Abstract:
An apparatus for treating skin disorders includes a case, an electrode structure having a metal ball tip electrode for contacting the skin, and a metal electrode mounted on a handle portion of the electrode structure. The electrode structure can be conveniently grasped with one hand.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to devices for treating skin disorders, and in particular to an apparatus which includes a metal ball tip electrode which is applied to a local area of the skin. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Treating facial skin disorders by using galvanic electric current is well known in the art. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,590 in which the treatment apparatus includes a conical electrode tip for treating localized skin disorders such as black heads and pimples. The skin treatment apparatus has a low voltage battery, including a negative pole connected to a probe having a metal electrode tip, and a positive pole connected to a metal plate which is mounted on a housing to be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. The metal plate forms a second electrode connected to the positive pole. The metal electrode tip has a pointed portion at an acute angle in the form of a circular cone of about 30°, thereby preventing the electrode tip from penetrating the skin. 
     However, since the electrodes of the aforementioned apparatus are separated, the user is inconvenienced by having to utilize two hands to operate the device. Also, the shape of the electrode is sharply pointed, and may not be safe when used by an unskilled person. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for electrically treating skin disorders which includes a metal ball tip which will not penetrate the skin, and an electrode structure which can be grasped with one hand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for electrically treating skin disorders comprises a case including a low voltage DC battery and a printed circuit board mounted therein for generating galvanic electricity. An electrode structure includes an electrode tip disposed on one end and connected to a negative pole, and a metal electrode connected to a positive pole. The electrode structure includes a body which is conveniently grasped with only one hand. 
     The electrode tip comprises a ball bearing such as is used in a ball point pen. The metal electrode is mounted on the body, and has a size and shape that can be contacted by a grasping hand. The printed circuit board includes a galvanic electric generating circuit for generating electric current. The ball tip prevents penetration of the skin when unskilled persons use the apparatus. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for treating skin disorders in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a circuit for operating the apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view highlighting the electrode tip portion of the invention; and, 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area A of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  3 , and  4 , the invention comprises a portable case  10  having a cover  1  coupled to a housing  2  by a hinge  9 . Cover  1  includes an interior mounted mirror  3 . Housing  2  includes a partition plate  4  for storing a battery and printed circuit board having a electric generating circuit for generating electric current (not shown) which are both disposed within case  10 . An electric lead wire  6  connects an electrode structure  11  to the printed circuit board. A light emitting diode  5  is disposed upon position plate  4  to indicate that the apparatus is operating. 
     Electrode structure  11  includes a handle portion  12  and an extending portion  13  extending from handle portion  12 . Extending portion  13  is hollow. Handle portion  12  has a side surface upon which is mounted a metal electrode  14 . Metal electrode  14  comprises a plate which is connected to a positive portion of electrical lead wire  6 . 
     Extending portion  13  includes an electrode tip  15  fixed at an end portion thereof. Electrode tip  15  is connected to a negative portion  16  of electrical lead wire  6 . Electrode tip  15  includes a metal ball tip electrode similar to a ball bearing tip used in a ball point pen. Electrode tip  15  is tightly fixed, at an end of extending portion  13 , to a metal supporter  17  to have a point crossed by two tangential lines  15 ′ on the circular arc thereof, thereby forming an acute angle. The metal ball tip electrode is dimensioned so that it will not penetrate the skin during treatment of a local area. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the galvanic electric generating circuit comprises a power source B (a low voltage battery), a switching transistor TR 1 , and a Darlington amplifier circuit including transistors TR 2  and TR 3  for amplifying current provided by power source B. 
     Power source B is connected at a positive pole to the anode of a light emitting diode (LED) via a resistor R 2 . The cathode of the light emitting diode is connected to the collector of transistor TR 2 . The emitter of transistor TR 2  is connected to the negative pole of power source B. One side of a resistor R 3  is connected to the cathode of the light emitting device and to the collector of transistor TR 2 . The opposite side of resistor R 3  is connected to the base of transistor TR 2 , the collector of transistor TR 3 , the emitter of transistor TR 1 , and to metal electrode  14 . Transistor TR 2  is coupled with transistor TR 3  to form the Darlington circuit, in which the base and emitter of transistor TR 2  are respectively connected to the collector and emitter of transistor TR 3 . The emitters of transistors TR 2  and TR 3  are connected to the negative pole of power source B. The base of transistor TR 3  is connected to the base of switching transistor TR 1 . The collector of switching transistor TR 1  is connected via condenser C 1  to the negative pole of power source B. The base of switching transistor TR 1  is connected via resistor R 1  to electrode tip  15 . Condenser C 1  removes parasitic alternating current, and floats switching transistor TR 1  when the transistor is turned on. 
     Accordingly, the present invention enables users to grasp electrode structure  11  and thereby contact metal electrode  14 , and then place electrode tip  15  upon an area of the skin. At that time switching transistor T 1  is turned on. The Darlington circuit including transistors TR 2  and TR 3  amplifies the current of power source B, and the amplified current is supplied to electrode tip  15 . Simultaneously, the light emitting diode turns on to indicate operation of the apparatus. Thereafter, when electrode tip  15  and metal electrode  14  are disconnected, transistor TR 2  is turned off separating the positive and negative poles of power source B from each other.