Surgery – Magnetic field applied to body for therapy – Externally supported or worn
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-10-23
Gilbert, Samuel G. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Magnetic field applied to body for therapy
Externally supported or worn
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306076
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that by causing a magnetic flux to act on a human body, certain conditions such as arthritis, ligament and tendon strains, and muscle stiffness can be alleviated.
A device comprising a bandage having a plurality of magnets therein is described in GB 2 168 898. The bandage is wrapped around a part of the body so that magnetic flux passes therethrough, thereby increasing blood flow in that part of the body. Adjacent magnets within the bandage are arranged so that the poles alternate, i.e. a north pole has south poles to either side of it. Empirical evidence shows that, in certain conditions, the benefit of such an arrangement of poles is greater than the case where adjacent magnets have the same poles facing in the same direction.
A magnotherapy device to be worn around the wrist is described in GB 2 307 178. In this device one magnet and an oversized plate are arranged so that blood flowing beneath the magnet and the plate is subjected to two changes in polarity.
Empirical evidence demonstrates that magnotherapy has beneficial effects. Where the problems arises from general poor circulation, i.e. shortage of blood and therefore oxygen to particular tissue, a diffuse magnetic field would appear to be required. Where muscular pain through strain is to be treated it would appear that a concentrated field directed to the affected area would be most beneficial. Where the problem is associated with crystalline deposits in joints it is thought that by directing a concentrated magnetic field towards the deposit the crystal will be distorted thereby easing natural removal. This latter technique is believed to reduce or eliminate the build up of intransigent scale.
It has been found that for the same ailment on different people, one arrangement of magnets may provide a beneficial result on one person, whilst on another person a different arrangement of magnets may be required to provide the same result. Even on the same person, different ailments may require different arrangements of magnets to provide beneficial results.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a simple magnotherapy device which is not restricted in the same way that presently available devices are.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a magnotherapy device comprising at least two magnet members mounted by mounting means, wherein each magnet member has opposing north and south poles, and at least one of the magnet members is mounted so as to be movable relative to another of the said magnet members, thereby enabling the poles of any two adjacent magnet members facing in the same direction to be either opposite or identical.
The said at least one of the magnet members which is mounted so as to be movable relative to another of the said magnet members may be rotatably mounted.
Preferably, the mounting means is a housing.
An outer magnet member may be mounted in the housing, and an inner magnet member may be mounted within the outer magnet member. Preferably, the inner magnet member is rotatably mounted within the outer magnet member. Advantageously, means to maintain the inner magnet member in a fixed position relative to the outer magnet member are provided. The said means may comprise at least one co-operating indent and protrusion, one being mounted on the outer magnet member, and the other being mounted on the inner magnet member. Preferably, the protrusion is formed from a resilient material. Alternatively or additionally, the means to maintain the inner magnet member in a fixed position relative to the outer magnet member may comprise a plate. The plate may be releasably attachable to the said housing. Advantageously, the plate is formed from steel. The plate may be movably mounted on the housing. The plate may be mounted on either side of the said housing. The plate and housing may be so shaped and dimensioned as to permit sliding of the plate on the housing.
In one embodiment of the invention, the outer magnet member, and/or the inner magnet member comprises a magnet mounted in a casing, and preferably the casing is formed from two halves, which may interlock. More preferably, the casing of the outer magnet member is the housing.
The magnotherapy device may comprise a strap to permit attachment of the device to a part of the body, for example the wrist. The strap may be adjustable.
Preferably, the device comprises at least one plug having at one end thereof a means for attachment to a strap, and at the other end thereof means for attachment to the said housing. The means for attachment to the said housing may comprise a resiliently mounted member having a protrusion thereon for engagement with an indent in the said housing. More preferably, the device comprises two of the said plugs, each being engagable with the said housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner magnet member is in the form of a disc. The outer magnet member suitably has a space therein in which the inner magnet is mounted. Preferably, the space is an aperture. The outer magnet member may be substantially circular.
Advantageously, at least one of the magnets is a neodymium magnet.
The magnetic field strength provided by the inner magnet is preferably at least 200 gauss at a distance of 10 mm from the housing.
In one embodiment of the invention, means for rotating the rotatably mounted magnet member is provided.
By providing a magnet member which is movable relative to another magnet member, it is possible to provide for an alternating magnetic field i.e. north, south, north or a continuous magnetic field, i.e. north, north, north. By rotating the housing, further configurations are possible, i.e. south, north, south, or south, south, south.
Both poles of the magnet relieve pain, but it has been found that the north pole is particularly effective in relieving conditions such as infection or inflammation, whereas the south pole is particularly effective for conditions causing stiffness such as poor blood circulation. Furthermore, since inflammation or infection often precedes poor blood circulation, it is useful to be able to treat a region with a south pole after treatment with a north pole.
The invention also provides a method of treating a human or animal comprising the step of fastening a magnotherapy device according to the invention to the said human or animal.
The device of the invention may be used on humans or animals, in particular horses.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4727857 (1988-03-01), Horl
patent: 5295494 (1994-03-01), Rodriguez
patent: 5304111 (1994-04-01), Mitsuno et al.
patent: 5323499 (1994-06-01), Chan
patent: 3726364 (1989-02-01), None
patent: 2112645 (1983-07-01), None
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