Abstract:
A portable iontoforesis device that can be used by everybody anytime anywhere. A freely-detachable medicine container, which supplies medicine to the first electrode, is mounted on the main body of the iontoforesis device. The liquid medicine flows from the medicine container into the passage formed in the first electrode. A pulse current is caused to flow between the first electrode and second electrode. The liquid medicine flowing through the passage infiltrates into the human skin by iontoforesis. The medicine-infiltratable soft material, being mounted to the first electrode in a freely-detachable manner, can contact the skin smoothly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    The Applicant claims priority from his Japanese patent application no. 2001-061888 filed Mar. 6, 2001.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The subject invention relates to iontoforesis devices. Iontoforesis is a method that ionizes medicine, thereby facilitating the penetration of medicine into human skin, etc.  
           [0003]    Iontoforesis is a method of administering medicine without pain, wherein medicine is ionized by means of a very weak direct electric current and the ionized medicine is absorbed into human skin.  
           [0004]    The usual devices for administering medicine by iontoforesis consist of an electric current generator, conductive gel and the like (acting as an ionic medicine conductive means), a first conductor made of a covered conductor, and a second conductor made of a similar covered conductor and the like. It is not easy to use these usual devices.  
           [0005]    In general, the higher the voltage and/or the larger the current becomes, the more satisfactory becomes the absorption of medicine into the skin by means of iontoforesis. However, the user must be careful not to bum or injure his/her skin.  
           [0006]    With this in mind, iontoforesis methods using a high-frequency pulse current have been proposed (Japanese Patent Provisional Publications No. 31169/1986 and No. 102768/1988).  
           [0007]    Several means have been devised to provide materials capable of containing ionic medicine (gel-layer plaster, etc.) to be used in iontoforesis methods. They include (a) electrodes covered with medicine-infiltrated materials, (b) layers of conductive electrodes and medicine-containing conductive gel, or (c) methods wherein an aqueous solution and medicine are first prepared separately and then are brought into contact with each other at the time of administration (Japanese Patent Provisional Publications No. 317432/1993 and No. 52224/1996).  
           [0008]    The above-mentioned usual iontoforesis devices utilize pulsed current, thereby becoming large in size. Thus, they can not be easily used as portable or home-installed devices.  
           [0009]    The absorbing power of usual ionic-medicine-containing materials decreases after a lapse of time. Also, medicine-containing conductive gels, etc., are not easy to handle. Further, amounts of absorbed medicines differ according to users and/or applicable skin sections, which makes it difficult to measure the amount of absorbed medicine exactly.  
           [0010]    Moreover, there are several different ways of handling medicines in iontoforesis methods. For example, a medicine is applied to the electrode in one method and a medicine is dissolved in water in another method. Also, the use of such medicine requires highly professional knowledge. Thus, general consumers cannot use such medicines. Also, no easy-to-use devices or medicines are available to general consumers.  
           [0011]    Development of a portable iontoforesis device that can be used by everybody anytime anywhere represents a great improvement in the field of medicine and satisfies a long felt need of the general consumers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    In order to solve the problems identified above, the subject invention proposes iontoforesis devices whose output between the electrodes is of low impedance and whose structures have (a) an iontoforesis power-source unit consisting of a power source, pulse generating circuit and the like, (b) a first electrode having a passage for supplying medicine, etc., (c) a section capable of holding a detachable medicine container that can be freely connected to the passage, and (d) an second electrode that is connected to the iontoforesis power source unit and is exposedly mounted on one end of the iontoforesis device. Thus, the device can be made small and light; it can be designed so that everyone can use it easily anywhere; no general knowledge of medicine is required of users; and it can be designed so that users can readily use it for their respective purposes after they are given a brief explanation of use.  
           [0013]    It is the object of this invention to provide an iontoforesis device having (a) an iontoforesis power source unit consisting of a power source, pulse generating circuit and the like, (b) a first electrode having a passage for supplying medicine, etc., (c) a section capable of holding a detachable medicine container that can be freely connected to the passage, and (d) a second electrode that is connected to the iontoforesis power source unit and is exposedly mounted on one end of the iontoforesis device. Thus, the device can be made small, light and portable. Also, as the medicine container can be easily attached/detached anytime anywhere, there is no need to use antiseptic since a fresh medicine container can be attached at the time of use. Also, a medicine container of a specific shape can be used for a specific medicine, thereby avoiding the danger of using the wrong medicine.  
           [0014]    The above-mentioned structure and features can allow only the medicines that are controlled by the medicine provider to be used. Thus, iontoforesis can be used effectively and safely anytime and anywhere, thereby treatment at home will be possible.  
           [0015]    It is another object of this invention to provide a freely openable-closable cover, mounted on the main body so that the medicine container is pressed by the cover, thereby liquid medicine will be injected through the injection port. This design allows medicine to be smoothly supplied from the container without being touched by the users&#39; hand.  
           [0016]    It is a further object of this invention to make the first electrode of a solid conductive material with a surface covered with a medicine-infiltratable soft material, so that there is no need to replace electrodes and the medicine-infiltratable soft material is soft to the skin and easy to use.  
           [0017]    It is a still further object of this invention to provide a window in the cover through which the medicine-infiltratable soft material is exposed while it is pressed and held by the cover. Consequently, the medicine-infiltratable soft material can be easily replaced every time of use so that a clean material can be used at all times.  
           [0018]    It is a still further object of this invention to provide a medicine-holding section formed in the main body corresponding to the shape of the medicine container. Thus, the medicine supplied can be specified or distinguished by the shape of the medicine containers. Thus the iontoforesis power source can be matched with the medicine supplied and the use of medicine can be controlled even if the administrator is not present at the site of use.  
           [0019]    An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and description of a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of the working end of the invention with the cover open.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of the first electrode and medicine container.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 a side view of the working end of the invention with the cover closed.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a partially cut away bottom view of the working end of the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the power source of the invention  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a side view the preferred, hand-held embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6 , the subject invention is explained in detail below.  
         [0027]    [0027] 1  indicates the main body of the device. It is preferably made of plastic. The iontoforesis power source unit  2  is incorporated inside the main body  2 . The iontoforesis power source unit  2  is structured as shown in FIG. 5. Namely a power source  3  is connected to a pulse generating circuit  4  that is connected to a constant power source circuit  5  that is then connected to first electrode  6 . Preferably, the power source  3  is a battery. Also, the power source  3  is connected to the load current detection circuit  7  that is then connected to the second electrode  8 . Further, an alarm display  9  can be connected to the load current detection circuit  7  when necessary. The load current detection circuit  7  detects variations in amperage and voltage and sends a signal to the alarm display  9 .  
         [0028]    Iontoforesis is a method of causing medicine to be infiltrated and absorbed into the human body by applying a first electrode  6  containing medicine and a second electrode  8  containing no medicine to the human skin, etc., and by causing an electric current to flow between the electrodes  6 ,  8 . Direct current or pulse is used to energize the electrodes  6 ,  8 . If pulse is used, a pulse duty ratio is set to shorten the pulse-on time and lengthen the pulse-off time. Also, the current stored in the polarization capacity can be discharged by short-circuiting the first electrode  6  and second electrode  8  during the period when pulse is at rest (the depolarization discharging method). Use of such methods can provide smaller and lighter iontoforesis power source units. For that, it is recommended that the frequency be 1 kHz or less.  
         [0029]    If the main body  1  is made in a flat shape (see FIG. 6), it can be easily operated by hand. A cover  10  is mounted on one end of main body  1  in a freely openable-closable manner. The first electrode  6  is mounted on main body  1  corresponding to an opening  11  in the cover  10 . The first electrode  6  is preferably made of plastic  61  with its surface plated with an evaporated metal  62  (such as copper or nickel). Liquid medicine passages  63  are formed in the first electrode  6 . The first electrode  6  also has and injection port  64  connected to the liquid medicine passages  63  to which a liquid medicine container  12  can be freely attached. The liquid medicine passages  63  can be formed vertically, horizontally or angled so that liquid medicine can flow well. Preferred shapes include channels and pipes.  
         [0030]    Injection port  64  is made in such a shape that mouth  121  of liquid medicine container  12  can be freely inserted into it. Liquid medicine container  12  may be inserted through the injection port  64  with its mouth  121  cut off. Alternatively, a needle-like protrusion may be formed at the injection port  64  so that it will make a hole at the tip of the mouth  121  when it is inserted into the injection port  64 . Recesses  14  are formed in the main body  1  to hold liquid medicine container  12 . Also, the invention is preferably designed so that the cover  10  presses on the liquid medicine container  12  when the cover  10  is closed.  
         [0031]    A medicine infinitrable material  13  covers the first electrode  6 . Any material that allows liquid medicine to infiltrate into it and is soft to the skin can be used such as cotton nonwoven fabric, porous film and the like. The cover  10  has a window  11 . When the cover  10  is closed, the center of the material  13  is exposed through the window while the edges of the material are pressed and held by cover  10 .  
         [0032]    A second electrode  8  is mounted on the other end of main body  1  opposite the cover  10  in such a manner that, when the user holds the main body  1 , his/her hand touches the second electrode  8 . The second electrode  8  can be made of stainless steel or plastic plated with an evaporated metal. Also, polarized electrodes, such as platinum, titanium, carbon, etc., can be used for first electrode  6  and second electrode  8 . Preferably a depolarization circuit is inserted between the first electrode  6  and the second electrode  8 . A depolarization unit reduces the intensity of the electrical charge. The unit operates best within a range of 0.2 to 1.0 5 milliamps at 5 to 6 volts. The pulse cycle is 0.6 milliseconds on and 0.4 milliseconds off. If the current goes outside of the preferred range of 0.2 to 1.0 milliamps, the alarm  9  advises the user of this, preferably by making a beep for 15 seconds.  
         [0033]    The liquid medicine container  12  can be a standard medical ampoule, container, bag, etc., made of soft plastic, etc. Preferably, the liquid medicine container  12  has the specific and exclusive shape that matches the shape of the injection port  121  and the section  14  of the main body  1  that holds the liquid medicine container  12 .  
         [0034]    Medicines of different types can be mixed. Also, more than one liquid medicine container  12  can be used. See FIG. 4. A wide variety of medicines can be used for the subject invention; however, home-use drugs such as vitamins, minerals (magnesium, zinc, selenium, etc.), placenta, etc., in particular can be effectively used.  
         [0035]    Use of the device by this invention is explained below.  
         [0036]    The cover  10  is opened and a liquid medicine container  12  is set to the holding section  14 . At the same time, the mouth  121  of the liquid medicine container  12  is inserted into the injection port  64  with the mouth  121  opened (by cutting off, making a hole to or unsealing the tip of mouth  121 ). Liquid medicine then flows from the liquid medicine container  12  through its mouth  121  and via the injection port  64  into the liquid medicine passages  63  of the first electrode  6 . The medicine then infiltrates into the material  13 .  
         [0037]    Then, power is turned on to the iontoforesis power source unit  2  so the pulse generating circuit  4 , constant power source circuit  5  and then first electrode  6  are energized. Also, the power source  3  energizes the second electrode  8  via load current detection circuit  7 . When the user holds the main body  1 , his/her hand touches second electrode  8  and when the material  13  is applied to a desired section of the skin, an electric current flows between both electrodes. Thus, a conductive circuit is formed between first electrode  6  and the skin. At this time, the liquid medicine infiltrated into the material  13  becomes ionized and capable of electrical administration through the skin. Thus, the ionized medicine is absorbed into the body through the skin.  
         [0038]    The following reference numerals are used on FIGS. 1 through 6:  
         [0039]    [0039] 1 . Main body  
         [0040]    [0040] 2 . Power source unit  
         [0041]    [0041] 3 . Battery  
         [0042]    [0042] 4 . Pulse generating circuit  
         [0043]    [0043] 5 . Constant power source circuit  
         [0044]    [0044] 6 . First electrode  
         [0045]    [0045] 7 . Load current detection circuit  
         [0046]    [0046] 8 . Second electrode  
         [0047]    [0047] 9 . Alarm display  
         [0048]    [0048] 10 . Cover  
         [0049]    [0049] 11 . Window  
         [0050]    [0050] 12 . Liquid medicine container  
         [0051]    [0051] 13 . Medicine infinitrable material  
         [0052]    [0052] 14 . Recess for holding liquid medicine container  
         [0053]    [0053] 61 . Plastic base of first electrode  
         [0054]    [0054] 62 . Metal covering of first electrode  
         [0055]    [0055] 63 . Liquid medicine passage  
         [0056]    [0056] 64 . Injection port  
         [0057]    [0057] 121 . Mouth of liquid medicine container  
         [0058]    This iontoforesis device has been described with reference to a particular embodiment. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.