US3921620A

US3921620A - Magnetic medical treatment device

Info

Publication number: US3921620A
Application number: US323045A
Authority: US
Inventors: Takeo Nakayama
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-10
Filing date: 1973-01-12
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25
Also published as: GB1424456A; FR2213782A1; DE2301010C2; DE2301010A1; FR2213782B3

Abstract

A magnetic medical treatment device having a plurality of magnets or magnetic shells so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets or magnetic shells closely contact a selected part of a human body such that polarization and induced currents are efficiently generated in the human body. Each of the magnetic shells of the same polarity is provided with a ferromagnetic metal plate on the side thereof opposite the body contacting sides of the magnetic shells.

Description

1 Nov. 25, 1975 limited States Patent 11 1 Nakayama 128/1.3 Australia.............................. 128/1 3 128/1.3

Australia..................,...........

United Kingdom"................

m 0 d g .m K d e .H n U 3539 6367 9998 1111 550 1 8911 777 999 525 242 Minamisenju, Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner-William E. Kamm Flledi J 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firmlrving M. Weiner Appl. No.: 323,045

[52] US. l28/l.3; 128/13 Int. A61N 1/42 A gn i m i l r atment device having a plural- [58] Field of Search.......,... 128/1 R, 1.3, 24.1, 68.1, y f gn or m gn ic shells so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets or magnetic shells closely contact a selected part of a human body such [56] Referen es Cit d that polarization and induced currents are efficiently UNITED STATES PATENTS generated in the human body. Each of the magnetic shells of the same polarity is provided with a ferromagnetic metal plate on the side thereof opposite the wig/123 body contacting sides of the magnetic shells.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 237,939 2/1881 645,433 3/1900 Strange. 658,027 9/1900 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1849 United Kingdom.................. 128/1.5

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet -1 of2 3,921,620

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,921,620

MAGNETIC MEDICAL TREATMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic medical treatment device for efficiently causing magnetic flux to act on a human body.

II. Description of the Prior Art A magnetic medical treatment wrist band which allegedly magnetically cures an affected part of a human body by the utilization of the magnetic force of magnets has been known. However, the conventional magnetic medical treatment wrist band has been constructed by merely arranging magnets in a particular pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention, which will be subsequently described in greater detail, relates to a magnetic medical treatment device for efficiently causing magnetic flux to act on a human body and comprises a plurality of magnets so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets contact a selected part of a human body. The present invention is applicable to magnetic medical treatment devices such as a wrist band, belly-band, pillow, bed, pad and plaster which magnetically treat an affected part of a human body. The magnetic medical treatment device of the present invention greatly enhances treating effects by effectively utilizing magnetic force to increase flux density. For this purpose, according to the present invention, the magnetic treatment device comprises a plurality of magnets so arranged that the magnets of the same polarity closely contact a selected part of a human body or alternatively, the magnets are applied with ferromagnetic metal plates to the sides thereof oppoiste to the sides where the magnets contact the human body, whereby flux density can be greatly increased to enhance curing effects.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device which can treat an affected part of a human body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device which treats an affected part of a human body by arranging a plurality of magnets in a unique way.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device which treats an affected part of a human body by arranging a plurality of magnetic shells in a unique way.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device which comprises a plurality of magnets so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnets closely contact an affected part of a human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device which comprises a plurality of magnetic shells so arranged that the same polarity poles of the magnetic shells closely contact the body while the magnetic shells are provided with ferromagnetic metal plates on the sides opposite to the sides where the shells contact the human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro- It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a magnetic medical treatment device in the form of a belly-band'which comprises a plurality of magnetic shells so arranged that the same polarity of the magnetic shells closely contact an affected part of a human body, and the magnetic shells are provided with ferromagnetic metal plates on the sides thereof opposite to the sides where the magnetic shells contact the human body.

According to the present invention, there has been provided a magnetic medical treatment belly-band comprising a main body, a plurality of magnets secured to one side of the main body where the band contacts a selected part of a human body, the magnets being so arranged that the poles of the same polarity are disposed in one and the same direction. Cloth pieces cover the magnets.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art of magnetic medical treatment devices when the following detailed description of some examples of the best modes contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show specific embodiments of the invention for illustration purposes only, but not for limiting the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like or equivalent components throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a magnetic figure of one embodiment of a magnetic medical treatment device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and in which the same polarity poles of magnets are arranged in the same direction;

FIG. 2 is a magnetic figure of a second embodiment of a magnetic medical treatment device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and in which the opposite polarity poles of magnets are alternately arranged;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the principle on the basis of which a polarizing current is generated;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the principle on the basis of which an induced current is generated;

FIG. 5 is a reverse side view of a belly-band in which the present invention is embodied;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a belly-band in which a different type of magnetic medical treatment device embodying the present invention is employed; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a belly-band in which a further different type of magnetic medical treatment device embodying the present invention is employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS When the same polarity poles of several magnets are arranged in one and the same direction as shown in FIG. 1 and applied against a selected part of a human body, the magnetic lines of force surrounding the magnets to the extent that the driven magnetic lines of force may permeate deep into the human body whereby a high polarization current is generated in the human body. The curve of the magnetic field outside of each of the outermost magnets will be greater than those around the remaining magnets, thereby generating an induced current. Therefore, the arrangement of 3 magnets as shown in FIG. I is most cl'lectne to generate polarization current and induced current.

In FIG. 2. the opposite polarity poles of magnets are alternately arranged. Although the magnetic field outside of each of the outermost magnets may have a greater curve than those around the remaining magnets and an induced current will be generated as in the arrangement of FIG. 1, the magnetic lines of force pass around only the surface of the human body and come quently, only a low polarization current is generated.

The greater the number of magnets in an array, the more effective is the generation of polarization and induced currents. In such a case, the magnetic lines of force between adjacent magnets are expelled far away from the associated magnets by the magnetic lines of force surrounding the magnets to permeate deep into the human body and the curve of the magnetic fields 7 around the outermost magnets is greater than those of the magnetic fields around the intermediate magnets.

It is generally preferable to arrange magnets in a number of n (n being greater than 2) along an axis of ordinate and an axis of abscissa and at a slanted angle thereto. The greater the value of n, the more effective is the generation of polarization and induced currents. When the same polarity poles of the magnets are arranged in one and the same direction, it has been experimentally found that the magnetic lines of force are driven far away from the magnets due to the repulsion force between the same polarity poles of magnets so that the magnetic line of force can permeate deep into the human body. It has been also found that the magnetic lines of force outside the outermost magnets in the array pass by nearer to the associated magnets than the magnetic lines of force for the intermediate magnets pass by the associated magnets and the magnetic lines of force for the outermost magnets will have a curve greater than that of those for the intermediate magnets. However, when the opposite polarity poles of the magnets are alternately arranged, most of the magnetic lines of force will pass along only the surface of the human body and only a small portion of the magnetic lines of force will permeate deep into the human body.

When the magnets are arranged in a ring with the same polarity poles of the magnets directed inwardly, the magnetic lines of force will extend to the center of the ring without attenuation. On the other hand, when the opposite polarity poles of the magnets are alternately arranged in a ring, the magnetic lines of force having the opposite polarities will attract toward each other and in consequence, the magnetic lines of force will pass along only the surface of the human body.

A ring of magnets which is called a magnetic band in the art is generally worn on an arm or leg. In the limbs ofa human, blood and body fluid flow in the longitudinal direction thereof in both the hypodermal and deep areas in the human body. Therefore, it is preferable that the magnetic lines of force pass at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the limbs and will not attenuate in the deep area of the human body. In other words, since a polarization current is more effective than an induced current for medical treatment, it is preferable that the magnets be arranged to increase the polarization current as much as possible or the. magnets be arranged with the same polarity poles of the magnets disposed on the inner side.

The effects of a magnetic field upon a living body are due to the fact that the electrolyte within the living body is dissociated by polarization and induced currents and the dissociation of electrolyte is effective in controlling the sympathetic nerve system among aut0-* I'IOITIIC nervous systems Effects of polarization and induced currents on a human body are as follows: I. Polarization current:

As shown in FIG. 3, when it is assumed that a compo-' nent of force having the flux density of 2 which acts on I netic flow meter) is a current which is generated at electromotive force E. The polarization current gener ates an ionic polarization in the blood vessel which in turn causes electrolyte dissociation in the human body. 2. Induced current:

As shown in FIG. 4, when a magnet 3 is applied against a human body 4, only a non-uniform magnetic field acts on the human body 4. Therefore, whensome systems of the human body having a curvature (blood,

intracelluar liquid, lymph and the like) move in the direction of the curvature or in a direction at right angles to the plane of the magnetic pole, the electromotive force is in proportion to variation in the magnetic lines of force across which such systems move for a unit.

time. The relationship between the electromotive force E and variation in the magnetic lines of force maybe expressed by the equation E Kdda/dt wherein K isa proportional constant and dqS/dt is the flux density across which a particular system of the human body moves for a unit time. Current generated by the electromotive force is called an induced current. The in.- duced current also causes electrolyte dissociation. When the magnetic poles are arrangedso that the magnetic field induced by the magnetic poles effectively generates polarization and induced currents in a human body in the manner as mentioned hereinabove, there is. provided a most effective magnetic medical device.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the magnetic medi cal treatment device of the invention which is inthe form of a belly-band comprising a main body 5 having i a center portion (the center portion is applied against, the waist of a human body when the device is worntby a human) which is provided with magnets 6 in a plural-, ity of rows with the same polarity poles of the magnets. directing in the same direction on the side which contacts the belly of a human body when the belly- V band is applied against the belly. Numeral 7 denotes a cloth piece which covers the magnets. I

With the arrangement and construction of the, magnetic medical treatment device of the inventiomwhen the belly-band is applied against the human body, the magnetic lines of force induced by the magnets can permeate deeper into the human body than the mag netic lines of force induced by the magnets in the corre- I body 5 of the belly-band and the magnetic shells. are

provided with ferromagnetic metal plates 8 on the side thereof opposite to the side where the shells contactthe haman body. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the bellyband is provided with a group of magnetic shells 6 in a plurality of rows in the center or waist portion and belly portion, respectively, and each of the groups of magnetic shells are also provided with the ferro-magnetic plate 8 as mentioned'in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 6. Although not shown, the magnetic 6 tion in the case wherein the same magnetic shell is placed on the wooden plate which is non-magnetic both at the pole face and each of the selected points.

A second series of experiments where conducted for shells may be secured to any desired other position of 5 determining flux densities in the direction of the magthe belly-band then the waist and belly portion as mennetic axis of a magnetic shell in the space above the tloned above, 1.e., to an area in the belly-band which magnetic shell for a case in which an elongated glass corresponds to the slde of a human body. lnsuch a sheet having magnetic shells arranged thereon with the case, the magnetic shells may be arranged with the same polarity directed in one and the same direction poles having the same polarity (N pole or S-pole) diwas placed on a wooden plate and for the case the same rectlng in one and the same direction or the poles havglass sheet was placed on an iron plate and the results mg the opposite polarities may be alternately arranged. of the measuring experiments will be given in the fol- When a plurality of magnetic shells are, respectively, lowing Table 2. provided in the waist portion and belly portion of the TABLE 7 belly-band in such an arrangement that one or more g H magnets in the waist portion face one or more magnets Distlmce 0f Probe from Glass Y pole face (mm) sheet in the belly portion, the magnet or magnets in the waist 3 mm 6 m 9 mm 13 mm portion and the magnet or magnets in the belly portion H M, r 340 700 134 78 should be so arranged that when the bellyband is worn ai gfig by a human body, the magnets of the opposite polariauss) Placed on a ties face toward each other and in some cases, all the mode poles of N polarity are provided in the waist portion Magnetic 450 290 200 120 and all the poles of S polarity are provided in the belly Shells portion. 7 gllrced on an (US) (145) LI40) (154) The magnetic medical treatment devices of the inplate vcntlon are characterized in that In any Of the abov h arenthis zed figures represent the determined values of flux densities at sementloned embodiments Of 6 and 7, the Slde Of lected points on magnetic shells placed on the iron plate on the basis of the flux th b ]ly b d pp it t th id Where th b lly densiticsatthe corresponding pointson magnetic shells placedon thewooden plate which are assumed as 100. ln an case. the figures less than three places of decimals band contacts any part of the human body ls provided are ignored, with a plate of ferromagnetic material so that the magnetic fiel which act h fled d 8 upon the uman bod) is mtensl A third serles of experiments were conducted for del termining flux densities in the magnetic axis direction Experiments were conducted for determining flux f or an instance 1n which the opposite polarity poles of densltles 1n the direction of a magnetic axis at varlous magnetlc shells were alternately arranged on a wooden polnts along the magnetic axis for an instance in which plate and for the other case in WhlCh the same magnetlc a single magnetlc shell was placed on a wooden plate shells were placed in the same alternate arrangement and for the other case In which the same magnetic shell on an iron plate and the results of measuring expertwas placed on an tron plate. In conducting the expertments wlll be given in the following Table 3. ments, m order to maintain the probe of a gauss meter at a precisely predetermined distance from the mag 40 TABLE 3 netic axis, acryl resin sheets of different thicknesses Glass were placed over selected points of the magnetic axis Dista ce of probe sheet and the probe was moved along the magnetic axis fmm pole face 3 mm 6 mm 9 mm 13 mm maintaining the probe in contact with the resin sheets ux c e ic enslty s e s 4 by pressing the probe against the resm sheets with a (gauss) placed on a 420 222 156 78 slight force. the partlcular gauss meter employed was a wooden plate model GX-09 made by the Nippon Denji Sokki (Japan Electro Magnetic Measuring Instrument Co., iggfi' 450 290 200 I20 Ltd.) and the results of the measuring experiments will placed on an be given in the following Table l. ('45) (54) TABLE 1 Distance of probe from 0 4 9 l5 2] pole face (mm) Density When one magnetic shell 620 400 68 32 of magwas placed on a wooden netic plate of 5 mm. thick field (gauss) When one magnetic shell 850 5 I0 94 43 was placed on an iron (137) (I28) (I35) (I38) (134) plate of 0.3 mm. thick (The parenthesized figures represent the determined values of flux densities at selected points on a magnetic shell placed on the iron plate on the basis of the flux densities at the corresponding points on a magnetic shell placed on the wooden plate which are assumed as lO(). In any case. the l'lgures less than three places ofdeeimals are ignored.)

From the above Table 1, it will be seen that the flux density inthe magnetic axis direction is greater in the case wherein a magnetic shell is placed on the iron plate than the flux density in the magnetic axis direc- (The parenthesized t'lgures reprcse nt the determined \alues of flux densities at selected points on magnetic shells placed on the iron plate on the basis of the flux densities at the corresponding points on magnetic shells placed on the wooden plate which are assumed as 100. In any case. the figures less than three places ofdecimals are ignored.)

7 It is clear from the experimental results shown in Tables 2 and 3 that whether the magnetic shells are arranged so that the poles of the same polarity mat direct in the same direction or the poles of the opposite polarities are alternately arranged, the flux densities in the magnetic axis whenthe magnetic shells are placed on the iron plate (ferromagnetic material) are greater than those when the magnetic shells are placed on the wooden plate (non-magnetic material) at different points along the magnetic axis.

A fourth series of experiments were conducted for determining the flux densities at different points in the magnetic axis of the center magnetic shell in an array of magnetic shells secured to the surface of a glass sheet. In one case, the magnetic shell-carrying glass sheet was placed on a wooden plate and for the other case, the same glass sheet was placed on an iron plate. The results of the measuring experiments will be given in the following Table 4.

(The parenthesized figures represent the determined values of the flux densities at selected points on the iron plate on the basis of the flux densities at the corresponding points on the wooden plate which are assumed at I00. In any case. the figures less than three places of decimals are ignored.)

From the results given in Table 4, it will be seen that the flux densities when the glass-sheet supported magnetic shells are placed on the iron plate are greater than those when the same magnetic shells are placed on the wooden plate. The results of experiments measured when the magnetic shells of the opposite polarities were alternately arranged are given in the following Table 5.

TABLE 5 Glass Distance of probe from sheet pole face (mm) 3 mm 6 mm 9 mm l3 mm Flux Magnetic 425 275 162 81 density shells gauss placed on a unit wooden plate Magnetic 410 332 209 108 shells placedonan (120) (117) (128) (133) iron plate (The parcnthesized figures represent the determined values of flux densities at selected points on the iron plate on the basis ut'the flux densities at the corresponding points of the wooden plate which are assumed as lOO. In an y case. the figures less than three places of decimals are ignored.)

In any case, it has been found that the. flux densities when the magnetic shells are placed on the iron plate (ferro-electro metal material) are greater than those when the magnetic shells are placed on the wooden plate (non-magnetic material). And it has been found that the flux densities when the poles of the magnetic shells which have the same polarity are arranged in the same direction are greater than those when the poles having the opposite polarities are alternately arranged;

2. The flux density when the poles of magnets which I have the same polarity are arranged in the same direction is greater than that when the poles having different 3 polarities are alternately arranged.

3. When a ferromagnetic metal plate is appliedto the outer side or the side of a magnet which is opposite to the side which contacts the human body, the flux den-.

sity which acts on the human body will be greater than otherwise, regardless of whether the magnet is disposed in any way.

Therefore, when a predetermined flux density is desired, if a ferromagnetic metal plate is applied to the side of a magnet opposite to the side where the magnet contacts the human body, such a magnet may be .ofa. low magnetic force. The use of the low magnetic force,

magnet having the ferromagnetic metal plate applied to one side thereof will have a high efficiency.

4. In order that a magnetic flux can induce a moderate degree of magnetic field to act on a human body to efficiently generate polarization and induced currents in the human body, it is preferable to apply a ferromag netic metal plate to the outer side or the side of the magnet opposite to the side where the magnet contacts the human body. In a magnetic medical treatment belly-band, the deeper the magnetic flux permeates the human body, the better the treatment. Therefore, the belly-band embodying the present invention is particue larly suitable for magnetic medical treatment purposes.

Since it does not constitute any part of the present invention to theoretically consider the phenomena which provide such effects, details of the phenomena will not be disclosed herein. To state briefly, it is believed that the flux density increases in the space on the. inner side or the side of the magnet where the magnet contacts a human body because the magnetic reluctance is present on the other side or the side of the magnet where the magnet does not contact the human body.

Furthermore, the increase rate of flux density varies depending upon the arrangement of magnets, the space between magnets and the material, size, shape andthickness of the ferromagnetic metal plates. Thus, when the present invention is applied to a magnetic medical treatment bellyband, it is necessary to select suitable magnets and ferromagnetic metal plates suitable for particular applications taking the above factors into consideration.

Although the best modes contemplated for carrying out the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A magnetic medical treatment device for a human wherein magnetic force is utilized to achieve a desired magnetic flux which is cause to act upon a human body generating polarization and induced currents within said human body, and comprising:

a supportive apparatus for magnetic means adapted to contact a portion of the human body;

a plurality of magnetic means arranged in a plurality of rows upon a first surface of said supportive device, each of the means being disposed with respect to each other such that one pole of eachmagnetic means closely contacts a selected part of the human body to achieve a desired intensity of magnetic flux; and

10 at least one ferromagnetic metal plate affixed to a second surface of said supportive device which is opposite said first surface of said supportive device; wherein said supportive device comprises a bellyband having a main body and said magnetic means secured to said first surface of said supportive device where said belly-band contacts the waist portion of said human body.

2. The magnetic medical treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic means comprises a first plurality of magnets positioned in the center of said main body and a second plurality of magnets positioned in any area adjacent to one end of said main body where the belly-band contacts the waist portion and belly portion, respectively, of said human body, and wherein, when said belly-band is worn by a human body, the poles are the same polarity of said first plurality of magnets substantially face the poles of the opposite polarity of said second plurality of magnets.

Claims

1. A magnetic medical treatment device for a human wherein magnetic force is utilized to achieve a desired magnetic flux which is cause to act upon a human body generating polarization and induced currents within said human body, and comprising: a supportive apparatus for magnetic means adapted to contact a portion of the human body; a plurality of magnetic means arranged in a plurality of roWs upon a first surface of said supportive device, each of the means being disposed with respect to each other such that one pole of each magnetic means closely contacts a selected part of the human body to achieve a desired intensity of magnetic flux; and at least one ferromagnetic metal plate affixed to a second surface of said supportive device which is opposite said first surface of said supportive device; wherein said supportive device comprises a belly-band having a main body and said magnetic means secured to said first surface of said supportive device where said belly-band contacts the waist portion of said human body.