JP4821957B2 - High frequency treatment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a high frequency treatment device for applying an alternating magnetic field to an affected part of a treatment object.

  Conventionally, it is known that there is a magnetic therapeutic effect such as pain reduction and blood circulation promotion by applying an alternating magnetic field to an affected part of a human body to give a stimulus. In order to obtain such a magnetic therapy effect, various magnetic therapy devices that irradiate an affected area with an alternating magnetic field generated by applying an alternating current to a coil or the like have been proposed. Among these, the high-frequency treatment device is a device that generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves and applies a high-frequency alternating magnetic field to the treatment object. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a high-frequency treatment device that applies high-frequency currents such as 13.56 MHz, 27, and 12 MHz oscillated by a high-frequency oscillator to a coil and emits high-frequency electromagnetic waves of the frequency (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-84886

  However, in the above conventional high frequency treatment device, there is a case where a sufficient magnetic treatment effect cannot be obtained because the frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the affected area is not suitable. Therefore, there has been a demand for a high-frequency treatment device that can obtain an excellent magnetic treatment effect by applying a high-frequency alternating magnetic field having an effective frequency to the affected area.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to improve the magnetic treatment effect by applying a high-frequency alternating magnetic field having a suitable frequency. The object is to provide a new and improved radiofrequency therapy device.

Although the mechanism of the magnetic treatment effect has not been fully elucidated, the present inventors have applied a high-frequency alternating magnetic field of a predetermined frequency to the treatment target (for example, a pain site (affected part) of the human body), Increases the intracellular calcium ion (Ca ²⁺ ) concentration of a specific type in the treated body to induce an exocytosis reaction, resulting in the secretion of substances that contribute to pain relief etc. It was thought that the stimulating action was one of the main factors of the magnetic therapy effect.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present application focused on the exocytosis-inducing action associated with the increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration, and made diligent efforts to experiment and examine the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field that acts on the treatment target. It was. As a result, it has been found that a suitable frequency capable of further enhancing the magnetic therapy effect is about 83,3 MHz, and the present invention has been conceived as follows.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a high-frequency treatment device for applying an alternating magnetic field to an affected part of a treatment object is provided. The high-frequency treatment device includes high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic wave for treatment in order to cause a high-frequency alternating magnetic field for treatment to act on the affected area, and the high frequency for treatment is 50 to 140 MHz. It is selected from a range.

  With such a configuration, the high-frequency treatment device emits a high-frequency high-frequency electromagnetic wave for treatment suitable for magnetic treatment, thereby radiating the high-frequency alternating magnetic field for treatment and acting on the affected part of the treatment object. Can do. Such magnetic stimulation increases the intracellular calcium ion concentration in the affected area of the treatment target, induces exocytosis, and releases substances that exert analgesic action (for example, nerve growth factor, β-endorphin, etc.) it can. Therefore, magnetic treatment effects such as an analgesic effect and a blood circulation promoting effect by activating the tissue of the treatment target can be improved.

  In addition, by applying the high-frequency alternating magnetic field of 50 to 140 MHz to the affected part of the treatment object, for example, the degree of increase of the calcium ion concentration in a predetermined cell becomes a predetermined ratio or more (for example, 1.2 times or more) positive Since the rate can be increased to, for example, 30% or more, the magnetic treatment effect can be improved.

  As described above, the high-frequency treatment device of the present invention increases the intracellular calcium ion concentration in the affected area by causing the therapeutic high-frequency alternating magnetic field radiated from the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means to act on the affected area. This is a therapeutic device for inducing exocytosis (nerve growth factor, β-endorphin, etc.) of a given substance.

  The high frequency treatment device may be a pain treatment device. Thereby, the high frequency treatment device can be applied to pain treatment.

  Moreover, you may make it select the said high frequency for a treatment from the range of 50-120 MHz. Thereby, a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 50 to 120 MHz is applied to the affected part of the body to be treated, and the positive rate can be increased to 40% or more, for example, so that the magnetic treatment effect can be further improved.

  The high frequency for treatment may be selected from the range of 55 to 110 MHz. Thereby, a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 55 to 110 MHz is applied to the affected part of the body to be treated, and the positive rate can be increased to, for example, 50% or more, so that the magnetic treatment effect can be further improved.

  The high frequency for treatment may be selected from a range of 65 to 100 MHz. Thereby, a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 65 to 100 MHz is applied to the affected part of the body to be treated, and the positive rate can be increased to, for example, 70% or more, so that the magnetic treatment effect can be further improved.

  The high frequency for treatment may be selected from a range of 75 to 95 MHz. As a result, a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 70 to 95 MHz is applied to the affected area of the body to be treated, and the positive rate can be increased to, for example, 90% or more, thereby further improving the magnetic treatment effect.

  The high frequency for treatment may be selected from the range of 83.3 ± 10% MHz. As a result, a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 83.3 ± 10% MHz is applied to the affected area of the body to be treated, and the positive rate can be increased to, for example, about 100%, thereby further improving the magnetic treatment effect.

  The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means includes a high-frequency oscillating means that outputs a high-frequency current; and an antenna that generates a high-frequency electromagnetic wave for treatment when a high-frequency current is applied from the high-frequency oscillating means. It may be. Thereby, the high frequency electromagnetic wave of the said treatment high frequency can be generated suitably, and the said high frequency alternating magnetic field for the said treatment can be made to act appropriately on the affected part of a to-be-treated body.

  Further, the high frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may generate the high frequency electromagnetic wave intermittently by repeating an on period in which the high frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and an off period in which the high frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a predetermined cycle. As a result, a high-frequency alternating magnetic field can be intermittently generated and applied to the affected area of the treatment object, so that the affected area is repeatedly switched between a state where the high-frequency alternating magnetic field is applied and a state where it is not applied. Can do. For this reason, a change occurs in the high-frequency alternating magnetic field stimulation acting on the affected area, and the magnetic treatment effect can be enhanced.

  The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means repeats a first on-period in which high-frequency electromagnetic waves are generated and a first off-period in which high-frequency electromagnetic waves are not generated at a cycle corresponding to 2.0 ± 10% kHz. May be generated intermittently. Further, the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means repeats a second on-period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and a second off period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a cycle corresponding to 7.8 ± 10% Hz. May be generated intermittently. Thereby, a high-frequency alternating magnetic field can be intermittently generated at a suitable time interval in which cells in the affected area of the body to be treated react sensitively, and can be applied to the affected area.

  Further, in order to cause the predetermined low frequency alternating magnetic field for treatment to act on the affected area, low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating low frequency electromagnetic waves for treatment is provided, and the low frequency for treatment is 2.0. You may make it select from the range of +/- 10% kHz. As a result, not only the high frequency alternating magnetic field but also the low frequency alternating magnetic field having a low frequency suitable for magnetic treatment is applied to the affected area of the body to be treated to activate the tissue of the body to be treated. It can induce analgesic action and blood circulation. For example, the amount of β-endorphin secretion in the cells of the treatment subject can be increased. Thereby, magnetic treatment effects, such as an analgesic effect with respect to the affected part of a to-be-treated body, can further be improved.

  The low-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means includes a low-frequency oscillating means for outputting a low-frequency current; and an antenna for generating a low-frequency electromagnetic wave having a low frequency for treatment by applying the low-frequency current from the low-frequency oscillating means. And may be provided. Thereby, the low frequency electromagnetic wave of the said therapeutic low frequency can be generated suitably, and the said low frequency alternating magnetic field of the said therapeutic low frequency can be made to act on the affected part of a to-be-treated body appropriately.

  The low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may intermittently generate the low frequency electromagnetic wave by repeating an on period in which the low frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and an off period in which the low frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a predetermined cycle. . As a result, a low-frequency alternating magnetic field can be intermittently generated and applied to the affected area of the body to be treated, so that the state where the low-frequency alternating magnetic field is applied to the affected area is switched between be able to. For this reason, a change occurs in the low-frequency alternating magnetic field stimulus acting on the affected part, and the magnetic treatment effect can be enhanced.

  The low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means repeats a third on-period in which the low-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and a third off period in which the low-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a cycle corresponding to 7.8 ± 10% Hz. The low frequency electromagnetic wave may be generated intermittently. As a result, a low-frequency alternating magnetic field can be intermittently generated at a suitable time interval in which cells in the affected area of the body to be treated react sensitively, and can be applied to the affected area.

  The on period of the high frequency electromagnetic wave and the on period of the low frequency electromagnetic wave may be synchronized. That is, the generation period of the intermittently generated high frequency electromagnetic wave and the generation period of the intermittently generated low frequency electromagnetic wave may be synchronized. As a result, the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the low-frequency alternating magnetic field are repeatedly generated / not generated at the same timing, so that it is possible to clearly separate when both alternating magnetic fields act on the affected area of the treatment object and when they do not act. For this reason, a clear change occurs in the alternating magnetic field stimulus acting on the affected area, and the magnetic treatment effect can be enhanced.

  The low frequency electromagnetic wave may be configured to be a substantially rectangular wave. With such a configuration, the rise time and fall time of the waveform of the low frequency electromagnetic wave can be minimized, so that a low frequency alternating magnetic field whose magnetic field strength changes rapidly can be applied to the treatment object. Furthermore, the low frequency electromagnetic wave may be a substantially rectangular wave that takes a binary value consisting of a predetermined value and a zero value. Thereby, the low frequency alternating magnetic field which repeats generation | occurrence | production and non-generation of a magnetic field periodically is made to act on a to-be-treated body, and a magnetic treatment effect can be improved.

  The high frequency electromagnetic wave generation means may generate the high frequency electromagnetic wave having a high frequency for treatment by intermittently generating a high frequency electromagnetic wave having a frequency higher than 140 MHz at a period corresponding to the high frequency for treatment. Good. Thereby, the high frequency electromagnetic wave of the said treatment high frequency can be generated by using the high frequency electromagnetic wave of the high frequency which the cell of an affected part does not react as a carrier wave.

  Further, the high frequency electromagnetic wave for treatment generated by the high frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may include a harmonic generated when generating a high frequency electromagnetic wave of less than 50 MHz. In other words, the high frequency electromagnetic wave generating means incidentally generates a high frequency electromagnetic wave within the range of 50 to 140 MHz as a harmonic when generating an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 / integer of the therapeutic high frequency (50 to 140 MHz). It may be an electromagnetic wave generating means that can be generated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a magnetic treatment such as pain relief and blood circulation promotion is performed by applying a suitable high frequency alternating magnetic field for treatment, which is excellent in magnetic treatment effect, to the affected part of the treatment object. The effect can be greatly improved.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
The high frequency treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  First, the external configuration of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high frequency treatment device 10 includes, for example, a housing 12, an operation unit 14, and a display unit 16.

  The housing 12 is a housing for housing each main device of the high-frequency treatment device 10 and is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as plastic. The housing 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (for example, length 8 cm × width 6 cm × height 2 cm) in the example of FIG. 1, but is not limited to this example. , A substantially rod shape, a substantially cubic shape, and other shapes that can be easily gripped by the user. The user of the high-frequency treatment device 10 is radiated from the high-frequency treatment device 10 by holding the housing 12 and bringing the high-frequency treatment device 10 into direct contact with the affected area or approaching the affected area within a predetermined distance. Electromagnetic waves (including alternating magnetic fields) can be applied to the affected area.

  The operation unit 14 is, for example, a switch for turning on / off the operation (such as an alternating magnetic field irradiation operation) of the high-frequency treatment device 10. The user can switch the operation / non-operation of the high-frequency treatment device 10 every time the operation unit 14 is pressed, for example.

  The display unit 16 is configured by a light emitting lamp such as an LED (light emitting diode). The display unit 16 can display an operating / non-operating state of the high-frequency treatment device 10, a remaining amount of a power supply unit (not shown), a charging state, and the like. In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 includes two LEDs, a red LED 16a and a green LED 16b. For example, the red LED 16a is lit when the remaining battery level of the power supply unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and flashes when the level is lower than this level. The green LED 16b is turned on or blinks when the high frequency treatment device 10 is operating, and is turned off when the high frequency treatment device 10 is not operating.

  However, the display unit 16 is not limited to such an example, and may be composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display means (LCD or the like) that can display characters or figures. As a result, the display unit 16 displays the frequency or intensity of the electromagnetic wave (alternating magnetic field) irradiated by the high-frequency treatment device 10, the duration of irradiation, the irradiation timing, the treatment schedule, the remaining battery level, the time, or the temperature. Various information can be displayed.

  Next, the internal configuration of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a power supply unit 18, a control block 20, a high frequency coil 30, and a low frequency coil 40 are provided inside the housing 12 of the high frequency treatment device 10. Among these, the control block 20, the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 are installed on the same substrate 17, for example, and can be attached to and detached from the housing 12 together.

  The power supply unit 18 is a direct-current power supply device configured by, for example, various rechargeable batteries or a dry battery (for example, a 9 V dry battery), and can supply power to each unit in the high-frequency treatment device 10. The control block 20 is, for example, a circuit board on which a control device that controls each unit in the treatment machine 10, a high-frequency oscillation circuit that oscillates a high frequency, a clock generation circuit, and the like (none of which are shown) are installed. Details will be described later.

  The high frequency coil 30 is an example of an antenna (high frequency antenna) that radiates high frequency electromagnetic waves when a high frequency current is applied. The high frequency coil 30 is a loop antenna composed of, for example, a coil obtained by winding a relatively thick copper wire or the like eight times. For example, the high-frequency coil 30 receives a high-frequency electromagnetic wave (a high-frequency alternating magnetic field and a high-frequency alternating electric field) having a frequency of 50 to 140 MHz (for example, about 83.3 MHz) when a high-frequency current is applied from the control block 20. It can be generated and radiated to the surroundings.

  On the other hand, the low frequency coil 40 is an example of an antenna (low frequency antenna) that emits a low frequency electromagnetic wave when a low frequency current is applied. The low frequency coil 40 is, for example, a loop antenna composed of a coil obtained by winding a relatively thin copper wire or the like around an axis about 500 times. The low frequency coil 40 generates a low frequency electromagnetic wave (low frequency alternating magnetic field and low frequency alternating electric field) having a frequency of about 2.0 kHz, for example, when a low frequency current is applied from the control block 20. Can be emitted to the surroundings.

  These high-frequency coil 30 and low-frequency coil 40 are, for example, installed so that the central axes of both are, for example, substantially in the same direction. Irradiation is performed so as to diffuse substantially evenly in the circumferential direction of the shaft. For this reason, even if any surface of the high-frequency treatment device 10 is brought into contact with or close to the affected part at any angle, there is a magnetic treatment effect. Therefore, treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10 is simplified.

  The antenna that radiates high-frequency electromagnetic waves or low-frequency electromagnetic waves is not limited to the loop antennas such as the high-frequency coil 30 and the low-frequency coil 40, and various antennas such as a rod antenna can be used. .

  Next, the circuit configuration and operation of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The control block 20 and the high-frequency coil 30 described below are one configuration example of high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 50 to 140 MHz. The control block 20 and the low frequency coil 40 are an example of a configuration of low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating a low frequency electromagnetic wave having a frequency of, for example, 2 kHz.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control block 20 includes, for example, a main control circuit 22, a power supply circuit 21, a clock generation circuit 23, a high frequency oscillation means 24, and a low frequency oscillation means 25.

  The main control circuit 22 is configured by, for example, a one-chip microcomputer and has a function of controlling each part in the control block 20.

  The power supply circuit 21 includes, for example, an on / off control circuit 212, a booster circuit 214, and a step-down circuit 216, and supplies power from the power supply unit 18 to each unit in the control block 20. It has a function to control. Specifically, the on / off control circuit 212 detects, for example, on / off of the switch of the operation unit 14 and inputs the detection result to the main control circuit 22. The on / off control circuit 212 turns on / off power supply from the power supply unit 18 to the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 based on the on / off instruction of the main control circuit 22.

  Further, the booster circuit 214 can boost the power from the equal power supply unit 18 made of, for example, a 9V dry battery, for example, as necessary. Thereby, the voltage supplied to the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 can be maintained at 9V, for example. Further, the booster circuit 214 outputs a battery exhaustion error signal to the main control circuit 22 when, for example, the voltage that can be output by the power supply unit 18 drops below a predetermined level due to, for example, battery exhaustion. You can also As a result, when the error signal is input, the main control circuit 22 can control the red LED 16a to switch from lighting to blinking, for example, and can notify the user of battery consumption.

  The step-down circuit 216 can maintain the voltage supplied to the main control circuit 22 or the like at, for example, 5 V by stepping down the power supply of the power supply unit 18. The step-down circuit 216 outputs a voltage drop error signal to the main control circuit 22 when the voltage that it can output falls below a predetermined level due to, for example, battery consumption of the power supply unit 18. You can also As a result, the main control circuit 22 controls to stop the operation of the entire high-frequency treatment device 10 in order to prevent troubles such as a sudden operation stop due to a voltage drop, for example. As a result, for example, the green LED 16b that was lit during the operation of the high-frequency treatment device 10 is controlled to be turned off, so that the user can be notified that the operation of the high-frequency treatment device 10 has stopped.

  For example, the clock generation circuit 23 generates a clock signal having a predetermined frequency and outputs the clock signal to the main control circuit 22. The clock generation circuit 23 is configured to generate, for example, 32.7 kHz and 10 MHz clock signals. The main control circuit 22 outputs the clock signal input from the clock generation circuit 23 to the low frequency oscillation means 254. The low frequency oscillating means 254 generates, for example, 2.0 kHz and 7.81 Hz clock signals based on the clock signal, and outputs them to the modulation circuit 246 and the coil drive circuit 256, respectively.

  The high frequency oscillation means 24 generates, for example, a high frequency current of about 83.3 MHz and applies it to the high frequency coil 30. The high frequency oscillation means 24 includes, for example, a frequency control circuit 242, a high frequency oscillation circuit 244, a modulation circuit 246, and a coil drive circuit 248.

  The frequency control circuit 242 has a function of controlling the high frequency generated by the high frequency oscillation circuit 244. Specifically, the frequency control circuit 242 controls the high frequency output from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244 based on the frequency setting signal from the main control circuit 22 and the high frequency fed back from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244, for example. To do. As a result, the high-frequency oscillation circuit 244 can stably oscillate a high frequency of 83.3 MHz, for example, and output it to the modulation circuit 246. The high frequency may be either a high frequency current or a high frequency voltage as long as the signal can transmit a predetermined frequency. The high frequency of 83.3 MHz output from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244 is, for example, a substantially sine wave signal.

  The modulation circuit 246 intermittently performs, for example, on / off processing of the high frequency of 83.3 MHz input from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244 based on the clock signal input from the low frequency oscillation circuit 254 in two steps, for example. Can be output.

  The first stage on / off process is, for example, a process in which the input 83.3 MHz high frequency is partially cut and output intermittently based on a 2.0 kHz clock signal. Specifically, for example, the modulation circuit 246 outputs a high frequency of 83.3 MHz as it is for a predetermined first ON period (for example, 400 μsec), and then outputs the high frequency for a predetermined first OFF period (for example, 100 μsec). The process of outputting as a signal obtained by cutting the amplitude of is repeated. Thereby, the modulation circuit 246, for example, turns on / off the high frequency of 83.3 MHz input as a stationary sine wave at a cycle equivalent to, for example, 2.0 kHz, and intermittently oscillates the high frequency of 83.3 MHz. Can do. In other words, the modulation circuit 246 can perform a modulation process of outputting a signal representing a substantially rectangular wave of 2.0 kHz using, for example, a high frequency of 83.3 MHz input from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244 as a carrier wave.

  In the second stage on / off process, for example, the high frequency that has been subjected to the first stage on / off process is further partially cut based on the 7.81 Hz clock signal and intermittently. It is a process to output. Specifically, for example, the modulation circuit 246 outputs the high frequency as it is for a predetermined second ON period (for example, 64 msec), and then the amplitude of the high frequency is output for a predetermined second OFF period (for example, 64 msec). The process of outputting as a cut signal is repeated. Thereby, for example, the modulation circuit 246 turns on / off the high frequency of 83.3 MHz intermittently with a period corresponding to 2.0 kHz as described above and intermittently with a period equivalent to 7.81 Hz, and intermittently with a high frequency. Can be intermittently oscillated. In other words, for example, the modulation circuit 246 can output a signal representing a substantially rectangular wave of 7.81 Hz using the high frequency of 83.3 MHz input from the high frequency oscillation circuit 244 as a carrier wave.

  The high frequency that has been subjected to the two-stage on / off processing by the modulation circuit 246 is input to the coil drive circuit 248. The coil drive circuit 248 amplifies the input high frequency with the power from the power supply circuit 21, and intermittently oscillates a high frequency current having a frequency of 83.3 MHz at two periods corresponding to 2.0 kHz and 7.81 Hz. Applied to the high frequency coil 30.

  On the other hand, the low frequency oscillation means 25 generates a low frequency current of about 2 kHz, for example, and applies it to the low frequency coil 40. The low frequency oscillating means 25 includes, for example, a low frequency oscillating circuit 254 and a coil driving circuit 258.

  As described above, the low-frequency oscillation circuit 254 generates a clock signal of, for example, 2.0 kHz and 7.81 Hz based on the clock signal input from the main control circuit 22, and supplies it to the modulation circuit 246 and the coil drive circuit 256, respectively. Output. The low-frequency oscillation circuit 254 generates a low frequency of 2.0 kHz as a substantially rectangular wave based on the clock signal, for example, and further, for example, at a period equivalent to about 7.81 Hz with respect to the low frequency. An on / off process is performed (every 64 msec) to generate a low frequency of 2 kHz that is intermittent at a period equivalent to about 7.81 Hz. Specifically, for example, the low-frequency oscillation circuit 254 outputs the low frequency as it is for a predetermined third ON period (for example, 64 msec), and then outputs the low frequency for the predetermined third OFF period (for example, 64 msec). The process of outputting the signal with the frequency amplitude cut is repeated. Thereby, the low-frequency oscillation circuit 254 can intermittently oscillate, for example, by turning on / off a low frequency of 2.0 kHz at a cycle equivalent to 7.81 Hz. Circuits corresponding to the frequency control circuit 242 and the modulation circuit 246 may be provided before and after the low-frequency oscillation circuit 254.

  The coil drive circuit 258 amplifies the low frequency input from the low frequency oscillation circuit 254 with the power from the power supply circuit 21, and intermittently generates a high frequency current having a frequency of 2.0 kHz at a period corresponding to 7.81 Hz. It oscillates and is applied to the high frequency coil 30.

  Here, based on FIG. 4, the waveforms of the high-frequency current and the low-frequency current applied to the high-frequency coil 30 and the low-frequency coil 40 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing the waveforms of the high frequency current and the low frequency current applied to the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, a high frequency current having a frequency of about 83.3 MHz is applied to the high frequency coil 30. This high-frequency current has, for example, an amplitude of 30 mA and is a symmetric sine wave that is symmetrical about 0 A.

  Further, the high-frequency current is not a continuous wave but an intermittent wave that is periodically turned on / off. Specifically, the high-frequency current has a waveform in which a first on-period (1) of, for example, 400 μsec and a first off-period (2) of, for example, 100 μsec are alternately repeated, and corresponds to, for example, about 2.0 kHz. Intermittent. Furthermore, the high-frequency current has a waveform in which a second on-period (3) of, for example, 64 msec and a second off-period (4) of, for example, 64 msec are alternately repeated on a larger time scale. It is intermittent even in a period corresponding to 7.81 Hz. Further, since this high-frequency current has a high frequency of about 83.3 MHz, for example, its rise time and fall time are very small, for example, 0.003 μsec or less.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, a low frequency current having a frequency of about 2.0 kHz is applied to the low frequency coil 40. The low-frequency current is, for example, a rectangular wave (square wave) that alternately takes two values of 17 μA or 0 A with a period of about 2.0 kHz. The period (5) in which the low frequency current becomes 17 μA is, for example, 400 μsec, and the period (6) in which 0 A becomes 0 A is, for example, 100 μsec. The substantially rectangular wave is adjusted so that the rise time is 0.1 μsec or less and the fall time is, for example, 1.0 μsec or less.

  Also, this low frequency current is not a continuous wave, for example, but an intermittent wave that is periodically turned on / off at about 7.81 Hz. Specifically, the low-frequency current has a waveform in which a third on-period (6) of, for example, 64 msec and a third off-period (8) of, for example, 64 msec are alternately repeated, for example, at about 7.81 Hz. Intermittent with the corresponding period.

  Further, when FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are compared, the timing at which the high frequency current is turned on / off at a cycle of 7.81 Hz and the timing at which the low frequency current is turned on / off at a cycle of 7.81 Hz. And are synchronized. More specifically, both the high-frequency current and the low-frequency current are intermittent at a period corresponding to 7.81 Hz (specifically, for example, ON / OFF is repeated at a period of 128 msec). The second on-period (3) (or the second off-period (4)) of the current and the third on-period (7) (or the third off-period (8)) of the low-frequency current are substantially the same. The application timing of the high-frequency current and the low-frequency current is adjusted so that

  In addition, a period (1) in which the high-frequency current is applied to the high-frequency coil 30 (on-period of the high-frequency current) and a period (5) in which the low-frequency current is, for example, 17 μA (that is, current is supplied to the low-frequency coil 40). Is synchronized with the flow period). More specifically, the high frequency current is intermittent at 2.0 kHz (specifically, for example, repeats on / off at a cycle of 500 μsec), while the low frequency current is a binary value of 17 μA or 0 A at 2.0 kHz. Are alternating. In this case, the first on-period (1) of the high-frequency current coincides with the period (5) in which the low-frequency current becomes 17 μA, and the first off-period (2) of the high-frequency current and the low-frequency current The period (6) in which the current is 0 A coincides. Thus, the application timing of the high frequency current and the low frequency current is adjusted so that the period during which the high frequency current actually flows through the high frequency coil 30 and the period during which the low frequency current actually flows through the low frequency coil 40 are synchronized. Has been.

  When the high-frequency current as described above is applied at, for example, 9 V, the high-frequency coil 30 generates a high-frequency electromagnetic wave having substantially the same waveform as that of the high-frequency current as shown in FIG. Can be emitted. The high-frequency electromagnetic wave is, for example, a high-frequency substantially sine wave having a frequency of about 83.3 MHz, and is intermittently intermittent with a period corresponding to about 2.0 kHz and about 7.81 Hz. By irradiation with such high-frequency electromagnetic waves, for example, a high-frequency alternating magnetic field having a therapeutic high frequency of, for example, 83.3 MHz can be intermittently generated around the high-frequency treatment device 10.

  More specifically, this high-frequency alternating magnetic field, for example, the magnetic field strength periodically increases and decreases at about 83.3 MHz with a maximum amplitude of about 784 nT, and the direction of the magnetic field periodically changes at about 83.3 MHz in both positive and negative directions. The alternating magnetic field is generated intermittently at a period corresponding to, for example, about 2.0 kHz and about 7.81 Hz.

  By generating intermittent high-frequency alternating magnetic fields in this way, the high-frequency treatment device 10 can perform, for example, only a high-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 83.3 MHz, which is a high frequency for treatment, on a body to be treated (such as an affected part of a human body). In addition, a low-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 2.0 kHz and about 7.81 Hz using this high-frequency alternating magnetic field as a carrier can be acted on at the same time.

  In addition, when the low frequency current as described above is applied at, for example, 9 V, the low frequency coil 40 has, for example, a low frequency electromagnetic wave having substantially the same waveform as the low frequency current as shown in FIG. Can be generated and radiated to the surroundings. This low-frequency electromagnetic wave is, for example, a low-frequency substantially rectangular wave having a frequency of about 2.0 kHz, and is intermittently intermittent at about 7.81 Hz. By irradiation with such a low frequency electromagnetic wave, for example, a low frequency alternating magnetic field having a therapeutic low frequency of, for example, about 2.0 kHz can be intermittently generated around the high frequency treatment device 10.

  More specifically, this low-frequency alternating magnetic field is, for example, a magnetic field whose intensity is approximately constant at about 736 nT and whose magnetic field direction is fixed only in the positive direction, for example, is turned on / off at a cycle of 2.0 kHz. (For example, alternating magnetic field generated by alternately repeating an on period of 400 μsec and an off period of 100 μsec), and is generated intermittently at a period equivalent to about 7.81 Hz as a whole. .

  By generating the intermittent low-frequency alternating magnetic field in this way, the high-frequency treatment device 10 applies not only the low-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 2.0 kHz, which is a low frequency for treatment, to the treatment object, for example. A low-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 7.81 Hz with a low-frequency alternating magnetic field as a carrier wave can be acted as if it is simultaneously irradiated.

  Furthermore, by simultaneously applying the high frequency current and the low frequency current to the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 in parallel, the high frequency electromagnetic wave and the low frequency electromagnetic wave can be generated simultaneously. As a result, for example, a high frequency alternating magnetic field and a low frequency alternating magnetic field can be simultaneously generated around the high frequency treatment device 10. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4 above, for example, the intermittent timing of high frequency electromagnetic waves and low frequency electromagnetic waves at 7.81 Hz is synchronized with each other, and the intermittent timing of high frequency electromagnetic waves at 2.0 kHz, The magnetic field generation timing at 2.0 kHz by the low frequency electromagnetic wave is synchronized.

  Thereby, the generation | occurrence | production timing of the high frequency alternating magnetic field by high frequency electromagnetic wave irradiation and the generation | occurrence | production timing of the magnetic field by low frequency electromagnetic wave irradiation can be synchronized. That is, when the high-frequency coil 30 generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, the low-frequency coil 40 also generates a magnetic field having a predetermined strength. On the other hand, when the high-frequency coil 30 does not generate a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, the low-frequency coil 40 also A level magnetic field can be prevented from being generated. Therefore, as a whole, the high-frequency treatment device 10 periodically repeats generation / non-generation of magnetic fields (a high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by the high-frequency coil 30 and a predetermined level magnetic field generated by the low-frequency coil 40). it can.

  Although the generation of the alternating magnetic field has been described above, a high-frequency alternating electric field and a low-frequency alternating electric field are also generated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation. The generation modes of these alternating electric fields are, for example, substantially the same as the generation modes of the alternating magnetic field, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the above example, an example has been described in which a high frequency electromagnetic wave of 83.3 MHz is generated as a therapeutic high frequency and a low frequency electromagnetic wave of 2.0 kHz is generated as a therapeutic low frequency. However, the frequency to be generated is limited to this example. Not. The magnetic therapy device 20 according to the present embodiment can generate a high-frequency electromagnetic wave in the range of 50 to 140 MHz as a therapeutic high frequency with the same configuration as described above, and 2 kHz ± 10 as a therapeutic low frequency. % Of low frequency electromagnetic waves can be generated.

  Next, based on FIG. 5, a treatment mode by the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment and its operation effect will be described. In addition, FIG. 5 is explanatory drawing which shows the treatment aspect using the high frequency treatment device 10 concerning this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when treating an affected part (a subject to be treated) such as a painful part of a human body using the high frequency treatment device 10, for example, the high frequency treatment device 10 operated by turning on the power is used. , Just touch the affected area directly or indirectly through clothes. Thereby, the high frequency treatment device 10 can apply the alternating magnetic field (high frequency alternating magnetic field and low frequency alternating magnetic field) generated as described above to the affected part. At this time, the alternating magnetic field acts not only on the surface (skin etc.) of the affected part, but also on the inside (muscle, blood vessel, bone etc.) of the affected part.

  In addition, the high frequency treatment device 10 does not necessarily need to be in contact with the affected area, for example. As shown in FIG. 5B, the alternating magnetic field can be applied to the affected area only by approaching the affected area within a predetermined distance. Can act. That is, the high-frequency treatment device 10 can be used as a non-contact type magnetic treatment device that can be treated even from clothes, unlike an electrode-pasted type magnetic treatment device. However, since the strength of the alternating magnetic field generated by the high frequency treatment device 10 decreases as the distance from the high frequency treatment device 10 increases, the magnetic treatment effect is diminished if the high frequency treatment device 10 and the affected area are excessively separated. The high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured so that, for example, an alternating magnetic field having a magnetic field strength of 30 nT or more can be applied to the affected part when it is within 30 cm of the affected part.

  In this way, by applying the alternating magnetic field to the affected area, for example, an analgesic effect for relieving or eliminating chronic pain (arthritic pain, neuropathic pain, etc.) and acute pain (bruise, etc.) of the affected area, Magnetic therapy effects such as blood circulation promotion effects can be exhibited.

The mechanism by which such an alternating magnetic field irradiation stimulus brings such an analgesic effect is not clear, but as one of the factors, for example, the alternating magnetic field irradiation stimulus affects the magnetic energy process of the living body, It is thought that atom-molecule activation by eddy magnetic current is caused by charge transfer of blood and nervous system cell membrane. In particular, the high-frequency treatment device 10 can enhance the calcium ion (Ca ²⁺ ) permeability to the cell membrane in the affected area and promote the regeneration / repair function by the irradiation stimulation of the alternating magnetic field.

  Specifically, for example, the intracellular calcium ion concentration is increased by the action of the alternating magnetic field, so that exocytosis (opening release) is induced. For example, the analgesic neuropeptides β-endorphin, adrenaline, A substance such as nerve growth factor (NGF) is released from the vesicle in a specific cell to the outside of the cell. As a result, for example, in ruptured peripheral nerve cells, these substances are considered to have analgesic action and promote tissue regeneration / repair functions.

  This exocytosis will be explained more specifically. Exocytosis is a process in which cytoplasmic vesicles fuse with the cell membrane and release its contents, and the vesicle membrane is temporarily or permanently incorporated into the cell membrane. Specifically, neurotransmitters such as β-endorphin, adrenaline, and nerve growth factor (NGF) are stored in synaptic vesicles in cells such as glial cells. When a cell is secreted, the synaptic vesicle membrane and the cell membrane are bound and fused, and then exocytosis occurs in which a neurotransmitter is released from the synaptic vesicle. The details of the biochemical reactions leading to this exocytosis have not yet been fully elucidated. Such exocytosis has been found to be a calcium-dependent reaction, and exocytosis is induced when the calcium ion concentration in the cytoplasm, particularly in the region where synaptic vesicles directly below the cell membrane are present, is sufficiently increased. The

  Here, the mechanism of the analgesic effect by the magnetic treatment using the exocytosis will be described in detail.

(1) In the case of chronic pain In chronic pain, it is considered that the nerve cells in the affected area are damaged and cause hypersensitivity. At this time, when magnetic stimulation is applied to the affected area, nerve glial cells and the like are excited, and the calcium ion concentration in the glial cells increases. This causes the exocytosis (opening release) in glial cells. A glial nerve or the like has a nerve growth factor (NGF) that is a trophic factor in a cell, and when exocytosis occurs, the nerve growth factor is released to the outside of the cell. The released nerve growth factor acts on surrounding nerve cells and promotes the growth of the nerve cells. As a result, damaged nerve cells that have developed hypersensitivity are repaired, and the hypersensitivity of the nerve cells is reduced, which may reduce chronic pain.

(2) In the case of acute pain Acute pain is caused by the occurrence of acute inflammation in the affected area. When magnetic stimulation is applied to the affected area, β-endorphin-containing cells (for example, NK cells) around the inflamed site are excited, and β-endorphin existing in the cells is released to the outside by the exocytosis. Since this β-endorphin has a strong analgesic action, it is considered that the β-endorphin acts on the inflammatory site and the pain at the inflammatory site is reduced.

  As described above, it is considered that by applying a suitable magnetic stimulus to the affected area, the intracellular calcium ion concentration can be increased to induce exocytosis and produce an excellent analgesic effect.

From this point of view, the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment has, for example, a high-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 83.3 MHz and a low-frequency alternating magnetic field of about 2.0 kHz as an alternating magnetic field that can provide suitable magnetic stimulation. Can be applied to the affected area. The irradiation stimulation of the high frequency alternating magnetic field of around 83.3 MHz increases the permeability of calcium ions (Ca ²⁺ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ) to the cell membrane, for example, as compared with other frequency bands. It is thought that the action which raises the calcium ion density | concentration of this and induces the said exocytosis is high. In addition, it is considered that irradiation stimulation of a 2.0 MHz low-frequency alternating magnetic field has an action of, for example, releasing β-endorphin from cells.

  The frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field that acts on the affected area is optimally about 83.3 MHz due to the effect of magnetic therapy according to the experimental results described later. It has been found that it contributes sufficiently to increase the intracellular calcium ion concentration. The frequency range of this suitable high-frequency alternating magnetic field is 50 to 140 MHz, preferably 50 to 120 MHz, more preferably 55 to 110 MHz, still more preferably 65 to 100 MHz, still more preferably 70 to 95 MHz, and still more preferably. The range is 83.3 ± 10% MHz. Among the examples listed here, the latter range can increase the intracellular calcium ion concentration more, and thus the magnetic therapeutic effect is higher.

  Furthermore, the high frequency treatment device 10 can change the magnetic field action by intermittently applying an alternating magnetic field to the affected area. For this reason, the affected tissue (cells, etc.) does not get used to the alternating magnetic field and the magnetic treatment effect is not diminished. Furthermore, since the generation timing of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the generation timing of the low-frequency alternating magnetic field are synchronized, the overall magnetic field acted by the high-frequency treatment device 10 is also sharp. For this reason, the presence or absence of magnetic stimulation to the affected part can be clarified and the magnetic treatment effect can be improved.

  Furthermore, the high frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment has a very short rise time and fall time of the generated high frequency electromagnetic wave, for example, 0.003 μsec or less, and a rise time of the low frequency electromagnetic wave that is a substantially rectangular wave. Is 0.1 μsec or less, and the fall time is adjusted to 1.0 μsec or less, for example. For this reason, when the alternating magnetic field changes as described above, the change speed of the action / non-action of the magnetic field is fast. Therefore, the affected tissue responds sensitively to such changes in the magnetic field, thus increasing the magnetic treatment effect.

  As described above, the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to this embodiment applies an alternating magnetic field having a frequency suitable for inducing the activation of the affected tissue, the promotion of analgesic action, and the like. The action / non-action can be switched in a manner suitable for the affected area. Therefore, the high frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment has a very high magnetic treatment effect such as an analgesic effect as compared with the conventional magnetic treatment device.

  Moreover, the high frequency treatment device 10 can reduce and prevent stiff shoulders, low back pain, and the like by irradiating the alternating magnetic field, for example, not only the analgesic effect but also promoting blood circulation in the affected area.

  Further, the high frequency treatment device 10 is not only easy to operate and relatively small and easy to carry, but also can be easily and in a short time (for example, 10 minutes) by simply contacting or approaching the affected area as described above. Can be played.

  Other methods for increasing the intracellular calcium ion concentration include drug administration to the subject and current stimulation. However, there is a problem that drug administration has side effects, and current stimulation has a problem that it has a great influence on surrounding cells and tissues and is difficult to implement. In contrast, the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment has a mechanism in which the intracellular calcium ion concentration is increased by magnetic stimulation of irradiating an alternating magnetic field. There is an advantage that the influence on is small.

  Next, the results of a treatment experiment using the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the above embodiment will be described. As described above, the high-frequency treatment device 10 can radiate a high-frequency alternating magnetic field (for example, 83.3 MHz) and a low-frequency alternating magnetic field (for example, 2.0 kHz) to act on the treatment target. The following examples are for experimentally verifying the magnetic treatment effect of the high-frequency treatment device 10 according to the above embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

<Experiment 1>
First, Experiment 1 for verifying the analgesic effect by magnetic therapy using the high-frequency therapeutic device 10 for thermal hyperalgesia after rat sciatic nerve ligation surgery (CCI) will be described.

  First, the pain evaluation method of this experiment will be described. In this pain evaluation method, the sciatic nerve on one hind limb of an experimental rat is lightly ligated (CCI treatment) at five points with a surgical thread. As a result, the treated hind limbs become hypersensitive to heat, and the result of the planter test (PWL: Paw Withdrawal Latency time; reaction latency (seconds) to heat stimulation under the hind limbs) is shortened. That is, it takes a long time to feel the heat when the hindlimb not treated is exposed to light, but the time to feel the heat when the light is irradiated due to heat sensitivity in the hindlimb after treatment. Becomes shorter. The time difference between the time it takes for the hind limb to feel hot and the time it takes for the untreated hind limb to feel hot is considered the magnitude of pain. The greater the time difference (the shorter the time it takes for the treated foot to feel fever), the greater the pain. This evaluation method is called the “Bennet method” and is a pain evaluation method that is globally approved by the Pain Society.

  Next, the experimental conditions of this experiment will be described. In this experiment, male SD rats (300 to 350 g) were used as treatment subjects. The rats were subjected to surgery to ligate the sciatic nerve of the left hind limb under halothane (2 to 3%) / oxygen anesthesia to create a CCI model. A planter test was conducted from 5 to 10 days after the operation, and the time difference (left-right difference) in which the left and right hindlimbs reacted was evaluated. For the treatment group, from the 6th day after the operation, the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the low-frequency alternating magnetic field are irradiated to the left dorsal thigh for 10 minutes using the high-frequency treatment device 10 (once / day irradiation, twice) / Irradiation) and treated, compared with the untreated group.

  The experimental results are shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the change in the difference between the time when the right hind limb not treated with CCI and the time when the left hind limb treated with CCI reacted (PWL difference) between the treatment group and the non-treatment group. It is a graph divided and shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the non-treatment group, the left-right difference in PWL is −3.2 seconds on the fifth day, −4.5 seconds on the seventh day, and −4.8 seconds on the tenth day. The difference between the left and right increased with the passage of time. This means that the response latency gradually increased in the hind limb of the CCI side, that is, hyperalgesia in the hind limb of the CCI side gradually deteriorated.

  In contrast, in the treatment group, the left-right difference in PWL is -3.3 seconds on day 7, -2.9 seconds on day 8, and -2 on day 10 in the case of one time / day irradiation. 3 seconds, the difference between the left and right gradually decreases with the passage of the day, and in the case of twice / day irradiation, -2.9 seconds on the 7th day, -2.6 seconds on the 8th day, 10th day The difference between left and right was significantly reduced to -2.0 seconds. According to such experimental results, it can be said that in the treatment group, the extension of the response latency was suppressed in the hind limb on the CCI side, and hyperalgesia was improved as compared with the non-treatment group. Furthermore, it can be said that the hyperalgesia is improved more when the number of times of irradiation by the high-frequency treatment device 10 is larger.

<Experiment 2>
Next, another experiment 2 for verifying the effect of magnetic therapy by the high-frequency treatment device 10 on thermal hyperalgesia after rat sciatic nerve ligation similar to the above experiment 1 will be described.

  In Experiment 2, the rats were classified into the following five groups (a) to (e), and the planter test was performed from 3 to 14 days after the operation. ). Among these, for the (c) magnetic treatment group, (d) anti-NGF antibody administration group, and (e) NGF enhancer administration group, the high frequency alternation using the high frequency treatment device 10 from the fifth day after the operation. A magnetic field and a low-frequency alternating magnetic field were applied to the left dorsal thigh for 10 minutes, followed by magnetic treatment and compared with the untreated group. The description of the five sample groups is as follows.

(A) Sham surgery group:
This sham operation group is an incision and suture similar to the above CCI operation, but does not ligate the sciatic nerve, and is a control group intended to eliminate the influence of the incision and suture of the above CCI operation. In this sham-operated group, there is no heat hypersensitivity, so there is almost no time difference between the left and right hind limbs until pain is felt.

(B) Non-treatment group:
The non-treatment group is a group that performs the CCI treatment but does not perform magnetic treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10. In this non-treated group, the hind limbs on the CCI side become heat-sensitive, so the degree of pain is the greatest and the response latency is the longest.

(C) Magnetic therapy group:
This magnetic treatment group is a group in which the CCI treatment is performed and the magnetic treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10 is performed. This magnetic treatment group is a group representing the analgesic effect of the magnetic treatment since the magnetic treatment is performed every day after the CCI treatment.

(D) Anti-NGF antibody administration group:
This anti-NGF antibody administration group is a group in which an anti-NGF antibody is administered after the CCI treatment and magnetic therapy using the high-frequency treatment device 10 is performed. An anti-NGF antibody is a substance that binds to NGF (nerve growth factor) and loses its physiological activity. For this reason, in the anti-NGF antibody administration group, even if the exocytosis is caused by the magnetic treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10 and NGF is released in the body, the anti-NGF antibody is present in the body. NGF does not work. If anything other than NGF is a factor of analgesic effect, this anti-NGF antibody administration group should have the same experimental results as the magnetic treatment group. Therefore, if the response latency of this anti-NGF antibody administration group is longer than the response latency of the magnetic treatment group, this proves that NGF is involved in analgesia.

(E) NGF enhancer administration group:
This NGF enhancer administration group is a group in which 4-methyl catheter is administered after the CCI treatment and magnetic therapy using the high-frequency treatment device 10 is performed. 4-Methyl Catthecol is a substance that enhances the production of NGF. Thereby, since the production amount of NGF increases in NGF producing cells such as glial cells, the amount of NGF released by magnetic stimulation also increases. If anything other than NGF is a factor of analgesic effect, this NGF enhancer administration group should have the same experimental results as the magnetic treatment group. Therefore, if the response latency of the NGF enhancer administration group is shorter than the response latency of the magnetic treatment group, it is proof that NGF is involved in analgesia.

  The experimental results using the five sample groups as described above are shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the transition of the time (left-right difference of PWL) of the reaction time of the left hind limb that has been subjected to CCI with respect to the time of reaction of the right hind limb that has not been subjected to CCI divided into the above five groups. It is a graph.

  As shown in FIG. 7, (a) in the sham operation group, the left-right difference of PWL changes in about zero seconds, and it is understood that there is almost no influence by the incision and suture of the CCI operation.

  In (b) non-treatment group, the left-right difference of PWL increases slightly as the day passes, although there is some increase or decrease. This means that the response latency gradually increased in the hind limb of the CCI side, that is, hyperalgesia in the hind limb of the CCI side gradually deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in the (c) magnetic therapy group, the left-right difference in PWL gradually decreases with the passage of time from the fifth day on which magnetic therapy was performed. As a result, in the magnetic treatment group, the extension of the response latency was suppressed in the hind limb on the CCI side, and it can be said that hyperalgesia was improved as compared with the non-treatment group.

  In addition, (d) in the anti-NGF antibody administration group, the left-right difference in PWL has been extended (increased) after becoming almost constant after the fifth day after the magnetic treatment, and is longer than that in the magnetic treatment group. It has become. Therefore, it can be said that it has been demonstrated that NGF is involved in analgesia and that exocytosis occurs in the cells of the rat and NGF is released by the magnetic treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10.

  Furthermore, (e) In the NGF potentiator administration group, the left-right difference in PWL gradually decreases with the passage of the day after the fifth day of magnetic therapy, and is even shorter than the magnetic therapy group. . Therefore, this also demonstrates that NGF is involved in analgesia and that exocytosis occurs in the cells of the rat due to magnetic treatment using the high-frequency treatment device 10 and NGF is released. It can be said that it was done.

<Experiment 3>
Next, an experiment for verifying the effect of magnetic field therapy by the high-frequency treatment device 10 on formalin-induced inflammatory pain will be described.

  First, the experimental conditions of Experiment 3 will be described. Male SD rats (300 to 350 g) were used as treatment subjects. This rat is subjected to subcutaneous injection of formalin into the hind limb under anesthesia with halothane (2 to 3%) / oxygen (inhaled with a mask), and then the rat flinches (behaves to shake the hind limb due to pain) The number of times was measured in minutes over 60 minutes. For the treatment group, before or after the injection of formalin, the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the low-frequency alternating magnetic field are irradiated to the hind limbs using the high-frequency treatment device 10 for 10 minutes, and the non-treatment group Compared with. This is called the formalin test, and is a pain assessment method that has been approved worldwide by the Pain Society.

  The experimental results are shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of measuring the number of times of flinching for 60 minutes in minutes after formalin injection for each treatment group (treatment before or after injection) and non-treatment group.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the non-treatment group, the number of flinching was 15 to 17 times / minute (30 to 50 minutes after injection) after the first peak at 10 times / minute in the first minute after formalin injection. ) Was observed as a second peak.

  In contrast, the overall trend in the number of flinching in the treatment group was almost the same as in the non-treatment group. However, the number of flinching per minute is 1 to 3 times per minute when treated after infusion and 1 to 9 times per minute when treated before infusion compared to the non-treated group . Therefore, it can be said that the treatment group improved the formalin-induced inflammatory pain compared to the non-treatment group, and further, the treatment before the formalin injection was more improved.

  From the results of Experiments 1 to 3 as described above, it can be said that the analgesic effect by alternating magnetic field stimulation to the affected area using the high-frequency treatment device 10 has been demonstrated for hyperalgesia and formalin-induced inflammatory pain.

<Experiment 4>
Next, an experiment for verifying the relationship between the high frequency for treatment of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field applied to the cells of the treatment object and the degree of increase in the calcium ion concentration in the cells will be described.

In Experiment 4, high frequency alternating magnetic fields with different frequencies were applied to cerebral cortical cells and hippocampal cells of primary cultured bovines, and then the calcium ion (Ca ²⁺ ) concentration in these cells was measured. As the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field, an experiment was performed on three types of frequencies: 83.3 MHz (an example of the present invention), 35.0 MHz (a comparative example), and 250 MHz (a comparative example). When the increase rate of the calcium ion concentration measured in this way was 1.2 times or more, it was determined that the calcium reaction was positive, and when it was less than that, it was determined to be negative. Moreover, as a measuring apparatus etc., an inverted fluorescence microscope (TE300; manufactured by Nikon), a fluorescence signal acquisition system (AQUACMOSMOS-RATIO; manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics), and a calcium sensitive fluorescent element (rhod2 or fluo3) were used.

  The experimental results are shown in Table 1 (cerebral cortex cells) and Table 2 (hippocampal cells).

  As shown in Table 1, in an experiment using cerebral cortical cells, when a high frequency alternating magnetic field of 83.3 MHz is applied, the positive rate is as high as 45%. On the other hand, in the case of 35.0 MHz and 250 MHz, the positive rate is as low as 8.3% and 7.6%. Also, as shown in Table 2, in the experiment using hippocampal cells, when an 83.3 MHz high frequency alternating magnetic field was applied, the positive rate was as high as 11.1%, whereas 35.0 MHz and 250 MHz. In both cases, 0%.

  According to such an experimental result, the high frequency alternating magnetic field of about 83.3 MHz according to the present example increases the intracellular calcium ion concentration compared to other frequencies (35.0 MHz and 250 MHz) according to the comparative example. , It was demonstrated that the effect of inducing exocytosis is very high.

<Experiment 5>
Next, an experiment for verifying in more detail the relationship between the high frequency for treatment of the high frequency alternating magnetic field that acts on the cells of the treatment object and the degree of increase in the calcium ion concentration in the cells will be described.

In this experiment 5, high frequency alternating magnetic fields with different frequencies (10 to 500 MHz) are applied to two types of cells to be tested (astrocytes and glial cells), and then calcium ions (Ca ²⁺ in these cells ⁾ ) Concentration was measured, and when the calcium ion concentration increased 1.2 times or more compared to before the action of the alternating magnetic field, it was determined as positive and the positive rate was determined.

  First, experimental conditions and procedures (1) to (6) in this experiment 5 will be described.

(1) Cell Culture Two types of cells were used: “KINGS-1” which is an astrocyte cell and “NMC-G1” which is a glial cell. These cells were provided by the Human Science Research Resource Bank (Human Science Promotion Foundation), a cell bank.

These two types of cells were cultured according to a general method using a 6-well or 12-well culture plate, RPMI 1640 medium (manufactured by Nissui Pharmaceutical), and a carbon dioxide gas culture apparatus. In this culture, 5 × 10 ⁴ cells or 10 ⁵ cells were added per well of the culture plate and cultured at 37 ° C. for 4 days or 2 days in a carbon dioxide gas culture apparatus.

(2) Measurement of control data (M1) Next, the medium in each culture hole of the culture plate was removed by suction, and then the cells were washed several times with a phosphate buffer at 37 ° C. Next, a measurement buffer was added to each culture hole to keep the cells from drying out during the measurement. Thereafter, fluorescence measurement was performed on the culture plate using a fluorescence measurement device (“Fluoroscan Ascent” manufactured by Thermo Electron), and control data (M1) reflecting the state of the device background was obtained. By measuring this control data (M1), the influence of factors unrelated to the intracellular calcium concentration can be eliminated.

(3) Measurement of intracellular calcium ion concentration (M2) before magnetic stimulation Next, after the measurement of M1, the measurement buffer was removed from each culture hole of the culture plate. Further, the Ca staining solution “Fluo-3” solution was added to each culture hole of the culture plate, and left in the dark at 37 ° C. for 1 hour to allow the Ca staining solution to penetrate into the cells. Thereafter, the Ca staining solution “Fluo-3” solution was removed. Further, if necessary, the cells were washed several times using a phosphate buffer at 37 ° C. to remove the remaining Ca staining solution “Fluo-3” solution. Next, a 37 ° C. measurement buffer solution was added to each culture hole so that the cells were not dried during the measurement. Thereafter, using the fluorescence measuring apparatus, fluorescence measurement was performed on cells in each culture hole of the culture plate, and the intracellular calcium ion concentration (M2) before magnetic stimulation was measured.

  This fluorescence measurement was performed by single measurement using the above-described fluorescence measurement apparatus “Fluoroscan Ascent” (manufactured by Thermo Electron) at an excitation wavelength of 485 nm and a measurement wavelength of 538 nm. Moreover, using the measurement location selection function of the fluorescence measurement device, 35-60 locations were selected by selecting a portion with many cells per hole in the culture plate. Therefore, 35-60 calcium ion concentration (M2) data were obtained for cells in one culture hole.

(4) Magnetic stimulation Using an experimental magnetic stimulation apparatus corresponding to the high-frequency treatment device 10, magnetic field stimulation was applied to each cell in the culture plate for 10 minutes. At this time, the experiment was performed by changing the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field applied to the cells in the range of 10 MHz to 500 MHz.

  The configuration of the experimental magnetic stimulation apparatus used at this time will be described in detail. This magnetic stimulation apparatus includes a signal generator (“E4421B” manufactured by Agilent) for generating a high frequency in the MHz band (10 MHz to 500 MHz) and a function generator for generating a low frequency in the kHz band (2.0 kHz). (“33220A” manufactured by Agilent), a function generator (“320” manufactured by Yokogawa Electric Corporation) for generating a low frequency in the Hz band (7.81 kHz), a control device for controlling these, and a generated frequency It consists of an amplifier that controls the intensity and an oscillation coil.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the oscillation coil 50 is formed by winding a copper wire around the outer periphery of an acrylic annular base 52 having a diameter of 3 cm, an axial width of 9 mm, and a radial thickness of 2 mm. 30 and the low frequency coil 40 are formed. Among these, the high-frequency coil 30 is a one-turn solenoid coil (diameter 3 cm), and the low-frequency coil 40 is a 200-turn solenoid coil (diameter 3 cm, winding width 5 mm). As described above, the oscillation coil 50 is formed by coaxially forming two types of coils including the high-frequency coil 30 and the low-frequency coil 40 on one annular base portion 50.

  During magnetic stimulation, the culture plate 60 after the measurement of the calcium ion concentration (M2) was placed on the oscillation coil 50, and a light-shielding cloth was applied. Next, a high frequency current and a low frequency current are respectively applied to the high frequency coil 30 and the low frequency coil 40 of the oscillation coil 50 to generate an electromagnetic wave including a high frequency alternating magnetic field and a low frequency alternating magnetic field. Magnetic stimulation was applied to the cells in each of the culture holes for 10 minutes.

  At this time, the frequency of the high-frequency current applied to the high-frequency coil 30 was changed stepwise between 10 to 500 MHz for each experimental unit, and different high frequency alternating magnetic fields for treatment were applied to the cells. Of these, those having a frequency of 50 to 140 MHz were used in this example, and those having frequencies of less than 50 MHz and greater than 140 MHz were used as comparative examples. On the other hand, the frequency of the low frequency current applied to the low frequency coil 40 was maintained at 2.0 kHz, and a low frequency alternating magnetic field having a constant frequency (2.0 kHz) was applied to the cells. As a result, the influence of the low-frequency alternating magnetic field can be eliminated, and the correlation between the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration can be tested. Note that, regardless of the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field, both the high-frequency alternating magnetic field and the low-frequency alternating magnetic field were intermittently output at 7.81 Hz as shown in FIG. In addition, the magnetic field strength at the center of the oscillation coil 50 during magnetic stimulation was 784 nanotesla.

(5) Measurement of intracellular calcium ion concentration (M3) after magnetic stimulation Next, after standing for 10 minutes after the magnetic stimulation, fluorescence measurement is performed using a fluorescence measuring apparatus in the same procedure as in (3) above. The intracellular calcium ion concentration (M3) after magnetic stimulation was measured.

(6) Calculation of positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration before and after magnetic stimulation First, the obtained target data (M1), calcium ion concentration before magnetic stimulation (M2), and after magnetic stimulation Using the calcium ion concentration (M3), the calcium ion concentration increase degree R was calculated according to the following formula 1. The calcium ion elevation R was calculated for all the test cells in each experimental unit.

  Further, in this experiment, when the calcium ion increase R is 1.2 or more, it is determined that the increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration by magnetic stimulation is positive. Therefore, as shown in Equation 2, the ratio (%) of the number of experiments in which the degree of calcium ion increase is 1.2 or more out of the total number of experiments in each experimental unit is calculated, and the positive rate P of calcium ion increase is calculated. Asked. The higher the positive rate P, the more the intracellular calcium ion concentration is increased by magnetic stimulation, indicating that the magnetic treatment effect is high.

  In addition, the reason why it was determined that the increase in the calcium ion concentration is positive when the calcium ion increase R is 1.2 or more is as follows. In general, the mechanism of release of intracellular substances to the outside is most often due to the above-mentioned exocytosis, and in order for this exocytosis to occur, the intracellular calcium ion concentration must be increased. In this case, it is considered that when the intracellular calcium ion concentration rises to 1.2 times or more in the non-excited state, the cells are excited and exocytosis occurs. The intracellular calcium ion concentration is not completely constant even when the cell is in an unexcited state, and a slight fluctuation occurs. For this reason, in the field of physiology, an increase of 1.2 times or more in calcium ion concentration is regarded as a standard for cell excitation. Therefore, in this experiment, the standard of 1.2 times was adopted.

  Further, after obtaining the positive rate P for each experimental unit as described above, the positive rate P is averaged for each frequency of the same high frequency alternating magnetic field to obtain the average positive rate (%) of the calcium ion rise. It was. Furthermore, the average value of the calcium ion elevation R was determined for each experimental unit of the frequency.

  The experimental conditions and experimental procedure of Experiment 5 have been described above. The experimental results of Experiment 5 are shown in Table 3 and FIG. 10 for astrocytes (KINGS-1), and in Table 4 and FIG. 11 for glial cells (NMC-G1). The graphs of FIGS. 10 and 11 are obtained by plotting the experimental data of the average positive rate (%) shown in Tables 3 and 4 for each frequency [MHz] and drawing an approximate curve.

The meanings of the parameters in Tables 3 and 4 are as follows.
“NO.” Is an experiment number representing the unit of one magnetic stimulation experiment. The number of data per experimental unit is 35-60.
“Frequency (MHz)” is the frequency of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generated by the magnetic stimulation device, that is, the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field applied to the cell.
・ "Positive rate (%)" is the percentage obtained by dividing the number of experiments in which the intracellular calcium ion concentration after magnetic stimulation increased 1.2 times or more before magnetic stimulation by the total number of experiments processed simultaneously. (Positive rate P of calcium ion rise).
“Average positive rate (%)” is a value obtained by averaging the positive rate (%) with respect to the same frequency.
・ “Ca rise” is the value obtained by dividing the intracellular calcium ion concentration after magnetic stimulation by the calcium ion concentration before stimulation (the above-mentioned calcium ion rise R) for each experimental unit. This shows how many times the calcium ion concentration after magnetic stimulation was increased before magnetic stimulation.

(A) About astrocyte First, the experimental result regarding the astrocyte (KINGS-1) shown in Table 3 and FIG. 10 is examined. This astrocyte is a cell that releases nerve growth factor (NGF) having a function of repairing nerve cells and contributes to the analgesic effect of chronic pain.

  As shown in Table 3 and FIG. 10, when the frequency of the high frequency alternating magnetic field applied to the astrocyte cells is 83.3 MHz, the average positive rate is 100%, and the degree of increase in the calcium ion concentration is also It is a high numerical value of 1.31 times to 1.66 times. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field of a predetermined range (83.3 ± 10% MHz) centering on 83.3 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased in almost all astrocytes, and exocytosis is caused. Because it occurs, it can be said that it exerts a remarkably excellent analgesic effect.

  When the frequency is 70 MHz, the average positive rate is 95%, and when the frequency is 95 MHz, the average positive rate is 91.5%. Therefore, when a high frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 70 to 95 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 90% of astrocytes. It can be said that.

  When the frequency is 65 MHz, the average positive rate is 81%, and when the frequency is 105 MHz, the average positive rate is 72.7%. Therefore, when a high frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 65 to 105 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 70% or more of astrocytes. It can be said that.

  When the frequency is 55 MHz, the average positive rate is 62.7%, and when the frequency is 110 MHz, the average positive rate is 59.7%. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 55 to 110 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 50% or more of astrocytes. .

  When the frequency is 50 MHz, the average positive rate is 45.3%, and when the frequency is 120 MHz, the average positive rate is 43.3%. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 50 to 120 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 40% or more of astrocytes. .

  Further, when the frequency is 40 MHz, the average positive rate is 34%, and when the frequency is 140 MHz, the average positive rate is 30.6%. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 40 to 140 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 30% or more of astrocytes.

  On the other hand, when the frequency is less than 40 MHz, for example, 33 MHz, 20 MHz, or 10 MHz, the average positive rate is as low as 0 to 2%. When the frequency is higher than 140 MHz, for example, 200 MHz, 300 MHz, 385 MHz, or 500 MHz, the average positive rate is as low as 0 to 11.5%. Therefore, even if a high frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of less than 40 MHz or greater than 140 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and the number of astrocytes in which exocytosis occurs is small (or zero). It can be said that the analgesic effect is low.

(B) About glial cell Next, the experimental result regarding the glial cell (NMC-G1) shown in Table 4 and FIG. 11 is examined. Similar to the astrocytes, the glial cells release nerve growth factor (NGF) having a function of repairing nerve cells and contribute to the analgesic effect of chronic pain.

  As shown in Table 4 and FIG. 11, when the frequency of the high frequency alternating magnetic field applied to this glial cell is 83.3 MHz, the average positive rate is 97.6%, and the calcium ion concentration increase degree Is also a high value of 1.56 times to 2.31 times. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field of a predetermined range (83.3 ± 10% MHz) centered on 83.3 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased in almost all glial cells, and exocytosis is caused. Because it occurs, it can be said that it exerts a remarkably excellent analgesic effect.

  Further, when the frequency is 70 MHz, the average positive rate is 93.3%, and when the frequency is 95 MHz, the average positive rate is 94.5%. Therefore, when a high-frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 70 to 95 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 90% of glial cells. That's right.

  Moreover, when the frequency is 65 MHz, the average positive rate is 75.5%, and when the frequency is 100 MHz, the average positive rate is 78.5%. Therefore, when a high frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 65 to 100 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 70% of glial cells, so that it exhibits a very excellent analgesic effect. That's right.

  When the frequency is 55 MHz, the average positive rate is 55.3%, and when the frequency is 110 MHz, the average positive rate is 55.3%. Therefore, if a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 55 to 110 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 50% of glial cells. .

  When the frequency is 50 MHz, the average positive rate is 43.7%, and when the frequency is 120 MHz, the average positive rate is 47.7%. Therefore, if a high-frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 50 to 120 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 40% of glial cells, so that it can be said that a good analgesic effect is exhibited. .

  When the frequency is 140 MHz, the average positive rate is 33%. Therefore, it can be said that if a high frequency alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 50 to 140 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and exocytosis occurs in at least 30% or more glial cells, so that a good analgesic effect is exhibited.

  On the other hand, when the frequency is less than 50 MHz, for example, 40 MHz, 30 MHz, or 20 MHz, the average positive rate is as low as 23% or less. When the frequency is higher than 140 MHz, for example, 200 MHz, 350 MHz, or 385 MHz, the average positive rate is as low as 0 to 11.5%. Therefore, even if a high frequency alternating magnetic field with a frequency less than 50 MHz or greater than 140 MHz is applied, the calcium ion concentration is sufficiently increased and the number of glial cells in which exocytosis occurs is small (or zero). It can be said that the analgesic effect is low.

(C) Summary of Experimental Results In view of the experimental results of both (a) astrocytes and (b) glial cells, the following can be said.

  That is, the frequency of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field acting on the cell has a remarkable peak at 83.3 MHz, and the positive rate of increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration is high. As the frequency goes away from this 83.3 MHz, the positive The rate is gradually lowering.

  Therefore, in order to sufficiently raise the intracellular calcium ion concentration and induce exocytosis suitably, the high frequency for treatment of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field to be applied is preferably 50 to 140 MHz. Thereby, since the average positive rate of calcium ion concentration rise becomes 30% or more, a good analgesic effect can be exhibited. On the other hand, if the frequency is less than 50 or greater than 140 MHz, the average positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration may be less than 30%, so that a sufficient analgesic effect may not be obtained.

  Moreover, it is more preferable that the high frequency for the treatment is 50 to 120 MHz. Thereby, the average positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration is 40% or more, so that a good analgesic effect can be exhibited. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the high frequency for the treatment is 55 to 110 MHz. Thereby, the average positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration is 50% or more, so that an excellent analgesic effect can be exhibited. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the high frequency for the treatment is 65 to 100 MHz. As a result, the average positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration is 70% or more, so that a very excellent analgesic effect can be exhibited. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the high frequency for the treatment is 70 to 95 MHz. Thereby, the average positive rate of increase in the calcium ion concentration is 90% or more, so that a very excellent analgesic effect can be exhibited. Furthermore, it is most preferable that the high frequency for the treatment is within a predetermined range (83.3 ± 10% MHz) centered on the peak of 83.3 MHz, whereby an average positive rate of increase in calcium ion concentration is 100. Since it is close to%, extremely excellent analgesic effect can be exhibited.

  Here, based on the fact that the average positive rate is 30%, 40%,..., Etc., the reason why the suitable high frequency range for treatment of the high frequency alternating magnetic field is selected is as follows. The general relationship with the reaction will be described as an example.

  In general, cells in a living body exhibit a predetermined reaction by drug administration, but the proportion of cells that react at this time varies depending on the type of drug. For example, when a very powerful drug (potassium cyanide, tetrodotoxin, etc.) is administered, 90% or more of the cells react. Moreover, the usual chemical | medical agent is prepared so that 50 to 60% of cells may react. Drugs with mild efficacy are formulated so that 30% of the cells react to suppress side effects.

  Thus, in the same manner as selecting a suitable drug according to the cell reaction rate, in this embodiment, according to the average positive rate corresponding to the cell reaction rate, the frequency range of a suitable high-frequency alternating magnetic field. Was selected. For example, by applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field of 50 to 55 MHz, it is possible to perform a relatively weak magnetic therapy to the extent that 30% to 40% of cells become positive. On the other hand, by applying a high-frequency alternating magnetic field of 70 to 95 MHz, relatively strong magnetic therapy can be performed to the extent that 90% or more of the cells are positive.

  The experimental results of Experiments 1 to 5 according to the example of the present invention have been described above. According to the above experimental results, the high-frequency alternating magnetic field having a suitable frequency is applied to the affected area using the high-frequency treatment device 100 according to the present embodiment, thereby increasing the calcium ion concentration in the affected area cells. Thus, exocytosis is induced, and as a result, nerve cells are repaired by the release of NGF and the like, and it can be said that the pain in the affected area is analgesic. In addition, according to the above experiment, it was possible to demonstrate a suitable frequency range of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field in producing such a magnetic therapeutic effect.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the high-frequency and low-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means includes a coil such as the high-frequency coil 30 or the low-frequency coil 40 as an antenna that radiates electromagnetic waves, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. . Antennas that radiate electromagnetic waves are, for example, rod antennas, hertz dipole antennas, short antennas, half-wave dipole antennas, helical antennas, monopole antennas, rhombus antennas, array antennas, horn antennas, parabolic antennas, in addition to loop antennas such as coils. You may be comprised with various antennas, such as an antenna or a slot antenna. The coil used as the antenna can be constituted by a solenoid coil, a Helmholtz antenna, a rotary coil, a split pair coil, a shim coil, a saddle coil, or the like. Further, the material, shape, number of windings, presence / absence of the shaft core, arrangement, and the like of the high frequency coil 30 or the low frequency coil 40 are not limited to the example of the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the circuit configuration of the control block 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is used as the high frequency oscillation means and the low frequency oscillation means for applying a high frequency current or a low frequency current to the high frequency coil 30 or the low frequency coil 40. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The circuit configuration of the control block 20 can be variously modified as long as it can oscillate a high frequency within a predetermined therapeutic high frequency (for example, 50 to 140 MHz). For example, the main control circuit composed of a microcomputer or the like is not necessarily provided, and the high frequency oscillating means 24 capable of oscillating the high frequency and a low frequency capable of oscillating a predetermined low frequency (for example, 2.0 kHz, 7.81 Hz, etc.). Oscillating means 25 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example of the high frequency electromagnetic wave (high frequency alternating magnetic field) treatment is mainly described with an example of 83.3 MHz. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the treatment high frequency. May be a predetermined frequency within a range of 50 to 140 MHz. Moreover, although the example of 2.0 kHz was given and demonstrated as the low frequency for treatment of low frequency electromagnetic waves, for example, the low frequency for treatment is within the range of about 2.0 ± 10% kHz. It may be a predetermined frequency, or an arbitrary frequency in a range other than that.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the high frequency electromagnetic wave was a substantially sine wave, it is not limited to this example, For example, a substantially rectangular wave, a sawtooth wave, etc. may be sufficient. Moreover, although the low frequency electromagnetic wave was a substantially rectangular wave, it is not limited to this example, For example, a substantially sine wave, a sawtooth wave, etc. may be sufficient. The low-frequency electromagnetic wave is a substantially rectangular wave that takes two values, a predetermined positive value and a zero value. However, these two values are not limited to this example. For example, both the positive value, the negative value, Alternatively, one may be a positive value and the other may be a negative value.

  In the above embodiment, the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means generates the high-frequency electromagnetic wave in a complex and intermittent manner at both frequencies of about 2.0 kHz and about 7.81 Hz. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. . The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may intermittently generate the high-frequency electromagnetic wave only at a frequency of about 2.0 k ± 10% kHz or about 7.81 Hz ± 10%, for example, The high frequency electromagnetic wave may be generated intermittently at one or two or more frequencies other than the above frequency. Further, the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generation means may generate the high-frequency electromagnetic wave continuously (for example, as a continuous wave of 83.3 MHz ± 10%) without being intermittent.

  The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means does not generate the high-frequency electromagnetic wave completely intermittently as described above. For example, the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated from the high-frequency electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency of 1 or 2 (for example, about 2. For example, it may be generated so as to increase or decrease substantially sinusoidally at 0 k ± 10% kHz and about 7.81 Hz ± 10%. Also by this, the intensity of the high-frequency alternating magnetic field acting on the treatment object can be periodically increased or decreased to change the alternating magnetic field stimulation, so that the magnetic treatment effect is enhanced. Further, the low frequency electromagnetic wave generated by the low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may be periodically increased or decreased or intermittently synchronized with the periodic increase or decrease of the high frequency electromagnetic wave intensity.

  In the above embodiment, the low-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means intermittently generates the low-frequency electromagnetic wave with a period of about 7.81 Hz, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may intermittently generate the low frequency electromagnetic wave at one or two or more frequencies other than the above frequency, for example. Further, the low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means may continuously generate the low frequency electromagnetic wave without intermittently.

  In addition, the high frequency treatment device 10 according to the above embodiment is configured to be capable of generating both high frequency electromagnetic waves and low frequency electromagnetic waves by including both the high frequency oscillation means 24 and the low frequency oscillation means 25. It is not limited to such an example. The high frequency treatment device 10 may be configured to generate only the high frequency electromagnetic wave without including the low frequency oscillation means 25. In addition to the high frequency oscillating means 24 and / or the low frequency oscillating means 25, the high frequency treatment device 10 is additionally provided with one or more new electromagnetic wave generating means (for example, another coil). Also good. Further, the electromagnetic wave generated by the added electromagnetic wave generating means may be an electromagnetic wave having an arbitrary frequency such as a long wave, a medium wave, a short wave, an ultrashort wave, and a microwave.

  In addition to the components other than those described above, the high-frequency treatment device 10 includes, for example, vibration generating means for applying vibration to the body to be treated, frequency or intensity of electromagnetic waves (alternating magnetic field) to be applied, room temperature, body temperature, battery remaining Various measuring devices that measure the amount, etc., timer devices that measure and control the irradiation duration (operation time) of the alternating magnetic field to automatically turn on / off the operation, etc. A sounding device such as a buzzer device for notifying the user of power consumption or the like by sound, a belt or an attachment means such as an adhesive for attaching the treatment device body to the affected part, and the like may be provided as appropriate.

  Moreover, although the high frequency treatment device 10 concerning the said embodiment was a structure which generate | occur | produces 50-140 MHz (for example, 83.3 MHz) high frequency electromagnetic waves, this invention is not limited to this example.

  For example, the high-frequency treatment device 10 has a frequency obtained by dividing an arbitrary frequency within 50 to 140 MHz by an arbitrary positive integer (for example, approximately 41.6 MHz, 27.7 MHz obtained by dividing 83.3 MHz by 2, 3,. , Etc.) may be oscillated, and a high-frequency electromagnetic wave of 50 to 140 MHz may also be generated by using a harmonic generated incidentally when an electromagnetic wave of this frequency is generated.

  That is, generally, if the fundamental wave of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave to be generated is not a perfect sine wave, harmonics inevitably occur at frequencies that are integral multiples of the fundamental wave. For this reason, even if an electromagnetic wave of less than 50 MHz (for example, about 41.65 MHz, about 27.8 MHz,...) Is generated as a fundamental wave, a high-frequency electromagnetic wave having an integer multiple (2 times, 3 times,...) (For example, 83.3 MHz) is generated as a harmonic. The frequency of this harmonic is in the preferred frequency range according to this embodiment, i.e. 50-140 MHz, preferably 50-120 MHz, more preferably 55-110 MHz, even more preferably 65-100 MHz, and even more. If it is preferably in the range of 70 to 95 MHz, particularly preferably 83.3 ± 10% MHz, it is considered that a magnetic therapeutic effect is produced by applying the harmonic to the treatment target. Therefore, a high-frequency treatment device that generates a fundamental wave that is a source of the harmonics is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The high frequency treatment device 10 may generate the high frequency electromagnetic wave of 50 to 140 MHz by intermittently generating a high frequency electromagnetic wave having a frequency higher than 140 MHz at 50 to 140 MHz.

  That is, a living cell such as a human body may not respond to a change in the high frequency alternating magnetic field even when it is irradiated with electromagnetic waves in an excessively high frequency band. Using such insensitiveness of living cells, a high frequency electromagnetic wave (for example, 1 GHz) having a frequency higher than 140 MHz is used as a carrier wave, and the carrier wave has a period corresponding to 50 to 140 MHz (for example, 83.3 MHz) that is the high frequency for treatment. By turning on / off and outputting the signal, the living cell reacts as if only the high frequency electromagnetic wave for treatment is irradiated. Therefore, a high-frequency treatment device that intermittently generates a carrier wave serving as a high-frequency generation source is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The therapeutic high frequency may be a fixed value within the range of 50 to 140 MHz. However, when a high frequency alternating magnetic field of the same therapeutic high frequency is continuously applied to the affected cells, the affected cells may become used to the frequency and the magnetic treatment effect may be reduced. Therefore, during treatment using the high frequency treatment device 10 (during irradiation of a high frequency alternating magnetic field to the affected area), the high frequency for treatment is 50 to 140 MHz, preferably 50 to 120 MHz, more preferably 55 to 110 MHz, Even more preferably, it may be varied within the range of 65 to 100 MHz, even more preferably 70 to 95 MHz, and particularly preferably 83.3 ± 10% MHz. As a result, high frequency alternating magnetic fields with different high frequencies for treatment can be applied to the affected cells during the magnetic treatment, so that the magnetic stimulation received by the affected cells is changed and the magnetic treatment effect is improved. Can be made. Such a change in the high frequency for treatment can be realized, for example, by changing the frequency of the high frequency current applied to the high frequency coil 30 by the high frequency oscillation means within the above range.

  The present invention can be applied to a high-frequency treatment device, and in particular, can be applied to a high-frequency treatment device that causes a magnetic treatment effect such as analgesia and blood circulation promotion by applying a high-frequency alternating magnetic field to a treatment object.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a high-frequency treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the high frequency therapeutic device concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of the high frequency therapeutic device concerning the embodiment. It is a wave form diagram which shows the waveform of the high frequency current and the low frequency current which are applied to the high frequency coil and low frequency coil according to the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the treatment aspect using the high frequency therapeutic device concerning the embodiment. It is a graph which shows the experimental result of the experiment 1 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the experimental result of the experiment 2 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the experimental result of the experiment 3 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the oscillation coil used in Experiment 5 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the experimental result (astrocyte) of the experiment 5 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the experimental result (glial cell) of the experiment 5 concerning the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 High frequency treatment device 12 Housing 16 Display part 18 Power supply part 20 Control block 21 Power supply circuit 22 Main control circuit 23 Clock generation circuit 24 High frequency oscillation means 25 Low frequency oscillation means 30 High frequency coil 40 Low frequency coil

Claims (18)

A high-frequency treatment device for applying an alternating magnetic field to an affected part of a treatment object:
A high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic wave of high frequency for treatment in order to cause a high-frequency alternating magnetic field of predetermined high frequency for treatment to act on the affected area;
The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means generates the high-frequency electromagnetic wave so as to increase intracellular calcium ion concentration in the affected area and induce exocytosis of a predetermined substance by magnetic stimulation with a high-frequency high-frequency alternating magnetic field for treatment. Frequency control means for controlling the therapeutic high frequency of electromagnetic waves to 50-140 MHz;
A high-frequency treatment device comprising: The frequency control means includes
Due to the magnetic stimulation by the high-frequency alternating magnetic field for therapeutic use, the percentage of cells in the affected area where the intracellular calcium ion concentration rises to 1.2 times or more of that before the magnetic stimulation becomes 30% or more. The high frequency for treatment is controlled to 50 to 140 MHz so as to increase the intracellular calcium ion concentration in the affected area and induce exocytosis of the predetermined substance from the cell. The high frequency treatment device according to 1.   The high-frequency treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the high-frequency treatment device is a pain treatment device.   The high frequency treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the high frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 50 to 120 MHz.   The high frequency treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the high frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 55 to 110 MHz.   The high frequency treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the high frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 65 to 100 MHz.   The high frequency treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the high frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 75 to 95 MHz.   The high-frequency treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the high frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 83.3 ± 10% MHz. The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means is:
High-frequency oscillation means for outputting a high-frequency current;
An antenna that generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves of high frequency for treatment by applying a high-frequency current from the high-frequency oscillation means;
The high-frequency treatment device according to claim 1, comprising:   The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means intermittently generates the high-frequency electromagnetic wave by repeating an on period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and an off period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a predetermined cycle. The high frequency treatment device according to any one of 1 to 9.   The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generation means repeats a first on-period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and a first off-period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a cycle corresponding to 2.0 ± 10% kHz. The high frequency treatment device according to claim 10, wherein electromagnetic waves are intermittently generated.   The high-frequency electromagnetic wave generation means repeats a second on-period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and a second off-period in which the high-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a cycle corresponding to 7.8 ± 10% Hz. The high frequency treatment device according to claim 11, wherein electromagnetic waves are intermittently generated. A low-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means for generating a low-frequency electromagnetic wave having a low frequency for treatment in order to cause a low-frequency alternating magnetic field having a predetermined low frequency for treatment to act on the affected area;
The high frequency treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the low frequency for treatment is selected from a range of 2.0 ± 10% kHz. The low frequency electromagnetic wave generating means is:
Low frequency oscillation means for outputting a low frequency current;
An antenna for generating a low frequency electromagnetic wave having a low frequency for treatment by applying a low frequency current from the low frequency oscillation means;
The high-frequency treatment device according to claim 13, comprising:   The low-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means intermittently generates the low-frequency electromagnetic wave by repeating an on period in which the low-frequency electromagnetic wave is generated and an off period in which the low-frequency electromagnetic wave is not generated at a predetermined cycle. The high frequency treatment device according to claim 13 or 14.   The low-frequency electromagnetic wave generation means repeats a third on-period for generating the low-frequency electromagnetic wave and a third off-period for not generating the low-frequency electromagnetic wave at a cycle corresponding to 7.8 ± 10% Hz. The high-frequency treatment device according to claim 15, wherein the low-frequency electromagnetic wave is intermittently generated.   The high frequency treatment device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein an on period of the high frequency electromagnetic wave and an on period of the low frequency electromagnetic wave are synchronized. The high-frequency electromagnetic wave for therapeutic use generated by the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generating means includes harmonics generated when generating a high-frequency electromagnetic wave of less than 50 MHz. High frequency treatment device .

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