Segmented Coil Magnetic Stimulation Device for High Repetition Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic pulse generation devices for medical treatments suffer from low efficiency due to energy wastage, overheating, and limitations in achieving high repetition rates of magnetic pulses, which restrict their effectiveness in stimulating neurons, muscle fibers, and endocrine cells.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a coil made of insulated wires with a small diameter, a flexible attachment to a casing with blowers for cooling, and a switch connected in parallel to the energy storage device to eliminate reverse polarity issues, reducing energy losses and allowing higher repetition rates and magnetic flux densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If coils are made of metallic strips, electric wires or hollow conductors to generate magnetic pulses, then magnetic field therapy can be performed, but significant energy losses are caused by induced eddy currents within the coil
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is constructed from multiple insulated wires instead of a single solid conductor. This segmentation divides the continuous conductive path into separate insulated strands, preventing eddy currents from circulating through the entire coil cross-section, thereby reducing energy losses and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wire within the coil is individually insulated with a non-conductive coating. This local insulation property prevents eddy current formation at the wire level while maintaining the overall coil structure necessary for magnetic field generation.
2Power
If large currents are used to generate sufficient magnetic flux density, then therapeutic effects on neurons and muscle fibers can be achieved, but significant losses are caused by induced eddy currents within the coil
Solution Approach 1:
The coil uses multiple insulated wires to carry the large current required for therapeutic magnetic flux density. The segmentation prevents eddy current losses while allowing the necessary current magnitude to be delivered, achieving both high power output and energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If repetition rates of magnetic pulses are increased above one hundred Hertz, then sufficient magnetic flux density can be achieved for acting on neurons and muscle fibers, but existing devices cannot sustain these rates due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented coil structure with insulated wires reduces eddy current losses, thereby reducing heat generation and enabling sustained operation at high repetition rates without overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The device operates with periodic magnetic pulses at repetition rates above 100 Hz. The reduced thermal load from the segmented coil structure allows this periodic high-frequency operation to continue without interruption for cooling.
4Reliability
If protective circuits are added to protect the energy source from reverse polarity, then the energy source is protected, but significant amounts of energy are consumed by these protective circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is extracted from complex active protective circuits and replaced by a passive diode connected in parallel with the energy storage device. This diode naturally prevents reverse polarity damage without consuming significant energy, eliminating the need for energy-intensive protective circuitry.
5Loss of energy
If insulated wires with smaller diameter are used in the coil, then self-heating of the coil is reduced and efficiency increases, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is manufactured using multiple thin insulated wires instead of fewer thick conductors. This segmentation reduces self-heating and eddy current losses while the wires can be assembled into standard coil configurations, balancing manufacturing feasibility with thermal performance.
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 design enhances energy efficiency, reduces unwanted heat, and enables higher repetition rates of magnetic pulses, achieving therapeutic effects on neurons and muscle fibers while maintaining safe operating temperatures, thus improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
A time-varying magnetic field induces electric currents in the patient's body, which may provide similar effect as electrotherapeutic treatment
Implementation Method 2
The casing may comprise a blower or blowers which ensure cooling of the coil
Implementation Method 3
Eddy currents induced within the coil create engineering challenges. Existing devices contain coils which are made of metallic strips, electric wires or hollow conductors. Since the therapy requires large currents, significant losses are caused by induced eddy currents within the coil
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices producing time varying magnetic field have therapeutic uses. The device contains a coil made of insulated wires, an energy storage device, an energy source and a switch. The coil is flexibly attached in a case. The device has at least one blower for cooling the coil. The methods and devices can be used in for example in physiotherapy, neuropsychiatric therapy, aesthetic therapy, urology or urogynecology.