Electromagnetic device, method and apparatus for selective application to vertebrates

A multifunction device for selective application to the body of a vertebrate is disclosed. The device includes an electromagnetic generator supported by an bobbin like member which has a bore therethrough for reciprocally receiving an elongated magnetizable member. A permanent magnet is disposed near one end of the bore. The magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are arranged to magnetically attract the elongated magnetizable member. When energized, the electromagnetic generator produces a magnetic field magnetically polarizing the elongated magnetizable member establishing a repelling magnetic force with the permanent magnet which is additive to the electromagnetic force caused by the electromagnetic generator moving the elongated magnetizable member away from the permanent magnet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The herein disclosed and claimed invention relates to a method, apparatus and device useful in the manual medicine field, as for example the chiropractic field and more particularly useful in the treatment of mobility issues in vertebral articulation.

The prior art is replete with products and devices adapted to evaluate and treat issues of vertebral and extra vertebral joints. These might include manual as well as electrically controlled devices.

Generally, the prior art can be described as inefficient to use, difficult to control and unable to generate reproducible results over a reasonable period of time.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,890 applies force directly to the body of the patient by pneumatic means. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,235 and 4,461,286 apply force directly to the body of the patient by mechanical means by using energy stored in a spring, which energy when released by a trigger means, acts on a hammer. These types of devices produce variable results from use to use and from chiropractor to chiropractor.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,841,955, 4,948,127 and 6,537,236 are representative of prior art devices employing traditional solenoid winding arrangements to generate the electromagnetic force to propel the force applying member to treat and adjust the vertebrae joints. It has found that these type of devices have serious shortcomings, as for example, they typically are electrically inefficient and generate a substantial amount of unwanted heat. There is considerable heat generated from the electrical windings due to copper loss. Further, their hammers are solid piece members and as such, there are substantial eddy current losses. The overall effect of the electrical inefficiency of the prior art is above mentioned unwanted heat which is transmitted throughout the entire device reducing the device's electrical and mechanical efficiency. Thus, the device becomes hot and difficult for the operator to hold and apply properly and are unsuitable for high frequency operation. This heat problem is acknowledged in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,211 by the provision of a thermal overload switch to combat overheating.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefor a n important purpose of the invention disclosed and claimed herein to provide a multifunction device, method and apparatus that overcomes the various shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another very important purpose of this invention is to provide a device employing a permanent magnet to assist in the efficient electrical and mechanical propulsion of the hammer member for the effective probing and treatment of mobility issues of muscles in vertebral and extra vertebral articulations.

It is a further very important purpose of this invention to provide the above referred device which is highly suitable for high frequency operation over a prolonged period of time and which is operator friendly.

Another important purpose of this invention to provide the above referred device which includes a slotted elongated magnetizable member or core to reduce eddy current losses to thereby reduce unwanted heat.

Yet another important purpose of this invention to provide the above referred to device with an improved winding arrangement which allows for the efficient generation of a magnetic field without any substantial unwanted heat.

Other purposes, objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art and its associated art upon review of the drawings and the reading of this disclosure including the appended claims taken with the specification, taken in their totality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing the details of the present invention as illustrated in the several drawings, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not to be limited to any of the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes reasonable equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar result.

Referring the drawings, and in particularFIG. 1, there is shown and illustrated a multifunction device10for selective application to the body of a vertebrate which is particularly useful in the practice of manual medicine, as for example, in the chiropractic field.

The device10includes an outer shell or cover12which is typically manufactured from aluminum. The shell12is cylindrical in cross section but can be fashioned into a different cross section.

The outer shell12is slidably received by an inner shell or main housing14which is typically manufactured from mild steel. A electromagnetic means or coil16is supported by an electromagnetic support means or bobbin18. The coil16is typically manufactured from 28-30 gauge copper wire and typically includes two separate windings wound in a parallel arrangement.

The bobbin18, which is typically manufactured from non-conductive nylon like material, has a bore19therethrough for reciprocally receiving an elongated magnetizable member or plunger28.

The plunge28is provided with at least one longitudinally extending eddy current reduction slots29which will be discussed in further detail below.

The non-conductive nylon like material of the bobbin18also has superior lubrication qualities thus provides a low coefficient of friction for the plunger to reciprocally move within the bore19.

A magnet holder20is provided with a cavity to fixedly receive a permanent magnet24. The magnet holder20is typically manufactured from aluminum and the permanent magnet24may be held in place with a suitable epoxy or glue. The permanent magnet24may be classified as rare earth magnet, as for example, neodymium-iron-boron. A typical example is Magcraft Corporation's Product No. NSN0575 having a thickness of about ⅜ inch thickness and a width or face of about ½ inch.

An end plate22is fixedly supported by the inner shell14and acts to guide and limit the length wise stroke of the plunger28. The magnet holder20limits the length wise stroke of the plunger28in the opposite direction. The end plate22is typically manufactured from mild steel and the plunger28is typically manufactured from soft electrical steel.

The bobbin18is fixedly nested between the end plate22and the magnet holder20to restrain any lengthwise movement of the bobbin18and can be further secured in place to the inner shell by the use of an epoxy or glue.

A nose cone or end piece38, which is typically manufactured from aluminum, has a bore39therethrough for reciprocally receiving an elongated striker30, the axis of the striker30being in alignment with the axis of the plunger28and the axis of the bobbin bore19is in alignment with the axis of the nose cone bore39.

The elongated striker30is typically manufactured from aluminum and is provided with an end cap34. The end cap34captures a spring32between the cap34and a cavity36provided in the nose cone38. The spring32tends to return the striker30to its start position as will be discussed further below.

A position or proximity sensor26acts in concert with spring38to apply a predetermined application force to the patient and electrically activate the device in a manner to be further explained below.

The compression of the spring38by the operator (the outer shell12is slidably moved relative to the inner shell or main housing14) provides a pressure and as the device10is applied and pressed against the patient the force applied increases.

As the applied force reaches a predetermined level as controlled by the electrical control40(as established and selected by the operator) the position sensor26will sense the relative position of the end cap34of the outer shell12. The coil16will then be energized according to certain pre-set application parameters (e.g. frequency and force amplitude). The spring38can be biased at different compression levels which in turn can vary the applied force. The pre-load settings ensures a reproducible applied force.

The longitudinal or length wise alignment between the outer shell12and the inner shell14, as they slide relative to each other, is accomplished by the provision of a longitudinally extending slot or groove (not shown. The slot is disposed on the outer face of the inner shell with a set screw (not shown) or the like provided through the wall of the out shell12, The set screw is in registration with the groove to slide therein. This arrangement also may limit the relative length of the two shell12and14as the as the device10is withdrawn from the patient and the spring38is decompressed.

As the coil16is energized according to the pre-set application parameters, the plunger28will be propelled toward and engage the striker30which in turn will transmit predetermined impulses to the patient. Certain tools or applicators (not shown) may be selectively attached to the end of the striker30in a standard fashion. The permanent magnet24assists in the propelling and the retraction of the plunger28(and the striker30) and will be discussed further below.

As the coil16is energized and deenergized the mechanical impulses applied to the patient will be repeated until terminated by the operator. When the coil16is energized a magnetic field will be created and it will propel the plunger28towards the length wise center position of the coil16. Similarly, when the coil16is denergized, the plunger will be returned to its start and pre-set position.

The device10may be assembled in various ways, as for example, it could be assembled on a part by part basis or certain sub-assemblies could employed in the fabrication and assembly process. The assembly process could employ any number of fastening techniques, such as threaded attachments, epoxy, press fit and the like.

The device10is electrically connected to the electrical control40by a suitable cable42. The electrical control40may be powered by standard house or residential electrical supply44of 110 volts at 60 cycles.

To energize the coil16a pulse of energy is produced. The electrical control40can control the magnetic field. For example, the longer the duration of the electrical pulse to the coil16the stronger the magnetic field created by the coil16and hence the plunger28and the striker30will move more swiftly. Further, the number of times or cycles per second the striker30mechanically impulses the patient can be controlled by the electrical control40.

The supply44for the electrical control40is inputted to a control power supply46, as for example, an Agilent Model 6010 and to a frequency generator48, as for example a Tenma Corporation Model 72-7210. The control power supply has a step-up output of 200 volts D.C. which is used to energize the coil16.

The power supply46is provided with two output terminals, the positive terminal50is attached directly to the device by means of cable42. The negative terminal52becomes the system ground and is wired to the negative terminal54of the frequency generator48and the source terminal56of a power transistor58. The power transistor58is of a typical off-the-shelf design such as a International Rectifier Corporation Model No. 840.

To complete the circuit the drain terminal60of the power transistor58is connected to the connecting cable42

The electrical energy sent to the device10via cable42is in the form of short pulses, as for example 1-3 milliseconds in length. These pulses may be repeated in a periodic manner to continually cycle the plunger28and thus the striker30with its associated attached tool (not shown). The switching of the power transistor58on and off by the signal generator48will convert the stepped up 200 volt output of the power supply46to a train of pulses.

The frequency generator48precisely controls the switching of the power transistor58to provide a square wave signal with an amplitude of about 10 v and a frequency of about 10 hertz. Each such cycle of the square wave output may consist of an “on” time of about 3 milliseconds where the output is about 10 v and the “off” time of about 97 milliseconds where the output is 0 v.

As before mentioned, the controlling of the power transistor58to its on and off states by the signal generator48will convert the stepped up 200 volt output of the power supply46to a train of pulses. These pulses are sent to the device10via the electrical cable42to the windings16creating a pulsed magnetic field. The pulsed magnetic field, which will be discussed in further detail below, will in turn be converted to mechanical energy by effecting pulsed mechanical movement of the plunger28and the striker30.

As the pulsed electrical energy provided to windings16is switched off, the magnetic field will collapse and an unwanted induced electro magnetic force (emf) will be induced in the coil16. This unwanted induced emf is quickly dissipated by circulating the emf to flywheel diode62.

Referring now toFIGS. 2aand2b, there is shown partial views of a prior art plunger and the core member or plunger28of the device10which is reciprocally received within the bore19of the bobbin18, all as above described. The plunger28is provided with at least one longitudinally extending eddy current reduction slots29.

The plunger28is subject to large magnetic fields and as such a voltage is induced within its body. This induced voltage will in turn cause circulating or eddy currents31aand31b. The eddy currents are unwanted because they ultimately dissipate as heat. The eddy currents reduce the amount of power available to propel the plunger28and it has been found that the eddy currents can be reduced by increasing plunger28body's resistance.

Increasing plunger28body's resistance can be achieved by the provision of at least one longitudinally extending eddy current reduction slots29(six such slots29are shown inFIG. 2b). These slots will prevent a substantially large number of circulating eddy current loops31bby reducing the cross section of the plunger28. The resistance of the plunger28to these eddy currents varies inversely with the cross sectional area of the plunger28and, accordingly, the provision of at least one longitudinally extending slots29will reduce such cross sectional area and circulating eddy current loops31b

The circulating eddy current loops31aof the prior art circulate substantially unabated and are thus of greater magnitude as depicted by the rather large circular arrow31a. Referring now toFIG. 3a(coil16off or at rest),FIG. 3b(coil16energized) andFIG. 3c(coil16deenergized). there is shown the interaction of the magnetic fields as the coil16is off or at rest, energized and deenergized in response to the electrical impulses generated by the electrical control40(seeFIG. 1).

FIG. 3ashows the coil16in an off state with the reciprocal plunger28at rest against the permanent magnet24. The permanent magnet24attracts the mild steel plunger28because the lines of force extend into the mild steel of the plunger28and set up magnetic poles in the plunger28effecting opposite magnetic poles (i.e. N-S/N-S) than the poles of the magnet24. Since opposite magnetic poles attract the plunger28is held in place by the permanent magnet24.

FIG. 3bshows the coil16in an energized state with a pulse (from − to +) of D.C. current generated by the electrical control40. The so energized coil16effects a magnet field which extends into and through the plunger28; magnetizing it with the same polarity as the coil16(S-N/S-N). The presence of the plunger28within the coil16allows the magnetic flux to attain a substantially higher value. It also increases the flux density in the plunger28as opposed to the air surrounding the plunger28.

The magnetic field created by the coil16is much stronger than the magnetic field of the permanent magnet24and since unlike magnetic poles attract, the plunger28is drawn into about the length-wise center of the coil16where the magnetic field is the strongest.

The permanent magnet24plays a substantial role in propelling the plunger28to mechanically engage the striker30(seeFIG. 1) which is additive to the propelling action of the coil16. More particularly, as the magnetic field of the coil16draws the plunger28toward its center, the now existing similar magnetic poles ((S-N/N-S) between the plunger28and the permanent magnet24creates a repelling force therebetween that aids in moving the plunger28towards the striker30.

FIG. 3cshows the coil16in a deenergized state with the pulse of D.C. current being shut off by the electrical control40. The magnet field surrounding the coil16and extending through the plunger28will immediately begin to decay and weaken. Soon thereafter, the magnetic poles in the coil16and the plunger will diminish and, consequently, the plunger will no longer be held in place within the coil16. At that point, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet24will resume its magnetic influence over the plunger28thereby effecting magnetic poles (N-S/N-S) therebetween whereby the plunger28is magnetically attracted to rest against the permanent magnet24until electrical control40generates the next electrical pulse of current to the coil16.

As above generally indicated, with this invention the shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome resulting in an accurate, efficient device which is particularly useful in the manual medical field with highly reproducible results.

Although we have shown and disclosed a preferred embodiment of a multifunction manual medical device, method and apparatus, it should be understood the invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the appended claims.