capacitator wherein the dielectric medium is the isolating distance “d” and the plates are on one side plate  13 A and on the side the living system  171  grounded to earth by means of an electrode. Therefore upon applying the activation signal for high-voltage pulses there is established a potential or electrical field gradient between conductor plate  13 A and the living system being treated, provided with the same waveform as the activation signal and the calculated values of which are:  
         [0090]     Ehn=Uhn=Instantaneous value of the electrical field. d  
         [0091]     This electrical field established between the active pole and the live system being treated, originates an ionic agitation movement within the live system, by means of the electrical attraction and repulsion forces on the ions in the interior and exterior of the cells; this without inducing any significant heating of the system treated.  
         [0092]     The biologically active values of the electrical field are comprised between:  
         [0093]     Epm=300-3,000 V/mm wherein:  
         [0094]     Epm=Upm/d_=“Peak value” of the electrical field established between the active pole and the surface of the live system,  
         [0095]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , which is the preferred embodiment of present invention, same comprises a plug  3 A for connecting to mains  1 , protection fuse  3 B and on/off switch  3 C, which feed F 0  low voltage low-frequency current to the rectifying circuitry  5 ; the latter on its turn through its output provides three levels of DC direct voltage to the ondulator circuitry  6  and by means of output C 1  provided with full-wave rectified current feeds the voltage regulator source  7 , same on its turn and via its output +C provides a stabilized auxiliary control tension for feeding the control circuitry for ondulator  6 , oscillator  9 , frequency divider  14 , timer  15 , display  16  and part of the circuitry for controlling the converter amplifier circuit (CCA)  10 .  
         [0096]     Ondulador circuit  6  converts the direct voltage from the DC connection into an quasi-sinusoidal alternate voltage with a frequency F 1  variable from 5 to 200 Hz, and it is this amplitude-modulation wave of high-voltage which connects by means of bipolar output A 1 /A 2  to the interphase circuit  8 , the period of this tension wave being T 1 =1/F 1 .  
         [0097]     Ondulator  6  further provides a digital square wave the period of which is equal to half T 1  and which via output FA connects to terminal A of on/off switch  11 .  
         [0098]     The interphase circuit feeds through its bipolar output E 1 /E 2  an alternate tension of frequency F 1 , the bipolar input E 1 /E 2  of converter-amplifier  10  thus connecting the circuits of converter  17  and of converters  18  and  19 .  
         [0099]     Output C 2  of interphase circuit  8  provides a full-wave rectified signal, also of frequency F 1 , which in this case is not used (it is used in the circuit of  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0100]     All the negative power and control poles are connected to a common and floating negative line (not mass-connected) designated FCN. To the latter are connected the negative N 1  of rectifier  5 , the negative N 3  of regulating source  7  and the negatives of the remaining circuits of the apparatus. Connection of line FCN with output N 2  of interphase circuit  8  allows to unify the negative terminals of the amplifier circuits  20  and  21  and of gates  22  and  23  of CCA  10  with the remaining circuits.  
         [0101]     Interphase circuit  8  provides a rectified half-wave signal which via output D connects to the input of frequency divider circuit  14 ; said signal has frequency F 1 . Oscilator circuit  9  is a digital square wave variable frequency F 3  generator with 100 pulses per second to 1,000 pulses per second, and the time interval between pulses is T 3 =1/F 3 .  
         [0102]     Pulse frequency F 3  is adjusted to a given value from its own oscillator  9  but further varies from said adjusted point by means of relative sequential variation (RSV) of frequency divider  14  and interconnects to oscillator  9  by means of lines L and M via switch  86 .  
         [0103]     Frequency F 3  pulses of oscillator  9  connect via output FB with terminal B of on/off switch  11 .  
         [0104]     On/off switch  11  having three positions (A-O-B) connects through line FP one of the inputs of gates AND  22  and  23  of CCA  10 ; with switch  11  in position “A” enter through line FP the frequency pulses  2  F 1  of output FA of ondulator circuit  6 ; if switch  11  is in position “0”, no pulse sequence enters (circuit is open), and with switch  11  in position “B” frequency pulses F 3  from output FB of oscillator circuit enter via line FB.  
         [0105]     Frequency divider circuit  14  receives semi-wave signal F 1  and on one hand includes the resistive sequence variation system (RCV) and on the other hand divides in 50 the input frequency F 1 , thus producing a digital square wave with frequency F 2 =F 1 / 50  wherein the time period between pulses T 1 =1/F 2 =50 T 1 .  
         [0106]     Both RSV system and frequency F 2  square wave connect before leaving circuit  11  with a bipolar switch  86  such that when output M corresponding to RSV system habilitates output N disables (frequency F 2  wave disconnects) and when output N with frequency F 2  enables output M disables.  
         [0107]     Divider circuit  14  connects via output N with one of the inputs of gates NOR  26  and  27  of CCA  10 .  
         [0108]     In timer circuit  15  output Q switches from initial logical state zero to logical state 1 (one) once time T 5  has elapsed, and connects to a second input of gates NOR  26  and  27  of CCA  10 .  
         [0109]     Output W transits from initial logical state 1 (one) to logical state 0 (zero) once time T 6  has elapsed the latter being approximately equal to half time T 3 . Said output W connects with automatic control circuit  29  of CCA  10 .  
         [0110]     Output Z of 8 bit timer circuit  15  provides the signal indicating the time elapsed to display  16 . Ondulator  6  via its output B and oscillator  9  via its output G 1  forward the information on their respective working frequencies to display  16 .  
         [0111]     Display  16  is mounted in the frontal part of the equipment and houses the commands for all the switches and push-buttons of the apparatus, as well the mechanical, luminous and digital signalizations of the various circuits of the apparatus.  
         [0112]     Converter-amplifier circuit (CCA)  10  comprises a alternate current converter  17  producing low-tension voltage sinusoidal pulses, strongly damped and amplitude-modulated by the same frequency F 1  input sinusoidal wave; a semi-wave counter-phase converter  18  providing feeding voltage to a current amplifier  20  and to AND gate  22 ; a half-wave in-phase converter  19  which provides feeding tension to current amplifier  21  and to gate AND  23 . In such a way when alternate tension wave (which may be sinusoidal or quasi-sinusoidal) of frequency F 1  from output E 1 /E 2  of interphase circuit  8  is crossing its positive hemicycle, it is in condition only to operate amplifier  21  and gate  23 , whereas when the alternate tension crosses its negative hemicycle it can operate only amplifier  20  and gate  22 .  
         [0113]     The output of gate  22  connects to the input of amplifier  20  and the output of the latter connects to converter  17  in such a way that for every pulse emitted through gate  22  converter  17  emits a damped sinusoidal pulse with a positive initial peak (under such conditions the sinusoidal wave will go through its negative cycle). The whole of amplifier  21  and gate  23  works in a similar manner except that the initial peak of damped sinusoidal pulse will have a negative polarity (under such conditions the sinusoidal wave will cross its positive hemicycle). The pulse tension peak value will depend from the duration time of the output pulse from gates AND  22  and  23  and from the mean value resulting from the instantaneous values of frequency F 1  sinusoidal wave tension which were encompassed during said pulse.  
         [0114]     The damped sinusoidal pulses connect via output LV of converter  17  with one of the terminals of the primary of booster transformer  34 . Output GR of converter  17  and the other terminal of the primary and its homologue secondary of transformer  24  are mass-connected, thus from output terminal of HV secondary HV of transformer  24  are obtained the high-voltage sinusoidal damped pulses. This HV output connects to a safety resistor  25  producing a very low voltage drop due to the passage of capacitive microcurrents from capacitive application device,  13 , but which when faced with a non intentional direct contact limits the output current values to levels harmless to humans and superior animals.  
         [0115]     Resistor connects through line H of CCA with high-tension socket  12 A mounted in the equipment housing. High tension plug  12 B, high-tension cable  12 C and female connector  12 D connect the capacitive application device  13 . Distance d is the separation between the active metallic electrode  13  A and live system  171  which is grounded; in such a way the established potential gradient is E=U/d wherein U is the applied tension; in this case the tension applied is the activation signal constituted by the high-voltage amplitude-modulated pulses, the time period Tp between one pulse and the other being given by the time period between the pulses entering gates AND  22  and  23  via line FP and are enabled by gates NOR  26  and  27  when the digital outlets of same are in logical state 1 (one) and disabled when in logical state 0 (zero). The output of gate NOR  26  connects to the input of gate AND  22  and output NOR  27  connects with input of gate AND  23 .  
         [0116]     In such a way the outputs of gates NOR  26  and  27  will depend from the state of their inputs; if their three inputs are in logical state 0 (zero) their output will be 1 (one) and therefore be enabling; if any input is in logical state 1 (one) its output will be in state 0 (zero) and therefore disabling.  
         [0117]     One of inputs of gate NOR  26  and  27  is the connection with output N of divider circuitry  24  which leads the frequency F 2  pulse sequence via the closing of switch  86 ; in this case the emission of the high-voltage pulse activation will be intermittent and therefore this intermittence will have frequency F 2 .  
         [0118]     The second input of gates AND  26  and  27  is output “Q” of timer circuit  15  which after a time T 5  has elapsed transits to logical state 1 (one) disabling indefinitely the emission of the activation signal.  
         [0119]     The third output from gate NOR  26  connects to line PP of manual/automatic switch  28  and the third input of gate NOR  27  connects to line NP of switch  28 . When line PP is in logical state 1 (one) it disables the high-voltage pulses having an initial positive peak, the only pulses now being emitted are those with an initial negative pulse. When line NP is in its logical state 1 (one) the opposite happens to previously described.  
         [0120]     Lines PP and NP may both be in logical state 0 (zero) (enabling) but never both in logical state 1 (one) simultaneously.  
         [0121]     In its “manual” position manual-automatic switch  28  allows the passage to lines PP and NP of orders proceeding from the manual control circuit  30  only. When switch  28  is in its “automatic” position, it only allows the passage of orders proceeding from automatic control circuit  29 .  
         [0122]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate more clearly and precisely the composition and functioning of the blocks shown at  FIG. 2 .  
         [0123]     In  FIG. 3   a  plug  3 A for connecting to the mains  1  the terminal L corresponding to active pole (live pole) of the main connects to protection fuse  3 B, terminal B corresponding to neutral pole connects to neon lamp  4  and to terminal K 1  of the primary winding of transformer  31  corresponding to rectifier circuit  5 , and terminal G corresponding to ground connects to the mass of the apparatus.  
         [0124]     Protection fuse  3 B connects to switch  3 C which commands the global powering of the equipment, connecting or disconnecting the electrical power from the active pole of the mains.  
         [0125]     Said switch connects to the other terminals of lamp  4  and with terminal  11  of primary winding of transformer  31 . Lamp  4  shows apparatus is powered.  
         [0126]     Rectifier circuit  5  includes transformer  31  which is a monophasic transformer with three windings: a primary input and two secondary ones, the power secondary having three tension levels (60%, 80%, 100%) and the other secondary is the one feeding the auxiliary consumptions.  
         [0127]     At the power secondary the 100% output connects to the anode of rectifier diode  32  and the cathode to the positive terminal of filtration capacitator  38 , thus attaining a continuous tension 100% of the nominal (rated) voltage in line V 3 . The 80% output connects to the anode of diode  33  and the cathode to the positive terminal of capacitator  37  and likewise the 60% output connects to diode  34  and to capacitator  36 , thus conferring lines V 1  and V 2  80% and 60% respectively of the nominal tension; the negative pole of said continuous tensions is in common and is attained at anode of diode  35  which permits to connect its cathode with terminal 0% return of the currents circulating through lines V 1 , V 2  and V 3 . Said negative power terminal joins the negative terminal of rectifier bridge  39  thus originating line N 1  which connects to the line of FCN (floating-common-negative) the latter being the general negative of the apparatus.  
         [0128]     Diode bridge  39  connects to the auxiliary secondary winding, transformer  31  and originates full wave rectification line C 1  which connects to filtering capacitator  63  and to voltage regulator of the regulated source circuit  7 , the negative terminal N 3  of said bridge connects to the floating general negative (FCN), line +C constitutes the line feeding a continuous stabilized positive polarity control tension to the digital logic of the apparatus&#39; circuitry. Ondulator circuit  6  includes a power circuit and a logical digital auxiliary circuit. The ondulator circuit receives power from lines V 1 , V 2  and V 3  of rectifier  5  and connect to the emitters of PNP power transistors  40 ,  41  and  42 , respectively. The bases of said transistors connect through resistances  46 ,  47  and  48  with the collectors of auxiliary NPN transistors  49 ,  50  and  51  respectively and collectors of transistors PNP connect to the anode of rectifying diodes  43 ,  44  and  45  respectively: the cathode of said three diodes join into a common point PV which will have the electrical tension of transistors PNP  40 ,  41  or  42  which are enabled for conducing and may adopt values of 0%, 60%, 80% or 100%. This common point PV connects to a terminal of smoothening inductance  52  and its other terminal connects to the common point joining the filtration capacitors  60 ,  61  and the middle point of transformer&#39;s  53  primary winding.  
         [0129]     The ends of said winding connect on one side with capacitator  61 , resistor  56  and collector of power NPN transistor  54 ; the other end of transformer  53  primary winding connect to capacitator  60 , resistor  5  and the collector of power NPN transistor  55 . Resistor  56  serially connected with capacitator  57  and resistor  58  serially connected with capacitator  59  protect transmitters  54  and  55  respectively when transiting from a conductive state into a powerless state.  
         [0130]     The emitters of transistors  54  and  55  and of auxiliary transistors  49 ,  50  and  51  connect to the power negative line.  
         [0131]     Line +C of regulating source  7  provides auxiliary feeding to oscillator  65 , to divider counter  68 , flip-flop JK  75  to gates OR  69 ,  70  and  71  and inverter  73 , which constitute the auxiliary circuit of ondulator  6  digital logic.  
         [0132]     Oscilator  63  is a square-wave variable frequency generator with a time base (resistance-capacity) RC given by variable resistor  66  and capacitor  67 ; the square-wave frequency varying by resistor  66 . Oscilator  65  output connects to CLK of divider counter  68  which is a decade counter of the JONSON type with 5 (five) stages wherein outputs  0  and  9  transit sequentially from logical state one for every pulse of oscillator  65 , and via output CO a square wave is emitted for every 10 pulses from oscillator  65 , i.e., the input frequency is divided by 10.  
         [0133]     Outputs  0  and  9  of counter  68  stay free, outputs  1  and  8  connect to inputs of gate OR  69 , outputs  2 ,  3 ,  6  and  7  connect to the inputs of gate OR  70  and outputs  4  and  5  connect to the inputs of gate OR  71 . The outputs of gates OR  69 ,  70 ,  71  connect with bases of transistors NPN  49 ,  50 ,  51  respectively via resistors R  49 , R  50  and R  51  respectively. This circuitry causes that when output  0  crosses through logical state 1 transistors PNP  40 ,  41  and  42  are shutoff and therefore tension on point PV, will be zero.  
         [0134]     When the output  1  transits logical state one, transistor PNP  40  will become enabled and the tension on point PV, will be 60% of the rated (nominal) one, when outputs  2  and thereafter 3 cross logical state one transistor PNP  42  enables and the tension of point PV will become 80% of the nominal tension, thereafter they will transit to logical state one the outputs  4  and  5  thus enabling transistor PNP  42  and the tension of point PV will become 100% of its rated value; thereafter outputs  6  and  7  come up and the tension in PV will become 80% of its rated value, thereafter the output  8  and the tension in PV will become 60% of its rated value, thereafter follows output  9  which because of not being connected will lead point PV to zero. This cycle repeats indefinitely thus causing in point PV an unidirectional tension stepped variation.  
         [0135]     On the other hand output CO connects via inverter  73  to CLK of descending counting FLIP-FLO JK  75  and the terminals J and K connect via resistor  74  to line +C. Thus every 10 pulses of oscillator  65  a stepped tension wave is created at point PV ranging 0 to 100% and returns to tension 0 and simultaneously, at every onset of this wave, outputs Q and complementary outputs Q, invert their logical states causing transistors NPN  54  and  55  to alternate periodically. The base of transistor  54  connects via diode  77  and resistor  76  with terminal Q of FLIP-FLOP  7  and the base of transistor  55  connects via diode  79  and resistor  78  with complementary terminal Q of FLIP-FLOP  75 , this ensuring that when a transistor is conductive the other one stays shutoff.  
         [0136]     When transistor  54  is conductive, the stepped tension connects into a branch of the primary winding of transformer  53  and when transistor  55  is conductive, the stepped tension connects into the other branch of primary winding thus originating in the secondary winding of transformer  53 , an alternate tension which due to the effect of inductance  52  and capacitors  60 ,  61  and  62 , is virtually sinusoidal. In such a way a full cycle of quasi-sinusoidal frequency F 1  is obtained for every 20 pulses of oscillator  65 .  
         [0137]     This quasi-sinusoidal tension connects via lines A 1  and A 2  with interphase circuit  8  of  FIG. 3   b , line A 1  connects to the cathode of diode  82  and to terminal E 1  of diode bridge  80 ; line A 2  connects to terminal E 2  of diode bridge  80 . The negative terminal (−) of bridge  80  connects via line N 2  with the negative connection of FCN (floating common negative) from  FIG. 3   a  thus unifying the negative pole of the auxiliary circuit for digital control logic pertaining to converter-amplifier circuit (CCA)  10 .  
         [0138]     The positive terminal (+) of diode bridge  80  connects to the cathode of diode  81  and its anode connects to line C 2  thus creating in said line a full ware rectified tension which in this case lacks use.  
         [0139]     The anode of diode  82  connects via line D a rectified semiwave tension signal with frequency F 1  to the input of converter buffer Schmit circuit  83  of frequency divider circuit  14 . The digital logic of divider circuit  14  is fed via the positive polarity tension line +C.  
         [0140]     The converter buffer Schmit circuit transforms the input semiwave signal into a digital frequency F 1  signal and connects it to the input of a frequency divider  84  which divides frequency F 1  by 5. The output of divider  84  connects to the entry of a counter-divider  85  the outputs  01  to  05  of which connect to the bases of transistors PNP  86  to  90  enabling them sequentially every time the corresponding output transits to logical value zero. Said sequence is shown in diagram form  7 , where waveform  7  ( i ) represents the frequency F 1  alternate tension signal arriving at terminals E 1  and E 2  of (CCA)  10 . Waveforms  7 ( ii ) to  7  (Vi) corresponds to outputs  01  to  05  of counter-divider  85  where it can be observed that the outputs cross sequentially through zero every 10 time periods of frequency F 1  wave and this repeats cyclically till the end of timing when output Q of timer circuit  15  transits to logical state 1 (one), once time T 5  has elapsed as shown in waveform  7  (Viii). The full sequence lasts a time T 2  which will corresponds to 50 periods of original wave F 1 .  
         [0141]     Waveform  7 (Vii) corresponds to the output CO of counter-divider  85 , same being a square digital symmetric wave of period T 2 , i.e. the frequency of this wave will be: F 2 =F 1 / 50 .  
         [0142]     As mentioned above, every output  01  to  05  acquires logical state 0 (zero) and enables the corresponding transistor, e.g. when output  01  transits to 0 (zero) transistor  86  is conductive and connects resistance R 1  via contact M of switch  86  in parallel with the branch of diode  93  and resistance RC 1  of oscillator circuit  9 . The addition of said resistance modifies the oscillator time base and therefore alters frequency F 3  value. According to the values given to resistances R 1  to R 5  it is possible to attain sequential variations of the adjusted base frequency base which cover from no variation at all in the case that all the resistances R 1  a R 5  are equal, till  5  possible variations in case all resistances have different values. When switching switch  86  from position C (continuous emission) to position  1  (INTERMITTENT EMISSION) output CO of divider-counter  85  is connected with terminal N of switch  85  and feeds with square frequency F 2  wave signal one of the inputs of gates NOR  26  and  27  of CCA-10 thus causing the intermittent functioning as previously explained. Therefore the apparatus generates high-voltage pulses for half time T 2  wherein the wave crosses logical state 0 (zero) and will not emit high-voltage pulses for half time T 2  wherein the wave crosses logical state 1 (one).  
         [0143]     During the intermittent functioning there is no sequential variation of pulse frequency F 3  of oscillator circuit  9  as terminal M of switch  86  disconnects resistances R 1  to R 5  and, therefore oscillator  9  works with the adjusted frequency value only by means of regulable capacitor  91 .  
         [0144]     Oscillator circuit  9  includes a digital square wave variable frequency generator with time base RC (RESISTANCE-CAPACITY) wherein the time during which the wave crosses logical state 1 (one) TC 2 —also called mark time—depends from the value of resistance TC 1  and the adjusted value in regulable capacitator  91  while the time during which the wave crosses logical state 0 (zero)—also called space time—depends from the resistance (RO) value and from the capacitor  91  value. Diodes  93  and  92  determine one and another case by their sense. The charging time of capacitator  91  determines the marking time and the discharge time of said capacitator determines the space time. The sequential resistance variation caused by connection of terminal M of switch  86  originates a sequential variation in the charging time of capacitator  91  and therefore varies marking time TC 2  only and space time TC 2  remains unchanged.  
         [0145]     Base frequency F 3  is fixed with capacitator  91  and indicator display  16  shows the adjusted value.  
         [0146]     Output line FB connects frequency F 3  digital square wave of pulse generator  94  to terminal b of on/off switch  11 . Line FA connects frequency 2×F 1  digital square wave of output CO of counter-divider  68  of  FIG. 3   a  with terminal A of on/off switch  11 .  
         [0147]     As previously explained the position of this on/off switch  11  gives three (3) possible alternatives. In position “0” converter-amplifier  10  does not emit high-voltage pulses. In position “A” via line Fp connect the inputs of gates AND  22  and  23  the frequency 2×F 1  square wave the time period of same between two successive pulses is T 1 / 2 . As shown in waveform diagram in  FIG. 6   a , wherein waveform (a) represents frequency F 1  alternate tension arriving at terminals E 1  and E 2  of (CCA)  10 ; in an exemplary way F 1 =115 Hz. Terminal E 1  connects to anodes  19  and  18  and to emitter of transistor  96 , whereas terminal E 2  connects to the anodes of diodes  18  and  97  and to emitter of transistor  95 . Waveform  6   a  (ii) represents the square wave which being transmitted from line FA enters via switch  11  in position A and line Fp into gates AND  22  and  23  of CCA  10 .  
         [0148]     For every hemicycle of waveform  6   a  (i) there is a mark and a symmetrical space of waveform  6   a  (ii). Under said conditions when gate outputs NOR  26  and  27  are in logical state 1 gates AND  22  and  23  will be enabled; therefore into current amplifiers  20  and  21  will enter simultaneously equivalent pulses of waveform  6   a (i).  
         [0149]     When hemicycles of waveform  6   a  (i) are positive terminal E 1  will be positive with respect to E 2 , and therefore diode  19  will function as an in-phase halfwave converter as already explained for  FIG. 2  and therefore gate AND and amplifier  21  will receive auxiliary control feeding. Waveform pulses  6   a (ii) are amplified and converted by amplifier  21  into current pulses with an amplitude such that when being applied to the base of potency transistor NON  95  the possibility that during mark time TC 1  transistor  95  transits to a conductive state and during space time TO 1  same will stay shutoff. At the same time power transistor NPN  96  will stay shutoff as diode  18  functioning as an out-of-phase-halfwave disables gate AND  22  and amplifier  20 , in this hemicycle transistor  96  has its emitter more positive than its base.  
         [0150]     During the transistor  95  conductive state (time TC 1 ) electrical current will flow from transformer  53  via line A 1 , terminal E 1 , through diode  98  which will stay directly polarized, and this current will charge parallel circuit (RLC) comprised of capacitator CP, resistance RP and inductance of primary winding of booster transformer  24 , for which the capacitive charge of applicator device  13  is very low, and therefore said inductance corresponds practically to the one of primary winding of transformer  24  with its secondary winding open. Electrical current will return to transformer  53  via transistor  97 , terminal E 2  and line A 2  thus closing the potency electrical circuit.  
         [0151]     Upon charging, the tension of circuit RLC will be the same as of primary winding and will reflect amplified in terminal HV of secondary winding of transformer  24 . The electrical tension values of terminal HV are slightly above those of terminal H—as during normal operation the capacitive charge of application device  13  is low and the tension drop in resistor  25  is very low. The electric tension values grounded of terminal H are represented in waveform  6   a (iii) wherein it can be appreciated that during time interval TC 1  the positive land represents the tension variation during the charging of circuit TLC seen from the high-voltage side. Thereafter, once time TC 1  has elapsed and crosses abruptly transistor  95  to the shutoff stage, the current which was flowing through primary winding of transformer  24  due to the inductive effect with secondary open causes an abrupt peak with negative polarity (opposite to the polarity of charging land) and, this being a RLC circuit, the impulse adopts a strongly damped sinusoidal oscillation waveform.  
         [0152]     The subsequent oscillations will be cancelled with the onset of following mark time which will be coincident with the onset of the negative hemicycle of waveform  6   a (i) (terminal E 2  is more positive than terminal E 1 ) and therefore gate AND  2  will function and amplifier  20  this will leading transistor  96  to its conductive state and therefore now electrical current will flow from transformer  53  via line A 2  terminal E 2  through diode  97 , charging parallel circuit RLC in inverted form with respect to prior case and the electrical current will return via transistor  96 , terminal E 1  and line A 1  to transformer  53 , and electrical circuit closes during negative hemicycle of frequency F 1  alternate tension. As can be appreciated in waveform  6   a (iii) the lands and peaks during the negative hemicycle are equal but with signs opposed to those of the positive hemicycle. The grounding of the windings of transformer  24 , resistance RP, capacitors CP and C 1 , anode of diode  100 , cathodes of diodes  97  and  99  and transistor collector  97  by means of terminal G of plug  1  when connecting to ground line, set forth the ground reference for output pulses H.  
         [0153]     Waveform  6   a (iii) represents the high-voltage pulse activation signal for the operative condition of on/off switch  11  in position “A” wherein there is only one damped sinusoidal pulse for every hemicycle of waveform  6   a (i).  
         [0154]     Waveform  6   a (i) is the low-frequency modulation quasi-sinusoidal wave generated by ondulator  6 , and waveform  6   a (ii) represent the low voltage high-frequency pulses.  
         [0155]     Polarity of damped pulse is defined as the polarity of first peak which is the greatest of all.  
         [0156]     By definition, the peak maximum tension equals Upm and the maximum inverted peak tension equals Uim.  
         [0157]     Pulsation period is defined as TH and pulsation period is defined as FH=1/TH.  
         [0158]     Damping relation is defined as Uim/Upm&lt;1.  
         [0159]     For the example in Figure following ensues:  
                                                                 F1 = 115 Hz.   T1 = 8.7 m sec.                TC1 = TO1 = T½ = 4.35 m sec.           TH = 0.769 m sec.           FH = 1.3 Khz           Uim/Upm = 0.44                      
 
         [0160]     With on/off switch  11  being positioned in “B” the pulses from output FB of pulse generator  94  will enter CCA  109  via line FP; the waveforms ensuing from this alternative are shown at  FIG. 6   b.    
         [0161]     Waveform  6   b (i) is the quasi-sinusoidal alternate modulation wave arriving at terminals E 1  and E 2  of (CCA)  10  as in prior case, but in this example F 1 =50 Hz is adopted.  
         [0162]     Waveforms  6   b  (i) are the high-voltage frequency F 3  pulses of output FB of digital pulse generator  94  for which in this case frequency F 3 =500 Hz is adopted for which the periodic interval between pulses is T 3 =2 ms=TC 2 +TO 2  wherein TC 2 =mark time and TO 1 =space time; the functioning of this alternative is equal to prior case of  FIG. 6   a  the only difference being that for every hemicycle of waveform  6   b (i) there is more than one waveform pulse  6   b (ii), in this example there are 5 (five) pulses. Thus high-voltage activation signal in terminal H corresponding to waveform  6   b (iii) will have more than one damped sinusoidal pulse per hemicycle, which in this case will be 5 (five) cycles. It can be observed that during mark time TC 2  a charge land of parallel circuit RLC and during space time TO at onset of damped oscillation, wherein the high-voltage pulses are amplitude-modulated by waveform  6   b (i). This modulation is due to the fact that the value of current that will circulate through the primary winding of transformer  24  will depend from the mean value of the tension applied on parallel circuit RLC during mark time TC 2 , and this mean value will be different for the various mark times of a given hemicycle.  
         [0163]     Waveform  6   b (ii) represents the high-voltage pulse activation signal amplitude-modulated by low-frequency quasi-sinusoidal wave of waveform  6   b (i) for the operative condition of switch  11  in position “B”.  
         [0164]     For the example shown in  FIG. 6   b :  
                                                                               F1 = 50 Hz   T1 = 20 msec           F3 = 500 Hz   T3 = 2 msec                TC2 + TO2 = T3 = 2 msec                TH = 0.5 msec               FH = 2 Khz           Uim/Upm = 0.54                      
 
         [0165]     TP being the periodic interval between the damped sinusoidal pulses. Following are the margins of the apparatus operative values:  
                                                             Alternative a (Switch 11 in position “A”):            Modulation Frequency   F1 = 20-200 Hz       High-voltage Frequency pulses   Fp = 40-400 pulses/sec.       Damped frequency Pulsation   FH = 200-2000 Hz       Damped pulsation Period   TH = 5-0.5 msec       Damping Ratio   Uim/Upm = 0.2-0.5       Maximum Peak Voltage   Upm &gt; 3000 Volt.       Potential Gradient or biologically   E = 300-3000 Volt/mm       Active Electrical Field            Alternative b (switch 11 in position “B”):            Modulation Frequency   F1 = 5-50 Hz       High-voltage frequency pulses   Fp = F3 = 100-1000 pulses/sec.       Damped pulsation frequency   FH = 1500-3000 Hz       Damped pulsation Period   TH = 5.55-3.70 msec.       Damping Ratio   Uim/Upm = 0.666-0.333 msec       Maximum Peak Voltage   Upm &gt; 3000 Volt.       Potential Gradient or biologically   E = 300-3000 Volt/mm       Active Electrical Field                  
 
         [0166]     In both alternatives the RMS value for the electrical current capacitively induced has a power level which under no circumstances causes any significant heating of the system under treatment.  
         [0167]     Capacitive application device  13  is placed on the system to be treated,  171 , be it cell cultures, bacteria cultures, fungi cultures or for its biomedical use on patient&#39;s injured part. The system to be treated is grounded by means of an electrode and thus the potential gradient or electrical field established between the active electrode of applicator  14 A and the surface being treated will be: Em=Upm/d wherein:  
         [0168]     Em=Potential gradient or maximum electrical field established  
         [0169]     Upm=maximum peak voltage applied  
         [0170]     d=distance between active electrode and surface to be treated  
         [0171]     Neon lamps (+) and (−) in display  6  will light only for peak values of low-tension side activation signal, and therefore lamp (+), serially connected with diode  99 , upon lighting will reveal the presence of positive pulses in the activation signal, whereas lamp (−), serially connected with diode  100 , upon lighting will reveal the presence of negative pulses.  
         [0172]     Switch  101  is a bipolar ( 2 ) switch with two positions. In the position corresponding to Capacitator C 1 , the lamp being disconnected, 100% of display  16  receives through switch  100  feeding from line +C, this indicating that the equipment will emit 100% of the maximum possible peak value. Capacitor C 1  being connected via switch  101  in parallel with CP, RP and the primary of transformer  24 , the equipment will emit 80% of the maximum tension possible. Under such conditions it will receive power from line +C; lamp showing 80% means that the equipment will emit 80% of the nominal (rated) peak tension,  
         [0173]     The manual control of polarity is done using on/off switch  30  having one pole and 3 (three) positions:  
         [0174]     (−) emission of pulses with initial negative peak  
         [0175]     AL alternate emission, positive and negative pulses  
         [0176]     (+) emission of pulses with initial positive peak  
         [0177]     Selection of polarity by manual or automatic control is done by means of on/off switch  28  provided with 4 (four) poles 2 (two) positions.  
         [0178]     A—Automatic control of polarity  
         [0179]     B—Manual control of polarity  
         [0180]     The manual position of switch  28  is shown on display  16  by means of visual signal M. If switch  30  is in position (−) its connects via terminal “a” of switch  30  and terminal “b” of switch  28  line +C with line PP carrying positive control tension to the third input of gate NOR  26  y therefore establishing a digital 0 (zero) to the output of latter and disabling gate AND  22 , this canceling the pulse generation which entered amplifier  20  and therefore canceling the emission of high-voltage pulses provided with an initial positive peak, that is to say there will be emitted only those pulses with an initial negative (−) value, Switch  30  being in position  30  in position (+) connects line +C through terminal C of switch  30  and terminal “d” of switch  28  with line NP carrying positive tension control to input of gate NOR  27 , thus disabling gate AND  23  y thus canceling high-voltage pulses of an initial positive voltage; if switch is in position “AL” line C will no connect line +C to any of both (2) gates NOR  26  and  27  and therefore they will be an emission of negative and positive pulses, the alternate activation signal being as shown in waveform  6   a (iii) or  6   b (iii).  
         [0181]     Gates NOR  26  or  27  and inverters  110  and  111  receive feeding control tensions via line +C, the latter also feeding the electronic logic of timer circuit  15 .  
         [0182]     Timer circuit  15  includes an oscillator  102  which is a stable digital square frequency generator the output of which connects to one of the inputs of gate OR  104  via the frequency divider  103  which delivers a digital square wave with periodical intervals between pulses T 4 =1 minute, i.e. it generates one pulse per minute. The output of gate OR  104  connects with a descending programmable counter  105  which upon equipment being powered and receiving auxiliary control tension through line +C a number of 20 minutes is preselected and defined in counter  105 , said number being shown via 8 bits line Z on digital reading device  105  B of display  16 . For each impulse from OR gate counter  105  continues counting descendently a time T 5  of 20 minutes; reader  105 B finishes indicating number “00”. Output TC of counter  105  connects to reset entry R of a set—reset flip-flop  106 . Output signal Q from flip-flop  106  which originally was in logical state 0 (zero) transits now to logical state 1 (one) thus controlling on one hand gates NOR  26  and  27  and disabling the frequency input via line FP towards amplifiers  20  and  21  and therefore canceling the generation of the activation signal of high-frequency pulses (end of emission). On the other hand output Q of flip-flop  106  connects to a buzzer  107  which emits an acoustic signal and to inhibition control INH of counter  105  this totally inhibiting the activation and counting actions.  
         [0183]     Upon being depressed digital pulse button  108  applies a positive tension pulse of line +C to entry set S of flip-flop  106  and to reset control R of counter  105 , in such a way that the prefixed number of 20 minutes can be newly defined in counter  105  crossing output Q of lip-flop  106  to logical state 0 (cero), this again enabling the emission of the activation signal and canceling the acoustical signal from buzzer  107  and reinitiating a new 20 minutes timing cycle.  
         [0184]     When switch  28  is in its manual position digital pulse button  109  allow to input positive tension pulses from line +C via line “f” of switch  28  to the input of gate OR  104  and thus to select a timing time less than 20 minutes. This operation is disabled when switch  28  is its automatic position. In said latter condition inverter  110  connects via terminal “a” of switch  28  with line PP, and inverter  111  connects via terminal C of switch  28  with line NP, this enabling the automatic control of the activation signal polarity. Switch  28  A is a 2 (two) pole 2 (two) positions on/off switch.  
         [0185]     R=tissular regeneration  
         [0186]     E=contractures and edemas  
         [0187]     One pole connects the visual indication R and E on indicator board  16  and the other pole preselects the inputs of inverters  110  or  111  through connecting them with output W of counter  105 . At the start of timing said output W is in local state 1 (one) and after a time T 6  T 5  has elapsed transits to state 0 (cero) as shown in waveform diagram  7  ( 1 X) when switch  29 A is in position R during the first timings stage inverter  111  receives a digital 1 (one) from output W and the output of inverter  110  is in logical state 0 (zero) and therefore the activation signal for the high-voltage pulses comprises alternate positive and negative pulses. After a time T 6  and having changed its state, output W of counter  105  line PP transits to logical state 1 (one) disabling gate NOR  26  and canceling the positive pulses of the activation signal till the end of timing when time T 5  has elapsed; the effect of output Q of flip-flop  106  will also cancel the negative pulses of the activation signal, thus ending the application.  
         [0188]     Switch  29  A being in position E during the first stage, the activation signal will be constitute alternate positive and negative pulses. Once time T 6  has elapsed the negative pulses will cancel and the activation signal will comprise positive pulses only till the end of timing.  
         [0189]     The positive pulse of activation signal is defined a that damped sinusoidal pulsation having an initial positive peak and the negative pulse of which is that damped sinusoidal pulsation having an initial negative peak as shown at waveform  6   a (iii) and  6   b (iii). The positive pulses of the activation signal will come up when the modulation wave represented in waveform diagram  6   a (i) and  6   b (i) crosses its negative hemicycle and the negative pulses of the activation signal come up in the positive hemicycles of the modulation wave.  
         [0190]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the difference with diagram of  FIG. 2  is that the feeding from mains  1  via plug  3 A, fuse  3 B and activation switch  3 C arrives directly to the primary winding of a transformer  112  which receives low-voltage low-frequency from mains F 0 . In this case frequency F 1  of the modulation wave will be directly F 0 , and therefore F 1 =F 10 =mains frequency, and the apparatus will operate with a modulation frequency only.  
         [0191]     Output of secondary winding of reducing transformer  12  connects—likewise as in diagram of  FIG. 2 —via line A 1  and A 2  with interphase circuit  8 . The regulated tension source  7  is fed via line C 2  of interphase circuit  9 . The remainder of the circuits are exactly the same as described in  FIG. 2  and their similar ones en  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , with the exception of on/off switch  11   a  which in this case has two (2) positions, 0=without emissions and B=emission of pulses from oscillator  9  via connection of line FB with line FP by means of terminal B of switch  11 .  
         [0192]     For this second embodiment of the apparatus according to  FIG. 4  the alternative exists of  FIG. 6   b  with the 50 Hz modulation in waveform  6   b (i), low-voltage waveform sequence  6   b (ii), and the activation signal of low-voltage waveform  8   b (iii).  
         [0193]     When equipment is connected to F 0 =60 Hz mains frequency modulation F 1  will become 60 Hz too.  
         [0194]     En  FIG. 5  lines Aq 1 , A 2 , FCN, +C and FA are equal and are obtained in the same way and with the same components as the ones shown at  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b . In this diagram there are two (2) high-voltage pulse generators.  
         [0195]     The first generator includes an interphase circuit  8 , an oscillator circuit  9 , a converter-amplifier circuit  10 , an on/off switch  11 , a frequency divider circuit  14 , a high-voltage socket  12  A, a high-voltage connection device comprising a plug  12 . B, a cable  12 C, a connector  12 D and a capacitive application device  13 . Their composition and functioning are the same as the ones shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   b.    
         [0196]     The second generator includes an interphase circuit  114 , an oscillator circuit  117 , a converter-amplifier circuit  115 , an on/off switch  119 , a frequency divider circuit  116 , a high-voltage plug  120  A, a high-voltage connection device comprising a plug  120  B, a cable  120  C, a connector  120  D and a capacitive application device  121 . Their composition and functioning are exactly the same as the ones in the first high-voltage pulse generator.  
         [0197]     Timer circuit  15  is shared by both generators, and their composition and functioning are exactly as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   b.    
         [0198]     Interphase circuit  6  connects directly to lines A 1  and A 2  in the same way as the circuit shown in line  2 , connecting line A 1  with terminal B 1  and line A 2  with terminal B 2  of interphase  8 , On the contrary interphase circuit  114  interconnects with lines A 1  and A 2  via on/off switch  113  having two (2) poles and two (2) positions. In, the position of same phase “SF” connects line A 1  with terminal B 1  and line A 2  with terminal B 2  of interphase circuit  114 . Under such conditions converter-amplifiers  10  and  115  via lines E 1 /E 2  and E 1 ′/E 2 ′ respectively modulation wave in-phase F 1  frequency, and therefore the positive and negative hemicycles will match in both amplifiers-converters, this making the polarity of high-voltage pulses matching in output H and in output H′. Switch  113  being in counter-phase “CF” (as drawn in diagram in  FIG. 5 ) line A 1  connects with terminal B 2 ′ and line B′ of interphase circuit  114 , under such conditions converters-amplifiers  10  and  115  will receive the tension wave of frequency F 1  in counterphase, and therefore when converter-amplifier  10  will receive the positive hemicycle and through its output H will emit high-voltage negative pulses, converter-amplifier  115  will simultaneously receive the negative hemicycle of modulation wave and through its output H′ it will emit positive pulses; outputs H and H′ are emitting pulses having different polarities.  
         [0199]     The low tension pulses signal enter converters-amplifiers  10  and  115  through line FP and FP′ via switches  11  and  119 . The option of switches  11  and  119  in position A and A′ respectively, connects lines FP and FP′ simultaneously, and therefore both converters-amplifiers will receive low-tension 2×F 1  frequency pulse wave thus the high-voltage pulses in both generators will be produced simultaneously; in the “in phase” functioning they will have the same polarity and in the “counterphase” functioning they will have opposite polarities. That is to say that in this case, because of being generated from same 2×F 1  frequency pulses the damped high-voltage sinusoidal pulses will also be “in exact phase” o “in exact counterphase” depending on the position of switch  113  contact.  
         [0200]     The option of switches  11  and  19  in position B and B′ respectively connects line FB of oscillator  9  with line FP of converter-amplifier  10  and enters in the latter the frequency F 3  pulses, whereas terminal B′ of terminal  119  connects to common terminal of one of the two (2) poles of on/off switch  118 , terminal “a” of the same pole connects to output FB of oscillator  9 . In the other pole of switch  118  common terminal connects to input N′ of converter-amplifier  115  and on the other hand to terminal “c” of the same pole connects output N′ of divider circuit  116  and to terminal “d” output N of divider circuit  14 . Switch  118  is an on/off switch with two (2) poles and two (2) positions: in position  1  it allows the independent functioning of both (2) high-voltage pulse generators because of connecting to converter-amplifier  115  with its own divider circuit  116  and oscillator  117 , entering pulse frequency F 3 ″ through line FP′ and intermittent frequency F 2 ′through line N′ of converter-amplifier  115 , which may be different from their respective frequencies.  
         [0201]     On the contrary, switch  118  being in position “S”, both generators function in synchronism as both receive the same frequency F 3  pulses and same intermittent frequency F 2 ; this makes high-voltage pulses from outputs H and H′ to be in exact phase or in exact counterphase according to the position of switch  113 .  
         [0202]     The various combinations of the contact positions of switches  113 ,  118 ,  119  and  11  allow the embodiment of the invention with two (2) high-voltage pulse generators, functioning jointly insofar as possible.  
         [0203]     The illustrated position of the capacitive application devices  13  and  121  in  FIG. 5  correspond to the functioning “in counterphase” wherein the distances “d 1 ” and “d 2 ” indicate the separation between the active electrodes and the surface of the live system. Therefore the potential gradient between them will be as follows: 
 
 Ed   1   =U   13   /d   1    Ed   2 =(− U   121 )/ d   2   =U   121   /d   2  
 
         [0204]     wherein:  
         [0205]     Ed 1 =potential gradient of device  13 .  
         [0206]     Ed 2 =potential gradient of device  121 .  
         [0207]     U 13 =electrical gradient of the active electrode of device  13  for a determined instant  
         [0208]     U 121 =electrical potential of active electrode of device  121  for the same instant  
         [0209]     Thus Ed 1  and Ed 2  have the same sense and originate a through electrical flow, this diminishing the dispersion and concentrating it on the area to be treated.  
         [0210]     For the functioning with high-tension pulses in counter-phase, line “0” with potential “0” will always be situated near half distance separating both application devices; the live system to be treated is to placed in the middle of both (two) capacitive application devices.  
         [0211]     For the apparatus functioning “in phase” the application devices  13  and  121  are to be placed side by side in a coplanar fashion.  
         [0212]      FIG. 8  shows a frontal view of high-tension socket  12 A wherein frame  122  shows four (4) orifices  123  for affixing to the housing of the pulse generating apparatuses shown at  FIGS. 2, 3   b ,  4  and  5 .  
         [0213]      FIG. 8   b  is a transversal section along section line A-A from  FIG. 8   a  showing with more detail the structure of the high-voltage socket  12 A wherein it is possible to appreciate frame  11 , orifices  123 , thread  124  for engaging plug  12 B and the cylindrical body  125 . All these parts are made of rigid high-impact PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PP (Polypropylene), both injection molded with 99% purity and 1% of a colorant; the dielectric constant referred to vacuum shall be in the range of 3,1 to 3,3.  
         [0214]     Cylindrical body  125  contains in its interior contact terminal  126  made of bronze; within the metallic terminal there is a cylindrical orifice  127  intended for receiving the connection copper cable which is pressed by screw  128 .  
         [0215]     Body  125  has a cylindrical orifice  129  which allow to introduce and cover the PVC isolation of the interconnection cable with terminal “H” of converter-amplifier  10 ; the tower above screw  128  confers a security space in case of non-intended contacts.  
         [0216]      FIG. 8   c  is a frontal view of the interconnection device comprising the high-voltage plug  12 B, cable  12 C and connector  12 D.  
         [0217]      FIG. 8   d  is a transversal section along section line B-B from  FIG. 8   c  showing with greater detail the design of the connection device, starting from compression spring  130  provided wit a electrolytic chroming surface covering, to be firmly mounted within the junction device  132  which on its turn is made of a plastics (PVC or PP); said device  132  on one side supports spring  130  and on the other side is solidarity joined to the high-tension cable formed by copper lead  136  and PVC isolation  135 . Copper lead  136  and spring  130  are electrically joined by welding  138 . This assembly is inserted into body  132  which can rotate and slide freely on union device  132  and cover  137  which is a transparent PVC hose serving as a mechanical protection for PVC isolation  135 .  
         [0218]     Body  133  is made of PVC or PP and contains in its interior a thread  134  which matches thread  124  from  FIG. 8   b . Spring  130  establishes electrical contact with terminal  126  which upon being introduced within socket  12   a  and staying there by means of body  133  and its thread which upon being engaged on thread  124  pushes union device  132  inwards thus compressing spring  130  with the required electrical contact pressure, and maintaining this connection firmly assured.  
         [0219]     PVV isolation  135  is made of flexible PVC with the same dielectric features as above mentioned and its minimum thickness shall be 2,5 mm and its minimum external diameter of about 6 mm. Lead  136  will consist in a minimum of ten (10) electrolytic copper wires intended for electrical use 0,3 mm gauge each. At the end of connection cable  137  constituted by lead  136 , isolation  135  and protection cover  137 , connector  12 D is situated constituted by a PVC or PP body  139  joined to isolation  135 ; lead  136  is introduced within contact terminal  140  having similar features as terminal  126  at  FIG. 8 , and is pressed by screw  141 . The cable, terminal and screws, are totally covered by isolating body  139 , the only ones left with an exit being the contact face of terminal  140 , the free end of body  139  carries thread  142  similar to thread  124  of socket  12 A of  FIG. 8   b . This threaded end of connector  12 D is intended to connect to capacitive application device for biomedical treatments of  FIG. 9   a - b , as well for the capacitive application device for cultures of biological systems in test tubes, cfs.  FIGS. 10   a - c.    
         [0220]     Body  133 , junction device  132  and body  139  are made of rigid high impact PVC or POLYPROPYLENE, both injection molded with 99% purity and 1% of a colorant, their dielectric rigidity being in the range 40-50 KV/mm, and their dielectric rigidity referred to vacuum being 3,1-3,3.  
         [0221]      FIG. 9   a  shows the capacitive application device for biomedical therapeutic treatments in human beings and higher animals, seen from the connection side, that is to say the side opposite the therapeutic application. In  FIG. 9   a , a transversal section along section line A-A from  FIG. 9   a  is a more detailed view of the device structural design; both Figures show the top exterior cover of housing  143  made of PVC or POLYPROPYLENE, the electrically active electrode  144 —which is a aluminum disc mounted on one side on an isolating rigid high-mechanical (high impact) resistance PVC, the latter being fitted within cover  143  thus forming with same a first air cavity under normal pressure. Disc  145  is affixed in this position by isolating lid  146 , also made of rigid PVC or propylene, both forming another air cavity under normal pressure. Lid  146  is solidarity joined to cover  143 , and is part of the capacitive application device resting on the surface of the body to be treated. Aluminum disc  144  is affixed by means of a galvanized milled head  147  with bronze insert  148  which is inserted in the plastic body of cover  143 . Said insert is electrically joined by means of a cable  148  with spring  50 , the latter having the same features as spring  130  of  FIG. 8   d . This spring  150  is fitted within head  151  of the house top, which has a thread  152  with the same features as thread  142  of connector  12 D of  FIG. 8   d , this allows to threadedly engage the capacitive application device on connector  12 D thus establishing an electrical contact between spring  150  of  FIG. 9   a - b  and terminal  140  of  FIG. 8   d.    
         [0222]     Housing  143  with its head  151  likewise to lid  146  from  FIG. 9   a - b  are made of rigidly molded highly mechanically resistant PVC or Polypropylene with the same purity and dielectric features as in  FIGS. 8   a - b.    
         [0223]     Distance “d” is the separation between metallic disc  144  or active electrode and external part of lid  146 . When the capacitive application device is placed on the surface of the body to be treated, the patient being grounded by means of a reference electrode, in said separation “d” a potential gradient is established, Em, the values of which are comprised between 300 and 23,000 Volt/mm of maximum peak. Said potential gradient induces within the tissues electrical current density pulses with a value RMS having a power level such that no significative heating ensues. The biologically active penetration within the tissues comprises 4 to 15 cm depending on the tension value Upm of the high-voltage pulses of the activation signal, their minimum useful value being 3,000 Volt at peak.  
         [0224]     En  FIG. 10   a  the capacitive application device is shown for the treatment of cultures of biological systems in test tubes, seen from the connection side.  FIG. 10   b  is un elevation view of the device shown at  FIG. 10   a ; this view matches the horizontal utilization position for the treatment of cultures in a dry medium, wherein there is shown the placement of culture  169  between the support base  153  and the isolating separation plate  168 .  FIG. 10   c  is a lateral view of the device shown at  FIG. 10   a  and is congruent with the vertical utilization position for the treatment of cultures in a liquid medium, the position of test tube  170  being illustrated between the support base  153  and the isolating separation plate  168 . In said Figures it is possible to appreciate the support base  153  made of rustless steel plate with four (4) orifices  156 A for affixing the device in horizontal; base  153  terminates in one of said sides 2 (two) lugs  154  which by means of orifices  156 B allow the fixation of the device in vertical position. The support for the culture test tubes  155  is fixed by means of two (2) flanges in its ends with base  153  by means of two (2) milled head screws  156 . Support  155  has a series of orifices  155 A with a diameter sufficient for introducing and supporting culture test tubes  170  in vertical position.  
         [0225]     The four (4) cylindrical supports  158  of millable plastics as for instance Delrim affixed to base  153  by means of milled head screws  159  are useful as supports and guide for the capacitive application device proper which by means of four (4) thru-holes may slide freely on the supports  158  thus selectively adjusting the separation distance from base  153 .  
         [0226]     Isolating plate  160  made of rigid high impact PVC forms the upper cover of device and the isolating plate  166 , also made of rigid high impact PVC, forms the lower cover or the device and has a rectangular groove which receives an aluminum plate  165  constituting the active electrode of the application device. Isolating plates  160  and  166  are joined by means of an adhesive for PVC, o possibly by thermocompression.  
         [0227]     Aluminum plate  165  is electrically joined via cable  164  with spring  162  by means of a contact pressure between the cable and the aluminum plate  165  and by means of welding between cable  164  and spring  162 .  
         [0228]     Spring  162  has the same features as spring  130  in  FIG. 8   d  and is inserted in rigid molded plastic head  161 , which is joined by means of a threaded hole  169 A with isolating cover  160 . Female thread  163  in head  161  allows the coupling with treading  142  of connector  12 A shown in  FIG. 8   d  and spring  162  establishes the electrical contact with terminal  140 .  
         [0229]     Isolating plate  168  made of rigid high impact PVC is joined by means of six (6) rigid PVC separators with lower cover  166 . Said separators  167  establish an air separation distance between plate  168  and cover  166 , this distance being necessary for avoiding electrical influences at the contact surface between the application device and the culture test tubes.  
         [0230]     The dielectric characteristics of the isolating materials are the same as those indicated for above described cases.  
         [0231]     Support base  153  connects directly to ground and distance “d” is the separation between this metallic base and active electrode  165 , there being established between same a gradient potential Em as shown in  FIG. 3   b , the culture tube being immersed in this established electrical field y the biologically active values of which are comprised between 300 and 3,000 Volt/mm at maximum peak, this inducing in the biological cultures electrical current density pulses with a RMs value having a power level such that there is no significant heat generation. In this case also the useful minimum peak of the high-voltage pulses of the activation signal is 3,000 volt peak value.  
         [0232]     Both for the treatment of human beings and higher animals as well for the treatment and development of biological system cultures, the electrical current pulses are the result of the movement of ions in the interior and exterior of cells, said movement being caused by the impulsive attractive and repulsive forces due to the potential gradient action of the high-voltage on the electrical charges of the ions, this producing a physical agitation such that chemical reactions accelerate (the system acquires kinetic energy) and interactuates al the level of cellular membrane in the ionic passage between the cells and the intercellular fluids, this producing an increase in the enzymatic activity, and thus influencing the cellular metabolic reactions, without causing any significant heating on the live system treated.  
         [0233]     The apparatus has been described for use in the treatment of live systems both for promoting the healing of soft and osseous tissues in biomedical applications on human beings and higher animals and for accelerating the growing and development of cellular cultures, bacterial cultures, etc., through the electroionic cellular agitation achieved with the means here-above described.  
         [0234]     The application field of the apparatus is not restricted to promoting the cellular healing; it can also be used for influencing other metabolic processes including the action on substances, drugs, pharmaceuticals, etc., having an ionic nature upon solubilizing in blood or in other bodily fluids.  
         [0235]     Having thus described the apparatus with regard to some specific embodiments of same, it is to be understood that their description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as further modifications suggested themselves to a person with the usual skill in the art, the aim being to encompass such modifications within the scope of adjoined claims.