Device for generating alternating magnetic fields for inducing eddy currents in an organism

Abstract

A device for generating alternating magnetic fields for inducing eddy currents in an organism in order to treat tinnitus comprising a head part, a current source, a controller, and one or more coils. At least one coil has at least two layers with a different winding, whereby alternating magnetic fields can be generated more effectively for inducing eddy currents in an organism in order to treat tinnitus.

Claims

1. A device for generating alternating magnetic fields for inducing eddy currents in an organism for treating tinnitus, comprising a head part, a current source, a controller, and one or more coils, wherein at least one coil of the one or more coils comprises at least two layers with different windings, one layer of the at least two layers with orthocyclic winding and one layer of the at least two layers with helical winding.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two layers are adjacent layers.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coil is disposed in or on a headphone, and in or on an ear cup of the headphone.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the organism is a human with ears, the one or more coils consisting of two coils which are assigned to each ear at different height levels.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the coils assigned to each ear are operated in a push-pull mode.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an astable multivibrator with at least one transistor, and at least one bipolar iron-core coil for emitting the alternating magnetic fields.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more coils operate at a frequency selected between 3 and 15 Hz.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein digital wobbling of the frequency by 50%, is provided.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein a 9 volt direct voltage source, is provided as the current source.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises at least one LCD display.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises an input device and a display device.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises loudspeakers for sound output.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises at least one heated area(s).

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises a data interface.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device additionally comprises a memory module.

16. A method comprising: treating ear noises, sleep disorder, headache, migraine, cervical and thoracic syndromes, nervousness and circulatory disorder in the organism by generating an alternating negative field to induce eddy currents using the device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Therein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit arrangement of the embodiment according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a modified embodiment of a device according to the invention in a representation similar to that of FIG. 1; and

(5) FIG. 4 depicts, on an enlarged scale, a partially schematic illustration of a coil with layers having different windings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the Figures.

(7) The device according to FIG. 1, for instance, comprises a headphone 1, also referred to as head part, including a spring-mounted headband and two ear cups covering the ears. For the head part, high-quality material is used to ensure maximum comfort during therapy. All materials have been tested for skin tolerance. An applicator 2, e.g. an iron-core coil 2a, is each provided in the ear cups. They are provided for treating the mastoid bones and are directly cast into the rear region of an ear cup. The mastoid bone is a curved bone; it is located immediately behind the ear. Other applicators, e.g. iron-core coils 2b for the cortex, are also directly cast into the headband 1 so that they will not move during use. The cortex (or also called cerebral cortex) is the outermost layer of the cerebrum and rich in nerve cells. In a variant embodiment, the iron-core coils are cast into tabs attached to the headband 1 and which are moved until a specific position of the cortex is reached. A current source 3, for instance a battery or a rechargeable accumulator, is disposed on the headband 1 or in the ear cups. A controller 4 and a signal amplifier (not illustrated) for amplifying the applicator signals are housed in the ear cups or in the headband. This electronics will, at the same time, monitor the actual functioning of the applicators. This is done by measuring the current flow to the head part.

(8) FIG. 1, moreover, indicates a display 5, an input device 6, a loudspeaker 7 and heating pads or heated areas 8 in or on each ear cup 19 of the headphone 1.

(9) The device comprises a controller, which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The electronics of the controller should be based on the most modern SMT technology, which would result in substantially reduced manufacturing costs. In a variant embodiment, the electronics of the controller, including the display and the input device 6, is supplied in the head part of the device according to the invention, the entire device according to the invention thus enabling a completely wireless therapy contributing to stress reduction.

(10) The controller 4 of the device according to the invention comprises the following components: Controller 11: for instance from the ATMEGA 16-P type by Atmel with a 10 Kbyte internal program memory, 2K RAM and 28 byte EEPROM. The program memory is designed as a flash program memory, and hence erasable and programmable up to 10,000 times. EEPROM 12: The following data are deposited in the EEPROM: up to 10 curve shapes of 256 bytes each (2,560 bytes), a running time meter (8 bytes), patient data (256 bytes), time programs (256 bytes). Hence results a total of 3,080 bytes. In order to be prepared for the future, a serial EEPROM of 64 Kbits is used (e.g. AT24C64 by Atmel). RTC 13: The RTC (real time clock) enables the recording and retrieval of the exact times and date of every single treatment in the storage module 10. Reset 14: The supervisory circuit supervises the supply voltage and will emit a defined RESET signal for the processor unit if the defined limit value is fallen short of. This happens both in the power-up case and in case of a brown-out. Furthermore, the module switches the supply for the RTC module in the off-state of the device. Clock 15: Clock frequency of 8 MHz for the clock supply of the controller 11. Due to the required accuracy of the clock frequency, a ceramic resonator is used. Display 5: A retina HD display is preferred. Its operation is done by a separate app. The overall control 4, of the individual components is likewise provided by separate apps. It is, however, also possible to include foreign tinnitus apps (masker, trainer or noiser) in the operation. USB port: This connection serves to charge the integrated accumulators. Furthermore, the USB port may be used for program updates and data exchange with a PC. D/A converter 16: The D/A converter generates the output signal to the applicator according to a curve shape deposited in the EEPROM. The resolution of the amplitude and of the frequency is to be 256 (=time-discrete and amplitude-discrete output). PWM output: In this case, a PWM signal is emitted by the controller 11. Amplitude defined via DA converter. Output amplifier 17: This amplifies to the maximum amplitude the applicator signal emitted by the DA converter and, at the same time, monitors the actual functioning of the applicators (head part). This is effected by measuring the current flow (signal APPL OK) to the head part, which is measured, and assessed accordingly, by the analog/digital converter of the controller 11. Based on this measurement, an assessment of the applicator function is possible. The applicators selected by the app are addressed to with the same signals. Bluetooth: The control 4, 24 comprises a Bluetooth module. It is thus possible to output music or the tinnitus app to the tinnitus device via the head part by means of a smartphone or a Bluetooth-capable player. The control 4, 24 may be effected via the smartphone. Audio port: A non-capable smartphone or player can also be connected via the audio port, and the tinnitus trainer, masker or noiser can be emitted via the head part. SD memory card: By using an SD memory card, it is possible to load special relaxing or tinnitus music into the device and emit the same via the head part. Audio: To this end, the audio module (MS6331G) is used. The volume and the title can be directly selected from the display 5, 25 (display device) or smartphone. Voltage processing 18: The device is supplied by an internal accumulator. The following voltages are processed: VLogic: Supply voltage for the logic part and Bluetooth module 3.3 V. VAppl: Applicator voltage for the output amplifier. VRTC: Backup voltage for RTC 13 and real time. Furthermore, the voltage processor 18 also monitors the accumulator voltage (LOWBAT) and feeds it to the AD converter of the controller 11. The latter measures the voltage to enable early indication of necessary charging. The development is realized considering power-saving components. Infrared heat: Infrared heating pads 8 are incorporated in the ear pads (ear cup). They will additionally promote blood circulation. Tensions and spasms in the ear region will thus be relieved. Applicator coils: The coils for the mastoid bone are directly cast into the rear part of the ear cup. The coils for the cortex are also directly cast into the headband 1, 21 so as to prevent them from moving during use. A high-quality head part is used in order to ensure maximum comfort during therapy. All materials have been tested for skin intolerances.

(11) The application comprises the following functions: Applicator signal: Ten curve shapes can be stored, simultaneously, superimposed or combined. The selection is effected via the display. Maximum frequency of the applicator: 200 Hz. An important component of the frequency comprises additional wobbling. The frequencies are selected in different programs. Running time meter from 0-9999 (saving and read-out in 1/10 hours) and read-out on display. State monitoring accumulator (LOWBAT) and read-out on display. State monitoring applicator (APPLOK) and read-out on display. Connected Bluetooth display (DL link) and read-out on display. SD memory cardtitles individually selectable and controllable. Read-out on display. Volume control for audio output higher/lower (<</>>) and read-out on display. Applicators for cortex and/or mastoid can be individually turned on and off and read-out on display. Menu guidance and apps on display. Time monitoring and automatic shutdown of the display (background illumination) and/or the controller 11. BUSY indication on display to indicate the READY state on the device. Storage of data in EEPROM, e.g. running time meter, number of started treatments. USB port for making program changes and charging the accumulator.

(12) The processing of the patient data can be done via an upload. The data can then be processed using a PC and separate software.

(13) In a variant embodiment, the coils are comprised of an iron core. The dimension of the iron core comprises a length of 30 mm to 60 mm, in particular 50 mm to 60 mm, and a diameter of 6 mm. The coil has 600 to 650 windings of a copper wire with a diameter of 0.2 mm.

(14) In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a plurality of coils is again integrated in a headphone 21 or, in particular, the ear cups 29 of the headphone, whereby it is apparent that in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 both the coils 22a for the mastoid and the coils 22b for the cortex are integrated in the ear cups 29 of the headphone, each on a different height level.

(15) Similarly as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, additional elements such as a controller 24, a display 25, an input device 26, a loudspeaker 27 and areas to be heated or heating pads 28 are likewise each integrated, and schematically indicated, in the ear cups 29 of the headphone.

(16) FIG. 4 schematically depicts, in an enlarged illustration no to scale, a partially sectioned coil 30, from which it is apparent that a first winding layer denoted by 31 is helically wound as shown by the course 31 of the wires of this layer 31, which is indicated in broken lines.

(17) Consecutively thereto, a layer 32 is indicated, whose wires are orthocyclically wound as shown by the schematically indicated course 32, and which extends substantially normally to the coil axis opposite the oblique or inclined arrangement of the helical winding 31 or 31, respectively.

(18) By providing layers 31, 32 with different windings, it is, in particular, possible to obtain fields with sharp harmonic pulses as opposed to coils having uniform or constant windings, such cases being, in particular, obtainable in a push-pull operation of the coils 2a and 2b, and 22a and 22b, respectively, assigned to each ear.

(19) Depending on the field strength to be achieved, the coil 30, which is only schematically indicated in FIG. 4 and may be used both for the cortex coils 2b and 22b and for the mastoid coils 2a and 22a, can be provided with a correspondingly high number of windings and winding layers at least partially comprising different windings.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(20) 1, 21 headband 2a, 22a mastoid coil 2b, 22b cortex coil 3 current source 4, 24 controller 5, 25 display device (display, HD retina display) 6, 26 input device (touch screen, voice recognition) 7, 27 loudspeaker 8, 28 heated area or heating pad 9a serial data interface (RS232) 9b audio interface 9c data interface (Bluetooth) 10 memory module 11 controller 12 memory (EEPROM) 13 RTC (real time) 14 reset 15 clock 16 D/A converter 17 output amplifier 18 voltage processing 19, 29 ear cup of the headphone 30 coil 31, 31 helical winding 32, 32 orthocyclic winding