Magnetic therapy device

• US 7,803,104 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George Sotiriou
• Original Assignee: George Sotiriou
• Inventors: Sotiriou, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II; Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): DORNA, CARRIE R
• Application Number:
  US11/875,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20090105519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 600 9- 15
• US Class Current: 600/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/12 using variable magnetic fields obtained by mechanical movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 7/2913 whereby the speed is regulated by measuring the motor speed and comparing it with a given physical value

Abstract

Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a motor, a rechargeable battery, a plurality of visual indicators, and a microprocessor. The motor may be configured to spin a disk upon which is mounted a plurality of magnets. The rechargeable battery may be configured to supply power to the motor. The microprocessor may be configured to monitor a voltage level of the rechargeable battery and to light a number of the plurality of visual indicators. The number may be based on the monitored voltage level.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a motor configured to spin a disk upon which is mounted a plurality of magnets;

a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the motor;

a plurality of visual indicators;

a microprocessor, the microprocessor being configured to monitor a voltage level of the rechargeable battery and to light a number of the plurality of visual indicators, the number being based on the monitored voltage level; and

a tachometer configured to monitor a magnetic field generated by the plurality of magnets and provide a signal to the microprocessor based on the monitored magnetic field;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to control a speed of rotation of the disk to maintain a desired strength of the magnetic field.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets are mounted onto the disk in a circular pattern with alternating polarities.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery is further configured to supply power to the microprocessor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery is further configured to supply power to the microprocessor via a voltage regulator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of visual indicators includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to light the number of the plurality of visual indicators via a counter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to light the number of the plurality of visual counters by periodically providing a number of clock pulses and a reset pulse to a counter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to light the number of the plurality of visual indicators by turning the number of the plurality of visual indicators on and off at a frequency that is imperceptible to a human eye.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a circular pattern; and

the microprocessor is further configured to;

cause the motor to spin the disk for a predetermined time duration; and

light all of the plurality of visual indicators in a rotational sequence around the circular pattern when the motor is spinning the disk, a frequency of the lighting the plurality of visual indicators in the rotational sequence increasing during an end portion of the predetermined time duration.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a circular pattern; and

the microprocessor is further configured to light all of the plurality of visual indicators in a rotational sequence around the circular pattern when the motor is spinning the disk.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to light all of the plurality of visual indicators in a rotational sequence when the motor is spinning the disk by periodically providing clock pulses to a counter.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to cause the motor to spin the disk upon determining:

that the voltage level of the rechargeable battery exceeds a threshold voltage level; and

that an outside power source has been removed from the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an audible output element;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to cause the audible output element to periodically emit an audible output when the motor is spinning

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to cause the motor to begin spinning upon determining that a power source has been removed from the rechargeable battery.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further including a housing which encloses the motor, the disk, the rechargeable battery, and the microprocessor, and in which the plurality of visual indicators are mounted.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing is disk-shaped.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transistor connected in series with the motor;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the speed of rotation of the disk to maintain the desired strength of the magnetic field by controlling a resistance of the transistor.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transistor connected in series with the motor;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the speed of rotation of the disk to maintain the desired strength of the magnetic field by applying pulse width modulation (PWM) to the transistor.