Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to bodies structured as helically wound runners around which one or more conductive wires may be wound, electrical devices and/or systems configured to include such bodies, and the health/medical applications thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is known that spirally wound electrical conductors exhibit certain electromagnetic properties and/or can be used to generate particular electromagnetic fields. For example, it is known that an electromagnetic coil may act as an inductor and/or part of a transformer, and has many established useful applications in electrical circuits. Applications of an electromagnetic coil may exploit the electromagnetic field that is created when, e.g., an active current source is operatively coupled to the coil. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One aspect of the invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject. The system includes a body, and one or more conductive wires. The body includes two intertwined helically wound runners arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. The body is arranged in a toroidal shape having a centroid. The centroid is arranged at or near one or both of a subject and/or a body part of the subject. The first wire is wound spirally around the first runner. The first wire is conductive. Two leads of the first wire are configured to be electrically coupled with a current source to receive a first current through the first wire along the first runner such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid that provides therapy to the subject. 
         [0004]    One aspect of the invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject. The system includes a body, a first wire, a second wire, two leads of the first wire, two leads of the second wire, and one or more resistive elements. The body includes two intertwined helically wound runners arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. The body is arranged in a toroidal shape having a centroid. The centroid is arranged at or near one or both of a subject and/or a body part of the subject. The first wire is carried by the first runner. The first wire is conductive. The first wire is spirally wound around the first runner to form a bifilar coil around the first runner. The second wire is carried by the second runner. The second wire is conductive. The second wire is spirally wound around the second runner to form a second bifilar coil around the second runner. The two leads of the first wire are configured to be electrically coupled to a current source to receive a first current through the first wire such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid. The electromagnetic field provides therapy to the subject. The two leads of the second wire are configured to be electrically coupled to the current source to receive a second current through the second wire such that the electromagnetic field is modified. The one or more resistive elements are electrically coupled to one or both of the first wire and/or the second wire such that a nominal impedance of the first wire, the second wire, and the one or more resistive elements has a predetermined value that substantially matches an impedance of the current source. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject. The system includes a body, a first wire, one or more processors, a sound input module, and a playback module. The body includes two intertwined helically wound runners arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. The body is arranged in a toroidal shape having a centroid. The centroid is arranged at or near one or both of a subject and/or a body part of the subject. The first wire is carried by the first runner. The first wire is conductive. The first wire is spirally wound around the first runner. The first wire includes two leads configured to be electrically coupled to a current source to receive a first current through the first wire such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid of the toroidal shape of the body. The electromagnetic field provides therapy to the subject. The one or more processors are configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules include the sound input module and the playback module. The sound input module is configured to obtain sound information. The playback module is configured to produce sound signals based on the obtained sound information. The sound signals produced by the playback module are electrically coupled to the two leads of the first wire such that the first current corresponds to the sound signals. 
         [0006]    One aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject. The method includes arranging a body at or near one or both of the subject and/or a body part of the subject. The body includes at least two intertwined helically wound runners arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. The body is arranged in a toroidal shape having a centroid. The body further includes a first wire carried by a first runner. The first wire is spirally wound around the first runner. The first wire is conductive. The first wire includes two leads configured to be electrically coupled to a current source to receive a first current through the first wire. The method further includes supplying the first current to the two leads of the first wire such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid. The electromagnetic field provides therapy to the subject. 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related components of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the any limits. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject, according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject, according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject, according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a system for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject, according to one or more embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  for providing therapy to a subject  106  and/or promoting health effects in subject  106 , according to one or more embodiments. The therapy and/or health effects may include, but are not limited to, one or more of pain relief, relief of discomfort, reduction of inflammation, improved range of motion, hair growth, tissue repair, regenerative effects, improved circulation, improved micro-circulation, and/or other types of therapy and/or health effects on living organisms. System  10  may include a body  85 , a first wire  86 , a current source  11 , and/or other components. The depiction of the size of subject  106  relative to the size of body  85  is not meant to be limiting. 
         [0013]    Body  85  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  includes two intertwined helically wound runners—runner  88  and runner  89 —sharing the same (circular) axis, coupled by struts  90  and having one or more conductive wires spirally wound around one or both runners. In other words, runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  form cores around which wire  86  and wire  87  are spirally wound, respectively. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , body  85  includes two wires: wire  86  and wire  87 . In some embodiments, system  10  includes one runner, three runners, and/or another number of runners. 
         [0014]    Runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  and system  10  in  FIG. 1  are arranged in the shape of a three-dimensional curve similar to or substantially the same as a helix, bend with its ends arranged together. It is noted that the shape of body  85  resembles the general shape of DNA. The shape of the cross-section of a runner may include one or more of a circle, an oval, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, an angular shape, a polygon, and/or other shapes. The width and height of the cross-section of a runner may be limited for practical purposes. For example, for the purposes described herein, in some embodiments, it may be preferable to arrange body  85  such that there is available space within the periphery of body  85 , as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 1 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the shape of the cross-section of runner  88  and runner  89  may be a circle. Note that embodiments of this disclosure are not intended to be limited by any of the given examples. 
         [0015]    Runner  88 , runner  89  and/or struts  90  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  may be manufactured from one or more of plastic, plastic plated with metals including copper, nickel, iron, soft iron, nickel alloys, and/or other metals and alloys, and/or other materials. In some embodiments, runner  88 , runner  89  and struts  90  are manufactured from non-conductive material. Runner  88 , runner  89 , and struts  90  may be manufactured from different materials. Runner  88 , runner  89 , and struts  90  may be manufactured through integral construction or formed separately prior to being assembled. The preceding statement is not intended to limit the (process of) manufacture of bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in any way. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , wire  86  and wire  87 , as any wire listed in any figure included in this description, may be insulated, uninsulated, or partially insulated and partially uninsulated. 
         [0017]    The shape of body  85  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  may be generally toroidal. In some embodiments, the body of system  10  may be arranged in any planar shape, including circular, polygonal, and/or other shapes. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, a body such as body  85  may be arranged in a three-dimensional curve (a.k.a. space curve). Runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  may form cores around which wire  86  and wire  87  are spirally wound, respectively. As such, wire  86  and wire  87  may be arranged in a helical shape having axes that coincide with runner  88  and runner  89 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1 , wire  86  and  87  may be wound such that they go around any of struts  90  of body  85  and/or around any points of engagement between one of struts  90  and one of runners  88  and  89 . The number of wire turns per complete revolution of a runner and/or the number of wire turns between adjacent struts may be characteristic measurements/features of body  85 . In  FIG. 1 , wire  86  and wire  87  are arranged to make approximately three to five turns between adjacent struts associated with runner  88  and runner  89 , respectively, and/or some other number of turns. The depiction of  FIG. 1  is intended to be exemplary, and in no way limiting. 
         [0018]    Wire  86  may include two leads—lead  86   a  and lead  86   b.  Wire  87  may include two leads—lead  87   a  and lead  87   b.  In system  10 , body  85  is electrically coupled with one or more power sources and/or current sources, such as, e.g., current source  11  and/or a current source  12 , arranged such that electrical coupling with one or both of wire  86  and wire  87  may be established, e.g. through coupling of current source  11  with lead  86   a  and  86   b  of wire  86  and through coupling of current source  12  with lead  87   a  and  87   b  of wire  87 . The current supplied to wire  86  may be a direct current or an alternating current. The current supplied to wire  87  may be a direct current or an alternating current. The currents supplied to wire  86  and wire  87  may flow in the same direction or the opposite direction. In some embodiments, the leads of wire  86  and wire  87  may be electrically coupled with the same current source. 
         [0019]    For alternating currents, operating frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 100 GHz are contemplated. Operating currents ranging from 1 pA to 10 A are contemplated. Operating voltages ranging from 1 mV to 20 kV are contemplated. In some embodiments, a root mean square voltage of less than about 1.6 V is supplied to wire  86  and/or wire  87 . In some embodiments, a root mean square voltage of greater than about 0.25 V is supplied to wire  86  and/or wire  87 . In a preferred embodiment, the frequency of the alternating current supplied to wire  86  and/or wire  87  is between 0 Hz and 20 kHz. In some embodiments, the current is less than about 1 pA, 1 nA, 1 mA, 100 mA, 250 mA, 500 mA, and/or other amounts of current. The operating frequencies for wire  86  and wire  87  may be the same or different. Other electrical operating characteristics of current supplied to wire  86  and wire  87 , such as phase, may be the same or different. System  10  may be used to exploit the electromagnetic field that is created in and/or around body  85  when electrical power is supplied to one or more wires of body  85 . The electromagnetic field provides therapy to subject  106  and/or promotes health effects in a subject. 
         [0020]    For the purposes of this description, the electromagnetic field may be an electromagnetic field of at least a predetermined threshold level of tesla. The predetermined threshold may be 1 pT, 1 nT, 1 mT, 10 mT, 100 mT, and/or another threshold. 
         [0021]    Some embodiments of an electrical system including a body similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in  FIG. 1 , thus including wire  86  and wire  87 , may be configured to have a current in wire  86  flowing in the opposite direction as the current in wire  87 . In some embodiments the current supplied to one wire may be a direct current, whereas the current supplied to another wire may be an alternating current. By way of non-limiting example, additional structures for a body and/or electrical systems using a body may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/457,347, filed Apr. 26, 2012, titled “System Configuration Using A Double Helix Conductor,” and published as United States Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0211181, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent application may also be referred to as “the &#39;347 application” herein. 
         [0022]    Some embodiments of an electrical system including a body similar to or substantially the same as body  85  may be configured to include one or more conductive wires that are wound to form a bifilar coil around one or more runners. In some embodiments, the windings may be one or more of caduceus windings, Ayrton-Perry winding, trifilar windings, windings of braided wires, and/or other types of windings. By way of non-limiting example, additional windings may be described in the &#39;347 application. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, system  10  may include multiple bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85 . Currents for these multiple bodies may be supplied by one or more power sources and/or current sources. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, body  85  may be configured such that the dimensions of the available space within the periphery of body  85  and/or the passage formed through the centroid of the shape of body  85  are predetermined dimensions. In some embodiments, a predetermined dimension may include a diameter of about 1 inch, about 1 foot, about 2 feet, about 4 feet, about 6 feet, and/or another suitable dimension. Suitable dimensions may depend on average sizes of human fingers, wrists, elbows, arms, ankles, knees, legs, shoulders, (lower) backs, torsos, bodies, and/or other body parts, as may be used as an area to receive treatment and/or therapy. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, lead  86   a  and  86   b  of wire  86  and lead  87   a  and  87   b  of wire  87  are electrically coupled in the same circuit. This circuit may include, for example, one or more resistive components, such as resistors, that are arranged such that the circuit has a nominal impedance of a predetermined value, such as, e.g., 4 ohms, 8 ohms, 16 ohms, 32 ohms, 100 ohms, 600 ohms, and/or another predetermined value. In some embodiments, the predetermined value may be chosen to match the impedance of standard consumer electronics components and/or systems, including for example audio consumer electronics. These examples are not intended to be limiting in any way. By way of non-limiting example, additional information regarding resistive elements and/or impedance matching may be described in the &#39;347 application. 
         [0026]    By way of illustration,  FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a system  10   a  for providing therapy to a subject and/or promoting health effects in a subject. System  10   a  may include one or more of body  85 , processor  110 , user interface  120 , electronic storage  130 , and/or other components. Body  85  in  FIG. 2  may be similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in  FIG. 1 , described above. Specifically, body  85  in  FIG. 2  may include any of the features, functions, and/or structures described herein in relation to body  85  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the one or more wires of body  85  are configured to receive current through the leads of the wires such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid of the toroidal shape of body  85 . The electromagnetic field provides therapy to subject  106  and/or promotes health effects in subject  106 . 
         [0027]    Processor  110  of system  10   a  in  FIG. 2  is configured to provide information processing capabilities in system  10   a.  As such, processor  110  includes one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor  110  is shown in  FIG. 2  as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some embodiments, processor  110  may include a plurality of processing units. 
         [0028]    As is shown in  FIG. 2 , processor  110  is configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The one or more computer program modules include one or more of a sound input module  111 , a playback module  112 , and/or other modules. Processor  110  may be configured to execute modules  111 - 112  by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor  110 . 
         [0029]    It should be appreciated that although modules  111 - 112  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  as being co-located within a single processing unit, in embodiments in which processor  110  includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules  111 - 112  may be located remotely from the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the different modules  111 - 112  described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules  111 - 112  may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of modules  111 - 112  may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be incorporated, shared, integrated into, and/or otherwise provided by other ones of modules  111 - 112 . Note that processor  110  may be configured to execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of modules  111 - 112 . 
         [0030]    Sound input module  111  may be configured to obtain sound information. In some embodiments, the sound information may be obtained through a microphone or other acoustic-to-electric transducer and/or sensor. In some embodiments, the sound information may be obtained from storage, e.g. from electronic storage. Sound information obtained from storage may include electronic audio files in any format, including but not limited to MP3, WMA, WAV, AIFF, and/or other audio formats. Audio formats may be uncompressed, have lossless compression, and/or lossy compression. Sound information may be obtained from traditional sound sources including phonographs, CD-players, DVD players, AM radio, FM radio, and/or other sound sources. Electronic storage may be local to system  10   a  and/or be accessible from a remote location through a network connection, such as e.g. the internet. 
         [0031]    Playback module  112  may be configured to produce sound signals based on the obtained sound information. The sound signals produced by playback module  112  may be analog and/or digital signals. The sound signals produced by playback module  112  may be electric, optical, and/or using other media. The sound signals produced by playback module  112  may be accessible through one or more signal connectors, including but not limiting to line out connectors, tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) connectors, tip-ring-ring-sleeve (TRRS) connectors, TOSLINK connectors, S/PDIF connectors, FireWire™ connectors, HDMI connectors, DVI connectors, USB connectors, and/or other connectors capable of transferring an audio signal. The sound signals produced by playback module  112  may be electrically coupled to the leads of the one or more conductive wires of body  85  (depicted in  FIG. 2 ) such that current through the one or more conductive wires of body  85  corresponds to the produced sound signals. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the sound signals produced by playback module  112  may be amplified by an amplifier before being electrically coupled to the leads of the one or more conductive wires of body  85 . In some preferred embodiments, the amplifier may be an audio amplifier ranging between 100 W and 400 W. Other types of amplifiers and/or amplifiers having a different power range are also contemplated. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the sound information obtained by sound input module  111  may include and/or correspond to sounds that are traditionally used in sound therapy and/or sound healing. For example, sound signals having one or more specific frequencies, waveforms, waveshapes, and/or amplitudes may have regenerative effects and/or other health effects. In some embodiments, the sounds may include human voices producing one or more of the following sounds: “Om,” “Uh,” “Ooo,”, “Oh,” “Ah,” “Eye,” “Aye,” “Eee,” and/or other sounds and/or phrases. In some embodiments, playback module  112  may be configured to loop and/or repeat particular sound information, e.g. a particular track on a CD or a particular MP3 file, for a predetermined amount of time, indefinitely, and/or as instructed by subject  106  and/or user  108 . 
         [0034]    Electronic storage  130  of system  10   a  in  FIG. 2  comprises electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage  130  may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with system  10   a  and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to system  10   a  via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a Firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage  130  may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage  130  may store software algorithms, information determined by processor  110 , information received via user interface  120 , and/or other information that enables system  10   a  to function properly. For example, electronic storage  130  may store sound information and/or electronic audio files (as discussed elsewhere herein), and/or other information. Electronic storage  130  may be a separate component within system  10   a,  or electronic storage  130  may be provided integrally with one or more other components of system  10   a  (e.g., processor  110 ). 
         [0035]    User interface  120  of system  10   a  in  FIG. 2  is configured to provide an interface between system  10   a  and a user (e.g., user  108 , subject  106 , a caregiver, a therapy decision-maker, etc.) through which the user can provide information to and receive information from system  10   a.  This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any other communicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” to be communicated between the user and system  10   a.  An example of information that may be conveyed to user  108  is an indication of the volume and/or intensity of the sound signals produced by playback module  112 . Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interface  120  include a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a printer. Information may be provided to user  108  or subject  106  by user interface  120  in the form of auditory signals, visual signals, tactile signals, and/or other sensory signals. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that other communication techniques, either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated herein as user interface  120 . For example, in one embodiment, user interface  120  may be integrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronic storage  130 . In this example, information is loaded into system  10   a  from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, a flash drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) to customize system  10   a.  Other exemplary input devices and techniques adapted for use with system  10   a  as user interface  120  include, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable, Ethernet, internet or other). In short, any technique for communicating information with system  10   a  is contemplated as user interface  120 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a system  10   b  for providing therapy to subject  106  and/or promoting health effects in subject  106 . System  10   b  may include one or more of body  85 , support structure  85   b,  one or more supporting posts  42 , support structure  44 , one or more raising mechanisms  43 , and/or other components. Body  85  in  FIG. 4  may be similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , described above. Specifically, body  85  in  FIG. 4  may include any of the features, functions, and/or structures described herein in relation to body  85  of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the one or more wires of body  85  are configured to receive current through the leads of the wires such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid of the toroidal shape of body  85 . The electromagnetic field provides therapy to subject  106  and/or promotes health effects in subject  106 . 
         [0038]    Support structure  44  may be configured to support one or more of subject  106 , supporting posts  42 , body  85 , and/or other components of system  10   b.  In some embodiments, support structure  44  may include a platform and/or base. 
         [0039]    Support structure  85   b  may be configured to support body  85 . Support structure  85   b  may be configured to mechanically couple to one or more of support posts  42 , raising mechanism  43 , and/or support structure  44 . In some embodiments, support structure  85   b  may include a shelf and/or tray. Support structure  85   b  may include an open area in the center that coincides with a passage formed through body  85  such that support structure  85   b  and body  85  may be moved relative to the position of subject  106  within and/or inside that passage. In other words, body  85  may be disposed around subject  106  and/or move up and down to cover different body parts of subject  106 . For example, the movement of support structure  85   b  and body  85  may be substantially vertical, as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Note that this example is not intended to be limiting. Embodiments in which subject  106  is placed in a substantially horizontal position are also contemplated. In such a case, the position of other components, which may include body  85 , support structure  85   b,  supporting posts  42 , and/or other components, may be adjusted accordingly. 
         [0040]    Supporting posts  42  may be configured to support one or more of body  85 , support structure  85   b,  raising mechanism  43 , and/or other components of system  10   b . The depiction of two supporting posts  42  in  FIG. 4  is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0041]    Raising mechanism  43  may be configured to move body  85  and/or support structure  85   b  in a predetermined manner or path. For example, the predetermined path may be up and down, as depicted in  FIG. 4  and indicated by the arrows near raising mechanism  43 . The depiction of two raising mechanisms  43  in  FIG. 4  is not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, raising mechanism  43  may include an electric motor and/or lift. 
         [0042]    Control of one or more raising mechanisms  43  during operation of system  10   b  may include one or more of a determination of a starting position relative to subject  106  and/or supporting structure  44 , a determination of a direction for the movement of body  85  and/or support structure  85   b  relative to the orientation and position of system  10   b,  a determination of the speed of the movement, a determination of the range of movement (e.g. in relation to a particular body part of subject  106 ), a determination of the number of sweeps across (all or part of) subject  106 , a determination of the intensity level, frequency, and/or particular sound information corresponding to the electromagnetic field used, which may vary depending on the position of body  85  or along different parts of subject  106 , and/or other operating conditions of system  10   b.  For example, to treat a specific back problem for a particular subject, raising mechanism  43  may be controlled to start at the center of the intended area of treatment, and may be subsequently controlled to sweep across a predetermined range of movement, e.g. a range of  10  inches on either side of the center, for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of sweeps, as intended for body  85  and/or support structure  85   b  to provide treatment as prescribed. In some embodiments, control of the operating conditions of system  10   b  may be implemented by a computer program module that is executed by a processor. For example, a set of sweeps as described above in relation to a specific back problem may be controlled programmatically by a computer program module. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method  300  for providing therapy to a subject. The operations of method  300  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In certain embodiments, method  300  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  300  are illustrated in  FIG. 3  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0044]    In certain embodiments, method  300  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  300  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  300 . 
         [0045]    At an operation  302 , a body is arranged at or near one or both of a subject and/or a body part of the subject. The body includes two intertwined helically wound runners, and a conductive wire. The runners are arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. The body is arranged in a toroidal shape having a centroid. The wire is carried by the first runner. The wire is spirally wound around the first runner. The wire has two leads configured to be electrically coupled to a current source to receive a first current through the wire. In one embodiment, operation  302  is performed by a user of system  10  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described above). 
         [0046]    At an operation  304 , a current is supplied to the two leads of the wire such that an electromagnetic field is created at or near the centroid that provides therapy to the subject. In one embodiment, operation  304  is performed by a current source similar to or substantially the same as current source  11  (shown in  FIG. 1  and described above). 
         [0047]    Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Technology Category: 5