Magnetism generation coil that provides non-invasive treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetism generation coil that provides non-invasive treatment by applying a magnetic field to nerve cells or muscle cells of the body. The magnetism generation coil of the present invention comprises: a coil bundle consisting of a collection of a plurality of unit coil strands of a copper material; and a hollow tube surrounding the coil bundle and formed of a flexible material. The unit coil strands forming the magnetism generation coil of the present invention may be formed of an oxygen-free copper (OFC) coil having a low ratio of oxygen to copper.

Description

Magnetically generated coils that provide non-invasive treatment

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic generating coil, and more particularly, to a magnetic generating coil that provides non-invasive treatment by applying a magnetic field to nerve cells or muscle cells of the body.

[0002] Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a brain stimulation technique that uses localized magnetic waves induced externally on the surface of the head to activate or suppress neurons in specific areas of the brain. TMS works by applying a strong electric current to an electromagnetic coil, generating a magnetic field of several Tesla in strength. This fluctuating energy from the magnetic field waves is then transmitted to the brain, inducing depolarization in neurons several centimeters below the coil, thereby stimulating the brain.

[0003] TMS is a representative non-invasive brain stimulation technique, and its therapeutic application is being actively studied in depression, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, movement disorders, dementia, and brain dysfunction that do not respond well to drug treatment and psychotherapy.

[0004] Meanwhile, neuromagnetic stimulation (NMS) or pulsed electro-magnetic field (PEMF) therapy is used to treat inflammation, swelling, and pain caused by damage to soft tissues such as skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments due to musculoskeletal disorders. It directly delivers electromagnetic fields to the damaged tissue, inducing microcurrents to promote the recovery of damaged cells.

[0005] Additionally, core-muscle strength magnetic stimulation (CSMS) is a method of strengthening core muscles by applying high-frequency magnetic stimulation to repeat muscle contraction and relaxation more than 40 times per second.

[0006] To administer these various types of magnetic stimulation, a stimulator containing a coil of a certain diameter is gradually moved to find the point that produces the greatest stimulation. The stimulation intensity is then determined based on a threshold value, and the area is repeatedly stimulated.

[0007] Traditionally, efforts have been made to develop structures that enhance the strength of the magnetic field while simultaneously focusing it effectively on the desired target area through the structural design of various magnetic generating coils. Because the electrical activity induced by the coil is highly focused and decays rapidly with distance from the coil center, coil design technology and the development of coil structures that ensure proper contact with the target area are crucial for optimal stimulation.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a magnetic generating coil having a structure for proper contact with a target area and effective focusing of a magnetic field.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to present a magnetic generating coil having a structure and material that minimizes factors that impede the flow of current by taking into account the impedance of the coil.

[0010] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a flexible magnetic generating coil so that an applicator including the magnetic generating coil of the present invention can be formed to fit the curves of various body parts.

[0011] In order to achieve the above purpose, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention is a magnetic generating coil that provides non-invasive treatment by applying a magnetic field to nerve cells or muscle cells of the body, and includes a coil bundle formed by assembling a plurality of unit coil strands made of copper material; and a hollow tube formed of a flexible material and surrounding the coil bundle.

[0012] In addition, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention may be a disc-shaped coil in which the coil bundle and the hollow tube are wound as one body.

[0013] In addition, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention may include a first coil bundle and a second coil bundle connected in parallel with the first coil bundle, and the hollow tube may include a first tube wrapping the first coil bundle and a second tube wrapping the second coil bundle.

[0014] In addition, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention is formed with a two-layer structure, and the first coil bundle and the second coil bundle can form the first layer and the second layer of the disk-shaped coil, respectively.

[0015] In addition, in the magnetic generating coil of the present invention, the first tube and the second tube can be in close contact with each other and at least partially connected.

[0016] In addition, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention may further include an input side coil bundle connected to a first end of the first coil bundle and a first end of the second coil bundle; and an output side coil bundle connected to a second end of the first coil bundle and a second end of the second coil bundle.

[0017] In addition, in the magnetic generating coil of the present invention, the diameters of the input side coil bundle and the output side coil bundle may be larger than the diameters of the first coil bundle and the second coil bundle.

[0018] In addition, the self-generating coil of the present invention can be formed of an OFC (oxygen free copper) coil having a low oxygen to copper ratio in the unit coil strand.

[0019] As described above, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention is formed with a flexible structure and material, and thus has the advantage of being able to achieve appropriate contact with a target area and effective focusing of a magnetic field.

[0020] Additionally, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention allows an applicator including the magnetic generating coil of the present invention to be formed to conform to the curves of various body parts.

[0021] In addition, the magnetic generating coil of the present invention uses an oxygen-free copper (OFC) coil that minimizes elements that impede the flow of current, thereby lowering the impedance of the coil, thereby reducing heat generated from the coil and maximizing the magnetic generating efficiency.

[0022] In addition, the self-generating coil of the present invention has the advantage of being able to implement a coil assembly capable of controlling heat generation without the need for a separate cooling means by using an OFC (oxygen-free copper) coil.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 4 illustrates a CC' cross-sectional view of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating the structure of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a graph comparing the results of a heating temperature experiment of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention and another type of magnetic generating coil.

[0029] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims.

[0030] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it should be understood that a "first" component referred to below may also be a "second" component within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0031] In the examples below, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0032] For convenience of explanation, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the sizes and shapes of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

[0033] Identical reference numerals throughout the specification refer to identical components.

[0034] The individual features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or wholly combined or combined with each other, and as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, various technical connections and operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other or can be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0035] Hereinafter, the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a magnetic generating coil (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention is a coil that generates a magnetic field and applies the magnetic field to nerve or muscle cells of the body to provide non-invasive treatment.

[0038] The magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention is a magnetic generating coil that can be used for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuromagnetic stimulation (NMS), pulsed electromagnetic stimulation (PEMF), or core muscle magnetic stimulation (CSMS).

[0039] Hereinafter, the structure of the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, which specifically illustrate cross-sections of each part of FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line CC' of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating a structure of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention includes a coil bundle (110, 120) including unit coil strands (111, 121) made of copper material, and a hollow tube (130, 140) surrounding the coil bundle (110, 120). The magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention may be a disc-shaped coil in which the coil bundle (110, 120) and the hollow tube (130, 140) are wound as one body.

[0042] The coil bundle (110, 120) includes a first coil bundle (110) and a second coil bundle (120) connected in parallel with the first coil bundle (110).

[0043] The coil bundle (110, 120) is formed by gathering multiple unit coil strands (111, 121). The first coil bundle (110) is formed by gathering multiple unit coil strands (111), and the second coil bundle (120) is formed by gathering multiple unit coil strands (121).

[0044] Here, it is preferable that each unit coil strand (111, 121) be formed of an OFC (oxygen free copper) coil having a low oxygen to copper ratio.

[0045] OFC coil refers to a high-purity copper wire of 99.9% or higher that does not contain oxides except for copper. The higher the oxygen content in the coil, the more the current flow is hindered, and conversely, the higher the purity of the copper, the more smoothly the current flow can proceed. The OFC coil used in the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention has a lower oxygen content than a general coil, and thus has lower resistance or impedance, and therefore, the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention has the advantage of low heat generation.

[0046] It is preferable that the OFC coil used in the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention be a coil selected between AWG 8 and AWG 12, which is the standard specification for wire diameter (or cross-sectional area). When an OFC coil with a diameter within the above range is selected and used, it can be confirmed that heat generation is controlled without separate cooling during non-invasive treatment using the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention. Specific heat generation control performance will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0047] The hollow tube (130, 140) includes a first tube (130) that wraps around a first coil bundle (110) and a second tube (140) that wraps around a second coil bundle (120).

[0048] The first tube (130) wraps around the first coil bundle (110), and the second tube (140) wraps around the second coil bundle (120). These hollow tubes (130, 140) may be PVC tubes made of a flexible material. The hollow tubes (130, 140) serve to encapsulate the coil bundles (110, 120).

[0049] At this time, the first tube (130) and the second tube (140) may be in close contact with each other and at least partially connected. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of the outer circumference of the first tube (130) and the second tube (140) may be connected so that the cross-section has a figure-8 shape. The first tube (130) and the second tube (140) may be formed in a form in which they are in close contact with each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention may be a disc-shaped coil in which a coil bundle (110, 120) and a hollow tube (130, 140) are wound as one body, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0051] Here, the diameter (D1) of the magnetic generating coil (100) may be 100 mm to 300 mm. More preferably, the first diameter (D1) may be 150 mm to 250 mm.

[0052] The disc-shaped magnetic generating coil (100) can be formed into a two-layer structure. Referring to FIG. 3, the magnetic generating coil (100) includes a first layer (10) and a second layer (20). The first coil bundle (110) and the second coil bundle (120) described above can form the first layer (10) and the second layer (20) of the disc-shaped coil, respectively.

[0053] The magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention further includes an input side coil bundle (150) and an output side coil bundle (160).

[0054] The first coil bundle (110) forming the first layer (10) of the disc-shaped magnetic generating coil (100) and the second coil bundle (120) forming the second layer (20) can be connected in parallel to the input-side coil bundle (150) and the output-side coil bundle (160).

[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, the input side coil bundle (150) is connected to the first end (112) of the first coil bundle (110) and the first end (122) of the second coil bundle (120). The output side coil bundle (160) is connected to the second end (113) of the first coil bundle (110) and the second end (123) of the second coil bundle (120).

[0056] Here, it is preferable that the diameter (d2) of the input side coil bundle (150) be larger than the diameter (d1) of the first coil bundle (110).

[0057] Additionally, the diameter of the output side coil bundle (160) may be the same as the diameter (d2) of the input side coil bundle (150), and the diameter of the second coil bundle (120) may be the same as the diameter (d1) of the first coil bundle (110).

[0058] A connection part (30) may be included at a point connecting the input side coil bundle (150) and the first coil bundle (110) and the second coil bundle (120) and / or at a point connecting the output side coil bundle (160) and the first coil bundle (110) and the second coil bundle (120). The connection part (30) electrically connects the input side coil bundle (150), the first coil bundle (110) and the second coil bundle (120).

[0059] The input-side tube (170) wraps around the input-side coil bundle (150). The input-side tube (170) is a hollow tube like the first tube (130) and the second tube (140), and may be a flexible PVC tube. The hollow input-side tube (170) serves to encapsulate the input-side coil bundle (150). Similarly, an output-side tube (180) may be provided, and the output-side tube (180) wraps around the output-side coil bundle (160).

[0060] Meanwhile, the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention may further include a support member (40). Referring to FIG. 1, the support member (40) serves to support a disc-shaped coil in which a coil bundle (110, 120) and a hollow tube (130, 140) are wound as one body. The support member (40) may be a belt-shaped member capable of simultaneously wrapping and supporting multiple coils wound in layers of the magnetic generating coil (100).

[0061] The conditions of current, voltage, frequency, etc. applied to the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention are exemplified as follows.

[0062] Current = 500 ~ 900 A (PP)

[0063] Voltage = 100 ~ 1000V (PP)

[0064] Frequency = 1 ~ 100 Hz

[0065] However, it should be noted that these figures are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0066] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a graph comparing the results of a heating temperature experiment of a magnetic generating coil according to one embodiment of the present invention and another type of magnetic generating coil.

[0067] The illustrated comparative coil 1 is a solid type copper coil used in conventional magnetic generating coils, and the illustrated comparative coil 2 is a coil formed of a coil bundle wound with multiple unit coil strands like the coil of the present invention, but is formed of a tin material. The coil of the embodiment corresponds to the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention.

[0068] Comparison Coil 1, Comparison Coil 2, and Example Coil all have the same conductor diameter of 12AWG, and the inner diameter of the wound disc is Ø90, and the outer diameter is Ø300. Under room temperature conditions of 26°C, current was applied to each coil, and temperature measurements were taken three times after approximately one hour. The temperatures shown represent the average of the three measurements.

[0069] While the temperature of Comparative Coil 1 and Comparative Coil 2 rapidly increased to 32.9°C and 32°C, respectively, the magnetic generating coil (100) of the present invention showed a lower temperature increase of 31.2°C compared to Comparative Coil 1 and Comparative Coil 2.

[0070] A temperature difference of approximately 1°C like this demonstrates the effectiveness of significant heat control performance. Since magnetic therapy is typically performed for more than 20 minutes using a magnetically generated coil, the magnetically generated coil (100) of the present invention, which exhibits a lower temperature rise than comparative coils, can reduce heat generated from the coil during magnetic therapy lasting several tens of minutes and maximize magnetically generated efficiency.

[0071] In the above, the magnetic generating coil (100) of one embodiment of the present invention is exemplified as having an overall circular shape, but is not limited thereto. The magnetic generating coil (100) may be a coil wound to have various shapes, such as an oval, a figure-of-eight, a disk shape, or a polygon, when viewed from vertically above or below.

[0072] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0073] This project (outcome) is the result of a local government-university collaboration-based regional innovation project, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and funded by the Ministry of Education in 2023 (2021RIS-001).

[0074] This research was supported by "Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS)" through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education(MOE)(2021RIS-001)

Claims

1. A magnetic generating coil that provides non-invasive treatment by applying a magnetic field to the body's nerve cells or muscle cells. A coil bundle formed by assembling multiple unit coil strands of copper material; and A magnetic generating coil comprising a hollow tube formed of a flexible material and wrapping the above coil bundle.

2. In paragraph 1, The above magnetic generating coil, A magnetic generating coil, which is a disc-shaped coil in which the above coil bundle and the above hollow tube are wound as one body.

3. In paragraph 2, The above coil bundle is, comprising a first coil bundle and a second coil bundle connected in parallel with the first coil bundle; The above hollow tube, A magnetizing coil comprising a first tube wrapping the first coil bundle and a second tube wrapping the second coil bundle.

4. In paragraph 3, The above disc-shaped coil is formed in a two-layer structure, A magnetic generating coil, wherein the first coil bundle and the second coil bundle form the first layer and the second layer of the disc-shaped coil, respectively.

5. In paragraph 3, A magnetic generating coil, wherein the first tube and the second tube are in close contact with each other and at least partially connected.

6. In paragraph 3, An input side coil bundle connected to a first end of the first coil bundle and a first end of the second coil bundle; and A magnetic generating coil further comprising: an output side coil bundle connected to a second end of the first coil bundle and a second end of the second coil bundle; 7. In paragraph 6, The diameters of the above input side coil bundle and the above output side coil bundle are, A magnetic generating coil having a diameter larger than that of the first coil bundle and the second coil bundle.

8. In paragraph 1, The above unit coil strands are, A self-generating coil formed with an OFC (oxygen free copper) coil, which has a low oxygen to copper ratio.

Images