WO1999006109A1

WO1999006109A1 - Device for magneto-therapy

Info

Publication number: WO1999006109A1
Application number: PCT/IB1998/001153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriele Agabiti; Dario Corsi; Michele Ponsele'
Original assignee: Baldi Holding S.A.
Priority date: 1997-07-30
Filing date: 1998-07-27
Publication date: 1999-02-11
Also published as: ITPS970022A1; AU8456798A; ITPS970022A0; EP0999875A1; IT1295994B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for magneto-therapy which, unlike those currently in use, requires no adjustment in relation to the place of employment and to the subject to be treated. It is also able to perform an action that is well localised on a chosen point of the body and it can be used by physically active persons. To this end, the transducer that produces the magnetic field is fed with pulses whose frequency is cyclically variable from a minimum value to a maximum value, such as to delimit a range that includes the optimal values for each subject, whatever the location. The transducer comprises an inductor with core made of ferrite, or the like, of extremely reduced size.

Description

Description Device for magneto-therapy Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for magneto-therapy which presents important innovative characteristics with respect to those currently in use and extends their field of employment.

Normally, man does not perceive the presence of electromagnetic fields. The lack of this perception has long been interpreted as a lack of response to such fields. Numerous and thorough studies, conducted by various qualified research centres of various nationalities, have instead shown that the Earth's magnetic field and every other magnetic field have important effects on the cells and on the metabolism of living organisms. For instance, a difference in red cell sedimentation has been demonstrated in an environment deprived of the Earth's magnetic field.

Electromagnetic fields influence, among other things, cell membrane permeability, cell enzyme activity, calcium mobility and its velocity of migration through the membrane itself. The role of calcium in the transmission of intracellular signals, such as muscle contraction and relaxation, is scientifically recognised.

Electromagnetic waves have been used as a non invasive tool to promote healing of bone fractures, obtaining significant successes and scientific recognition. Numerous studies confirm the influence of electromagnetic fields on calcium movement and on the piezoelectric organisation of bone structures, as well as their favourable action in the organisation of the cytoskeleton of the bone callus (calcification acceleration action). Electromagnetic fields also influence circadian wake and sleep rhythms.

These effects can be stimulating or depressant and in general beneficial or negative, depending on the characteristics of the field and of the subject: the response to certain frequencies of the electromagnetic field rather than to others is extremely personal.

Background Art

The devices for magneto-therapy currently in use generate magnetic fields with fixed frequencies, selectable manually. Since the optimal frequency of the field depends on the subject, on the type of treatment to be performed and on the earth's magnetic field, which varies from place to place, the experiments that are conducted do not have universal validity. It is therefore necessary to proceed by trial and error on a case by case basis, wasting a great amount of time, to attain the desired results.

Moreover, existing devices, due to the considerable size of the transducer, perform a diffused action, which cannot be localised with precision on a particular point of the body, and they cannot be used by physically active persons.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to allow effective magneto- therapy treatments of various kinds, without having each time to seek by trial and error the optimal conditions of adjustment for the device. Other aims are to perform an extremely localised action on a preselected point and to allow treatment on persons during their physical activity.

In the therapeutic field, it is possible to quicken bone fracture healing by applying the device directly on the fracture, even during rehabilitation sessions.

To obtain such characteristics, in the device described the transducer that produces the magnetic field is fed pulses whose frequency is cyclically variable, from a minimum to a maximum, such as to delimit a range of values which is sure to include the optimal ones for any subject, wherever he or she may be located.

The transducer further comprises an inductor with ferrite core, or the like, or reduced size, which generates an extremely focused field and thus can be applied exactly onto the pre-selected point, even to physically active persons.

The invention is now described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawing tables, which show a possible embodiment purely by way of example.

Description of the Drawings

- Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the device.

- Figure 2 shows a possible version of the wiring diagram.

Description of the Illustrative Embodiment In Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates a ramp generator, number 2 a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), number 3 a pulse generator circuit, number 4 a power amplifier and number 5 a transducer, which, fed by the amplified pulses, produces a pulsing magnetic field of suitable intensity. Reference numbers 6 and 7 indicate respectively a rechargeable battery and the related charging circuitry.

The ramp generator 1 can in practice comprise the V_. integrated circuit IC1 shown at the top left in Table 2, 3456 type or equivalent. The pulse generator circuit 3 comprises, in the example in Fig. 2, the remaining part of integrated circuit IC1, shown at the bottom left. The voltage-controlled oscillator or VCO 2 is obtained with the integrated circuit IC2, 4046 type or equivalent. The power amplifier 4 comprises the transistor TR1, BC337 type or equivalent. The transducer 5 is represented by inductor LI.

At start-up, the device generates pulses of pre-set width, typically 60 microseconds, with repetition frequency that depends on the VCO 2 and on the ramp generator 1 connected thereto. The minimum pulse repetition frequency specified is 3 Hz, the maximum frequency is 65 Hz. These values are such as to include the optimal ones for any subject, wherever he or she may be. in any case, if it is deemed appropriate they can be modified.

The variable frequency pulses thus generated are amplified by the power amplifier 4, that drives the magnetic transducer 5, which comprises a small coil of reduced size, with core made of ferrite, or the like. The amplitude of the amplified pulses and the characteristics of the transducer are such as to produce a magnetic field of appropriate intensity.

Some components of the device can be adjustable, to allow device calibration.

Obviously, circuit configurations different from the one shown could be adopted: for instance, the electronic circuit could be variously integrated and even programmable.

Claims

1. Device for magneto-therapy, comprising a pulse generator circuit with related power supply and a transducer, characterised in that the transducer that produces the magnetic field is fed with pulses whose frequency is cyclically variable, from a minimum to a maximum, such as to delimit a range of values which is sure to include the optimal ones for any subject, no matter where he or she may be.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the transducer which, fed by amplified pulses, produces the magnetic field, comprises an inductor with ferrite core, or the like, of reduced size, such as to generate an extremely focused field and to be able to be applied exactly onto the pre-selected point, event to physically active persons.

3. Device according to the previous claims, characterised in that the pulse generator circuit generates pulses having pre-set width, with pulse frequency that is varied cyclically between a minimum value and a maximum value by means of a ramp generator.

4. Device according to the previous claims, characterised in that its electronic circuit is variously integrated and programmable and comprises adjustable components, to allow the calibration of the device.