Multi-frequency electrical field generator and use thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for the treatment of pathogens within a body comprising at least a pair of conductive electrodes adapted to conductively engage physically separated points on the body; and a signal generation device comprising signal-generating means for generating an oscillatory signal of a selected frequency which can range between a first frequency level and a second frequency level of greater than 1.0 MHz; means for causing said signal-generating means to step in frequency from said first frequency level to said second frequency level at predetermined frequency steps for predetermined intervals; and power transfer means, and preferably a power amplifier, responsive to said signal-generating means for supplying a voltage to said electrodes which voltage oscillates at said selected frequency. The output signal from the apparatus has a frequency range from 0.01 MHz to 450 MHz, and a preferred frequency range of 1.0 MHz and 5.4 MHz, has been found to provide greater flexibility in the treatment of pathogens.

1 . An apparatus for the treatment of pathogens within a body comprising: 
 at least a pair of conductive electrodes adapted to conductively engage physically separated points on the body; and    a signal generation device comprising:    signal-generating means for generating an oscillatory signal of a selected frequency over a frequency range, which frequency range can vary between a first frequency level and a second frequency level, and which second frequency level is greater than 1.0 MHz;    means for causing said signal-generating means to step in frequency from one frequency level to the other of said frequency levels in predetermined frequency steps, while holding each frequency level for a predetermined time interval; and    power transfer means responsive to said signal-generating means for supplying a voltage to said electrodes which voltage oscillates at said selected frequency.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said electrodes are operatively connected to the wrists of the body using wrist straps.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said electrodes are connected to said signal generation device using single wires, and the single wires to each electrode have the same length.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said signal-generating means is an integrated circuit.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said integrated circuit is a DDS (direct digital synthesis) chip designed to provide an output signal of the desired frequency.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the desired frequency range of the output signal is between 0.001 and 450 MHz.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the desired frequency range of the output signal is between 0.25 MHz and 260 MHz.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first frequency level is 1.0 MHz, and said second frequency level is 5.4 MHz.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said output frequency increases in a step change of between 1 and 500 kHz.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said output frequency increases in a step change of between 150 and 300 kHz.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said frequency changes in a time period of between 1 to 200 milliseconds.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said frequency changes in a time period of between 25 to 150 milliseconds.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for causing said signal-generating means to step in frequency is a programmable controller, and said programmable controller can be preprogram with respect to frequency levels, step changes, timing of changes, or respite periods, prior to installation, or can be programmed through an input device.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said programmable controller is programmed by connecting to an external programming means.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said external programming means is a computer, or a PDA.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said power transfer means is a power amplifier  
   
   
       17 . A signal generation device comprising: 
 signal-generating means for generating an oscillatory signal of a selected frequency range which frequency range can vary between a first frequency level and a second frequency level of greater than 1.0 MHz;    means for causing said signal-generating means to step in frequency from said first frequency level to said second frequency level, at predetermined frequency steps for predetermined intervals; and    power transfer means responsive to said signal-generating means for supplying an output voltage which voltage oscillates at said selected frequency.    
   
   
       18 . A method for the treatment of pathogens within a mammal body, comprising: 
 attaching a pair of conductive electrodes to physically separated points on the body;    connecting said electrodes to a signal generation device, which device comprises: 
 signal-generating means for generating an oscillatory signal of a selected frequency range which frequency range can vary between a first frequency level and a second frequency level, and which second frequency level is greater than 1.0 MHz;  
 means for causing said signal-generating means to step in frequency from said first frequency level to said second frequency level at predetermined frequency steps for predetermined intervals; and  
 power transfer means responsive to said signal-generating means for supplying an output voltage to said electrodes, which voltage oscillates at said selected frequency; and  
   operating said signal generation device so as to expose said body to an electrical field that ranges from said first frequency level to said second frequency level at predetermined frequency steps for predetermined intervals.    
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said second frequency level is greater than 1.0 MHz  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said first frequency level is 1.0 MHz, and said second frequency level is 5.4 MHz.  
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said mammal is human.  
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein at least one conductive electrode is operatively connected to the body at the temple or at the upper lip region.