Apparatus and method for electromagnetic treatment of neurological injury or condition caused by a stroke
Described herein are methods of treating neurological injury and conditions, in particular symptoms and complications arising from or caused by a stroke. These treatment methods can include the steps of generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from a pulsed electromagnetic field source and applying the pulsed electromagnetic field in proximity to a target region.
1. A method for treating a neurological injury or condition caused by a stroke in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
providing a treatment apparatus including
a signal generator connected to a circular wire applicator having a diameter that allows encircling the patient's head, and
a sensor configured to detect the patient's intracranial pressure;
placing the circular wire applicator over and around the patient's head and in proximity to a target region for treatment through the patient's skull;
activating the signal generator to generate a pulsed electromagnetic field in the circular wire applicator, wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises a burst of between 15-40 MHz, wherein the burst repeats at between 0.01 and 100 Hz; and
reducing the patient's intracranial pressure by applying the pulsed electromagnetic field until the sensor detects that the patient's intracranial pressure has been reduced to a desired level.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the desired level is below about 20 mmHg.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the burst comprises a 2 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the burst comprises a 3 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the burst comprises a 4 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the burst comprises about a 1 msec to about a 10 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field burst comprises an ISM carrier frequency modulated at about a 1 msec to about a 10 msec burst repeating at about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises a waveform that modulates at least one biological signaling pathway.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target region is a brain of the patient.