Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: Homemade Iontophoresis device
Hi,
I've spent a considerable amount of time on these and similar forums over the past few weeks looking at options for my extreme palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis. I'd also hoped for an alternative to dropping $700 on Fischer's Md-1a since my insurance company isn't interested in helping out. So, after looking at the features of several popular models I decided that I might be able to build one myself. After doing an experiment with some batteries and wiring to test the principle I decided to move forward on a reusable table-top model. I'm now happy to report that despite a few bugs and tweaks that I have left, the device is functional. Due to the nature of having someone stick their hand into current supplied by a machine that they built, I'm rather wary of posting the how-to instructions. But, I thought I should at least throw the offer out there to see if there was a strong enough response. If nothing else, I may post a battery powered option as opposed to my plug-in model.
Ultimately, you can construct it without special skills or tools, using electronic parts available at Radioshack and certain online sites (less expensive) for less than $75 dollars. It has an on/off switch, led status light, deep and large treatment baths, current output display, and a current adjustment knob. Presently, I'm having a problem with switching the polarity but that can be accomplished manually via the trays anyway.
I guess that I don't see any risk for personal use. The $700-$1000 devices all simply deliver DC current through stainless or aluminum plates in tapwater. Since there's nothing special going on there, why pay a premium? I realize that licensing and getting approval on such a device is part of why their prices are so high, but look at Drionic, which is available for much less money, and underwent the same legal processes. It would be more prevalent if they had paid any attention to design.
Just wanted to post a progress report. I finished the device and followed a regimen I'd seen posted during the latter weeks of December; something like treatments on Days 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, 22. I treated my hands at 10mA for 10 minutes and then another 10 at reversed polarity. By Day 16, my hands were completely dry, and this is coming from someone who had a serious daily problem with hyperhidrosis. I waited to see how long it would take for the symptoms to return instead of treating again one week later. Well, one day after the 1 week point the symptoms began to trickle back in. I'd actually almost forgot about monitoring the condition for that week because it no longer affected my life. After seeing the symptoms return I treated that night and will hit it a few more times to get back to the weekly efficacy rate. Good luck to eveyone else, this seems to be working!
Last edited by steel36 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:37 pm; edited 1 time in total
Hi, I am from Singapore. Have posted a few enquiries on purchase of Ionto machine which not available here in Singapore. So far no luck.
After reading all these posts in the various forums, it seems to me that constructing one yourself is possible. I am keen to share my product and would greatly appreciate any contribution.
Other than the 2 plastic trays, I will use 2 stainless steel plate as the electrode or conductors for the base. The cable/wire to link to the 2 stainless steel plate can be attached to 2 standard clips from the power source.
The key component of this device is the power source. I will use a battery holder that has 2 connection wires. I intend to use a 12 volt battery holder. The red output wire will be connected in series with a LED light and then a variable resistor before connecting to 1 of the stainless plate. The black directly to the other stainless steel plate. The batteries can be AA rechargeable type. (battery is preferred due to safety although we can also use an adaptor to step down from 240 or 120 volt AC)
Assuming the resistance of our body submerge in water is 1 Kohm, the current deliver by the 12 volt battery will be 12 mAmps max. With the variable resistor, we can reduce the current to the plates to between 4 to 12 mAmps.
To further protect our skin from direct contact with the stainless steel plates, we can add 2 pieces of plastic sheet above the plates.
Hi etsveteran, the site you pointed out is how you can modify the Drionic machine from DC to AC. I read somewhere they now come in AC already?
Back to home-made machine. The key factor is the votage to apply. I tested 24 volt dc at 300 mA, no effect. The Drionic works on 9 volts. Surely the circuit board may have amplified the voltage somewhat.
I am now trying out using a standard electronic pluse massage machine to generate the current into 2 trays. The machine operates using 2 numbers of 1.5 volts AAA batteries. Therefore, the total voltage is only 3 volts. If you have used such a machine before, you wil know the effect when you adjust the intensity to max. This shows that the circuit board inside the machine does amplified the voltage somewhat.
I have tried using 24 volt adaptor and it works. Now I am trying out to see if iontophoresis can cure my HH. Frankly, this is about passing current through you body through you palms. Whatever machine out there, I guess it is just the amount of current.
Hope I am right and should I have any result, I will share here.
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