US2131360A - Apparatus for the treatment of rheumatic and arthritis conditions - Google Patents

Description

Sept; 27, 1938. Q WOQDRUFF 2,131,360

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC AND ARTHRITIS CONDITIONS Filed Sept. 25. 1935 4! fly w INVENTOR.

BY M )M ATTORNEY.-

Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC AND ARTHRITIS CONDI- TIONS Application September Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the treatment of rheumatic and arthritis conditions, being specifically directed to an electro-therapeutic couch of novel construc- 5 tion and function. I

Broadly, it is on object of this invention to provide a treatment mechanism in the form of a couch or the like, incorporating a plurality of treatment electrodes displaceable to varying positions thereon and therealong, whereby to permit direct application of electrical effects involving direct or modified direct current in the nature of a pulsating current, to various parts of the body of a patient.

Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide an electro-therapeutic treatment couch to which direct or pulsating current is supplied, wherein a series of displaceable cushions, some in the form of conducting units and others insulating units, are interchangeably disposed so-as to provide distribution of current for electrotherapeutic effects through the conducting units to varying regions of the body of a patient, through a circuit formed therethrough.

These and other advantages, capabilities and features of the invention will appear from the subjoined detailed description of one specific embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which couch.

Figure 2 is a front elevation taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed front elevation in section taken along lines 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation in section taken along lines 44 of Figure 1.

Referring to the reference characters in the drawing, B representsa treatment couch comprising a frame, the top of which carries a plurality of conductor plates 40a and 40b, each having considerable surface area and spaced from one another, the same having leads 4| directed to switches 42a and 42b, each of which forms a terminal adapted for connection to conductors leading from a source of direct or pulsating current, each of said switches having plus or minus poles, as indicated, so as to permit the reversing of polarity of the electrical circuit established.

Upon the top of the frame of the couch and above the spaced conducting plates 40a and 40b carried thereon, there are adapted to be disposed a series of movable cushions, those designated at 43 being formed of insulating material and extending across the frame, those designated at Figure 1 is a perspective view of the treatment 25, 1935, Serial No. 41,981

44 likewise formed of insulating material, being smaller in length and those designated as 45 andincorporating conductors to form treatment cushions or electrodes, the treatment cushions or electrodes 45 being interposed between cushions 44 and adjacent cushions 43 as indicated in Figure 1, so as to provide a complete cushion support for the body of the patient on the couch.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the treatment cushions or electrodes 45 comprise an interior of dry cotton 46, surrounded by alayer of gauze 41 and enclosed within a substantially rectangular tube of tinfoil 48, the cross-section of' the same being equal to that of cushions 43 and 44, so as to permit replacement of such treatment cushions or electrodes for the insulating cushions along the length of the couch.

A layer of felt in moistened form is disposed on each of the treatment cushions or electrodes 45 when the apparatus is adapted to be used, and such treatment cushions or electrodes are positioned along the couch top and respectively'on conductor plates, there being disposed therebetween insulating cushions, so that the flow of Y electricity, either direct or pulsating current, from the source through the conductor plates and the treatment cushions, passes through the body of the patient, closing the circuit.

As shown in the drawing, the conductor plates 40a and 4% are of relatively large size or surface area as to permit the disposition of the treatment cushions or electrodes 45 which rest thereagainst for electrical contact in several positions along their length and the couch, the remaining insulating cushions 43 and 44 being readily displaceable to provide for the varying regions of local application of the therapeutic effect to the body of the patient through the aforesaid ment electrodes.

As shown in Figure 1, there are provided additional hand treatment electrodes 50, two in number, the same comprising insulated rods 5| connected by leads 52 to terminals 53, the latter being controlled by switches 54a and 54b, having plus and minus poles, such electrodes being applicable independently of or in conjunction with the treatment electrodes 45 as desired.

In operation, the couch is assembled so as to provide the disposition of the treatment electrodes or cushions atany desired location on the couch so long as such electrodes rest upon the conductor plates 40a. and 40?), all of the cushions, both the insulating cushions 43 and 44 and the treatment cushions or electrodes 45 as aforesaid, being displaceable and interchangeable so as to treatprovide a proper reclining surface for the patient, While at the same time providing for the distribution of the therapeutic effect through the treatment cushions at varying locations along the couch.

The treatment current as aforesaid, which may be in the form of a direct current or pulsating current from a source leading to the switches of the couch, passes through the couch as follows:'---- through switch 42a, lead ll to conductorplates- 480,, through the treatment cushion or; electrode resting along the length of conductor plate 40a to the body of the patient at the section thereof resting on such treatment cushion or'electrode,' through the body to that section resting on and V contacting with the treatment cushion or electrode disposed along the surface of conductor plate 42b, through lead 4 therefrom to switch 521), thence returning to the current source.

It is obvious that various changes andmodi fioations may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. a 1

I claim: 1

1. An electrotherapeutic couch comprising a plurality of contact terminals in the form of enlarged flat surfaces, leads directing? a pulsating direct current to said contact terminals, and conductor pads adjustably displaceable along said contact surfaces, whereby to, provide different regions of application of pulsating current to the body of a patient. 1 w

2. In an electrotherapeutic treatment couch, conductor plates connected to a source of pulsating direct current, treatment electrodesv in the form of cushions displaceable along'said conductor plates, whereby to provide contact with different portions of a patients body, as desired and non-conducting'cushions disposed on said couch in the remaining unconnected portions thereof.

3. In an electrotherapeutic treatment couch, conductor plates connected to a source of pulsating direct current, treatment electrodes in the form of cushions displaceable along said conductor plates, whereby to provide contact with difierentportions of a patients body, as desired and non-conducting cushions disposed on said couch in the remaining unconnected portions thereof, and hand electrodes associated with said couch and connected to the source of pulsating direct current for delivering pulsating effects,

of said strips being electrically insulating, said conducting strips being displaceable on said couch and said insulating strips being displaceable to fill in the spaces between said conducting strips, and terminal connections respectively connected to said conducting areas for applying electrical energy thereto in desired manner.

5. Anelectrotherapeutic couch comprising a plurality of cushions formed as longitudinal electrically insulating cushion strips positioned substantially parallel and in juxtaposition, certain of said strips being provided with spaces from which a portion of their respective lengths is removed, said strips being displaceable, a plurality of electrically conducting strip electrodes respectively positioned in said spaces in said cushion strips, and terminal connections respectively connected to said conducting areas for applying electrical energy thereto in desired manner.

BYRON o. WOODRUFFs

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