CA2282723A1

CA2282723A1 - Dynamic alternating magnetic field stimulation device

Info

Publication number: CA2282723A1
Application number: CA 2282723
Authority: CA
Inventors: John A. Orpin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-03
Filing date: 1999-09-03
Publication date: 2001-03-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for stimulation of an individual's body for beneficial cosmetic or therapeutic purposes. The device synchronously produces pulsed, alternating, magnetic, mechanical, light and standing wave energy fields on the area to be treated by direct application of the treatment head or heads.

Description

Acpiication Canadian Letters Patent SPECIFICATION
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
BE IT KNOWN, THAT I, JOHN A. ORPIN, a citizen of Canada, whose full postal office address is 67 Constance Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 155, has invented or discoverred certain new and useful improvements in:
DYNAMIC ALTERNATING MAGNETIC FIELD STIMULATION DEVICE
Of which the following is a specification.

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
DYNAMIC ALTERNATING MAGNETIC FIELD STIMULATION DEVICE
FIELD QF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for introduang pulsed and sinusoidally alternating magnetic fields, physical vibrations and light pulses into the body of humans or animals for beneficial cosmetic or therapeutic purposes. More particularly the device of the present invention uses light, mechanical, magnetic and electrical energy to produce this stimulation.
The design of the device allows the user or clinician to apply gentle massaging pressure directly over the muscles and tissues, while delivering all the benefits of high and low frequency vibration together with magnetic fields and phototherapy. The energies emitted by the device penetrate gently and deeply to promote self healing of internal organs, tissues and joints as well as skin and work through clothing and plaster casts. The device utilizes a naturally generated, sinusoidally alternating bipolar magnetic field. In other words, the field alternates in time first North then South, then repeating the cycle at a rate or frequency determined by the manual frequency knob adjustment. Because of the Faraday Effect (described below), an a~emating bipolar field results in a greater therapeutic response over static or unipolar pulsating applications.
With the multiple head variation of the device, two or more heads when applied to the same area simultaneously will give rise to Standing Waves due to the interaction of their respective fields (described below).
MAGNETIC THERAPIES
Magnets have been used to treat the body for centuries. In the last few decades, evidence of the positive effects of static and pulsed magnetic fields on the body has prompted hundreds of medical studies, some with impressive and convincing results. There are iwo methods of producing magnetic fields. One is with a permanent magnet and the other is with a coil of wire through which a DC or AC electric current is flowing. Permanent magnets generate no detectable electric or electromagnetic field (EMF) and because they arise from the inherent properties of matter, and emit a pure magnetic field similar to the natural magnetic fields generated by the earth, are considered to be more natural than the electrically generated field.
The magnetic fields produced by natural permanent magnets are not harmful, since fields of several Tesla (1 Tesla = 10000 Gauss) are used in Magnetic Resonance Im~ing.
Magnetic fields are now thought by some saentists to be like a vitamin in being beneficial and necessary to life self.
Research has shown that when the natural magnetic influence of the earth is absent, the result is decreased muscular strength and cardio-respiratory capacity, decreased calcium and mineral in bones and the incidence of cancer increases (Nakagawa, 1976). This is one reason why NASA has incorporated artificial magnetic fields for manned spaoeflight.
Permanent magnets for therapeutic uses take many forms. When selecting a magnet product, the most important factors to consider in determining therapeutic effectiveness are:
~ depth of effective magnetic field penetration and ~ frequency of alternation or pulsation.
Polarity alignments over the body, such as (+) north, (-) south, or adjacent alternative north/south checkerboard or northlsouth concentric patterns are popular but have not proven to be critical factors in determining effectiveness. A magnet's size and strength are the most important in determining depth of penetration of its magnetic field. The types of materials used to construct magnets determine their strength characteristics.

Tvues Of Pennanent Mas~nets The following chart shows the average comparative strength values, rated in gauss, for the most commonly used magnets.
TYPE OF MAGNET RATING
Flexible (rubber) to 200 Alnico 200 Ceramic (strontium ferrite) 800 Cobalt Samarium 1000 Neodymium 800 to 13000 FARADAY EFFECT
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) discovered that "An electrical current is induced in a conductor while the conductor and the magnetic lines of force are in relative motion or when the magnetic field is changing". The mathematical description of the above statement states that a changing magnetic field produces an electric field (voltage) with corresponding electric lines of force which cause charged entities such as electrons and ions to move, giving rise to current. The voltage induced in the conductor (in our case, biological cells) is directly proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic flux. V = -dBldt. See "Physics", Part ll, Chap. 35-5, pp 872-883, by Halliday, David and Resnick, Robert, Wiley 8~ Sons, 1968 STANDING WAVES
When the energy from two or more vibrational sources interact with each other, the energies interact and interfere according to the t_aw of Wave Interference ("Physics" by Paul A.Tipler, pages 520 & 537 & 552). This process is also called heterodyning or beating because the resuking new standing wave contains the average of the parent frequencies but having pulsations of intensity as a low frequency beat which is the difference of the parent frequenaes. Standing waves are valued by some therapists as having unusual biophysical benefds due to their being formed from the partial cancellation of parent waves.
PHYSICAL VIBRATION
Various electro-mechanical vibrators are already in uss by physical therapists. Most deliver a rate of vibration fixed at line frequency and are reported to have beneficial effects on pain relief and blood arculation. The device which is the subject of the present invention allows the spinning flywheel and off-centnad magnets to deliver rotational speeds corresponding to an alternating frequency range of from 0.5 Hertz to 100 Hertz. This is more than adequate to include the entire brain wave (electro-encephalogram) range of 0.5 to 35 Hertz.
LIGHT STIMULATION
Light-emitting diode clusters provide an intense localised illumination and are in current use in most Physical Medicine clinics for the relief of pain and inflammation.
Intermittent stimulation at appropriate frequencies is reported to be more effective than unmodulated intensity. A
variety of colours, including infra-red and white can be chosen according to the requirements of the organs being stimulated ACUPRESSURE
The specially designed acupuncture head condenses and focusses the alternating magnetic field down to a small area so as to more effectively press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. The device provides simultaneous pressure and magnetic fields.
FIELD PENETRATION
Experiments using a pick-up coil as the magnetic field detector and an oscilloscope reveal a 100 Hertz sinusoidal voltage easily detectable up to 12 inches from the surface of the treatment head when the motor speed is maximum. As the speed is reduced, the induced voltage reduces in accordance with Faraday's law so that with no rotation, a reed relay must be doser than 1 inch from the head to be activated. This deep penetration of 12 inches with the dynamic alternating field is more than adequate to treat deep internal organs of humans and animals such as Pancreas, Uterus, Bladder, Bones, Joints, Bowel SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In acoorclance wkh the present invention there is provided a device for stimulating chosen areas, regions and organs of an individual's body, the device comprising a magnetic field generation means, a physical vibration generation means and a light generation means.
The invention is designed to enhance the body's recovery process by combining the six treatment modalities of ~ massage, ~ acupressure ~ variable frequency vibration ~ aftemating and pulsating natural magnetic energy ~ standing waves ~ pulse modulated light In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, adapted to promote the growth of damaged bones, cells and tissues, each treatment head has been designed to be held in the hand of a therapist for the purpose of assisting in the process of massage. Aftematively several treatment heads can be placed in mukiple body locations using velcro straps, white the therapist works elsewhere. The motor generation means causes to rotate the flywheel holding the two permanent Neodymium magnets.
These permanent magnets can be mounted according to the user's preference such that the magnetic faces are both North, or both South or alternately North and South. When the magnet faces are of the same polarity then there is no aftemation but there is a pulsatile variation in the field intensity. In the current embodiment of the device, a maximum of 12 heads can be driven simultaneously from one control box having 12 independent control circuits powered by the same DC
power supply.
As well, in the preferred embodiment, the photostimulator is a single light emitting diode mounted in the centre of the treatment head and being intermittently energised by the tachometer switch and at the same fnsquency thereof.
While the device according to the present invention is particularly well adapted to osteogenesis, bone graft incorporation and accelerating the healing of bone fractures, other possible applications of the present invention are envisaged as follows:
1. Minimizes forearm and finger fatigue in therapist 2. Facilitating healing of skin wounds, inflammations, ulcers and dermatoses;
3. Alleviating symptoms of migraine;
4. Faalitating healing of Headaches;

5. Reducing generalized and local body pain of back and neck 6. Reduang Post Operative Pain 7. Facilitating increase in endorphins, the body's own painkillers 8. Peripheral neuronal regeneration;

9. Stimulating brain cells to regrow and repair;

10. Facilitating increase in oxygen uptake and capacity 11. Restructuring of water molecules;

12. Stimulating activity of dysfunctional Pineal and Pituitary glands;

13. Treatment of the entire spinal column by simultaneously using 12 heads;

14. Promotes peristalsis and increases removal of digestive waste products;

15. Faalitating relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;

16. Faalitating increase in peripheral blood flow and capillary action;

17. Facilitating increase in lymph flow and reduction in intracellular swelling and edema 18. Facilitating increase in limb mobility, flexibility, range of motion and recovery rate 19. Facilitating healing of Muscle Strain and myositis;

20. Facilitating relaxation of muscles and alleviation of fatigue, soreness and muscle spasms 21. Faalitating break-up of adhesions 22. Realignment of scar tissue 23. Improvement of athletic pertormance 24. Faalitates soft tissue manipulation 25. Faalitating healing of rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis;

26. Facilitating healing of tendon inflammations and injuries;

27. Facilitating healing of Fibromyalgia 28. Facilitating healing of Saatica 29. Facilitating healing of Musculoskeletal Injuries 30. Facilitating healing of Peripheral Neuropathy 31. Facilitating healing of Bursitis 32. Facilitating healing of Gout 33. Facilitating healing of Fascitis 34. Facilitating healing of Ecxhymosis 35. Facilitating healing of Chronic Fatigue 36. Facilitating improved quality of sleep It is an object of the present invention particularly to provide an improved device which will effectively stimulate an individual's body tissues and organs for the purpose of facilitating and acxelerating the healing of injured, inflammed or damaged tissues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement of the device in accordance with the present invention spedfcally adapted to treat an individual's tissues and organs to promote accelerated healing, incorporating a DC motor whose shaft causes to rotate a flywheel carrying two neodymium magnets. The tachometer circuit shown is a standard off the-shelf electronic component.
Figure 2 is a view of a smaller treatment head for acu-puncture in which the alternating of pulsing magnetic field is conducted down an iron probe to the individuals' skin.
The speed control means can !~ chosen to be driven by an analogue circus as in the diagram, or by a digital stepping motor which can provide greater accuracy.
The steel flywheel acts analogously to the body of a horse-shoe magnet and helps to focus the field outwards towards the individual being treated, rather than to the rear of the device where the therapist's hand might be overstimulated.
The finro Neodymium magnets are cemented to the flywheel in an off-centred imbalanc~d manner so as to generate a mechanical vibration as they spin.
The tachometer transducer is briefly switched on each time a magnet passes. It is included in the drcuit driving the light-emitting diodes which then tight each time a magnet passes. The tachometer signal is then passed to the motor speed driving circuit, the LM
2907 or to the stepping motor control arouit.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiment.
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 by the appended claims.

DETAILED ESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIO~1 The device comprises ~ 12 volt power supply wall adapter, ~ control box with independent speed control over each head, ~ One or more treatment heads which plug into the control box.
Turning to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a device in accordance with the present invention, specifically arranged to provide an alternating or pulsatile magnetic field in close apposition to the body of a human or animal.
SPEED CONTROL
There is mounted in the vicinity of the magnets a small magnetically sensitive transducer which is either a Hall Effect device or a reed relay. This transducer in each head passes a tachometer signal to feedback control circuits in the control box so that the speed of each motor is individually maintained constant and accurate as chosen by its own individual speed control knob regardless of variations in motor parameters, loading, or power source. The final speed signal power is amplified up to the level of 12 volts at 0.1 amperes.
The speed control means can be chosen to be driven by an analogue arcuit as in the diagram, or by a digital stepping motor which can provide greater accuracy especially at the lowest speeds.
FLYWHEEL
The steel filywheel acts analogously to the body of a horse-shoe magnet and helps to focus the field outwards towards the individual being treated, rather than to the rear of the device. It thereby acts as a shield for the therapist's hand which might be overstimulated.

MAGNETS
The two Neodymium magnets serve not only as a source of magnetic field but act as weights.
They are cemented to the flywheel in an off centred imbalanc~d manner so as to generate a mechanical vibration as they spin at the chosen speed.
TACHOMETER
The tachometer transducer is a reed relay switch which briefly switches on each time a magnet passes. It is included in the circuit driving the light-emitting diodes which then light each time a magnet passes. With the switch open, the bias source provides the high Isvel voltage of 10 volts.
With the switch closed, the signal drops to zero. This tachometer signal is then passed to the motor speed driving circuit, the LM 2907 or to the stepping motor control circuk.
MOTOR
The motor is a DC motor driven by 12 volts and has ball bearings for long life, rather than the less expensive sleeve frictional bearing.
LIGHT
The light source or plurality of sources are light-emitting diodes electrically pulsed synchronously with the magnetic field pulses to provide an effect similar to treatment of skin by soft laser as currently in use in physiotherapy clinics.
Thus there has been provided in accordance with the invention a device for stimulation of an individual's tissues and organs for beneficial cosmetic or therapeutic purposes that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth below. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many aitematives, mod~cations and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modfications and variations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, mod~ications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for stimulating an area of an individual's body, the device comprising:
a) a permanent magnetic field generation means;
b) a light generation means to deliver pulsed light energy to the area of the skin to be treated;
c) a pulsed unipolar magnetic field;
d) an alternating bipolar magnetic field;
e) a physical vibrational means;
f) a means to vary the frequency of the above vibrational energies;
g) a means to maintain accurate and stable the frequency of the above pulsed and alternating energies;
h) a means to provide magnetic and mechanical standing waves.

2. A device adapted to stimulate tissues and organs of an individual's body by providing three kinds of energies simultaneously, synchronously and synergistically.

3. A device which emits pulsed unipolar magnetic fields at a range of frequencies from 0.5 to 100 Hertz.

4. A device which emits alternating bipolar magnetic fields at a range of frequencies from 0.5 to 100 Hertz.

5. A device which emits pulsed multi-chromatic light at a range of frequencies from 0.5 to 100 Hertz.

6. A device which emits mechanical vibrations at a range of frequencies from 0.5 to 100 Hertz.