JP7705814B2 - Magnetic Therapy Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device that generates a signal wave for biostimulation, generates a magnetic field in a coil using the signal wave, and irradiates the affected area of a living body to stimulate the cells and nerves in the affected area, thereby treating pain in the affected area.

As a device for treating pain in an affected area by irradiating an affected area of a living body with a magnetic field to stimulate cells and nerves in the affected area, for example, the device described in Patent Document 1 is known in the past. This treatment device is configured to be portable by arranging a spiral high-frequency coil and a low-frequency coil side by side within a housing, or arranging a loop-shaped high-frequency coil and a low-frequency coil overlapping each other within a housing, and storing these coils together with a transmitting circuit and a battery within the housing.

This treatment device generates magnetic fields in the high-frequency coil and low-frequency coil using constant-frequency high-frequency and low-frequency signals output from the transmitting circuit, and by placing the housing over the affected area of the body, it irradiates the affected area with a magnetic field, stimulating the cells and nerves in the affected area, activating the self-repair function of the affected area through this stimulation, and treating the pain in the affected area by repairing the cells and tissues.

International Publication No. 2008/056414

However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the high-frequency coil and the low-frequency coil are housed in a housing together with the transmitting circuit and the battery, so in order to irradiate the affected area with the magnetic field generated by those coils, it is necessary to place the housing on the affected area, which causes inconveniences such as the housing being bulky and getting in the way, or it getting caught on clothing and falling off the affected area.

It was discovered that if the housing was made smaller to solve this problem, the transmitter circuit and battery would also need to be made smaller, which would create a new problem in that sufficient magnetic field strength and operating time could not be obtained.

The probe of a magnetic therapy device must be able to make contact with and deform to fit the affected area of the human body, such as an arm or leg, and must be designed so that it can be manufactured with a high yield rate during the manufacturing process.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a magnetic therapy device that has a high magnetic therapeutic effect and can be properly fitted to the affected area.

The magnetic therapy device of the present invention, which advantageously solves the above problems, generates biostimulation signal waves, generates a magnetic field for stimulating the affected area in a coil using the biostimulation signal waves, and irradiates the affected area of a living body with a magnetic field for stimulating the affected area to stimulate cells and nerves in and around the affected area, thereby treating pain in the affected area. The magnetic therapy device includes a device body having a signal wave output unit that generates and outputs biostimulation signal waves of multiple frequencies, and a probe formed separately from the device body, which is connected to the signal wave output unit by a signal cable and has one coil that outputs a first frequency and another coil that outputs a second frequency to which the biostimulation signal waves output from the signal wave output unit are respectively supplied, and the one coil and the other coil are formed as planar bodies on both sides of an insulating flexible thin plate, and the flexible thin plate between the one coil and the other coil has slits separated by multiple bridges.

In the magnetic therapy device of this invention, the signal wave output section of the device body generates and outputs biostimulation signal waves of multiple frequencies, and one coil outputting a first frequency and another coil outputting a second frequency of a probe formed separately from the device body are connected to the signal wave output section by a signal cable, and are supplied with the biostimulation signal waves output from the signal wave generating section, generating an alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area with the signal waves of the first and second frequencies for biostimulation.

Therefore, according to the magnetic therapy device of the present invention, by applying a probe separate from the device body to the affected part of the living body, a high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by a first frequency, for example, one coil for high-frequency output, is irradiated to the affected part to stimulate the cells of the affected part, and this stimulation is expected to activate damaged nerves in the affected part and reduce nerve damage in the affected part through self-repair. In addition, the stimulation given by irradiating the affected part with a low-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected part, generated by another coil for low-frequency output, for example, travels through the sensory nerves (Aβ fibers: touch) and reaches the brain (sensory area) from the posterior horn of the spinal cord, so that the brain recognizes the pleasantness of touch and activates the descending pain inhibitory system, resulting in analgesic and relaxing effects.

Moreover, according to the magnetic therapy device of this invention, slits are provided in the insulating flexible thin plate inside the probe in which the coil is formed, so the probe can be easily deformed and properly fitted to the affected area. In addition, since the slits in the flexible thin plate are separated by multiple bridges, the flexible thin plate does not protrude even when resin molding is used to mold the probe, and it can be manufactured with a high yield.

In the magnetic therapy device of this invention, the probe is a roughly quadrilateral flat plate with a side length in the range of 25 to 75 mm, which is preferable since it is easy to attach to a person's limbs with tape or the like, and for example, it can be placed around half the circumference of an arm, which enhances the therapeutic effect.

1 is an overall conceptual diagram of a magnetic therapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a probe of a magnetic therapy device according to the embodiment, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a rear view, and (c) is an AA cross-sectional view. 4A and 4B are printed wiring diagrams showing the coil arrangement of the magnetic therapy device according to the embodiment, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view.

The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. The following embodiments are illustrative of a method for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the configuration as described below. In other words, the technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

Figure 1 shows an overall conceptual diagram of a magnetic therapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following figures, reference numeral 1 indicates the device body provided with the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, reference numeral 11 indicates a probe, and reference numeral 21 indicates a signal cable. The device also includes a power cable (not shown) that is detachably inserted into the device body 1.

The device body 1 of the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment has a resin casing 2, a touch panel display 3 housed diagonally upward in the front part of the casing 2 and exposed from an opening in the front of the casing 2, a signal wave output unit housed in the upper part of the rear of the casing 2, and a power supply unit housed in the lower part of the rear of the casing 2. An alarm stop button and a power switch button are provided on the left and right sides of the lower part of the opening in the front of the casing 2 of the device body 1. And further below these buttons, three sockets for plugging in signal cables 21 are provided side by side to enable connection of three probes 11 to the device body 1.

Figure 2 shows (a) a top view, (b) a back view, and (c) an A-A cross-sectional view of the probe 11 of the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the probe 11 has a roughly quadrilateral exterior 12 made of a flexible material, and a circuit section 13 that is piled up in a truncated pyramid shape for the purpose of protecting the electrical circuits, etc. A signal cable 21 is pulled out from the back of the circuit section.

As shown in FIG. 2(c), the probe 11 contains a flexible thin plate 14, which is a printed circuit board on which a coil and an electric circuit are arranged, in an exterior 12 made of soft resin such as an elastomer or rubber material. The probe 11 can be manufactured by resin molding such as injection molding or RIM molding. Since resin molding involves self-heating, it is preferable to apply a resin mold to the circuit section 13 in advance in order to protect the electric circuit, etc.

Figure 3 is a printed wiring diagram showing the coil arrangement of the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, showing a top view (a) and a bottom view (b). On the printed circuit board 14, a circuit section 13, a high-frequency output coil 15 as one coil that outputs a first frequency, a magnetic field strength detection coil 16, a low-frequency output coil 17 as another coil that outputs a second frequency, etc. are arranged. In this embodiment, the high-frequency output coil 15 is arranged as an annular disk on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 14, and the magnetic field strength detection coil 16 is arranged as an annular ring on the outside. In addition, a spiral-shaped low-frequency output coil 17 is arranged inside the high-frequency output coil 15. The high-frequency output coil 15 and the low-frequency output coil 17 are also arranged on the lower surface of the printed circuit board 14, and are arranged so that they are configured symmetrically with respect to each other and that the high-frequency current and the low-frequency current flow in the same direction on both the upper and lower surfaces. By doing so, the centers of the magnetic fields generated by the coils on both the upper and lower surfaces can be aligned. A slit 18 is provided between the high-frequency output coil 15 and the low-frequency output coil of the printed circuit board 14, making it easier for the printed circuit board 14 to follow the deformation of the probe 11. In addition, multiple points on the circumference of the slit 18 are bridged and connected by bridges 19, so that when the printed circuit board 14 is covered with resin molding, parts of the printed circuit board do not deform, protrude, or become exposed, and molding can be performed stably. Note that the high-frequency output coil 15, the magnetic field strength detection coil 16, and the low-frequency output coil 17 may be changed from an annular shape to a rectangular shape.

The probe 11 should be a roughly quadrilateral, particularly a roughly rectangular flat plate, so that it can be easily attached to the affected limb of a person and fixed with tape. If the size of the probe 11 is a quadrilateral with sides W and L in the range of 25 to 75 mm, it can be placed around half the circumference of the arm, for example, and this provides a high therapeutic effect. The thickness t is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 5 mm. The lower limit of the thickness is preferably determined based on the insulation of the wiring on the printed circuit board and the lifespan of the probe, taking into account wear and tear. The upper limit of the thickness is preferably determined so that it can be appropriately deformed by human force.

The flexible thin plate 14 is a film-like printed circuit board, and preferably has a base layer made of a film of a flexible insulating material, and an adhesive layer as necessary. The base layer can be made of polyimide resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin with a polyamide paper base, epoxy resin with a glass cloth base, BT resin with a glass base, or the like. Each coil may be a conductor printed on the printed circuit board 14, such as metal foil, or etched. The thickness of the printed circuit board 14 is preferably about 0.1 mm. The conductor constituting the coil is preferably, for example, copper foil, and is preferably about 12 to 70 μm thick. Below the lower limit, the electrical resistance of the coil may become too large, causing a problem of heat generation. Above the upper limit, the copper foil may not be able to follow the deformation of the probe 11 when it deforms, and may peel off from the printed circuit board or break.

The first frequency is the frequency of the high-frequency current passed through the high-frequency output coil, which is between 100 MHz and 400 MHz, and the frequency is changed continuously or at predetermined time intervals to prevent the affected area from becoming accustomed to the stimulation signal. It is preferably in the range of 200 MHz to 300 MHz.

As the second frequency, the frequency of the low-frequency current passed through the low-frequency output coil is about 1 kHz to 3 kHz. It is preferable that the center of the magnetic field generated by the high-frequency output coil and the center of the magnetic field generated by the low-frequency output coil are aligned. This makes it possible to supply a low-frequency magnetic field to the affected area by superimposing it on the high-frequency magnetic field, enhancing the effect of magnetic therapy.

In this embodiment of the magnetic therapy device, the device main body 1 functionally has a signal wave output section, a screen control section, and a power supply section. The signal wave output section in this embodiment is configured as a circuit using multiple central processing units (CPUs), and generates a fundamental high-frequency signal of 100 MHz or more in the fundamental high-frequency signal generation section, and the fundamental high-frequency signal shift section appropriately shifts (varies) the fundamental high-frequency signal, for example, at a fixed time interval of 0.00014 seconds (i.e., approximately 7000 times/second) within a range of 225 MHz to 275 MHz, which is ±10% of the center frequency of 250 MHz, while excluding the frequency band used in aircraft emergency radios, and outputs the shifted fundamental high-frequency signal to the fundamental high-frequency signal frequency modulation section.

The signal wave output unit also reads out a magnetic signal pattern including a sound source signal such as music, which is pre-recorded in an external storage device such as an SD card inserted in a card slot or in a built-in storage device, from the SD card or the like using a magnetic signal pattern reading unit, and supplies the magnetic signal pattern to a biostimulation low-frequency signal generation unit, which generates a biostimulation low-frequency signal from the frequency information of the magnetic signal pattern (e.g., 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less), and outputs the biostimulation low-frequency signal to the fundamental high-frequency signal frequency modulation unit.

The fundamental high-frequency signal frequency modulation unit frequency-modulates the fundamental high-frequency signal, for example 250 MHz ± 10%, generated by the fundamental high-frequency signal generation unit and frequency-shifted by the fundamental high-frequency signal shift unit, with the biostimulation low-frequency signal, for example 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less, generated by the biostimulation low-frequency signal generation unit, and supplies it to the biostimulation high-frequency signal output unit, which amplifies and outputs the frequency-modulated biostimulation high-frequency signal. Note that the biostimulation high-frequency signal output unit may amplitude-modulate the frequency-modulated biostimulation high-frequency signal with the biostimulation low-frequency signal, and then amplify and output it. Furthermore, the biostimulation low-frequency signal output unit amplifies and outputs the biostimulation low-frequency signal, for example 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less, generated by the biostimulation low-frequency signal generation unit. These operations in the signal wave output unit are controlled by the operation state control unit.

The probe 11 in this embodiment houses a flexible printed wiring board 14, on which a high-frequency output coil 15 is formed on the outside and a low-frequency output coil 17 is formed on the inside by printed wiring. In addition, a magnetic field strength detection coil 16 is formed on the outside of the high-frequency output coil 15. Furthermore, an operating state detection unit is configured as a circuit using a temperature detection element and a CPU mounted on the flexible printed wiring board 14. The high-frequency output coil 15 generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area with a high-frequency signal for biostimulation supplied from the high-frequency signal output unit for biostimulation via a signal cable 21. The low-frequency output coil 17 generates a low-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area with a low-frequency signal for biostimulation supplied from the low-frequency signal output unit for biostimulation via a signal cable 21.

The operating state detection unit detects the operating state of the signal wave output unit from the temperatures of the high frequency output coil 15 and the low frequency output coil 17 detected by the temperature detection element and the high frequency or low frequency magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field strength detection coil 16, and inputs a signal indicating the operating state to the operating state monitoring unit of the signal wave output unit via the signal cable 21. Using this signal indicating the operating state, the operating state monitoring unit monitors the operation of the signal wave output unit, such as signal wave generation and output, and the level of the alternating magnetic field generated by the high frequency output coil 15 and the low frequency output coil 17, and if an abnormality is detected, outputs an alarm signal (for example, sounding an alarm from a speaker (not shown) built into the device main body 1, displaying an alarm message on the display 3, etc.) by the alarm control unit. The sounding of this alarm can be stopped by operating the alarm stop button on the front of the casing of the device main body 1. In addition, when an abnormality is detected, the operating state control unit immediately stops the supply of high-frequency signals for biostimulation from the high-frequency signal output unit to the high-frequency output coil 15 and the supply of low-frequency signals for biostimulation from the low-frequency signal output unit to the low-frequency output coil 17 to ensure the safety of the user of the magnetic therapy device.

The screen control unit in this embodiment is configured as a circuit using a graphic processing unit (GPU) or the like, and the image display unit reads screen information such as instruction buttons to be displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) of the touch input display 3, which is pre-recorded in an external storage device such as an SD card inserted in a card slot, from the SD card or the like, and displays it on the LCD. Furthermore, the instruction input unit detects the position where the finger of the user of the magnetic therapy device touches the touch panel of the touch input display 3 from the change in static electricity at that position, and sends a signal indicating an instruction input by the operation button displayed on the LCD or the like corresponding to the touch position to the operation state control unit. By using this signal indicating the instruction input, the operation state control unit controls the operation of the signal wave output unit, such as signal wave generation and output, and thus the alternating magnetic field generated by the high frequency output coil 15 and the low frequency output coil 17, in accordance with the user's instructions.

The screen control unit also creates a log that records the input of instructions to the instruction input unit using the operation buttons displayed on the LCD or the like and the operating state of the signal wave output unit at that time, and stores the log information in a USB memory (not shown) that is attached to a USB memory slot in the protruding part on the lower rear of the casing 2 so that it can be inserted and removed from the top side of the protruding part, and further has a clock function that displays a clock on the LCD or the like on the image display unit, and the clock function is maintained by a button battery attached to the battery holder.

The power supply unit in this embodiment is a circuit consisting of a CPU (not shown) and two AC-DC converters. A commercial AC power supply of 100V is supplied via a power cable (not shown), and the two AC-DC converters obtain a predetermined DC power supply. These DC power supplies are connected in series to obtain a charging voltage for the battery, which is then used to charge the battery. The predetermined DC power supply is stepped down from these DC power supplies by a switching power supply and a linear regulator, and is supplied to the signal wave output unit and screen control unit of the device main body 1 and the operating state detection unit of the probe 11 as DC power supplies of the required voltages.

When the magnetic therapy device is in normal use without a power cable attached, the power supply unit supplies DC power from the battery to the signal wave output unit and screen control unit of the device main body 1 and the operating status detection unit of the probe 11 by stepping down the voltage to the required DC voltage using a switching power supply and linear regulator, making the magnetic therapy device portable and usable.

In this embodiment of the magnetic therapy device, the fundamental high-frequency signal generating section, the fundamental high-frequency signal shifting section, and the fundamental high-frequency signal frequency modulation section of the signal wave output section of the device main body 1 generate a high-frequency signal for biostimulation, which is output by the high-frequency signal output section for biostimulation, and the high-frequency output coil 15 of the probe 11 formed separately from the device main body 1 is connected to the high-frequency signal output section for biostimulation of the signal wave output section by a signal cable 21, and is supplied with a high-frequency signal for biostimulation having a center frequency of, for example, 250 MHz, which is output from the high-frequency signal output section for biostimulation, and the high-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area is generated by the high-frequency signal for biostimulation.

Therefore, according to the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, by applying the probe 11, which is separate from the device main body 1, to the affected area of the living body, the high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by the high-frequency output coil 15 is irradiated to the affected area to stimulate the cells in the affected area, and this stimulation can be expected to activate damaged sensory cells in the affected area, for example, to induce neurotrophic factors, and reduce nerve damage in the affected area. The central high-frequency alternating magnetic field of 250 MHz has a high effect of activating damaged sensory cells and inducing neurotrophic factors, so it can be expected to enhance the effect of reducing nerve damage in the affected area.

Furthermore, according to the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, the biostimulation low-frequency signal generating section of the signal wave output section of the device main body 1 generates a biostimulation low-frequency signal from the frequency information of the magnetic signal pattern (for example, 1 KHz or more and 3 KHz or less), and the biostimulation low-frequency signal output section outputs the biostimulation low-frequency signal, and the low-frequency output coil 17 of the probe 11 is connected to the biostimulation low-frequency signal output section of the signal wave output section by a signal cable 21 and is supplied with a biostimulation low-frequency signal from the biostimulation low-frequency signal output section. The low-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area generated by the biostimulation low-frequency signal is irradiated to the affected area, and the stimulation is given by irradiating the affected area with the low-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area, which travels through the sensory nerves (Aβ fibers: touch) and reaches the brain (sensory area) from the posterior horn of the spinal cord, so that the brain recognizes the pleasantness of touch and activates the descending pain inhibitory system, resulting in an analgesic effect and a relaxing effect.

Furthermore, according to the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, the fundamental high-frequency signal modulation section of the signal wave output section 13 of the device main body 1 generates a high-frequency signal for biostimulation by frequency-modulating the fundamental high-frequency signal with the low-frequency signal for biostimulation generated by the signal wave output section, and the high-frequency signal output section for biostimulation supplies the frequency-modulated high-frequency signal for biostimulation to the high-frequency output coil 15 of the probe 11. Therefore, by stimulating the cells in the affected area with the high-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area generated by the high-frequency output coil 15 using the high-frequency signal for biostimulation that is frequency-modulated with the low-frequency signal for biostimulation, it is expected that the damaged sensory cells in the affected area will be activated more than in the case where there is no frequency modulation, and more neurotrophic factors will be induced, thereby further alleviating the nerve damage in the affected area.

Furthermore, according to the magnetic therapy device of this embodiment, the signal wave output unit of the device main body 1 generates and outputs a low-frequency signal for biostimulation, the probe 11 has a low-frequency output coil 17 connected to the signal wave output unit by a signal cable 21 and supplied with the low-frequency signal for biostimulation from the signal wave output unit, and the signal wave output unit generates a high-frequency signal for biostimulation by frequency-modulating the fundamental high-frequency signal with the low-frequency signal for biostimulation and outputs it separately from the low-frequency signal for biostimulation. Therefore, it is expected that the low-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area generated by the low-frequency signal for biostimulation in the low-frequency output coil 17 brings about an analgesic effect and a relaxing effect, and that the high-frequency alternating magnetic field for stimulating the affected area generated by the high-frequency signal for biostimulation in which the fundamental high-frequency signal is frequency-modulated by the low-frequency signal for biostimulation will further reduce nerve damage in the affected area.

In this embodiment of the magnetic therapy device, the frequency of the biostimulation low-frequency signal is 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less, and the stimulation by the low-frequency alternating magnetic field of 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less generated by the low-frequency output coil 17 by the biostimulation low-frequency signal is particularly likely to be transmitted from the posterior horn of the spinal cord to the brain via the sensory nerves, and is therefore expected to bring about effects mediated by the nervous system, such as a higher analgesic effect and a relaxing effect.

The above description is based on the illustrated embodiment, but the magnetic therapy device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. For example, the fundamental high-frequency signal shift unit may shift the fundamental high-frequency signal of 250 MHz within a range of 250 MHz ±20%, for example.

For example, the biostimulation low-frequency signal generating unit may generate a biostimulation low-frequency signal in a frequency range different from 1 kHz or more and 3 kHz or less, for example, in a frequency range of 200 Hz or more and 3 kHz or less with a center frequency of 1.6 kHz.

The magnetic therapy device of the present invention has a signal wave output section housed in the device body that generates high-frequency and low-frequency biostimulation signal waves, and a probe separate from the device body is placed along the affected area of the living body, irradiating the affected area with a high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by the high-frequency output coil and low-frequency output coil, stimulating the cells in the affected area, and it is expected that this stimulation will activate the self-repair function of damaged nerves and cells in the affected area, for example, thereby alleviating nerve damage in the affected area.

In addition, with the magnetic therapy device of this invention, the wiring board for the coil etc. housed in the probe is provided with slits with multiple bridges, so that the wiring board can easily follow the deformation of the probe, improving the magnetic therapy effect and also increasing the productivity of the probe.

1 Main body of magnetic therapy device 2 Casing 3 Display (touch input display)
11 Probe of magnetic therapy device 12 Exterior 13 Circuit section 14 Flexible thin plate (printed circuit board)
15 High frequency output coil (first coil)
16 Magnetic field strength detection coil 17 Low frequency output coil (other coil)
18 Slit portion 19 Bridge portion 21 Signal cable

Claims (3)

A magnetic therapy device that generates a signal wave for biostimulation, and irradiates a magnetic field for stimulating an affected part of a living body, which is generated in a coil by the signal wave for biostimulation, to stimulate cells and nerves in and around the affected part, thereby treating pain in the affected part,
a device main body having a signal wave output unit that generates and outputs biostimulation signal waves of a plurality of frequencies;
a probe formed separately from the device body, the probe being connected to the signal wave output unit by a signal cable and having one coil outputting a first frequency and another coil outputting a second frequency to which the biostimulation signal wave output from the signal wave output unit is respectively supplied;
Equipped with
the first coil and the second coil are formed as planar bodies on both sides of an insulating flexible thin plate,
A magnetic therapy device, wherein the flexible thin plate between the one coil and the other coil has slits separated by a plurality of bridges. The magnetic therapy device of claim 1, wherein the probe is a substantially rectangular flat plate. The magnetic therapy device of claim 2, wherein the probe has a quadrilateral side length in the range of 25 to 75 mm.

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