Method for electronic control of infections using silver ions
US4291125A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1980 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/80
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for killing plant and animal bacteria and plant viroids by electrically generated silver ions. The silver ions serve as germicidal agents in infection control and are generated by very slow electrical anodic corrosion of a silver wire located closely adjacent the infection site. In particular, a silver anode and a cathode of non-corroding metal are located in an electrolytic nutrient medium with the silver anode being within five millimeters of the infection site, and a direct voltage is applied to the anode and cathode in a manner passing a positive current in the microampere range into the silver anode causing it to corrode slightly and give off silver ions which produce a germicidal environment about the infection site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.