Electrode for non-invasive allergy testing

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electrode for performing a plurality of allergy tests on a patient undergoing tests. The allergy electrode consists of a plurality of individual testing electrodes and a single common electrode. Each of the testing electrodes includes allergen delivery apparatus and a temperature sensor. The allergen is contained in a removable allergen impregnated pad. If a dry allergen is used, it may be hydrolized with a drop of distilled water prior to application. A small electric charge charges a charge plate on one side of the allergen pad and a common ring on the electrodes is grounded in circuit with the charging plate, thereby causing electric field to transfer the allergen through the pores of the skin. The area surrounding the allergen delivery area is sensed for temperature by a thin film temperature sensor and a rigid temperature conducted base. A thermistor or other temperature to voltage transducer converts the sensed temperature to an electric voltage which is applied through appropriate differential amplifiers and multiplexer to an analog to digital converter. The digital data is then stored by a microprocessor in random access memory. An output device can be connected to receive the stored data and the time at which it was stored so as to manifest to the physician the change in temperature of the tested area with respect to time.