Safe power source for iontophoresis device?

Thread Starter

talco92

Joined Jul 15, 2013
9
So I searched this forum and it seems like there have been a few previous threads on this, but not much in the way of the answers I'm seeking.
Iontophoresis is a treatment in which current is passed through a body part (typically the hands) to either deliver a drug or push ions into the skin (to disrupt sweat glands and stop sweating [hyperhidrosis]).

These iontophoresis devices sell for ridiculous amounts of money, for what looks like a relatively simple device. I'm assuming the bulk of the money goes towards the R&D/compliance and regulation side of the businesses. Anyway, I would like to know if anyone here thinks that it would be possible to make one of these.

Here is some information from the website of Iontoderma, a company that makes one of the many devices on the market (the cheapest at the moment).
https://iontoderma.com/products/iontoderma-id-1000?variant=15322682564
"device is mains powered. It converts AC to DC." (note: most of the other devices on the market are battery powered, I'd prefer wall)
Universal wall power (100V-240V AC, 50-60Hz).
Variable tension, adjustable voltage: 12V, 15V, 16V, 18V, 19V, 20V, 24V.
Maximum output: 25mA at 1kΩ.

I'm in Australia, so mains voltage is 230V, 50Hz

EDIT: If you watch the video on their website, its clear that all of the 'technology' is in the power supply. It must be DC (according to many studies) and the rest of the device is just a glorified plastic document case, some metal plates and material... hence why the focus is on the power specs only.
 
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AlbertHall

Joined Jun 4, 2014
12,338
I would suggest that I would not a DIY designed and built mains powered unit in intimate contact with my skin.
Stick with battery power.
 

AlbertHall

Joined Jun 4, 2014
12,338
Indeed that is the case. A commercial unit should be correctly designed and built and should have been tested to the required standards (though that might depend on where in the world it was made).
If you have sufficient knowledge to design and build a mains powered skin contact unit with suitable safety precautions, you would not need to ask in here how to make what amounts to a simple DC power supply.
 

blocco a spirale

Joined Jun 18, 2008
1,546
It looks like nothing more than a variable DC power supply with a 1k resistor in series with the output, the user even has to stop and switch polarity, although, I don't know why he didn't just walk around to the other side of the table.

The current draw is likely to be so small that a battery operated unit would be entirely practical without the risk of death. Simply hook 8 x AA cells together and put it to the test, the 1k resistor is optional but will provide protection if the probes are shorted.
 
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ian field

Joined Oct 27, 2012
6,536
It looks like nothing more than a variable DC power supply with a 1k resistor in series with the output, the user even has to stop and switch polarity, although, I don't know why he didn't just walk around to the other side of the table.

The current draw is likely to be so small that a battery operated unit would be entirely practical without the risk of death. Simply hook 8 x AA cells together and put it to the test, the 1k resistor is optional but will provide protection if the probes are shorted.
The commercial unit I reverse engineered used the textbook 2 transistor constant current circuit, which was fed by narrow pulses at around 30V.

You can also make the current limiter with a single JFET and a resistor. The resistor is in the source lead and the gate goes to the bottom - current through that resistor develops the pinch off voltage.

Can't remember the correct current level - but its very low if you want to avoid permanent scarring.
 

ian field

Joined Oct 27, 2012
6,536
Here's an idea:
If you want pulses, that will need a TL555
The commercial unit I reverse engineered had a CMOS hex inverter, a couple of the gates were the oscillator and those left over were paralleled to drive a TO92 MOSFET flyback converter. The master frequency was somewhere around 20 -30kHz with a CMOS divider to produce the lower frequency therapy pulses.
 
Hi I saw Ian’s comments on reverse engineered machine. What I would like to know, where can I find a complete diagram to build a device? I have been struggling with hyperhydrosis for 40 years. My two boys now 9 and 5 are also starting to show signs of Hyperhydrosis. I can’t afford the $300 to $1000 machines. Any help will be appreciated. <SNIP>

Moderators note : removed email addres to avoid spam
 
Last edited by a moderator:

ian field

Joined Oct 27, 2012
6,536
Hi I saw Ian’s comments on reverse engineered machine. What I would like to know, where can I find a complete diagram to build a device? I have been struggling with hyperhydrosis for 40 years. My two boys now 9 and 5 are also starting to show signs of Hyperhydrosis. I can’t afford the $300 to $1000 machines. Any help will be appreciated. <SNIP>

Moderators note : removed email addres to avoid spam
Its a constant current feed, the original had the text book 2 transistor limiter - I source biased a JFET. Its a 50:50 slow pulse. Unfortunately, I cant remember the values and any schematics that survived are in a tea chest somewhere at the back of the garage.

You need to start low, like 10s ofuA and increase it till you get signs of iontophoresis actually happening - one electrode will smell like ammonia, and the other like crap.

Its dead easy to cause scarring - you can use the conductive rubber pads from a faradic muscle exerciser or some TENS machines, as long as you pad it with moistened Jaycloth.
 
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