Method and apparatus for magnetic induction therapy

Abstract

An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve that are connected to the logic controller. The one or more energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the energy emitting apparatus is an apparatus for magnetic induction therapy that includes one or more conductive coils disposed in an ergonomic housing that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on an input provided by the one or more sensors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a condition within a patient body, comprising:
 positioning an energy emitting element at a first location along at least one foot of the patient body and into proximity to a nerve which passes beneath the first location, wherein the energy emitting element is in electrical communication with a controller;   positioning a conductive element at a second location along the at least one foot, wherein the conductive element is in communication with the controller; and   transmitting energy from the energy emitting element and into the nerve such that the energy is conducted from the first location, through the foot, and into the second location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising monitoring the energy transmitted through the nerve via one or more sensors in electrical communication with the controller. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising modulating the energy transmitted from the energy emitting element via the controller based on feedback received from the one or more sensors such that the condition is mitigated. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the condition to be treated comprises overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, obesity, depression, hypertension, pain, back pain, restless leg syndrome, Guillain Bane syndrome, quadriplegia, paraplegia, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, vulvodynia, incompetence or pelvic pain. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein positioning an energy emitting element comprises placing the energy emitting element against a surface of the foot at the first location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transmitting energy from the energy emitting element comprises transmitting electromagnetic energy into the foot at the first location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adjusting a position of the energy emitting element relative to the foot. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transmitting energy from the energy emitting element comprises transmitting the energy in a pulsed manner. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transmitting energy from the energy emitting element comprises transmitting the energy at a frequency of 10-30 Hz. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein transmitting energy from the energy emitting element comprises transmitting the energy for up to 30 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising varying the energy according to a muscular response in the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the controller comprises a logic controller.