(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`14 October 2004 (14.10.2004)
`
`
`
`PCT
`
`(51)
`
`International Patent Classification’:
`
`A6IN 1/00
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`(81)
`
`(21)
`
`International Application Number:
`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`(22)
`
`International Filing Date:
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`27 May 2003 (27.05.2003)
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`(25)
`
`Filing Language:
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`(26)
`
`Publication Language:
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`Korean
`
`English
`
`(84)
`
`(30)
`
`Priority Data:
`10-2003-0020084
`
`31 March 2003 (31.03.2003)
`
`KR
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2004/087255 Al
`
`Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM,HR,HU,ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KZ, LC, LK,
`LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX,
`MZ, NO, NZ, OM, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC,
`VN, YU, ZA, 7M, ZW.
`
`Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
`Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,TM),
`European patent (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
`ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, RO,
`SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM,
`GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(71)
`(72)
`
`Applicant and
`Inventor: MO, Seung-Kee [KR/KR]; Woonjeong Bldg.,
`261-1 Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, 137-130 Seoul (KR).
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`Published:
`
`with international search report
`
`(74)
`
`Agent: LEE, Kyecong-Ran; 502 BYC Bldg., 648-1 Yeok-
`sam 1-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-081 (KR).
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance
`Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin-
`of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`ning
`
`(54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CREATING PULSE MAGNETIC STIMULATION HAVING MODULATION
`FUNCTION
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`185
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`(57) Abstract: An apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation, having a modulation function, according to the present inven-
`tion, comprises: a driving voltage supplying section for converting AC voltage input from a voltage source into DC voltage having
`a predetermined magnitude; a capacitor section for accumulating electric charge in accordance with the DC voltage; an input switch
`section for controlling the accumulation of electric charge in the capacitor section; a coil for generating magnetic flux in accordance
`with current generated by both-end voltage corresponding to the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor section; an output
`switch section for controlling discharge of the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor section through the coil; and a shunt
`switch section for lowering magnetic energy stored in the coil and voltage stored in the capacitor section into a ground level to obtain
`a pulse magnetic field. In this pulse-magnetic-stimulation creating apparatus having a modulation function according to the present
`invention,it is possible to efficiently transfer energy on the basis of current compliance of a patient and impedanceof biologic tissue
`for therapeutic applications.
`
`

`

`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CREATING PULSE MAGNETIC
`
`STIMULATION HAVING MODULATION FUNCTION
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`1.Field of theInvention
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`The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating pulse
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`magnetic stimulation with a modulation function, and specifically to an apparatus and
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`method for creating pulse magnetic stimulation with a modulation function, capable of
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`non-invasively stimulating a human body such as nerves, muscles, bones, blood vessels,
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`10
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`etc. for therapeutic applications using a high-speed external time-varying magnetic
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`field.
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`2.Description of the Related Art
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`The electromagnetic induction law, in which electricity can be converted into
`
`15
`
`magnetism or magnetism can be converted into electricity, has been widely used in
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`power generators, transformers or the like.
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`In addition, methods of medical treatment
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`using such electromagnetic induction law have been developed continuously, and in
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`recent, the electromagnetic induction law has been widely used up to neuromuscular
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`treatments.
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`20
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`In general, stimulation methods for treating a neuromuscular system of a human
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`

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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`body can be classified into an electrical stimulation method and a magnetic stimulation
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`method.
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`The electrical stimulation method is a method in which stimulation is created
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`by attaching pessary-shaped electrodes or patch-shaped electrodes to a human body and
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`then allowing current to flow therein. On the other hand, the magnetic stimulation
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`method is a method in which stimulation is created by inducing magnetic energy into a
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`skin or a body system to generate eddy current,the magnetic energy being generated by
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`discharging electric energy stored in a capacitor to a magnet coil for generating an
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`external time-varying magnetic field.
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`10
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`Basically, the principle of generating magnetic stimulation falls within a range
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`of Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction in which when flux © linking with a
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`circuit varies, an electromotive force & proportional to a ratio at which the flux is
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`decreased is induced into the circuit. A direction of the induced current flowingin the
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`circuit due to the electromagnetic induction is against variation in linkage flux of the
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`15
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`circuit in accordance with Lentz’s Law.
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`Such electromagnetic induction law is used in a variety of types for the
`
`therapeutic purposes of a human body, and hereinafter a case that the electromagnetic
`
`induction law applies to an apparatus for treating urinary incontinence as one type will
`
`be described with reference to Fig. 1.
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`20
`
`Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional apparatus for treating
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`2
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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`urinary incontinence.
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`Referring to Fig.1, a drive circuit of the conventional apparatus for treating
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`urinary incontinence comprises a power supply and charging section 10, a transferring
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`section 20, a discharging section 30 anda stimulation coil 40.
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`The power supply and charging section 10 performs a function of boosting an
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`input voltage into a high voltage.
`
`The transferring section 20 comprises switching elements SCR1, SCR2, a
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`pumping inductor L1, a current control inductor L2 and a transfer capacitor C1 to
`
`transfer the voltage supplied from the power supply and charging section 10.
`
`10
`
`The discharging section 30 performs a function of storing and discharging the
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`voltage supplied from the transferring section 20, and current flows in the stimulation
`
`coil 40 due to discharge of the discharging section 30.
`
`In the drive circuit of this conventional apparatus for
`
`treating urinary
`
`incontinence, a voltage from a high-voltage generating section (not shown) is stored in a
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`15
`
`charging capacitor (not shown) of the power supply and charging section 10, and when
`
`the switching element SCR1 of the transferring section 20 is switched on, the charge
`
`accumulated in the charging capacitor of the power supply and charging section 10 is
`
`accumulated the transfer capacitor C1 of the transferring section 20 through the
`
`pumping inductor L1. Then, when the switching element SCR2 is switched on, the
`
`20
`
`charge accumulatedin the transfer capacitor C1 is supplied to the discharging section 30
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`3
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`

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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`through the current control inductor L2. By repeating such processes multiple times,
`
`the necessary electric charge is supplied from the transferring section 20 to a
`
`discharging capacitor C2 of the discharging section 30. The discharging capacitor C2
`
`of the discharging section 30 keeps accumulating the charge from the transferring
`
`section 20, and when a discharging switch SCR3 is switched on,
`
`the discharging
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`capacitor C2 discharges the charge at one time. Then, current flows in the stimulation
`
`coil 40 due to the discharged charge.
`
`However, the drive circuit of the conventional apparatus for treating urinary
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`incontinence has some drawbacks in that i) very high voltage exceeding a dielectric
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`10
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`strength of a general switch is generated at both endsof the switch in discharging, ii) the
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`unreasonable transferring section 20 is provided, iii) the system is complicated due to
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`the addition of the transferring section 20, iv) production cost is additionally increased,
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`and v) operation sequences thereof are complicated.
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`Further,
`
`the conventional
`
`apparatus is disadvantages in that the inductance of the stimulation coil 40 is not
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`15
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`considered.
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`A variety of related arts exist in addition to the aforementioned conventionalart,
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`but since a human body is not a conductive coil as a necessary condition for
`
`accomplishing the
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`therapeutic purpose of body stimulation according to the
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`conventional art, only a simple construction of electromagnetic induction apparatus
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`20
`
`cannot accomplish the therapeutic purpose.
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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`The conventional art has additional problems that an optimal system for
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`obtaining a desired induced voltage cannot only be constructed, but also characteristics
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`of switch circuits are not considered.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly,it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and
`
`method for creating pulse magnetic stimulation with a modulation function, in which it
`
`is possible to efficiently transfer energy on the basis of current compliance of a patient
`
`and impedanceofa biologictissue.
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`10
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`It
`
`is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and
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`method for creating pulse magnetic stimulation with a modulation function, in which
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`separate means for storage into a high voltage or various auxiliary means such as a
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`pumping coil or a currentrestriction coil are not required as necessary elements when a
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`magnetic stimulation apparatus is used for the purpose of medical treatment.
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`15
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`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and
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`method for creating pulse magnetic stimulation with a modulation function, in which
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`various modulation methods such as ramp modulation, phase modulation, duration
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`modulation, timing modulation, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation and duty
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`modulation may be performed.
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`20
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`Additional object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic flux emitting
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`unit which is a mobile type, not a fixed type, and which is incorporated into one body
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`with or attachable to a magnetic flux focusing unit for focusing magnetic flux generated
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`from a coil.
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`In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the present
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`invention, an apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation, in which pulse current
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`is generated to create magnetic flux, is provided, the apparatus comprising: a driving
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`voltage supplying section for receiving AC voltage from a voltage source, converting
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`the received AC voltage into DC voltage having a predetermined magnitude, and then
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`outputting the DC voltage; a capacitor section for accumulating electric charge in
`
`10
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`accordance with the DC voltage; an input switch section provided between the driving
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`voltage supplying section and the capacitor section, for controlling the accumulation of
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`electric charge in the capacitor section; a coil connected in series to the capacitor section,
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`for generating magnetic flux in accordance with current generated by both-end voltage
`
`corresponding to the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor section; an output
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`15
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`switch section provided between the capacitor section and the coil, for controlling
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`discharge of the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor section through the coil;
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`and a shunt switch section connected in parallel between the coil and the output switch
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`section, for lowering magnetic energy stored in the coil and voltage stored in the
`
`capacitor section into a ground level to obtain a pulse magnetic field.
`
`20
`
`The driving voltage supplying section may comprise: a variable regulator for
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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`converting the AC voltage supplied from the voltage source into an AC voltage
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`specified by a control section; a transformer for boosting the AC voltage outputted from
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`the variable regulator into an AC voltage having a magnitude corresponding to a
`
`predetermined transformation ratio; and a rectifying section for converting the AC
`
`voltage boosted by the transformer into the DC voltage.
`
`In addition,
`
`the variable
`
`regulator can adjust a magnitude of the output AC voltage.
`
`The driving voltage supplying section may further comprise a filtering section
`
`for smoothing the DC voltage full-waverectified by the rectifying section.
`
`Furthermore, in the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according
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`10
`
`to the present invention, when the magnetic energy and the voltage are lowered into the
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`ground level in a state that the shunt switch section is switched on, the output switch
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`section may be switched off.
`
`Furthermore, in the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according
`
`to the present invention, when the electric charge has been completely accumulated in
`
`15
`
`the capacitorsection, the input switch section may be switched off and the output switch
`
`section may be switched on.
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`In addition,it is determined by means of capacitance of
`
`the capacitor section whether the electric charge has been completely accumulated in
`
`the capacitor section or not.
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`The apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the present
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`20
`
`invention may further comprise a power monitoring section for calculating a magnitude
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`7
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`of the current using the magnetic flux generated due to the current flowing through the
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`coil to detect an error of a large powersignal.
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`The capacitor section of the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation
`
`according to the present
`
`invention may be connected in parallel
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`to an additional
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`capacitor group, the additional capacitor group may comprise one or more additional
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`capacitor sections connected in parallel, respectively, and each of the additional
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`capacitor sections may comprise one additional capacitor and one switching element
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`connected in series.
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`Onoroff state of the switching element of the additional capacitor section may
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`10
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`be controlled to change a value of capacitance, and only when the switching elementis
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`switched on, the capacitor section and the additional capacitor section may be connected
`
`in parallel one another.
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`Furthermore, in the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according
`
`to the present invention, when the input switch section and the shunt switch section are
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`15
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`switched off and the output switch section is switched on, the capacitor section and the
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`coil may constitute an RLC serial resonant circuit, and each parameter value of the RLC
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`serial resonant circuit may satisfy an under-damping condition.
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`Furthermore,
`
`the output switch section of the apparatus for creating pulse
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`magnetic stimulation according to the present invention is switched on and off every
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`20
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`one or a half period of the RLCserial resonant circuit, and a period in which the output
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`8
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`

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`switch section is switched on and off may be preferably set to be less than 1kHz and
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`normally set to be less than 300Hz.
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`A waveform of the pulse current may be at least one of a sine wave, a square
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`wave and a triangle wave.
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`Furthermore, the input switch section, the output switch section and the shunt
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`switch section of the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the
`
`present invention may be any one of a relay, a thyristor and an Insulated Gate Bipolar
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`Transistor (GBT).
`
`According to another preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention, an
`
`LO
`
`apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation, in which pulse current is generated to
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`create magnetic flux, the apparatus having a resonant circuit comprising a coil, a resistor
`
`and a capacitor,
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`is provided,
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`the apparatus further comprising: a driving voltage
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`supplying section connected in parallel to the capacitor, for accumulating electric charge
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`in the capacitor, by receiving AC voltage from a voltage source, converting the received
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`15
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`AC voltage into DC voltage having a predetermined magnitude, and then outputting the
`
`DC voltage; an input switch section provided between the driving voltage supplying
`
`section and the capacitor, for allowing the electric charge to be accumulated in the
`
`capacitor only when the input switch section is switched on; an output switch section
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`provided between the capacitor and the coil,
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`for allowing the electric charge
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`20
`
`accumulated in the capacitor to be discharged through the coil only when the output
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`9
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`

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`WO 2004/087255
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`switch section is switched on; and a shunt switch section connected in parallel between
`
`ihe coil and the output switch section, for lowering magnetic energy stored in the coil
`
`and voltage stored in the capacitor into a ground level to obtain a pulse magnetic field.
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`In addition,
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`the driving voltage supplying section may comprise: a variable
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`regulator for converting the AC voltage supplied from the voltage source into an AC
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`voltage specified by a control section; a transformer for boosting the AC voltage output
`
`from the variable regulator into an AC voltage having a magnitude corresponding to a
`
`predetermined transformation ratio; and a rectifying section for converting the AC
`
`voltage boosted by the transformer into the DC voltage.
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`10
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`The capacitor may be connected in parallel to an additional capacitor group, the
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`additional capacitor group may comprise one or more additional capacitor sections
`
`connected in parallel, respectively, and each of the additional capacitor sections may
`
`comprise one additional capacitor and one switching element connected in series.
`
`According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of supplying a
`
`15
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`pulse current to generate magnetic stimulation is provided, the method comprising: a
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`step of inputting an operation start
`
`instruction to an apparatus for creating pulse
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`magnetic stimulation; (a) a step in which a power supplying section receives an AC
`
`voltage from a voltage source and converts the received AC voltage into an output AC
`
`voltage having a predetermined magnitude; (b) a step in which a rectifying section
`
`20
`
`converts the converted AC voltage into a DC voltage; (c) a step in which when an input
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`10
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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`switch section is switched on,
`
`a capacitor
`
`section accumulates electric charge
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`corresponding to the DC voltage; (d) a step of switching off the input switch section and
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`switching on an output switch section, when the capacitor section has completely
`
`accumulated the electric charge; (e) a step of allowing a current to flow in a coil, the
`
`current being generated due to a both-end voltage corresponding to the electric charge
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`accumulated in the capacitor section; (f) a step in which the coil generates magnetic flux
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`on the basis of the current; (g) a step of switching on a shunt switch section after a
`
`predetermined period time; (h) a step of switching off the output switch section and
`
`switching on the input switch section, when magnetic energy stored in the coil and
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`10
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`voltage accumulated in the capacitor section is lowered into a ground level; and a step
`
`of repeating the steps (a) to (h) until an operation end instruction is input to the
`
`apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation, or a predetermined burst on period
`
`expires.
`
`In addition, a system, an apparatus and a recording medium for enabling the
`
`above method of supplying a pulse current to be executed are provided.
`
`15
`
`The method of supplying a pulse current according to the present invention may
`
`further comprise a step of determining a magnitude of voltage to be stored in the
`
`capacitor section after carrying out the steps (a) to (h).
`
`In addition, the magnitude of
`
`voltage to be stored in the capacitor section may be determined on the basis of a
`
`magnitude of an output AC voltage converted by a variable regulator of the power
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`20
`
`supplying section.
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`11
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`Furthermore, the steps (a) to (d) may be carried out in a pulse off state where a
`
`current does not flow in the coil, and the steps (ce) to (h) may be carried out in a pulse on
`
`state where a current flowsin the coil.
`
`Furthermore, the burst on periodis a period that the pulse on state and the pulse
`
`off state are alternately repeated and thus an induced voltage is generated to create a
`
`stimulation, and the burst on period may comprise a stimulation ramp-up period, a
`
`stimulation maintenance period and a stimulation ramp-downperiod.
`
`During the stimulation ramp-up period, a magnitude of the output AC voltage
`
`converted by the variable regulator of the power supplying section becomes higher
`
`10
`
`gradually, during the stimulation maintenance period, the magnitude of the output AC
`
`voltage of the power supplying section is maintained constantly, and during the
`
`stimulation ramp-down period, the magnitude of the output AC voltage converted by
`
`the variable regulator of the power supplying unit becomes lower gradually.
`
`The apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the present
`
`15
`
`invention can vary a modulation period corresponding to a period of the pulse on time
`
`and the pulse off time with varying the pulse off time.
`
`Furthermore, the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to
`
`the present
`
`invention may include at
`
`least one of a ramp modulation, a phase
`
`modulation, a duration modulation, a timing modulation, an amplitude modulation, a
`
`20
`
`frequency modulation and a duty modulation.
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`12
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`WO 2004/087255
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`Furthermore, the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation may include
`
`at least one chosen from a ramp modulation, a phase modulation, a duration modulation,
`
`a timing modulation, an amplitude modulation, a frequency modulation and a duty
`
`modulation.
`
`According to another preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention, a
`
`magnetic flux emitting unit for externally emitting magnetic flux generated from a coil
`
`in a stimulation apparatus having a resonantcircuit comprising the coil, a resistor and a
`
`capacitor,
`
`the apparatus generating a pulse current to create the magnetic flux,
`
`is
`
`provided, the unit comprising: the coil; a case having an insulating feature and also
`
`10
`
`having a disk shape surrounding the coil; a grip projected from a lower portion of the
`
`case; and a lead line coupledto the coil and penetrating through the case and the grip.
`
`The coil of the magnetic flux emitting unit may be formed to be a single-layer
`
`solenoid shape, and the case may havea plurality of air holes for cooling heat generated
`
`from the coil in an air cooling manner.
`
`15
`
`Furthermore, a magnetic flux focusing unit for focusing the magnetic flux
`
`generated from the coil on one point using a boundary condition of magnetic field may
`
`be coupled to the case of the magnetic flux emitting unit, and a coolant and a stratiform
`
`iron core of the magnetic flux focusing unit may be sealed.
`
`In this case,
`
`the stratiform iron core of the magnetic flux focusing unit is
`
`20
`
`disposed in parallel to the coil, the permeability of materials of the central stratiform
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`13
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`WO 2004/087255
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`iron core is larger than the permeability of material of the peripheral stratiform iron core,
`
`an end portion of the stratiform iron core from which the magnetic flux is emitted is
`
`formed to have a toy top shape, and the coolant is circulated through a hose connected
`
`to the magnetic flux focusing unit.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be
`
`explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`
`drawings, wherein:
`
`10
`
`Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a drive circuit of a conventional apparatus
`
`for treating urinary incontinence;
`
`Fig. 2A is a block diagram of an apparatus for creating pulse magnetic
`
`stimulation according to one preferred embodimentof the present invention;
`
`Fig. 2B shows an external appearance of the apparatus for creating pulse
`
`15
`
`magnetic stimulation according to the one preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`
`Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an RLCserial
`
`resonantcircuit of the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the
`
`one preferred embodimentof the present invention;
`
`20
`
`Fig. 4A is a view illustrating an example of a magnetcoil according to the one
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`14
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`WO 2004/087255
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`PCT/KR2003/001034
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`preferred embodimentof the present invention;
`
`Fig. 4B is a view illustrating a principle of focusing magnetic flux;
`
`Fig. 4C is a view exemplifying a configuration of a probe of the apparatus for
`
`creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the one preferred embodiment of the
`
`present invention;
`
`Fig. 5 is a view exemplifying a method of coupling an output monitor
`
`according to the one preferred embodimentof the present invention;
`
`Fig, 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating in detail the apparatus for creating pulse
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`magnetic stimulation according to the one preferred embodiment of the present
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`10
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`invention;
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`Fig. 6B is a view illustrating an output modulation characteristic of the
`apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to ‘the one preferred
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`embodimentof the present invention;
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`Fig. 7A is a block diagram of an apparatus for creating pulse magnetic
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`stimulation according to another preferred embodimentof the present invention, and
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`Fig. 7B is a circuit diagram illustrating in detail a square wave generating
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`circuit according to the another preferred embodimentof the present invention.
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`(Reference Numerals)
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`105: driving voltage supplying section
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`20
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`110:
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`voltage input section
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`120:
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`high-voltage transformer
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`130:
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`rectifier
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`140:
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`filtering section
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`145:
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`input switch
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`150:
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`pulse capacitor
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`155:
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`output switch
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`160:
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`shunt switch
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`170: magnetcoil
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`175:
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`power monitor
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`180:
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`control unit
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`185:
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`peripheral unit
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`510:
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`variable regulator
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`710:
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`square wave generating circuit
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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`The present invention relates to a pulse-magnetic-stimulation creating apparatus
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`having a modulation function, having a simpler circuit configuration compared to other
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`conventional apparatuses, by connecting a shunt switch to a magnet coil L in parallel in
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`an RLC serial resonant circuit. The apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation
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`2Q
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`according to the present invention stimulates nerves, muscles, bones, blood vessels of a
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`human body to effectively inject the stimulation energy into the human body.
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`In
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`addition, the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the present
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`invention provides a modulation function of varying the output power,
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`thereby
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`providing a variant mode (in which the energy injected into a human bodyis varied with
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`time) of effectively transferring energy in the course of injecting the stimulation energy.
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`Now,preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
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`with reference to the appended drawings.
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`Fig. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for creating pulse magnetic
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`stimulation according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig.
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`2B shows an external appearance of the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic
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`stimulation according to the one preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.
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`Referring to Fig. 2A, the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation
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`comprises a driving voltage supplying section 105, an input switch 145, a pulse
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`capacitor 150, an output switch 155, a shunt switch 160, a magnet coil 170, a power
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`monitor 175, a control unit 180 and a peripheral unit 185.
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`The driving voltage supplying section 105 comprises a voltage input section
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`110, a high-voltage transformer 120, a rectifier 130 and a filtering section 140.
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`The voltage input section 110 serves for adjusting a secondary voltage using a
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`variable regulator. As the variable regulator included in the voltage input section 110,
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`a variable transformer is a unit for converting input AC voltage into a desired
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`magnitude to form a new AC powersource, and may be provided in a primary side or a
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`secondary side, but preferably in the secondary side. The variable regulator adjusts the
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`secondary voltage in accordance with output value information set by an operator or
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`output value information received from the control unit 180. The apparatus for
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`creating pulse magnetic stimulation according to the present invention can continuously
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`vary the amplitude of voltage with respect to the same pulse width using the variable
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`transformer. A reason that
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`the apparatus for creating pulse magnetic stimulation
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`according to the present invention may control the amplitude of voltage prior to the
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`LO
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`primary side of the transformer 120 is to eliminate difficulties in the control of the
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`amplitude of voltage and complication in circuits associated with extremely high level
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`of signal posterior to the transformer 120 .
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`The transformer 120 serves for boosting the output voltage of the voltage input
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`section 110 into a high voltage. For example, a 3kV level transformer of which the
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`input and output signals are AC voltage and the output voltage to the input voltage is
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`200:1500[V] can be employed. A method of designing a transformer is as follows.
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`The magnet coil 170 is first designed in accordance with an induced voltage desired by
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`a user, and an L value of the magnet coil 170 and a desired current are established. After
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`constituting an RLC serial resonantcircuit, the pulse capacitor 150 satisfying an under-
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`damping condition is then determined. When the pulse capacitor 150 is determined,
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`the storage voltage thereof is calculated, and the voltage obtained by calculating the
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`relevant storage voltage andefficiency of the rectifier 130 and adding a compensating
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`value thereto is the output voltage of the transformer 120. Then, using the current
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`value flowing in lines, the capacitance of the transformer can be determined.
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`The rectifier 130 serves for converting the high AC voltage into a high DC
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`voltage. That is, the rectifier 130 carries out the full-wave rectification using a bridge
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`rectifying diode to convert the AC voltage into the DC voltage.
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`The filtering section 140 serves for smoothing a ripple voltage, since the DC
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`voltage full-wave-rectified by the rectifier 130 has a ripple waveform having a
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`continuous semi-period. That is, the filtering section 140 is connected to a ground
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`terminal (-) and a power supply terminal (+) at both ends of the bridge rectifying diode.
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`For example, a DC smoothing capacitor serving as a low pass filter can be used.
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`The input switch 145 serves for accumulating electric charge in the pulse
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`capacitor, and examples thereof include a relay, a thyristor, an Insulated Gate Bipolar
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`Transistor (IGBT)andthe like. The input switch 145 is switched on for a time period
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`that the pulse capacitor 150 does not allow a current to flow in the magnet coil 170, and
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`is switched off for a time period that the pulse capacitor 150 allows a current to flow in
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`the magnet coil 170. Therefore, the input switch 145 is operated im a sequence inverse
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`to a sequence of the following output switch 155.
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`20
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`The pulse capacitor 150 serves as a capacitor in the RLC serial resonant circuit,
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`and the pulse capacitor 150 may comprise a plurality of pulse capacitor groups
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`connected in parallel each other (see Fig.3).
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`The output switch 155 serves for discharging the electric charge accumulated in
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`the pulse capacitor 150. The shunt switch 160 serves for obtaining a pulse magnetic
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`field, not an alternate magnetic field. Examples of the output switch 155 and the shunt