Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation method and apparatus with improved dosing
View Patent ↗A noninvasive method and apparatus for treating living tissue with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) having selectively reduced high-frequency signal components, with improved bioresponse provided by magnetic field amplitudes less than approximately 40 μT, and most preferably in the range of 4–10 μT. Such amplitude levels for the disclosed PEMF signal are particularly effective with a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.
1. A noninvasive apparatus for treating living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
means for generating a drive signal including a series of pulses having high-frequency components associated with abrupt changes in value; and
means responsive to said drive signal for generating a pulsed electromagnetic field with a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT effective to produce a therapeutic bioresponse when coupled to an afflicted body part to be treated, said pulsed electromagnetic field generating means including signal shaping means for selectively reducing signal components of said drive signal at frequencies above 50 kHz.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
4. A noninvasive apparatus for treating living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
a treatment coil;
means for noninvasively mounting said treatment coil in proximity to an afflicted body part to be treated; and
electronic generator means coupled to said treatment coil for generating a pulse train in said treatment coil effective to produce a pulsed electromagnetic field having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT, said pulse train including pulses each having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a relatively flat peak therebetween, said pulses having a smooth transition on at least one of said edges immediately adjacent said relatively flat peak.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
7. A method of treating osteoarthritis, comprising:
positioning a treatment coil in proximity to an arthritic joint; and
applying a pulsed electromagnetic field to said arthritic joint via said treatment coil, said pulsed electromagnetic field characterized by asymmetrical magnetic field pulses having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said arthritic joint for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.
13. A noninvasive method of treating damaged living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
generating a drive signal including a series of pulses having high-frequency components associated with abrupt changes in value; and
generating, in response to said drive signal, a pulsed electromagnetic field with a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT effective to produce a therapeutic bioresponse when coupled to an afflicted body part having damaged tissue to be treated;
wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is generated with signal shaping means for selectively reducing signal components of said drive signal at frequencies above 50 kHz, and
wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
18. A noninvasive method of treating damaged living tissue by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field, comprising:
noninvasively mounting a treatment coil in proximity to an afflicted body part having damaged tissue to be treated; and
generating a pulse train in said treatment coil effective to produce a pulsed electromagnetic field having a peak-to-peak amplitude less than approximately 40 μT, said pulse train including pulses each having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a relatively flat peak therebetween, said pulses having a smooth transition on at least one of said edges immediately adjacent said relatively flat peak;
wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–8 hours/day.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is applied to said afflicted body part for a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 2–20 μT.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.
22. The method of claim 18 , wherein said magnetic field amplitude is in the range of 4–10 μT.