Systems and methods for providing treatment to the brain using magnetic field therapy

Abstract

Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for providing treatment to the brain. Described are methods and devices to provide treatment to the brain that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to provide treatment to the brain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a subject, comprising:
 measuring a frequency associated with a target area of the subject's brain;   determining whether the measured frequency is normal relative to an expected value of the measured frequency;   selecting, in response to a determination that the measured frequency is abnormal, a therapeutic frequency based on the measured frequency;   generating, via at least one magnetic source, a magnetic field having the therapeutic frequency; and   applying the magnetic field with a substantially uniform distribution across the subject's head to provide a therapeutic treatment within the target area of the subject's brain.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to a location of a tumor in the subject's brain. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to a location of an abnormality in at least one blood vessel of the subject's brain. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to an area of the subject's brain affected by a tumor or blood vessel abnormality in a different area of the subject's brain. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the magnetic field with the substantially uniform distribution across the subject's head to provide the therapeutic treatment within the target area of the subject's brain includes positioning the at least one magnetic source above the subject's head. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the magnetic field with the substantially uniform distribution across the subject's head to provide the therapeutic treatment within the target area of the subject's brain includes positioning a plurality of magnetic sources around the subject's head. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more magnetic sources includes a rotatable permanent magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more magnetic sources includes an electromagnet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic frequency is higher or lower than the measured frequency. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic frequency is the substantially the same as the measured frequency. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the measured frequency is normal relative to the expected value of the measured frequency includes comparing the measured frequency to an average frequency from a healthy population database. 
     
     
         12 . A system for providing treatment to a subject, comprising:
 at least one magnetic source;   at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions; and   at least one processor for executing the instructions stored on the memory, wherein execution of the instructions programs the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
 measuring a frequency associated with a target area of the subject's brain; 
 determining whether the measured frequency is normal relative to an expected value of the measured frequency; 
 selecting, in response to a determination that the measured frequency is abnormal, a therapeutic frequency based on the measured frequency; 
 operating the at least one magnetic source to generate a magnetic field having the therapeutic frequency, 
 wherein the magnetic field is applied with a substantially uniform distribution across the subject's head to provide a therapeutic treatment within the target area of the subject's brain. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to a location of a tumor in the subject's brain. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to a location of an abnormality in at least one blood vessel of the subject's brain. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the target area of the subject's brain corresponds to an area of the subject's brain affected by a tumor or blood vessel abnormality in a different area of the subject's brain. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnetic source is configured to be positioned above the subject's head. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnetic source includes a plurality of magnetic sources configured to be positioned around the subject's head. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnetic source includes at least one rotatable permanent magnet. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnetic source includes at least one electromagnet. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic frequency is higher or lower than the measured frequency. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic frequency is the same as the measured frequency. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein determining whether the measured frequency is normal relative to the expected value of the measured frequency includes comparing the measured frequency to an average frequency from a healthy population database.