Cooling systems and methods for conductive coils

Abstract

An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller connected to the one or more energy generators, and optionally one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting muscle stimulation or electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy can be varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, the energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current. In certain embodiments, a variety of cooling mechanisms or systems may be implemented for cooling the coil.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing a medical therapy, comprising:
 a conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic field focused on a target nerve, the conductive coil comprising a coil body and further having a central aperture;   a non-electrically conductive material positioned at least partially on a surface of the coil body such that remaining portions of the coil body are exposed, wherein the non-electrically conductive material is configured to maintain fluid flow gaps between adjacent turns of the coil body;   a cooling device; and   a housing enclosing the cooling device and conductive coil, wherein the cooling device is positioned within the housing and in proximity to the conductive coil such that the cooling device is positioned adjacent to the conductive coil transverse to a plane defined by the conductive coil, and wherein air is forced into a transverse direction relative to the plane of the conductive coil and through the fluid flow gaps between adjacent turns and through the central aperture such that airflow passes through the turns to cool the conductive coil.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the non-electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of epoxy, plastic, non-electrically conductive polymers, and silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The system of claim wherein the non-electrically conductive material comprises a tape wrapped around the coil body at a non-zero angle, the tape configured to maintain fluid flow gaps between adjacent turns of the coil body for cooling the conductive coil. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cooling device comprises a fan which provides an airflow rate of from about 1 liter per second to 2 liters per second. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conductive coil is substantially, planar, and wherein the conductive coil has a spiral configuration and a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conductive coil is substantially conical, 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conductive coil comprises 14 to 20 turns, and each turn is separated by a gap. 
     
     
         8 . A method of magnetic induction therapy comprising:
 positioning a first portion of a patient's body relative to an energy emitting device such that a target nerve within the first portion of the body is in proximity to a conductive coil having a plurality of turns and a central aperture, wherein the conductive coil forms a spiral configuration such that the plurality of turns and central aperture are located within a single plane and a radius for each successive turn increases from a center of the spiral coil;   passing a current through the conductive coil to generate a magnetic field focused on the target nerve;   concentrating a magnetic flux near the target nerve; and   drawing in air at a flow rate over the conductive coil and in between first and second turns of the conductive coil such that the air surrounds the first and second turns, and through the central aperture of the conductive coil to cool the conductive coil.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the flow rate comprises a range of flow rates selected from the group consisting of 1 liter per second to about 5 liters per second or 2 liters per second to about 4 liters per second. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the flow rate comprises a range of flow rates selected from the group consisting of 20 CFM to about 100 CFM or from about 25 CFM to about 60 CFM. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the flow produces a range of pressure head selected from the group consisting of from about 0.5 inches of H20 to about 10 inches of H20 or from about 0.5 inches of H20 to about 4 inches of H20. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising venting warmed air away from the first portion of a patient's body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the warmed air is vented in a direction substantially opposite the first portion of the patient's body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising detecting a temperature of the warmed air. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the energy emitting device provides from about 36,000 to 45.000 pulses over about 20 to 40 minutes, while maintaining a patient interface plate of the device at a temperature of no greater than 42 degrees C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the target nerve is the tibial nerve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising treating a patient exhibiting symptoms associated with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, restless leg syndrome or premature ejaculation.