US2671176A - Switch arrangement for electrotherapeutic treatment plants - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1954 s, L N U 2,671,176

SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT PLANTS Filed Dec. 8, 1948 5 Shets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. f/Fffi J. Z 4/1 04 0! X M h 1954 F. s. LANDAUER 2,671,176

SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT PLANTS Filed Dec. 8, 1948 5 She'etsSheet 2 PLANTS March 2, 1954 F. s. LANDAUER SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 nhuers E Filed Dec. 8, 1948 9 7/3 INVENTOR.

BY f

PLANTS March 2, 1954 F. s. LANDAUER SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT Filed Dec.

March 2, 1954 F. s. LANDAUER 2,671,176

SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FGR ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT PLANTS I Filed D60. 8, 1948 5.. Sheets-Sheet 5 E f. 5 (Q) WW (M P v-v (i) Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES rem orrice SWITCH- ARRANGEMENT FOR EEECTRO- THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT PLANTS Fred S. Landauer, Rockville Centre, N; Y. Application December 8, 1948, Serial No. 64,132

16. Claims.

' This invention relates to electric treatment plants: and; more: particularly to. switch arrangementssior:electrmtherapeutic: plants or apparatus.-

Itcis= one. of the objects of the present inventionw to; provide: means affording a. wide range in the; flexibility and latitude of: current application to: any desired poses.

Ibis-another; object ofithepresent invention to provide means offering the possibility of modulating electric:v currentixtypes before as well as during: the; application: thereof.

Itasca. further object of this invention to provi'dez-means for obtaining. electric shock treatment: during any stage: of any electric current.

treatment, thus bringing. about a. combination of peatedusezand; at anytime upon. completion of" a treatment.

Stiltafurther object. of this invention is to provide means: enablingthe operator, physician or-the liketor accomplish diagnostic work, as well under preset or predeter as; comparative tests mined-i conditions of" electric current; or currents.

It is still, another: object of the invention to providemeans enablingt variation in the therapeutic treatment of patients, whereby at least one basic. electric current: type is employed which maybe combinedswith or on which. may be superimposed further electric currents of: the same or difierent type;,

It: is; still 3L further object of the present invention to" provide means permitting instantaneously and independently change of'the basic currentiwitlr respect to the mode of current flow, its buildeup speed; and its duration of flow.

Stillanother obiectof" this-invention is to provide means: improvingthe empl'oymentof at least twoni-rcuitsfor the treatmentzof, a: patient wliereby the latter. may be-subjectedito-,one-current;flo.v.

in. one circuit. while; substantially the: same electric, current is..being, administered through a: secand. circuit but in. difierentor:v modulated form.

A. further. object oft thisfinvention; is. to pros medium for treatment puror interruptions 2 V vide a switch arrangement facilitating" selection of direct current, alternating current or direct current with automatically reversing polarities.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means renderin the administration of electric currents possible in continuous, surging or interrupted forms.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide means enabling the operator toadminister during treatment of a patient direct current either with full wave or half wave rectification.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means varying the degree of pulsation of direct current from substantially ripple-free direct current to complete unfiltered direct current.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means facilitating immediate change of "a1"- ternating current from sine-wave to square-wave form and vice versa, and ensuring control of the frequency (cycles) of such alternating current...

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means enabling the selection of any' predetermined-number of surges or interruptions per minute during the administration or operation of the electro-therapeutic plant.

It is another object of this invention to provide means permitting the operation of a. switch panel in such manner that electric current may be dea llvered at opposite outlets with the same intensity or with difierent intensities, or with the same or different intensity in surging or interrupted form.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for regulating the number of surges at one and the with exactly the same number of surges and the same on-ofi periods are operated regardless. Whether alternating current or direct current is.

delivered or Whether alternating current is. furnished at one outlet and direct, current, on the.

opposite outlet of the switch panel.

With the above and other objects inview, the invention will, be. hereinafter more particularly described andthe combination and arrangement.

of parts will be shown in the accompanyingdrawings andpointed out in the claims whichform part of. the specification.

The invention will be described in detail with .reference to the accompanying drawings,v in

which:

Fig. 1. is-aplan view of a oontrolpanel. forming artofthetreatment plant according to the in-- ventions Fig. 2-. is a view similar to that of Fig. 1

per minute by said switchlpanel. same time, whereby two, circuits.

showing a slight modification of the control panel;

Figs. 3 and 4 show a single diagram of the electric circuits associated with the panel of Fig. l or 2, Fig. 4 forming a continuation of Fig. 3 to the right of the line AA;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the plant in operative condition; and

Fig. 6 shows a plurality of graphs representative of various wave forms obtainable with a treatment plant according to the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is disclosed in Fig. 1 an instrument panel 10 for the operation of an electro-treatment plant. The control parts of this panel are so disposed that on the left hand side the supply of direct curent and on the right hand side of the panel the supply of alternating current may be regulated.

To this end, the panel I is equipped with milliampere-meters H and i2, voltmeter l3 and has the following control means: a switch It for adlusting the pulsations of direct current, a rheostat l for changing the intensity of direct current, current selectors l6, l1 respectively for changing polarity of direct current and for modifying said current to a continuous, surging or interrupted direct current. Further arranged adjacent pulsation switch 14 is a control lever 18 to vary the pulsating direct current from half wave or full wave. Terminals I9, 20 are employed for connection with consumer units, such as electrodes (not shown) for administration of direct electric current.

The right hand side of the panel carries a controller 2| for varying the frequency of the alternating current supply, the intensity switch 22, the control lever 23 for changing the alternating current wave from square wave to sine wave and vice versa, and further the current selectors 24, 25 of which current selector knob 24 provides for the change of polarity for direct current and modality selector knob 25 effectuates modification of the alternating current to continuous, surging or interrupted alternating current.

In order to bring about changes in the conditions of surging direct and/or alternating currents and interrupted surges per min., adjustments by means of potentiometer 26 are made whereas surge periods may be predetermined by means of regulator (potentiometer) 21. Switch lever 28 is designed to control the surge build-up (slow or fast).

Outlets or terminals 29, 30 are provided for connection with consumer units to be supplied by alternating or direct current.

Further outlets in the form of test terminals 3| eitherto be switched to the left or right side of the insrument panel (by means of control knob 32) are provided in order to facilitate comparison tests of the selected values of direct current with that of alternating current values.

Fig. 2 shows a panel Illa for an electric treatment plant similar to that which can be operated by means of switch panel 10. Switch panel Illa is considerably simplified with respect to switch panel 10 and reference to the respective elements appearing on switch panel 10a is made in the ensuing specification describing in greater detail the circuit diagram used in connection with panel Illa.

Referring first to the circuit diagram of Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown a power source 50 comprising a pair of alternating-current mains 5|, 52 and an input transformer 53. The secondary of transformer 53 (which may be a step-up transformer, if desired) feeds a plurality of rectifica-- tion networks 54, 55, 56 and 51, each comprising a rectifier tube, such as diode 58, and a filter, such as the condenser-choke combination 59. Rectifier 54 supplies plate voltage to the tubes GI, 62, 63 and 64 of an oscillator 60 of the resistance-capacity type whose output frequency may be controlled from a switch H0 serving to connect a selected one of a plurality of resistors 65, 66 in the feedback circuit of the oscillator, the connection between the oscillator and the switch H0 being established by way of two suitably interconnected terminal blocks or plugs 51, 68.

The rectifier 55 supplies plate voltage to the tubes 1l--12 (twin triode), 13 and 14 of a pushphase inverter pull amplifier 10 which is connected to the output of oscillator-generator 60 and supplies alternating current over output transformer 69 and connectors 15, 16 to the A.-C. terminals l5l.

Terminals "4 and 5 ofconnector 58 are connected to a switch ill adapted, in the position illustrated, to close a negative feedback circuit for the oscillator 60 which can be traced from the plate of tube 64 over condenser 11, conductor 18, terminal 61 (at 5), terminal 68 (at 5), switch HI, terminal 68 (at 4"), terminal 61 (at 4), conductor 19 to the cathode of tube 63.

When this circuit is closed, the tubes of the oscillator will operate on such portions of their characteristics that a sinusoidal output having the frequency selected by means of the switch H0 will be obtained at the A.-C. output terminals i5l. When, however, the switch III is opened, the bias of tube 63 will be varied and the oscillations modified so that square waves will be obtainable at these terminals l5l. v

The amplitudes of the oscillations appearing at the A.-C. terminals l5l may be regulated by means of an intensity control switch H2 which comprises a potentiometer connected across the terminals 2 and 3" of plug 16 through the intermediary of an A.-C. control switch H3 having four banks of contacts indicated at A, B, C and D. This switch has four positions: In the first, the contacts of bank A are connected with respective contacts of bank D. This is the interrupted current position as more fully ex-' plained hereinafter. In the second position, the contacts of banks B and D are thus interconnected, this being the surging current position. In the third position, a similar connection exists between banks C and D, this being the continuous current position. In the fourth position the contacts of bank D are insulated, this being the oif" position.

A milliammeter H6 is inserted in the circuit from potentiometer H2 to terminals l5l and is fed rectified current from a copper-oxide rectifier bridge 8'0. A switch H4 serves to connect different values of resistance 8| in shunt with l nectable to the upper arm I02 of a double throw, double-pel switch I02, adapted either to conneccthiss rimam directlw any of; input:v transformer on (in. the: position: (it the. switch illustrated)? to: insert atresistancc: 85 in series therewitlr. Switch; I- flzzwhichrccna trcl's the buildrup of surges. in: a1 manner more fullys describedbelow, alscwhas. a: lowen arm: I I12; which serves to: complete: the: fi lterr assccizated with: network. 55,. by; connecting; one of; twoi condenser-resistor combinations-86m; 86b1a$3th8 secondshuntfarm or thisxfilter:

Tho first= of? these. ci-rcuitsseiristsnonlyrwhem the; switch; II3rstands -in;its-secondzon"surgingi" poshtion; and includes; terminals of a1 pain-of; connoistorszor-plugszfil; canasnwell as contacts: 8r!) ofiam interrupter relay: 9501;, this: circuit? can; hes traced; from theprimarmof; transformer *3 conductor III-1, terminal-1. 155:- (atf. l-"3):, terminal: It? (at. 4%1; conductor 92;. switch contacts of! banks; I':I;3 (at. D a d: I I3 (at; B")--,. conductor 93*},temni-nalt; 88-. (at 433) andqa r (at -4); ,,)conducton-amused? contacts-.-89;; conductor si uterminals.- 8.1 tat: 3-) andBaE (at: 39):, conductorsfiaswitchw arm; conductor-a1 contactsior banks I I (at B I: and: U3; (at.- D)', conductor 9.8;.terminalsrt6 (atrffiilr and I51 (at: 5) ,conducton sei-back to; secondary of.- transformen 53;

The second. of these; circuits may; be; traced& from terminals- 3010-? of: network" 51m, conductor; 3ills,.terminals 1.5- (at 6') and: 16;; (:at 6) ,.c'on-.-- ductor 3%, switch arm: I025, 181 111111315, E8: (at IL )1- or" 8-8' (at 2%, terminal 83 (at; -17) or." (H; (at 2f*) network: 8,64; or: 8.511,- to ground; This: circuit is-independentof: switch: I I3;

Terminals 7.""a-nd:& ciplugtlfiimay 13930631? nected to any conveni'entrsonrce of: pcwen (not: shown) forrthe. pur-poseaofi energizing: a lam-131.3113 whemthezswitchz I-II3 is in: anyvof:itssthreeloperar-- tiveypositions.

The output, of}, the: alternatingscnrrentrbranch. of the:-- plant described: above, ands. ofztha directs current branch presently 'to;. he descriherhmay, be selectively obtained. from; theva'test; terminals I252: connecting the same oven av double throw; doublcepolerswitcha I03; either to the-.A.?C;terminals. I54 or to the;.D;-C;. terminals': Hits.

Terminals I 50; are. energizedfrom terminals 22 I Hiker a-currentselector switcha me which is'zsimil-arc to the: switch: H31: in: the; A296; branch the current: being supplied-=5 to terminals. 216,. 24'! of switch; It 6'; from; an intensity, control: rheostats potentiometer I03; whichcorrespondsn to the potentiometer I-I-2;-,. the output piortiorr. of peter-r, tiometer It?! being placed-acrossa: voltmeter Hill by way of a double-pole, dcuble-throwi switch; .5; the latter switch-alsovserves; tow connect. the voltmeter. II 7' to .the:A.-,-G. branch through? meter; rectifier. 82. (connections not shown).

Switches I55, I-BSain-themeter shunt.network;- correspond to switches I.IA, I.I4'a,.resp.ectively,,and, a milliammeter IjI'B', i'sccnnected inparallellwith. switch. I5'in similar manner. as are millliammeterv I and switch I141 A'pol'arity'swit'ch IE4" is in! sorted just ahead ofthFDz-C; terminals; I50.

The potentiometer lilsisconnected across the output ofnetwork 5! bywayofapair of connectors 303', 3%; 'Ihenetwork 57 comprisesa" fiItBn'SIIU-Which is ccnnected to the anodie return conductor 3115' of the-associatcd rectifier' tube- 5811- by way oi a potentiometer M8? representing a pulsation, control. Whenthe slidecotpotentiom eter' M18 is; in its}. top".- position. (as viewed in Fig- 4,)=,,,. there; will: be a: short circuit betweem the filter 5311,..and; conductontfi; and: the; filter will; biirflllly. effective (nmresistanceabeina presents: to;

8811088? thmmds lectively introducin a resistance 3i (3151Ai)? and 1525 (at positiomct. the switch I118; a greater on; less: amount of. resistance wilt be in series" with the; shunt armssof the filter; thus lessening the er feet:v of the: latter so: that amore or'less:v unsmoothed,. ;pulsating= direct current: will be obtamed.

In. the; preferred embodiment of the inventionudescribed;v a continuous, surging or intermi'ttentoutputmay be obtained from: either the Az-G. branch orthe-Dz-C. branch of the-plant-, undsr-thacontrol; of selector'sw-itches II3- and; I06, respectively; In the D.'-C. branch, however; means; haverbeen provided for permitting; further I variations by utilizing: either half-wave ur-fnll-waverectified.currenteand for-periodically; reversing;- the polarity of the. surges ifsurging; currents is to.-be produced;

Eor'this purpose an: additional Dt-C. current: controlsw-itch Iar is associatedwith switch IBIS-,1. switch. Iifl having five banks indicated at A;.B-,, C, and D corresponding to four operating positions;v PositionsIand II are for unipolar-output Whereas positions III and- IV connectv cons tacts 385, 3611, 36 8. and 3020f a polarity rovers? ing relay 3H)- in: series with the output: circuit,- this relay being periodically operative in amansner subsequently described.

In: positions: II and; IV band: D of switch Itr'l;v theconnection between the" right-hand anode 013:. tube: 58b: and asecondary 311a of: transformer it-H assoeiated withnetwork: 57, is open; at con-- ductors 3H2; 3;!3, sothat? only-half-wave rectifia cation will. take-place;v iirpos-itionsI andiIII (-A: and. C)' full-Wave rectification is effected by short-circuiting; conductors 312, 343% over a cirwit that can. be traced from conductor; 3.1-2; terminals 353% (at '7), 3134 (at '7), conductor 3I"4,,contacts of bank I01 (at A) or it (at C.)'-, contact 206 of bank It, conductor3:l5;. terminals. 3942 (at: 6-)- and" 3M (at.5) back-to conductor 313:

A: surge build-up switch H3211, preferablyganged with: switch IE2; is connected: in: the: fibament circuit of. tube: 5:812 for-the: purpose of sac-- 6: in;- series with the secondary 3IIbofftransformerifl;

"liihis circuit leads over contacts 3J1: ofinterr-uptec relay 96-. by way" of connectors 322;;3fi32' and:; can; be: traced" from the filament of; tube 58b;- conductor H8; terminals 383" (at:2) and 3114 (at: 2-)*, conductor 315i, switch; IMa; conidoctor; 32:0; contact. 214101 bank/ Ills; (315"1191, contact-pi bank: B of; the switch; I861 in position: 11a conductor-3=2il:, terminals 323 (at 5)" and. $225 (at 5.--)*,, conductor 324,. contacts; 321 t; conductor 3:25;, terminals 3:22" (at "6) and 323 (at 6.?), conductor 325, contact of. bank; Hi6 (at B20, contact 245; conductor '32]; terminals 1311.4 (at.1?")' and 3123:: (at';1), conductor 3.2.8,..back to second:- ary; 3:115;

-Wlierr the switch; I as is: in"; position. Ii or: III; conductors; 31.8, 328: will be shortacircuited" at? contacts; 214 ME through: strappings: provided? betweenz'correspondingr contacts oriibanks-v HIS-1 KKGR) .I

The: lower: set. of contacts 3M, 3219, 33B." and: 334:- of relay 9cm acts as polarity reversingy conttacts for interrupted (non-staging) current when the switch, I05; stands in position; I: and switch I01- standsin positionzI II or IV.

In. that; case the: D :-C. output circuit: may be traced from contact: H162. associated. contact-of banks M63. (at: A-),', corrtact lflt, associatect'zcontact mm (at; Qfii'; or;- IM? Dilrr conductor smgothdheoutputoiztuha 58hr. .Imeyerwcthen 332... terminals: 323% (at; fifrand smear 825 conductor 333, contacts 330 of energized relay 30a, conductor 334, terminals 322 (at '7) and 323 (at '7), conductor 335, contacts of bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), contact 203, contact 2I9, associated contact in bank I06 (at "A), contact 208, associated contact in bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), conductor 336, contact in bank I06 (at A), contact 2I8, contact 222, contacts in bank I06 (at A), contact 22I, switches I05a, I05, conductor 331, upper arm of switch I04, terminals I50, lower arm of switch I04, contact 223, contacts in bank I06 (at A), contact 224, contact 225, associated contact in bank I06 (at A), contact 205, associated contact in bank I01 (at C") or I01 (at "D), conductor 333, terminals 323 (at 5) and 322 (at 5) conductor 324, contacts 3I1, conductor 325, terminals 322 (at 6) and 323 (at 6),conductor 333, contact of bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), contact 204, contact in bank I06 (at A) to contact 2I6.

A somewhat similar circuit, including connectors 34I, 342 as well as the aforementioned contacts of relay 3I0, exists when selector switch I06 is in position II (surging); this circuit extends from contact 2l6, contacts of bank I66 (at B), contact 2I8, contact 222, associated contact in bank I06 (at B), contact 2I0, associated contact in bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), conductor 340, terminals 342 (at 2) and MI (at 2), conductor 343, contacts 366 of energized relay 3I0, conductor 344, terminals 34I (at 1") and 342 (at 1), conductor 345, contact of bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), contact 209, contact in bank I06 (at B), to contact 22I and back from contact 223, associated contact in bank I06 (at B), contact 2I I, associated contact in bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), conductor 346, terminals 342 (at .3) and 34l (at '3), conductor 341, contacts 308, conductor 348, terminals 34l (at 4) and 342 (at 4), conductor 343, contact of bank I01 (at C) or I01 (at D), contact 2I2, contact in bank I06 (at B), contact 224, contact 225, associated contact in bank I06 (at B), conductor 350, contact in bank I06 (at B"), to contact 2".

It will thus be seen that, when switch I06 is in position I, the contacts of relay 90a interrupt the output circuit of the D.-C. branch, Whereas, when switch I06 is in position II, these contacts interrupt the filament circuit of tube 5812. Interruption of the filament circuit will result in a discontinuous flow of current in the output of network 51, the discontinuity taking the form of surges due to the thermal inertia of the filament.

In perfectly analogous manner, when switch II3 stands in position I, the relay 90 at its upper contacts 89 interrupts the filament circuit of tube 58a included in the network 55, this interruption taking place in the primary circuit of the transformer 84 as previously described. Finally, the relay 90 is provided with contacts 35I which, when the switch II3 stands in position II, are included in the output circuit of the A.-C. branch over a circuit leading from terminal 16 (at 3), conductor 352, contacts of banks H3 (at B) and H3 (at A), contact of bank H3 (at D), conductor 353, terminals 88 (at 6) and 81 (at 6), contacts 35I, terminals 81 (at 5) and 88 (at 5), conductor 354, contacts of banks H3 (at A) and H3 (at D), conductor 355 to potentiometer II2.

It will be understood that by introducing a resistance in the respective filament energizing circuit switch I02 (or I02a) will slow down the build-up of surges; in addition, this build-up may also be influenced by modifying the filter constants of the rectification network as described in connection with filter 59a.

The relay 90 is energized in series with the load circuit of a thyratron 356 which is triggered from a thyratron' 351, the latter having its input circuit connected across a bleeder resistor 358 which terminates the network 56.

Thyratron 351 fires when a condenser 353 becomes sufllciently charged over a circuit leading from terminal 360, conductor 36I, resistor 362, terminals 322 (at l) and 323 (at-1), con- I ductor 363, control potentiometer I00, conductor 364, terminals 323 (at 2) and 322 (at 2"),conductor 365 to th plate of tube 351; a discharge of tube 351 will extinguish the tube 356 which, over conductor 366, had been ionized by the positive potential on condenser 359. The circuit for tube 356 may be traced from terminal 360, conductor 361, coils of relays 90, a, resistor 368, tube 356, conductor 360,terminals 81( at 8) and 88 (at 8), conductor 310, control poten-- tiometer IN to ground. It will thus be understood that potentiometer I00, which controls the rate of charge of condenser 359, determines the frequency of operation of thyratron 351 and, thereby, of thyratron 356, thus controlling the number of interruptions or surges per minute; furthermore, potentiometer IOI fixes the cathode potential of tube 356, thereby determining the moment of energization of that tube and controlling the length of the conductive period thereof, which in turn determines the length of energization of relay 90.

The further thyratrons 31I, 312 control the energization of relay 3I0 in similar manner as thyratrons 356, 351 control that of relay 90-90a. The energization of tube 312 is determined by a plate condenser 313, corresponding to condenser 359, and the connection between tubes 31I and 312 on the one hand and network 56 on the other hand is efiected over a conductor 314 and two terminals 315, 316 which are insulated from each other except when switch I06 is in position II and switch I01 in position III or IV.

In the latter case, the connection between these terminals leads from terminal 316, terminals 322 (at 4) and 323 (at 4), conductor 311, contact 20I, associated contact in bank I01 (at "0) or I01 (at D), conductor 318, contact 2I3, associated contact in bank I06 (at B), conductor 319, terminals 323 (at 3) and 322 (at 3"), to. terminal 315.

A connection 390 between the cathode of tube 356 and the control grid of tube 31I insures simultaneous firing of these tubes, thus, synchronizing the relays 90 and 3I0. It will be understood, however, that the circuits may be arranged so that tube 31I fires only upon every second, third, etc., ionization of tube 356, so that the operating rate of relay 90 will be a multiple of that of relay 3I0.

An oscilloscope 380 (Fig. 5) is connectable in the circuit of Figs. 3 and 4 by means of a socket 38I having its terminals #5 and #6 connected across the secondary of transformer 53 by means of conductors 382, 383. Conductors 384, 385, 386 and 381 connect terminals 38I (at l), 38I (at 2), 38I (at "3) and 38I (at 4), respectively, to the #8, #7, #6 and #5 terminals of plug 34I, the corresponding terminals of plug 342 being connectable to test terminals I52 and to a suitable source of scanning potential, (not shown).

amends indicator lamp rial-.corre nondszto 1 the pilotdamp M8;'in:the;A.-.C. circuit.

'Reierrins :now :more marticularly :to due. .15. there is shown a movable cabinet .400 which houses mitsiinterior-zthevariousacircuit elements -Jus.t :describedzand Whichdshrovided with a conrol panel 401 this panel bein more. fully adescrlbeminrconnectionzwith cFigs. 1 and 2.

El-he .cabinetMfl rhas imitsdower portion a .door 02:.which, -'-when opened, gives access etc the ..oscilloscopet housing A03, this s-housing being. a boxlikefinsertheld slidably in .the cabinet .bymeans of nails 40.4 40.5 and cooperating guides gsuch as .Housing 4.03 :also proyided with a stop anel 140! having mounted thereon the -;oscil-lo scope rtube faced as :well. as .the-assosiated-controls. The .latter -;incl,ude ,intensity and --focus controls-.4 08,4419, -,respectively; knobs-A I 4M .for varying-the bias on .the vertical .andlhorizontal deflecting sel-ectrodes, respectively, whereby the yertical and horizontal position .of the luminous tracesmay .be varied; means for varying .the scanning vfrequency, including .a range selector 4-l:2..and .-a Vernier frequency control .413; and verticaland-horizontal gain controls .414, 41.5,.respectively. There is .further provided .a threeposition switch 4I6 operable to connect the .oscilloscope .38lJa-t .the .A.-. C. circuit, .to ..the"D.-C. circuit or .to both .circuitssimultaneously, the latter connection resulting in the superposition Lone current, which modulates-another current Qnthe.oscilloscopescreen. It will .be understood that, in certain .instances, .a simultaneous treatmentof apatient with both types of current is desirable, in which case thelast-pmentioned .positionpf .the switch 4L6 enables the operator to ascertain exactly the .wave form of .the current employed.

-Itwillithus be seen that the oscilloscope '380 willgin all instances give a faithful 'andinstantaneousiindication or the various currentmodalities used in the treatment; accordingly, the operator will be able to adjustzhis 'controls'until adesired amplitude and-wave form is obtained, without having to depend upon hit-or-imiss -;procedures or observation "of physiological reactions orfhaving to memorize the "exact-positions ofa relatively large number -of-controls.

Some of the wave forms capable of being 'pro duced on the oscilloscope screen are illustrated in Fig. -6. Graph not this figure-shows-a-'continuous alternating current of sinusoidal "shape, graph-b-a-similar-current of square wave form. Graphs c and drrepresent surging and interrupted alternating current, "respectively. "Graph e shows pulsating directecurrent of epredetermined amplitude, obtainable in the.D.-C. circuit with half-wave rectification (switch in position II,: switch .l89;in or near its lowermost position). Graph ,1 ;represents surging direct .current of .the ulsating type; graph 9 illustrates an example of interrupted direct current- The current-of rapn'h isnthe same as that rot-graph e,-except that :switchlfll stands in position IV, thuscausing periodic reversals of polarity; similarly, graph ishows the alternating-polarity :formaof then-current illustrated in graph .9, while graph ids-samexample of a surging direct current (e. -.g. graph f) with alternating polarity.

manner in which these various'current modalities are obtained will be clear from the preceding description of Figs. 3 and 4 and need not be repeated.

Although the apparatus hereinabove described with respect to one of many possible adjustvments .of its switches is .primarily. contemplated for ele.ctro-:th.crapeutic treatment plants, .xi-t :is .well apparent :that the apparatus may be rused for industrial gpurposes, :in particular "for @lec- .tro.baths, :as' Well.

Interrupted idi-rect as well as ;alternating.-eurrentzmay be -.us.ed.fo.r shock treatments, :forlmuscle exercises to break up lesions .and to stimulate nerves :and: muscle .tone (muscle strength) 'iilo determine the reaction of degeneration direct and :alternating current may be applied {successively to the same body part.

According to :the invention, four -elec trodes may :be used .-.at .the same --1ocationv of treatment; one ;:pair :of electrodes :being used for =-.only one current type (for instance A. C.), and.the .other pair of electrodes is used for another current type inamely nv-c. :Bothzcurrent typcslmaylrbe modulated to :sur-g-ing and/or interrupted 1.61.11 rents -with=the samespeed and atthecsame time. For instance: surging alternating current may be employed with predetermined speed, whereas direct surging current .is .applied with .the :same speed but with .-a polarity change after .each surge. The simultaneous application .of such current-modulations to za'body-has been found in..prac.tice to .give beneficial results for the ,reason that the contraction produced by thealterhating current .becomesless noticeable to the patient and .is ,felt with less discomfort a when was a base current direct current issimultaneously applied.

The. direct current .is cal ,galvanism, muscle preferably .usedfor mediand nerve testing, .for

- iontopheresis .and .galvano-surgery.

The surgingcurrent is beneficial-fonmnscle exercises and for. muscle and .nerve testing.

.According .-.to .the invention, the current .applied may .be ..transf.ormed .from straight .torm =to interrupted .or surging ,forms .or .a ripple .current vmay be .otained which, besides chemical action produces slight. stimulating vibrations .in the tissues of the patient. The .alternatingcurrent may further be changedto .assumeeither a sine .wave or square Wave according .to the action desired.

Although the invention "has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments thereof, ituis to be distinctly understood that various modifications and adaptationsof the arrangements herein disclosed may ,be .made, as may readily occurto persons skilled in'the art without constituting a departure jfromfthe spirit and scope 0f.the,inve ntion as Ilefinc'din'the objects and in the appended claims.

Having thus described theiinvention, what 'iS claimed as new .and 'desiredto be secured .by.Letters Patent, is:

.1.l1n.,a'treatment plantlor therapeutic .use on Y the..-humani body, in combination, a .;trans'former,

an A. C. .circuit .connected .to. .said transformer, means in said 'A...C.. .circuitefor adjusting .the.A... C. in said A. .C. circuit so as .to .change .the were form thereof, ..a vrectifier network .oonnected ;to

said transformer, .a D. .C. circuit connected to saidrectifiernetwork, means insaid C. .011- cuit .fcradiusting the D. C. in .said.D. .C. circuit so as to. change-the -1f0rm-thereoi, an oscilloscope having :a screen for ..displaying curves .of :a -:Gl11

. rent fed to said oscilloscope, and .a .switchhaw A. C. circuit and said D. C. circuit in the third position of said switch, whereby said screen displays in the first position of said switch the A. C. in said A. C. circuit, in the second position of said switch the D. C. in said D. C. circuit, and in the third position of said switch a superposition of the A. C. in said A. C. circuit and the D. C. in said D. C. circuit.

2. A treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting said A. C. includes means for interrupting said A. C. periodically.

3. A treatment plant according to claim 2, wherein said means for adjusting said A. C. includes means for imparting a surging wave form to said A. C.

4. A treatment plant according to claim 3, wherein said means for adjusting said D. C. includes means for interrupting said D. C. periodically in the same rhythm as that in which said A. C. is interrupted by said A. C. interrupting means.

5. A treatment plant according to claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting said D. C. includes means for imparting surges to said D. C. in the same rhythm as that of said surging wave form imparted to said C. by said A. C. adjusting means.

6. In an electro-therapeutic treatment plant: a plurality of sources of power, alternating current power source and direct current power source, respectively, each provided with a respective output circuit, current outlet means for connection with an applicator for use in therapeutic treatment, respective control means for changing the type of alternatin current and of said direct current, and means common to said alternating current circuit and to said direct current circuit for modulating a predetermined type of current derived from at least one of said circuits, and further means common to said alternating current circuit and to said direct current circuit for adjusting other predetermined types of current in each of said circuits.

7. In a treatment plant according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined type of current is a surging current.

8. In a treatment plant according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined type of current is a pulsating current. v

9. In a treatment plant according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined type of current is a surging alternating current in said alternating current circuit and a surging direct current in said direct current circuit.

10. In an electro-therapeutic treatment plant: an alternating current circuit including a power source therefor, a direct current circuit including a power source therefor, means for changing the alternating current in said alternating current circuit, means for changing the type of current in said direct current circuit, means common to said alternating current circuit and to said direct current circuit for modulating predetermined types of current in said alternating current circuit and in said direct current circuit, further means common to said alternating current circuit and direct current circuit for adjust ing other predetermined types of current in said alternating current circuit and in said direct current circuit, and outlet means for connection with an applicator for therapeutic treatment whereby varying types of alternating current and of direct current may be applied to a human body to be treated.

11. An electro-therapeutic treatment plant comprising a plurality of circuit means, said circuit means including a circuit for direct current and a circuit for alternating current, first control means common to and connected with both said direct current and said alternating current circuits, whereby one predetermined type of alternating current and one predetermined type of direct current may be simultaneously operated, and second control means in said alternating current circuit for changing the frequency of said one type of said alternating current, and current outlet means for connection with applicator means for use in therapeutic treatments.

12. A treatment plant according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined type of alternating current and said predetermined type of direct current are surging currents whose surges per time unit are operable by said first control means to thereby change the speed of said surges with respect to the same value and simultaneously in both said direct current and said alternating current circuits.

13. A treatment plant comprising a plurality of circuit means, said circuit means including,

circuits of difierent types of currents, first control means for changing the output of said current circuits, and second control means for selecting predetermined forms of said current types, whereby said different current types may be identically modulated.

14. A treatment plant according to claim 13. wherein said circuits of different types of currents are constituted by a circuit for sinusoidal alternating current and a circuit for sinusoidal alternating current having different frequencies.

15. A treatment plant according to claim 13, wherein said circuits of different types of currents comprise a circuit for sinusoidal alternating current and a circuit for square alternating current both having substantially equal frequencies.

16. A treatment plant according to claim 13, including terminal means connectable with said circuits, and switch means actuatable for separating said terminal means of one type of said currents substantially instantaneously from the other type of said currents.

FRED s. LANDAUER.

References Cited in the file of this patent H Hadfield Apr. 19, 1949 V

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