Electrotherapy device and related method of control
The electrotherapy device addresses the need for specialized personnel by self-configuring to deliver prescribed energy levels based on patient impedance, ensuring effective and safe treatment delivery.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WINTECARE SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrotherapy devices require highly specialized personnel for effective operation, as manual adjustments by less skilled operators can lead to ineffective or harmful treatments due to incorrect voltage settings and session durations, which vary based on patient characteristics.
An electrotherapy device that self-configures based on patient-specific impedance measurements, allowing automatic adjustment of voltage and treatment duration to ensure the delivery of a prescribed energy amount within safety limits, guided by a medical prescription.
Ensures effective and safe treatment delivery regardless of operator expertise, by automatically adjusting energy parameters to meet the prescribed treatment goals within predetermined safety thresholds.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025082789_28052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] TITLE: Electrotherapy device and related method of control
[0002] Field of application
[0003] The present invention relates to an electrotherapy device and to a related method of controlling the device.
[0004] Prior art
[0005] An electrotherapy device is an electronic apparatus configured to generate voltage or current waveforms at a controllable frequency within the radiofrequency range.
[0006] The application of current to the human body by means of the electrotherapy device is aimed at producing a diathermic effect for therapeutic or non-therapeutic treatment. Essentially the current induces heat in a part of the human body to be treated, at varying depths; the transmission of the heat is transcutaneous and favours the movement of electric charges already present in the biological tissue.
[0007] From a structural point of view, the electrotherapy device comprises an electric generator, an active electrode and a neutral return electrode. During application, the active electrode is manually operated by an operator, making contact with the surface of the part of the body to be treated, while the neutral electrode, which is also in contact with the human body, but in a part different from that being treated, for example underneath the back, remains stationary on the patient so as to create an electric circuit.
[0008] The treatment is known to reactivate the natural reparative and antiinflammatory processes, without however using radiant energy or heating by means of contact. While in fact radiant energy or energy involving contact produces heat on the surface, electrotherapy treatment induces heat at depth, also at a certain distance from the area of contact between the active electrode and the zone to be treated, thus allowing the cellular metabolism to be improved, the microcapillary circulation to be reactivated and the oxygenation of the tissues which otherwise would be difficult to stimulate.
[0009] The electric power values used for operation of the electrotherapy device may be fairly high. Therefore, operation of the device is carefully controlled in order to ensure total safety, for example preventing the possibility of electrical discharges in the patient’s body, both those potentially caused by external factors and those caused by malfunctioning of the apparatus. Moreover, the voltages of the radiofrequency signal applied to the electrodes must not exceed predetermined values, in order to avoid the risk of triggering electric arcs which may damage the said electrodes.
[0010] Also known are control systems for an electrotherapy device which ensure total reliability of the apparatus. For example, a known control system of an electrotherapy device, comprising a power supplier, a generator of a radiofrequency electrical signal, a neutral electrode and an active electrode which are connected to the generator, is equipped with a software control module connected to the generator, for transmitting a command for enabling or disabling the electrical signal, and with a hardware detection and control circuit, for detecting an anomalous value of the electrical signal and transmitting a command for switching off the generator in the presence of an anomalous value.
[0011] Such systems are effective for safety control, i.e. when critical operating conditions arise, but do not perform any control in the case where the voltages of the radiofrequency signal applied to the electrodes lie within the predetermined safety values.
[0012] However, the application of voltages which lie within said predetermined values may result in undesirable effects for the patient, which may typically arise after various sessions.
[0013] In fact, the operator adjusts manually the electrotherapy device, setting the voltage of the radiofrequency signal, varying the voltage during the course of the session, while always respecting the safety limits, and also determining the application time, as well as the duration of the session, for example 30 minutes. The effectiveness or any side effects of the treatment depend therefore on the possible errors in manual adjustment performed by the operator.
[0014] For example, too long a treatment, in terms of an individual session or the number of sessions (i.e. too many sessions), or the repetition of sessions at close time intervals, or also voltage values which are too high during the single session or sessions performed close together, may result in an excessive stimulation of the treated part.
[0015] Conversely, too short a treatment, during an individual session or overall during a number of sessions, or an insufficient number of sessions (i.e. too long a pause between the sessions) or also voltage values which are too low, may be insufficient to trigger those positive cellular metabolism processes, reactivation of the microcapillary circulation and oxygenation of the tissues for which the electrotherapy treatment is intended.
[0016] This is not a minor issue, as it effectively limits the effectiveness of electrotherapy devices to those cases where operation is performed by highly specialised and trained personnel. For correct use, it is not only necessary to set correctly the application times and voltages, or determine the number of sessions, but also to consider the body type and specific characteristics of the patient. The transcutaneous transmission of heat may in fact favour the movement of electrical charges in the biological tissue by different amounts in two different persons or in two different body parts of the same person.
[0017] In practice, however, it is observed that the expert, for example an orthopaedic specialist, prescribes electrotherapy treatment and then delegates the application of the treatment to an operator in terms of the duration of each session, the number of sessions, or the voltages applied during the session(s), even though that operator does not have the same level of expertise.
[0018] The technical problem forming the basis of the present invention is that of devising an electrotherapy device which allows the treatment to be applied effectively in the absence of highly qualified personnel, overcoming all the drawbacks mentioned above.
[0019] Summary of the invention
[0020] The idea behind the present invention is to develop an electrotherapy device which controls the energy supplied in relation to a medical prescription, preventing an excessive application of energy while helping the operator to apply an amount of energy sufficient to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
[0021] Based on this idea of a solution, the Applicant has developed an electrotherapy device which is self-configuring as regards at least one parameter acquired even before the start of the actual treatment. The parameter is provided by an expert, for example an orthopaedic specialist, for example in the form of a medical prescription.
[0022] The electrotherapy device is self-regulating depending on the characteristics of the patient on which the treatment is to be carried out. The automatic adjustment is performed based on the specific characteristics of the part of the patient’s body on which the treatment is to be carried out.
[0023] Advantageously, the expert prescribes the treatment expressed in terms of the amount of energy to be supplied. This value is input into the electrotherapy device manually by an operator, before the actual treatment starts.
[0024] In particular, before the start of the actual electrotherapy treatment, during an initial automatic configuration stage, the device calculates the impedance detected on the electric circuit formed by the placing of the electrodes on the patient, with a predetermined voltage of the signal. For this purpose, the predetermined voltage is substantially negligible, for example 5 V, also referred to as “probe voltage”.
[0025] The probe voltage is not intended for the treatment, but only for determining the impedance. In other words, during this stage of operation of the device, the actual treatment is not yet in progress and the probe voltage has the aim merely of determining the impedance of the specific body part to be treated on the body of a particular patient.
[0026] It is only after determining the impedance that the operator, optionally, may perform voltage adjustments.
[0027] The device stores a predefined maximum duration for the treatment, for example of 25 minutes. The predefined maximum duration may be different, for example 30 minutes, or alternatively may be configured via the user interface. The maximum duration represents also the recommended duration of the treatment.
[0028] The - as mentioned optional - activity of the operator consists in varying the voltage, starting from the predetermined voltage (e.g. 5 V). The voltage may be varied by the operator, but only to a limited extent. An increase in the voltage, in fact, results in an increase in the strength of the current supplied by the electrotherapy device, and the device is configured to prevent the supplying of a current with a strength higher than a predetermined value, also referred to as the threshold current strength, for example 0.25 Amps. To summarize, therefore, the device stores a predetermined voltage value (e.g. 5 V), or probe voltage, a limit value for the current strength (e.g. 0.25 Amps), or threshold current strength, and a maximum treatment time (e.g. 25 minutes). During an initial or configuration stage regarding the patient and the part to be treated, the impedance is determined without the operator being able yet to perform any manual adjustment of the treatment voltage. Once the impedance is known, the operator then has the option of manually setting the actual treatment voltage, within the limits allowed by the maximum strength value of the deliverable current. Based on the voltage set by the operator, the device calculates the duration of the session: the greater (or lesser) the voltage set by the operator, the shorter (or longer) will be the duration of the session. The operator may in particular adjust the treatment voltage so that the duration corresponds to or is approximately equal to the maximum (recommended) duration, or so that it is less than the maximum duration.
[0029] Advantageously it has been found that the treatment of a problem diagnosed by an orthopaedic expert, for example following an ultrasound or X-ray examination, can be expressed in terms of the amount of energy to be administered for electrotherapy treatment. Knowing the energy and knowing the maximum application time (e.g. 25 minutes), the electrotherapy device according to this disclosure is able to suggest to the operator how long to continue the treatment for, based on the voltage set by the operator, taking into account that the effectiveness of the treatment is achieved by administering the energy prescribed by the expert.
[0030] In one embodiment, the expert preferably indicates the amount of energy to be supplied for each session and also the maximum duration of each session. In this case, both the values are acquired as input by the electrotherapy device. The electrotherapy device may therefore be configured to acquire also the maximum duration as an input parameter. In other words, the maximum duration can be configured. For safety purposes, however, it is envisaged interrupting the treatment when a predetermined maximum suggested energy value is reached; the device may be configured to calculate the energy supplied during the course of treatment and to interrupt the treatment if the overall energy supplied is greater than the maximum energy suggested. In a further preferred embodiment, the expert also indicates the number of sessions.
[0031] Based on the proposed solution explained above, the technical problem is solved by an electrotherapy device according to Claim 1.
[0032] The technical problem is also solved by an electrotherapy treatment method according to Claim 9.
[0033] Further characteristic features and advantages of the electrotherapy device and method according to the present invention will become clear from the description hereinbelow, provided purely by way of a nonlimiting example.
[0034] Detailed description of the invention
[0035] Below an electrotherapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, said device comprising a power supplier, a radiofrequency electrical signal generator connected to the power supplier, a neutral electrode and an active electrode which are connected to the generator, and a control module connected to the generator in order to transmit a command for adjusting the electrical signal. The control module comprises a current sensor and a voltage sensor.
[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram which shows in schematic form the components of the device according to a non-limiting embodiment. For example the following are envisaged: a cooling fan 1, an electric power supply connector 2 (plug), a loudspeaker 3, a power supplier 4, wiring 5, the electrical signal generator 6, a display 8, an encoder 9, a knob 11 for adjusting the voltage and switching the device on / off, and a keyboard 12, these being all connected together as schematically shown in Figure 1. Said components are entirely illustrative and non-limiting both in terms of connections between the components shown and the number of components.
[0037] Figure 2 shows, again schematically, the connection of the neutral return electrode 13, a handset 14 (or active electrode) and a USB port 15.
[0038] The device comprises furthermore a memory (not shown) which stores a maximum treatment time D and an interface for acquiring a value representing the energy Eg to be supplied for the treatment. The acquisition interface is for example realized in the form of the knob 11.
[0039] The amount of energy Eg is specified, preferably, by means of a medical prescription. The operator of the electrotherapy device inserts the energy value Rg via the acquisition interface. Once the energy value Rg has been defined and electrodes placed on the part of the body to be treated, the control module determines the impedance. In order to determine the impedance, the control module is configured to set the electrical signal to a predetermined voltage value V and to detect the current I and the impedance Z of the electric circuit formed following the placing of the neutral electrode and the active electrode on a patient with the generator which supplies said electrical signal at the predetermined voltage value V. These steps are illustrated by means of the first three logic blocks in Figure 3 (from the top downwards).
[0040] Following detection of the impedance 1, the device is ready to receive a voltage value Vp, input by the operator, in order to start the actual treatment. Essentially, the operator may increase the voltage starting from the predetermined voltage V, the latter in fact being a negligible voltage value (too low) for the actual electrotherapy treatment. Depending on the voltage value Vp manually entered by the operator, for example by means of the adjustment knob, the device adjusts the setting of the electrical signal to the treatment voltage value Vp. The latter value (V) is greater than the predetermined voltage value V.
[0041] The device is furthermore configured to calculate a duration of the treatment Dp so that the energy Rg prescribed by the doctor is applied by means of the electrical signal at the treatment voltage value Vp set by the operator. These steps are represented by the three bottom blocks in Figure 3. The treatment is in any case interrupted once the maximum treatment time D is reached.
[0042] A concrete example of use is shown in Figure 4.
[0043] In this example 20 kJ is the energy value Eg prescribed by the doctor and input into the device by the operator.
[0044] 5V is the probe voltage.
[0045] 650 Ohm is the impedance measured on the part of the patient’s body, for example on the ankle of an athlete, when the handset is placed in contact with the ankle and the passive electrode is for example situated on the patient’s back, so as to form an electric circuit. Said impedance is detected with the application of the probe voltage.
[0046] 100 V is the treatment voltage set subsequently by the operator, i.e. after the initial configuration step which determined the impedance. 0.16 Amps is the current strength measured by the device and corresponding to the voltage of 100 V.
[0047] 23 minutes is the time calculated by the device for supplying the energy Eg of 20 kJ onto the patient’s ankle. During the calculation of the time, the voltage of 100 V set by the operator and the impedance of the patient, as well as the energy Eg, are taken into account.
[0048] In this example illustrated in Fig. 4, the treatment starts and terminates with the same voltage of 100 V. In other words, the operator does not vary the voltage during the course of the treatment.
[0049] More particularly, in this example, the electrotherapy device is configured to receive at its input the treatment voltage value Vp ( 100 V) inserted manually by the operator via the acquisition interface.
[0050] In the example shown in Figure 5 it can be seen how the treatment time would have been less if, for the same heel of the same patient, the operator had set a voltage value of 160 V (and therefore a current of 0.25 Amps), without variations during the entire treatment.
[0051] In the example shown in Figure 6, on the other hand, it can be seen how the electrotherapy device is able to accept a modification, during treatment, of the treatment voltage value Vp (100 Vp) entered initially by the user, to a second treatment voltage value Vp2 (160 V).
[0052] In this embodiment, the control module is configured to calculate the energy Egp already supplied with the treatment voltage value Vp (100 V) and the energy which is yet to be supplied Egp2 (Eg-Egp) at the second treatment voltage value Vp2 (160 V), so that the energy Eg (20 kJ) prescribed by the doctor is fully applied. The control module also calculates the remaining treatment time at the second treatment voltage value Vp2 (160 V).
[0053] In this case, for example, the operator applies the quantity of energy Egp for 4 minutes at a voltage of 100 V and the remaining energy Eg- Egp needed to reach the prescribed value Eg at a voltage of 160 V, for a further 7.5 minutes (the values given here are only approximate).
[0054] The voltage adjustment indicated in Figure 6 is performed only once (from 100 V to 160 V), but it is possible for the voltage to be varied several times, as schematically indicated in Figure 3. In fact, the device allows, during treatment, a plurality n of variations of the treatment voltage value Vp (100 V) entered initially by the operator to n treatment voltage values Vp3, ..., Vpn (e.g. 160 V, 130 V, 110 V, etc.). The values are set one at a time.
[0055] In this case, the control module is configured to calculate the energy Eg3, ....Egn- 1 already supplied with n- 1 (e.g. 160 V, 130 V) treatment voltage values Vp3, ...Vpn- 1, each maintained for a certain duration. The control module is also configured to calculate the energy which is yet to be applied Egn=Eg-Eg2-Eg3-... -Egn- 1 at the n-th treatment voltage value Vpn (e.g. 110 V) and the remaining time of the treatment at the nth treatment voltage value Vpn (110 V) so that the energy Eg prescribed by the doctor is fully applied.
[0056] In a variation of embodiment, the treatment voltage value Vp is calculated automatically by the control module so that the duration of the treatment is equivalent to the maximum treatment time D, which, as mentioned above, is also a recommended time. With reference, for example, to the block diagram in Figure 3, this means that the treatment voltage value 100 V would not be set manually by the operator, but would instead be a value set automatically by the control module so as to complete the supplying of the prescribed energy Eg exactly within the maximum treatment time D. In the case in question (20 kJ) the voltage calculated by the control module could be 103 V in order to complete the treatment in D=25 minutes.
[0057] Limits for treatment voltage values Vp which can be set by the user are also envisaged; these values do not exceed a threshold voltage value. In particular, a threshold value is also envisaged for the current strength which can be applied by means of the electrodes, for example 0.25 Amps, and this threshold voltage value is determined depending on the impedance and the threshold value of the current strength. From a hardware point of view, preferably, the control module according to the present invention is integrated in a microchip of the device.
[0058] The aforementioned technical problem is also solved by a method of controlling the electrotherapy device comprising a power supplier, a radiofrequency electrical signal generator connected to the power supplier, a neutral electrode and an active electrode which are connected to the generator, and a control module connected to the generator in order to transmit a command for adjusting the electrical signal, comprising a current sensor and a voltage sensor.
[0059] The method comprises the following main steps:
[0060] - acquiring, via an acquisition interface, a value representing the energy (Eg) to be supplied for an electrotherapy treatment;
[0061] - setting, via a control module, the electrical signal to a predetermined voltage value (V) and detecting the current (I) and the impedance (Z) of the electric circuit formed following the placing of the neutral electrode and the active electrode on a patient while the generator is supplying said electrical signal at the predetermined voltage value (V);
[0062] - varying, by means of the control module, the setting of the electrical signal to a treatment voltage value (Vp), greater than the predetermined voltage value (V), and calculating a duration of the treatment (Dp) so that the energy (Eg) is applied by means of the electrical signal at the treatment voltage value (Vp) .
[0063] - interrupting the treatment in the event that the duration of the treatment is equal to the maximum treatment time (D).
[0064] Advantageously the device according to the present invention may be set based on a medical prescription. Furthermore, advantageously, the operator may adjust a treatment voltage, without however exceeding the limits of the medical prescription. Furthermore, the operator is alerted should the treatment voltage set be insufficient to complete the treatment (i.e. supply the prescribed energy) within a maximum treatment time. In such a case, the operator may vary the strength, increasing it and therefore reducing the remaining treatment time. Conversely, treatment times which are too short are advantageously signalled, for example when the treatment time (9 minutes) for application of the prescribed energy (20 kJ) at the voltage set by the operator is significantly shorter than the maximum time (25 minutes), which also constitutes a recommended time. In this case, the operator may reduce the voltage so as to extend the overall time (for example to 18 minutes instead of 25), so that it is close to the recommended time.
[0065] For example, purely by way of example, the energy to be supplied in order to cure a given contracted muscle condition is:
[0066] Eg = n kJ
[0067] The control module is configured to transmit a command for initial adjustment of the electrical signal to a probe voltage value V (5 V) and to detect the current I and the impedance Z of the electric circuit.
[0068] The electric circuit is formed with the placing of the neutral electrode and the active electrode on the patient, for example with the neutral electrode making contact with the back of the patient lying in a supine position and with the active electrode in contact with a part to be treated, for example the patient’s thigh. The generator supplies initially the electrical signal at the threshold voltage value V.
[0069] The control module is furthermore configured to transmit a command for adjusting the electrical signal to a final voltage value Vp and current value Id for the treatment.
[0070] These values are those which are suitable for effective treatment of the patient and for supplying the prescribed energy Eg. The voltage value Vp may be manually set by the user or calculated by the control module.
[0071] Thus, to summarise in broad terms:
[0072] Initially, i.e. as soon as the electrodes are placed in contact with the patient and the electrotherapy device is activated, the generator supplies the electrical signal with the preset voltage V. The preset voltage V is a safe voltage, i.e. such as not to cause any injury to the patient, being much lower than any threshold voltages of the electrotherapy device. The current strength I depends, among other things, on the impedance of the patient’s body and in particular of the treated part of the patient’s body, for example the thigh. The current sensor of the device detects the current I, i.e. the current strength when the electrical signal of the generator has the preset voltage V. The initial impedance X is therefore calculated as
[0073] Z = V / I
[0074] In one embodiment, in addition to the energy to be supplied (Eg = n kJ), the specialist could also indicate a time T for duration of the treatment, for example as follows:
[0075] T = 25 minutes (or other values)
[0076] Based on this information, the control module may calculate the treatment voltage Vp and the definitive treatment current Id to be supplied during the treatment, for example using the formulae (1) and (2) below:
[0077] (1) Vp * Id * T = Eg
[0078] (2) Vp / Id = Z , and where
[0079] Z is the impedance of the circuit formed with the placing of the two electrodes on the body of the patient being treated. In one embodiment, the specialist could indicate only the energy (Eg = n Joules) for one session, i.e. without indicating the duration T. In this case, the duration is set automatically by the control module to a default duration time (25 minutes). The default duration is stored in the memory of the electrotherapy device.
[0080] The expert may indicate only the energy (Eg = N Joules) for several sessions, i.e. without indicating either the duration T of each session or the number m of sessions. In this case, the duration of each session may still be set automatically by the control module to a default duration, as indicated above (Tdetauit = 25 minutes).
[0081] Furthermore, the control module may be set so that the energy supply value does not exceed a predefined threshold EgThreshoid. The predefined threshold value EgThreshoid may be stored in the memory of the device.
[0082] The formula (1) may therefore be rewritten as follows:
[0083] (1’) Vp * Id * T = EgThreshoid, in order to determine the values of Vp and Id (together with the formula (2).
[0084] 1 : Fan
[0085] 2 : Plug
[0086] 3 : Loudspeaker
[0087] 4 : Power supplier
[0088] 5 : Cable Connection
[0089] 6 : Generator : Backplane : Display : Encoder
[0090] 10 : Keyboard Bypass 11 : ON-OFF / adjustment knob
[0091] 12 : Keyboard
[0092] 13 : Neutral return electrode
[0093] 14 : Intelligent handset
[0094] 15 : USB port
Claims
CLAIMS1. Electrotherapy device comprising:- a power supplier,- a radiofrequency electrical signal generator connected to the power supplier,- a neutral electrode and an active electrode connected to the generator,- a control module connected to the generator in order to transmit a command for adjusting the electrical signal, said control module comprising a current sensor and a voltage sensor, characterized in that it comprises:- a memory which stores a maximum treatment time (D),- an acquisition interface for acquiring a value representing the energy (Eg) to be supplied for the treatment, and in that the control unit is configured to:- set the electrical signal to a predetermined voltage value (V) and detect the current (I) and the impedance (Z) of the electric circuit formed following placing of the neutral electrode and the active electrode on a patient with the generator which supplies said electrical signal at the predetermined voltage value (V);- vary the setting of the electrical signal to a treatment voltage value (Vp) greater than the predetermined voltage value (V);- calculate a duration of the treatment (Dp) so that said energy (Eg) is applied by means of the electrical signal at the treatment voltage value (Vp);- interrupt the treatment in the event that the duration of the treatment (Dp) is equal to the maximum treatment time (D).
2. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control module is configured to receive at its input the treatment voltage value (Vp) entered manually by an operator via the acquisition interface.
3. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 2, characterized in that said acquisition interface allows modification, during the course of treatment, of said treatment voltage value (Vp) entered by the user to a second treatment voltage value (Vp2) and the control module is configured to calculate the energy (Egp) already supplied with the treatment voltage value (Vp), the energy yet to be applied (Egp2=Eg-Egp) at the second treatment voltage value (Vp2) so that said energy (Eg) is fully applied, and to calculate the remaining treatment time at the second treatment voltage value (Vp2).
4. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 3, characterized in that said acquisition interface allows, during the course of treatment, a plurality n of modifications of said treatment voltage value (Vp) entered by the user at, respectively, n treatment voltage values (Vp3, ..., Vpn) and the control module is configured to calculate the energy (Eg3, ...Egnl) already supplied with n- 1 treatment voltage values (Vp3, ...Vpn- 1), the energy yet to be applied (Egn=Eg-Eg2-Eg3-...-Egn- l) at the n-th treatment voltage value (Vpn) and the remaining treatment time at the n-th treatment voltage value (Vpn) so that said energy (Eg) is fully applied.
5. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the treatment voltage value (Vp) is calculated automatically by the control module so that the duration of the treatment is equal to the maximum treatment time (D).
6. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said treatment voltage (Vp) is limited by a threshold value.
7. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 6, characterized in that said memory stores a threshold value of the current strength which can be applied and said threshold voltage value is determined depending on said impedance and said threshold value of the current strength.
8. Electrotherapy device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said control module is integrated in a microchip of the device.
9. Method of controlling an electrotherapy device comprising a power supplier, a radiofrequency electrical signal generator connected to the power supplier, a neutral electrode and an active electrode which are connected to the generator, and a control module connected to the generator in order to transmit a command for adjusting the electrical signal, comprising a current sensor and a voltage sensor. characterized by- acquiring, via an acquisition interface, a value representing the energy (Eg) to be supplied for an electrotherapy treatment,- setting, via a control module, the electrical signal to a predetermined voltage value (V) and detecting the current (I) and the impedance (Z) of the electric circuit formed following placing of the neutral electrode and the active electrode on a patient while the generator is supplying said electrical signal at the predetermined voltage value (V);- varying, by means of the control module, the setting of the electrical signal to a treatment voltage value (Vp) greater than the predetermined voltage value (V) and calculating a duration of the treatment (Dp) so that the energy (Eg) is applied by means of the electrical signal at the treatment voltage value (Vp);- interrupting the treatment in the event that the duration of the treatment is equal to the maximum treatment time (D).