Surgery – Magnetic field applied to body for therapy – Externally supported or worn
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-15
2001-09-25
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
Externally supported or worn
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293900
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to magneto-therapeutic devices, and more particularly to eye and face masks incorporating static magnetic field generators in the form of magnets to provide magneto-therapy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magneto-therapy uses magnetic fields to provide therapeutic and restorative treatment to limbs, organs, and other parts of the body. Generally, one means by which magneto-therapy may be achieved is by bringing a magnet or series of magnets into close proximity with the affected body part or organ of interest. As is known according to Faraday's Law of Magnetic Induction, as well as the Hall Effect, charged particles experience a force acting on them when they move through a magnetic field in a perpendicular direction. Since human blood is replete with ions and electrolytes, it has many charged particles which experience a force, including an aligning force, when moving through a magnetic field. When exposed and caused to so travel through a magnetic field, such ions and electrolytes may generate heat, causing the associated blood vessel to widen. The widening of the blood vessel would then allow increased volumes of blood to flow through the blood vessel.
Additional therapeutic or restorative effects might arise through the alignment of polar molecules as they pass through the magnetic field. When passing through a magnetic field, polar molecules rotate to align themselves with the field. Such alignment would alternate with the magnetic polarity as the polar molecules traveled through different regions of such magnetic polarity. The mechanical motion of the rotation of such polar molecules might also cause heating and the like and would also stimulate, mix, or agitate the blood in a gentle manner, causing it to gently churn. Such mixing of the blood at the molecular level may cause it to more easily recognize foreign matter. By recognizing foreign matter, the blood and/or immune system may be able to more readily address such foreign matter.
Several patents are known having various designs for the alternation of magnets of different polarity to provide spatially diverse magnetic fields. The patent to Latzke (U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,711 issued Dec. 25, 1984) and the patents to Ardizzone (U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,692 issued Jan. 11, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,072 issued May 7, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,495 issued Jul. 23, 1996) all disclose a variety of magnetic plaster and magnetic pads having certain magnetic geometries in order to achieve spatially varying magnetic fields through the use of magnets.
While certain portions of the human body have been emphasized as being subject to the use of magneto-therapeutic devices, it remains to be seen in the art to provide an eye or face mask that would incorporate magneto-therapeutic elements. It can be seen, therefore, that it would be of some advantage to provide magnetic-therapeutic aid to a person's eyes and/or face, particularly while the person rests or sleeps as such magneto-therapeutic treatment could then be effected for a period of several hours without interfering with a person's daily and ongoing activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a means by which magneto-therapeutic treatment can be applied to the eyes and/or face.
In one embodiment, an eye mask provides darkening coverage of the eyes and adjacent areas while providing magneto-therapeutic treatment thereto. An opaque eye mask has a perimeter cushion that serves to hold the mask from direct contact with the face and eyelashes. The mask generally covers the eyes from just above the eyebrows to just below the cheekbones and adjacent the temples. An elastic band or the like serves to secure the mask to the wearer's head. Magnets of alternating polarity are incorporated into the opaque portion of the eye mask serving to apply spatially alternating but static magnetic fields to the person's eyes and face.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a full face mask is provided having apertures for the eyes, nose, and mouth. The mask fits over the entire face of the wearer and may also be secured to the head by means elastic bands or the like. Magneto-therapeutic treatment is provided by incorporating magnets of alternating polarity throughout the mask.
For both the eye mask and the face mask, the magnets of alternating polarity may comprise series of magnetic triangles of alternating polarity, magnetic squares of alternating polarity, and/or magnetic toroids with central circles of alternating magnetic polarity.
By donning either or both the magneto-therapeutic face mask and/or magneto-therapeutic eye mask of the present invention, a person can achieve magneto-therapeutic treatment to the face and/or eyes. As the eye mask or face mask may be passively secured to the head of the wearer, such may be worn while the person is sleeping without disturbing the sleep. The masks may also be used during other periods of continued repose or otherwise.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide magneto-therapeutic treatment to a person's eyes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide magneto-therapeutic treatment to a person's face.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide magneto-therapeutic treatment to the face and/or eyes through a series of spatially alternating but static magnetic fields.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide magneto-therapeutic treatment without the use of active electrical sources.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.
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Ardizzone Vincent
Bove Anthony
Cislo & Thomas LLP
Lacyk John P.
Nu-Magnetics Inc.
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