Therapeutic electrolysis device

Abstract

An electrolysis device is provided. The electrolysis device includes an ionizer unit having first and second plate assemblies that each provide a different surface area that is contacted by water when the unit is in use. The plate assemblies may each provide a different surface area by providing a different number of plates. The plate assemblies are formed from integral pieces of material, to enhance the reliability of the device. The present invention further provides a control unit programmed to provide an output to the ionizer unit that varies in polarity over time.

1 . A therapeutic electrolysis device, comprising: 
 a first assembly, comprising: 
 a terminal portion; and  
 an electrode portion, wherein the terminal portion from the electrode portion for a distance greater than a width of the terminal portion;  
   a second assembly, comprising: 
 a terminal portion; and  
 an electrode portion, wherein the terminal portion extends from the electrode portion for a distance greater than a width of the terminal portion; and  
   a structure interconnecting the first and second assemblies.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a surface area of the electrode portion of the first assembly differs from a surface area of the electrode portion of the second assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the first assembly is an integral plate assembly formed from a single sheet of planar conductive material;    wherein the second assembly is an integral plate assembly formed from a single sheet of planar conductive material;    wherein the electrode portion of the first assembly includes a plate portion; and    wherein the electrode portion of the second assembly includes a plate portion.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the single piece of planar conductive material of the first integral plate assembly is folded to form a plurality of substantially parallel plates, and wherein the single piece of planar conductive material of the second integral plate assembly is folded to form a plurality of substantially parallel plates.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the single piece of conductive material of the first integral plate assembly comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the plate portion of the first integral assembly is parallel to at least a portion of the plate portion of the second integral assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of substantially parallel plates of the first integral plate assembly are connected in series by integral interconnecting portions, and wherein the plurality of substantially parallel plates of the second integral plate assembly are connected in series by integral interconnecting portions.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a control unit, comprising first and second electrical output terminals; and    a first electrical conductor interconnecting the first electrical output terminal to the terminal portion of the first assembly; and    a second electrical conductor interconnecting the second output terminal to the terminal portion of the second assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the control unit delivers a limited amount of current.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a frame, the frame comprising: 
 a top plate having first and second mounting points;    wherein the terminal portion of the first assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the first mounting point; and    wherein the terminal portion of the second assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the second mounting point.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a frame, the therapeutic electrolysis device further comprising: 
 a first terminal connector interconnected to the terminal portion of the first assembly, wherein the first terminal connector is also interconnected to the frame; and    a second terminal connector interconnected to the terminal portion of the second integral plate assembly, wherein the second terminal connector is also interconnected to the frame.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a sleeve formed from a catalytic material, wherein the frame includes at least a first pair of opposed frame members, wherein the sleeve extends between the at least a first pair of opposed frame members, and wherein the sleeve covers a screw secured to the frame.    
   
   
       13 . A method for producing ions in water for therapeutic purposes, comprising: 
 forming a first assembly by the steps of: 
 i) providing a single piece of conductive material;  
 ii) shaping the material to form an electrode portion and a terminal portion extending from the electrode portion; and  
 iii) shaping the material so that the terminal portion extends away from the electrode portion;  
   forming a second assembly by the steps of: 
 i) providing a single piece conductive material;  
 ii) shaping the material to form an electrode portion and a terminal portion extending from the electrode portion; and  
 iii) shaping the material so that the terminal portion extends away from the terminal portion;  
   interconnecting the first and second assemblies to a frame;    interconnecting an end of the terminal portion of the first assembly opposite the electrode portion from which the terminal portion extends to a first electrical terminal;    interconnecting an end of the terminal portion of the second assembly opposite the electrode portion from which the terminal portion extends to a second electrical terminal;    submerging at least a portion of the first assembly in water;    interconnecting the first electrical terminal to a first switchable terminal on a control unit;    submerging at least a portion of the second assembly in water;    interconnecting the second electrical terminal to a second switchable terminal on the control unit;    supplying a positive voltage to the first electrical terminal and a negative voltage to the second electrical terminal for a first period of time; and    supplying a negative voltage potential to the first electrical terminal and a positive voltage to the second electrical terminal for a second period of time.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , 
 wherein the single piece of conductive material of the first assembly is a planar sheet of conductive material;    wherein the single piece of conductive material of the second assembly is a sheet planar of conductive material;    wherein the electrode portion of the first assembly includes a plate portion; and    wherein the electrode portion of the second assembly includes a plate portion.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the frame includes a top plate having a first and second mounting points, wherein the terminal portion of the first assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the first mounting point, and wherein the terminal portion of the second assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the second mounting point.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the terminal portion of the first assembly is not submerged, and wherein the terminal portion of the first assembly holds the first electrical terminal above the surface of the water, and wherein at least some of the terminal portion of the second assembly is not submerged, and wherein the terminal portion of the second assembly holds the second electrical terminal above the surface of the water.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 supplying a positive voltage to the first electrical terminal and a negative voltage to the second electrical terminal for a third period of time.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 interconnecting a catalytic material to the frame; and    submerging the catalytic material in the water.    
   
   
       19 . An ionizer device, comprising: 
 a first assembly, including 
 an electrode portion; and  
 a terminal portion, wherein the terminal portion extends from the electrode portion for a distance that is greater than two-times a width of the terminal portion, wherein the electrode portion and the terminal portion of the first assembly are integral to one another;  
   a second assembly, including: 
 an electrode portion; and  
 a terminal portion, wherein the terminal portion extends from the electrode portion for a distance that is greater than two-times a width of the terminal portion, wherein the electrode portion and the terminal portion of the second assembly are integral to one another, and  
   a frame interconnecting the first and second assemblies.    
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the electrode portion of the first assembly includes a plate portion; and wherein the electrode portion of the second assembly includes a plate portion.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the frame holds the plate portion of the first plate assembly substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the plate portion of the second plate assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the frame comprises: 
 a top plate having first and second mounting points;    wherein the terminal portion of the first assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the first mounting point; and    wherein the terminal portion of the second assembly is connected to the top plate of the frame at the second mounting point.    
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein a surface area of the electrode portion of the first assembly differs from a surface area of the electrode portion of second assembly.