GB2176707A

GB2176707A - Magnetotherapy apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2176707A
Application number: GB08609951A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jose Antonio Fernand Rodriguez
Original assignee: GUILLERMO TENA LAB MORRITH SA
Current assignee: GUILLERMO TENA LAB MORRITH SA
Priority date: 1985-05-24
Filing date: 1986-04-23
Publication date: 1987-01-07
Also published as: ES287053Y; GB8609951D0; ES287053U

Abstract

A magnetotherapy apparatus comprises a permanent magnet 1 having an elongated configuration its north and south magnetic poles being situated at the ends of its minor axis, that is, on opposite sides of its axis of elongation, so that when applied to the user's skin adjacent a blood vessel B, with the axis of elongation parallel to the direction of blood flow, the magnetic lines of force traverse the blood vessel perpendicularly to the direction of blood flow. The permanent magnet 1 is fixed to the centre of a base 2 provided with an adhesive surface 3. Paper release sheets cover the adhesive surface 3 and are removed just prior to use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Magnetotherapy apparatus The present invention relates to a magnetotherapy apparatus, that is an apparatus designed to produce a therapeutic effect by the application of a magnetic field.

Apparatuses of this type are currently known which, when duly fixed on any region of the body, create a magnetic field capable of causing, at least in principle, circulation of the blood in order to achieve an analgesic effect on various painful symptomatologies.

The basic problem with these apparatuses in the practical utilisation thereof resides in the fact that the magnetic flux issued by them has difficulty in meeting the blood flow at a right angle and this leads to a substantial reduction in the essential effect of the lines of force of the magnetic field since, as known, the most conventional apparatuses are obtained by locating the north and south magnetic poles on the obverse and reverse respectively of a permanent magnet.

According to the present invention there is provided a magnetotherapy apparatus adapted to establish localised analgesic action at a point or region of the user's body by the application of a magnetic field created by a permanent magnet, characterised essentially in that said permanent magnet has an elongated configuration and in that the magnetic poles are situated on opposite sides of its axis of elongation.

It is believed possible by means of the present invention to stimulate the circulation of blood by the establishment of lines of force which traverse the blood vessel perpendicularly with respect to the direction of the flow of blood, a therapeutic effect which is far superior to the results achieved by the known devices thus being achieved.

In a preferred embodiment the permanent magnet is fixed on an adhesive base provided with two sheets of self-adhesive paper which seal the magnet on the adhesive base and which, at the moment of use, can easily be removed by mere pulling and removal, the magnet remaining fixed on the adhesive base under conditions enabling it to be placed on the body of the user in the most suitable position and situation.

This special arrangement of the poles on opposite sides of the axis of elongation of the permanent magnet permits positioning of the magnetic field such that the lines of force traverse the affected parts better so as to produce a more favourable therapeutic effect.

This is also achieved with small dimensions for the permanent magnet, reducing the discomfort for said Figure; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the practical application of the apparatus on an imaginary vein in a plan view; and Figure 4 shows a transverse section of the assembly shown in Figure 3 along the sectional line Il-Il in said Figure.

By examination of these Figures it can be seen how the apparatus embodying the invention is constituted by a permanent magnet 1 with the special feature that the magnet has an elongated configuration, its axis of elongation, or major axis, being between 5.5 and 6.5 mm whilst its minor axis is between 4.5 and 5.5 mm, and its thickness is approximately 2.5 mm.

Its composition is as follows:~ Iron Oxide 80.2-84.5% Barium Oxide 15.5--15.9% Molecular Weight 5.0--6.0 Impurities Not Exceeding 1.0% Its main component is iron oxide which is magnetised during the manufacturing process.

In said permanent magnet 1 the north and south magnetic poles are situated at the ends of its minor axis, the magnetic lines flowing from north to south, as shown, and said permanent magnet having a field intensity of between 500 and 800 gauss.

Figure 2 shows that the permanent magnet 1 is fixed to the centre of a base 2 provided with an adhesive surface 3 duly prepared by the application of adhesives to a resinous sheet, cloth, paper etc.

designated by 4.

The structure described is completed with sheets of self-adhesive paper 5 which are fixed to the adhesive surface 3 of the adhesive base 2.

To enable the sheets of adhesive paper 5 to be removed easily, independently and from the central region to the lateral regions of the assembly, said sheets of paper 5 incorporate non-adhesive extremE regions 6 designed to be superimposed on one another and on the actual permanent magnet, as shown in detail in Figure 2, so that these nonadhesive extreme regions 6 define actuating tabs fo removal of the protective sheets Sat the moment of use of the device.

Based on this design and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the apparatus is applied and fixed on the surface "A" of the skin in a position which is such that the major axis of the permanent magnet is duly aligned with the blood vessels "B".

Thus, after removing the sheets of self-adhesive paper 5 by pulling their edges or tabs 6, the adhesive base 2 is applied to the surface of the skin "A" so that the permanent magnet 1 which is fixed in the centre of the above-mentioned adhesive surface or base 2 remains perfectly positioned on In this way, as also shown in Figure 4, the majority of lines of force pass through the blood vessel.

In accordance with the foregoing, when the permanent magnet is applied to the affected part, optimum relative positioning between the magnetic field created bythe magnet and the direction of the flow of blood is achieved due to the special structure of the permanent magnet in order to achieve the most favourable therapeutic effect which is achieved in particular owing to the lengthened configuration of said magnet.

On the other hand, this special configuration allows adequate field intensity to be achieved with minimum dimensions for said magnet which, in turn, minimises the discomfort for the user.

In use, the illustrated and described apparatus should be positioned for a period of time ranging between 8 and 72 hours without the need for any other action since the magnetic forces act without the influence of pressure.

Claims

1. A magnetotherapy apparatus adapted to establish localised analgesic action at a point or region of the user's body by the application of a magnetic field created by a permanent magnet, characterised essentially in that said permanent magnet has an elongated configuration and in that the magnetic poles are situated on opposite sides of its axis of elongation.

2. A magnetotherapy apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the permanent magnet has length along its axis of elongation of between 5.5 and 6.5 mm, and a width transversely of its axis of elongation of between 4.5 and 5.5 mm, its thickness being approximately 2.5 mm, its electromagnetic power being from 500 to 800 Gauss.

3. A magnetotherapy apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it is selfapplicable.

4. A magnetotherapy apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the permanent magnet is fixed to one side of an adhesive base, with an adhesive covering for the side which receives the magnet, this assembly being completed by a protective covering of self-adhesive paper which can be removed prior to implantation of the adhesive base on the skin of the user.

5. A magnetotherapy apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said adhesive base is produced from a resinous sheet, cloth, paper or the like.

6. A magnetotherapy apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein said self-adhesive paper has two sectors which, at adjacent edges thereof define bent tabs which are free from adhesive and are adapted to facilitate removal thereof by pulling.

7. A magnetotherapy apparatus substantially as described with reference to the drawings.