THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR FEMALE GENITAL PREDICTIVE PERMEATION

Abstract

A system and method are provided for performing predictive permeation on the skin of a patient, particularly where the skin has no corneum. For this purpose, a device is provided which has an elongated probe, with an electrode array that extends along an active segment of the probe. Also, a voltage source is connected to the electrode array to generate an electric field. Operationally, an electro-conductive emulsion is applied onto the skin of the patient where the predictive permeation procedure is to be performed and the probe is positioned to contact the skin to be treated. The emulsion then interacts with the electric field that is generated by the electrode array to increase the permeability of the skin. Particles from a blood sample of the patient are included in the emulsion, and are introduced into the skin during the predictive permeation procedure to increase skin density.

Claims

1. A device for performing predictive permeation on the skin of a patient which comprises: a voltage source for generating a pulsed electric field having a predetermined voltage magnitude; an elongated probe defining a central axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end with an active segment established therebetween; and an electrode array oriented axially on the probe to extend along the active segment of the probe wherein the voltage source is interconnected with the electrode array to selectively establish the pulsed electric field to induce predictive permeation.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the electrode array comprises: a first pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other; and a second pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other, wherein each electrode of the second pair is positioned equidistant from electrodes of the first pair.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a handle affixed to the proximal end of the elongated probe for manipulating the probe; and an electro-conductive emulsion applied onto the skin of the patient for interacting with the electrode array to increase the permeability of the skin during a predictive permeation procedure.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the electro-conductive emulsion includes particles to be introduced into the skin during the predictive permeation procedure to increase skin density.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the particles are platelets taken from a blood sample of the patient to create an emulsion including a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the skin treated during predictive permeation has no corneum.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the skin treated during predictive permeation is vaginal tissue.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the peak to peak voltage magnitude of electric pulses generating the electric field is preferably in a range of 2-30 volts and a current range of 0.5 to 5 mA.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the electric pulses generating the electric field have a pulse frequency range of 10 Hz to 15 kHz.

10. A device for performing predictive permeation on the skin of a patient which comprises: a voltage source having a predetermined voltage magnitude; an elongated probe defining a central axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end with an active segment established therebetween; a first pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other; and a second pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other, wherein each electrode of the second pair is positioned equidistant from electrodes of the first pair wherein the voltage source is interconnected with the first pair and with the second pair of electrodes to establish a pulsed electric field to induce predictive permeation of the skin.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising an electro-conductive emulsion applied onto the skin of the patient for interacting with the electric field to increase the permeability of the skin during a predictive permeation procedure.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the electro-conductive emulsion includes particles to be introduced into the skin during the predictive permeation procedure to increase skin density.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the particles are platelets taken from a blood sample of the patient to create an emulsion including a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the skin treated during predictive permeation is vaginal tissue.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the peak to peak voltage magnitude of electric pulses generating the electric field is preferably in a range of 2-30 volts and a current range of 0.5 to 5 mA, with a pulse frequency in a range of 10 Hz to 15 kHz.

16. A method for performing predictive permeation on the skin of a patient which comprises the steps of: applying a pulsed electro-conductive emulsion onto the skin to be treated; positioning an elongated probe in contact with the skin to be treated, wherein the elongated probe defines a central axis and has a proximal end and a distal end with an active segment established therebetween, and wherein an electrode array is oriented axially on the probe to extend along the active segment of the probe; and establishing a pulsed electric field with the electrode array to perform a predictive permeation procedure wherein the permeability of the skin is increased to receive particles from the emulsion into the skin to increase skin density.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of generating the electric field with a voltage source connected to the electrode array.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the peak to peak voltage magnitude of electric pulses generating the electric field is preferably in a range of 2-30 volts and a current range of 0.5 to 5 mA, with a pulse frequency in a range of 10 Hz to 15 kHz.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the particles are platelets in a blood sample from the patient, and the emulsion is a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the electrode array comprises: a first pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other; and a second pair of electrodes positioned on the probe axially opposite each other, wherein each electrode of the second pair is positioned equidistant from electrodes of the first pair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the device for the present invention as seen from a cross section plane of the device identified by the line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1, wherein portions are broken away for clarity; and

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the device as also seen along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 with the device operationally positioned in contact with a target tissue of a patient to perform a predictive permeation procedure on the target tissue.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a device for performing a predictive permeation procedure on skin tissue of a patient is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated 10. As shown, the device 10 includes an elongated probe 12 which defines a central axis 14 and has a proximal end 16 and a distal end 18. An active segment 20 is established on the probe 12, and an electrode array 22 is positioned on the probe 12 in the active segment 20. In this combination, the electrode array 22 is generally aligned with the axis 14.

[0016] Still referring to FIG. 1, the device 10 is shown to have a handle 24 that is affixed to the proximal end 16 of the elongated probe 12. Also, a switch (not shown) may be conveniently located to facilitate the activation of a voltage source 28 shown in FIG. 2. As envisioned for the present invention, the voltage source 28 may be incorporated into the handle 24 of the device 10, or located externally. In either case, it is to be appreciated that the switch will be operated to selectively connect the voltage source 28 with the electrode array 22.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2 it will be seen, in detail, that the electrode array 22 will preferably include four electrodes 30a-d that are generally aligned with the central axis 14 of the elongated probe 12, and they are positioned in its active segment 20. As indicated, in the configuration shown, the electrodes 30a and 30c will have a same polarity and the electrodes 30b and 30d will have a same polarity that is opposite to the polarity of the electrodes 30a and 30c. Further, all of the electrodes 30a-d will be connected to the voltage source 28 via the switch.

[0018] With specific regard to the operational interaction between the voltage source 28 and the electrode array 22 (i.e. electrodes 30a-d), this combination will generate a pulsed electric field, E, which is represented by the arrows 32 in FIG. 3. Further, for purposes of the present invention, the electric field E will have predetermined electrical characteristics. In particular, the peak to peak voltage magnitude of the electric pulses that generate the pulsed electric field E is preferably in a range of 3-20 volts. Also, the electric field E will preferably have a pulse frequency range of 10 Hz to 15 kHz and a current in a current range of 0.5 to 5 mA.

[0019] In accordance with the present invention, a predictive permeation procedure will be best appreciated with reference to FIG. 3. Preferably, the target tissue 34 of interest for the present invention is a stratum corneum, such as the vaginal tissue of a female patient (not shown). In the event, it is envisioned that prior to performing a predictive permeation procedure, an electro-conductive emulsion 36 will be applied to the surface of the target tissue 34. Thus, when a device 10 is positioned against the target tissue 34, the electro-conductive emulsion 36 will surround the active segment 20 of the probe 12 with the emulsion 36 extending between adjacent electrodes 30. Consequently, when the voltage source 28 is activated by a manipulation of the switch to perform a predictive permeation procedure, the electric field E will be created in the emulsion 36 for its interaction with the target tissue 34.

[0020] An important consideration for the present invention is that the emulsion 36 will preferably include a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Specifically, the PRP will include platelets from a blood sample of the patient's own blood. These blood platelets can then be introduced by predictive permeation to increase the density of the target tissue 34.

[0021] While the particular Therapeutic Device for Female Genital Predictive Permeation as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.