Agents and methods for relieving muscle spasms

Abstract

A method of affecting metabolic function is presented which utilizes a conductive coating, film, or covering on a body tissue to distribute electrical charge, either passively or in conjunction with applied electrical energy.

Description

Claims

1. An agent for distributing, dispersing and/or manipulating electrical charge over or within areas of a body, said agent comprising a conductive coating formulation for use on a skin surface.

2. The agent according to claim 1, wherein said coating comprises an aqueous solution of a means for providing a conductive substrate, at least one surfactant, at least one simple salt for providing a charge carrier, at least one humectant for maintaining moisture content, and at least one non-hydrophobic emollient to improve skin feel.

3. The agent according to claim 2, wherein said coating further comprises at least one preservative to prolong shelf life.

4. The agent according to claim 2, wherein said conductive substrate providing means comprises a protein isolate.

5. The agent according to claim 2, wherein said conductive substrate providing means comprises poly-ionic molecules of high molecular weight.

6. The agent according to claim 2, wherein said at least one simple salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, CaCl2, and KCl.

7. The agent according to claim 2, wherein said substrate providing means is present in an amount from 5.0 to 25% wt/vol, said at least one salt is present in an amount from 10 to 30% wt/vol, said at least one humectant is present in an amount from 1.0 to 10% wt/vol and the at least one surfactant is present in an amount from 5.0 to 30% wt/vol.

8. The agent according to claim 1, wherein said conductive coating formulation comprises an aqueous solution containing 15% wt/vol whey protein isolate, 10% wt/vol NaCl, 3.0% wt/vol glycerin, 7.5% wt/vol cocamidopropyl betaine, 2.1% wt/vol sodium lauryl ether sulfate, 2.1% wt/vol sodium lauryl sulfate, 10% wt/vol aveno sativa isolate, 0.55 wt/vol carbomer 940, 0.1% wt/vol lyophyllized aloe vera, 0.5% wt/vol sodium citrate, 0.1% wt/vol EDTA, and 0.1% wt/vol methylparaben.

9. The agent according to claim 1, wherein said conductive coating formulation has an electrical resistance in the range of from 0 to 200 k ohm at 70% relative humidity.

10. An agent for distributing, dispersing and/or manipulating electrical charge over or within areas of a body, said agent comprising a conductive fabric having a conductive material applied to a non-conductive fabric.

11. An agent according to claim 10, wherein said conductive materials forms a surface of said conductive fabric.

12. An agent according to claim 10, wherein said conductive material comprises a plurality of graphite fibers.

13. An agent according to claim 10, wherein said conductive material comprises a plurality of metallic threads.

14. An agent according to claim 10, wherein said conductive fabric is formed into an article of clothing to be worn over a portion of the body.

15. An agent according to claim 10, wherein said conductive fabric is formed into a bed linen.

16. An agent distributing, dispersing and/or manipulating electrical charge over or within areas of a body, said agent comprising a non-reactive metallic film applied directly to tissues.

17. An agent according to claim 16, wherein said film is selected from the group consisting of gold and stainless steel.

18. An agent according to claim 16, further comprising an insulating means applied to said film for directing current flow.

19. An agent according to claim 18, wherein said insulating means comprises an insulating material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene.

20. A method for treating muscle spasms and/or affecting metabolic function comprising: creating a conductive coating formulation; andapplying said conductive coating formulation to a skin surface.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said coating creating step comprises creating an aqueous solution of a means for providing a conductive substrate, at least one surfactant, at least one simple salt for providing a charge carrier, at least one humectant for maintaining moisture content, and at least one non-hydrophobic emollient to improve skin feel.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said coating creating step further comprises adding at least one preservative to prolong shelf life to said aqueous solution.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said coating creating step comprises providing a protein isolate as said means for providing a conductive substrate.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein said coating creating step comprises providing poly-ionic molecules of high molecular weight as said conductive substrate providing means.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein said coating creating step comprises providing at least one simple salt selected from the group consisting of NaCl, CaCl2, and KCl.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein said coating creating step comprises creating a solution wherein said substrate providing means is present in an amount from 5.0 to 25% wt/vol, said at least one salt is present in an amount from 10 to 30% wt/vol, said at least one humectant is present in an amount from 1.0 to 10% wt/vol and the at least one surfactant is present in an amount from 5.0 to 30% wt/vol.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein said conductive coating formulation creating step comprises creating an aqueous solution containing 15% wt/vol whey protein isolate, 10% wt/vol NaCl, 3.0% wt/vol glycerin, 7.5% wt/vol cocamidopropyl betaine, 2.1% wt/vol sodium lauryl ether sulfate, 2.1% wt/vol sodium lauryl sulfate, 10% wt/vol aveno sativa isolate, 0.55 wt/vol carbomer 940, 0.1% wt/vol lyophyllized aloe vera, 0.5% wt/vol sodium citrate, 0.1% wt/vol EDTA, and 0.1% wt/vol methylparaben.

28. The method according to claim 20, further comprising connecting an acupuncture needle to said conductive coating formulation.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising projecting said acupuncture needle through said conductive coating formulation.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein said connecting step comprises connecting said acupuncture needle to said conductive coating formulation by a conductor.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein said connecting step comprises connecting said acupuncture needle to said conductive coating formulation via wires.

32. The method according to claim 20, wherein said applying step comprises applying said conductive coating formulation topically.

33. A method for treating muscle spasms and/or affecting metabolic function comprising the steps of: providing a conductive fabric having a conductive material applied to a non-conductive fabric; andplacing said conductive fabric over an area afflicted with a cramp.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said conductive fabric providing step comprises providing said conductive fabric in the form of an article of clothing.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein said conductive fabric providing step comprises providing said conductive fabric in the form of bed linens.

36. The method according to claim 33, further comprising applying an electrical current to said conductive fabric.

37. A method for treating muscle spasms and/or affecting metabolic function comprising the steps of: providing a non-reactive metallic film; andapplying said metallic film directly to tissue.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said non-reactive metallic film providing step comprises providing a sheet of a material selected from the group consisting of gold and stainless steel.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein said applying step comprises surgically implanting said metallic film so that said metallic film is in contact with said tissue.

40. A method for treating muscle spasms and/or affecting metabolic function comprising the steps of: providing a fabric having a conductive fibers woven therein; andplacing said fabric with said conductive fibers over an area afflicted with a cramp.