Method and apparatus for electromagnetic stimulation of nerve, muscle, and body tissues

Abstract

In certain variations, systems and/or methods for electromagnetic induction therapy are provided. One or more ergonomic or body contoured applicators may be included. The applicators include one or more conductive coils configured to generate an electromagnetic or magnetic field focused on a target nerve, muscle or other body tissues positioned in proximity to the coil. One or more sensors may be utilized to detect stimulation and to provide feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy. A controller may be adjustable to vary a current through a coil to adjust the magnetic field focused upon the target nerve, muscle or other body tissues based on the feedback provide by a sensor or by a patient. In certain systems or methods, pulsed magnetic fields may be intermittently applied to a target nerve, muscle or tissue without causing habituation.

1 . A system for electromagnetic induction therapy comprising:
 at least one conductive coil disposed within or along an applicator, where the at least one coil is configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a target nerve in proximity to the at least one coil;   at least one sensor configured to detect electrical conduction in the target nerve or to detect a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction in the target nerve, the sensor configured to provide feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, where the controller is adjustable to vary a current through the at least one coil so as to adjust the magnetic field focused upon the target nerve.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to intermittently apply pulsed magnetic fields to a target nerve without causing habituation of the target nerve. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the applicator is coded with markings to facilitate repetitive and consistent therapy onto a same body area. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned in proximity to a hand or an arm and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a target nerve within the hand or arm. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned in proximity to a back and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a target nerve within the back. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the applicator is configured to be aligned along a spine and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on nerve offshoots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord or vertebral body for osteoarthritis therapy, back or neck pain therapy, or to treat atrophy or paralysis. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is held by a belt configured to be positioned on a back such that the cervica, thoracic, lumbar and/or sacral curvatures can hold the applicator in the optimal position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a target nerve responsible for phantom or neuropathic pain to treat phantom or neuropathic pain. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned in proximity to patient's face or head and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a trigeminal nerve to treat facial neuralgia. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned over an occipital nerve and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on the occipital nerve to treat migraines. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned in proximity to a knee and configured to generate a magnetic field focused on the popliteal nerve to treat overactive bladder, neuropathic pain or restless legs. 
     
     
         12 . A method of electromagnetic induction therapy, comprising:
 positioning a first portion of a patient's body relative to an applicator such that a target nerve within the first portion of the body is in proximity to at least one conductive coil disposed within or along the applicator;   passing a current through the at least one coil to generate a magnetic field focused on the target nerve;   detecting electrical conduction through the target nerve or detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction through the target nerve via at least one sensor positioned along a second portion of the body;   receiving a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the electrical conduction thereby providing feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy; and   adjusting the current via a controller in communication with the at least one conductive coil based on the feedback.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising intermittently applying pulsed magnetic fields to a target nerve to treat a chronic condition without causing habituation of the target nerve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a patient's hand or arm is positioned relative to the applicator such that the magnetic field is focused on a target nerve within the hand or arm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a patient's back is positioned relative to the applicator such that the magnetic field is focused on a target nerve within the back. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising aligning the applicator along a spine such that the magnetic field is focused on nerve offshoots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord or vertebral body, for osteoarthritis therapy, back or neck pain therapy, or to treat atrophy or paralysis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the applicator is held by a belt and further comprising positioning the belt on a patient to allow the cervica, thoracic, lumbar and/or sacral curvatures to hold the applicator in the optimal position on the patient's back. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the magnetic field is focused on a target nerve responsible for phantom or neuropathic pain to treat phantom or neuropathic pain. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the magnetic field is focused on a target nerve to treat central or peripheral neuralgia. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a patient's face or head is positioned relative to the applicator by placing the applicator in proximity to the patient's face or head such that the magnetic field is focused on a trigeminal nerve to treat facial neuralgia. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a patient's occipital nerve is positioned relative to the applicator by placing the applicator in proximity to the patient's occipital nerve such that the magnetic field is focused on the occipital nerve to treat migraines. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a patient's knee is positioned relative to the applicator such that the magnetic field is focused on the popliteal nerve to treat overactive bladder, neuropathic pain or restless legs. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the magnetic field is focused on a target nerve to treat chronic pain, for up or down regulation of hormones, for cell proliferation, to treat atrophy, to treat neurogenic or overactive bladder or overactive bowel, to treat neuropathic pain, to treat orthopedic pain, or to treat arthritis. 
     
     
         24 . A method of electromagnetic induction therapy, comprising:
 positioning a first portion of a patient's body relative to an applicator such that a target nerve within the first portion of the body is in proximity to at least one conductive coil disposed within or along the applicator;   passing a current through the at least one coil to generate pulsed magnetic fields;   intermittently applying the pulsed magnetic fields to a target nerve to treat a chronic condition without causing habituation of the target nerve;   detecting electrical conduction through the target nerve or detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction through the target nerve via at least one sensor positioned along a second portion of the body;   receiving a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the electrical conduction thereby providing feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy; and   adjusting the current via a controller in communication with the at least one conductive coil based on the feedback.   
     
     
         25 . A method of electromagnetic induction therapy, comprising:
 positioning a first portion of a patient's body relative to an applicator such that a target tissue within the first portion of the body is in proximity to at least one conductive coil disposed within or along the applicator;   passing a current through the at least one coil to generate a magnetic field focused on the target tissue;   detecting stimulation of the target tissue via at least one sensor positioned along a second portion of the body or via detection by the patient;   receiving a signal from the at least one sensor or from the patient indicative of the tissue stimulation thereby providing feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy; and   adjusting the current via a controller in communication with the at least one conductive coil based on the feedback.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein a patient's frontal cortex is positioned relative to the applicator by placing the applicator in proximity to the patient's frontal cortex such that the magnetic field is focused on the frontal cortex to treat depression. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the magnetic field is focused on a target tissue to treat osteoarthritis or arthritis. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the magnetic field is focused on a target tissue to treat orthopedic conditions.