DEVICE FOR TREATMENT WITH MAGNETIC FIELDS

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for treatment with magnetic fields. Background of the invention

[0002] Methods for magnetic field treatment and associated devices for carrying out such treatment are known.

[0003] A method for magnetic field therapy in which the therapeutic effect is based on the effect of nuclear magnetic resonance is described in European patent EP 1 089 792 B1 (patent holder Axel Muntermann).

[0004] In such a method, a device is used in which a substantially static magnetic field is superimposed by an alternating magnetic field perpendicular to it.

[0005] To achieve nuclear magnetic resonance, it is necessary that at least the static magnetic field in the treatment zone has a field strength that is as homogeneous as possible, since otherwise nuclear magnetic resonance can only be achieved in a part of the treatment zone.

[0006] In practice, for example, a ring-shaped coil is used to generate magnetic fields, which extends around the patient.

[0007] The disadvantage of such a coil arrangement, or of a ring coil in general, is that the patient must lie down inside the coil during treatment. This is particularly uncomfortable for older or obese people, and the ring-shaped arrangement extending over the patient can also trigger claustrophobia.

[0008] Furthermore, such a known device is difficult to access, especially for frail patients. The patient must either climb into the toroidal coil themselves or be laboriously pushed into the toroidal coil on a slide.

[0009] DE2610589 describes a device for magnetic field treatment in which coils for generating the magnetic fields are located in pivoting side parts and in the base area. Object of the invention

[0010] The invention is based on the object of at least reducing the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned.

[0011] In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for magnetic field therapy whose handling is improved.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a device for treatment with magnetic fields which has a large treatment zone. Summary of the invention

[0013] The object of the invention is already achieved by a device for magnetic field therapy according to the independent claim.

[0014] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the respective subclaims.

[0015] The invention relates to a device for treatment with magnetic fields.

[0016] The device comprises a preferably horizontally arranged base surface and a first device for generating a magnetic field. The first device for generating a magnetic field is preferably designed as a coil with which an alternating magnetic field can be generated.

[0017] Furthermore, the device comprises two angled side parts extending preferably vertically from the sides of the base area, wherein the side parts each have a coil whose central axis runs transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the respective side part.

[0018] A Helmholtz coil-like arrangement is created via the opposing coils, which generates a relatively homogeneous magnetic field that extends from one side part to the other side part.

[0019] A substantially static magnetic field is preferably generated via the coils arranged in the side parts, whereas an alternating field perpendicular thereto is generated via the first device for generating a magnetic field.

[0020] A static magnetic field is not understood to be a magnetic field whose field strength remains constant. Rather, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the static field is swept at a lower frequency than the alternating magnetic field. The field strength of the static field has a base value that is periodically increased or decreased by a certain amount. Such sweeping can ensure that the resonance condition is reached within the treatment zone. Otherwise, the earth's magnetic field or magnetic fields from electrical devices could prevent the resonance condition from being reached in the tissue to be treated.

[0021] The first device for generating an alternating magnetic field comprises a flat coil arranged in the base. Furthermore, according to the invention, at least one side part is pivotably mounted. The side part, which is movable relative to the device, ensures that the device for treatment with magnetic fields, which, as provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a couch, is freely accessible from the side.

[0022] The side panel, as provided by the invention, is pivoted downward when the device is in its upright position. This allows the patient to comfortably access the lying surface from the side, even with an elongated device designed as a couch. Furthermore, if the side panels are sufficiently long, a device can be provided that can treat a very large area.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed as a bed, wherein the side parts extend over at least 70%, preferably over the entire length of the lying surface.

[0024] According to the invention, the pivot axis for one pivoting side panel is located essentially in the area of ​​the opposite side panel. Compared to a folding mechanism in which the pivoting side panel is attached directly to the bed, the invention has the advantage that the bed surface does not have to be permanently connected to the rest of the device. This allows the bed to be easily replaced, for example, for hygiene reasons.

[0025] A further advantage is that the long lever, which is caused by the stop of the side part on the opposite side, avoids tight bending radii of cables which supply power to the coil integrated in the side part.

[0026] In a further development of the invention, the side panels are curved. These curved sides enhance the feeling of space. When tilted upwards, the side panels extend in an arc around the patient, allowing greater freedom of movement. Description of the drawings

[0027] The invention will be explained below using a schematically illustrated embodiment with reference to the drawings Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 be explained in more detail.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for treatment with magnetic fields 1.

[0029] The device for treatment with magnetic fields 1 comprises a first side part 2 and a second side part 3. Furthermore, the device for treatment with magnetic fields comprises a base 4, which is designed, for example, as a bed for the patient. The bed, which can be inserted, is not shown in this illustration.

[0030] The side parts 2, 3 extend essentially over the entire length of the device for treatment with magnetic fields 1.

[0031] In the side parts 2, 3, frames 8 are provided, which serve as supports for the cladding, but also supports for the coils (not shown) integrated in the side parts 2, 3.

[0032] The frames 8 are each held together at the lower end by a rod 7.

[0033] In this device for treatment with magnetic fields 1, the right side panel 3 is designed to be pivotable. For this purpose, the side panel 3 is attached to the left side panel 2 via an arm 6 by means of a joint 5. The arm 6 is essentially L-shaped and is attached approximately centrally to the side panel 2. This allows the side panel 3 to be pivoted downward. The relatively long arm 6 allows the bending radii of the cables that supply power to the coil integrated in the side panel 3 to remain small.

[0034] This eliminates the need for a rotary union to supply the coil.

[0035] In this embodiment of the device, the treatment zone extending between side panels 2, 3 and base 4 covers virtually the entire patient's body. Unlike known devices that use magnetic resonance imaging to generate magnetic resonance in the tissue to be treated, this allows for a whole-body treatment.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows the Fig. 1 The device for treatment with magnetic fields 1 shown here, with the right side part 3 pivoted downwards. It can be seen that the device for treatment with magnetic fields is now freely accessible not only from the front sides and from above, but also from the right side.

[0037] With the side panel 3 swung down, the patient can comfortably sit and lie down on a couch (not shown). The side panel 3 is then swung up again to begin the treatment.

[0038] The pivoting mechanism can be motorized or, in an alternative embodiment, manually operated, for example, by means of a hand crank. For this purpose, a cable pull or a rack can be provided, for example, which is moved by a gearwheel to which a hand crank or motor is attached.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 3 The arrangement of the coils is shown schematically.

[0040] Each of the side panels 2 and 3 contains a coil 5, although only the coil in the right-hand side panel 3 is shown here. The coil 5 essentially follows the shape of the side panel 3. The coil integrated in the side panel 2 (not shown) creates a Helmholtz coil-like arrangement, which can be used to generate an essentially static magnetic field in the treatment zone. It is important that the static field generated by the coils integrated in the side panels 2 and 3 has a field strength that is as consistent as possible across the entire treatment zone. In order to compensate for remaining inhomogeneities and external influences, the static field generated by the coils in the side panels 2 and 3 can be swept to ensure that the resonance condition is reached.

[0041] In order to generate an essentially vertical alternating field, a coil 9 is located on or below the base surface 4, the axis of which is essentially perpendicular to the base surface 4 and perpendicular to the coil 5.

[0042] In this exemplary embodiment, the coil 9 also essentially follows the shape of the base surface 4, with the coil 9 comprising a plurality of turns. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), however, it is also conceivable to accommodate multiple coils in or beneath the base surface 4. For example, the use of coils with a round cross-section is also provided. Using these coils, an alternating magnetic field can be generated anywhere within the treatment zone.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows, schematically represented, a further variant not according to the invention.

[0044] In this example, the device for treatment with magnetic fields 1 also comprises a couch 10 on which the patient can rest during the treatment.

[0045] A coil (not shown) is arranged beneath the bed to generate an alternating magnetic field.

[0046] Furthermore, this device for treatment with magnetic fields 1 also comprises two side parts, of which side part 3 can be seen. In this variant, the further side part can be moved manually or by motor into an area arranged below the bed 10, which area is preferably designed as a housing. In the state shown here, the side part opposite the side part 3 is shown in the retracted state. For this purpose, the side part can be moved downwards, for example, via a curved rack and at the same time brought into a substantially horizontal position so that it fits under the housing beneath the bed. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1Device for treatment with magnetic fields 2Side part 3Side part 4Base 5Joint 6Arm 7Rod 8Frame 9Coil 10Couch 11Backrest 12Head applicator 13Swivel joint

Claims

1. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields, comprising - a horizontally arranged base surface which is configured as an elongate couch and defines a length comprising longitudinal sides extending along the length and comprising end sides, - a first device for generating a magnetic field, which comprises at least one coil that lies flat and is arranged in or under the base surface, and - two opposing side parts which extend vertically from the base surface, wherein the side parts each comprise a coil, the central axis of which extends perpendicularly to the respective side part, and wherein at least one side part is attached to the apparatus so as to be pivotable downwards, - characterised in that - the pivot axis for one pivotable side part, which is fastened to the opposite side part via a substantially L-shaped arm by means of a joint, is located substantially in the region of the opposing side part, such that the lying surface is not permanently rigidly connected to the remainder of the apparatus.

2. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the side part is pivotable downwards in the erected state of the apparatus.

3. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one side part is pivotable laterally relative to its coil, substantially perpendicularly to the central axis.

4. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is configured such that a magnetic field generated by the coils is positioned transversely to a magnetic field generated by the first device for generating a magnetic field.

5. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is open opposite the base surface, for magnetic field therapy.

6. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side parts are curved.

7. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is configured as a couch, wherein the side parts extend over at least 70%, preferably over the entire length, of the lying surface.

8. Apparatus for treatment using magnetic fields according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an alternating magnetic field can be generated by the first device for generating a magnetic field, and a substantially static field can be generated by the coils arranged in the side parts.