DEVICE FOR LOCAL MAGNETOTHERAPY

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medicine and in particular to impulse magnetotherapy of biological objects. The time for administering of treatment is determined individually for each patient upon obtaining a change of a measured parameter. For a measured parameter there may be measured together or separately various physical parameters, e.g. impedance, magnetic permeability, temperature, acoustic parameter. The frequency of pulse rate of magnetic field is harmonized with biological cycle of the organ (2).

Description: DEVICE FOR LOCAL MAGNETOTHERAPY . The present invention relates to the field of medicine and in particular to magnetotherapy of various diseases and disorders of human and other living beings. The method according to the invention may be applied for therapy and prophylaxis of various diseases and disturbances. The prior art discloses methods for therapeutic treatment of a human organism by means of magnetic field of high frequency electromagnetic oscillations producing a thermal effect /1/. These methods are commonly used in practice at physiotherapeutic rooms. However as they mainly use the heating effect so in some cases such methods may be counterindicated. The prior art discloses methods for magnetotherapy consisting in treating various human organs by means of pulsed or variable low frequency magnetic filed while the choice of a specific magnet in the form of a catheter or solenoid, etc. depends upon the treated organ /2/. These methods provide local treatment of a specific organ but do not specify characteristics of such treatment. The prior art discloses a magnetotherapy method /3/ for treatment of gynecological diseases wherein a biological object is irradiated by impulse magnetic low frequency field movable in time and space (similar to travelling wave) and being in coincidence with contraction of the cardiac muscle. The apparatus for embodiment of the said method generates packets of pulse magnetic fields of direct current at the field generating rate per packet optimally coinciding with the cardiac contraction rate, and being synchronized with the latter, while the value of magnetic induction at each treated spot of the biological object varies from 0 up to maximum 40-60 mT sliding down to 0 again, representing thereby one of the most important therapeutic factors. According to the said embodiment packets of pulse magnetic fields are discretely relocated for a distance corresponding to the interval between field axes within a packet. The prior art also discloses a method /4/, similar to the said one, which is used for treatment of patients suffering from ischemic heart decease. The method consists in synchronizing the travelling magnetic field to the cardiac cycle. Therapy under such methods generally is carried out in series for certain periods of time which duration is usually specified by a physician. However herewith individual characteristics of an organ and an organism as a whole are not considered during the treatment procedure and thereby is lowered objectiveness of valuation of duration, number and frequency of sessions required for obtaining maximum favorable therapeutic effect. Moreover, in case of considerable overdosing the therapeutic effect may be negative. The prior art discloses methods for measuring characteristics of biological organs, such as measurement of resistivity between two or more zones of a human body /5/. The prior art also discloses methods for measuring impedance of biological tissues during exposure to magnetic field, e.g. a method for determining human resistance /6/. This method allows to examine patients treated by magnetic field by way of measuring quasi-stationary potentials between the forehead and the hand, and by way of calculating the resistance gradient, but it does not allow to value state of health of certain organs. In the course of investigations the inventors had found out that biological tissues, being exposed to the magnetic field up to a certain doze, used to change their characteristics, in particular their impedance (resistivity). This was proved to be an indication of adequacy of treatment and changes in the organ tissue produced by magnetic field. This may draw to a conclusion that further treatment will not produce any further changes, and moreover, it may be even harmful and may result in tissue depression and weaken the therapeutic effect. According to the invention an electromagnetic inductor of a specific shape, which is predetermined by obtaining for the inductor maximum access to the selected organ, is positioned close by the organ, which organ is exposed during a certain period of time to pulse magnetic field at the impulse frequency of the magnetic field being harmonized with the biological cycle of the said organ, and in the course of the magnetotherapy procedure at least one characteristic of the tissue in the area of the said organ is measured. The said method is characterized in that for a biological cycle determining the pulse frequency of magnetic field is selected a characteristic frequency response of the measured parameter to the effect of the magnetic pulse, and the therapy time is selected after obtaining a change of the measured parameter. For a measured parameter there may be taken any of thermometry, testing of electric impedance, tissue magnetic permeability, acoustic location or acoustic response to the magnetic effect in the area of the treated organ. The method is further characterized in that the therapy session is administrated in two steps, the first preparatory step is administrated till obtaining the first change of the measured parameter, while the session is stopped at obtaining the next change of the measured parameter. Thus, registration of only one parameter detects changes taking place in the organ's tissues during the preparatory therapy step or the step of tissue "heating up" and also reveals further changes happening immediately in the therapy process. In this case at the first step there may occur mere increase of blood flow, activation of cell's function and metabolic processes in cells and membranes. At the second step the immediate organ function is to be stimulated. This effect should be registered at the further change of another measured parameter. If at least two parameters are measured during treatment, then the first preparatory step is administrated up to obtaining a change of the first measured parameter, and at the further change of the other measured parameter the session is discontinued. According to one embodiment of the invention during the second step the field amplitude is gradually reduced in order to eliminate the possible depressing effect of overdosing magnetic field. The frequency of pulse rate may be selected on basis of analysis of quasi- periodical signals. The analysis may be made according to the technique disclosed in /7/. The pulse repetition frequency is determined on basis of a similar analysis. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of the embodiment of the method under invention. Figure 1 shows a diagram of therapy and changes of parameters obtained in the course of treatment of prostate diseases. Figure 2 represents a graph showing changes of the detector signal according to the [Example. There are various embodiments of the method according to the invention. The organ under treatment is effected by pulse packets of magnetic filed and the packet frequency rate is adjusted with one of the biological cycles (cardiac rhythm, alpha rhythm, etc.), usually at the range 1 to 10 Hz. The pulse repetition rate in the packet is selected on the bases of the measured parameter response of the organ under treatment (usually about 100Hz and above). The measured signal is examined and the magnetic field amplitude is settled at the level of absence of treatment sensations (which are of the reflex nature). However in the process of therapy there may arise sensations of integral character, such as an orgasm during genitals therapy. Generally usable are fields at the induction 1 -50 mT. The present embodiment of the method uses fields at the induction 1 -10 mT producing no physiological or reflex effect but having only a stimulating effect. According to the invention during therapy at least one parameter is measured, and namely the parameter which is able to indicate changes happening in organ tissues. For this purpose there may be measured resistivity or impedance of organ tissues or tissues located immediately around it. Totally this may be a temperature of an organ, though this parameter is one of the most inertial ones. The most preferable parameter for measurement is registration of tissue magnetic permeability. Any of this measurements may be preformed either by means of a special detector or by a detector combined with an inductor. Studies demonstrated that therapy by magnetic field stimulates biological processes in tissues, and this is revealed in changes of electromagnetic and other parameters of organ tissues subjected to treatment. Thus, as during therapy this parameter changes, so said change allows to determine duration and intensity of the therapeutic session. Further investigations showed that changes of the biological activity and the measured parameter proceeded in two steps. During the first step preparation of cells takes place, i.e. preliminary "heating" of cells. In this case a change of the measured parameter takes place, i.e. the first change. Then in the course of the session there is effected a magnetic field action producing immediate stimulation and normalization of functions of the selected organ. In the course of the second step - the step of immediate therapy - the value of the parameter may remain unchangeable or may change gradually and then may undergo a change at the level of saturation. It is expedient to execute these two steps in different modes since the first step is aimed at overcoming inertia of organ state or pathology, and the process of stimulation or normalization is expediently carried out in a more 'soft" mode. Therefore the amplitude of magnetic filed may be reduced immediately in the therapy process, especially as the subliminal treatment during stimulation is more effective and produces no side effects. It is preferably to measure concurrently two independent or correlated parameters, e.g. impedance and magnetic permeability. The implementation of this technique increases reliability of information on development of the therapy process. At the same time various parameters may be used for valuating the state of organs, their readiness for stimulation and saturation or adequacy of magnetic field dosing. Measured parameters may be valuated by computer analysis of quasi- periodical signals or by the specially reserved processor. On the basis of this analysis it is possible to select parameters for therapeutic effect, such as frequency of pulse packets and pulse repetition per packet, amplitude and session duration for each step. Thus, in each specific case and for each patient, therapy is administrated till a favorable medical effect is achieved subject to individual features and state. Moreover, optimal therapeutic mode is achieved by individual selection of pulse frequency amplitude of magnetic field on the basis of signal analysis made by a computer or by a special analyzer. For this purpose the value of pulse frequency of magnetic field is selected comparable with the characteristic frequency of the organ under treatment (generally of the order 100 Hz), and the frequency pulse packet rate (of the order 1-10 Hz). The value of puss amplitude of magnetic field is selected to be lower than the reflex sensitivity threshold. This rises effectiveness of treatment by magnetic filed and substantially diminishes expectation of side effects. [Example. Figure 1 is a diagram of therapy and measurements performed in the course of treatment of prostate diseases. Specifically during therapeutic manipulations in the course of treatment of prostate diseases the value of the resistivity characteristic of the tissue in the area of the treated organ is measured by a detecting element made in the form of a catheter on which an even number of conductive rings is arranged, said rings are connected to commutating, registrating and analyzing devices. The detector (1) is introduced through urethral canal and positioned in the immediate contact with the prostate (2). The therapeutic magnetic inductor (3) (introduced rectally) is positioned in such a way that the magnetic field is directed towards prostate. A change of prostate conductivity in the periods between separate impulses of therapeutic magnetic field is registered by the detector. As in the course of magnetotherapy the active (resistive) and the reactive components of organ conductivity undergo changes, so variable is the value of the signal coming from the detector to the signal analyzer or to the computer. Figure 2 illustrates signal variations of such a detector. Clinical tests showed that the absolute value of conductivity signals may lie within a broad dynamic range depending upon individual features and specific state of a patient. In the process of magnetotherapy the signal value may gradually vary either up or down to the absolute value. However at a certain moment the majority of patients (about 80%) demonstrate a sharp change of signal strength (section A) which change constitutes about 30% of signal strength and is easily registered by the signal analyzer. This is applied to provide individual dosing during the magnetotherapy process. The signal value is stabilized in the course of further treatment by magnetic filed but at the certain moment the second signal change takes place which is also registered by the analyzer. The said second change may be identified with the beginning of the normal organ functioning. An extremely sustained treatment procedure may cause degradation of the stimulating effect and change intensity of biochemical processes, and on further continued exposure to magnetic field even depression may develop. Therefore it is desirable to discontinue the therapeutic treatment by magnetic filed at the onset of normal organ functioning or in the short period after the beginning of the said functioning, which may be traced by the second change of the measured parameter. At simultaneous measuring of two parameters the first step may be determined by one of the parameters, and the end of the second step - by the second measured parameter. As the criterion for determining duration of the second period may be used external demonstration of the organ functioning. Thus, recovery of erection may serve as the criterion for the described example. Moreover in the course of treatment of female genitals a patient may experience orgasm. Magnetic field parameters are selected on the basis of computer analysis of quasi-periodical signals, e.g. as disclosed in /7/. Clinical tests showed high effectiveness of the method of invention and absence of any complications. Sources of information 1. Physiotherapy Manual ( edited by V. G. Yasnogorodski) Moscow, Medicine, 1992, p. 13. 2. Methodical Reference Book ( Differential Use of Magnetic Fields for Neurologic Phenomena of Lumbar Octeochondrosis. NIINNF of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk, 1990), p.14. 3. Method of pulse magnetotherapy of biological objects and device therefore. R94009616, A61 N 2/00 4. Method of treatment of patients suffering from chronic ischemic heart desease. SU1537276, A61 N2/00. 5. Method of determining human resistively to magnetic field effect. SU648344, A61 B 5/00. 6. Method of determining active component of the biological tissue impedance and device therefore. SU No. 1547808, A61 B5/00, 5/02.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method for magnetotherapy consisting of positioning an inductor close to the organ subjected to therapeutic treatment, exposing the said organ during the certain time period to pulse magnetic field at the impulse frequency of magnetic field being harmonized with the organ biological cycle, measuring at least one characteristic of the tissue in the area of the said organ during the magnetotherapy session, characterized in that for a biological cycle determining pulse rate of magnetic field, is registered a characteristic frequency response of the measured parameter, the time for administrating the session of treatment is determined upon obtaining a change of the measured parameter. 2. The method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that for a measured parameter is determined an impedance and/or an magnetic permeability and/or a temperature and/or an acoustic parameter of tissues of the organ subjected to treatment. 3. The method according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a therapeutic session is administrated at least in two steps, while the first, preparatory step is conducted till the first change of the measured parameter is obtained, and the session is discontinued at the next change of the measured parameter. 4. The method according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least two parameters are measured and the first preparatory step is conducted till the change of the first measured parameter is obtained, and the therapeutic session is discontinued at the next change of the other measured parameter. 5. The method according to Claims 3, 4 characterized in that the field amplitude is gradually reduced in the course of the second step. 6. The method according to Claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the frequency of pulse rate is selected on the basis of analysis of quasi-periodical siqnals. 7. The method according to Claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the frequency of pulse repetition is selected on the basis of analysis of quasi- periodical signals.

Inventors: PLETNEV SERGEY VLADIMIROVICH, PLETNEV, SERGEY VLADIMIROVICH
Applicants: PLETNEV SERGEY VLADIMIROVICH, PLETNEV, SERGEY VLADIMIROVICH
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61N2
IPC codes: A61N2