Electromagnetic therapy device and methods

• US 20040176803A1
• Filed: 03/06/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BioElectronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: BioElectronics Corporation
• Inventors: Woodhams, James, Martinez, John, Whelan, Andrew J., Cox, Timothy, Toy, Stephanie
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and techniques for applying an electromagnetic field to bodily tissue include a self-contained and portable electromagnetic field generating device disposed over a surface of bodily tissue such that the radiated electromagnetic fields impinge upon the bodily tissue. The device includes an electromagnetic field generator, which is coupled to an antenna that is arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field. A power source is coupled to the generator to provide power for the device and an activator is used to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device comprising:

an electromagnetic field generator;

an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field;

a power source coupled to the generator; and

an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field,

wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue.

2. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic field generator comprises a sine wave generator.

3. The therapeutic device of claim 2 wherein the sine wave frequency is 27+/−

0.5 MHz.

4. The therapeutic device of claim 1 further comprising encapsulant to encapsulate the device.

5. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the power source is less than approximately 10 VDC.

6. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the bodily tissue is substantially unchanged by the operation of the device.

7. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the average available radiated power is less than 1 milliwatt.

8. The therapeutic device of claim 7 wherein the peak available radiated power density is less than 100 microwatts per square centimeter measured substantially at the surface of the tissue.

9. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the activator is a single-use switch.

10. The therapeutic device of claim 1 further comprising a deflecting shield disposed over the antenna to deflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic field toward the bodily tissue.

11. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the device is disposable.

12. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic field is pulsed.

13. The therapeutic device of claim 12 further comprising altering at least one of a duty-cycle and a pulse repetition rate of the pulsed electromagnetic field.

14. The therapeutic device of claim 13 wherein the duty-cycle is between approximately 8% and 10%.

15. The therapeutic device of claim 12 further comprising an inductive high voltage generator to increase the intensity of the pulsed electromagnetic field.

16. The therapeutic device of claim 1 further comprising an indicator to indicate that the device is in operation.

17. The therapeutic device of claim 16 wherein the indicator comprises one of a light emitting diode, a sonic generator and an electro-luminescent display.

18. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the power source is rechargeable.

19. The therapeutic device of claim 18 wherein the recharging of the power source is by current induction in the antenna or a separate coil from an external source.

20. The therapeutic device of claim 1 further comprising circuitry to provide a status signal indicative of a state of the tissue or the state of the device.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising circuitry to receive the status signal and in response alter pharmaceutical or chemical agent delivery by dielectrophoretic or iontophoretic effects of the electromagnetic field.

22. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the weight of the device is less than 12 grams.

23. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the area of the device is less than 20 square centimeters.

24. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the alternating current induced in the bodily tissue is parallel or perpendicular to the direction of antenna conductors.

25. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the device is less than 10 millimeters.

26. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the antenna is less than 9 centimeters in diameter or 27 centimeters in length.

27. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the antenna is less than 5 millimeters.

28. The therapeutic device of claim 1 wherein the electric field induced in the bodily tissue is parallel or perpendicular to the direction of antenna conductors.

29. A therapeutic delivery system comprising:

a member from the group of a patch, a bandage, a pad, a brace, a strap, tape, adhesive and a cast; and

a therapeutic device associated with the member from the group and including;

an electromagnetic field generator;

an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate the electromagnetic field;

a power source coupled to the generator; and

an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field,

wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue.

30. A method comprising:

providing a portable and disposable device comprising a power source, antenna and electromagnetic field generator;

affixing the device to bodily tissue;

causing the device to radiate an electromagnetic field; and

inducing an alternating current in the bodily tissue, wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising deflecting radiated waves toward the bodily tissue.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the average available radiated power is less than 1 milliwatt.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the electrical efficiency of average available radiated power generation is greater than 20%.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein the peak available radiated power density is less than 100 microwatts per square centimeter measured substantially at the surface of the tissue.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein affixing the device includes using a therapeutic delivery system.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the therapeutic delivery system comprises a member from the group of a patch, a bandage, a pad, a brace, a strap, tape, adhesive and a cast.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the therapeutic delivery system comprises a single use adhesive bandage.

38. The method of claim 30 further comprising encapsulating the device in encapsulant.

39. The method of claim 30 further comprising pulsing the generated electromagnetic field

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising altering at least one of a duty-cycle and a pulse repetition rate of the pulsed electromagnetic field.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the duty cycle is approximately 8%-10%.

42. The method of claim 30 further comprising radiating the electromagnetic field for a predetermined interval in every 24-hour period.

43. The method of claim 30 further comprising monitoring a bioelectrical state of the tissue by evaluating changes in the radiated electromagnetic field.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising providing a tissue status signal indicative of the bioelectrical state of the tissue.

45. A therapeutic device comprising:

an electromagnetic field generator;

an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate electromagnetic fields;

a tuning coil coupled to the antenna and the electromagnetic field generator;

a power source coupled to the generator; and

an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field,

wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue.

46. The therapeutic device of claim 45 further comprising encapsulant to encapsulate the device.

47. The therapeutic device of claim 45 wherein the power source is less than approximately 10 VDC.

48. A therapeutic delivery system comprising:

a member from the group of a patch, a bandage, a pad, a brace, a strap, tape, adhesive and a cast; and

a therapeutic device associated with the member from the group and including;

an electromagnetic field generator;

an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate electromagnetic field;

a tuning coil coupled to the antenna and the electromagnetic field generator;

a power source coupled to the generator; and

an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field,

wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue.

49. A prophylactic treatment system comprising:

a member from the group of a patch, a bandage, a pad, a brace, a strap, tape, adhesive and a cast; and

a prophylactic treatment device associated with the member from the group and including;

an electromagnetic field generator;

an antenna coupled to the generator and arranged to radiate electromagnetic field;

a tuning coil coupled to the antenna and the electromagnetic field generator;

a power source coupled to the generator; and

an activator to initiate radiation of the electromagnetic field,

wherein the therapeutic device is self-contained and portable and is disposed over a surface of bodily tissue to induce an alternating current in the bodily tissue.