Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6094599
Timestamp: 2018-02-22 17:21:59
Document Index: 726388088

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 110', 'art 120', 'art 110', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 110']

US6094599A - RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment - Google Patents
US6094599A
US6094599A US09046856 US4685698A US6094599A US 6094599 A US6094599 A US 6094599A US 09046856 US09046856 US 09046856 US 4685698 A US4685698 A US 4685698A US 6094599 A US6094599 A US 6094599A
US09046856
Richard G. Olsen
HK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES Inc
EHTI Medical Corp
Resonant RF coil systems and specifically shortwave diathermy, deep-heating modality (see, Lehman, supra) can be used to provide warmth to the extremities. U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,550 to Ruggera describes a coil designed for use under full wave operation at coil wire-length resonance, designed to provide maximum muscle healing. The Ruggera coil system was operated at whatever frequency was determined to be the "resonant" frequency for the body-limb/coil combination. It would thus have to be operated within an electromagnetically shielded room in most instances in order to meet FCC noise requirements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,462 to Olsen describes an apparatus for rewarming hypothermia victims. U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,828 to Olsen discloses a device for warming the extremities of a subject, such as a deep-sea diver, in a cold wet environment, so that the subject can perform agile tasks in such an environment. The Olsen coil systems were designed to be tuned to specific "Industrial-Scientific-Medical" (ISM) frequencies and, therefore, could be operated in free-space, and without shielding, without environmental interference.
The use of electrical-pulsed neuromuscular stimulation has been suggested as treatment for peripheral vascular insufficiency. See Lehman, J. F., Therapeutic Heat and Cooling, Rehabilitation Medicine Library (1990, 4th edition), p. 458; cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,410 to Hance et al. (ultrasound); U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,915 to Barsotti (ultrasound). Such neuromuscular stimulation can increase the flow rates of blood and lymphatic fluid by both mechanical and electrical means. The physical contractions mechanically "squeeze" the muscles and blood vessels, and the application of electrical current pulses helps maintain the tonicity of the vessels. Although neuromuscular stimulation alone produces some beneficial effects, its effectiveness is limited.
A means for tuning is necessary because various body parts inside a given coil system to be diathcrmally heated present different dielectric (capacitive) parameters and, as such, would cause the resulting resonant frequency to vary slightly. Adjusting the system to resonance can be accomplished by changing either the inductance of the coils or the capacitance of the system, most of which capacitance consists of body tissues inside the coils. Small changes in coil inductance can be made either by changing the helical length of the conductor or by changing other physical coil characteristics such as diameter or pitch. Small changes in the capacitance of the system are easily made by connecting a variable capacitor with sufficient voltage rating within the range of approximately 4 to 26 picofarads in parallel with the secondary winding. The present invention makes use of the variable capacitor. In some applications, a balun coil is added, close to the diathermic coils, in series with the coaxial cable that connects to the RF energy source. The purpose of the balun coil is to make the distribution of RF tissue warming more uniform, symmetrical, and not affected by nearby wires and/or metallic objects that share a common electrical ground with the RF energy source.
The RF heater part 110 of the device 100 is a shortwave diathermal unit for generation of deep heat within body tissues. It applies electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency bands of 13.56-40.68 Megahertz. The RF power generator circuit 125 includes an oscillator-driver 183 and a power amplifier 187. Several devices have been proposed for RF warming by Olsen. These are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,462 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Treatment of Hypothermia by Electromagnetic Energy", dated Aug. 11, 1987 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,828, entitled "Electromagnetic Warming of Submerged Extremities", dated Nov. 3, 1992 and both incorporated herein by reference.
The muscle stimulator part 120 includes two output channels, preferably having a peak current of 145 milliAmperes (mA), maximum phase change of 51.8 microCoulombs and peak power of 10 milliWatts (mW), at 500 Ohms resistance. The waveform is preferably biphasic and symmetrical. The frequency of the wave is preferably 55 Hz and the on-off timing is about 1.3 sec on and about 1.5 sec off. The muscle stimulator 120 is operated by direct application of voltage to the skin by means of electrode pads 160. The stimulator has an automatic shutoff timer 190 which shuts it down after about 45 minutes. A buzzer will sound if the patient/operator has failed to turn off the switch 170 by this time. Usually, the warming unit 110 and the muscle stimulator 120 will not operate at the same time due to electromagnctic interference between the two portions 110 and 120.
______________________________________Control Unit 190  Size (W × D × H): 7.5" × 4.5" × 2.75"  Weight: 11 lbs.  RF Heater Part 110  Frequency: 27.12 MHz  Wavelength: 11.06 meters  Mode: continuous  Output Power: 8-24 Watts  Applicator 130: helical coil  Turning to Resonance: manual  Power Control: manual  Power Consumption: 28 Watts operating; 50 VA   charging  Energy Course 127: Rechargeable battery, 12-24   Volts DC, in 6 V gradations  Specific Absorption  Rate ("SAR"): minimum 1 W/kg; maximum   4 W/kg  Cooling: heat sink  Fuse 195: Yes  Muscle Stimulator Part 120  Waveform: Bi-phasic  Description: Symmetrical, Balanced, Spiked  Current: 0-250 mA  Power Source 127: Rechargeable batteries;   12 & 6 Volts DC  Maximum Phase Charge: 51.8 microCoulombs (μ C)   25.9 μ C per phase at 500 Ohms Ω  Peak Amplitude: 90 V baseline to peak  Duty Cycle: 1.3 sec. on; 1.5 sec. off  Frequency: 55 Hz.______________________________________
FIG. 2 is a view of a control panel 190 for device 100. Control panel 190 includes an assortment of switches, indicators, knobs, and other surface hardware labeled as to function. The device 100 limits the power by controlling voltage. Voltage can be selected by select switch 250. The three power levels of the RF heating unit 110 (12 V, 18 V, 24 V) are clearly indicated by labels 240. Power off is indicated by label 255. A current drain meter 260 indicates the amplitude of the electrical current flowing to the RF unit. All energy output ports are clearly marked on the control panel 190. RF power is output to line 261.
Thee muscle stimulation portion 120 has labeling on the control panel 190 indicating two output channels 263 and 265 with intensity setting 1-10 in increments of 1, set by controls 270 and 280, respectively, and turned on or off by on-off switches 282 and 285, respectively. Exemplary equivalent power density at each intensity setting is described in the following table:
______________________________________         Power Density  Intensity Setting Microwatts/Sq. Cm.______________________________________1              86  2 172  3 258  4 344  5 430  6 516  7 602  8 688  9 744  10  860______________________________________
A labeled light emitting diode 290 is used to indicate that the power is on (red) and green LEDs 300 and 310 indicates when the pulse train is on for channels one or two, respectively. A power off/on switch 256 for stimulator part 120 is disposed at the lower left. The following is a listing of remaining switches, gauges, input/output ports, etc. of control panel 190: fuse(s) 195, muscle stimulator Channel 1 output jack 263, muscle stimulator Channel 2 output jack 265. The duty cycle indicator is a blinking yellow light 292 located above muscle stimulator power switch 256; it indicates when electrical current is flowing through the stimulator. The muscle stimulator part 120 utilized high voltage medical-grade cables with 1/4" phone plugs for the outlet channels and with carbon rubber electrodes, both the cables and electrodes being obtained from Bloomex Medical Corp, 295 Molnar Drive, Elmswood Park, N.J. 07407-3211. The device is suitable for application to various anatomical sites, including, but not limited to, lower legs, feet, joints, hands and knees.
The device 100 is designed for home use directly by the patient without the immediate supervision of a health-case practitioner. As to the RF diathermy, the device uses a rechargeable battery 127, thus minimizing the risk of electrocution. Individuals not undergoing treatment should stay outside of a 1 meter range while the RF heating unit is on. Fuses are used in the device 100 to protect against short circuits and component failure. The energy used by the RF signal generator 125 is controlled through the power source 127 by limiting voltage which can be varied from 12 V to 24 V by a power switch 140. The helical coil applicator 130 will deliver energy in longitudinal electrical fields with respect to the limb. The helical coil 130 is approximately five turns with about 7 foot of coil length.
The level of deep heating for the patient using the device 100 will not exceed 3° C. above normothermic temperature. The level of deep heating for the patient using the device 100 is controlled by the setting of the power level selected control 150. The RF heater part 110 is tuned to resonance by a tuning capacitor which the patient will tune to the brightest level of a light emitting diode LED located near the tuning capacitor. The resonance tuning is preferably first performed at a low level of power, before the actual therapeutic level is set. The capacitor adjustment is to be monitored during the treatment so that it remains at the brightest level. Keeping the RF diathenny unit 110 in resonance (by adjusting the capacitor rather than adjusting the operating frequency) keeps the warming at optimal efficiency in terms of energy in/energy out in the firm of body warming capability.
As to muscle stimulation, the unit is fused for prevention of surging. The device is heat-sinked so that it does not overheat; it has two output circuits (or channels) that are variable in amplitude. The muscle stimulator unit's power cannot be activated until both channels are set on "0" when the device is turned on. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the muscle stimulator will not work while the battery 127 is being charged.
The on-off switch 170 is turned on and the level control 180 is adjusted to a level sufficient to make the muscles visibly contract. The muscles are contracted for 25 minutes. The electrodes 160 may be shifted and repositioned during the course of a treatment. If they are partially pulled away from the surface of the skin while current is flowing, the patient may feel a sharp tingling sensation. Therefore, the output channel should be turned off to reposition or rewet the electrodes 160. After muscle stimulation treatment is concluded, the on-off switch 170 is turned off and the electrode pads 160 are removed from the leg.
1. An RF diathermy coil, comprising:
2. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a woven RF shield connected to the garment, wherein the shield is disposed toward the exterior of the garment relative to the majority of the length of the coil.
3. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the conductive coil further comprises a non-conductive elastic deformable core.
4. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein the elastic core includes a plurality of polymer strands which can form elastically.
5. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coil further comprises a non-conductive elastically deformable sheath over the woven wire.
6. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the non-conductive sheath includes a woven fabric.
7. The RF diathermy coil assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the garment includes a polymer foam.
US09046856 1998-03-24 1998-03-24 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment Active US6094599A (en)
US09046856 US6094599A (en) 1998-03-24 1998-03-24 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
PCT/US1999/006377 WO1999048555A1 (en) 1998-03-24 1999-03-24 Rf diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US09616769 US6735481B1 (en) 1998-03-24 2000-07-14 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US10775475 US20040230226A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2004-02-10 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US10775959 US20040162583A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2004-02-10 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US12028241 US7953500B2 (en) 1998-03-24 2008-02-08 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US13009333 US20110172752A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2011-01-19 RF Diathermy and Faradic Muscle Stimulation Treatment
US09616769 Division US6735481B1 (en) 1998-03-24 2000-07-14 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US6094599A true US6094599A (en) 2000-07-25
ID=21945768
US09046856 Active US6094599A (en) 1998-03-24 1998-03-24 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US09616769 Active US6735481B1 (en) 1998-03-24 2000-07-14 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US10775475 Abandoned US20040230226A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2004-02-10 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US10775959 Abandoned US20040162583A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2004-02-10 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US12028241 Active US7953500B2 (en) 1998-03-24 2008-02-08 RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
US13009333 Abandoned US20110172752A1 (en) 1998-03-24 2011-01-19 RF Diathermy and Faradic Muscle Stimulation Treatment
US (6) US6094599A (en)
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US20080215115A1 (en) 2008-09-04 application
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US7953500B2 (en) 2011-05-31 grant
US20040162583A1 (en) 2004-08-19 application
US6735481B1 (en) 2004-05-11 grant
Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:EHTI MEDICAL CORPORATION (A TEXAS CORPORATION);REEL/FRAME:009466/0878
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BINGHAM, JAMES B.;REEL/FRAME:009537/0177
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OLSEN, RICHARD G.;REEL/FRAME:011044/0181