Micro-Coil PEMF Web for Immersive Bone Density Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PEMF systems are ineffective in maintaining bone density and preventing muscular atrophy during extended periods of immobility or non-weight-bearing conditions, such as in space missions or immobilized limbs, as they lack the ability to concentrate and direct electromagnetic fields effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible web of interconnected nodes and micro-coil electromagnets with iron cores, allowing for conformal shaping around body parts, concentrated flux guidance, and simultaneous activation of multiple coils to apply pulsed electromagnetic fields from various directions, preventing wire damage and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional PEMF systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the electromagnetic fields cannot be concentrated and directed effectively, resulting in ineffective bone density maintenance and muscle atrophy prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electromagnetic field generation into multiple independent micro-coils distributed across a flexible web, each capable of being individually controlled and oriented. This segmentation allows the electromagnetic fields to be concentrated and directed at specific treatment locations while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each micro-coil is equipped with an iron core that concentrates and directs the electromagnetic field locally at the treatment site. This local quality enhancement ensures that the electromagnetic energy is delivered precisely where needed, improving effectiveness without requiring complex global system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid coil structure is used, then the coil positioning is stable, but the system cannot conform to arbitrary body shapes or be positioned in multiple orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-coils are mounted on a flexible web that can conform to arbitrary body shapes and be positioned in multiple orientations. This flexible substrate maintains structural integrity while allowing the system to adapt to different anatomical locations and treatment requirements, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
3Power
If multiple micro-coils are activated simultaneously, then immersive and intense pulsed electromagnetic therapy is provided, but wire damage and interference between coils may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible web with embedded iron-cored micro-coils acts as an intermediary structure that organizes and isolates each coil. This configuration prevents direct interference between adjacent coils while distributing mechanical stress away from the wires, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple coils at high intensity without causing wire damage or electromagnetic interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains bone density, prevents muscular atrophy, and promotes tissue health by concentrating and directing electromagnetic fields, providing immersive and intense pulsed electromagnetic therapy without the limitations of prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
micro-coil, electromagnetic, devices
Implementation Method 2
iron-cored micro-coils
Implementation Method 3
concentrated flux guidance
Data Source
AI summary
A PEMF web using immersive, flux-guided, micro-coils to direct intense, deeply penetrating, magnetic flux into a subject from each micro-coil capable of pointing in an arbitrary direction. Micro-coils are spooled around iron cores, insulated properly, and soldered to connecting wires, all embedded in a polymeric resin, such as cold-cured silicone resin. Nodes protect, enclose, insulate electrically, and otherwise protect the micro-coils. Connectors between nodes provide mechanical stability against breaking of wires, while permitting folding, bending, buckling, and otherwise deflecting to position the nodes as desired with three degrees of freedom.