Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation therapy

Abstract

Energy emitting systems are provided which include an adjustable conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic or electromagnetic field focused on a target nerve. The coil includes a central aperture which may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration having a radius greater than the radius of the first configuration. The adjustable or movable nature of the coil allows the conductive coil to conform to, accommodate, or be positioned on a particular anatomical structure of a patient to position the coil in proximity to the underlying target nerve. In certain embodiments, methods of magnetic induction therapy are provided which include positioning a conductive coil relative to a portion of a patient's body by adjusting the central aperture of the coil such that the coil may conform to, accommodate or be positioned on the portion of the patient's body in proximity to the underlying target nerve.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A headache treatment device, comprising:
 at least one power source to store electrical energy;   at least one coil to deliver a magnetic pulse when electrical current from the at least one power source is caused to flow through the at least one coil;   at least one switch sensor to control an activation state of the headache treatment device; and   a controller connected to the at least one switch sensor, wherein the controller is adapted to initiate the delivery of the magnetic pulse when the controller causes the electrical current from the at least one power source to flow through the at least one coil.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one switch sensor controls the activation state of the device based on a positioning of the at least one coil relative to a body part of a patient. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one switch sensor is a mechanical switch. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one switch sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the switch sensor is positioned next to or on the at least one coil. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one switch sensor provides feedback indicating a correct positioning of the at least one coil when the at least one switch sensor contacts or is depressed by a body part of a patient. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one conductive sensor configured to detect an electrical conduction in a nerve of a patient or to detect a muscular response caused by the electrical conduction in the nerve to indicate a positioning of the at least one coil relative to a body part of a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one conductive sensor generates conductivity measurements or signals concerning the electrical conduction or the muscular response caused by the electrical conduction after the delivery of the magnetic pulse. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one conductive sensor is an electromyography (EMG) sensor. 
     
     
         11 . A headache treatment device, comprising:
 at least one coil positioned in proximity to a head of a patient, wherein the at least one coil is configured to generate a magnetic stimulus in proximity to the head of the patient;   at least one sensor configured to provide feedback concerning a positioning of the at least one coil relative to the head of the patient; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the at least one coil, wherein the controller is configured to control the generation of the magnetic stimulus by passing a current through the at least one coil in response to the feedback concerning the positioning of the at least one coil provided by the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor is a mechanical switch. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical switch is positioned next to or on the at least one coil. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical switch provides feedback indicating a correct positioning of the at least one coil when the mechanical switch contacts or is depressed by a body part of a patient. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor is a conductive sensor configured to detect an electrical conduction in a nerve of a patient or to detect a muscular response caused by the electrical conduction in the nerve indicating the positioning of the at least one coil. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the conductive sensor is an electromyography (EMG) sensor. 
     
     
         18 . An electromagnetic treatment device, comprising:
 at least one coil positioned in proximity to a body part of a patient, wherein the at least one coil is configured to generate a magnetic stimulus in proximity to the body part of the patient;   at least one sensor configured to provide feedback concerning a positioning of the at least one coil relative to the body part of the patient; and   a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the at least one coil, wherein the controller is configured to control the generation of the magnetic stimulus by allowing a current to pass through the at least one coil in response to the feedback concerning the positioning of the at least one coil provided by the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         19 . A method of treating headaches with electromagnetic stimulation, comprising:
 positioning at least one coil in proximity to a head of a patient;   providing feedback via at least one sensor concerning the positioning of the at least one coil   passing a current through the at least one coil;   generating a magnetic stimulus in proximity to the head of the patient; and   controlling via a controller the generation of the magnetic stimulus by adjusting the current passed through the at least one coil in response to the feedback concerning the positioning of the at least one coil provided by the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one sensor is a mechanical switch. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing feedback via the mechanical switch concerning the positioning of the at least one coil before the generation of the magnetic stimulus. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mechanical switch is positioned next to or on the at least one coil. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mechanical switch provides feedback indicating a correct positioning of the at least one coil when the mechanical switch contacts or is depressed by a body part of a patient. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one sensor is a conductive sensor configured to detect an electrical conduction in a nerve of a patient or to detect a muscular response caused by the electrical conduction in the nerve indicating the positioning of the at least one coil. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the conductive sensor is an electromyography (EMG) sensor.