Improved Medico Electric Pad or Bandage.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Medico Electric Pad or Bandage.
I, ALVA OWEN of 2 Woburn Place, London, Medical Electrician do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is the construction of a medico electric pad which is
designed to take the place of poultices, mustard and other plaisters for local
applications of heat to the body, limbs, neck, etc. of a patient, the heat being
generated and maintained at a constant and uniform temperature by electric current
derived from connecting the pad with any source of electricity, for example the
socket piece of an incandescent lamp to which it can be readily affixed.
For the purpose of my invention and as shown in Figure 1 of the annexed
drawings, I weave a fabric or cloth A composed of asbestos thread or cord B as
the warp and alternate or spaced threads or cords of asbestos and electric
conducting wire C, preferably German silver, as the weft. This fabric or cloth A
constitutes, when the positive and negative ends D E of the wire, are duly
connected to a source of electricity, the heat producing pad proper; the resistance
of the wire being just sufficient to set up the desired warmth or heat by the passage
of the current through the wire.
The heat producing pad A above described is wrapped or enclosed in a layer of
asbestos cloth F and this has an outer envelope G of thick or padded material for
contact with the body and imparting an uniform temperature which is maintained
constant as long as the electric pad is connected with the current.
H is a screw connecting piece for attachment to the socket or holder of an
incandescent lamp where they are in use, such as in large institutions, hospitals etc.;
but the current may be obtained direct from a storage battery or other available
source.
Figure 2 represents a length I of fabric made up of a series of my electric pads
the weft wires C being interrupted at intervals J in the asbestos cloth and each
distinct pad having its respective terminal connecting wires D, E.
In this form the pads are applicable for applying heat over a comparatively large
surface for setting up a high temperature over the entire length of the body,
constituting a sort of Turkish bath. It may also be employed for applying
electricity to horses and other animals.
Figure 3, represents a narrow strip or ribbon of such fabric 1, which may be
wound around a piece of asbestos cloth K (see Figure 4) as a central support or
core in order to construct a long electric heat bandage, for winding around the
legs, arms or body.
The ribbon form of heat pad or bandage is particularly suitable for use in drying
ladies hair, by winding the ribbon or tape pad around the wet hair in a coil.
The asbestos cord or thread above referred to may be replaced by thread or
cord of textile material rendered non-combustible.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
:―
1. The medico electric pad herein before described with reference to Figure 1 of
the annexed drawings, or in the ribbon form shown in Figure 3, composed essen-
tially of asbestos or other non-combustible cord or thread as the warp, and alternate
or spaced threads or cords of asbestos or other non-combustible material and
211

page_text: electric conducting wire as the weft, and arranged within envelopes or coverings
for the purposes specified.
2. The combination of a series of separate or distinct electric pads referred
to in Claim 1 formed in a continuous length of fabric, each pad being provided
with its respective terminal connecting wires, as described with reference to
Figure 2 of the annexed drawings.
3. The medico electric bandage shown in Figure 4, comprising a core or central
support K of asbestos or other non-combustible material, wound with an electric
heat giving ribbon or tape for the purpose specified.
Dated this 14th day of July 1894
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for A. Owen.
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for A. Owen.