ELECTROMAGNETIC TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract: A therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device (10) is provided that includes four electromagnetic bodies (18, 20, 22, 24) having two positive (20, 24) and two negative (18, 22) magnetic poles arranged to define the vertices of a quadrilateral shape. The two positive poles (20, 24) define opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape and the two negative poles (18, 22) define opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape.

Description: This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 171,837, filed March 22, 1988, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 939,950, filed December 9, 1986, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 934,568, filed November 21, 1986. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to magnetic devices for therapeutic application to the human body, and more particularly to an electromagnetic quadrapolar treatment device for placement against the human body. Magnetic fields have been applied to the human body for various therapeutic purposes. For example, magnetic medical treatment devices for application against selected portions of the human body are disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,921,620; magnetic plasters for improving circulation are disclosed in United States Patent Number 4,489,711; magnetic fields for stimulation of bone growth are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,105,017; and magnetic stimulation of nerve cells has been accomplished with devices such as the Cadwell Magneto-Electric Stimulator (MES-10) manufactured by Cadwell Laboratories, Inc. of Kennewic , Washington. Pain sensations in the human body can be a result of improper nerve function, as when such pain is caused by inordinately excitable nerve cells or by nerve cells having leaky cell wall membranes. Pain sensations may also be caused by damaged nerve cells, as for example nerve cells suffering from post-operative scarring or physically impinged nerve cells commonly associated with degenerative disc disease. Even when nerves function properly, fatigue and pain sensations are initiated through nerve cells. Thus, relief of pain and fatigue should be obtainable by altering nerve cell function, as for example by stabilizing nerve cell wall membranes. Unfortunately, many types of ailments, including chronic pain and poor localized blood circulation, cannot be successfully treated with conventional drug or physical therapies. Because such ailments are often untreatable with conventional therapies, there is a need for alternative therapies that relieve pain and improve blood circulation. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device that alters nerve behavior in a manner that reduces pain sensations. Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic device that improves blood circulation in the portion of a body against which it is applied. Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic treatment device that efficiently applies a magnetic flux to selected parts of the human body. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for applying a therapeutic electromagnetic device to the human body to relieve pain and improve blood circulation. It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for applying a variable magnetic flux to the human body. Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by the apparatus and method particularly pointed out in the appended claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and as broadly described herein, a therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device adapted for placement against the bodies of living animals is provided. The device comprises a plurality of electromagnetic bodies having at least two positive and two negative magnetic poles substantially in a single plane, the magnetic poles being oriented to define the four vertices of a quadrilateral shape, the two positive poles defining opposite diagonal vertices, and the two negative poles defining opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape, each of the magnetic poles being magnetically attracted by the two oppositely charged poles and being magnetically repelled by the like charged pole. Containment means are provided for holding the magnetic poles of the magnetic bodies in the desired configuration, and power means are provided for energizing the electromagnetic bodies. Preferably, the plurality of magnet bodies comprise four substantially identical electromagnets, two of the electromagnets having a positive pole and two of the electromagnets having a negative pole all in a single plane, each of the four electromagnets generating a magnetic flux field when energized. It is further preferred that the containment means be mounted on a support structure adapted to align the four electromagnets against the body of a living animal. The support structure may, for example, comprise a treatment table or a treatment chair to which the electromagnets are movably attached. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the various components of the electromagnetic treatment device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the four electromagnets of one preferred embodiment of the electromagnetic treatment device of the invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the electromagnets shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing electrical connections between the components of the electromagnetic treatment device of the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the electromagnetic treatment device of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the electromagnetic treatment device of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. The electromagnetic treatment device of the invention is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. Treatment device 10 includes a magnetic flux generator 12 and a power source 14. According to the invention, magnetic flux generator 12 compromises a plurality of electromagnetic bodies having at least four magnetic poles substantially in a single plane, the magnetic poles being oriented to define the four vertices of a quadrilateral shape. Preferably, the four magnetic poles comprise two positive and two negative poles, the two positive poles defining opposite diagonal vertices and the two negative poles defining opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape. Each of the magnetic poles are magnetically attracted to the two oppositely charged poles and magnetically repelled by the like charged poles. Containment means hold the magnetic poles of the magnetic bodies in the above described configuration. As embodied herein, magnetic flux generator 12 comprises four substantially identical electromagnetic bodies 18, 20, 22 and 24 held on a containment structure 16. Containment structure 16 may comprise a mounting board, a casing or any other structure that will hold electromagnetic bodies 18, 20, 22 and 24 in the desired configuration. In the preferred embodiment, electromagnetic bodies 18 and 22 each form a negative magnetic pole while electromagnetic bodies 20 and 24 each form a positive magnetic pole. The positive and negative magnetic poles of magnetic bodies 18, 20, 22 and 24 are aligned in substantially a single plane and are oriented in a quadrilateral configuration with positive poles oriented diagonally opposite one another and negative poles oriented diagonally opposite one another. Electromagnetic bodies 18, 20, 22 and 24 preferably comprise electromagnetic heads as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Each electromagnetic head includes a conducting wire 26 wound around a cast iron core 28. Wire 26 may be comprised of any conducting material, as for example, copper or aluminum. For example, Fig. 3 shows a suitable electromagnet made using a five inch outer diameter and four and one-half inch inner diameter, cast iron housing 29 with a two inch center core 28 and a one and one half inch coil space with 3200 turns of # 22 cooper wire. As shown in Fig. 2 , coils 19, 21, 23 and 25 of electromagnetic heads 18, 20, 22 and 24, respectively, are each connected to a power source by wires 30 and 32. The conducting wire 26 is wound around a porous cast iron core 28 in such a fashion as to center the magnetic flux in the geometric center of the iron core. Current flow in an electric conductor emits magnetic flux at right angles to the flow of current. Therefore, the flux is centered in the core. Accordingly, it is preferred that the core be circular. According to the invention, power means for magnetically energizing the electromagnetic bodies is provided so that energized electromagnetic bodies can each generate a magnetic flux field. As embodied herein, a power source 14 includes a control unit 34, a direct current generator 36 and an alternating current power source 38. Direct current generator 36 is preferably powered by an alternating current motor, such as a 220 amp AC motor. It is preferred that generator 36 be capable of producing a 30 amp, 120 volt DC current. Control unit 34 includes an on-off power switch 40 for controlling the flow of direct electric current to magnetic flux generator 12. Control unit 34 also includes a volt meter 42 and an amp meter 44 for monitoring of the power and current supplied to magnetic flux generator 12 by direct current generator 36. Fuses 46 and 48 protect magnetic flux generator 12 against power surges. Fuses 46 and 48 may, for example, be 30 amp electric fuses. A rheostat 50 permits regulation the direct current being supplied to magnetic flux generator 12 at any given time. Rheostat 50 is preferably embodied as any conventional rheostat having a 50 amp, 120 volt capacity. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 , each of the magnetic heads 18, 20, 22 and 24 may be electrically connected with power controller 34 by a single pair of wires 30 and 32. Preferably, each of the magnetic heads 18, 20, 22 and 24 may be individually regulated such that symmetric agnitic power may be balanced among all heads. It is anticipated that each magnetic treatment head could alternatively be individually connected to one of four rheostats in control unit 34 such that electric current supplied to each the individual treatment head could be individually regulated. Electromagnetic coils 19 and 23 of electromagnetic heads 18 and 22, and electromagnetic coils 21 and 25 of electromagnetic heads 20 and 24 are preferably connected to the DC generator such that heads 18 and 22 generate magnetic flux fields opposite from the magnetic flux fields generated by heads 20 and 24. As can be seen in Fig. 2, coils 19 and 23 are connected to the DC power source so as to generate a negative magnetic field while coils 21 and 25 are oppositely connected to the DC power source so as to generate a positive magnetic field. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, electromagnetic coils 19, 21, 23 and 25 may be connected to the DC power source such that each head generates a positive magnetic field, a negative magnetic field, or some combination thereof. According to the invention, the therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of the invention may be mounted on a support structure adapted to align the four electromagnets against the body of a living animal. As embodied herein, the support structure may comprise a bench, table, bed, chair or other similar assembly. Fig. 5 shows an elongated treatment table support structure 52 having a magnetic flux generator 12 affixed to the bottom surface thereof. Flux generator 12 is preferably powered by a power source (not shown) like that described above. Flux generator 12 moves laterally along the bottom surface of table 52 on rails 54 and 56. Flux generator 12 may be moved manually or by a power driven actuating mechanism 58 such that flux generator 12 may be aligned with a desired portion of a human or animal body to which magnetic flux is to be applied. A magnetic flux field is generated by each of the electromagnetic heads on flux generator 12 when the electromagnetic heads are energized. A magnetic flux field so generated by the electromagnetic heads extends above a top planar surface 60 of table 52 such that magnetic flux impinges upon a body on the table surface. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of the invention may be otherwise supported by a chair structure, as shown in Fig. 6. Chair 62 includes a seating surface 64 and a vertical back support surface (not shown) and a magnetic flux generator 12. Flux generator 12 moves vertically on rails 66 and 68 in a cavity in the back of chair 62. Flux generator 12 is powered by a power source (not shown) like that described above. The power source may be incorporated in the bottom of chair 62 or may comprise an independent unit. Flux generator 12 may be mounted for manual vertical movement within chair 62 or for automatic movement by a power driven actuating mechanism 70. The electromagnetic treatment device of this invention has been beneficially applied to the human body to reduce pain, reduce fatigue and improve blood circulation. Several case histories are set forth below. CASE 1 A 73 year old female presented with a fourteen year history of severe rheumotoid arthritis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine with progressive pain, stiffness and decreasing mobility. She required assistance to ambulate. Examination revealed diminished respirations secondary to theracic radicular pain, decreased range of motion in neck, shoulders and extremities. Both knees were painfully swollen and inflamed. Medical history revealed she had a total right knee replacement four years prior. She was presently being evaluated for a left total knee replacement. She was on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication with minimal control of symptoms. Treatment with local quadrapolar permanent magnetic devices as described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 07/171,837 was instituted with excellent pain control reported. Swelling in both knees were reduced and the inflammation disappeared. She continued to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication concomitantly with the magnetic therapy. She had excellent control of symptoms for 2 1/2 years when she experienced an exaberation of symptoms in the theracic area with radiculopathy. Therapy was instituted in her home using the electromagnetic treatment device installed in a recliner chair as shown in Fig. 6. Within a few minutes after treatment had begun, the pain subsided. With 24 hours of treatment, significant range of motion in the thoracic spine, shoulders and neck returned. Within one week of treatment she had full range of motion in the extremities with sustained improvement. She has continued to be treated utilizing the electromagnetic device for four months, 3-4 times a day, 30-45 minutes per treatment. She reports she is pain free, ambulates well without assistance, and has no joint swelling or inflammation. CASE 2 A 54 year old female presented with a 10 month history of acute disc herniation with spinal confusion with surgical intervention with resultant cord ischemia. She had secondary left thoracic radiculopathy and a sympathetically maintained pain syndrome. Physical examination revealed scoliosis secondary to muscle spasms. She was receiving pain medication therapy with little relief. She ambulated only with assistance and was unable to carry on normal activities of daily living. Treatment with the local permanent magnetic devices as described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 07/171,837 was instituted. She reported from 40-60% pain reduction for six months. She resumed some routine daily activities. She was evaluated for possible neuro-surgical intervention for remaining pain. A dorsal root entry zone procedure was performed to relieve the radicular and sympathetic pain over the nerve distribution at Thoracic 9, 10, 11 on the left. The motor tracts were apparently inadvertently overheated during the surgical procedure resulting in plegia of the left lower quadrant including the left lower abdomen, hip, pelvis and leg. She had lost control of bowel and bladder function. After the edema post surgery subsided, she had minimal return of function of left lower quadrant and bowel and bladder function. She was discharged from the hospital with little hope of recovery. Physical therapy was begun concomitant with treatment with the electromagnetic treatment device installed in a bed as shown in Fig. 5. She has progressively improved with decrease in pain, increased motor strength and has regained total control of bowel and bladder function. She has been treated from 1-4 hours a day for approximately five months. If treatment of the electromagnetic device is interrupted greater than 48 hours, she has an acute exaberation of symptoms with increased pain, left sided decreased muscle strength and spacity of abdominal muscles of hip flexors, dorsal flexors of the foot and less control of bodily functions. CASE 3 A 55 year old female presented with a 2 year history of severe Causalgia at Thoracic 9, 10, 11 with left radicular theracic somatic and sympathic pain. MRI, CT and EMG were negative. She had received multipharmocological therapy with narcotics, non-narcotics pain medication, steroids, non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs and others with little pain relief. Treatment with the local quadrapolar permanent magnetic devices as described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 07/171,837 concomitantly with the electromagnetic treatment device installed in a table was instituted. The devices were worn on a continuous basis. She has received electromagnetic therapy on an average of 4 times a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour for four months. She reports variable pain reduction post treatment with the electromagnetic device by 50-90%. After she has been without electromagnetic therapy for 36-48 hours, her pain intensity worsens. She estimates an overall pain reduction at 40% CASE 4 A 67 year old male presented with 20 year history of Osteoarthritis of the lumbar-sacral spine and feet with progressive severe foot and low back pain. Work history revealed that his job required standing on concrete floors from 8-10 hours a day. Therapy was instituted in his home using the electromagnetic treatment device installed in a recliner chair as shown in Fig. 6. He was treated once a SUBSTITUTESHEET day at night for 30 minutes to l hour. Pain was relieved after the first treatment with sustained relief. He has undergone daily treatments for two months and has reported no exaberation of pain. Case 5 A 48 year old white male with a history of severe atherosclerosis, coronary artery bypass grafts and stroke presented with painful cold, blue feet and legs. Physical examination revealed good pulse but poor small vessel circulation in the lower extremeties. The patient was treated in the lower back on the posterior surface with the electromagnetic unit shown in Fig. 5 for 30 minutes. After about 3 minutes, the patient experienced improved color, warming and a sensation of warmth in the feet and legs. This sensation continued to improve with excellent return of color and warmth over the 30 minutes of treatment. These improvements lasted for approximately 4 hours and resulted in longer durations with additional treatments. Case 6 A 63 year old white male presented with a 5 year history of cold feet accompanied by burning paresthesias of the feet. He had been a heavy cigarette smoker. On examination he had no neurological deficits and had a moderately good dorsalis and posterior pedal pulse. He had marked decrease in small vessel circulation. The patient's lumbosacral area was placed on the electromagnetic device shown in Fig. 5 for 30 minutes. The patient experienced complete reversal of the burning paresthesias and warming of the feet. This improvement was sustained for 3 to 4 hours and the effect was prolonged with repeated treatments. The beneficial effects of the electromagnetic treatment device of the present invention, at least in part, are brought about by the quadrapolar, alternating, center charged, symmetric, static magnetic field impinging upon the cell walls of cells. The steep gradient of these fields brings about a polarization of the lipoprotein matrix of the cell wall such that sodium and calcium channels are blocked in such a fashion as to impede the flux of these ions. Impedence of ion flux blocks the pacemaker effect of damaged or insulted neuronal cell wall membranes (i.e., blocks initiation of a spontaneous depolarization) . The control of spontaneous depolarization of neurons brings about: (1) control of pain, and (2) dilitation of peripheral blood vessels by inhibiting excessive outflow of sympathetic nervous discharge to the vessels. This inhibition of sympathetic firing brings about dilitation of the blood vessels. The effect of calcium channel blockade brings about local dilitation of vascular smooth muscles and therefore improved blood flow. A portion of the pain relief is likely to be a result of improved of blood flow. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the electromagnetic treatment device and method for applying the electromagnetic treatment device of the present invention. The invention in its boarder aspects, therefore is not limited to the specific details, representative methods and apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described above. Thus, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device adapted for placement against the bodies of living animals, comprising: a plurality of electromagnetic bodies having at least four magnetic poles substantially in a single plane, said magnetic poles being oriented to define the four vertices of a quadrilateral shape, each of said magnetic poles exerting a magnetic force on the other three poles when said poles are electrically charged;

Claims: containment means for holding said magnetic poles of said magnetic bodies in said orientation; and power means for magnetically energizing said electromagnetic bodies, said energized electromagnetic bodies each generating a magnetic flux field. 2. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 1, wherein said four magnetic poles include two positive and two negative poles, said two positive poles defining opposite diagonal vertices and said two negative poles defining opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape, each of said magnetic poles being magnetically attracted by said two oppositely charged poles and being magnetically repelled by said like charged pole. 3. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claims 2, wherein said plurality of electromagnetic bodies comprise four substantially identical electromagnets, two of said electromagnets having a positive magnetic pole in said substantially single plane and two of said electromagnets having a negative magnetic pole in said substantially single plane, each of said four electromagnets generating a magnetic flux field when energized by said power means. 4. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 3 wherein said four electromagnets each comprise a cast iron core wound with electrically conducting wire. 5. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 4 wherein said electrically conducting wire is copper wire. 6. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 4 wherein said electrically conducting wire is aluminum wire. 7. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 3 wherein said quadrilateral shape is a parallelogram shape. 8. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 7 wherein said parallelogram shape is a rectangle shape. 9. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 8 wherein said rectangle shape is a square shape. 10. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 3 wherein said power means comprises a direct current generator and said power means is electrically connected to each of said four electromagnets. 11. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 10 further comprising power control means for controlling the amount of electrical power supplied to each of said four electromagnets so as to regulate the magnetic flux field generated by each of said four electromagnets. 12. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 3 wherein said containment means is mounted on a support structure adapted to align said four electromagnets against the body of a living animal. 13. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 12 wherein said support structure comprises an elongated planar table having a first planar surface, said first planar surface of said table adapted for supporting the body of a living animal against which said four electromagnets are placed, said containment means being movably attached to said planar table for movable alignment with select portions of the living animal body, the magnetic flux field generated by each of said four electromagnets extending above said first planar surface of said table when said four electromagnets are energized by said power means. 14. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 13 wherein said planar table has a cavity in which said containment means is movably mounted. 15. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 13 wherein said planar table has a second planar surface opposite said first surface, said containment means being movably mounted on said second planar surface. SUBSTITUTESHEET 16. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 12 wherein said support structure comprises a chair having a substantially horizontal seating surface and a substantially vertical back support surface, said seating and back support surfaces adapted for supporting the body of a living animal against which said four electromagnets are placed, said containment means being movably attached to said chair for movable alignment with select portions of the living animal body, the magnetic flux field generated by each of said four electromagnets extending out from the substantially vertical back support surface when said electromagnets are energized by said power means. 17. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 15 wherein said chair has a vertically extending cavity behind said vertical back support surface and said containment means is mounted for vertical movement within said cavity. 18. The therapeutic electromagnetic treatment device of claim 17 further comprising electrically powered means for moving said containment means vertically and horizontally within said vertically extending cavity. 19. A method of therapeutically placing an electromagnetic treatment device against the human body to relieve pain, comprising the steps of: assembling at least one group of electromagnetic bodies having at least two positive magnetic poles substantially in a single plane, having at least two negative magnetic poles substantially in a single plane; orienting said two positive poles and said two negative poles of said plurality of magnetic bodies in a single plane to define the four vertices of a rectangle shape with said two positive poles defining opposite diagonal vertices and said two negative poles defining opposite vertices of the rectangular shape; fixing said orientation of said plurality of magnetic bodies in a single containment body; selectively placing said containment body at a position against the human body over an area producing pain sensations; and energizing said magnetic bodies with electric power so that each of said magnetic bodies generate a magnetic flux field. 20. A method of therapeutically placing an electromagnetic treatment device against the human body to improve blood circulation, comprising the steps of: assembling at least one group of electromagnetic bodies having at least two positive magnetic poles substantially in a single plane, having at least two negative magnetic poles substantially in a single plane; orienting said two positive poles and said two negative poles of said plurality of magnetic bodies in a single plane to define the four vertices of a rectangle shape with said two positive poles defining opposite diagonal vertices and said two negative poles defining opposite vertices of the rectangular shape; fixing said orientation of said plurality of magnetic bodies in a single containment body; selectively placing said containment body at a position against the human body over an area producing pain sensations; and energizing said magnetic bodies with electric power so that each of said magnetic bodies generate a magnetic flux field.

Inventors: HOLCOMB ROBERT R, HOLCOMB, ROBERT, R.
Applicants: HOLCOMB MED CORP, HOLCOMB ROBERT R, HOLCOMB MEDICAL CORPORATION, HOLCOMB, ROBERT, R.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A61N2
IPC codes: A61N2