HIGH POWER TIME VARYING MAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY
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`PRIORITY CLAIMS
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`[0001]
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`This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of US. Patent Application No.
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`14/926,365 filed October 29, 2015 and now pending, which is a Continuation-in-Part of
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`US. Patent Application No. 14/789,156 filed July 1, 2015, and now pending. This
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`Application is also a Continuation-in-Part of US. Patent Application No. 14/789,658 filed
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`July 1, 2015, and now pending. This Application also claims priority to US. Provisional
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`Patent Application No. 62/441,805 filed January 3, 2017 and now pending.
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`The
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`Applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`Magnet therapy uses the influence of magnetic flux on biological tissue.
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`Electric current
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`is
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`induced in the tissue due to voltage change which causes a
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`polarization of the cell membrane. One of fundamental phenomenon of electric current
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`in biological tissue is a transfer of neural excitation or muscle contraction. The intensity
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`of the effect is dependent on the magnetic flux density, repetition rate of the pulses,
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`pulse time duration or envelope of the stimulation signal.
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`[0003]
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`Water and biological molecules are diamagnetic substances.
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`The
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`magnetic field is not affected by diamagnetic substances. Therefore no loss of intensity
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`or magnetic flux density occurs when passing through the biological structure or tissue.
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`[0004]
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`Magnet
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`therapy originally used permanent magnets with a stationary
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`magnetic field. Natural magnets were applied especially to acupuncture points, or to
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`PRIORITY CLAIMS
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`[0001]
`
`This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of US. Patent Application No.
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`14/926,365 filed October 29, 2015 and now pending, which is a Continuation-in-Part of
`
`US. Patent Application No. 14/789,156 filed July 1, 2015, and now pending. This
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`Application is also a Continuation-in-Part of US. Patent Application No. 14/789,658 filed
`
`July 1, 2015, and now pending. This Application also claims priority to US. Provisional
`
`Patent Application No. 62/441,805 filed January 3, 2017 and now pending.
`
`The
`
`Applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`Magnet therapy uses the influence of magnetic flux on biological tissue.
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`Electric current
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`is
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`induced in the tissue due to voltage change which causes a
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`polarization of the cell membrane. One of fundamental phenomenon of electric current
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`in biological tissue is a transfer of neural excitation or muscle contraction. The intensity
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`of the effect is dependent on the magnetic flux density, repetition rate of the pulses,
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`pulse time duration or envelope of the stimulation signal.
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`[0003]
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`Water and biological molecules are diamagnetic substances.
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`The
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`magnetic field is not affected by diamagnetic substances. Therefore no loss of intensity
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`or magnetic flux density occurs when passing through the biological structure or tissue.
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`[0004]
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`Magnet
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`therapy originally used permanent magnets with a stationary
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`magnetic field. Natural magnets were applied especially to acupuncture points, or to
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`the location of pain. Thereafter natural magnets were replaced by synthetic magnets
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`and electromagnets of stationary magnetic field of higher induction than permanent
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`magnets.
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`In the last few decades, therapeutic methods have used mainly a pulsed
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`magnetic field.
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`[0005]
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`Existing methods of magnetic therapy generally tend to be limited to the
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`key parameters of magnetic flux density and repetition rate. High values of magnetic
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`flux density are reached at low repetition rate or vice versa. These combinations limit
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`the effectiveness of muscle therapy at higher repetition rates over 50 Hz. Therefore the
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`stimulation of deep structures or stimulation by high repetition rates or the combination
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`of both is limited.
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`Existing designs do not provide any device and/or method for
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`stimulating biological structure at repetition rate over 50 Hz and magnetic flux density
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`sufficient to cause at least partial muscle contraction repetitively. Additionally existing
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`methods do not disclose time duration of the therapy.
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`[0006]
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`Existing methods are also not able to provide stimulation of biological
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`structures by pulsed magnetic field at repetition rates which exceed the frequency
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`resolution of the biological structure.
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`Some systems also require making physical
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`contact with the patient since the magnetic field is weak or the stimulation signal cannot
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`be transferred without the electrical contact. Generally,
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`these known methods are
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`limited to repetition rates over 50 Hz in order to provide biological structure stimulation.
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`Furthermore,
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`repetition rates exceeding 100 Hz are not utilized.
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`The therapeutic
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`methods at higher repletion rates over 100 Hz are provided only by electrotherapeutic
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`methods.
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`[0007]
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`Presently, muscle
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`contraction
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`leading
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`to
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`strengthening,
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`training,
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`myorelaxation or analgesic effect at higher repetition rates over 50 Hz and at sufficient
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`intensity stimulus may be achieved only by direct current therapy. However, direct
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`current methods require contact with the patient and even may be invasive. These
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`methods can result in skin irritation, painful application especially for the stimulus of
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`higher intensity, discomfort during the treatment, lack of deep tissue stimulation by non-
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`invasive methods, and a lack of patient compliance with a prescribed therapy due to
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`these factors.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`[0008]
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`In a first aspect, a method provides stimulation of biological structure
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`using magnetic field at repetition rates exceeding 50 Hz for purpose of at least a partial
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`muscle contraction.
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`[0009]
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`The method may provide a non-invasive transfer of a stimulation signal
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`from an applicator to biological structure to evoke the action potential of biological
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`structure.
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`[0010]
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`The method may use a peak to peak magnetic flux density on a coil
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`surface at least 0.2 T, 0.4 T, 1.5 T, 2 T, or at least 3 T. The repetition rate may exceed
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`50 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 100 Hz or 120 Hz, and up to 150 Hz, with preferable repetition rate
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`up to 700 Hz. with initial or successive treatments lasting several seconds or longer, for
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`20
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`example, for at least 5, 10, 30, 60, 120 or 240 seconds, or longer. The pulse width is in
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`the range of tens to hundreds of microseconds.
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`[0011]
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`In another aspect of the invention, a neuromuscular plate is stimulated
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`causing an at least partial contraction of the muscle. The muscle is contracted at higher
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`repetition rates and the contraction is stronger and more efficient for improving the
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`muscle strength. The method is especially useful for deep muscles, major muscles, and
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`for treatment of patients with high value of BMI. Deep muscle is the muscle underneath
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`the superficial muscle. Muscle tissues may be selectively stimulated and the magnetic
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`flux density of the stimulation may be adjusted based on patient characteristics or input.
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`Treatment time can be shortened to a minimum due to selective stimulation of targeted
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`muscles. Additionally, the treatment may be non-invasive or even contactless due to
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`the high value of magnetic flux density. The patient may be treated without removing
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`clothing, thereby reducing patient discomfort.
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`[0012]
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`The target biological structure may be a joint. Due to the pulsed magnetic
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`field, the dynamic fluid properties of synovial fluid are improved and muscle contraction
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`is achieved, contributing to positioning of the joint by short movements of the joint
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`compartments.
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`[0013]
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`In another aspect of the invention the repetition rate may exceed the
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`frequency resolution of the structure. The magnetic flux density of the stimulation signal
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`may increase over time. Therefore the envelope of resulting stimulation signal
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`is
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`increasing and it
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`is perceived by the stimulated biological structure as a continuous
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`stimulation signal
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`instead of plurality of discrete stimuli.
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`The envelope may be
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`preferably triangular and other shapes may be used as well. This method is effective
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`for stimulation of denervated muscle.
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`[0014]
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`In a further aspect of the invention, the method stimulates the biological
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`structure via a magnetic stimulation signal of at least 100 Hz, where the stimulation is
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`intended for at least partial muscle contraction. The pulsed magnetic field induces the
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`electric current which may provide myorelaxation. The stimulation signal repetition rate
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`may be at least 120 Hz or at least 140 Hz.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0015]
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`Figure 1 illustrates a curve of action potential of a biological structure.
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`[0016]
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`Figure 2 illustrates a threshold value corresponding to different envelopes
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`of the stimulation signal.
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`[0017]
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`Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a detail of a stimulation signal with increasing
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`envelope.
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`[0018]
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`Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a detail of a stimulation signal with increasing
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`envelope.
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`[0019]
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`Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a detail of a stimulation signal with increasing
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`envelope.
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`GLOSSARY
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`[0020]
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`Biological structure/target biological structure includes a cell, a neuron, a
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`nerve, a muscle fibre, a tissue, a filament.
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`[0021]
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`Stimulation signal refers to a magnetic flux density inducing an electric
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`current in the biological structure.
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`[0022]
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`Active response of a biological
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`structure includes a change in a
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`permeability of cell membrane for ions or any other particles, generation of an action
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`20
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`potential, at
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`least partial muscle contraction, a change of rheological properties of
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`synovial fluid.
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`[0023]
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`Sensory intensity is the stimulation intensity when the patient feels the first
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`perception of the induced current flow in the stimulated biological structure.
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`[0024]
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`Motoric intensity is the stimulation intensity when the patient registers the
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`first muscle contraction.
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`[0025]
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`Noxious intensity is the stimulation intensity when the patient recognizes
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`first painful stimulus.
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`[0026]
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`Impulse refers to the only one biphasic magnetic stimulus.
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`[0027]
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`Pulse refers to a period of stimulation signal consisting of at least one
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`biphasic stimulus and a time duration of no stimulation,
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`i.e. time duration between two
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`impulses from rise edge to next rise edge.
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`[0028]
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`Repetition rate refers to frequency of firing the pulses; it
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`is derived from
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`10
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`the time duration of a pulse.
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`[0029]
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`Envelope refers to use of a repetition rate sufficiently high so that the
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`muscle reacts as if the stimulus is continuous and not a plurality of discrete stimuli.
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`[0030]
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`Modulated means that during the stimulation the magnetic flux density
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`and/or repetition rate is changed to prevent adaptation of the muscle.
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`[0031]
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`Isometric contraction means the muscle is activated, but instead of being
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`allowed to lengthen or shorten, it is held at a constant length.
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`[0032]
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`Duty cycle is the ratio of the duration of active stimulation to the entire
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`penod.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`[0033]
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`Electric current
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`is induced in the stimulated biological structure during
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`pulsed magnet therapy. A distribution of a magnetic field is uniform in the biological
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`structure. Particles (e.g. atoms,
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`ions, molecules etc.) in the biological structures are
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`affected by the magnetic field and permeability of a cell membrane also increases.
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`[0034]
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`Due to increased permeability of the cell membrane, an action potential
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`may occur and a partial or full muscle contraction is induced. Convenient repetition
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`rates may cause pain relief and/or myorelaxation, different repetition rate may cause
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`stimulation of denervated muscle, and further different repetition rates may improve
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`movability of a joint.
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`[0035]
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`Advantages of the present magnet therapy include:
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`affecting the deep
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`structures which are problematically stimulated by superficial stimulation; non-invasive
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`or non-contact application of magnetic flux,
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`it may be applied even with clothes;
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`absolute non-invasiveness of the stimulation and elimination of skin irritation in the
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`place of magnetic field application; high rate of acceptability of the stimulation by
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`patients; elimination of stimulation side effects; elimination necessity of applicator made
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`of biocompatible materials; providing a clean and sterile applicator on the highest level;
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`possibility of local or area treatment.
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`[0036]
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`It
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`is to be understood that the method is not
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`limited to the particular
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`applications and that the method may be practiced or carried out in various ways.
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`[0037]
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`The present methods may use magnetic stimulation of magnetic flux
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`density at
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`least sufficient
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`to cause active response of a biological structure at the
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`repetition rates at least 50 Hz. The broad spectrum of application of biological structure
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`stimulation by magnetic field is achieved due to high repetition rates and/or high value
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`of magnetic flux density. Methods are intended especially for at least partial muscle
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`contraction.
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`[0038]
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`The present methods may be provided by the magnetic stimulation device
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`which contains no magnetic core, however, the magnetic core may also be used. The
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`magnetic stimulation device may be cooled by a fluid, such as air. The total power
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`consumption may be preferable, but is not limited to values below 1.3kW. Convenient
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`therapeutic apparatus is described in the US. Patent Application No. 14/789,156 or
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`US. Patent Application No. 14/789,658, incorporated herein by reference.
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`[0039]
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`The applicator including a coil which is preferably flat for magnet therapy
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`is placed proximate to the patient’s body.
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`The magnetic flux is applied into the
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`biological structure. The electric current is induced and stimulates the neuromuscular
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`plate. Due to the stimulation at least a partial muscle contraction is caused.
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`[0040]
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`The present method stimulates the biological structure by pulsed magnetic
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`field. The peak to peak magnetic flux density on the coil surface is at least 0.2 T, 0.4 T,
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`1.5 T, 2 T, or at least 3 T and with magnetic flux density up to 7 T at repetition rates
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`exceeding 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 250 Hz, 400 Hz or 625 Hz with treatment/successive
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`treatments lasting several seconds or longer, for example, for at least 5, 10, 30, 60, 120,
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`or 240 seconds, or longer. The pulse width is in the range of tens to hundreds of
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`microseconds, e.g. 200, 400, 500 or 625 us. The duty cycle of the stimulation may be at
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`least 1:50, more preferably at
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`least 1:40, even more preferably at least 1:20, most
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`preferably at least 1:8 or up to 1:4.
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`[0041]
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`Referring to Figure 1, the stimulation of the biological structure, a cell,
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`is
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`explained by a curve 1 of an action potential. The action potential of the cell rapidly
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`increases after the stimulus (induced by pulsed magnetic field) and reaches the
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`threshold 2 — so called depolarization. After the reaching the maximal amplitude value,
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`the membrane permeability changes and repolarization occurs. The negative value is
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`reached in relation to resting potential 3. Afterwards the potential recharges back to the
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`value of resting potential 3'. The time period from the threshold 2 to the return of
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`potential
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`to the threshold 2'
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`(which equals threshold value 2)
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`is called absolute
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`refractory period 4. The cell is not able to be stimulated any more during the absolute
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`refractory period 4, even by very strong stimulus. The time period from the end of
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`absolute refractory period 4 to resting potential 3'
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`is called relative refractory period 5.
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`The cell is able to be stimulated only by the intensive over-threshold stimulus during the
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`relative refractory period 5. Over-threshold stimulus is a stimulus of higher magnetic
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`flux density than the value of threshold stimulus. The absolute refractory period 4 is the
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`same time duration for all the cells, however,
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`the relative refractory period 5 varies
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`following the cell type.
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`[0042]
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`The present methods may be used for muscle stimulation and exercising,
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`e.g. for treatment of pelvic floor muscles, incontinence, etc.
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`Incontinence is a disability
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`of mainly older patients to restrain evacuations of urine or faeces.
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`Incontinence is
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`currently treated by exercising pelvic floor muscles or by utilizing vaginal or rectal
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`probes using direct current therapy, or using urologic chairs using stimulation by pulsed
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`magnetic field. However, urologic chairs achieve low magnetic flux density at high
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`repetition rate. Efficacy of urological chairs is low because the values of stimulation
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`parameters, repetition rate and magnetic flux density, are insufficient. Therefore the
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`therapy is relatively time consuming and uncomfortable for the patient.
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`[0043]
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`Another field of application may be treatment of erectile dysfunction. A
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`synergic effect may also be myorelaxation.
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`[0044]
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`The present methods may be used for various stimulation of any other
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`muscle or muscle group or any other biological structure, especially for the deep
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`muscles, e.g. psoas major muscle, and the diaphragm. The method may stimulate
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`other biological structures, e.g. selective stimulation of the particular muscle groups for
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`improving their functionality or for generating a contraction pattern from the muscle
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`group for improving the efficiency of the movement or generating the muscle memory.
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`[0045]
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`According to another aspect of this invention the method may be used for
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`magnetic field stimulation by pulsed magnetic field at repetition rates above 50 Hz, 100
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`Hz, 150 Hz, or 200 Hz are favourable mainly for treatment of denervated muscle.
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`Denervated muscle lacks the ability of conscious contraction due to a lesion or nerve
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`degradation caused by e.g. polio or trauma, so that the signals from the central neural
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`system are not received. The muscle loses the ability of contraction and flexibility and it
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`atrophies. Effects of muscle atrophy are visible just after three weeks of inactivity.
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`[0046]
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`The stimulation of denervated muscle is based on the adaptability of
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`health motor unit for the raising magnetic flux density. Denervated muscle lacks an
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`ability of adaptation to raise induced electric stimulus as in a normal healthy muscle.
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`Hence the denervated muscle is stimulated by low magnetic flux density.
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`[0047]
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`Figure 2 illustrates the different shapes of the envelope of the stimulation
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`signal and corresponding different threshold values of a healthy muscle. When the
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`healthy muscle is stimulated by a rectangular envelope 6 of stimulation signal
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`the
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`muscle contraction occurs at magnetic flux density A1 7. When the healthy muscle is
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`stimulated by increasing envelope 8 of stimulation signal the muscle contraction occurs
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`at magnetic flux density value A2 9. However, when the denervated muscle is
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`stimulated by increasing envelope 8 of stimulation signal
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`the denervated muscle
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`contraction occurs at magnetic flux densities below A2 9. Magnetic flux density value A2
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`9 is a multiplication of magnetic flux density value A1 7, wherein the multiplication
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`coefficient is positive number greater than 1.
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`[0048]
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`The stimulation results in an at
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`least partial contraction of denervated
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`muscle and the contraction of healthy muscle is eliminated or minimized. Figure 3
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`describes generation of various types of envelopes. The envelope may be generated on
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`the basis that the biological structure, e.g. a nerve or at least one muscle fiber,
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`is not
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`able to distinct single pulses during the stimulation at higher repetition rates, e.g.
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`exceeding 100 Hz, more preferably at least 150 Hz, even more preferably at least 200
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`Hz, most preferably at least 250 Hz, or up to 700 Hz. The lower value of repetition rate
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`is limited by the time duration of the absolute refractory period. Generally, at least two
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`pulses are necessary to create a simple shape of the envelope, e.g. rectangular or
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`trapezoid. However, the more complex envelope shape is the more pulses are needed.
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`The induced energy (IE) stimulating the target neural structure is a function of repetition
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`rate, magnetic flux density and/or impulse duration. The envelope may consist of
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`several impulses 10 called train. The number of pulses in one train varies in range of at
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`least 2 pulses to thousands of pulses. The repetition frequency of envelope is given by
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`the envelope period,
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`i.e. the envelope may include time with no stimulation as well. The
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`envelope may consist of stimulation signals with various burst frequencies, e.g. 5, 10,
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`20, 50, or more Hz. The envelope may be generated by several modulation
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`approaches.
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`[0049]
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`Envelope may be generated by time-varying magnetic field of varying
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`peak magnetic flux density hence the process is called magnetic flux density modulation
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`(MFDM). The principle of MFDM is described in Figures 3a and 3b. The repetition rate
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`of the time-varying magnetic field is constant hence the period of the pulse is constant.
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`The impulse duration remains constant as well. However, the magnetic flux density of
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`each impulse 10 varies with respect to the preceding impulse 10, as in Fig. 3a.
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`Therefore each impulse magnetic flux density is different from magnetic flux density of
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`the preceding impulse. The principle is explained by triangular shaped envelope 11 as
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`shown in Fig. 3b.
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`[0050]
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`Alternatively the envelope may be generated in repetition rate domain
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`hence the process is called repetition rate modulation (RRM). The principle of RRM is
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`described in Figures 4a and 4b. The magnetic flux density of each impulse 10 remains
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`constants. The impulse duration remains constant as well. Therefore the induced
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`energy for one pulse is constant. However, the repetition rate varies hence the time
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`duration of each pulse varies with respect to the preceding pulse, see Fig. 4a. The
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`actual value of induced energy corresponds to the actual repetition rate of the time-
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`varying magnetic field. When the repetition rate increases the value of induced energy
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`increases or vice versa. The principle is explained by triangular shaped envelope 11,
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`see Fig. 4b.
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`[0051]
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`According to still another aspect of the application, envelope may be
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`generated in impulse duration domain. The principle of impulse duration modulation is
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`shown in Figures 5a and 5b where the magnetic flux density and the repetition rate of
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`time-varying magnetic field remains constant. However, the impulse 10 duration of each
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`pulse varies as shown Fig. 5a. The principle is explained by triangular shaped envelope
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`11 in Fig. 5b.
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`[0052]
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`The modulation approaches are not
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`limited by exemplary waveform.
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`Therefore the envelope may be rectangular, square, saw-tooth, trapezoidal, sinusoidal,
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`exponential etc. Person skilled in the art of neurology and/or physiotherapy may
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`modulate various envelopes and/or envelopes combination.
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`[0053]
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`The application is not limited to use the only single modulation approach.
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`In the preferred application any combination of the upper mentioned approaches may
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`be used.
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`[0054]
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`Magnetic stimulation at high repetition rates according to proposed
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`invention is further applicable for the effect of myorelaxation. The repetition rate of at
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`least 100 Hz, 110 Hz, 120 Hz, or 130 Hz may be used for the purpose of the muscle
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`stimulation.
`
`[0055]
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`One of the myorelaxation approaches is non-paralyzed muscle adaptation
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`to high repetition rate of stimuli. The magnetic flux density is sufficient to induce current
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`in the biological structure causing motoric intensity or over-motoric intensity at the
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`beginning of the application and it becomes below-motoric intensity after several
`
`minutes at constant magnetic flux density since the non-paralyzed muscle can
`
`accommodate for the stimulus of constant repetition rate. The impulse time duration is
`
`in at least tens of us, more preferably at least 250us or 500us. The time duration of a
`
`pulse is at least 1 ms, 2.5 ms or 5.5 ms. A repetition rate of pulses around 180 Hz is
`
`highly effective. A temporary reflex adjustment of hypertonic muscles or muscle groups
`
`is achieved by the application of magnetic stimulation thereafter myorelaxation is
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`provided.
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`[0056]
`
`Further application of magnet
`
`therapeutic method using sufficient
`
`magnetic flux density at high repetition rates over 100 Hz is focused especially on
`
`spastic muscle and its trigger point. The method proposes stimulation of muscle
`
`hypertonia of the overloaded muscle fibres to relieve a local spasm (the hypertonia in
`
`stimulated muscle fibre is relieved). The method affects the muscle insertion as well.
`
`The method may even affect the whole muscle group for specific movement.
`
`[0057]
`
`The stimulation by pulsed magnetic field is divided into two separate
`
`periods. The neuromuscular plate is stimulated by pulsed magnetic field during the first
`
`period. The magnetic flux density is sufficient to induce at least motoric intensity of
`
`10
`
`electric current to cause at least partial muscle contraction in the stimulated biological
`
`structure. The muscle is activated by isometric contraction and sedation follows. The
`
`most reactive fibres are selectively inhibited. During the second period the repetition
`
`rate is increased to at least 100 Hz, 150 Hz, or 200 Hz. The muscle is relaxed due to
`
`high repletion rate. The method is used for high-quality relaxation of at
`
`least one
`
`15
`
`muscle fibre.
`
`[0058]
`
`The method may be used also in sport medicine for stretching of athletes
`
`before a performance and muscle relaxation after the performance,
`
`thereafter it
`
`significantly contributes to muscle regeneration. Further applications are treating for
`
`muscle imbalance or muscle relaxation caused by overload, pain relief or elimination
`
`20
`
`and preparation the muscle for physical activity.
`
`[0059]
`
`The present method may also be used for functional
`
`joint blockade
`
`treatment. A joint may include muscular structure providing the movement of the joint,
`
`joint itself including synovial fluid. Functional joint blockade may be caused by spastic
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`66964-8013.USOZ/134112586.1
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`muscles in the vicinity of the joint whose secondary effect is pain. The most common
`
`functional
`
`joint blockades are in the backbone.
`
`These can cause vertebrogenic
`
`problems, headache and backbone pain, migraine, perfusion ailment
`
`resulting to
`
`dizziness, backbone sharp pain directing to limbs, visual
`
`insufficiency,
`
`tinnitus,
`
`toothache or earache etc. The scoliosis, sacral pain (even after fractures), weakness of
`
`pelvic floor muscles and incontinence, urine retention or constipation or functional
`
`sterility may also be treated by treatment of functional joint blockade.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`[0060]
`
`For the purpose of functional blockade treatment and joint movability
`
`improvement the preferred repetition rates may be at least 50 Hz, 60 Hz, 70 Hz or 100
`
`Hz, magnetic flux density at least 0.2 T, 0.4 T, 0.5 T, or at least 1 T and up to 7 T.
`
`[0061]
`
`Formerly the
`
`functional
`
`joint blockades were
`
`treated by manual
`
`positioning,
`
`traction, mobilization of
`
`the
`
`soft
`
`tissues,
`
`reflex therapy or even
`
`pharmacologically. The present method achieves at least partial muscle contraction in
`
`the vicinity of the joint, e.g. backbone, by stimulation of neuromuscular plate by pulsed
`
`magnetic field at low repetition rate and high magnetic flux density providing at least
`
`partial muscle contraction. The joint contact surfaces are moved and the joint is moved
`
`due to at least partial muscle contractions of muscles in the vicinity of the joint, e.g. the
`
`muscles in the vicinity of the backbone are represented by rotators which causes local
`
`microrotations of the backbone. The functional joint blockade is unblocked via muscle
`
`20
`
`mobilization by mechanical approach.
`
`[0062]
`
`Still another approach of the present method is affecting the rheological
`
`properties of synovial fluid by pulsed magnetic field. The total effect of this method may
`
`be synergic. Although the method is explained on example of backbone functional joint
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`blockade, the application of the method is not limited to the backbone. A person skilled
`
`in anatomy or physical therapy is able to apply the method for any other joint provided
`
`by sufficient amount of neuromuscular structures in vicinity. The present method may
`
`be preferably used in combination with analgesic methods.
`
`It is very convenient to use
`
`the present method in combination with method providing myorelaxation since the
`
`functional joint blockade is caused by spastic biological structures in vicinity.
`
`[0063]
`
`All
`
`the described methods of stimulation provide trophotropic, anti-
`
`oedematous or placebo effect which contributes to the patients health state and
`
`comfort. Local metabolism may be increased as well.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`[0064]
`
`The values of magnetic flux density and repetition rate are cited in several
`
`preferred applications since the perception of the stimulation is subjective. Nevertheless
`
`the magnetic flux density and repetition rates are not limited by the recited values. A
`
`person skilled in physical therapy is able to repeat and apply the therapy methods
`
`adjusting the magnetic flux density or repetition rate following the patient’s needs.
`
`[0065]
`
`A person skilled in the physical therapy is able to use various envelopes of
`
`the stimulation signal and waveform, e.g. pulse,
`
`sinusoidal,
`
`rectangular, square,
`
`triangular, saw-tooth, trapezoidal, exponential etc. for the purpose of muscle stimulation.
`
`The invention is not limited to recited shapes of stimulation signals.
`
`[0066]
`
`Stimulation signal of biological structure by pulsed magnetic field following
`
`the recited methods may be but not limited to continuous, pulsed, randomized, burst.
`
`The pulse may be but not limited to symmetric, asymmetric, most preferably biphasic.
`
`As used here, proximate to includes in actual contact with the skin of the patient.
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`[0067]
`
`In the methods described above,
`
`the patient
`
`is seated on a patient
`
`supporting means maintaining the patient in sufficiently seated position such as a chair
`
`or the patient
`
`is in sufficiently horizontal position such as supine, prone or lateral
`
`position on suitable patient supporting means, e.g. a treatment table or a bed. One or
`
`more applicators providing the magnetic stimulation are positioned adjacent to the
`
`patient, or in contact with the patient’s skin. Generally, the patient’s head, torso and
`
`limbs are unrestricted,
`
`i.e.
`
`the patient is free to move and no part of the patient is
`
`secured, e.g. strapped, to the patient supporting means. The applicator or applicators
`
`are generally placed near the patient, but may not be attached to the patient, so that no
`
`part of the treatment apparatus, i.e. one or more applicators and the patient supporting
`
`means is attached to the patient and does not restrain or guide a movement of any part
`
`of the patient. The magnetic stimulation typically does not cause the patient to move
`
`continuously, although some movement may occur via muscle contraction, during
`
`certain treatments.
`
`[0068]
`
`The methods described above do not
`
`involve exertion or voluntary
`
`contraction of muscle. Rather,
`
`the patient
`
`is idle and in a relaxed state.
`
`In some
`
`applications the methods may be used to treat any healthy tissue, and the methods may
`
`be used with only magnetic stimulation alone, without any other form of stimulation.
`
`[0069]
`
`As used here muscle means a single muscle or a group of muscles.
`
`Actively moving means physically moving any part of the patient via external apparatus
`
`exerting physical force on the patient.
`
`[0070]
`
`Thus, novel systems and methods have been described.
`
`Various
`
`changes and substitutions may of course be made without departing from the spirit and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except by the
`
`following Claims and their equivalents.
`
`/ / /
`
`/ / /
`
`///
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
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`LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
`
`curve of action potential
`
`threshold potential
`
`threshold potential after depolarization
`
`resting potential
`
`resting potential after action potential
`
`absolute refractory period
`
`relative refractory period
`
`rectangular envelope
`
`magnetic flux density A1
`
`increasing envelope
`
`magnetic flux density A2
`
`1
`
`2
`
`2'
`
`3
`
`3'
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`10
`
`impulse
`
`11
`
`envelope
`
`The following additional applications are incorporated herein by reference:
`
`US 14/951,093 which was filed November 24, 2016
`
`US 15/073,318 which was filed March 17, 2016
`
`US 15/099,274 which was filed April 14, 2016
`
`US 15/151,012 which was filed May 10, 2016
`
`US 15/178,455 which was filed July 9,2016
`
`US 15/344,811 which was filed November 7, 2016
`
`10
`
`US 15/396,073 which was filed December 31, 2016
`
`66964-8013.USOZ/134112586.1
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`
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`Attorney Dkt. N0. 066964-8013.U802
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`US 62/357,679 which was filed July 1, 2016
`
`US 62/440,912 which was filed December 30, 2016
`
`US 62/440,905 which was filed December 30, 2016
`
`US
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