Method and Apparatus for Electromagnetic Treatment of Living Systems

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a patient with physiological responses arising from an injury or condition, such as post-operative pain, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive defects. These treatment methods can include the steps of generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from a pulsed electromagnetic field source which is configured to simultaneously increase the rate of ion-dependent signaling, such as CaM/NO/cGMP signaling and to minimize the rate of inhibition of such signaling by natural compounds and applying the pulsed electromagnetic field in proximity to a target region affected by the injury or condition for a first treatment interval followed by an inter-treatment period with no electromagnetic field between treatment intervals to reduce a physiological response to the injury or condition.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for applying pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) energy to a subject, the apparatus comprising:
 a generator unit including a signal generator configured to generate a PEMF waveform having configured to simultaneously increase the rate of ion-dependent signaling and to minimize the rate of inhibition of such signaling;   a programmable control unit configured to repeatedly provide a signal to the generator unit corresponding to the PEMF waveform for a treatment interval that is 10 minutes or greater followed immediately by an off time having an inter-treatment period that is greater than six times the treatment interval; and   an applicator unit configured to be worn by the subject, wherein the generator unit is configured to power the applicator unit to drive transmission of a PEMF signal from the applicator unit based on the PEMF waveform.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the programmable control unit is programmed to provide an inter-treatment period that is between six and 100 times the treatment interval. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the programmable control unit is configured to prevent the generation of a pulsed electromagnetic field during the inter-treatment period. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a shut off to stop the generator unit during the inter-treatment period. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the applicator comprises a flexible loop. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the applicator comprises a first loop configured to provide the PEMF waveform and a second loop configured to provide a second PEMF waveform. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the programmable control unit is configured to repeatedly provide the same signal to the generator unit corresponding to the PEMF waveform.