Pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising means for generating pulsed high frequency signs and at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable, wherein said applicator is flexible, and wherein said applicator comprises a circuit means for delivering an electromagnetic treatment dosage, and wherein said circuit means has a fixed capacitance while delivering said energy treatment dosage.
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Abstract
A method of and apparatus for the treatment of chronic wounds using pulsed electromagnetic energy provides a constant, known and replicable dosage output which remains unaffected by the capacitance of the patient'"'"'s body. The apparatus is simple to operate, requiring little operator training or interaction with the apparatus. All specifications of the apparatus relating to the generation and emission of electromagnetic energy are fixed, with the specifications based on actual scientific studies of the various technical parameters involved, such as pulse width and RF dosage. The apparatus includes a pulsed electromagnetic energy generator, a power level controller and one or more thin applicators which can be flexible. The applicators are located immediately adjacent to the patient'"'"'s body, without the aid of a support member or removal of any dressings or bandages. The generator, which can be battery-operated, is a low power, programmable compact unit whose output is controlled by multiple control circuits for ensuring accurate treatment dosage, for confirming that the treatment was properly administered, and for disabling the generator when appropriate. The generator output is automatically adjusted in response to instructions from the field strength sensor located on or near the applicator. Multiple applicators selected to operate simultaneously at different treatment dosage levels are connected to the generator by multi-conductor cables and readily located directly on the treatment area. Each applicator is a pad including etched printed circuits. The circuits are matched and pre-tuned. An applicator-to-patient proximity detector is also incorporated in or on each applicator and connected to the generator via a power controller to provide for direct monitoring of the treatment site and precise control of treatment dosage.
347 Citations
56 Claims
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1. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising means for generating pulsed high frequency signs and at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable, wherein said applicator is flexible, and wherein said applicator comprises a circuit means for delivering an electromagnetic treatment dosage, and wherein said circuit means has a fixed capacitance while delivering said energy treatment dosage.
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2. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals;
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable; and
means for securing said applicator to a patient, and wherein said applicator comprises a circuit means for delivering an electromagnetic treatment dosage, and wherein said circuit means has a fixed capacitance while delivering said energy treatment dosage.
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3. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals; and
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said at least one self supporting applicator comprises a circuit means for delivering an electromagnetic energy treatment dosage, and wherein said circuit means has a fixed capacitance while delivering said energy treatment dosage. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals; and
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said at least one self supporting applicator comprises a circuit means, wherein said circuit means comprises means for radiating electromagnetic energy into a target area and means for continuously detecting the electromagnetic energy emitted by said radiating means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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- 25. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising means for generating pulsed high frequency signals and at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable, and wherein said at least one self-supporting applicator comprises multiple applicators having said pulsed high frequency signals as inputs for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target site.
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30. An electomagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals, wherein said generating means comprises a pulse generator for generating energy pulses, at least one amplifier connected to said generator for amplifying said energy pulses into said pulsed high frequency signal output, and automatic control means for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output, wherein said control means comprises at least one power level controller connected to said at least one amplifier and at least one control circuit connected to said power level controller for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output; and
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals comprising;
automatic control means for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output, wherein said control means comprises at least one power level controller connected to said at least one amplifier and at least one control circuit connected to said power level controller for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output said at least one control circuit comprising;
means for controlling treatment time;
a power measuring circuit means having an input connected to said amplifier;
a power supply control circuit means;
means for monitoring placement of said applicator having an output connected to said power level controller; and
means for detecting strength of treatment energy emitted by said applicator, wherein each of said means has an output connected to said power level controller;
a pulse generator for generating energy pulses; and
at least one amplifier connected to said generator for amplifying said energy pulses into said pulsed high frequency signal output; and
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable.
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49. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals comprising;
automatic control means for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output, wherein said control means comprises at least one power level controller connected to said at least one amplifier and at least one control circuit connect ed to said power level controller for automatically controlling said pulsed high frequency signal output said at least one control circuit comprising;
means for controlling treatment time;
a power measuring circuit means having an input connected to said amplifier;
a power supply control circuit means;
means for monitoring placement of said applicator having an output connected to said power level controller;
means for detecting strength of treatment energy emitted by said applicator and means located on said applicator for monitoring a position of said applicator and for generating a feedback signal corresponding to said position;
wherein each of said means has an output connected to said power level controller;
a pulse generator for generating energy pulses; and
at least one amplifier connected to said generator for amplifying said energy pulses into said pulsed high frequency signal output; and
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein said applicator is solely connected to said generating means by a cable. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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52. An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating pulsed high frequency signals;
at least one self-supporting applicator having said pulsed high frequency signals as an input for inducing said pulsed high frequency signals into a target area; and
a power supply, wherein said generating means has an input from said power supply and said power supply has an average power output of less than about 3 watts. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification