Surgery – Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-24
2002-09-03
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
Reexamination Certificate
active
06443882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present inventive discovery is directed to the use of a device capable of producing a substantially contained magnetic field or flux field. The inventive device and related discovery uses a magnetic flux field having a never before seen family of wave form(s) which have been determined to be capable of relieving pain associated with degenerative diseases and disorders in mammals such as humans, inhibiting angiogenesis in tumors and retarding tumor growth.
2. Description of the Related Art
A. Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis may be defined as the formation or the initiation of blood carrying vessel or capillary growth in a biological subjects, particularly mammals.
In mature (non-growing) capillaries the vessel wall is composed of an endothelial cell lining, a basement membrane, and a layer of cells called pericytes which partially surround the endothelium. The pericytes are contained within the same basement membrane as the endothelial cells and occasionally make direct contact with them. (See Background FIG. A).
With reference to Background Art FIG. B, angiogenic factors (the black triangles) bind to endothelial cell receptors and initiate the sequence of angiogenesis. When the endothelial cells are stimulated to grow, they secrete proteases which digest the basement membrane surrounding the vessel. The junctions between endothelial cells are altered allowing cell projections to pass through the space created and the newly formed sprout grows towards the source of the stimulus.
With reference to Background Art FIG. C, continued capillary sprout growth is dependent upon several processes and factors: (i) the stimulus for growth must be maintained; (ii) the endothelial cells must secrete the proteases required to break down the adjacent tissue; (iii) the cells themselves must be capable of movement/migration; and (iv) endothelial cell division must take place to provide the necessary number of cells (this takes place at a site behind the growth front of the sprout). Neighboring blind-ended sprouts then join together to form a capillary loop which later matures into a vessel like the one from which it arose.
Tumors cannot thrive without sufficient nutrition provided by the increased circulation of blood achieved through angiogenesis. Improved wound healing may also be explained by a reduction in angiogenesis. In the wound healing process, excessive angiogenesis is believed to lead to scar formation and inefficient (and thereby slower) healing. Pharmaceutical anti-angiogenic agents have reportedly improved wound healing by limiting angiogenic activity and avoiding pathologic angiogenesis. Pathologic angiogenesis is also present in such diseases as arthritis and autoimmune diseases (such as lupus and colitis). Therefore, it is currently believed that the common effects of an magnetic field are derived by modulating the effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) alone or in combination with some other cellular or ionic effect.
The following list of angiogenic related dependent diseases is not exhaustive, but does include the following: Angiofibroma which is an abnormal formation of blood vessels which are prone to bleeding; Neovascular Glaucoma which is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye; Arteriovenous malformations which is an abnormal communication between arteries and veins; Nonunion fractures which are fractures that will not heal; Lupus, and other Connective Tissue Disorders; Osler-Weber syndrome which is a genetic condition resulting in abnormal blood vessels which are prone to bleeding; Atherosclerotic plaques which is a hardening of the arteries; Psoriasis which is a common chronic skin condition; Corneal graft neovascularization which is a complication of corneal replacement surgery; Pyogenic granuloma which is a common skin lesion composed of blood vessels; Delayed wound healing; Diabetic retinopathy which is a leading cause of blindness in diabetics; Scleroderma which is a form of connective tissue disease; Granulations (burns); Neoplasm which is an abnormal cell growth forming solid tumors; Hemangioma which is a tumor composed of blood vessels; Trachoma which is a leading cause of blindness in some countries; Hypertrophic Scars which is abnormal scar formation; Retrolental fibroplasia which is abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina; Hemophilic joints which is bleeding joints; Vascular adhesions which is excessive scarring; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; macular degeneration; cancerous tumors generally; and pain.
B. Pain
A 1911 definition of pain is a term for the psychological state, which may be generally described as “unpleasantness,” arising, for example, from the contemplation of a catastrophe or of moral turpitude, and for physical or psychophysical suffering, a specific sensation localized in a particular part of the body.
The term is used in both senses as the opposite of “pleasure,” though it is doubtful whether the antithesis between physical and psychical pleasure can be equally well attested. The investigation of the pleasure-pain phenomena of consciousness has taken a prominent place in psychological and ethical speculations, the terms “hedonics” and “algedonics” being coined to express different aspects of the subject. So in aesthetics attempts have been made to assign to pain a specific psychological function as tending to increase pleasure by contrast, pain, for example, is a necessary element in the tragic.
Scientists have experimented elaborately with a view of the precise localization of pain sensations and pain maps can be drawn showing the exact situation of what are known as pain spots. For such experiments, instruments known as “aesthesiometers” and “algometers” have been devised. The great variety of painful sensations, throbbing, dull, acute, intermittent, stabbing, led to the conclusion among early investigators that pains differ in quality. It is, however, generally agreed that all pain is qualitatively the same though subject to temporal and intensive modification.
Pain can result from any condition that stimulates the body's sensors. However, when pain does not resolve after surgical or medical treatment, it becomes chronic in nature. This intractable pain has no relationship to warning of danger and often leads to dramatic changes in a person's ability to function, to stay productive, and to lead a normal family, occupational, and social life.
The ongoing suffering from intractable pain can result in costly and ineffective medical treatments and needless waste of healthcare dollars. Timely referral for early treatment by a pain medicine physician often may dramatically decrease costs of ongoing care.
The intensity, frequency, and quality of pain varies from person to person and may bear no relationship to the degree of injury or illness. Pain can result from any condition that stimulates special sensors in your body that function to detect pain. Examples of conditions that cause pain include: trauma to skin, tendons, ligaments, muscle, bone, nerves, infections, bleeding, and/or tumors for example.
There are different types of pain as mentioned. Acute pain is the discomfort that alerts you to pay attention to the fact that something is wrong with your body. It helps protect your body from further damage and thus can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Acute pain generally resolves as the underlying problem heals or is treated medically.
When pain does not resolve after medical treatment and is prolonged, generally on the order of a time greater of six weeks as most scholars recognize, it no longer serves to protect your body. This pain is often referred to as chronic pain in addition to the suffering often changes the person's ability to function, stay product, and lead a normal life. Timely visits to a pain center for early treatment by a pain medicine specialist may often reduce or cure chronic pain as is so believed by many experts.
The origin of some pain is neuropathic, while other pain is nociceptive. This is important to know bec
Bouldin Floyd E.
Wascher Rick R.
Williams C. Douglas
EMF Therapeutics, Inc.
Shaver Kevin
Szmal Brian
Wascher Rick R.
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