Electromagnetic therapy device

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic therapy device that delivers excellent therapeutic effects while also being highly productive. [Solution] The device comprises a power supply circuit 2 that outputs power of a specified waveform, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils 11-16 connected to the power supply circuit 2 that generate magnetism using power. At least one of the magnetic field generating coils 11-16 is provided with polarity changing relays 21-24 as polarity changing circuits that switch the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal. This allows for the generation of a suitable magnetic flux required for treatment for each treatment target area of ​​the patient, resulting in excellent therapeutic effects. Furthermore, there is no need to provide numerous taps for adjusting strength and frequency. Therefore, an electromagnetic therapy device with a small number of parts can be obtained, resulting in a highly productive device that facilitates manufacturing, quality control, inspection, and other processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic therapy device that performs treatment by utilizing magnetism generated by an electric current.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electromagnetic therapy device that performs treatment by magnetic flux generated by applying an alternating voltage to a coil has been known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cushion-embedded type electromagnetic therapy device having a plurality of magnetic generation units that generate alternating magnetism by flowing an alternating current through a magnetic generation coil and treat a patient with the magnetism.

[0004] Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses an electromagnetic therapy device having a plurality of magnetic generation units including a magnetic generation coil, a strength adjustment tap for making the magnetic generation intensity of the magnetic generation coil variable, and a frequency switching tap for making the magnetic output at 50 / 60 Hz of the magnetic generation coil equivalent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The above-described conventional electromagnetic therapy device had points that should be improved in order to improve treatment performance and enhance productivity. Specifically, the conventional electromagnetic therapy devices described above have multiple magnetic field generating coils and are configured to provide magnetic therapy to multiple treatment areas of a patient. However, conventional electromagnetic therapy devices generate magnetic flux in a fixed pattern, such as uniformly penetrating the entire treatment area. Therefore, it was sometimes difficult for conventional electromagnetic therapy devices to generate the appropriate magnetic flux required for treatment of various treatment areas of a patient.

[0007] For example, in a configuration where multiple magnetic field generating units treat the patient's entire body, the magnetic flux of the same polarity penetrating the patient's entire body causes the patient's tissues to generate a counter-magnetic flux to counteract the magnetic flux, resulting in a magnetic induction voltage that surrounds the penetrating flux over a wide area. However, the magnetism penetrates tissues of different shapes, sizes, and compositions simultaneously. For example, the shape and size of the treatment area vary widely, including large and small nerve bundles, muscles, organs of different sizes and shapes, and cellular tissues that affect metabolic systems such as tiny mitochondria. Depending on the treatment area, there may also be tissues distributed throughout the body, such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, or nerves. Conventional electromagnetic therapy devices may not be able to obtain a suitable magnetic flux that matches and intersects with the shape and size of these treatment areas.

[0008] Furthermore, in configurations like the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, where a strength adjustment tap for varying the magnetic generation strength and a frequency switching tap corresponding to switching the power supply frequency are provided on the magnetic generation coil, there is a problem in that it is difficult to provide a large number of magnetic generation coils because there are many connection wires and they become congested.

[0009] Furthermore, if conventional coil structures are dispersed, the coils that generate the appropriate magnetic field are composed of iron cores and windings of a corresponding weight and size. This increases the total weight of the electromagnetic therapy device, resulting in insufficient area for dispersing the coil structures within the device.

[0010] In other words, in order to supply the appropriate magnetic flux to the treatment target areas throughout the patient's body, it is necessary to install a large number of magnetic field generating coils in a distributed manner. However, if each of the numerous magnetic field generating coils is equipped with taps for adjusting the strength and frequency, a large number of taps will be required. As a result, the number of parts increases, the manufacturing process becomes more complicated, the level of skill required for manufacturing, quality control, and inspection increases, and manufacturing costs increase. Therefore, installing a large number of magnetic field generating coils in an electromagnetic therapy device presents challenges from a productivity standpoint.

[0011] Furthermore, in conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, a single magnetic field generating coil weighs approximately 1 to several kilograms and is also quite large. Therefore, when an electromagnetic therapy device is composed of numerous magnetic field generating coils, the total weight exceeds several tens of kilograms, and in some cases can reach around 100 kilograms, and the overall size also increases. Consequently, a configuration with numerous magnetic field generating coils makes the electromagnetic therapy device difficult to install and move.

[0012] For example, in conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, there are cases where numerous magnetic field generating coils are arranged, but these coils are forcibly placed in areas that extend beyond the body, resulting in an overall size that is about the size of a single bed, and the number of magnetic field generating coils is limited to about 10.

[0013] Furthermore, because the magnetic field generating coils are positioned in areas that extend beyond the projection plane of the body when viewed from above, these coils, which are positioned in areas that do not fit the body, perform only a formal operation and do not generate magnetism or other therapeutic effects.

[0014] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide an electromagnetic therapy device that provides excellent therapeutic effects and is highly productive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The electromagnetic therapy device of the present invention comprises a power supply circuit that outputs power of a specified waveform, and a plurality of magnetic generating coils connected to the power supply circuit that generate a magnetism by the power, wherein at least one of the magnetic generating coils is provided with a polarity changing circuit that switches the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The electromagnetic therapy device of the present invention comprises a power supply circuit that outputs power of a specified waveform, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils connected to the power supply circuit that generate a magnetism using the power, wherein at least one of the magnetic field generating coils is provided with a polarity changing circuit that switches the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal. This makes it possible to generate a suitable magnetic flux required for treatment for each treatment target area of ​​the patient, thereby obtaining an excellent therapeutic effect.

[0017] Specifically, by providing a polarity changing circuit in the magnetic generation coil, the polarity of the power of a specified waveform applied to the magnetic generation coil can be changed, thereby changing the polarity of the generated magnetism. This allows the direction of the magnetism to be changed, making it possible to alter the linkage pattern of the magnetic flux to specific tissues such as nerve bundles, muscles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. For example, if the magnetic generation coils are of the same polarity and the magnetic flux of the same polarity is transmitted throughout the patient's body, uniform treatment can be performed in which the tissues of the body generate an antimagnetic flux to counteract the magnetic flux. On the other hand, if the polarity of some of the magnetic generation coils is changed and magnetic generation coils of different polarities are distributed throughout the patient's body, for example, an antimagnetic flux is generated within the human body in a small area corresponding to each magnetic generation coil, and an induced electromotive force is generated in that small area, allowing for appropriate distributed treatment or local treatment for each target area.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the present invention, instead of the large and heavy magnetic generating coils of the conventional technology, a distributed arrangement of multiple small and lightweight magnetic generating coils enables superior dispersed therapy. As a result, an electromagnetic therapy device is realized that has approximately the same weight and size as conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, while providing superior therapeutic effects and excellent productivity.

[0019] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device of the present invention does not require numerous taps for adjusting intensity and frequency, unlike conventional electromagnetic therapy devices. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an electromagnetic therapy device with a low number of parts, which allows for easy manufacturing, quality control, inspection, and other processes, resulting in high productivity.

[0020] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic therapy device of the present invention, at least one of the magnetic field generating coils may be provided with a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one terminal to the other terminal. This allows for free selection of the treatment target area. Therefore, the range of treatment application patterns increases, for example, from whole-body treatment to local treatment of individual treatment target areas.

[0021] Furthermore, by simply providing one or more short circuits to a single magnetic generating coil or a coil block consisting of multiple series-connected magnetic generating coils, the strength of the magnetic field generated by that coil or coil block can be adjusted by changing the number of series-connected magnetic generating coils. Therefore, unlike conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, there is no need to provide multiple taps for a single magnetic generating coil, resulting in superior productivity.

[0022] Furthermore, by controlling the duty cycle of multiple magnetic generation coils, the total magnetic flux can be controlled to be approximately the same whether the commercial power supply frequency is 50Hz or 60Hz. Specifically, by setting the on-duty cycle when the commercial power supply frequency is 60Hz to approximately 1.2 times that when the frequency is 50Hz, approximately the same total magnetic flux can be obtained at both 50Hz and 60Hz. This eliminates the need for frequency adjustment taps, which were necessary in conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, and improves the productivity of the electromagnetic therapy device.

[0023] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device of the present invention may have a series circuit in which the magnetic generating coils are connected in series. This allows for safe treatment with a low risk of low-temperature burns, by providing therapeutic effects suitable for the treatment site, such as a low-current, low-flux cool-down mode with minimal heat generation, a same-polarity mode, and a different-polarity mode.

[0024] In addition, the electro-magnetic therapy device of the present invention may have a parallel circuit in which the magnetic generation coils are connected in parallel. Thereby, for example, a high magnetic flux mode capable of generating a high magnetic flux by a high current, and a suitable treatment capable of obtaining a suitable treatment effect by combining the same polarity mode, different polarity mode, etc. can be performed.

[0025] In addition, the electro-magnetic therapy device of the present invention may have a series-parallel switching circuit capable of switching the connection of the magnetic generation coils in series or in parallel. Thereby, in addition to the selection of the polarity by the polarity change circuit and the selection of the magnetic generation coil by the short-circuit circuit, the series and parallel connections of the magnetic generation coils can be selected, and the electro-magnetic therapy device can provide a very large number of treatment patterns. Therefore, the electro-magnetic therapy device can perform a suitable treatment for each treatment target site according to the symptoms of the patient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electro-magnetic therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a treatment pattern by an electro-magnetic therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electro-magnetic therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a treatment pattern of an electro-magnetic therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electro-magnetic therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing examples of treatment patterns (A) parallel circuit connection and (B) series circuit connection of an electro-magnetic therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, the electro-magnetic therapy device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electromagnetic therapy device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electromagnetic therapy device 1 is a therapy device that uses magnetism generated by alternating current to perform treatment. Here, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 is given as an example of a therapy device that uses magnetism generated by alternating current, but the power source that generates the magnetism is not limited to a sine wave, but may be a power source with a predetermined waveform such as a discharge pulse, DC, or pulsating current.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 comprises a power supply circuit 2 that outputs alternating current power, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils 11 to 16 that generate a therapeutic magnetic field using the alternating current power supplied from the power supply circuit 2.

[0029] Power supply circuit 2 is, for example, a circuit that is connected to a commercial power supply and supplies 100V AC to the magnetic generation coils 11-16. Although not shown in the diagram, power supply circuit 2 may also be provided with a DC power supply, a discharge pulse power supply, an inverter, a transformer, and other circuits that adjust the voltage, current, and frequency of the electricity applied to the magnetic generation coils 11-16, as well as protection circuits and protective fuses to protect the circuit in the event of abnormalities such as overvoltage or overcurrent.

[0030] A switch 5 is connected to the power supply circuit 2 to control the supply of electricity from the power supply circuit 2 to the magnetic generation coils 11-16. Switch 5 is, for example, a relay, and may also be a semiconductor switch such as a triac, photomos relay, or solid-state relay. When switch 5 is controlled to the ON state by the control device 3, which will be described later, power from the power supply circuit 2 is supplied to the magnetic generation coils 11-16. Duty cycle control of the magnetic generation coils 11-16 may also be performed by turning switch 5 ON / OFF.

[0031] The magnetic field generating coils 11-16 are coils that generate magnetic fields for therapeutic purposes that act on the human body using electricity supplied from the power supply circuit 2. In other words, when electricity such as alternating current flows through the magnetic field generating coils 11-16, magnetic fields used for therapeutic purposes are generated.

[0032] As an example, the connection and arrangement of the magnetic generation coils 11-16 may be such that three magnetic generation coils 11-13 are connected in series, and three magnetic generation coils 14-16 are connected in series in parallel to these three coils 11-13. That is, the magnetic generation coils 11-16 are connected and arranged in a 2 parallel × 3 series configuration, and the three magnetic generation coils 11-13 connected in series and the three magnetic generation coils 14-16 also connected in series form a parallel circuit. In addition, relays (not shown) may be provided to disconnect the magnetic generation coils 14-16 from the circuit, and each relay may be made of semiconductor material.

[0033] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 is equipped with multiple polarity-changing relays 21-24 and multiple short-circuit switches 31-33. The polarity changing relays 21-24 are provided in correspondence to at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11-16. The polarity changing relays 21-24 are polarity changing circuits that switch the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal of the magnetic generating coil 11-16 to which they are connected, thereby changing the polarity of the AC applied to the magnetic generating coil 11-16.

[0034] Specifically, the polarity changing relay 21 is provided, for example, in correspondence with the magnetic generating coil 11 located in the upper right column in Figure 1, and can change the polarity of the magnetic generating coil 11. The polarity changing relay 22 may be provided, for example, in correspondence with the magnetic generating coil 12 in the upper and lower center of the right column, and the polarity changing relay 23 may be provided in correspondence with the magnetic generating coil 13 in the lower right column, so as to be able to change the polarity of each.

[0035] Furthermore, the polarity changing relay 24 may be provided, for example, to correspond to the magnetic generation coil 15 located in the upper and lower center of the left column, and this arrangement allows the polarity of the magnetic generation coil 15 to be changed.

[0036] The short-circuit switches 31 to 33 are provided in correspondence to at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16, and constitute a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one terminal to the other terminal of the magnetic generating coil 11 to 16 to be controlled.

[0037] Specifically, for example, the short-circuit switch 31 is provided in parallel with the magnetic generating coils 11 and 14 located at the top of the left and right columns in Figure 1, and is a circuit that short-circuits the magnetic generating coils 11 and 14. The short-circuit switch 32 is provided in parallel with the magnetic generating coils 12 and 15 located in the upper and lower center of the left and right columns, and is a circuit that short-circuits the magnetic generating coils 12 and 15. The short-circuit switch 33 is provided in parallel with the magnetic generating coils 13 and 16 located at the bottom of the left and right columns, and short-circuits the magnetic generating coils 13 and 16.

[0038] Furthermore, there may be relays or other devices (not shown) that disconnect the short-circuited magnetic generating coils 11-16 simultaneously with the short circuit, creating a bypass circuit. When the short-circuit circuit operates, no current flows through the magnetic generating coils 11-16, and the system operates as if the magnetic generating coils 11-16 were not present, even without disconnecting them. This allows the apparent number of series connections of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 to be increased or decreased.

[0039] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 is equipped with a control device 3 that controls the generation of magnetic fields for treatment, and an operation unit 4 connected to the control device 3, which allows the user to input various instructions for treatment.

[0040] The control device 3 includes calculation circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that perform predetermined calculations, as well as driver circuits, power control circuits, display circuits that show the operating status, etc., and is connected to the operation unit 4, switches 5, polarity change relays 21-24, short-circuit switches 31-33, and temperature sensors (not shown). The control device 3 then performs predetermined calculations based on inputs from the operation unit 4 and preset control parameters, etc., and controls the treatment by the electromagnetic therapy device 1.

[0041] The control unit 4 is connected to the control device 3 and receives operations from the user, transmitting the received commands to the control device 3. In other words, the user can turn the power ON / OFF, start and end treatment, select a treatment pattern, etc., via the control unit 4. The control unit 4 may also be equipped with a display unit (not shown) that displays various setting conditions such as treatment pattern, temperature, voltage, current, frequency, timer, and treatment status.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an example of a treatment pattern using the electromagnetic therapy device 1. In Figure 2, the arrangement and status of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are shown as circles, and the size of the circle indicates the magnitude of the current. Furthermore, in the circles showing magnetic generating coils 11-13 and 15, those with an approximately X-shaped marking inside indicate that reverse polarity electricity is applied and reverse polarity magnetic flux is generated.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can perform treatment in various treatment patterns, such as the treatment modes 40 to 59 shown in Figure 2, by switching polarity change relays 21 to 24 and opening and closing short-circuit switches 31 to 33 under the control of the control device 3.

[0044] Specifically, in a basic circuit configuration in which three magnetic generating coils 11-13 connected in series and three magnetic generating coils 14-16 also connected in series are connected in parallel, it is possible to perform a treatment mode 40, which is a same-polarity mode in which alternating current of the same polarity is applied to all six magnetic generating coils 11-16.

[0045] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can selectively change the polarity of the alternating current applied to the magnetic generating coils 11-13 and 15 to the opposite polarity using arbitrary polarity changing relays 21-24. This allows for selective changes in the polarity of the generated magnetic field, enabling appropriate adjustment of the magnetic field direction to provide suitable treatment according to the patient's symptoms.

[0046] For example, by switching the three polarity-changing relays 21, 23, and 24, a treatment mode 41 can be executed that reverses the polarity of the alternating current applied to the three magnetic generation coils 11, 13, and 15. That is, in treatment mode 41, electricity is applied to the six magnetic generation coils 11 to 16 in an alternating pattern of opposite polarities in the vertical and horizontal directions, generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity.

[0047] For example, by switching all of the polarity-changing relays 21-23 in the right column, a treatment mode 42 can be executed in which the alternating current applied to the magnetic generating coils 11-13 in the right column is reversed in polarity to the alternating current applied to the magnetic generating coils 14-16 in the left column. In other words, in treatment mode 42, the polarity of the left and right columns can be made opposite, and treatment in opposite polarity modes can be performed by controlling the opposite polarity on a column-by-column basis.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, by switching the polarity changing relays 22 and 24 in the upper and lower center, a treatment mode 43 can be executed in which the magnetic generating coils 12 and 15 in the upper and lower center are set to opposite polarity to the other upper and lower magnetic generating coils 11, 13, 14, and 16. In other words, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can control the polarity on a row-by-row basis, as in treatment mode 43, and can perform treatment suitable for the opposite polarity mode.

[0049] Furthermore, since the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can switch any polarity changing relays 21 to 24 depending on the treatment target, for example, in treatment mode 44, the magnetic generating coil 11 in the upper right column and the magnetic generating coil 13 in the lower right column may be controlled to supply electricity of the opposite polarity to the other magnetic generating coils 12, 14 to 16, thereby generating a magnetic field of the opposite polarity. In other words, even in treatment mode 44, treatment in opposite polarity mode can be performed.

[0050] Furthermore, in addition to adjusting the polarity by switching the polarity changing relays 21-24 mentioned above, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can also select magnetic generating coils 11-16 to which electricity is applied and magnetism is generated by opening and closing the short-circuit switches 31-33. Then, the strength of the output magnetic flux density can be controlled by changing the voltage applied to the magnetic generating coils 11-16 in accordance with the change in the number of series connections of the magnetic generating coils 11-16.

[0051] For example, by controlling the lower short-circuit switch 33 to short-circuit one terminal of the lower magnetic generating coils 13 and 16 with the other terminal, electricity is applied only to the four upper magnetic generating coils 11, 12, 14, and 15, as shown in treatment modes 45 to 49. This results in a high current flow due to a decrease in total impedance, and as a result, a high-flux mode treatment that generates a strong magnetic field may be performed.

[0052] For example, by closing the upper short-circuit switch 31, control is performed to short-circuit one terminal of the upper magnetic generating coils 11 and 14 to the other terminal, so that, as shown in treatment modes 50 to 54, electricity is applied only to the four lower magnetic generating coils 12, 13, 15, and 16, and a high magnetic flux mode treatment is performed to generate a magnetism.

[0053] For example, by closing the short-circuit switch 32 in the upper and lower center, control is performed to short-circuit one terminal of the upper and lower center magnetic generating coils 12 and 15 to the other terminal. As shown in treatment modes 55 to 59, electricity is applied only to the four upper and lower magnetic generating coils 11, 13, 14, and 16, excluding the upper and lower center, and a high magnetic flux mode treatment is performed to generate a magnetic field.

[0054] In this way, by controlling the opening and closing of the short circuit using the short-circuit switches 31-33, a high-flux mode can be executed, which enables the generation of high magnetic flux by high current. For example, if the current value in treatment modes 40-44, which uses six magnetic generating coils 11-16 connected in 2 parallel x 3 series, is approximately 4.4A (2.2A x 2 parallel), then in treatment modes 45-59, which use four magnetic generating coils 11, 12, 14, 15, 12, 13, 15, 16, or 11, 13, 14, 16 connected in 2 parallel x 2 series, the current value will be approximately 7A (3.5A x 2 parallel).

[0055] Furthermore, since the short-circuit switches 31-33 can be switched on and off, as well as the polarity-changing relays 21-24 can be selectively switched, the high-flux mode, same-polarity mode, and opposite-polarity mode can be combined and executed. Therefore, by combining the high-flux mode, same-polarity mode, and opposite-polarity mode, treatment can be performed in various treatment patterns to obtain the most suitable therapeutic effect for each patient.

[0056] Furthermore, the treatment modes 45-59, which utilize the upper magnetic generating coils 11, 12, 14, and 15; the treatment modes 50-54, which utilize the lower magnetic generating coils 12, 13, 15, and 16; and the treatment modes 55-59, which utilize both the upper and lower magnetic generating coils 11, 13, 14, and 16, may be switched sequentially. This allows all six magnetic generating coils 11-16 to generate heat equally, making all of them available for treatment.

[0057] Although not shown in the diagram, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can also perform treatment using only one of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 in each of the left and right rows. In other words, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 can perform treatment patterns with a 2 parallel x 1 series circuit connection. In such treatment patterns, even higher currents can be generated, and higher magnetic flux can be produced.

[0058] In the electromagnetic therapy device 1, there are magnetic generating coils 14 and 16 that do not have polarity changing relays 21 to 24, but all magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 may be equipped with relays equivalent to polarity changing relays 21 to 24 (not shown). Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 may be provided with a short-circuit circuit (not shown) that disconnects and short-circuits at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16, which are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0059] Furthermore, the magnetic generating coils 11-16 may be connected in series, for example, 6 in series, instead of 2 in parallel x 3 in series, although this is not shown in the diagram. Also, although this is not shown in the diagram, a switching circuit with a relay or the like that can switch the circuit from 2 in parallel x 3 in series to 6 in series may be provided. Also, although this is not shown in the diagram, the number of magnetic generating coils 11-16 may be increased, and the number of parallel and series connections may be increased to form a circuit such as 3 in parallel x 12 in series.

[0060] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 may be provided with multiple magnetic generation units, where the six magnetic generation coils 11 to 16 connected and arranged as described above constitute one magnetic generation unit. Specifically, if, for example, four magnetic generation units, each having six magnetic generation coils 11 to 16, are provided, the total number of magnetic generation coils 11 to 16 will be 6 coils × 4 units, which equals 24 coils.

[0061] Multiple magnetic field generating coil units can be applied to the treatment target area of ​​the patient, such as the back, seat, or legs, via, for example, a cover member, seat material, sofa, or ottoman (not shown), thereby providing the patient with a suitable magnetic field for treatment.

[0062] As described above, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 has multiple magnetic field generating coils 11 to 16, and by switching polarity change relays 21 to 24 and opening and closing short-circuit switches 31 to 33, it is possible to generate a suitable magnetic flux distribution required for treatment and adjust the strength of the generated magnetic flux density for each treatment target area of ​​the patient. Therefore, with the electromagnetic therapy device 1, excellent therapeutic effects can be obtained.

[0063] Specifically, by providing polarity-changing relays 21-24 as polarity-changing circuits in the magnetic generation coils 11-16, the polarity of the AC power applied to the magnetic generation coils 11-16 can be changed, thereby changing the polarity of the generated magnetism. This allows the direction of the magnetism to be changed, which in turn allows for changes in the magnetic flux linkage pattern to specific tissues such as nerve bundles, muscles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels, and enables the creation of diverse patterns and directions for the induced voltage caused by the demagnetizing flux induced in the tissues.

[0064] For example, in treatment mode 40, if the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are of the same polarity and a magnetic flux of the same polarity is transmitted throughout the patient's entire body, uniform treatment can be performed in which the tissues of the entire body generate an antimagnetic flux that counteracts the magnetic flux.

[0065] On the other hand, as in treatment modes 41-44, if the polarity of some of the magnetic generating coils 11-13 and 15 is changed and magnetic generating coils 11-16 of opposite polarity are distributed throughout the patient's body, then, for example, a demagnetizing flux is generated within the human body in a small area of ​​the magnetic generating coils 11-16, allowing for appropriate distributed therapy and local therapy for each target area.

[0066] Furthermore, since the magnetic flux density decreases when the frequency of the commercial power supply changes from 50Hz to 60Hz, conventional electromagnetic therapy devices have a tap for frequency adjustment on the magnetic generating coil. In the electromagnetic therapy device 1 according to this embodiment, the duty cycle of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 may be controlled so that the amount of magnetic flux penetrating the human body within a predetermined time is approximately equivalent at commercial power supply frequencies of 50Hz and 60Hz.

[0067] Specifically, the on-duty cycle at a commercial power frequency of 60Hz may be set to approximately 1.2 times that at 50Hz, so that the total amount of magnetic flux penetrating the human body during treatment time is approximately equivalent. For example, if the on-duty cycle at 50Hz is 80%, setting the on-duty cycle at 60Hz to 80% × 1.2 = 96% will obtain approximately equivalent total magnetic flux at 50Hz and 60Hz. This eliminates the need for frequency adjustment taps, which were necessary in conventional technology.

[0068] Furthermore, in order to control the amount of magnetic flux generated to be approximately the same at frequencies of 50 Hz and 60 Hz, for example, the number of series-connected magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 may be controlled to 6 at 50 Hz and 5 at 60 Hz.

[0069] Furthermore, unlike conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, the electromagnetic therapy device 1 does not require numerous taps for adjusting intensity and frequency. Each of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 has a simple configuration with only two terminals at the beginning and end of the winding. Therefore, an electromagnetic therapy device 1 with excellent productivity can be obtained, as it has fewer parts and each process such as manufacturing, quality control, and inspection can be easily carried out.

[0070] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic therapy device 1, at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 may be provided with a short-circuit switch 31-33, which acts as a short-circuit or bypass circuit to short-circuit the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal, after the connecting wires that individually connect the left and right magnetic generating coils 11-16 have been removed and each magnetic generating coil 11-16 has been made independent. This allows for free selection of the treatment target area. Therefore, the range of treatment application patterns increases, for example, to whole-body treatment or local treatment for individual treatment target areas.

[0071] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 6, the electromagnetic therapy devices 101 and 201 according to other embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Components that have the same or similar functions and effects as those in the embodiments already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0072] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the schematic configuration of an electromagnetic therapy device 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3, the electromagnetic therapy device 101 is an example in which one polarity changing relay 25 is provided for a coil block consisting of a plurality of magnetic generating coils 11 to 13, and the polarity of the plurality of magnetic generating coils 11 to 13 can be changed at once.

[0073] Specifically, the magnetic generating coils 11 to 13, arranged in series on the right side, are treated as a single coil block, and a polarity changing relay 25 is provided in parallel with this coil block as a polarity changing circuit. The polarity changing relay 25 is a polarity changing circuit that can switch the polarity of the AC power applied to the three magnetic generating coils 11 to 13 all at once.

[0074] Furthermore, a polarity changing circuit may be provided for at least one of the multiple magnetic generating coils 11 to 13, each equipped with a polarity changing relay 25. In this embodiment, a polarity changing relay 22 is provided for the magnetic generating coil 12 located in the upper and lower center of the right column.

[0075] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic therapy device 101, a short-circuit switch 31 is provided for the two upper magnetic generating coils 11 and 14, and a short-circuit switch 33 is provided for the two lower magnetic generating coils 13 and 16. This is an example in which a short-circuit circuit is not provided for the magnetic generating coils 12 and 15 connected to the upper and lower center of the left and right rows.

[0076] Therefore, although the configuration allows for changing the number of series connections between the magnetic generating coils 11-16 connected in parallel in two rows, one on the left and one on the right, one magnetic generating coil 12 or 15 in each row is always left unshort-circuited, thus preventing short-circuit accidents even if miscontrol occurs.

[0077] Figure 4 shows an example of a treatment pattern for the electromagnetic therapy device 101. In Figure 4, the circles indicate the arrangement and status of the magnetic generating coils 11-16, and their size indicates the magnitude of the current. In addition, in the circles showing magnetic generating coils 11-13 and 15, those with an approximately X-shaped marking inside indicate that electricity of opposite polarity is being applied.

[0078] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the electromagnetic therapy device 101 can also perform various operating patterns such as same-polarity mode, opposite-polarity mode, excitation coil selection mode, and high-flux mode. These operating patterns can be combined and executed according to the treatment target to obtain a suitable therapeutic effect.

[0079] Specifically, the electromagnetic therapy device 101 can perform treatment mode 40 as a same-polarity mode utilizing all magnetic generating coils 11-16, and treatment modes 41-43 as opposite-polarity modes. In addition, the electromagnetic therapy device 101 can perform treatment modes 45 and 50 as same-polarity high-flux modes by short-circuiting some of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 using the short-circuit circuits of short-circuit switches 31 and 33, and treatment modes 46-48 and 51-53 as opposite-polarity high-flux modes.

[0080] The electromagnetic therapy device 101 is equipped with a polarity changing relay 25 that changes the polarity of multiple magnetic generating coils 11 to 13 all at once. For example, by switching the polarity changing relay 25, the polarity of the voltage applied to the magnetic generating coils 11 to 13 in the right column can be changed all at once, and treatment modes 42, 47, and 52, which are treatment patterns of opposite polarity mode where the polarities of the left and right columns are opposite, can be executed.

[0081] For example, the polarity of the magnetic generating coils 11-13 in the right column can be changed using the polarity change relay 25, and the polarity of the magnetic generating coil 12 in the upper and lower center of the same column can be changed using the polarity change relay 22. This allows for the execution of treatment modes 41, 46, and 51 in which the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are arranged alternately with opposite polarities.

[0082] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electromagnetic therapy device 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 5, the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 do not necessarily have to be arranged so that the parts connected in series are in a straight line. That is, in a configuration in which the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 are arranged in multiple rows, the wiring path connecting the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 in series may be bent by approximately 90 degrees, for example, so that a part of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 connected in series is positioned in an adjacent row.

[0083] Specifically, in a configuration where magnetic generating coils 11-13 are arranged in the right column and magnetic generating coils 14-16 are arranged in the left column, the magnetic generating coil 11 located at the top of the right column may be wired in series with the magnetic generating coil 15 located in the center of the left column and the magnetic generating coil 12 located in the center of the right column.

[0084] Furthermore, the magnetic generating coil 14 located at the top of the left column may be wired in series with the magnetic generating coil 13 located at the bottom of the right column via coil 16 located at the bottom of the left column. The three series-connected magnetic generating coils 11, 15, and 12 and the three magnetic generating coils 14, 16, and 13 are then connected in parallel.

[0085] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 may have a series-parallel switching relay 26 as a series-parallel switching circuit that can switch the connection of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 between series and parallel. By providing the series-parallel switching relay 26, in addition to the selection of polarity by the polarity changing relays 22 and 24 and the selection of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 by the short-circuit switches 34, 35, and 36, it is possible to selectively switch between the series and parallel connection of the magnetic generating coils 11-16.

[0086] Figure 6 shows examples of treatment patterns for the electromagnetic therapy device 201. Figure 6(A) shows an example of a treatment pattern in which the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are connected in parallel, and Figure 6(B) shows an example of a treatment pattern in which the magnetic generating coils are connected in series. In Figure 6, the circles indicate the arrangement and status of the magnetic generating coils 11-16, and their size indicates the magnitude of the current. In addition, in the circles showing magnetic generating coils 11-13 and 15, those with an approximately X-shaped marking inside indicate that electricity of opposite polarity is being applied.

[0087] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 has a 2-parallel × 3-series configuration, in which three series-connected magnetic generating coils 11, 15, and 12 and three series-connected magnetic generating coils 14, 16, and 13 are connected in parallel, allowing it to perform the treatment modes 60 to 63 shown in Figure 6(A).

[0088] In addition, in the default polarity mode, i.e., the initial setting, at least one magnetic generating coil 11-16 may be connected such that electricity of opposite polarity is applied to it, generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity to the other magnetic generating coils 11-16. For example, in the electromagnetic therapy device 201, the initial polarity setting is such that the magnetic generating coils 11-13 located in the right column and the magnetic generating coils 14-16 located in the left column are connected with opposite polarity. In other words, the treatment mode 60 with opposite polarity on the left and right is set as the default treatment mode.

[0089] Then, by switching from parallel to series by the series-to-parallel switching relay 26, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 can perform the treatments of the treatment modes 64 to 79 shown in Figure 6(B) with all the magnetic generating coils 12, 15, 11, 14, 16, and 13 connected in series in that order.

[0090] Thus, by providing the series-parallel switching relay 26 and enabling series-parallel switching, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 can offer a wide variety of treatment patterns, allowing for treatment tailored to each treatment area according to the patient's symptoms.

[0091] Specifically, by having a series circuit in which all of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 are connected in series, the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 can be driven with a low current, and treatment mode 64 can be performed as a cool-down mode with a low magnetic flux density that generates very little heat.

[0092] Furthermore, by providing polarity-changing relays 22, 24, etc., which change the polarity of magnetic generating coils 12, 15, etc., the magnetic generating coils 11-16 can be converted into a low-current series circuit by the series-parallel switching relay 26, and various opposite-polarity treatment modes 64-67 can be executed. Therefore, a treatment pattern that provides a suitable therapeutic effect for the treatment site can be selected from the various opposite-polarity treatment modes 64-67, and a cool-down mode with low current and less heat generation can be executed, enabling safe treatment with a low risk of low-temperature burns, etc.

[0093] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 may be provided with a short-circuit circuit or bypass circuit that short-circuits at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16. The short-circuit circuit that short-circuits the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 may be provided so as to be able to short-circuit two or more of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 at once, that is, so as to be able to short-circuit a coil block consisting of multiple magnetic generating coils 11 to 16.

[0094] Specifically, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 is equipped with short-circuit switches 34, 35, and 36 that can selectively short-circuit two of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16. Short-circuit switch 34 is a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one end to the other end of a coil block consisting of two series-connected magnetic generating coils 12 and 15. Short-circuit switch 35 is a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one end to the other end of a coil block consisting of two series-connected magnetic generating coils 11 and 14. Short-circuit switch 36 is a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one end to the other end of a coil block consisting of two series-connected magnetic generating coils 13 and 16.

[0095] Thus, by providing a single short circuit to one magnetic generating coil 11-16 or a coil block consisting of multiple magnetic generating coils 11-16, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic generating coils 11-16 or the coil block can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to provide excellent treatment that is suitable for the patient, and it is also highly productive because it does not require providing multiple taps to the magnetic generating coils 11-16 as in conventional electromagnetic therapy devices.

[0096] Furthermore, by providing a series-parallel conversion relay 26 that can convert between series and parallel connections, and short-circuit switches 34, 35, and 36 that can short-circuit the magnetic generation coils 11 to 16, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 can perform many treatment patterns according to the patient's symptoms, such as treatment modes 60 to 79.

[0097] Specifically, in addition to the treatment modes 60-63 with the aforementioned 2 parallel x 3 series configuration, although the illustration of the treatment pattern is omitted, treatment may also be performed with the same parallel circuit configuration, but with the magnetic generating coils 12 and 15 short-circuited by the short-circuit switch 34 and the magnetic generating coils 13 and 16 short-circuited by the short-circuit switch 36, in a 2 parallel x 1 series configuration.

[0098] Furthermore, in the series circuit formed by switching the series-parallel switching relay 26, in addition to the 6-series circuit configuration in which all 6 magnetic generating coils 11-16 are connected in series, treatment modes 68-79 are also possible in which two of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are short-circuited by any one of the short-circuit switches 34, 35, or 36, and the remaining four are connected in series, resulting in a 4-series circuit configuration.

[0099] Although the treatment pattern is not shown in the diagram, treatment may also be performed using a 2-series circuit configuration in which four of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are short-circuited by turning on any two of the short-circuit switches 34, 35, and 36, and two of them are connected in series.

[0100] As mentioned above, the polarity of the magnetic generation coil 12 can be changed by the polarity change relay 22, and the polarity of the magnetic generation coil 15 can be changed by the polarity change relay 24. Therefore, many treatment patterns are possible, such as treatment modes 64 to 79, same polarity modes, opposite polarity modes, etc., allowing for the application of a suitable magnetic field to the treatment area of ​​the patient according to their symptoms, and enabling effective magnetic therapy.

[0101] As described above, in the electromagnetic therapy devices 1, 101, and 201 according to the embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 is equipped with polarity changing relays 21 to 25 that switch the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal. This makes it possible to generate a suitable magnetic flux required for treatment for each treatment target area of ​​the patient, and to obtain an excellent therapeutic effect.

[0102] Furthermore, at least one of the magnetic generating coils 11-16 is provided with a short-circuit switch 31-36, which acts as a short-circuit circuit to short-circuit one terminal to the other terminal. This allows for the short-circuiting of any magnetic generating coil 11-16 or coil block to freely select the treatment target area, enabling treatment in many application patterns, from systemic treatment to individual local treatment.

[0103] Furthermore, by changing the number of series connections between the magnetic generating coils 11-16, it is possible to accommodate switching of commercial power supply frequencies. For example, when connected to a commercial power supply with a frequency of 50Hz, a 6-series circuit configuration in which six magnetic generating coils 11-16 are connected in series can be used, while when connected to a commercial power supply with a frequency of 60Hz, a circuit configuration of 5 or fewer series connections in which five or fewer magnetic generating coils 11-16 are connected in series may be used.

[0104] Furthermore, the electromagnetic therapy device 201 may be configured to respond to changes in the frequency of the commercial power supply by a switching pattern that selectively connects two of the three series-connected magnetic generating coils 11 to 16. For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 1, where 2 parallel x 3 series connections are used, the two series-connected magnetic generating coils 11, 12, 14, and 15 may be configured to respond to a commercial power supply with a frequency of 50 Hz, while the other two series-connected magnetic generating coils 12, 13, 15, and 16 may be configured to respond to a commercial power supply with a frequency of 60 Hz.

[0105] By changing the series pattern of the magnetic generation coils 11-16 in this way, it is possible to make the output magnetic field equivalent at power supply frequencies of 50 / 60 Hz. For example, the control device 3 may control the energizing time or duty cycle of the magnetic generation coils 11-16 in accordance with the change in power supply frequency. Through such control, the total amount of magnetic flux density × time can be made equivalent.

[0106] Furthermore, the magnetic generating coils 11-16 often have an iron core (not shown). Thick wires are used to suppress heat generation from the iron core and winding material (not shown), and in conventional electromagnetic therapy devices, the weight of the magnetic generating coil unit is heavy, ranging from 1 to several kilograms.

[0107] In other words, conventional electromagnetic therapy devices employ a configuration that uses a single magnetic field generating coil and generates a large magnetic flux density over a wide area by passing a high current through a large iron core. Furthermore, thick wire is used in the magnetic field generating coil to suppress heat generation. As a result, conventional electromagnetic therapy devices have heavy iron cores and magnetic field generating coils, with the weight of a single magnetic field generating coil ranging from 1 to several kilograms.

[0108] Furthermore, conventional electromagnetic therapy devices have large magnetic generating coils, such as 20cm x 8cm in size, making it difficult, both in terms of weight and size, to distribute multiple magnetic generating coils.

[0109] In contrast, the electromagnetic therapy devices 1, 101, and 201 according to this embodiment divide a single large and heavy conventional magnetic generating coil into multiple lightweight and small magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 and arrange them in a distributed configuration. This allows the number of series-connected magnetic generating coils 11 to 16 to be adjusted instead of using a tap to adjust the magnetic flux density.

[0110] Furthermore, each of the smaller, divided magnetic generating coils 11-16 also has a divided number of coil turns. As a result, the magnetic generating coils 11-16 are small and lightweight, enabling their distributed arrangement.

[0111] For example, if a conventional magnetic field generating coil weighs 3 kg, dividing it into three parts would reduce the weight of each coil to approximately 1 kg. The total weight of a coil unit containing these three divided magnetic field generating coils would be 1 kg x 3, or approximately 3 kg. Therefore, a distributed-type electromagnetic therapy device 1, 101, and 201 can be realized that is roughly equivalent in weight and size to conventional technology while providing superior therapeutic effects.

[0112] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1, 101, 201 Electromagnetic Therapy Device 2 Power circuit 3. Control device 4 Control section 5 switches 11-16 Magnetic generating coil 21-25 Polarity change relay 26 Series-Parallel Conversion Relay 31-36 Short-circuit switch 40-79 Treatment Modes

Claims

1. A power supply circuit that outputs power of a specified waveform, It comprises a plurality of magnetic generating coils connected to the power supply circuit and generating a magnetism by the power, An electromagnetic therapy device characterized in that at least one of the magnetic generating coils is provided with a polarity changing circuit that switches the wiring connected to one terminal and the other terminal.

2. The electromagnetic therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the magnetic generating coils is provided with a short-circuit circuit that short-circuits one terminal to the other terminal.

3. The electromagnetic therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a series circuit in which the magnetic generating coils are connected in series.

4. The electromagnetic therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a parallel circuit in which the magnetic generating coils are connected in parallel.

5. The electromagnetic therapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a series-parallel switching circuit that can switch the connection of the magnetic generating coils between series and parallel.

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