Such a combination is known for instance from DE-A- 41 14 677, DE-A-42 03 898 and WO-A-92/06736.

The plaster combination described in said publications is based on the insight that it is possible to treat particular medical problems by transmitting a weak direct current for a longer period of time.

In order to realize such a current through a position on the body for treating, two plasters with electrodes have to be placed on either side of the site for treating, which electrodes are connected by means of a wire, while a battery ensures that a current will flow through the wire, the electrodes and the skin.

In the known art the battery is of very specific and very thin type and therefore comparatively expensive. The batteries further have a very short lifespan. It could be contemplated to embody a battery such that it is only activated by for instance the breaking of a separating membrane or the like, whereby the chemically active elements of the battery make mutual galvanic contact.

Such a solution requires a complicated production which is difficult to control, while very high standards of packaging, transport, storage and the like must moreover be met, all of which have the effect of increasing cost.

The further drawback of these special batteries is that during a typical storage time of between for instance several weeks and several months a drying of the conductive mass (paste or gel) occurs such that the battery loses a substantial part of its electrical energy. In addition, the known batteries are susceptible to leakage problems, whereby the electrical electrodes in the battery are corroded substantially and the thus released salts can come into contact with the skin through leakage to the outside and can cause for instance allergy problems there.

The known structures are further embodied such that contact can occur with for instance a copper outer surface of an electrode, which, depending on the state of health of the patient, may be undesirable.

The known structure comprises a plaster in which an expensive battery is integrated. As a consequence of skin cells dying, a plaster will come loose after about 4 to 6 days and can no longer be used due to the adhering skin cells of the epidermis. The whole plaster with battery must then be discarded.

The invention has for its object to provide a solution for the indicated drawbacks of the known art. In this respect the invention provides a combination of the type stated in the preamble which is characterized by coupling means for releasable electrical coupling of both ends of the connecting wire to the respective electrodes.

A specific combination has the special feature that the coupling means comprise two identical coupling means.

It is hereby possible, in the case where the connecting wire with accessories comprises the battery, to reverse the current direction so that it can be determined whether this has a different or better medical effect.

Another embodiment has the special feature that the coupling means comprise two coupling elements having a grip which can be grasped manually. Removal of the coupling elements is greatly simplified hereby.

A very practical embodiment has the special feature that the coupling elements comprise press-studs. Press- studs are very simple and inexpensive elements which ensure an excellent electrical contact. It will otherwise be apparent that other coupling means can also be used, for instance clamp connections, magnetic connections, sliding connections and the like.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention the combination is embodied such that the two electrodes consist of the same material. The current direction in this case makes no difference to the amperage. Should it nevertheless be wished to intervene here, or to at least have the possibility of exerting a certain influence, use can then be made of an embodiment in which the two electrodes consist of different materials. Because the different materials occupy different positions in the electrochemical series, the voltage prevailing between them will be added to respectively subtracted from the battery voltage. An effective change in the amperage hereby takes place.

According to a particular embodiment the combination has the special feature that the electrodes consist of stainless steel, aluminium, copper or other suitable electrically conductive material.

Should it be desirable to slightly reduce the contact with the skin, use can then be made of a for instance perforated layer of adhesive material which is affixed to the electrode.

It is generally also noted that the effectiveness of the combination according to the invention depends to a relatively great extent on the effective surface area of the electrodes. Round electrodes with a diameter of about 22 mm have been found very suitable.

Because the medical activity of a combination according to the invention is greatly dependent on the effective amperage, the combination can be embodied in a preferred embodiment such that a current-limiting resistor is connected in series with the battery.

This latter embodiment can have the special feature that the resistor and the battery are dimensioned such that the current through the electrodes lies in the order of magnitude of 10-15 yA.

It will be apparent that the stated range indicates only an order of magnitude. The invention is not limited to this range. Good results have also been obtained with currents of for instance 5-25 yA.

In the embodiment with two grips which can be grasped manually and with a current-limiting resistor connected in series with the battery, the combination can have the special feature that the battery is accommodated in the one grip and the resistor in the other.

The available space is utilized very effectively with such an embodiment.

The invention is not limited to the application of only two adhesive plasters but also comprises the combination of more than two adhesive plasters, which are preferably served by one collective battery. It will be apparent that in this latter embodiment the coupling means have to be adapted for coupling of more than one electrode to the battery.

In a particular embodiment the combination has the special feature that the electrode is recessed, so that direct contact with the skin is prevented. In this case direct contact with a skin is avoided and each electrode can therefore be manufactured from suitable electrically conductive material without any medical problem.

Conduction takes place via perspiration and/or addition of a conductive gel or the like.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional and exploded view of a combination according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows in cross-section an adhesive plaster and a coupling element as according to fig. 1 in the assembled situation.

Fig. 1 shows a combination 1 of two plaster units 2,3 and a battery 4 for treating medical problems by galvanic means. The combination comprises: two adhesive plasters 34,35, each comprising an electrode 6,7 with flat outer surface 8,9 and adhesive tape 10,11 connected thereto for adhering to the skin of a patient. The adhesive tape can be embodied in any appropriate manner, for instance in the form of a carrier 12,13 with adhesive layer 14,15.

The combination further comprises an electrically conductive connecting wire with an insulating sheath (not drawn) for mutual coupling of electrodes 6,7, the battery 4 being connected in series with this wire 16 as will be described hereinbelow.

Combination 1 further comprises coupling means for releasable electrical coupling of both ends of connecting wire 16 to the respective electrodes 6,7.

As shown particularly clearly in fig. 1, the one end 17 of wire 16 is connected to the one pole of battery 4.

The other pole of the battery is connected to the one part 18 of a press-stud, while the other part 19 of the press-stud is connected in electrically conductive manner to electrode 6, for instance by means of an electrically conductive glue or in other suitable manner. As shown particularly clearly in fig. 2, press-stud 18,19 can in this way be assembled into a unit by moving the grip 20, consisting of base 21 and cover 22 and serving as housing, downward as according to arrow 23 for clamping coupling of press-stud parts 18,19. Electrical contact is hereby effected between the end 17 of wire 16 and electrode 6.

The other end 24 of wire 16 connects onto a resistor 25 which has a value of for instance 100-200 kOhm. The resistor is further connected to the one part 26 of a press-stud, the other part 27 of which forms part of plaster 35. The structure thereof does not have to be discussed since it is identical to that of plaster 34.

The current path is as follows: electrode 6, press-stud

part 19, press-stud part 18, battery 4, wire 16, resistor 25, press-stud part 26, press-stud part 27, electrode 7.

Owing to the adhesion of adhesive tape 10,11 to the skin a circuit still open on the side of electrode 6,7 is closed via the skin of the patient. In the case of a battery of 1.5 V and the stated resistance value, the amperage will lie in the order of magnitude of 10 yA.