Pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the treatment of chronic wounds using electromagnetic energy. The apparatus includes a generator and at least one applicator. The generator can produce electromagnetic energy and the applicator can apply the electromagnetic energy produced by the generator. A detector is disposed on the applicator that can measure the field strength of the electromagnetic energy applied.

1 . An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising: 
 a generator configured to provide an energy treatment dose; and    at least one flexible applicator connected to the generator, wherein the applicator is configured to have a fixed capacitance while delivering the energy treatment dosage.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible applicator is configured to be placed over, under or around a bandaged wound site.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energy treatment dose comprises high frequency signals.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the applicator is further configured to apply the energy treatment dosage in pulses.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible applicator is connected to the generator by a cable.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a detector.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the detector sends feedback information about the energy treatment dosage to a power level controller, and wherein the power level controller controls an amplifier in response to the feedback information.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the detector is a germanium diode signal detector.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an amplifier connected to the generator, configured to amplify the energy treatment dose supplied to the applicator.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a power level controller configured to control the amplifier.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is battery powered.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generator has input power less than about 3 W.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generator has input power less than about 1 W.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generator has an output power less than about 3 W.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generator has an output power less than about 1 W.  
   
   
       16 . An electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus comprising: 
 a generator configured to provide an energy treatment dose comprising pulsed high frequency signals; and    a flexible applicator configured to receive pulsed high frequency signals from the generator and induce the pulsed high frequency signals into a target area, wherein the applicator is connected to the generator by a cable, and further wherein the applicator has a fixed capacitance while delivering the energy treatment dosage.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the applicator comprises a detector.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the detector is configured to send feedback information about the energy treatment dosage to a power level controller, and wherein the power level controller controls an amplifier connected to the generator in response to the feedback information.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the detector is a germanium diode signal detector.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising an amplifier connected to the generator, configured to amplify the energy treatment dose supplied to the applicator.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a power level controller configured to control the amplifier.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generator has input power less than about 3 W.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generator has input power less than about 1 W.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generator has an output power less than about 3 W.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generator has an output power less than about 1 W.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generator is battery powered.