Time-Varying Magnetic Field Therapy Using Multistable Latching Mechanisms
First Claim
1. A wearable apparatus for providing magnetic therapy, said apparatus comprising:
- at least two permanent magnets situated on a mount, and at least one electromagnet situated proximate to said permanent magnets, said electromagnet being electrically connected to a power source though a switch that is in turn controlled by a controller, said controller being programed to operate said switch to flip polarity of said electromagnet in a pattern such that said electromagnet is able to actuate continued motion in said permanent magnets without using a motor, thereby providing time-varying magnetic field for therapeutic use.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides wearable devices for effecting transcranial magnetic stimulation to be used by patients who have suffered brain injuries. Permanent magnets are shifted or rotated to deliver a time-varying magnetic field, preferably about the locus of the injury. In a preferred embodiment, the strong magnetic fields of the permanent magnets are directed to the injured area for therapeutic purposes. A novel mechanism is provided that uses a small battery-powered electromagnet to interact with the weak peripheral magnetic fields of the permanent magnets and to shift the permanent magnets between two or more stable positions. As a result, a lightweight, quiet, wearable device with low power consumption is provided.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A wearable apparatus for providing magnetic therapy, said apparatus comprising:
at least two permanent magnets situated on a mount, and at least one electromagnet situated proximate to said permanent magnets, said electromagnet being electrically connected to a power source though a switch that is in turn controlled by a controller, said controller being programed to operate said switch to flip polarity of said electromagnet in a pattern such that said electromagnet is able to actuate continued motion in said permanent magnets without using a motor, thereby providing time-varying magnetic field for therapeutic use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- 12. A headwear for mounting on or around a human patient'"'"'s head, comprising a housing that houses at least two permanent magnets, and a portable power source electrically connected to at least one electromagnet via a cross switch, said permanent magnets configured to move between at least two pre-configured stable positions as a result of magnetic interaction with said at least one electromagnet, wherein a controller pulses said at least one electromagnet with appropriate timing to switch the polarity of said at least one electromagnet that actuate a continued motion in said at least two permanent magnets.
- 16. A method for generating time-varying therapeutic magnetic fields with permanent magnets by aiming the strong fields towards the treatment area and using secondary electromagnets to interact with the weak peripheral fields of said permanent magnets for creating mechanical movements in said permanent magnets.
Specification