Patent US4077584A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0397178A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0397178A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method of iontophoretically treating acne, furuncless and like skin disorders
Assignee: Iomed LLC
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Filing: 1990-05-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for treating acne, boils and similar skin disorders which are characterized by closed, blocked channels in the epidermis of the skin. The method comprises applying an applicator electrode (4) on the skin (8) of the person to be treated; providing a relatively small amount of water (40) containing dissolved ions in contact with the applicator electrode (4) and the affected tissue; applying a dispersive electrode on the skin (8) of the person to be treated; applying a voltage differential to the applicator (4) and dispersive electrodes such that the applicator electrode (4) has a negative charge and the dispersive electrode has a positive charge; producing hydroxyl ions at the applicator electrode (4) to develop a strongly alkaline solution therein, and driving the ions down the channels (26) of the affected tissue by iontophoresis; continuing the application of the voltage differential to the applicator (4) and dispersive electrodes for a time sufficient to disrupt the blockage of the channels (26) in the affected tissue and to establish drainage from the channels (26).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Stephen
- 👤 Tomasz J. Petelenz
- 👤 Stephen C. Jacobsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20; A61N1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for treating acne, furuncles and similar skin disorders which are characterized by blocked channels in the skin, said method comprising providing an iontophoresis device which includes an applicator electrode, a dispersive electrode, and a voltage source for providing a voltage of negative polarity to the applicator electrode and a voltage of positive polarity to the dispersive electrode supplying an electrolytic, water-based solution to the applicator electrode; placing the applicator electrode and dispersive electrode on the skin of the person to be treated so that the applicator electrode is positioned over the affected skin; operating the iontophoresis device so that a negative current is supplied to the applicator electrode and a positive current is supplied to the dispersive electrode to thereby produce hydroxyl ions in the solution which are caused to move into the channels of the affected skin; and continuing the operation of the iontophoresis device for a time sufficient to disrupt the blockage of the channels in the affected skin and establish drainage from the channels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for treating acne, furuncles and similar skin disorders which are characterized by blocked channels in the skin, said method comprising providing an iontophoresis device which includes an applicator electrode, a dispersive electrode, and a voltage source for providing a voltage of negative polarity to the applicator electrode and a voltage of positive polarity to the dispersive electrode supplying an electrolytic, water-based solution to the applicator electrode; placing the applicator electrode and dispersive electrode on the skin of the person to be treated so that the applicator electrode is positioned over the affected skin; operating the iontophoresis device so that a negative current is supplied to the applicator electrode and a positive current is supplied to the dispersive electrode to thereby produce hydroxyl ions in the solution which are caused to move into the channels of the affected skin; and continuing the operation of the iontophoresis device for a time sufficient to disrupt the blockage of the channels in the affected skin and establish drainage from the channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said operating step comprises operating the iontophoresis device at a current level sufficient to render the solution in the applicator electrode alkaline to a pH value of about ten or above units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the dispersive electrode is placed on the skin in close proximity to the applicator electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the solution is hard water containing mineral ions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the solution is a dilute saline solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the solution also includes a cleansing agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the solution also includes an antibiotic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein about three cc of solution is supplied to the applicator electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the iontophoresis device is operated for a period of between about 10 and 20 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the current supplied to the applicator and dispersive electrodes is from about 1 to 10 milliamps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with Claim 9 wherein the current is about 3 to 4 milliamps.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for treating acne, furuncles and like skin disorders which are characterized by blocked hair follicles in the skin, said method comprising placing an applicator electrode over the skin disorder of the person to be treated, said electrode holding an electrolytic, water-based solution, placing a dispersive electrode against the person's skin in a position spaced from but in close proximity to the position of the applicator electrode, and supplying a negative current to the applicator electrode and a positive current to the dispersive electrode to thereby produce hydroxyl ions int he solution in the applicator electrode which are caused to move into the hair follicles of the affected skin, said supplying step continuing for a time sufficient to raise the pH value in the applicator electrode to a value of about 10 or more units and disrupt the blockage of the follicles.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for treating acne, furuncles and like skin disorders which are characterized by blocked hair follicles in the skin, said method comprising placing an applicator electrode over the skin disorder of the person to be treated, said electrode holding an electrolytic, water-based solution, placing a dispersive electrode against the person's skin in a position spaced from but in close proximity to the position of the applicator electrode, and supplying a negative current to the applicator electrode and a positive current to the dispersive electrode to thereby produce hydroxyl ions int he solution in the applicator electrode which are caused to move into the hair follicles of the affected skin, said supplying step continuing for a time sufficient to raise the pH value in the applicator electrode to a value of about 10 or more units and disrupt the blockage of the follicles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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