Reconfigurable Magnetic Array for Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for constructing high power permanent magnet arrays with concentric patterns face challenges such as high power requirements, difficulty in achieving concentric magnetic zones of opposite polarity, and mutual repulsion of like-polarity magnetic disks, limiting their therapeutic effectiveness and practicality.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves arranging multiple high power permanent magnets in concentric patterns with varying thickness and using a removable ferromagnetic backer plate to minimize repulsive forces, incorporating moats of non-magnetic material to reduce flux cancellation, and employing additional magnets with perpendicular orientations to enhance magnetic field projection, allowing for customizable polarity configurations and increased Gauss readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If multiple high power permanent magnets are arranged in concentric patterns with like polarity, then magnetic field penetration depth is improved, but magnetic elements mutually repel each other making construction difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field penetration depthVSAvoidconstruction difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A ferromagnetic backer plate is introduced as an intermediary between the like-polarity magnetic elements and the underlying surface. This backer plate provides a path for magnetic flux that reduces the mutual repulsion between adjacent like-polarity magnets, enabling them to be held in stable concentric arrangement while maintaining deep tissue penetration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods are used to impress concentric magnetic zones onto homogeneous high power magnet material, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the required coercive field strength of 40,000 Gauss is too high to be practical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcoercive field strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to impress a single complex concentric magnetic pattern onto one homogeneous high power magnet wafer, the magnetic array is segmented into multiple discrete magnetic elements of varying thicknesses. Each element can be independently magnetized to lower field strengths and then assembled into the desired concentric configuration, avoiding the need for impractically high coercive fields

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic array uses magnetic elements with locally varied thicknesses rather than uniform thickness. This allows different regions of the array to have optimized magnetic properties - thicker elements provide stronger local fields while thinner elements reduce overall power requirements - and enables assembly from individually magnetized components rather than requiring monolithic high-power material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If magnetic elements are arranged to maximize surface intensity, then therapeutic effect at surface is improved, but penetration depth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic surface intensityVSAvoidpenetration depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The array utilizes magnetic elements with varying thickness parameters arranged in specific concentric patterns. By changing the thickness parameter across different radial zones, the system optimizes the balance between surface intensity and penetration depth - outer elements can be configured for surface intensity while inner elements contribute to deeper penetration, achieving both goals simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables the creation of magnet arrays that deliver more flux per unit volume, offering optimal penetration and surface intensity, and allows for reconfiguration to suit different therapeutic needs, providing superior magnetic biotherapy compared to prior art.

Implementation Method 1

multiple high power permanent magnets that are concentrically arranged such that adjacent zones of polarity mutually reinforce the magnetic field of one another resulting in increased Gauss readings at the surface of the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field reinforcement: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

Multiple magnets simultaneously engage the mechanical fastener so as to retain the magnets in a planar array between two of the magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

adjacent zones of polarity mutually reinforce the magnetic field of one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMutual magnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9943699B2Therapeutic magnet apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 SOUDER JAMES J

AI summary

A reconfigurable magnetic therapy apparatus is formed by multiple magnetic magnetic components which are maintained in a stable planar array by either mutual magnetic attraction or mechanical fixtures which may include a ferromagnetic backing plate to which the elements are magnetically attached. The array can be separated and reconfigured by the user to provide different magnetic patterns that favor either high surface strength, or deep penetration, or multiple smaller sub arrays to treat multiple sites.