ES2356538A1 - Thermomagnetic application device. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermomagnetic applicator device, configured to apply a magnetic field and heat and regulate the temperature of the application surface. The device (7) comprises:- a thermomagnetic application module (1), responsible for applying the magnetic field and heat, comprising:- a magnetic field generator circuit (4) responsible for generating the magnetic field;- a heater circuit (3) in charge of generating heat;- a temperature measurement circuit (5) configured to provide information relative to the temperature of the application surface;- a thermoregulatory module (6), configured to:- receive from the temperature measurement circuit (5) the information relating to the temperature of the application surface; - controlling, based on said information, the heating circuit (3) to regulate the temperature of the application surface to a determined temperature.

Description

Thermomagnetic applicator device.

Field of the Invention

The invention proposed in this document It is part of the Biomedical Engineering sector.

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Background of the invention

The development of technological innovation acquires a growing pace, does not escape this reality the technology aimed at the application of magnetic fields for purposes therapeutic The application of very low magnetic fields frequency and intensity is a non-invasive physical therapy that allows the treatment of different diseases; his greatest effectiveness is achieved by applying it to inflammatory processes, and to the treatment of both local and central pain.

The object of this invention is the ability to non-invasive intervention through the joint action of ELF electromagnetic fields (Extremely Low Frequency, 3-30 Hz) and thermoregulated application systems. its application to altered CNS processes (Central Nervous System) composed of alterations of electrical conduction combined with local inflammatory responses is the basic objective of this device.

The review of different articles and patents related to somatosensory stimulation leads us to obtain the following results of the state of the art, listed in the Bibliographic References section:

The main effects of magnetic fields variables to be applied in the organism can be summarized in the following: edema is reduced, pain intensity, improves blood circulation by promoting the regeneration of the vessels blood and microcirculation [1], which leads to the best oxygen supply to the treated area. It has also been demonstrated neuronal tissue stimulation [6-12]; them and Because DNA synthesis is stimulated at the cellular level, restores the transmembrane ionic concentration, through changes in membrane permeability and increased synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which contributes to the activation of the sodium potassium pump [13].

Inhibition of nitric oxide production reported by Zulkuf [13] is an element to consider for design of a therapy with magnetic fields for cerebral ischemia, by another part in the case that the target is the smooth muscle cell that It forms the vascular wall, stimulates, once diffused through the cell membranes, enzymes that induce muscle relaxation and therefore, vasodilation, regulating the flow and pressure blood [17].

Several studies [19] have revealed evidence of that magnetic fields can act on the cycle of melatonin, which plays an important role in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, and this is an open field to the investigation. On the other hand, only adverse effects are reported, in when it comes to oxidative stress, when it comes to prolonged exposures to ELF magnetic fields, which is not the case of the use of these equipment for therapy, in which the exposure times are short [20-33].

The review of the available literature leaves Of course, the field strength, frequency and timing of exposure, above all, are decisive in the results that obtained from therapy, the waveform can also influence.

The present invention proposes a device capable of generating a controlled intensity stimulation and in all known moment of ELF electromagnetic field, attached to a system of local application temperature control.

Applicants are unaware of the existence of thermomagnetic stimulators applicable to inflammatory processes of alterations of the local conduction of the CNS.

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Bibliographic references

[one]. Ushiyama A, Ohkubo C. Acute effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on leukocyte-endothelial interactions in vivo . Live 18 (2): 125-32. 2004

[2]. Trostel , C. Todd . Effects of pico-tesla electromagnetic field treatment on wound healing in rats. American Journal of Veterinary Research . 64 (7): 845-854. 2003

[3]. Manni , V .; Lisi , A .; Pozzi , D .; Rieti , S .; Serafino , A .; Giuliani , L .; Grimaldi , S. Effects of extremely low frequency (50 Hz) magnetic field on morphological and biochemical properties of human keratinocytes. Bioelectromagnetics , 23 (4): 298-305. 2002

[4], Pipitone , Nicolò; Scott , David L. Magnetic Pulse Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Current Medical Research and Opinion , 17 (3): 190-196. 2001

[5]. Malmivuo , Jaakko; Plonsey , Robert. Bioelectromagnetism Principies and Applications of Bioelectricand Biomagnetic Field . New York Oxford. 1995

[6]. Marino , Andrew A .; Nilsen , Erik; Chesson Jr.c, Andrew L .; Frilot , Clifton. Effect of low-frequency magnetic fields on brain electrical. Activity in human subjects. Clinical Neurophysiology 115: 1195-1201. 2004

[7]. Ross , Adey. Electromagnetic fields, the modulation of brain tissue functions. A possible paradigm shift in biology International Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Third Edition; B. Smith and G. Adelman, editors. Elsevier , New York. 2004

[8]. Goodwin , Thomas J., Physiological and molecular Genetic effects of time-varying Electromagnetic fields on human Neuronal cells. NASA / tp-2003-22054. 2003

[9]. Cook , CM; Thomas AW Prato FS Human Electrophysiological and cognitive effects of exposure to ELF Magnetic and ELF Modulated RF and Microwave Fields: A review of recent studies. Bioelectromagnetics 23: 144-157. 2002

[10]. Cook , CM; Thomas AW Resting EEG Is Affected by Exposure to a Pulsed ELF Magnetic Faithful Bioelectromagnetics 25: 196-03. 2004

[eleven]. Pérez Bruzón , RN; Azanza , María J .; Calvo , Ana C .; del Moral , A. Neurone bioelectric activity under magnetic fields of variable frequency in the range of 0.1 - 80 Hz. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials , 272-276, Part 3: 2424-2425. 2004

[12]. Bernardini , Chiara; et al . Effects Of 50 Hz Sinusoidal Magnetic Fields On Hsp27, Hsp70, Hsp90 Expression in Porcine Aortic Endothelial Cells (PAEC) Bioelectromagnetics 28: 231-237. 2007

[13]. Zulkuf Akdag a; M. Hakki Bilgin b; Suleyman Dasdag a; Cemil Tumer Alteration of Nitric Oxide Production in Rats Exposed to a Prolonged, Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine . 26 (2): 99-106. 2007

[14]. Rodrigo , J .; et al . Nitric oxide: synthesis, neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. Annals of the Health System of Navarra . 23 (2): 195-236. (Www.cfnavarra.es/salud/anales/textos/vol23/n2/colab.html). 2000

[fifteen]. Pang , L .; Traitcheva , N .; Gothe , G .; Camacho , JA; Berg , H. ELF-Electromagnetic Fields Inhibit The Proliferation of Human Cancer Cells And Induce Apoptosis. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine . 21 (3g): 243-248. 2002

[16]. Marino , AA; Pilsen , E .; Chesson , AL; Frilot , C. Effect of low-frequency magnetic fields on brain electrical activity in human subjects. Clinical Neurophysiology 115: 1195-1201. 2004

[17]. W. Ross Adey. International Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Third Edition; B. Smith and G. Adelman, editors. Elsevier , New Cork.

[18]. Sandyk , R. Treatment with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields prevents seasonal exacerbation of symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Intern. J. Neuroscience . 96: 53-62. 1998

[19]. Seyhan , N .; Güler G. Review of In Vivo Static and ELF Electric Fields Studies Performed at Gazi Biophysics Department. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine , 25: 307-323, 2006 .

[twenty]. Holcomb Robert R. Electromagnetic Treatment Device And Using Method Thereof . 160078. 2007 .

[twenty-one]. Hashimoto Naoto. Electromagnet For Magnetic Treatment . JP -237687. 2005

[22]. Toshiyuki , T. Magnetic Therapy Device . 263202. 2002 .

[2. 3]. Petrus van Mullekem , A. Magnetic field therapy . US02101102. 2004

[24]. Mariusz P, Ch. Apparatus for stimulating the physiological processes of living organism using light waves, electromagnetic induction and thermal interaction. US0235491. 2006

[25]. Tepper , JC; Kno , P; Emge TM; Winstrom , W. High efficiency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation. Therapy Method and system . US 5743844. 1998 .

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[26]. Simon , BJ. Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation method and apparatus with improved dosing.
US6955642. 2005

[27]. Dischell , DR Low frequency magnetic field neurostimulator for the treatment of neurological disorders. US0205993. 2006

[28]. Riehl , ME. Seizure therapy method and apparatus. US0261542. 2005

[29]. Korothikh , IN. Method of treatment of inflammatory diseases of female genital organs by low-frequency pulse magnetic field. RU2118184. 1998

[30]. Markoll , R. Treatment of acute diseases as caused by the sports type injuries of the muscloskeletal system (excluding fractures) with magnetic field therapies. US5665049. 1997

[31]. Mugler , Marlies. Spinal Columns Therapies System. DE102389842004. 2004

[32]. Hirayama Kotaro, H; Isamu , T; Shuichiro , M. Body Warming Device JP 2007-267875. 2007

[33]. Naoto H. Electromagnet For Magnetic Treatment. JP 2005-237687. 2005

[3. 4]. Akio G. Ultra-Long Wave Generator For Head. JP 2005-137861. 2005

[35]. Corral Marzo CM, et al . Effectiveness of treatment with oscillating magnetic fields in women with inflammatory disease. Electronic Magazine of PortalesMedicos.com . Vol. I No. 10:69. http://www.portalesmedicos.com.

Description of the invention

The invention relates to a device thermomagnetic applicator according to claim 1 and a thermomagnetic applicator system according to claim 14. Preferred embodiments are defined in the claims. Dependents

The thermomagnetic applicator device is configured to generate a magnetic field and generate heat, and It has an application area responsible for applying field magnetic and heat The thermomagnetic applicator device is additionally configured to regulate the temperature of the application surface.

The magnetic field generated is preferably ELF

In a preferred embodiment the device understands:

- a thermomagnetic application module, responsible for carrying out the application of magnetic field and heat, comprising:

?

a field generator circuit magnetic, which can comprise a coil in SMD format, commissioned of the magnetic field generation;

?

a heater circuit commissioned of heat generation;

?

a measuring circuit of temperature, which can comprise a resistance sensitive to temperature, set to provide information regarding the application surface temperature;

- a thermoregulator module, configured for:

?

receive from the measurement circuit of temperature the information relative to the temperature of the application surface;

?

control, depending on that information, the heater circuit to regulate the temperature of the application surface at a certain temperature.

The thermomagnetic application module can comprise a printed circuit, preferably of type FR-4 The heater circuit may be shaped in that case by a resistance generated on the surface of the printed circuit, preferably manufactured in nickel.

The printed circuit can be arranged in one of its surfaces the fingerprints of passive electronic components and welding pads for connection to the thermoregulator module and with an electronic signal generation team in charge of feed the magnetic field generator circuit.

The thermomagnetic application module has preferably of a coverage permeable to the magnetic field generated and in charge of protecting the application module thermomagnetic and distribute the heat generated by the circuit heater evenly by the application surface. He Cover material may be an epoxy type compound.

The thermoregulator module may comprise a variable voltage generator circuit configured to power the heater circuit of the thermomagnetic application module, said variable voltage generating circuit having a variable voltage regulator with its voltage control input connected to a variable resistor controlled by a microcontroller through an SPI type port.

The thermoregulator module may comprise a temperature detector circuit that has a divider of voltage in which the resistance to mass is the sensitive resistance at the temperature of the module temperature measurement circuit thermomagnetic application, said voltage divider being connected to an analog-digital converter connected in turn to an SPI port of a microcontroller.

An object of the present invention is also a thermomagnetic applicator system, which includes the device previous applicator and electronic signal generation equipment responsible for feeding the electronics of the applicator device thermomagnetic generated by the magnetic field.

Brief description of the drawings

Then it goes on to describe very brief a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention presented as a non-limiting example of is.

Figure 1 schematically represents the electromagnetic applicator device object of the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows the module variable voltage generator circuit thermoregulator

Figure 3 shows schematically the different circuits of the electromagnetic applicator device object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows schematically the elements of the thermomagnetic application module 1.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

The present invention relates to a thermoregulable electromagnetic field applicator device, this It is a thermomagnetic stimulator device, applicable in painful responses of the central nervous system (CNS), which incorporates a thermoregulation system in the applicator itself. This device is perfectly isolated and connected to a power generator that will dispense this through the device applicator in the form of a magnetic field pulsed in the area required

The thermomagnetic applicator device 7 is composes, as shown in Figure 1, of two modules or subsystems differentiated: a thermomagnetic application module 1, in charge of performing the thermal and magnetic application on the subject, and a thermoregulator module 6, responsible for detecting and application temperature regulation.

The thermomagnetic application module 1 consists of two internal parts, well differentiated and that are installed in same printed circuit board 2. In a preferred embodiment the printed circuit 2 is designed in type material FR-4 0.2 mm thick and 12.2 mm in diameter and It consists of the following parts:

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Part upper, which includes the fingerprints of the electronic components passive and welding pads (10, 11, 12, 13) where solder the four-conductor connection cable 9 that connects the thermomagnetic application module 1 with module thermoregulator 6 (part of the thermomagnetic applicator device 7) and with the electronic signal generation equipment 8, external to the thermomagnetic applicator device 7.

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Part bottom, which includes resistive element 3 that heats the module of thermomagnetic application 1 at the temperature determined by the thermoregulator module 6. This resistive element 3 is made in nickel material so that it can withstand the current enough to heat the application module thermomagnetic 1 to 5 ° C above skin temperature of the subject under treatment.

The thermomagnetic application module 1 consists Well, three electronic circuits:

?

Field generator circuit magnetic 4.

?

Measuring circuit temperature or temperature sensor 5.

?

Heater circuit or element resistive 3.

The magnetic field generator circuit 4 is consisting of a coil in SMD format (in the embodiment preferred SMD 0603, 1.6 mm x 0.8 mm) with an inductance of 10 µH, consisting of a ferrite core wound with wire copper in miniaturized format, the coil at one end sharing common ground in the ground connection pad 13 and in the another end connected to a pad where the signal is fed Low frequency in the proper way, signal input pad 12.

The temperature measurement circuit 5 is formed by a resistance with a value of 100 K \ Omega, in box 0402, temperature sensitive and commonly known as NTC (NTC Thermistor, "Negative Temperature Coefficient"). This circuit shares one end with the common ground pad with the ground 13 and the other with a pad that is connected by means of the cable connection 9 to the control electronics (thermoregulator module 6), temperature control pad 11.

The heater circuit 3 is made up of a resistance manufactured in nickel generated on the surface of the printed circuit and that shares a common mass in one of its ends with the ground pad 13 of the application module thermomagnetic 1 and other end connected to the pad where it is applied the adequate electrical potential to heat this resistance to the desired temperature, heating voltage input pad 10.

The thermomagnetic application module 1 once that the connection cable 9 has been welded, it must be immersed in a epoxy type compound (as shown in Figure 4) that It meets the following characteristics:

?

Protect the device from moisture and provides the rigidity necessary to handle the device with the help of a plastic clamping element, the which is placed on the top end of the device before being immersed in the epoxy material.

?

The same epoxy compound is used to achieve sufficient thermal transfer to distribute the heat generated by the heating resistance of uniform shape throughout the thermomagnetic application module one.

The thermomagnetic application module 1 allows the precise distribution of the thermoregulated electromagnetic field in precise areas larger than 1 cm2.

The thermoregulator module 6, in charge of temperature control and regulation of the application module thermomagnetic 1, is made up of an electronic circuit controlled by a microcontroller 20 and that includes a circuit variable voltage generator with controlled intensity and a temperature detector circuit, which measures the voltage generated by the temperature measurement circuit 5 (sensor element of temperature). A schematic diagram is represented in Figure 2 of the variable voltage generator circuit.

The variable voltage generator circuit is conformed by a voltage regulator 22 where its input of voltage control is connected to a digital resistor 21 controlled by the microcontroller through a type port SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface, from English "Serial Peripheral Interface "), SPI digital potentiometer.

In Figure 3 it shows schematically the different circuits of the electromagnetic applicator device.
tico 7.

The control board of the thermoregulator module 6 includes the high-performance microcontroller 20 that has a 120 MB flash memory where you can store various types of software routines that will be used according to the type of activity clinic to be used.

In the same way this microcontroller 20 is provided with a USB type connection which includes a circuit Integrated Silicon Lab model CP2102, which includes all USB protocols and allows converting from USB type port to serial type using a transmission and a reception line of data with two RTS and CTS control signals. Using this communications port the control unit can communicate with an external computer for programming purposes and selection of clinical programs of different kinds.

The thermomagnetic application module 1 includes a resistive element 3 in its lower part by means of which make this device warm several degrees above the patient's body temperature. The heating is obtained by introduce in this resistive element 3 a voltage controlled by the microcontroller 20 using the electronic circuit for this conformed by voltage regulator 22 and digital resistance 21. The latter is controlled by an SPI type port through from which the microcontroller increases or decreases the resistance internal integrated circuit, representing an increase in voltage at the output of voltage regulator 22 from 0 to 3.3 V. This voltage set by the microcontroller translates into heat at the level of thermomagnetic application module 1.

One security is included for voltage limiting resistor (R5) to prevent heating in excess that can harm the skin of patients.

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In thermoregulator module 6 (or equipment controller) forty independent circuits of this are included nature allowing control of up to forty modules of 1 independent thermomagnetic application.

To get precise control over the heating of each of the forty application module thermomagnetic 1, is included in each of said modules of thermomagnetic application 1 a temperature sensor 5, represented by an NTC, which is made up of a resistance sensitive to heat, which allows the resistance value to vary considerably positively with increasing temperature.

This NTC is part of a voltage divider which includes this 100K ohm NTC in conjunction with a precision resistor (R7) of 100 K ohms, said NTC terminated to land.

This voltage divider is connected a analog-digital converter 16, in a particular embodiment an integrated circuit AD7812 with 8 channels, which allows microcontroller 20 to determine the temperature of each thermomagnetic application module 1, converting the digital analog values obtained from the voltage divider, which represent temperature values in each of the modules thermomagnetic application 1 separately (forty circuits similar and independent).

With respect to the signal emission circuit Low frequency electromagnetic, each application module thermomagnetic 1 includes a coil 17 formed by a core of ferrite and several turns, with a value of 10 µH. These coils they are responsible for generating the electromagnetic field of low frequency and intensity in each element separately.

The circuit in question includes a generator of signal in any way at the desired frequency between 1 and 500 Hz. This circuit is made up of a converter digital-analog 25 (in a preferred embodiment an integrated AD5764R, with 4 channels). This integrated connects to microcontroller 20 via a communications port of type SPI. Each controller board includes a total of ten AD5764R for obtain a total of forty independent channels and can be connected a total of forty thermomagnetic application modules for each controller board.

One resistance is included for each channel current limiter (R8) that allows to obtain at the end, in each thermomagnetic application module 1 an electromagnetic field with a controlled intensity

The voltage generated by the generator circuit of variable voltage feeds the voltage input pad of heating 10 that feeds the heating circuit 3 of the module thermomagnetic application 1.

The temperature detector circuit is formed by a voltage divider in which the resistance to Mass is the temperature sensitive resistance, NTC thermistor. Said voltage divider is electrically connected to a 8-bit analog-digital converter connected to an SPI port of the microcontroller as seen in the diagram schematic of Figure 3. In this way the microcontroller 20 know the temperature of the thermomagnetic application module and properly controls the voltage generated and applied to the heater circuit 3 of the thermomagnetic application module 1, to keep the application temperature controlled at setpoint temperature This setpoint temperature It will be determined experimentally according to the pathology and will be controlled by software through the control program.

Figure 4 shows schematically the different elements of the thermomagnetic application module 1: plastic clamping element 26, the cover of epoxy material 27 thermoconductor (marked with dashed line the region by the extending), coil, temperature sensor 15 (temperature sensitive resistance, NTC), circuit board printed 2, insulating glass 28.

It is understood that, if they do not alter the essence of the invention, both variations in materials and shape, size and arrangement of the elements are susceptible of changes within its characterization.

The terms used during the description and the meaning of it should always be considered in a non- limiting

Claims (6)

1. Thermomagnetic applicator device, characterized in that it is configured to generate an ELF magnetic field and generate heat, said thermomagnetic applicator device (7) having an application surface responsible for applying magnetic field and heat; because the thermomagnetic applicator device (7) is additionally configured to regulate the temperature of the application surface; and because the thermomagnetic applicator device (7) includes: - a thermomagnetic application module (1), responsible for carrying out the application of magnetic field and heat, comprising:

?

a field generator circuit magnetic (4) in charge of field generation magnetic;

?

a printed circuit (2) that it has on one of its surfaces the footprints of the components Passive electronics and welding pads (10, 11, 12, 13) for the connection with a thermoregulator module (6) and with a device electronic signal generation (8) responsible for feeding the magnetic field generator circuit (4);

?

a heater circuit (3) responsible for heat generation and formed by a resistance generated on the surface of the printed circuit (2);

?

a measuring circuit of temperature (5) configured to provide information regarding the temperature of the application surface and comprising a temperature sensitive resistance;

- the thermoregulator module (6), configured for:

?

receive from the measurement circuit of temperature (5) the information related to the temperature of the application surface;

?

control, depending on that information, the heater circuit (3) to regulate the temperature of the application surface at a temperature determined;

said thermoregulator module comprising (6):

?

a voltage generating circuit variable configured to feed the heater circuit (3) of the thermomagnetic application module (1), said circuit having variable voltage generator of a variable voltage regulator (22) with its voltage control input connected to a variable resistance (21) controlled by a microcontroller (20) a through an SPI type port;

?

a detector circuit of temperature that has a voltage divider in which the resistance to mass is the temperature sensitive resistance of the temperature measurement circuit (5) of the application module thermomagnetic (1), said voltage divider being connected to a analog-digital converter connected in turn to an SPI port of a microcontroller (20).

2. Thermomagnetic applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate of the printed circuit (2) is of the FR-4 type. 3. Thermomagnetic applicator device according to any of claims 1-2, characterized in that the resistance generated on the surface of the printed circuit (2) is manufactured in nickel. 4. Thermomagnetic applicator device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the magnetic field generator circuit (4) comprises a coil in SMD format. 5. Thermomagnetic applicator device according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the thermomagnetic application module (1) has a permeable coverage to the generated magnetic field and is responsible for protecting the thermomagnetic application module (1) and distributing the generated heat by the heating circuit (3) uniformly by the application surface. 6. Thermomagnetic applicator device according to claim 5, characterized in that the covering material is an epoxy type compound.