RU2496532C2 - Method for generating magnetotherapeutic exposure and device for implementing it - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medical equipment, namely to agents for integrated magnetotherapy. The method consists in placing along the patient's body, above and below it, two layers of identical units in the form of electromagnetic filed generators, supplying electric signals of adjustable frequency and porosity thereto through control units from a control computer. Each electromagnetic field generator consists of a three-component inductor, which together with bridge current drivers, a local control device in the form of a microcontroller, and with the connected circuits of thermometers and current and magnetic field intensity probes, represents a unit cell being a part of one of the twelve unit cell matrixes with the personal address. The control computer selects the driving unit cell among the identical unit cells to generate a clock signal for the driven unit cells. There are formed three signal sets each of which comprises a impulse ratio modulation signal and a polarity signal to provide the individual exposure to magnetic field from the unit cells. The device implements the method for generating the magnetotherapeutic exposure and generating the common magnetotherapeutic medium.

EFFECT: using the invention enables enhancing the ability of generating the exposure ensured by generating the vector-controlled magnetic field.

7 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of medical equipment and can be used to create diagnostic and treatment systems of a new generation of complex magnetotherapy, intended for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

A known method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect, implemented in the device [1]. This method is based on the creation in a magnetic system of three concentric inductor coils located mutually perpendicular to form a sphere whose internal volume is working. The magnetic field in such a system is able to vary in value of intensity and direction in space over time. However, in the specified method, the effect is made on a limited part of the human body, and the requirement must also be met that the exposed part of the limb be completely in the working volume of the chamber of a spherical shape and of limited size, which does not allow for the effect on some local areas on the surface of the human body.

A known method of forming magnetotherapy effects implemented in the device [2]. This method involves the formation of a magnetotherapeutic effect using three oriented sources of magnetic field, the axes of which are mutually perpendicular, and the working area is outside the inner space of the emitter windings. The formation of two magnetic fields in such a three-dimensional radiator is carried out by electromagnetic inductors, the lengths of which exceed the diameter of their windings, and the formation of the third magnetic field is wound around their circumference with a round coil whose diameter exceeds its length. The axis of the inductors-electromagnets is set parallel to the plane of the circle of the coil. Such a system allows you to control the rotation of the total vector of the magnetic induction of the field in three-dimensional space and, as a result, to form a complex spatio-temporal field. However, this system is focused on the formation of local effects on a small part of the human body.

The above methods are characterized by the fact that the magnetic field in them can affect only local areas, including individual biologically active points of a biological object, but it does not allow a complex effect on the whole body system (e.g., circulatory) or the whole body.

A known method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect [3, 4], based on the principle of forming a common magnetotherapeutic environment by supplying electrical signals to n inductors located around the entire patient. This method uses the same radiating elements formed as sections of inductors in the form of belts for various parts of the patient’s body and placed on the common base of the couch parallel to each other. Moreover, each of the inductors allows providing only two directions of the magnetic field induction vector. Along with this, this device excludes the organization of specialized local effects on the focus of the disease.

A known method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect, implemented in the device [5] and which consists in supplying N inductors located on the patient from a single unit for generating pulse sequences of electrical signals of adjustable frequency, duty cycle and amplitude for a given period of time. However, a single unit for generating electrical signals makes the number of connection lines and the complexity of organizing the unit itself dependent on the required number of inductors, and it is known [6] that the higher the spatiotemporal inhomogeneity of the magnetic field, the higher its biological activity.

A known method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect on the basis of an annular magnetic circuit of 2m segments, implemented in the device [7]. An m-phase winding connected to a controlled power source is located on the magnetic circuit. The controlled power supply includes signal generators and a control system, outputs connected to the inputs of the generators, and each phase winding consists of two series-connected coils located on diametrically located segments of each inductor and connected to the output of the corresponding signal generator. In this case, the control system performs programming of the amplitude, frequency and phase shift of each signal generator. However, this system allows one to obtain fields of different configurations only along the axis of the treatment chamber and has a small number of inductors, which reduces the spatio-temporal inhomogeneity of the magnetic field in comparison with systems with a large number of inductors.

The closest are the method and device for the formation of magnetotherapy effects [8] and [5], which involve the use of n identical inductors-electromagnets located throughout the patient to form a common magnetotherapeutic environment. At the same time, electric signals are applied to the inductors in the form of binary pulse sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a given period of time. The method and device also implements the ability to control the parameters of the generated magnetic field depending on the individual and conscious sensations of the patient. A significant drawback of the data of the method and device is the possibility of each inductor creating only two directions of the magnetic field induction vector, as well as the lack of the ability to independently control each inductor. As a result, there are no opportunities to create local highly specialized impacts, and also the inability to organize combinations of techniques that combine a common effect on the body and areas of specialized local impact.

The technical result of the invention as a method is to expand the functionality and increase the efficiency of the formation of signals of magnetotherapy effects.

The technical result is achieved by the fact that for the formation of a magnetotherapeutic effect, two modules are placed throughout the patient’s body, above and below it, identical modules in the form of electromagnetic field shapers, they are supplied with electrical signals in the form of binary sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a given period of time through appropriate control devices from the host computer, and each shaper of the electromagnetic field includes a three-component inductor, which together with bridge current drivers, a local control device in the form of a microcontroller, and connected to it circuits of a temperature measuring sensor and sensors of current level and magnetic field strength, forms a cell module, which is part of one of the twelve matrixes of cell modules, equipped with a personal address, and the control computer selects a leading module cell from identical module cells to generate a synchronization signal through which control signals are transmitted to the slave module cells, and three n boron signals, each of which includes a pulse width modulation signal and the polarity to provide individualized feedback magnetic field from the slave cell modules. In addition, information on its spatial location is included in the personal address of the cell module, and the cell module is provided with temperature sensor and current level and magnetic field sensor circuits, while information about overheating or shorting is used by the local control device to correct the data generated on the cell -module of the magnetic field and the transmission of information to a computer for comparison with predetermined parameters and correction.

The technical result of the invention as a device is to expand the functionality and increase the efficiency of the formation of signals of magnetotherapy effects.

The technical result is achieved by the fact that the device for forming a magnetotherapeutic effect contains identical modules, including electromagnetic field shapers connected via appropriate control devices, configured to supply electric signals in the form of binary sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a given period of time to the control COMPUTER. Each electromagnetic field driver includes a three-component inductor connected via a bridge current driver to a local control device, while the electromagnetic field driver, bridge current driver, a local control device in the form of a microcontroller, and connected to it are a temperature sensor and sensors for current level and magnetic intensity the fields form a module cell, which is part of one of the twelve matrices of module cells, while the module cells are connected to the control bus The main computer through the interrupt request line and the synchronization line is equipped with a personal address, and the control computer is configured to form a leading module cell from identical module cells to generate a synchronization signal through which data is transmitted to the slave module cells. In addition, twelve matrixes of module cells include two identical sets of six matrixes of module cells: for affecting the patient’s head, for affecting the patient’s torso, and four matrices for affecting each arm and leg, and the output of each of the three bridge current cell drivers - the module is connected through an appropriate current-measuring resistor to one of the inputs of the ADC integrated into the microcontroller.

Figure 1 presents a system that forms a magnetotherapy effect and implements this method. Figure 2 presents the method of spatial distribution of module cells. Figure 3 presents the device of one of the identical cell modules of the system, forming a magnetotherapy effect according to the proposed method. Figure 4, for example, a group of three emitters, presents the principle of superposition of the magnetic fields created by them.

The structure of the computer-controlled system 1 includes: 2 - the leading cell module and 3.l, ... 3.i, ... 3.m - slave cell modules, the entire combination of which forms a magnetotherapy lattice 4.

The proposed system 4 is controlled by a computer 1 via a standard interface 9 by interacting with one of the module cells 2 of the system, allocated by the computer as the master. Cell module 2 is also connected via a specialized internal interface 8 with all other cell modules of the system, which are slaves 3.l, ... 3.i, ... 3.m. Specialized interface 8 contains a bus 5, a synchronization line 6, and a common interrupt request line 7 for all module cells (Fig. 1).

для воздействия на голову пациента, 2 матрицы размером 2N×М для воздействия на туловище пациента, и по 2 матрицы размером N×М для воздействия на каждую руку и ногу или содержит

идентичных ячеек-модулей (фиг.2).Spatially, the module cells are placed throughout the patient’s body in two layers, above and below it, and 12 matrices are assembled from the module cells so that the same sets of 6 matrices are formed in the layer above and below the patient for each of the layers. Thus, the magnetotherapy grid 4 of the system includes: 2 matrices of size

for exposure to the patient’s head, 2 matrices of 2N × M size for impacting the patient’s body, and 2 matrices of size N × M for impacting each arm and leg or contains

identical cell modules (figure 2).

Each cell module includes: 10, 11 - means of integration into the system; 12 - local control device in the form of a microcontroller; 13, 14, 15 - bridge current drivers; 21 - shaper of the electromagnetic field in the form of a three-component inductor; 16 is a diagram of a temperature measuring sensor; 17 is a circuit for measuring magnetic field strength in the form of a three-component Hall sensor and 18, 19, 20 are current level sensors in the form of current-measuring resistors (Fig. 3).

In the proposed cell modules 2,3.l, ..., 3.m, the local control device 12 is connected to a set of bridge current drivers 13, 14, 15, each of which is connected to the corresponding winding L ₁ , L ₂ , L _{3 of a} three-component inductor - the shaper of the electromagnetic magnetic field 21 and the current level measuring sensors based on resistors 18, 19, 20.

At the same time, a temperature measurement circuit 16, a circuit for measuring the magnetic field strength 17, means for integration into the system 10 of the magnetotherapy grating 4 and integration means 11 for interacting with the host computer 1 are connected to the local control device 12.

The essence of the method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect is as follows. Throughout the patient’s body, two identical layers of modules in the form of electromagnetic field shapers are placed in two layers above and below it, each of which includes: a three-component inductor, a bridge current driver, a local control device - a microcontroller and circuits with sensors for measuring temperature, level currents and magnetic field strength.

Twelve matrices are formed from all module cells and, using a control computer, the leading module cell is generated at the assigned personal addresses, which generates a synchronization signal. Electrical signals are supplied from the host computer through the master cell module to the slave cell modules in the form of binary sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a given period of time. All informational parameters of the magnetic field are set in the form of three sets of signals, consisting of pulse-width modulation signals and polarity signals, which are distributed by the control computer between all the module cells in accordance with their spatial arrangement and represent their individual data of the magnetotherapeutic effect.

The control of the correct functioning of the module cells and their permissible parameter values is provided by the local control device and sensors for measuring temperature, current level and magnetic field strength. In this case, information about overheating or shorting of the inductors is used by the local control device to correct the magnetic field generated in the cell module and transmit information to the computer for comparison with predetermined parameters and the general correction of the magnetotherapeutic effect.

Each shaper of the electromagnetic field contains three electromagnet inductors, one of which is made in the form of an annular winding, and the other two are located inside and in the plane of the first and are oriented mutually orthogonally.

Using the example of three such inductors, we consider the magnetic field formed by them (Fig. 4). Data signals for all three inductors-electromagnets are formed independently. As a result, the total field component at a given point in space created only by the i-th inductor B _Si (i = 1 ... k, where k is the number of inductors in the system) is equal to the geometric sum of the magnetic induction vectors B _{i, x} , B _{i, y} , B _{i, z} created by each of the three inductors-electromagnets. For example, for the inductor 3.2 in figure 4 at point A, not taking into account the magnetic field generated by the other three-component system inductors, there is B _S1 , defined as the geometric sum of B _{1, x} , B _{1, y} , B _{1, z} from each of three windings of the inductor 3.2.

For the formation of magnetotherapeutic effects, many three-component inductors are used, located above and below the patient and having a certain spatial position. The total magnetic induction vector of the field B _S∑ at any given point in the working space of the system will be equal to the geometric sum of the magnetic induction vectors of the fields B _Si created by each of its individual inducers. For example, for a system of three inductors 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 at point C, the resulting vector B _∑ is found as the geometric sum of the resulting vectors at a given point B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ from each of the inductors 3.1, 3.2, 3.3.

In contrast to the known methods [3, 4, 9], a vector-driven field of such a system can be concentrated to the focus of the disease. In contrast to [2], it is possible to act with such a system not only locally, but also in a complex way either on the whole organism or on one of its systems. The proposed matrix structure of the association of electromagnetic field formers also has the ability to create a combination of the total impact in combination with specialized local areas of impact - this is not possible to implement any of the existing similar systems.

The device operates as follows. All cell modules 2, 3.l, ..., 3.m of the magnetotherapy grating 4 are interchangeable and are configured to work in accordance with the assigned personal address. The control computer 1, before the stage of the treatment procedure, generates individual magnetotherapy data for each module cell and transmits them with a personal address via the standard interface 9 to the leading module cell 2. The data intended for it is stored in the module 2, and the data intended for the slave cells-modules 3.l, ..., 3.m sends via bus 5. After the distribution of individual data, the control computer 7 starts the stage of performing the treatment technique, on which the leading cell-module 2 forms synchronization signals in line 6 are provided, providing the possibility of synchronous operation to all cells-modules of the system; processes interrupt requests from slave cell modules 3.l, ..., 3.m, which they are set to line 7; collects current information about the state of module cells via bus 5 and passes it to the control computer 7, from which, in turn, it receives new information about the correction of the magnetotherapeutic effect and sends it to slave module cells 3.l, ..., 3.m. As a result, there is an automated system of module cells with three-component inductors formed into matrices and capable of storing distributed individual data of the magnetotherapeutic effect with the possibility of their simultaneous reproduction in the form of an organized and structured magnetic field. At the same time, the system implements a feedback channel with a computer, designed to transmit information about the current state of module cells and generated exposure parameters with the possibility of operational data correction.

The cell module operates as follows. In accordance with the data recorded in the local control device 12, it forms individual three sets of signals. Each of these sets includes: a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and a polarity signal, which are transmitted via different communication lines to the bridge current drivers 13, 14, 15. The signals provide a predetermined level of currents I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ in two directions through each of the windings L ₁ , L ₂ , L _{3 of the} three-component magnetic field inductor 21, which are connected to one of the diagonals of the corresponding bridge current driver. Moreover, the current flowing through each winding L ₁ , L ₂ , L _{3 of the} three-component inductor is pre-smoothed by the filter to exclude the high-frequency modulation signal and is fed to the lower branch of the bridge current driver relative to its supply voltage, and then to the corresponding current-measuring resistor 18, 19, 20 ( figure 3). In this case, the resulting voltage drops U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ on the current-measuring resistors 18, 19, 20 are fed to the built-in analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the local control device 12, which allows you to control the real values of the currents flowing through each winding, as well as register short-circuit currents of the turns of the windings. The microcontroller 12 simultaneously monitors and processes the information received from the temperature sensor 16 and the magnetic field sensor (Hall) 17. In the event of overheating or shorting of the windings through the inductor 21, the current flow stops, and the local control device 12 detects a malfunction, and also signals the control Computer 1. Information from the Hall sensor 17 is used by the local control device 12 to control the adequacy and correction of the parameters of the formed magnetotherapeutic effect. The leading cell module interacts on the one hand with the control computer 1 via the standard interface 9 through means of integration into the system 11, and on the other hand, using the data bus 5 through the integration tool 10, interrupt request line 7 and synchronization line 6 with all other slave cells -modules of the magnetotherapy lattice 4. At the same time, the interruption request line 7 is designed to quickly inform the host computer 1 about a malfunction of the host cell-module 2, the microcontroller of which 72 can stop the operation of all cells e-modules of the system by a command on the data bus 5.

The leading module cell, endowed with special functions, performs the following tasks: distributing individual data of magnetotherapy effects coming from the control computer 7 and collecting information for the computer 7 from all module cells of the system about the temperature of three-component inductors, about their current level through each of the three windings and about the magnitude of the magnetic field of the inductors. In this case, the leading cell module generates a synchronization signal in line 6, perceived by the slave cell modules and ensures synchronization of the distribution of individual data of the magnetotherapeutic effect between all the cell modules and the reproduction of the specified magnetic field parameters in the working space of the magnetotherapy lattice 4.

A design of twelve matrixes of module cells of the proposed device, including two identical sets of six matrixes of module cells located directly above and below the head, body, arms and legs of the patient on one side, allows him to act with a magnetic field on his entire body. On the other hand, this design eliminates the redundancy of module cells, the field of which is not aimed at the patient. Such redundancy occurs if the magnetotherapy lattice 4 is made of only two matrices located in the lower and upper layers. An advantage of the design of the device is the possibility of preliminary spatial distribution of individual magnetotherapy data between all the module cells of the system, which allows you to create local areas with a special or vortex magnetic field and act separately, concentrated on problem areas of the patient’s body.

Thus, the proposed method and device for its implementation allows the formation of magnetic fields that are difficult to distribute in space and vary in time, in amplitude and direction, as well as create local, general and combined effects, which increases the variety of therapeutic methods, and, as a result, allows achieve better results. The unification of the cell-module of the magnetotherapy lattice will significantly simplify the manufacture, configuration, maintenance and repair of this system and increase its level of control automation.

Literature

1. RF patent №2247583, cl. A61N 2/02, 2003

2. RF patent №2322273, class. A61N 2/00, 2006

3. RF patent No. 20033361, cl. A61N 2/02, 1993

4. RF patent No. 2188677, cl. A61N 2/00, 2000

5. RF patent No. 2195974, cl. A61N 2/00, 2000

6. Belkevich V.I., Berlin Yu.V., Buvin G.M. An apparatus for treating a traveling pulsed magnetic field // Electronic Industry, 1985, No. 1. - S. 61.

7. RF patent No. 221502, cl. A61N 2/02, 2003

8. RF patent No. 2153369, cl. A61N 2/04, 1999

9. RF patent No. 2056868, cl. A61N 2/00, 1996

Claims (6)

1. A method of forming a magnetotherapeutic effect, which consists in placing identical modules in the form of electromagnetic field shapers on the entire patient’s body in two layers, above and below it, supplying them with electrical signals in the form of binary sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a given period of time through respective control devices from the host computer, characterized in that each shaper of the electromagnetic field includes a three-component inductor, which together with m using current drivers, a local control device in the form of a microcontroller, and connected to it circuits of a temperature measuring sensor and sensors of current level and magnetic field strength, forms a cell module, which is part of one of the twelve matrix cells of modules, equipped with a personal address, and the control computer selects from identical module cells, a leading module cell for generating a synchronization signal through which control signals are transmitted to the slave module cells, and three sets are formed signals, each of which includes a pulse-width modulation signal and a polarity signal to provide individual exposure to a magnetic field from the slave module cells. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the personal address of the cell module includes information about its spatial location. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cell module is equipped with circuits of a temperature measuring sensor and current level sensors and magnetic field strengths, while overheating or shorting information is used by the local control device to correct the magnetic field generated on the cell module and transmitting information to a computer for comparison with predetermined parameters and correction. 4. A device for generating a magnetotherapeutic effect, comprising identical modules, including electromagnetic field shapers, connected via appropriate control devices, configured to supply electric signals in the form of binary sequences of adjustable frequency and duty cycle for a predetermined period of time to a control computer, characterized the fact that each shaper of the electromagnetic field includes a three-component inductor connected through bridge shackle drivers to the local control device, while the electromagnetic field driver, bridge current drivers, the local control device in the form of a microcontroller and the connected temperature sensor and current level sensors and magnetic field sensors form a cell module, which is part of one of twelve matrix cells of modules, while the cell modules are connected to the bus of the control computer via the interrupt request line and the synchronization line and are provided with a personal address, and the control The computer is configured to form, from identical module cells, a leading module cell for generating a synchronization signal through which data is transmitted to the slave module cells. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the twelve matrixes of module cells include two identical sets of six matrixes of module cells: for affecting the patient’s head, for affecting the patient’s torso, and four matrices for affecting each arm and leg. 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the output of each of the three bridge current drivers of the cell module is connected through a corresponding current-measuring resistor to one of the inputs of the ADC integrated into the microcontroller.

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