JP2009226037A - Therapeutic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic therapeutic device making the magnetic force act to the deep part of a target region for the therapy. <P>SOLUTION: The therapeutic device comprises a first core member 10 made of a magnetic body; a second core member 20 made of a magnetic body with at least a distal end part 21 disposed close to a distal end part 11 of the first core member 10; and coils 31 and 32 made of electric wires wound around proximal parts of the first core member 10 and/or second core member 20. The distal end parts 11 and 21 of the core members have such width as can be forced into the surface of the target region for the therapy. As electricity is distributed to the coils 31 and 32, magnetic field lines are radiated between the distal end part 11 of the first core member and the distal end part 21 of the second core member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus in which magnetism acts deep in a treatment target region.

  In recent years, research on the application of magnetism to the medical field has been active.

As a technique for applying magnetism to a living body, a magnetic stimulation apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1 below is known. The magnetic stimulation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a magnetic body having a cross-sectional area that decreases as it approaches an end portion that is close to a stimulation target site, a coil in which an electric wire is wound around the magnetic body, Is provided. According to such a configuration, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field generated by the coil is compressed, so that a high-density magnetic field can be generated from the tip of the magnetic material.
JP-A-7-171220

  However, in the above magnetic stimulation device, the strength of the magnetic field is greatly reduced as the distance from the tip of the magnetic material increases, so that under normal operating conditions, magnetism is applied to a depth of 1 to 2 cm below the skin surface. There is a problem that cannot be made. If a magnetic field is to be applied to the deep part of the skin, it is necessary to irradiate the skin surface with a large magnetic field, and such a magnetic field causes nerve excitation on the skin surface.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic therapy apparatus capable of applying magnetism to a deep part of a treatment target site.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the inventions described in the following (1) to (10).

  (1) a first core member made of a magnetic material, a second core member made of a magnetic material having at least a tip portion disposed close to the tip portion of the first core member, the first core member, And / or a coil in which an electric wire is wound around the base portion of the second core member, and the distal end portions of the both core members have a width that can be pushed into the surface of the treatment target site, By being energized, a therapeutic apparatus is characterized in that lines of magnetic force are radiated between the distal end portion of the first core member and the distal end portion of the second core member.

  (2) In the above (1), the first core member is a rod-shaped core member, and the second core member is annularly disposed so as to surround the rod-shaped core member. The therapeutic device as described.

  (3) The second core member is composed of a pair of core members disposed so that at least tip portions thereof are opposed to each other, and the first core member is disposed between the opposed tip portions of the pair of core members. The therapeutic device according to (1) above, wherein the distal end portion is a rod-shaped core member.

  (4) The treatment device according to (3), wherein a plurality of the second core members are arranged around the first core member.

  (5) The opposing surface of the front-end | tip part of the 2nd core member facing the outer peripheral surface of the said 1st core member is formed so that the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part of the said 1st core member may be followed. The treatment device according to (3) or (4).

  (6) In the treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), the first core member and the second core member are coupled on the base side. is there.

  (7) The front end portion of the first core member protrudes in the axial direction of the core members from the end surface of the front end portion of the second core member. It is a therapeutic device.

  (8) The treatment device according to (1), wherein an end surface of the distal end portion of the first core member and an end surface of the distal end portion of the second core member are located on the same plane. is there.

  (9) The therapeutic device according to (1), wherein a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the distal end portions of the core members gradually decreases toward the distal end.

  (10) The treatment according to (1) above, wherein the strength of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the tip is in the range of 30 to 1000 mT, and the frequency of the current flowing through the coil is in the range of 10 to 300 Hz. Device.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, by generating a magnetic field with increased strength by both core members in a state in which the tip portions of both core members are pushed into the surface of the treatment target site, Magnetism can be applied to the deep part.

  Moreover, since an alternating magnetic field can be applied to nerves existing deep in the affected area, neural activity related to pain can be suppressed. As a result, pain in the affected area can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the invention described in (2) above, since the distal end portion of the second core member is disposed so as to surround the distal end portion of the first core member, the distal end portion of the first core member is centered. The magnetic field lines can be radiated as

  Further, according to the invention described in (3) above, since the distal end portion of the second core member is disposed on both sides of the distal end portion of the first core member, two directions from the distal end portion of the first core member are provided. Magnetic field lines can be emitted. In addition, the treatment device is made thinner.

  Further, according to the invention described in (4) above, since the plurality of distal end portions of the second core member are arranged so as to surround the distal end portion of the first core member, the distal end portion of the first core member is Magnetic field lines can be radiated radially from the center.

  In addition, according to the invention described in (5) above, since the distance between the distal end portion of the first core member and the distal end portion of the second core member is uniformly maintained, the magnetic field lines having uniform strength are emitted. be able to.

  In addition, according to the invention described in (6) above, a magnetic field can be generated more efficiently.

  Moreover, according to the invention as described in said (7), more magnetic force lines can be radiated | emitted toward a treatment object site | part.

  Further, according to the invention described in (8) above, the distal end portion of the first core member and the distal end portion of the second core member can be equally pushed into the surface of the treatment target site.

  Moreover, according to the invention as described in said (9), the front-end | tip part of both core members can be pushed into the surface of a treatment object site | part more smoothly.

  Further, according to the invention described in (10) above, since an alternating magnetic field can be applied to nerves existing in the deep part of the affected part, pain in the deeply affected part can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol was used for the same member in the figure.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The treatment device according to the present embodiment irradiates an alternating magnetic field to nerves in the deep subcutaneous area by being used in a state where the tip is pushed into the skin surface of the patient.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment device 100 of the present embodiment has a rod-shaped first core member 10 and a bottle-shaped second core member 20. Coils 31 and 32 are provided at the bases of the rod-shaped first core member 10 and the bottle-shaped second core member 20. The first and second core members 10 and 20 and the coils 31 and 32 are housed in the exterior member 50 together with the power supply circuit 40.

  The rod-shaped first core member 10 is made of a magnetic material having high magnetic permeability and low magnetic loss, such as ferrite, soft iron, iron, silicon steel, permalloy, and amorphous metal soft magnetic material. An electric wire is wound around the base of the rod-shaped first core member 10 to form a coil 31. The cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the first core member 10 is circular, and the distal end portion 11 of the first core member 10 has a tapered shape whose outer diameter gradually decreases toward the distal end.

  The bottle-shaped second core member 20 is made of a magnetic material. The second core member 20 of the present embodiment is coupled to the rod-shaped first core member 10 on the base side. An electric wire is wound around the base of the bottle-shaped second core member 20 in the direction opposite to that of the rod-shaped first core member 10 to form a coil 32. The coils 31 and 32 are electrically connected to the power supply circuit 40. The rod-shaped first core member 10 is disposed on the axis of the bottle-shaped second core member 20, and the distal end portion 11 of the first core member 10 extends upward from the edge of the bottle-shaped second core member 20. It protrudes.

The area of the end face of the tip portion 21 of the bottle-shaped second core member is formed in a range of 8 to 800 mm ² from the viewpoint that the tip portions 11 and 21 of both core members have a width that can be pushed into the skin surface of the patient. It is preferred that If the widths or areas of the distal end portions 11 and 21 of both core members are too large, the distal end portions 11 and 21 cannot be pushed into the patient's skin surface.

  Moreover, the space | interval between the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part 11 of the rod-shaped 1st core member 10 which has circular cross-sectional shape, and the inner peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part 21 of the bottle-shaped 2nd core member 20 is 1-10 mm. It is preferable to form in the range. If the distance between the tips is greater than 10 mm, a sufficiently strong magnetic field cannot be obtained. Moreover, if the distance between the tip portions is less than 1 mm, the manufacture becomes difficult. A detailed description of the interval between the tip portions will be described later.

  According to the treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the distal end portion 11 of the rod-shaped first core member 10 and the distal end portion of the bottle-shaped second core member 20 are energized to the coils 31 and 32. Magnetic field lines are radiated between the two. More specifically, lines of magnetic force are formed radially about the tip 11 of the first core member 10. Moreover, in the treatment apparatus 100 of this Embodiment, the alternating magnetic field or pulsed current is supplied from the power supply circuit 40, and the fluctuation | variation magnetic field from which the intensity | strength of a magnetic field fluctuates periodically is generated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the magnetic field generated by the treatment apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, a magnetic field generated from a general core member with a distal end portion separated is shown as a comparative example.

  First, the magnetic field generated from the U-shaped core member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a simulation result of a magnetic field generated by a U-shaped core member having a tip portion interval of 50 mm as a comparative example.

  The cross-sectional dimension of the core member is a 15 mm square, and the number of turns of the electric wire (magnet wire) wound around the base is 780 turns in the straight part on both sides, and 585 turns in the straight part on the bottom. . The intensity of the magnetic field is calculated assuming that the alternating current flowing through the wire is 50 Hz and 0.5 A.

  As shown by the solid line in the graph of FIG. 2 (A), the magnetic field generated from the core member having a pair of tip portions formed at a distance of 50 mm is located about 24 mm away from the midpoint of the pair of tip portions in the width direction. Exhibits a maximum value at 41 mT. Further, as indicated by a broken line in the graph of FIG. 2A, the magnetic field strength at a location 5 mm upward from the location exhibiting the maximum value is 30 mT, and 10 mm from the location exhibiting the maximum value as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. The strength of the magnetic field at a remote location is 18 mT.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 (B), the magnetic field generated by the treatment apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a simulation result of a magnetic field generated by a core member formed with a distance between tip portions arranged close to each other being 1.8 mm. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the magnetic field simulation, the tip of the rod-shaped first core member is used instead of the cylindrical second core member formed so as to surround the rod-shaped first core member. A second core member is used in which a pair of tip portions are arranged so as to sandwich each other. The cross-sectional dimension of the core member is a rectangular shape with a maximum of 15 mm square, and the number of turns of the wire wound around the base portion of the second core member is 780 turns in the straight portions on both sides, and the rod-shaped first core member The number of turns of the electric wire wound around the base of 585 is 585 turns.

  As shown by the solid line in the graph of FIG. 2B, the magnetic field generated by the first and second core members disposed close to each other in the treatment apparatus of the present embodiment is wide from the midpoint of the pair of tip portions. A maximum value is exhibited at a location 3 mm away in the direction, and its strength is about 405 mT.

  Therefore, if FIG. 2 (A) is compared with FIG. 2 (B), the strength of the magnetic field generated from the tip portion is remarkably increased by arranging the tip portions of the first and second core members close to each other. I understand. In other words, according to the treatment device 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to generate a magnetic field that is equal to or larger than the general core member with electric power.

  According to the treatment device 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the distal end portion 11 of the rod-shaped first core member 10 and the distal end portion 21 of the bottle-shaped second core member 20 are interposed via the exterior member 50. And pushed into contact with the patient's skin surface. When the distal end portions 11 and 21 are pushed into the skin surface, fat existing between the skin surface and the nerves in the subcutaneous deep portion is compressed, and from the distal end portions 11 and 21 of the first and second core members to the deep subcutaneous portion. The distance to the nerve is shortened. In addition, since the magnetic field with increased strength is irradiated by the tip portions 11 and 21 that are arranged close to each other, the alternating magnetic field acts on the nerves in the deep subcutaneous region. When an alternating magnetic field acts on nerves relating to pain in the deep subcutaneous part, nerves related to pain are suppressed, and pain in the affected part can be suppressed.

  The frequency of the alternating current or pulsed current supplied from the power supply circuit 40 of the treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is in the range of 10 to 300 Hz, and the strength of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the surface of the exterior member 50 is 30 to 1000 mT. It is preferable to be in the range.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  This embodiment is an embodiment in which the treatment device is formed thin.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the treatment device 100 of the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped first core member 10 and a second core member 20 configured so that both distal end portions 21 a and 21 b face each other. Coils 31 and 32 are provided at the bases of the first core member 10 and the second core member 20. The configuration of the treatment device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the second core member is formed thin so as to sandwich the first core member. Detailed description will be omitted.

  The second core member 20 includes a U-shaped base 23, projecting portions 24a and 24b projecting inward from both ends of the U-shaped base 23, and forward from the ends of the projecting portions 24a and 24b. It is comprised from a pair of front-end | tip part 21a, 21b extended in this. An electric wire is wound around the U-shaped base to form coils 32a and 32b.

  The distal end portion 11 of the rod-shaped first core member 10 projects outward from between the opposed distal end portions 21 a and 21 b of the second core member 20. The rod-like first core member 10 and the distal end portions 11, 21a, 21b of the first core member 10 and the second core member 20 have a cross-sectional area toward the distal end while maintaining a predetermined interval so as to be pushed more smoothly into the skin surface. It is comprised so that it may reduce gradually.

  With such a configuration, magnetic lines of force in two directions are formed with the distal end portion 11 of the first core member as the center toward both the distal end portions 21a and 21b of the second core member. In addition, the treatment device is made thinner.

  In the present embodiment, both end portions 21a and 21b of the second core member having a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the axial direction are opposed so as to sandwich the tip portion 11 of the first core member having a circular cross section. It was. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the opposing surfaces of both end portions 21 a and 21 b of the second core member that face the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 11 of the first core member 10 are the outer peripheral surfaces of the tip portion 11 of the first core member. It can also be formed in a concave surface so as to maintain a predetermined interval. With such a configuration, the magnetic field lines are radiated to a wider area. Moreover, the intensity | strength of the magnetic force line radiated | emitted between the front-end | tip part 11 of a 1st core member and the front-end | tip parts 21a and 21b of a 2nd core member is equalized.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of second core members are arranged so as to surround the first core member.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the treatment device 100 of the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped first core member 10 and two second core members 20a and 20b. Coils 31 and 32 are provided at the bases of the first core member 10 and the second core members 20a and 20b. Note that, except that a plurality of second core members are provided, the treatment device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the treatment devices of the first and second embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  With such a configuration, the magnetic field lines are radiated in all directions from the tip of the first core member, so that the magnetic field can be more effectively applied to the affected area.

  As described above, in the first to third embodiments described above, the treatment apparatus of the present invention has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately added, modified, and omitted by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments described above, the first core member and the second core member are individually formed and coupled on the base side. However, the first core member and the second core member may be formed by being integrally cut from one bulk material. Alternatively, the first core member and the second core member may be separated from each other.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments described above, the tip portion of the first core member protrudes in the axial direction from the end surface of the tip portion of the second core member. However, the end surface of the tip portion of the first core member and the end surface of the tip portion of the second core member may be formed on the same plane.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail using examples. However, the present invention is not limited at all by this example.

(Experiment 1)
First, in order to verify the inhibitory effect of nerves related to pain caused by an alternating magnetic field, the influence of the alternating magnetic field on the pain sensory nerve (C fiber, Aδ fiber) activity of the rat sciatic nerve was examined.

  Examples of animals used include crjj. WI rat (former name crj: wistar) was purchased from Charles River Japan Co., Ltd. The test was conducted after a acclimation period of 1 week. The weight of the rat at the time of the experiment was 270 to 370 g.

  As an experimental procedure, first, a rat was lightly sedated with ether in a fume hood, and then an anesthetized rat was administered intraperitoneally with about 1.1 to 1.3 g / kg of urethane. More specifically, a 20% urethane solution is first administered into an intraperitoneal cavity at a dose of 1.1 mg / kg, and then a 40% urethane solution diluted twice according to the effect of anesthesia is 0.05 mg / kg unit. In addition, it was administered. This is because if the amount of anesthesia is too large, the evoked action potential from the sciatic nerve is difficult to be generated, and if it is too small, the anesthetic effect is weakened and the rat's breathing is disturbed, and the variation of the evoked action potential according to time increases. . And it was hold | maintained on the fixed base, after confirming that the respiration of a rat was stabilized and the anesthetic worked moderately (respiration rate 84-120 / min).

  The rat's thigh skin was then incised with a surgical scissor to expose the muscle, and then the muscle surface was cut open with a surgical scissor. Furthermore, in order to minimize bleeding, the muscles were cut while pushing the muscle incision with forceps without using surgical scissors. When the sciatic nerve was confirmed immediately under the cut, the sciatic nerve was carefully detached from the surrounding connective tissue using a small forceps while picking the muscle cut with tweezers.

  The action potential of the rat sciatic nerve was measured according to the method of Harkin Medical School's Gokin et al. (Anestology 95: 1441-54, 2001). A feature of the method of Gokin et al. Is that the measurement site is placed in a pool of liquid paraffin. Cotton yarn was tied to the four corners of the muscle cut, and the cotton yarn was tied to a holding table with two arms while pulling up the four cotton yarns lightly. In this way, a space is formed immediately below the cut end of the pulled muscle, and liquid paraffin (Kanto Chemical) was injected to fill this space. The sciatic nerve was present in a form that floated in liquid paraffin.

  Next, the sciatic nerve was hooked with a bipolar electrode having a hook-shaped tip (electrode spacing: 5 mm, manufactured by Unique Medical), and fixed to an electrode holder capable of three-dimensional fine movement in the vertical direction in a state where the nerve was gently pulled up. During the experiment, the temperature of the pool was monitored with a thermocouple thermometer (CUSTOM CT-1307) so that the temperature of the pool would not be lower than 35 ° C., and if necessary, the temperature was kept with a heat dissipation lamp (TECHNOLIGHT KTS-150RSV Kenko).

  For recording action potential, a hook-shaped bipolar electrode is used as a recording electrode, a plate electrode as a ground electrode is embedded under the chest skin, and amplified by a high sensitivity bioelectric amplifier (ER-1 Extracellular Amplifier, CYGNUS TECHNOLOGY) 20,000 times. After that, the action potential waveform was displayed on the screen of the MACBook personal computer (MacOSX version 10.4.9) via PowerLab 16/30 (AD INSTRUMENTS). In order to minimize potential measurement noise, the low-pass filter and high-pass filter of the high-sensitivity bioelectric amplifier were set to 3 kHz and 300 Hz, respectively.

  Under urethane anesthesia, no spontaneous action potential is usually observed from the sciatic nerve. This time, the rat's hind paw was electrically stimulated to induce action potentials in the sciatic nerve. Penetration of stainless steel disposable heel (Kanaken φ0.14mm × 40mm) into the skin between the second heel and third heel of the rat's hind foot (mainly left foot) and between the fourth and fifth heel And used as a stimulation electrode. The rat's hind paw was electrically stimulated from an electrical stimulator (Model 238 High CURRENT SOURCE MEASURE UNIT KEITLEY) via an isolator (DSP-133B, DIA MEDICAL SYSTEM CO). The electrical stimulation was a pulse stimulation, and one pulse stimulation was 5 pulses with a frequency of 1 Hz and a pulse width of 1 ms and an intensity of 5 to 15 mA. Such pulse stimulation was repeated every 10 minutes.

  Next, irradiation of an alternating magnetic field to the nerve will be described.

  Rats were irradiated with a magnetic field using an AC magnetic field generator prototyped by Terumo Corporation or a commercially available 50 Hz magnetic field generator (AC magnetic field treatment device Soken Medical Co., Ltd.). In the former, an insulator-coated copper wire (0.8 mm in diameter) was wound around a donut-shaped ferrite (outer diameter 151 mm, inner diameter 91.5 mm, thickness 20 mm) having an air gap of 25 mm. A sine wave was generated by a function generator (WF 1973 NF corporation), and an alternating current amplified by a PRECISION POWER AMPLIFIER 4502 (NF corporation) was supplied to the magnetic field generator to irradiate an alternating magnetic field.

  The magnetic field irradiation site was around the heel from the vicinity of the electrical stimulation site of the rat's hind paw, and an alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz (1 to 17 mT), 1 kHz (1 to 10 mT), and 10 kHz (3 mT) was irradiated. The magnetic field strength of a commercially available magnetic field generator was about 50 mT. The magnetic field irradiation time was 20 minutes. Due to the effect of the bandpass filter of the selected frequency, no noise was generated during action potential measurement when the AC magnetic field was 50 Hz (1 to 17 mT). However, when the alternating current was 50 Hz (50 mT), 1 kHz, and 10 kHz, noise was generated, and thus the magnetic field irradiation was interrupted for several tens of seconds while measuring the action potential. In addition, the magnetic field in a magnetic field irradiation site | part was measured by 5180 Gauss / Tesla Meter (Toyo Technica).

  Next, a method for evaluating the influence of an alternating magnetic field on nerves will be described.

  In this experiment, the influence of the alternating magnetic field on the nerve was evaluated by measuring the number of impulses of the evoked action potential.

  The number of impulses of the evoked action potential was measured after completion of the experiment using impulse measurement software Chart ProSpike module (AD INSTRUMENTS). The number of impulses was measured by dividing into two groups of Aδ fiber and C fiber group which are painful nerves. Whether the evoked potential is due to Aδ fiber or C fiber was judged from the nerve conduction velocity. Gokin et al. Report that the nerve conduction velocities of Aδ fibers and C fibers contained in the rat sciatic nerve are 2 to 10 m / s and 0.5 to 2 m / s, respectively. Therefore, in this experiment, the value (nerve conduction velocity) obtained by dividing the distance between the stimulating electrode and the recording electrode by the time when the evoked potential is recorded after stimulation is in any range of the values reported by Gokin et al. It was determined by hitting. Specifically, when the distance between the electrodes for stimulation and recording is 10 cm, if the time for which the evoked potential is recorded after stimulation is 10 to 50 ms, it is assumed to be Aδ fiber. On the other hand, if it is 50-200 ms, it was based on C fibers. The obtained results are shown as an average value ± standard error of the total number of impulses obtained by five stimulations. Student's t-test (average test using a pair of samples) was used for evaluation of statistical significance.

  When electrical stimulation (1 Hz, 1 ms, 5 to 10 mA, 5 shots) was given to the rat foot, evoked action potentials were recorded from the sciatic nerve in almost all specimens. Although the action potential was hardly recorded after the first stimulation, a wind-up phenomenon was observed in which the number of impulses gradually increased from the second stimulation and became maximum after 3 to 5 stimulations. When the action potential at the maximum was analyzed, one to two action potentials that were considered to be fired from Aδ fibers were recorded, and then several pulses that were thought to be caused by the firing of C fibers were observed. When electrical stimulation was repeated at 10 minute intervals, as shown in FIG. 6, both the Aδ fiber component and the C fiber component showed a relatively stable response in which the number of impulses slightly decreased.

  After electrically stimulating the toes twice at 10 minute intervals, 50 Hz (5 mT, 17 mT, 50 mT), 1 kHz (10 mT), or 10 kHz (3 mT) alternating magnetic field was applied for 20 minutes each. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the magnetic field was irradiated, almost no effect was observed on the action potential of the Aδ fiber component under all irradiation conditions.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the number of impulses of the action potential was statistically significantly suppressed in the C fiber component by irradiation with a magnetic field at 50 Hz and 50 mT for 20 minutes. This suppression continued for a while after the magnetic field irradiation was finished. In addition, a tendency to suppress action potential was observed even in irradiation with a magnetic field of 50 Hz and 30 mT. However, no clear effect was observed when the magnetic field was irradiated at 50 Hz and 5 mT. Furthermore, no clear effect was observed even when irradiated with a magnetic field of 1 kHz (10 mT) or 10 kHz (3 mT).

  As described above, as a result of verifying the inhibitory effect by the alternating magnetic field of nerves related to pain, the action potential of the action potential of the pain sensory nerve (C fiber) of the sciatic nerve of the rat by irradiation with a magnetic field of 50 Hz and 50 mT and 50 Hz and 30 mT confirmed.

(Experiment 2)
Next, in order to verify the inhibitory effect of the alternating magnetic field on nerves related to pain, the influence of the alternating magnetic field on the rat foot edema was examined.

  Specifically, the effect of alternating magnetic field (50 Hz and 5 mT, 50 Hz and 50 mT, 1 kHz and 10 mT) on pain hypersensitivity was examined using rats with paw edema in which inflammation was induced on the paw with carrageenin without anesthesia.

  6-8 week old crlj. WI rats (former name crj: wistar) were purchased from Charles River Japan Co., Ltd., and subjected to an experiment after a acclimation period of 1 week was provided. The weight of the rats during the experiment was 200 to 350 g.

  Next, a rat footpad edema model was prepared. The rat was lightly sedated with ether in a fume hood, and then 0.15 ml of 1% λ-carrageenan aqueous solution was subcutaneously injected into one footpad (sole) to produce a footpad edema. Similarly, 0.15 ml of physiological saline was subcutaneously injected into the toes of the toes.

  The reaction threshold of the foot-lifting action by pressure stimulation was measured by placing a rat on a net stretched in a square wooden frame (20 cm long × 30 cm wide). As the net, a racket gut (nylon mono-filament: 0.78 mm, Gossen Co., Ltd.) and a mesh with a width of about 1 cm were used. The reason for using a non-metallic net is that it is better to have no metal between the device and the rat when irradiating the magnetic field. Cover the rat with a transparent plastic cage (length 12 cm x width 20 cm x height 11 cm) so that the rat does not escape from the net, and then use a von Frey filament (Touch Test, manufactured by North Coast, North Coast). Stimulation was performed 3 times continuously from the bottom to the hind limb (plantar) of the rat's hind limb. The stimulation time per time was set to about 3 seconds after confirming that the filament was bent by pressing the filament against the footpad. At this time, the minimum pressure stimulation intensity of the von Frey filament that causes the action of raising the foot more than twice (reaction to retract the foot) was defined as a reaction threshold (withdrawal pressure). The strength of the von Frey filament used (ie, the force pressing the toes of the hind limb of the rat) was 60 g (5.88), 26 g (5.46), 15 g (5.18), 10 g (5.07). ), 8 g (4.93), 6 g (4.74), 4 g (4.56), and 2 g (4.31) (the values in parentheses are logarithmic values).

  For magnetic irradiation, an alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz and 1 kHz was used. The intensity of the alternating magnetic field was 5 mT or 50 mT for 50 Hz and 10 mT for 1 kHz. The magnetic irradiation site was a carrageenin injection site in the hind limb of the rat, and an alternating magnetic field was irradiated from below the net with a magnetic irradiation device. Also, the experimenter moved the position of the net frame so that the rat carrageenin injection site was always directly above the place where the strongest magnetic flux density of the magnetic irradiation device was generated. The irradiation time was 20 minutes immediately before carrageenin administration, and 20 minutes immediately before each measurement time after carrageenin administration. When measuring 6 hours after carrageenin administration, the magnetic field irradiation time was 140 minutes in total, and when measuring 3 hours, it was 80 minutes in total.

  In the experiment, two animals were used per day, one animal was used for magnetic field irradiation, and the other animal was used for control (non-magnetic field irradiation) (Time matched control). In principle, the foot-lifting response by pressure stimulation was measured once before carrageenin administration and at 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, and 6 hours after carrageenin administration (in some experiments, carrageenin administration). It was measured up to 3 hours later). The measurement result of the obtained foot-lifting reaction was expressed as an average value ± standard error by converting the strength (g) of the filament into a logarithm. In addition, the obtained foot edema volume was expressed in ml and expressed as an average value ± standard error. Whether there was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the magnetic field irradiation group at each time was evaluated by Student's t-test (average test using a pair of samples).

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the group in which the rat footpad was irradiated with an alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz with an intensity of 50 mT, the decrease in the foot lift reaction threshold due to pressure stimulation at the carrageenin injection site was 1 hour compared to the non-irradiated group. It was statistically significantly suppressed after 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours and 5 hours (p <0.05, n = 7). However, no suppression was observed at 50 Hz and 5 mT and 1 kHz and 10 mT (n = 5).

  Thus, as a result of verifying the suppression effect by the alternating magnetic field of the nerve related to pain, it was confirmed that the nerve related to pain was suppressed by irradiating the alternating magnetic field of 50 Hz with the intensity of 50 mT.

It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the treatment apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram showing a simulation result of a magnetic field generated by a U-shaped core member formed with an interval between tip portions of 50 mm as a comparative example, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of the magnetic field generated from the core member formed in the space | interval of the front-end | tip part arrange | positioned to 1.8 mm. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the core member in the treatment apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the core member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the core member in the treatment apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the impulse number of the evoked action potential when the nerve of a rat is electrically stimulated. It is a figure which shows the change of the impulse number of the evoked action potential at the time of irradiating the alternating nerve magnetic field to the nerve of the rat stimulated electrically. It is a figure for demonstrating the influence of the alternating magnetic field which acts on the leg raising reaction threshold value by carrageenin.

Explanation of symbols

10 1st core member (1st core member),
11, 21 tip,
20 second core member (second core member),
30 coils,
40 power circuit,
50 exterior members,
100 therapeutic device.

Claims (10)

A first core member made of a magnetic material; a second core member made of a magnetic material having at least a tip portion disposed in proximity to the tip portion of the first core member; the first core member and / or the first core member; A coil in which an electric wire is wound around the base of the core member of 2,
The distal end portions of the both core members have a width that can be pushed into the surface of the treatment target site, and when the coil is energized, the distal end portions of the first core member and the second core member are energized. A treatment device characterized by radiating magnetic field lines between each other. The first core member is a rod-shaped core member,
The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second core member is arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the rod-shaped core member. The second core member is composed of a pair of core members disposed so that at least the tip portions thereof are opposed to each other,
The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first core member is a rod-shaped core member in which a distal end portion is disposed between opposed distal end portions of the pair of core members.   The treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the second core members are arranged around the first core member.   The opposing surface of the front-end | tip part of the 2nd core member which opposes the outer peripheral surface of the said 1st core member is formed so that the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part of the said 1st core member may be followed. Item 5. The treatment device according to Item 3 or 4.   The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first core member and the second core member are coupled to each other on a base side.   The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distal end portion of the first core member protrudes in an axial direction of both core members from an end face of the distal end portion of the second core member.   The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end surface of the distal end portion of the first core member and an end surface of the distal end portion of the second core member are located on the same plane.   The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction of the distal end portions of the core members gradually decreases toward the distal end.   The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the tip is in the range of 30 to 1000 mT, and the frequency of the current flowing through the coil is in the range of 10 to 300 Hz.