GB2130095A

GB2130095A - Biomagnetic healing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2130095A
Application number: GB08329948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford Astle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-22
Filing date: 1983-11-10
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB8329948D0

Abstract

Apparatus includes means for producing high tension pulses of electric power for promoting biomagnetic healing of the human body. The apparatus includes also a pad (32) with a surface composed of closely spaced metallic conductors (34) through which the high tension pulses can pass. The apparatus may include a brush device having metallic bristles through which the pulses are applied. The pad may be flexible and secured around a limb by a fastener. Alternatively the pad may be of circular shape and used in combination with a vibrator. The apparatus may also be used in combination with chemotherapy. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Biomagnetic healing apparatus The invention relates to biomagnetic healing apparatus, that is to say apparatus for use by a person suffering from a particular muscular or other injury.

It has been found that electromagnetic fields can stimulate the healing of fractured bones which have failed to respond to more conventional treatment. In this way the need for complicated and often painful surgery to pin or graft the unhealed bone can often be avoided. The treatment of a broken leg for example may involve the use of a C-shaped electromagnet placed around the break, the electromagnet being connected to a mains or battery-powered electronics unit. The pulsing magnetic field thereby produced induces minute currents in the region of the broken bone ends and this stimulates the bone to heal.

The use of induced electromagnetic fields has been proved to be of use also in the healing of human flesh in addition to the healing of bones, that is to say for example in the healing of pressure sores suffered by patients who have been confined to bed for long periods or who lack good circulation, and in the healing of varicose ulcers. It has been proposed to used induced electromagnetic fields and drugs in combination, the drugs being designed to treat specific organs of the body. If this is provided to be a practical method of treatment, the drugs will be encapsulated in magnetically sensitive but otherwise inactive substances. The drug will then be attracted to a particular region of the body by the placing of an electromagnet in an appropriate area of the body. In this way it may be possible to administer powerful drugs in small but regulated doses.

The object of the invention is to provide further means by which the use of electromagnetic fields in the treatment of injury in the human body can be extended.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus by means of which biomagnetic healing of the human body can be facilitated, the apparatus including, in combination with means for producing high tension pulses of electric power, a pad with a surface composed of closely spaced metallic conductors through which the high tension pulses can be passed. The pad may be flexible and of rectangular shape and provided with fastenings by means of which it can be secured around a persons limb or body. In this case, the fastenings by means of which the pad can be secured around a persons injured limb or body may be constituted by so-called "Velcro" fastenings.On the other hand, the pad may be of circular shape and have a certain amount of rigidity so that a vibrator apparatus (for example a vibrator known as the Niagara Vibrator) can be used in combination with the pad, the patient then being able to be treated simultaneously with a combination of electromagnetic field and vibrations, both of these being variable independently of the other. The apparatus referred to may be used in combination with a brush device having metallic bristles through which the high tension pulses or electric power can be transmitted, the brush being adapted to be drawn gently along the limb of the patient to promote accelerated healing.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:~ Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for producing high tension pulses of electric power, Figures 2 and 3 are views of respective pads through which the high tension pulses can be passed, and Figure 4 is a sectional side view of a brush device which will be referred to presently.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, this illustrates, diagrammatically, the construction of apparatus for producing high tension pulses of electric power, the apparatus including a transformer 10, a 12 volt motor 12 drivably connected to a rotor 14, and a permanent magnet 16. As shown, the motor 12 is drivably connected, by means of a driving belt 18 connecting a pair of pulley wheels 20, 22 to the rotor 14. When the motor is driven, pulses of induced current pass along a pair of wires 24, 26 connected to the magnet and to the rotor shaft respectively.Means (not shown) are provided for adjustably "shorting" the arms of the magnet so that the intensity of the induced current can be adjusted. (A pair of electric leads indicated 28, 30, are leads by means of which the electric motor can be connected to a car battery so that in an emergency the apparatus can be operated in a location remote from a mains supply.) Means (not shown) are provided whereby a person can hold a pair of conductors connected to the respective wires 24, 26 to be subjected to the pulses of induced current. A person suffering cardiac arrest may also be subjected to these pulses of current to re-start his heart.

Referring now to Figure 2, this illustrates the construction of a pad including a fabric backing material 32 of rectangular shape and having a surface composed of closely spaced metallic conductors 34 the opposite ends of which can be connected to the wires 24, 26 of the apparatus of Figure 1. One end of the pad is provided with a length of so-called touch and close material 36 (available under the trade mark "Velcro") by means of which, depending on the length of the pad, it may be secured around a persons limb or body.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated an alternative form of pad, this being of circular shape with the metallic conductors 34 extending around it in radiating rings. Although not apparent in the drawing, this construction of pad has a certain amount of rigidity so that a vibrator apparatus (not shown), for example the kind of vibrator apparatus available under the trade name Niagara, can be used in combination with the pad.The patient is then able to be treated simultaneously with a combination of electromagnetic field and vibrations, both of these being variable independently of the other, that is to say the strength of the electromagnetic field being varied by means of the adjustment referred to for varying the strength of the induced direct current produced by the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 and the intensity of the vibrations being variable by means of the usual adjustment built into the vibrator.

It is thought that this suggested method of treatment will result in a very effective stimulation of the patients body to heal itself. However, the apparatus referred to above may be used in combination with other devices for causing biomagnetic healing. For example, in Figure 4 there is illustrated a brush device including a body or casing 38 and a plurality of metallic bristles 40 electrically connected to a pair of electric leads 42, 44. The electric leads of this device can be connected to the wires 24, 26 of the apparatus of Figure 1 so that in use high tension pulses of electric power can be transmitted through the bristles to a persons skin. In use, the brush can be drawn gently along a limb of the patient or along a particular part of his body to promote accelerated healing.

Various other modifications or additions may be made and it will be understood that the apparatus described above may be used in combination with suitable chemotherapy.

The apparatus is very compact and can be contained in a portable case so that, when provided with electric leads by means of which it can be connected to a car battery, it can be operated at locations remote from a source of mains power and can be used for the emergency treatment of a person suffering a heart attack.

Claims

1. Apparatus by means of which biomagnetic healing of the human body can be facilitated, the apparatus including, in combination with means for producing high tension pulses of electric power, a pad with a surface composed of closely spaced metallic conductors through which the high tension pulses can be passed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pad is flexible and of rectangular shape and provided with fastenings by means of which it can be secured around a persons limb or body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the fastenings by means of which the pad can be secured around a persons injured limb or body are constituted by so-called "Velcro" fastenings.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pad is of circular shape and has a certain amount of rigidity so that a vibrator apparatus (for example a vibrator known as the Niagara Vibrator) can be used in combination with the pad, the patient then being able to be treated simultaneously with a combination of electromagnetic field and vibrations, both of these being variable independently of the other.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a brush device having metallic bristles through which the high tension pulses of electric power can be transmitted, the brush being adapted to be drawn gently along the limb of the patient to promote accelerated healing.

6. Apparatus by means of which biomagnetic healing of the human body can be facilitated, the apparatus being constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.