CA1241069A - Apparatus and method of magnetic field treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus and method for magnetic field treatment therapy of humans and animals. The apparatus comprises a treatment head containing an electromagnet, the treatment head to be placed over the treatment area of the human or animal.
Means are provided to control the electrical power to the electromagnet. These means provide a pulsed unipolar magnetic field of linear ramp form emanating from the treatment head.
The generation of such unipolar magnetic pulses in linear ramp form has been found to provide a cheap efficient way of alleviating pain and promoting healing in both humans and animals.

Description

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The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of magnetic field treatment and therapy for humans and animal s .

BACKGaOUND OF THE INVENTION

S Magnetism as an adjuvent therapy to the practice of medicine or veterinary science is not new, but in recent years has attracted considerable international attention. The New York Academy of Science, one of the more prestigious scientific associations in the world, in 1972 had its second symposium on magnetic medical healing, for example. More recently, the World Health Organization has sponsored seminars on magnetic mediated medicine.
Therapeutic benefits of magnetism have been studied and, although the subject is of some controversy in the medical profession, there is a growing awareness of the beneficial effects of the interaction of magnetism with different parts of the body, for example in the soothing of pain or the reduction of inflammation. More recent discoveries in this area have determined that the body's reaction to magnetic fields will vary depending on the polarity of the magnetic field to which the body is exposed. Thus, for example, it has been discovered that the north pole of a magnet affects body tissues as follows:
(a) vaso-constriction (b) increased alkalinity $'~

.

lOt~9 c) sedation or inhibition (d) increase in potassium ions (e) decrease in abornaml calcium ions while the south pole affects tissues in the following ways:
(a) vaso-dilation (b) increased acidity (c) stimulation (d) increase in sodium.
Why magnetism so affects the body is not fully understood, although it is believed that tissue cells, nerve cells, blood cells and cells in general are governed by biological electrical energy which in turn is affected by magnetism. Generally speaking the south polar field of a magnet strengthens biological systems while the north pole affords relief of pain and has the ability to slow infections, nerve pain and swellings. In this regard, the work of Leonard J. Allan of Margate, Kent, England has been pioneering.
In my co-pending patent application Serial No.
445,937, I have described and illustrated the use of a static magnetic bar incorporated into a healing wrap which is used for humans and animals to control edemas, swelling and pain and to increase the rate of healing. Such wraps have been particularly effective in the therapy and treatment of injuries in racing horses.

Different types of apparatus for therapy and treatment in humans and animals, which generate pulses of magnetic fields ~L2~ .9 for the areas being treated, are also currently in use and becoming popular. Such devices have been used for example for treatment of human ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, sport6 injuries (torn muscles, sprains and the like), fractures, etc.. Examples of such devices are the "MAGNETOPACE" (trade mark) device of B.D.L. Industries Inc., the ~VITAPULSE~ (trade mark) device of Elec GmBh division of Magneto Pulse, Inc. (having particular application in the veterinary field) and the ~RELAXIT~ (trade mark) device of Electro Medica Office. Such devices are designed to provide pulses of magnetic fields alternating from south to north on every cycle. With such alternating polar devices, a static charge develops in the body being treated because of the rapid change in flux from north to south. This static charge may result in scar formation in the tissues of the body and in the increased density of collagen deposition through the scar.
There may also be an increase in the rate, severity and amount of calcium deposition so that extensive use of such devices may cause distrophic calcification and serious scar formation.
Such devices have tended to provide relatively low magnetic field strengths, for example up to 50 gauss with the "MACNETOPACE" (trade mark) device and up to 100 gauss with the "VITAPULSE" device. Such devices also produce a sinusoidal, square or spiked wave form of the pulses of magnetic field.
Spiked waves tend to cause fatigue in muscles helping to eliminate inflammatory response to an injury and to control pain. However such waves have no real effect on the actual inflammatory procedure or the state of healing. Moreover such devices do not feature a constant duty cycle, but instead, tend to fire to their frequencies and then shut off for the rest of the cycle. In this way, the period of time between on and off is not equal.
Patents of general background interest include U.S.
Patent No. 4,112,923 of Tomecek issued September 12, 1978, which patent describes an apparatus for therapeutic treatment which produces, inter alia, a pulsed magnetic signal. It is unclear from this patent specification what type of wave, and what field strength are used. It appears however that a spiked wave configuration is used with a magnetic strength in the neighbourhood of 100 gauss. Canadian Patent No. 1,150,361 of Drolet et al issued July 19, 1983 describes and illustrates a device very similar to the "VITAPULSE" (trade mark) device previously referred to, in which a drum surrounds the patient during treatment. This Drolet device uses a sinusoidal wave or a spike wave and produces a magnetic field strength of between 1 to 100 gauss. Hallgren U.S. Patent No. 3,841,305 issued October 15, 1974 (square full sinusoidal wave) and Constantinescu Canadian Patent No. 1,124,332 issued May 25, 1982 (likely square wave or sinu60idal wave) describe and illustrate different con~tructions of therapeutic treatment apparatus for producing pulsed magnetic signals.
Other patents, of more general background interest ~2~0~

desc:ribing medical treatment apparatus using different forms of electrical or electromagnetic waves for therapeutic purposes are Fairbanks U.S. Patent No. 4,Z33,965 issued November 18, 1980: Harrison Canadian Patent No. 1,121,463 issued April 6, l9B2; Convert et al Canadian Patent No. 1,115,781 issued January 5, 1982; Liss et al U.S. Patent NO. 3,902,502 issued September 2, 1975: Paul U.S. Patent No. 3,881,~94 issued May 6, 1975; Drolet et al Canadian Patent No. 1,113,156 issued November 24, 1981: and Fellus Canadian Patent No. 1,115,833 issued January 5, 1982. It should be noted that such devices which produce radio waves or pulses of electricity operate in an entirely different manner and produce completely different therapeutic results from those devices in which the pulses generated are in the form of magnetic fields. For example, electric current flowing through an affected area of a body, for treatment, usually generates heat in that area.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus and device for magnetic field treatment and therapy of humans and animals which will alleviate pain and promote healing.

THEORY BEHIND THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention was designed for many different disciplines in biochemistry and biophysic6 incorporating their research to produce a state of the art ~x~ 9 mach;ne using wave forms, strength, frequency controls, and intensi~cies that have been proven in other disciplines, especially transcutaneous neural stimulation and galvanic stimulation as well as the field of biomagnetism.
With regard to wave form, in transcutaneous neural stimulation the exact form of wave becomes less important than the application of the wave to damaged tissue and correct point selection. However when one is applying a force field without penetrating the skin (BioMagnetic Stimulation), the wave form does take on more significance. Using a square wave with needle insertion, an electrolysis effect takes place with the accummulation of free acid radicals at the negative pole of the apparatus. At the positive pole an alkaline accummulation of free radicals takes place. The amount of electrolysis i6 directly proportional to the freauency and to the intensity.

One can understand that when a spike wave form is used in order to reach higher frequency or higher intensity, then one runs the very real risk of causing electrolysis at the needle insertion site and/or at the site of force field induction.
When an A.C. spike wave is used the electrolysis is greatly reduced. However, when the spike wave is generated on both the positive and negative side of the X axis the physiological effect is also greatly reduced by constructive interference.

With spike waves it becomes an all or nothing burst of energy, which causes fatigue in the muscle cells. Depolarization of coadaption of the nerve supplying the tis6ue subjected to the ~410~'~g force field can result in azaturia. This muscular fatigue is the clirect result of the energy being applied over it.

The square wave has the same linear aspect of the posit.ive or negative amplitude (area above or below the X axis) as the spike wave. In a physiological system the square wave has the same disadvantages as the spiked wave as long as the area of the negative cycle equals the area of the positive cycle. As the width of the wave is increased, then the relative degree of electrolysis is proportionately increased.
However when the width of the wave is shortened, then the relative intensity can be increased. Again when A.C. current is applied the relative area under the curve above the X axis i8 matched and equalled by the area under the curve on the X
axis and the net effect becomes zero as far as potentiating an electrical current and/or a force field into the tissue.

However with the square wave the relative time of non-force field application is increased 80 that the removal of the bi-products produced by the electrolysis generally is such that it can be removed successfully.
The ramp wave on the other hand, because of its slow rise of energy, rapid fall and then depolarization period of time has much less electrolysis and galavanic effect on the tissue than does either the square wave or spike wave.

With the slow input of energy, the cell slowly becomes conditioned until when the wave is shut off the energy that has accummulated then backwashes and flushes the cell. Because of . .
.

the slow additive effect, much more energy (proportionately) can be applied across the area to be treated. Shorter times can be used with less risk of electrolysis and a greater guarantee of bi-product removal.
With any type of wave form used it is almost impossible to accurately assess what is not enough treatment, what i8 enough and what is too much. Often by the time that the patient in question feel~ the effect of the wave, the damage has been done. Similar to when one puts his hand into acid or into a strong alkalid solution by the time the sensation is appreciated, the fingers are badly burned.
One can readily visualize that the strength of the machine or the strength of the force field applied to a biological system depends greatly on the wave form being used as well as the type of energy being applied. The body itself functions on a direct current (electrical type of energy).
~hen one applies a direct current in a force field to a tissue one greatly limits the amount of amperage and current flow that can be applied to the area and also greatly reduces the time and proportionately increases the risk of electrolysis burn.
In order to have a useful theraputic regime then the time has to be kept to minimum. The amount of energy that has to be applied to a system has to be minimized. This in turn increases the number of treatments and increase& the length of time of treatment. When an alternating or a pulsed current is used on a tissue, one can increase the amount of time of ~ 24~

treatment. One can also increase the intensity of the treatment. However because the effect of the positive cycle (ie. the area above the X axis) cancels out the effect of the negat.ive cycle (below the X axis), the net effect is very minimal. The length on phase of the current flow or the force field flow has to be increased. This again increases proportionately the risk of electrolysis. With the ramp wave however, small increments of energy are applied to the system.

The system will readily adapt to these force fields. When the point at the top of the ramp is reached there is a rapid depolarization or cessation of force field application. The energized cell now returns to its resting state with the release of the added energy. Because of the slow induction and the relatively low quantums of energy applied to the system per unit of time, the ramp wave has a greater amount of energy applied over a given period. Greater amounts of energy can be applied ove~ a shorter period of time with no deleterious effect. The therapy time, the number of treatments and time for treatments can be substantially reduced. While this aspect is probably less important in human medicine, in race horse medicine this becomes paramount.
Each living tissue in the body appears to have its own inherent resting oscillating frequency and the frequency of oscillation of inflammation and a separate frequency of healing. One of the principles behind electro-magnetic healing is to induce the proper oscillation or mimic the optimum ~'~4~ 9 frequency to inhibit the inflammatory response and then to mimic and stimulate the healing response in the damaged tissue. Because of the two above-mentioned aims of treatment, the ability to accurately mimic the intensity or to mimic the actual frequency becomes paramount in the clinician's mind. In a machine where the frequencies are not accurately set and to a degree in the machines where they use a sweep frequency then the relative amount of time on the specific frequency is decreased. At the same time random frequencies are being bombarded on the tissue that are not needed. This may in fact stimulate cell activity and help add to the inflammatory reaction.
Besides the physiological effect of magnetic energy with the north side of the magnet essentially being anti-inflammatory and the south side promoting healing the intensityof the magnetic field i8 also important. The device according to the present invention, besides having a magnetic effect will also induce an electro-magnetic force field in the tissue.
There are basically two ways of inducing electro-magnetic force fields. One is to pulse the field through a stagnant receptor. The field is constantly being turned on and off inducing magnetic polarization in the receptacle. In the off phase the components of the receptor return to their randomness (or entropy). The energy that was applied to the receptor is released in the form of an electro-magnetic wave. The second way of producing an electro-magnetic wave in a receptor is to move the receptor through a constant field. The magnetic field is left in the one position and the receptor is moved back and forth through it. Once the receptor is within the boundaries of the force field then it becomes magnetically aligned and as it leaves the boundaries of the force field it returns to its entropy state. once outside the force field the electro-magnetic wave is released. One can readily see from the example, that the second method of producing an electro-magnetic wave takes considerably longer to induce.
Because greater energy can be applied using the ramp wave more magnetic energy (intensity) can be utilized with less detrimental effect on the tissue target. Again because the ramp wave is used to generate the magnetic current, then pure magnetism of either north pole or south pole energy is produced. This again becomes physiologically important when considering the anti-inflammatory healing effects of pure magnetic energy. Because great intensity in gauss units can be produced, then the amount of energy released when the force field is shut off imparts a greater amount of direct current to the tissue. It has a far greater penetrating effect. With the greater intensity, a more complete polarization of the cell constituents takes place inducing greater magnetic polarization to the next cell so that a boxcar effect takes place. One cell induces the next, inducing the next and so on. Hence at higher gauss strength the penetration power is subsequently increased.
The second point is that with higher gauss strength the body fluids moving through the electro-magnetical field are much more rapidly induced. The blood and the proteins within the extra-cellular fluid are enhanced so that the actual physiological effect of the electro-magnetic field is increased.
With the other machines on the market in order to produce enough current to cause an electro-magnetic effect, they have to use either an A.C. pulsed magnet, (ie. oscillating from north to south), or they have to reduce the amount of energy that is applied to the coil producing a weaker magnet.
In either case the magnetic effect is not as far reaching hence the physiological effect is greatly reduced. The higher strength pulsing north/south magnetic machines on the market with the rapid switch from north to south has a tendency to fatigue the muscle. Rather than having a linear wave form produced through the tissue with increased penetration the switch from positive to negative or from north to south has an effect of building up a static charge. The static charge built up by an oscillating north pole magnet has a tendency over time to cause a pitting of trebeculae bone and also causes dystrophic calcification of tendons and ligaments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for magnetic field treatment and therapy of humans i9 and animals. The apparatus comprises a treatment head which contains an electromagnet, the treatment head to be moved over the treatment area of the human or animal. The apparatus further comprises an electrical power source for the electromagnet and means to control the electrical power to the electromagnet to provide a pulsed unipolar magnetic field emanating from the treatment head, the pulse being of linear ramp form.
In a preferred form of the invention there is provided control means which includes means to provide a 50% constant duty cycle and a frequency generator means for providing any pulse in the range from 2Hz to 64Hz to an accuracy of about +
o.lHz.
The device according to the present invention has proven extremely effective as a cheap efficient way of alleviating pain, and promoting healing in animals and humans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
FIGURE l is a perspective view of a magnetic field treatment and therapy apparatus according to the present invention;

l069 FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of circuitry of the dev,ce of F][GURE l; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the type of waves generated by the apparatus of the present invention.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with examples embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED D~SCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to PIGURE 1 there i8 shown a perspective view of a therapeutic magnetic field generator 2 according to the present invention. The generator is contained within a housing 3 on which are mounted a field frequency control knob 4, field frequency display 6, field intensity knob 8, field intensity display 10, time select knob 12 (for selecting the duration of the magnetic field generation) and timer display 14. An electrical lead 16, from housing 3, connects to treatment head 18 within which is contained an electromagnet 20 which generates the therapeutic magnetic field. Treatment head 18 may be a cylindrical, hand-held treatment head as illustrated, or alternatively may be a wrapping 19, for example, to go about {i~`
a limb of an animal, within which an electromagnet is secured.
The circuitry of apparatus 2, as illustrated in block form in FIGURE 2, permits a pulsed unipolar magnetic field, either south or north, to be generated from the electromagnet, the pulse to be of linear ramp form (FIGURE 3). That circuitry results in pulses, at treatment head 18, of a frequency of from 2Hz to 64Hz, to an accuracy of about O.lHz. The magnetic intensity produced at the magnetic coil is up to 400 gauss.

The field is unipolar, but that polarity may be reversed.
Referring now in more detail to the circuit diagram of FIGURE 2, voltage selector 21 enables the selection of different domestic supply voltages for the device. The power to the circuit is initiated by an on-off switch 22 which is for example a double-pole-single-throw switch with indicator light and is normally in the "offll position. When the switch is actuated, it causes the circuit to be turned on with the rest of the functions being performed in an automatic nature. Power for the device is fed from the regulated power supply circuit 23 which supplies an eighteen volt D.C. source and a five volt D.C. source. A variable frequency generator 24 which has a 50%
constant duty cycle, produces square waves and is adjusted to produce a cycle of 2.0Hz to 64.0Hz. The variable frequency generator 24 is connected to a freguency divider circuit 26.
Square waves in a 50% constant duty cycle of 2Hz to 64Hz are obtained from the frequency divider circuit. These waves are passed to a linear ramp generator 28. The outputs of the ~41069 variable frequency generator 24 and the linear ramp generator 28 are synchronized by means of the synchronized control circuit 30. The linear ramp generator 28 is connected to the output amplifier 32. The resulting ramp wave which has a peak voltage of fifteen volts from the output amplifier 32 is connected to both the L.E.D. (light emitting diode) display circuit 34 and the polarity control circuit 36 in parallel.
The output of the polarity control circuit 36 is connected to the electromagnetic coil 20 which is capable of producing a magnetic field of 40 gauss to 400 gauss units. The L.E.D.

display circuit 34, the polarity control circuit 36 and the electromagnetic coil 20 form the treatment head 18, the function of which is to apply the magnetic field to the body area concerned. A flashing signal in the L.E.D. display circuit 34 indicates that current is passing through the electromagnetic coil 20 and that a magnetic field has been generated. The strength of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 20 is governed by the intensity of the ramp wave output from the output amplifier 32, which is in turn controlled by the intensity control circuit 38 connected to the output amplifier 32. The intensity control circuit 38 provides a ~witchable means to adjust the intensity of the ramp wave.
The intensity of the ramp wave is indicated by the intensity display 10.
The frequency of the square wave generated by the variable frequency generator 24 is controlled by a pulse width ~24~g;~3 control circuit 40 connected thereto. The pulse width control circuit 40 provides a switchable means to adjust the frequency of the square wave generated by the variable frequency qenerator 24. The frequency of the sguare wave is indicatd by a frequency digital display 6 which is driven by a frequency counter 42. The inputs to the frequency counter 42 are from the variable frequency generator 24 for the counter signal, the pulse width control circuit 40 for the reset signal (RST), and the inverter circuit 48 for the latch signal.
A lOHz frequency generator 46 which generates a square wave is connected to an invertor circuit 48. The inverted square wave from the invertor circuit 48 is connected to the latch input of the frequency counter 42 and to the reset input (RST) of the variable frequency generator 24. The square wave from the lOHz frequency generator 46 i8 also connected to a double frequency divider circuit 50 which provides a 1 Hz square wave from the 10 divider output and a square wave at 1 pulse per minute from the 60 divider output. The 60 divider output is connected to a timer selector circuit 5Z. The timer selector circuit 52 provides switchable means of 5, 10 and 20 minutes for the duration of treatment.
The timer selector circuit 52 generates a square pulse at the end of the time interval, which is connected to a 3 second pulse circuit 54. The 3 second pul6e circuit 54 is connected to a buzzer 56. The output of the 3 second pulse circuit 54 causes the buzzer 56 to generate a beeper sound for 3L~.4~0~

3 seconds at the end of the time cycle. The output of the 3 second pulse circuit 54 is also connected to the inhibit control circuit 58 which in turn sends a reset signal to the reset inputs (RST) of the double frequency divider circuit 50 and frequency divider circuit 26 and causes the ramp wave to the unit head 18 to shut off automatically. even though the switch 22 is still in the l~onl~ position.
~ timer digital display 14 is provided to display the count up time. The timer digital display 14 is connected to a timer counter circuit 60. Inputs to the timer counter circuit are provided from the outputs of the 10 divider and 60 divider in the double frequency divider circuit 50. A power-on reset control circuit 62 is connected to the reset input of the timer counter circuit 60 and to the clear (CLR) inputs of the 3 second pulse circuit 54, the timer selector circuit 52 and the double frequency divider circuit 50, such that by resetting the switch 22, the device becomes activated again.
Treatment head 18 may be set up so that it takes specific filters of polarized material. By forcing the frequency of the generated signal through the filters, the wave can be changed and redesigned by the operator to intensify the wave form to meet more exacting requirements of the condition confronting the operator. This intensification of the wave form of course results in a non-linear increase in the energy of the input without altering the voltage required to operate the apparatus. Therefore higher electrical input is not .4~0~.~
required to achieve the same energy delivered to the patient or animal.
It may be desirable, particularly when a wrapping 19 is associated with the magnetic field generator of the present invention, to provide a plurality of outlets so that more than one field may be generated at the same time by the device. In this regard, as can be seen in FIGURE 1, a terminal box 64 having a plurality of electrical outlet sockets 66 may be provided. Terminal box 64 is of course electronically associated with generator 2, during operation. Of course, as will be readily understandable to one skilled in the art, terminal box 64 may be provided with appropriate circuitry to permit control of the polarity of the magnetic field generated by the electro-magnet 20 in wrapping 19, switches 68 individual to each outlet socket 66 being associated with this circuity to permit individual control of the polarity in the individual wrapping 19 associated with an individual socket 66.
While not illugtrated, it is also envisaged that the device according to the present invention could be provided with appropriate circuitry to permit more than one treatment head 18 or wrapping 19 to operate simultaneously but at different magnetic frequencies intensities or uni-polarity of the magnetic fields generated at the heads or the wrappings.

l069 EXAMPLES OF TREATMENT

32 horses were treated with the device according to the present invention. Circumference measurements were made before and after treatment. All treatments were kept to a time of 10 minutes. The horses were grouped into the following categories of ailments: knee arthrosis, bowed tendons, suspensory problems, check ligaments, and hock arthrosis.
All horses in the study were racing standardbred horses. No attempt was made to differentiate between age and sex, racing category or location of the track, (B track horses vs. A track horses). Also no attempt was made to differentiate between right and left leg or fore and rear leg. All problems were considered chronic in nature, all greater than 3 weeks since injury.
Of the horses treated with the apparatus according to the present invention, 28 or 87.5% showed a signficant improve-ment over the 10 minute period of the time allotted to treat-ment. The results of the treatment are tabulated in Table 1.

Table #l - Per Cent Reduction in Swellinq - Polarized Pulsed Maqnetic Enerqv Initial Measurement Final MeasurementPer Cent Chanqe cm cm cm Hock 39.55 35.3 11.15%
Bowed Tendon 19.75 19.25 2.55%
Check 24.96 23.71 5.3~
Suspensory 25.7 24.90 3.1%
Knee 30.08 28.70 4.4%
The average means change over the five categoris chosen was ~LZ~ ,9 5.3% of the initial circumference measurement of the limb. The largest change was seen over the hock region while the smallest per cent change was seen with the bowed tendons.
Thu6 it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention an apparatus and method for magnetic field treatment therapy of humans and animals that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the device may be modified to provide a plurality of electrical leads 16 to a plurality of wrappings 19, each of which wrapping, by appropriate control circuitry in the device, being adju6table either in unison or independently to similar or different frequencies or magnetic field strengths. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modification6 and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for treatment and therapy of humans and animals using a magnetic field, comprising a treatment head containing an electromagnet, the treatment head to be placed over the treatment area of the human or animal, an electrical power source for the electromagnet, means to control the electrical power to the electromagnet to provide a pulsed unipolar magnetic field emanating from the treatment head, the pulse being of linear ramp form, the control means including means to provide a magnetic intensity at the treatment head of from 40 to 400 gauss.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means is adjustable to provide a magnetic intensity at the treatment head in 40 gauss increments.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means includes means to provide a 50% constant duty cycle and a frequency generator means for providing any pulse in the range from 2Hz to 64Hz to an accuracy of about ? 0.1Hz.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means includes means to reverse the polarity of the electromagnet in the treatment head to provide a pulsed unipolar magnetic field of either polarity.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further provided with a timer display electronically associated with the control means to provide a readout of the duration of the treatment while the device is in use, and timer means to control the duration of operation of the device.

6. An apparatus according to claim 2 further provided with a frequency count display indicator electronically associated with the frequency generator means to provide a readout of the frequency being generated thereby.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further provided with an intensity control display electronically associated with the control means to provide a readout of the magnetic intensity being generated at the treatment head.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the treatment head comprises a cloth wrapping for securing about a limb or a portion of the body of the animal or human to be treated, the cloth wrapping having an electromagnet secured therein.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electromagnet has a cadmium ferrous metal core, and the head is of cylindrical shape intended for hand manipulation by the operator over a treatment area.