Apparatus for electrophoresis

Electrophoresis in medicine is a physiotherapeutic method of influencing the human body with various intensities of electrical impulses to provide all kinds of therapeutic effects. With the help of electrophoresis, it is also possible to administer drugs through the mucous membranes and skin of a person, which is a highly effective treatment.

Benefits of drug administration via electrophoresis

In addition to electrophoresis, drugs can be introduced into the human body in more standard ways – orally (through the mouth) and by injection (by intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular injection).

Oral medication does not require any additional gadgets and medical personnel nearby, which greatly simplifies the reception. However, a drug taken orally through the mouth has a very slow effect on the target, because before it enters the bloodstream, it must reach, dissolve and break down in the gastrointestinal tract, at the same time irritating it quite strongly and causing problems in its functioning and even complex diseases. . In addition, liver enzymes, designed to remove drug residues, are able to start removing it even before full exposure, which often reduces the effectiveness of the drug (its bioavailability) and makes it necessary to prolong therapeutic courses.

All this can be avoided by using the injection method of administering drugs, but injections are a painful procedure. In addition, there is a high risk of developing thromboembolism when air enters the vessels during injection or phlebitis (inflammatory process, venous walls).

With the introduction of drugs using electrophoresis, the patient will not feel any discomfort, he will not experience allergic and other reactions of a general or local nature, and the therapeutic effect of the administered drug can last from a day to 20 days. In addition, there is the possibility of introducing the agent for treatment directly into the inflamed area, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and the vascular system of the body.

There are few disadvantages of this method – this is the fact that not every drug can be administered using electrophoresis, and, of course, individual contraindications for its implementation in the patient.

Historical aspects of the technique

For the first time, electrophoresis was announced by the German scientist Ferdinand Reiss, who in 1809 closely studied this technique, but this direction was not developed at that time. Only in 1926, the Swedish biochemist Arne Tiselius published a scientific work describing a special tube for electrophoresis, which by 1930 had been improved by starting to make it from silver chloride.

Only in 1936 was the first apparatus designed for electrophoresis tested. At the same time, the shape of the tubes again underwent multiple changes, first turning into narrow cells, and then into glass sections. Such changes increased the optical susceptibility of the device and allowed it to more actively remove the heat generated during the passage of an electric current. The device was tested for the first time on horse serum. During electrophoresis, the drug was divided into white stripes, which indicated a different rate of migration of blood proteins, alpha, beta and gamma globulin, as well as albumin. After such success, tests were carried out on rabbit and then on human serum, and the results were similar.

Thus, it was found that molecules with electric charges in a liquid medium can move under the action of electromagnetic fields in the region opposite to the charged electrodes. When using an ultracentrifuge in parallel with electrophoresis in subsequent experiments, Tiselius was able to more accurately differentiate the direction of protein migration processes and established the amount of proteins in the composition.

Already in 1950, a new, more advanced experiment was carried out to separate proteins on the surface of filter paper, which was then cut into strips and stained to determine the content of individual proteins in such solutions. At the same time, it was possible to fix the process of protein migration and obtain clear boundaries for their separation. The method of electrophoresis on various media is currently widely used in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering, and medicine.

Today, using electrophoresis, doctors diagnose:

• infectious and inflammatory processes;
• liver and kidney disease;
• immune and genetic disorders;
• oncological neoplasms.

Also, modern medicine uses electrophoresis with protein and colloidal solutions for physiotherapy techniques in the treatment of many diseases.

Mechanism of treatment

It is possible to carry out the electrophoresis procedure using several devices, one of which is called Potok and has been used for physiotherapeutic purposes for about 50 years. On this device for electrophoresis there are holes for positive and negative electrodes, buttons with which you can easily set the time of the procedure, a regulator of the strength of the supplied current. On the modern analogue of the apparatus for electrophoresis, there is already a digital indicator that displays the time of the procedure and the strength of the supplied current.

The use of electrophoresis must be prescribed by a doctor. At consultation appointments, the specialist gets acquainted with the patient’s medical history, directs him to various diagnostic studies and analyzes in order to exclude the presence of contraindications for this procedure. On the eve of the immediate procedure, it is necessary to examine the parts of the patient’s body where the electrodes will be attached during electrophoresis. To apply overlays, absolutely healthy skin is required without pustules, lesions, wounds, and other things. The pads should be soaked in saline or clean water, and after that the drug necessary for treatment is applied to them. The overlay can be several times folded gauze covered with filtered paper, or a special hydrophilic material.

For electrophoresis, the drug is diluted in saline, which is heated to the temperature of the human body and in the amount of 10 milliliters is introduced into the vial with the main drug. The medicine is shaken together with saline, and then diluted with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. All this mixture is drawn into a syringe and applied to a previously prepared gasket connected to the plus.

The gasket connected to the minus is covered with another drug, usually a 2% solution of aminophylline, which improves blood circulation, relaxes smooth muscles, and combines analgesic properties that are very useful for muscle pain.

After saturation with medicines, pads are applied to the skin and electrodes are attached to them. In the region of the cervical or thoracic spine, the pads are attached as follows – the plus one is attached to the affected area, and the minus one is attached to the lumbar region. If it is necessary to treat the lumbar region, the plus pad is attached to the lower back, and the minus one to the patient’s hips. When applied, pads are usually fixed with some kind of weight, and the patient is covered with a sheet.

There are other types of electrophoresis techniques:

• bath, when a solution of the necessary medicine is poured into the bath with electrodes and the patient immerses the affected area of ​​​​the body in it;
• interstitial, when the patient receives the drug intravenously or orally, and then electrodes are applied to the affected area, which has a beneficial effect on diseases of the respiratory system;
• cavitary, when the drug is injected into the body cavity, a positive electrode is placed there, and a negative electrode is placed on the surface of the body, which works very effectively for diseases of the intestines and pelvic organs.

During electrophoresis, the current is added gradually, and each time after the increase, the medical worker is necessarily interested in the patient’s feelings from such an increase. The current is stopped adding when a tingling sensation occurs. If the patient has a burning sensation or the place where the electrode is applied is very itchy, electrophoresis is immediately stopped. The whole procedure usually takes 10-15 minutes of time, the number of procedures in the course is 10-20, which are performed daily or every other day.

During the procedure, the drug is able to ionize, the ions move under the influence of an electric current and penetrate the skin. Most of the drug is retained in the skin, providing a local therapeutic effect, but the remaining portion is carried throughout the body by the flow of lymph and blood, penetrating inside through the excretory ducts of the sweat and sebaceous glands, intercellular spaces and hair follicles.

The quality of the effect of electrophoresis therapy significantly depends on the ability of the drug to be absorbed. Also, the quality of the impact of the procedure is provided by the site of exposure, the duration of electrophoresis, the properties of the solvent used, the concentration of drugs in the solution, the current strength, the size of the ion, and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.

It is important to understand that positively and negatively charged particles have different uses in therapy. So, positively charged particles have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, dehydrating and sedative effects. Negatively charged particles are able to provide the patient’s body with relaxing, secretory, vasodilating effects and normalize metabolic processes.

Preparations for electrophoresis and their effect on the body of patients

Drugs during electrophoresis can be administered through the positive and negative electrodes. In this case, only such agents are used that can penetrate human skin under the influence of an electric current. Medicines are administered independently and in combination with other drugs, depending on the desired effect of therapy.

When using the preparation with aloe for electrophoresis, it is possible to improve metabolic and nutritional processes in cells, to restore damaged tissue areas. Aloe has a stimulating and anti-inflammatory effect on local immunity, the drug is used in the treatment of eye diseases (conjunctivitis, keratitis), bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer, skin diseases (burns and trophic ulcers).

Adrenaline hydrochloride is used in ophthalmic practice (increased intraocular pressure, open-angle glaucoma). Also, the drug is used as a component of solutions with local anesthetics. Adrenaline is able to effectively reduce intraocular pressure, expand the bronchi in cases of asthma, constrict blood vessels in the peritoneum and mucous membranes.

Atropine in electrophoresis is used to reduce the secretion of sweat, bronchial or gastric glands, to reduce the tone of smooth muscles. It has analgesic properties and is indicated for various pains, ulcers, bronchial asthma, inflammation of the ophthalmic sphere (keratitis, iridocyclitis).

Vitamin B1 is able to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-allergic effects, normalize metabolic processes, the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems. It is used for electrophoresis in neuritis, radiculitis, paralysis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, in states of vitamin B1 deficiency.

Dikain, novocaine and lidocaine with their anesthetic effect are used for various diseases with severe pain syndromes. Codeine has a similar, as well as antitussive effect.

Diphenhydramine is able to both eliminate pain and soothe, reduce the manifestations of allergies, and have a hypnotic effect. Diphenhydramine also relaxes smooth muscles. It is prescribed for urticaria, insomnia, severe pain of various origins, bronchial asthma, ulcers and gastritis.

Calcium is used in electrophoresis for various conditions with a deficiency of this trace element. It is necessary in cases of fractures, inflammation in the mouth, allergies and disorders in the processes of blood clotting. Calcium has a hemostatic effect, can have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Potassium is also used in electrophoresis in cases where there is a lack of it in the body, which happens with atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. Potassium is able to normalize the water-electrolyte balance.

In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in cases of burns, keloid scars and postoperative wounds, caripain is used to accelerate regenerative processes, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects during electrophoresis. Lidase also has a similar effect during electrophoresis.

Lysoamidase inhibits the vital activity of streptococci and staphylococci and accelerates recovery from infectious diseases. Locally, the drug during electrophoresis cleanses the tissues of suppuration and necrotic inclusions, promotes regeneration. Its use is effective for folliculitis, furunculosis, endometritis, stomatitis, mastitis, osteomyelitis, burns.

Magnesium preparations help strengthen the bone, muscle and nervous system during electrophoresis, normalize the heart rhythm, and have a positive effect on depression. Magnesium is prescribed for hypertension, arrhythmia, tachycardia of the stomach.

Copper sulfate is used in cases of anemia, cardiovascular problems, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and the digestive system. Copper is involved in the biosynthesis of hemoglobin in the human body, so it is the first aid in cases of anemia. Copper also takes part in the formation of the protein structure of cartilage and bone tissue, which is important in cases of osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis, and other problems of the musculoskeletal system. Copper sulfate preparations are also used for infectious diseases – urethritis, vaginitis, conjunctivitis, since they have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect.

The composition of the mummy preparation contains 80 active bio-substances, including vitamins and amino acids, essential oils, and so on. This composition provides electrophoresis with mummy anti-inflammatory effect on the human body, regenerating and analgesic effect. You can use electrophoresis with mummy for dislocations, fractures and other problems of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory tract, skin diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Papain is used in cases of intervertebral hernias, burns and osteochondrosis. It promotes the rejection of necrotic formations and the cleansing of the wound from pus, heals, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

To eliminate muscle spasms and reduce the tone of smooth muscles in the internal organs of a person, papaverine is used during electrophoresis. The drug has a vasodilating effect, lowering blood pressure in hypertension, eliminating angina pectoris, and so on.

To lower blood pressure and dilate arterioles, it is used during the electrophoresis procedure and pachycarpine. It is prescribed in cases of detection of ganglioneuritis, myopathy, endarteritis. Relaxation of muscle muscles, vasodilation and increased blood circulation is also facilitated by the use of platifillin during electrophoresis, its positive effect on peptic ulcer, angina pectoris, bronchial asthma, cholecystitis, and hypertension.

The anti-inflammatory effect of ribonuclease helps with the occurrence of exudative pleurisy, bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis. The drug perfectly dilutes sputum, purulent and mucous formations, perfectly manifests itself in sinusitis, thrombophlebitis, otitis, osteomyelitis.

With seborrhea, eczema, various burns, acne, pityriasis versicolor, psoriasis, in order to produce an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and exfoliating effect during electrophoresis, it is advisable to use salicylic acid. The agent heals tissues and has a depressing effect on overly active sweat and sebaceous glands.

Streptomycin is indicated for electrophoresis in infectious and inflammatory processes in the body. This tool is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that affects gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Trypsin is an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of organs of the ENT zone. It dilutes sputum, promotes tissue healing and their cleaning of necrotic formations.

The drug is effective for sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, otitis media, burns and trophic ulcers.

With hypertension, impaired circulatory processes in the kidneys and brain, bronchial asthma, intervertebral hernia, arthrosis and osteochondrosis, eufillin is widely used for electrophoresis. The drug has an analgesic effect, relieves muscle spasms, lowers blood pressure.

All these and many other medicines can be used for electrophoresis only as directed by a specialist in combination or individually, depending on the diagnosis and course of the pathology.

Indications and contraindications for the technique

In medical practice, many specialists resort to electrophoresis and its healing properties in the following categories of diseases:

• respiratory diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pleurisy, tracheitis);
• ENT diseases (otitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis and others) and eye diseases (conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis and others);
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcer, cholecystitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, and others) and the genitourinary system (endometritis, pyelonephritis, endometriosis, cervicitis, prostatitis, and others);
• pathologies in the cardiovascular system (hypotension and hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis and others);
• diseases of the nervous system (neuritis, neuroses, migraines, paresis, paralysis, insomnia, intervertebral hernia, etc.);
• pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (fractures and dislocations, osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis, spondylosis, arthritis and others);
• diabetes mellitus;
• diseases of the skin (burns, psoriasis, bedsores, acne, seborrhea, scabies, etc.);
• in dentistry with caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis;
• for the treatment of postoperative scars or wounds.

At the same time, the appointment of electrophoresis does not occur in every case of the above diseases. Its use determines the patient’s condition, the absence of contraindications to the procedure, the ability to use drugs for treatment that can be introduced into the body using electrophoresis. It is also important to understand that the acute phases of diseases with electrophoresis are never treated.

This physiotherapy procedure, when prescribed, helps to reduce the inflammatory process in the body, relieves swelling, helps to reduce pain, and soothes. In addition, electrophoresis effectively relaxes the resulting hypertonicity in the muscles, increases the level of blood microcirculation in the patient’s body, regenerates tissues, stimulates the production of hormones, vitamins and immunity. Electrophoresis has a great effect on infants with various pathologies. Newborn children often suffer from conditions with increased muscle tone, neurological problems, pain syndromes in various diseases, problems in the musculoskeletal system, and diathesis. All of these can be effectively treated with electrophoresis.

As with any therapeutic technique, the electrophoresis procedure has absolute and relative contraindications. Absolute contraindications, that is, those in which the procedure can never be performed, include the complete intolerance of the body of a sick electric current, the acute phase of any disease, tuberculosis, low blood clotting, epilepsy, schizophrenia, cancerous tumors, menstruation, pustular rashes of various etiology, hepatitis, renal, cardiovascular and hepatic insufficiency, exacerbated venereal diseases, a pacemaker installed in a patient, impaired skin (its integrity) in places where gaskets should be attached in a particular case.

Among the relative contraindications for the electrophoresis procedure, doctors call the period of pregnancy, acute hypertension and children under 2 years of age.

In order to accurately determine whether it is possible to use such a physiotherapeutic procedure in each specific case, specialists must take into account the age of the patient, the presence of an exacerbation of chronic diseases, information about the tolerance of electric current, mental characteristics, stage and dynamics of the disease being treated at the moment.

During the electrophoresis procedure, side effects usually do not occur. However, the risk of an allergic reaction cannot be ruled out, which can be avoided by appropriate testing of the tolerance of the drugs used in electrophoresis the day before. Also, redness or irritation can cause too long exposure to electric current on the body at the point of contact between the gasket of the device and the skin.

Sources of