Magnetic bio-therapy device and method

A device is disclosed wherein the device may include a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter. In addition, the device may include a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter where each of the plurality of permanent magnets is oriented such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

Embodiments of the disclosure generally relates to the field of bio-therapy, and more specifically, a device and methods for applying a magnetic therapy field to a patient that is not elsewhere provided for.

Description of the Related Art

There exists many apparatuses and methods in the prior art for magnetic therapy. Each of the apparatuses and methods of the prior art have deficiencies.

What is needed is a magnetic therapy device and method that cures the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, magnetic bio-therapy device may include a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter. A magnetic bio-therapy device may also include a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter where each of the plurality of permanent magnets is oriented such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the predetermined direction forms a Halbach array. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the plurality of permanent magnets circumferentially spaced around the ring form the Halbach array having a magnetization pattern of any of k=2, k=3 and k=4. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the Halbach array is of a type K=2 and is configured to produce a planar magnetic field is in accordance with the following:

H=Mr⁢ln⁡(RoRi)⁢y
wherein Mris a ferromagnetic remanence, Riis the inside diameter and Rois the outside diameter and a direction of the planar magnetic field is y. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the ring is configured to be positioned around a part of a body at a predetermined angle and is further configured to induce the planar magnetic field in the part of the body. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the ring may include a first ring half and a second ring half and where the first ring half and the second ring half are configured to be positioned over the part of the body and removably coupled together joining the first ring half and the second ring half slidably capturing the part of the body therebetween. A magnetic bio-therapy device may include a fixation device configured to removably fix the ring to the part of the body. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the ring may include a cylinder having a length where the plurality of permanent magnets are circumferentially spaced around the ring and linearly positioned along the length of the cylinder. A magnetic bio-therapy device where the plurality of permanent magnets are circumferentially spaced around the ring in a plurality of concentric rows.

In one general aspect, a method may include providing a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter. A method may also include positioning a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. A method may furthermore include orienting each of the plurality of permanent magnets such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction. A method may in addition include producing a planar magnetic field within the bore. A method may moreover include positioning a body part within the bore. A method may also include applying the planar magnetic field to the body part.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. A method where orienting each of the plurality of permanent magnets forms a Halbach array. A method where the Halbach array may include a magnetization pattern of any of k=2, k=3 and k=4. A method may include forming the magnetization pattern K=2 Halbach array and producing the planar magnetic field is in accordance with the following:

H=Mr⁢ln⁡(RoRi)⁢y
wherein Mris a ferromagnetic remanence, Riis the inside diameter and Rois the outside diameter and a direction of the planar magnetic field is y. A method where the positioning step may include positioning the ring at a predetermined angle the body part. A method where the ring may include a first ring half and a second ring half, the method may include coupling the first ring half and the second ring half; and slidably capturing the body part therebetween. A method may include removably fixing the ring to the body part. A method where the ring may include a cylinder having a length, the method having positioning the plurality of permanent magnets linearly along the length of the cylinder. A method may include positioning the plurality of permanent magnets in a plurality of concentric rows.

In one general aspect, a device may include provide a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter. A device may also include position a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. A device may furthermore include orient each of the plurality of permanent magnets such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction. A device may in addition include produce a planar magnetic field within the bore. A device may moreover include position a body part within the bore. A device may also include apply the planar magnetic field to the body part.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. A device where orienting each of the plurality of permanent magnets forms a Halbach array. A device where the Halbach array may include a magnetization pattern of any of k=2, k=3 and k=4. A device may include: forming the magnetization pattern K=2 Halbach; and producing the planar magnetic field is in accordance with the following:

H=Mr⁢ln⁡(RoRi)⁢y
wherein Mris a ferromagnetic remanence, Riis the inside diameter and Rois the outside diameter and a direction of the planar magnetic field is y. A device where the positioning step may include positioning the ring at a predetermined angle to the body part. A device where the ring is may include of a first ring half and a second ring half, the method may include coupling the first ring half and the second ring half and slidably capturing the body part therebetween. A device may include removably fixing the ring to the body part. A device where the ring may include a cylinder having a length, the method including positioning the plurality of permanent magnets linearly along the length of the cylinder. A device may include positioning the plurality of permanent magnets in a plurality of concentric rows.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The magnetic bio-therapy device where the magnetic bio-therapy device may include a Halbach array. The Halbach array is of magnetization pattern of type k=2 and the planar magnetic field is in accordance with the following:

H=Mr⁢ln⁡(RoRi)⁢y
wherein Mris a ferromagnetic remanence, Riis the inside diameter and Rois the outside diameter and a direction of the planar magnetic field is y The ring is configured to be positioned around a part of a body at a predetermined angle and is further configured to induce the planar magnetic field in the part of the body. The ring may include a first ring half and a second ring half and where the first ring half and the second ring half are configured to be positioned over the part of the body and removably coupled together joining the first ring half and the second ring half slidably capturing the part of the body therebetween. The magnetic bio-therapy device may include a fixation device configured to removably fix the ring to the part of the body. The fixation device is an inflatable generally cylindrical bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the examples described herein can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized, and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, as part of the present disclosure, examples will be given in terms of

All of the methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the apparatus and methods of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, modifications may be made to the disclosed apparatus and components may be eliminated or substituted for the components described herein where the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the disclosure.

Referring first toFIG.1, there is shown is an illustration that will be used to illustrate the application and operation principals of a magnetic bio-therapy device1of the present disclosure. Magnetic bio-therapy device1is shown as applied to a leg2of a patient, in this particular embodiment the patient is a horse. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although this embodiment is described with regard to a particular animal, the embodiments of magnetic bio-therapy device1of the present disclosure apply to other types of living creatures including, but not limited to humans. As will be described in more detail herein below, magnetic bio-therapy device1produces a dipolar magnetic field3within the tissue of the patient having a circular cross section in the direction of the arrow. The magnetic field is inventively produced within the tissue of a patient in the plane of magnetic bio-therapy device1as will disclosed in more detail herein after. Magnetic field3is uniformly produced in the tissue of the patient. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure magnetic bio-therapy device1is held stationary and in other embodiments the magnetic bio-therapy device is translated along the body part being treated such as leg2.

Referring now toFIG.2, there is shown magnetic bio-therapy device1in more detail comprising ring20and magnets21a-21marranged evenly spaced around midpoint circumference of the ring between its inside diameter and outside diameter. The magnets21a-21mcan comprise any type of permanent magnet or electromagnetic magnets. The direction of the magnetic field for each of the magnets21a-21mis indicated by the arrow for each of the respective magnets. Although the embodiment inFIG.2comprises 12 magnets21a-21m, embodiments with more or fewer magnets are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Ring20is comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and which material can include plastics, aluminum, some stainless steels and the like. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that ring20can comprise other shapes, such as elliptical, depending on the shape of the magnetic field desired and the portion of a patient to be treated. In addition, a plurality of rings20can be used and which plurality of rings can be oriented at predetermined angle relative to the leg2(FIG.1) or at differing predetermined angles. Ring20further includes pockets formed or machined therein to receive magnets21a-21mtherein and the magnets may be affixed therein using any known techniques. In some embodiments, magnets21a-21mare press fit into ring20and can be affixed using an appropriate adhesive. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, magnets21a-21mare approximately 0.5 inch cubes and are comprised of neodymium type of magnet although other sizes and types of magnets are within the scope the present disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the size and type of the magnets affect the size and strength of the magnetic field produced by magnetic bio-therapy device1. For instance, larger magnets can be used to produce a larger magnetic field for larger portions of a patient's body. The increase in the size and/or width of the magnets can increase the width of the magnetic field produced. In the embodiment shown, magnets21a-21mproduce a combined magnetic field in the plane of ring20and in the direction of arrow3. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that magnetic bio-therapy device1resembles a Halbach array of the type k=2. For the special case of an Halbach array wherein k=2, the magnetic field inside the bore is uniform and is given by

H=Mr⁢ln⁡(RoRi)⁢yˆ(Equation⁢1)
where Mris the ferromagnetic remanence, and the inner and outer radii of ring20are Riand Rorespectively. The magnetic field H is in the y direction (direction of arrow2). In certain embodiments for portions of a patient's body having a diameter between 2 inches and 4 inches Rican be approximately 6 inches and Rocan be approximately 8 inches. Ring20further includes split lines23,24splitting the ring into a first half and a second half which allow the ring to be opened such that magnetic bio-therapy device1can be installed over a portion of a patient to be treated even if that portion has no free end such as a neck or a torso. The split ring can include alignment features, hinges and closure devices as are known in the art (not shown).

In an example embodiment, has an inner radius Ri=2.88 inches and an outer radius Ro=4.13 inches and a thickness of 1.00 inches. Magnets21a-21mare approximately 0.5 inch cubes and are comprised of neodymium type. The magnetic field H was measure within the bore using a Vernier Magnetic Field Sensor that measures a vector component of the magnetic field near the sensor tip. The tip can be adjusted, allowing the user to measure fields that are parallel or perpendicular to the long axis of the sensor. The sensor uses a Hall-effect transducer. It produces a voltage that is linear with magnetic field. The sensor measures the component of the magnetic field that is perpendicular to a spot on the end of the sensor tip. The reading is positive when the spot on the sensor points toward a magnetic south pole. In this way Equation 1 was validated for both the strength of the magnetic field as well as the direction of the magnetic field.

Although magnetic bio-therapy device1is shown having a circular cross section forming a cylinder, other shapes are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, an embodiment of magnetic bio-therapy device includes an elliptical shape wherein the eclipse is comprised of a major radius and a minor radius for purposes of Equation 1. Such embodiments can be useful in therapy applications applied to different body parts such as on a wrist of a person to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. The elliptical shape would better follow the wrist. Other shapes and applications are contemplated by the present disclosure.

The magnetic fields produced by the individual magnets and the combined magnetic effect can best be visualized with reference toFIG.3. The embodiment shown includes 8 magnets21a-21hand the direction of the magnetic field for each of the magnets is indicated by the arrow for each of the respective magnets. It can be seen that magnets21a-21eproduce a combined magnetic field31and that magnets21b-21dproduced combined magnetic fields32,33. Magnets21a-21eproduce a combined magnetic field31and that magnets21b-21dproduced combined magnetic fields32,33. Similarly, magnets21aand21e-21hproduce a combined magnetic field34and that magnets21f-21hproduced combined magnetic fields35,36. Further magnets21a,21eproduce combined magnetic field37. Because of the orientation of magnets21a-21h, the combined magnetic fields31-37produce a total combined planar (with respect to the plane of ring20) magnetic field in the direction of arrow3.

Referring toFIG.4, there is shown a schematic of the individual magnetic fields and the magnetic field H (Equation 1) for a magnetic bio-therapy device of the present disclosure having 18 permanent magnets positioned around the ring. The magnetic polarization orientation, φ, varies as 2 times the azimuthal angle, δ, wherein:
φ=2θ  (Equation 2)
and
θ=360/n(Equation 3)
wherein n is the number of magnets. This relationship holds for the orientation of magnets regardless of the number of magnets in any particular embodiment of a magnetic bio-therapy device of the present disclosure. This orientation mimics the fringe field that would result from a perfect magnetic dipole placed at the center of the ring. Because the individual magnets mimic this dipolar magnetization pattern, the result is a planar and bipolar magnetic field in the direction of arrow3.

Referring toFIG.5, there is shown a schematic representation of combined planar magnetic fields41produced by magnetic bio-therapy device1in the direction of the arrows through leg2. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the combined planar magnetic fields41produced by magnetic bio-therapy device1is useful in producing therapeutic benefits not hereto for seen in the industry.

Referring toFIG.6, there is shown magnetic bio-therapy device1positioned on leg2and held in place by air bag5. Air bag5is shown as translucent and comprises a customized air splint configured to accommodate magnetic bio-therapy device1and snugly conform to leg2. Air bag5is generally cylindrical such that magnetic bio-therapy device1can be inserted into the air bag and slid over leg2. In operation, the portion of a patient to be treated by magnetic bio-therapy device1is selected and the appropriately sized magnetic bio-therapy device and air bag5selected. Although the embodiments are shown as applied to the leg2of a horse the magnetic bio-therapy device1of the present disclosure is not so limited. The magnetic bio-therapy device1of the present disclosure can be applied to animal and humans alike in areas including arms, necks, wrists, torsos, feet, legs, knees, shoulders and the like. Other methods of applying magnetic bio-therapy device1are contemplated by the present disclosure including sleeve that includes hook and loop fasteners, elastic bandages and other known devices. It is further contemplated by the present disclosure that magnetic bio-therapy device1can be positioned near a body part, such as a knee or elbow, wherein the body part is partially or wholly disposed within the inside diameter of ring20.

Referring now toFIG.7, there is show a 3-dimensional view of a magnetic bio-therapy device70in accordance with the present disclosure that comprises a cylinder having an appreciable length in the Z direction. The cylinder is comprised of individual magnets that when stacked together make up a bar of magnets of which71is an example. All of the other bars are of the same make up. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that magnetic bio-therapy device70will produce a significantly higher magnetic field than a cylinder comprising a fewer number of magnets positioned in the Z direction. The combined the magnetic field H (Equation 1) is in the Y direction. Referring toFIG.8, there is shown a schematic frontal view of magnetic bio-therapy device70showing the concentric rows of the outer arrangement of bars and the inner arrangement of bars. The polarity of the magnetic orientation of the outer arrangement of bars and the inner arrangement of bars differs because of the different number of magnets and the diameters upon which they arranged in accordance with Equations 2 and 3.

FIG.9is a flowchart of an example process900. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG.9may be performed by a device. As shown inFIG.9, process900may include providing a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter (block902). For example, the device may provide a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter, as described above. As also shown inFIG.9, process900may include positioning a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter (block904). For example, the device may position a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter, as described above. As further shown inFIG.9, process900may include orienting each of the plurality of permanent magnets such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction forming a Halbach array (block906). For example, the device may orient each of the plurality of permanent magnets such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction, as described above. As also shown inFIG.9, process900may include producing a planar magnetic field within the bore (block908). For example, the device may produce a planar magnetic field within the bore, as described above. As further shown inFIG.9, process900may include positioning a body part within the bore (block910). For example, the device may position a body part within the bore, as described above. As also shown inFIG.9, process900may include applying the planar magnetic field to the body part (block912). For example, the device may apply the planar magnetic field to the body part, as described above.