GB2156679A

GB2156679A - Therapeutic magnetic field generator

Info

Publication number: GB2156679A
Application number: GB08408753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Walpole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-05
Filing date: 1984-04-05
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB2156679B; GB8408753D0

Abstract

Incorporates two oscillators 10, 12. One produces pulses at the frequency of a delta-wave. The other produces pulses at a frequency which corresponds to another brain wave frequency, which may be selectable. The pulses produced are used to produce an electromagnetic field around a sort-iron core. The generator is housed in a compact casing, so that it can be placed against the human body in proximity to a part of the body to be treated by the magnetic field. The generator may be mounted in a bandage for continuous wear. The oscillations generate square waves but these are degraded by the inductance of the coil to resemble the shape of brain waves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Magnetic field generator This invention relates to a magnetic field generator. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a portable, self-contained generator which can be easily attached to the human body.

There have been many instances in recent years where the exposure of a patient to a magnetic field has been shown to have a therapeutic effect. The reasons for this are not clearly known, but it is apparent that a magnetic field can have a beneficial effect.

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic field generator having a first oscillator for generating a delta-wave frequency, a second oscillator for generating a second frequency which corresponds to a brain wave frequency, means for mixing the generated frequencies, and an electromagnet adapted to be powered by the pulses produced by the oscillators.

Both oscillators are preferably arranged to operate at extremely low frequencies (ELF), i.e. below 50 Hz.

Delta-waves are the waves produced by the brain whilst the brain is in a relaxed or hypnotic state. The centre frequency for deltawaves is about 1.1 5 Hz.

The second oscillator may be set so that it operates at one frequency only, or it may possibly be adjustable so that it can operate at different frequencies. Suitable frequencies are beta-, theta- and alpha- wave frequencies.

Beta- waves are produced during aural or visual stimulation of the brain, and their centre frequency is 14.2 Hz. Alpha-waves are produced while the body is relaxed and their centre frequency is 9.7 Hz. Theta-waves are produced when the brain is doing something creative and have a centre frequency of 4.4 Hz.

The generator is preferably battery powered, and a small dry-cell battery may be incorporated in a compact housing with the circuit components. The whole generator could be made extremely small by taking advantage of the possibilities of miniaturisation which are now available and using the type of battery which is used to power battery-powered wristwatches. The generator could thus be mounted on or in a bandage which could be readily applied to an afflicted part of the human body.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a magnetic field generator according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows typical pulse forms.

In Fig. 1, a first oscillator circuit 10 and a second oscillator circuit 12 are supplied with power from a 9-volt battery along the line 14.

The oscillator 10 is set to provide output pulses along a line 16 at a frequency of 1.15 Hz. The second oscillator 12 includes three parallel switches 18, 20 and 22. The closure of any one of these switches will produce a pulse output in the line 24 at a frequency of 4.4, 9.7 or 14.2 Hz respectively, equivalent to a brain wave frequency. The two pulsed signals are each passed through a resistor 26, 28 and a capacitor 30, 32 to a transistor 34 which feeds an electromagnetic coil 36. The transistor has the function of mixing the pulsed signals from the oscillators 10 and 12, and switches the coil 36 on and off in accordance with the frequency of the pulsed signal.

Suitably the electromagnetic coil 36 can comprise 600 turns of 0.2 mm diameter wire wound around a steel bolt 6 mm in diameter and 40 mm long.

The entire circuit, including the battery, can be encapsulated.

Tests have shown that each of the frequences available from the second oscillator has valuable therapeutic effects in connection with certain ailments. Normally it would be most practical to set the second oscillator at a fixed frequency, and to omit the switches 18, 20 and 22. There would then be made available a range of generators which would each be set to one or other of the desirable second oscillator frequencies. The generator would then be proof against tampering by the patient.

In tests, it has been found that when the second oscillator produces alpha-wave frequencies, the resulting magnetic field is helpful to lower back pain, to other disorders of the sciatic nerve, and to migraine. When the second oscillator produces beta-wave frequencies, the resulting magnetic field is helpful to osteoarthritis and to migraine. When the second oscillator produces theta-wave frequencies, the resulting magnetic field is useful in cases of hypertension, in lowering blood pressure. These are examples only of useful effects which have been noted.

It is thought that the reproduction of brain wave frequencies in the generator may stimulate production of those same frequencies by the brain itself. It has been shown that alphaand beta-waves cause the blood capillaries in the body to contract, thus slowing down blood flow. Delta- and theta-wave frequencies have an opposite effect. Thus it may be that the generator of the present invention enhances these effects which result from particular brain wave frequencies.

In use, the generator is held against the affected part of the body for a suitable period of time which may be a few hours each day.

If the circuit is miniaturised, and supported on a bandage, the generator may be worn continuously, until the ailment has been alleviated.

Fig. 2 shows at 40 the form of a brain wave pulse. The current rises rapidly initially to a peak, and then decays relatively slowly.

The oscillators 10 and 12 produce a square pulse as indicated at 42. However, because of the inductive nature of the coil 36, the magnetic field pulse will rise sharply as for the square wave form 42, but will decay relatively slowly. This is indicated at 44, and it will be seen that the resulting magnetic field pulse closely resembles the form of pulse produced in brain waves.

Claims

1. A magnetic field generator having a first oscillator for generating a delta-wave frequency, a second oscillator for generating a second frequency which corresponds to a brain wave frequency, means for mixing the generated frequencies, and an electromagnet adapted to be powered by the pulses produced by the oscillators.

2. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein both oscillators are arranged to operate at extremely low frequencies (ELF), i.e. below 50 Hz.

3. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second oscillator is set so that it operates at one frequency only.

4. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second oscillator is set to operate at the frequency of beta-waves.

5. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second oscillator is set to operate at the frequency of theta-waves.

6. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second oscillator is set to operate at the frequency of alpha-waves.

7. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the second oscillator is adjustable so that it can operate at different frequencies.

8. A magnetic field generator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the generator is battery powered.

9. A magnetic field generator as claimed in Claim 8, wherein a dry-cell battery is incorporated in a compact housing with the circuit components.

10. A magnetic field generator as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the generator is a mounted on or in a bandage which can be readily applied to an afflicted part of the human body.

11. A magnetic field generator substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.