Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An iontophoresis device for epidermal application, comprising: a. a constant current source; b. applicator and grounding electrodes for emplacement upon patient tissue to provide a current path therethrough for performing iontophoresis upon a portion of said tissue; c. means for electrically connecting said current source to said electrodes to thereby produce a voltage differential across said electrodes; d. an impedance checking circuit coupled to said electrodes and having means for setting predetermined limits of impedance as measured across said electrodes which mark the bounds of safe operation for said device, said impedance checking circuit also having means to signal the occurrence of impedance values outside these predetermined limits; e. a safety-shutdown circuit coupled to said impedance checking circuit and having means responsive to said impedance value signal for preventing current flow and voltage differential across said electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An iontophoresis device for epidermal application, comprising: a. a constant current source; b. applicator and grounding electrodes for emplacement upon patient tissue to provide a current path therethrough for performing iontophoresis upon a portion of said tissue; c. means for electrically connecting said current source to said electrodes to thereby produce a voltage differential across said electrodes; d. an impedance checking circuit coupled to said electrodes and having means for setting predetermined limits of impedance as measured across said electrodes which mark the bounds of safe operation for said device, said impedance checking circuit also having means to signal the occurrence of impedance values outside these predetermined limits; e. a safety-shutdown circuit coupled to said impedance checking circuit and having means responsive to said impedance value signal for preventing current flow and voltage differential across said electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for setting predetermined limits of impedance includes means to preset a predetermined upper limit as the maximum impedance at which the device will operate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for setting predetermined limits of impedance includes means to preset a predetermined upper limit and predetermined lower limit as the operable range for the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, wherein said impedance checking circuit utilizes a comparator component to monitor said impedance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, wherein said safety-shutdown circuit utilizes an SCR triggering mechanism for de-energizing the current source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional element of an automatic timing means coupled to said current source and operable to preset the duration of iontophoresis treatment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a damping circuit coupled to said current source and operable to preclude sudden variations in current flow and voltage change.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrodes include a source of ionic medicament for conduction into patient tissue upon application of said current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An iontophoresis device as defined in claim 8, wherein said medicament is selected from the group of materials consisting of ionic anesthetizing agents and ionic sterilizing agents.