`US 20030158585Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Burnett
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0158585 Al
`Aug. 21, 2003
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION OF
`NERVE, MUSCLE, AND BODY TISSUES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Daniel R. Burnett, Menlo Park, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MAINE & ASMUS
`100 MAIN STREET
`PO BOX3445
`NASHUA, NH 03061-3445 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/266,535
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/077,434,
`filed on Feb. 19, 2002.
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/380,132, filed on May
`6, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... A61N 1/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................... 607/2; 600/13
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electromagnetic stimulating system and components
`configured to provide stimulation to tissues of the human
`body, including nerves, muscles (including superficial and
`deep muscles), or other body tissues without significant
`discomfort to the patient. The system utilizes an ergonomic,
`body-contoured, and conformable appliance to encase a
`transducer intended to deliver pulses of electromagnetic
`stimulation to targeted regions of the body. Transducer
`configurations include a substantially flat coil, a circumfer(cid:173)
`ential uninterrupted solenoid, and a circumferential, sub(cid:173)
`stantially solenoidal structure having an openable joint
`formed by a multiple conductor connector buckle. Index
`markings appliance allow for repetitive application, for
`more consistent therapy targeting specific anatomic regions
`with therapeutic pulsed electromagnetic fields.
`
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`1
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`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION OF NERVE,
`MUSCLE, AND BODY TISSUES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent application is related to and claims
`priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/380,
`132, filed May 6, 2002, entitled: METHOD AND APPA(cid:173)
`RATUS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION OF
`NERVE, MUSCLE, AND BODY TISSUES, which is
`hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes; this
`application is also a continuation in part of, is related to, and
`claims priority of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 10/077,434, filed Feb. 19, 2002, entitled:
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROMAG(cid:173)
`NETIC STIMULATION OF NERVE, MUSCLE, AND
`BODY TISSUES, which is hereby incorporated by reference
`for all purposes.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to the field of medical
`devices, in particular electromagnetic stimulating devices
`for stimulation of nerve, muscle, and/or other body tissues
`with applications in the field of medicine.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] The concept of pulsed electromagnetic stimulation
`(PES) was first observed by the renowned scientist Michael
`Faraday in 1831. Faraday was able to demonstrate that time
`varying, or pulsed electromagnetic fields have the potential
`to induce current in a conductive object. Faraday's experi(cid:173)
`mental setup was simple. He found that by passing strong
`electric current through a coil of wire he was able to produce
`pulsed electromagnetic stimuli. This pulsed electromagnetic
`stimulus was able to induce the flow of current in a nearby
`electrically conductive body.
`
`[0004]
`In the years since the discoveries of Faraday,
`pulsed electromagnetic stimulators have found application
`in countless areas of scientific investigation. In 1965, the
`scientists Bickford and Freming demonstrated the use of
`electromagnetic stimulation to induce conduction within
`nerves of the face. Later, in 1982 Poison et al., U.S. Pat. No.
`5,766,124 produced a device capable of stimulating periph(cid:173)
`eral nerves of the body. This device was able to stimulate
`peripheral nerves of the body sufficiently to cause muscle
`activity, recording the first evoked potentials from electro(cid:173)
`magnetic stimulation. One of the earliest practical applica(cid:173)
`tions of electromagnetic stimulating technology took the
`form of a bone growth stimulator a device that employed
`low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to
`stimulate bone repair. They first found use approximately 20
`years ago in the treatment of non-healing fractures, and are
`slowly becoming the standard of care for this condition.
`
`[0005] As investigators have studied the effects of elec(cid:173)
`tromagnetic fields on fracture healing, it has been demon(cid:173)
`strated that PEMFs can not only facilitate fracture healing
`but also promote numerous other positive effects on the
`human body, including: (1) causing muscles to contract, (2)
`altering nerve signal transmission to decrease experienced
`pain, and (3) causing new cell growth in cartilage. These
`powerful effects of pulsed electromagnetic stimulation have
`
`been well-established in laboratory studies of animal models
`and also in multiple large, double-blind, placebo-controlled
`studies of human subjects published in the medical litera(cid:173)
`ture.
`
`[0006] Existing pulsed
`stimulation
`electromagnetic
`devices have taken a number of different forms in attempts
`to treat various medical conditions. These different forms
`have resulted in two broad categories of coil arrangements
`for the generation of PEMFs: (1) planar or semi-planar
`designs with tightly wound coils, and (2) solenoid coils. Flat,
`wound coils create electromagnetic fields that degrade rap(cid:173)
`idly over a short distance as they pulse away from the
`inducing coil.
`
`[0007] Solenoid type coils create pulsed electromagnetic
`fields inside the coil that are relatively uniform throughout,
`with a peak field strength at the center of the coil. Examples
`of existing devices with tightly wound coil arrangements
`include:
`
`[0008] Erickson's U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,902, Jan. 26, 1993,
`which describes a device using a double transducer system
`with contoured, flat wound transducers intended to generate
`therapeutic flux-aided electromagnetic fields in the body.
`The device is suggested to be conformed to the contour of
`the patient's back and incorporates an adjustable belt into
`the design. This system, as it is described, is disadvanta(cid:173)
`geous in at least two respects. First, the flat, wound nature
`of the coil in this device is limited in its delivery of pulsed
`electromagnetic fields to deep tissues of the body. Second,
`the rigid nature of this device, intended to provide bracing
`for patients recovering from spinal fusion surgeries, may
`prove uncomfortable to some patients, especially in deliv(cid:173)
`ering therapy to regions of the body other than the back, such
`as the knee, elbow, hand, or other joints and tissues.
`
`[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,525, which discloses a device
`that has a single coil in the shape of a "C" where the intensity
`of the electromagnetic field is between the ends of the "C".
`That point must be employed directly over the target nerve
`or muscle to be stimulated. The coil is toroidal in configu(cid:173)
`ration and utilizes a unique core of vanadium permendur in
`the preferred form. One of the disadvantages of this device
`is that it requires a trained technician to treat the patient and
`to properly hand hold the open end of the "C" over the
`targeted nerve or muscle to be stimulated. The device is not
`portable and is designed for use in hospitals or similar
`institutions. Also the vanadium permendur core is required
`to increase the strength of the electromagnetic field to be
`strong enough to be effectively used. The design, shape and
`configuration described in Davey and other prior art devices,
`require the electromagnetic stimulator to be hand operated
`during use.
`
`[0010] Tepper in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,401, May 24, 1994
`describes a pulsed electromagnetic field transducer that is
`intended to be conformable to the contour of a patients body.
`The PEMF transducer in this application as having a desired
`form and sufficient rigidity to maintain an anatomical con(cid:173)
`tour. This system is disadvantageous in a number of respects.
`First, the desired contouring of this device will require that
`a significant number of different sizes be manufactured to
`accommodate the contours of an endless variety of body
`shapes. Second, the intended device does not incorporate
`markings to ensure that the device is placed in a correct
`alignment over the targeted area of the body. Finally, this
`
`LUMENIS EX1022
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`Aug. 21, 2003
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`proposed device utilizes flat, wound coils, providing PEMFs
`that do not penetrate as deeply or as uniformly into body
`tissues as those fields produced by solenoid coils.
`[0011]
`In U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,770 Bl, Jan. 30, 2001,
`Mould describes dual coil assemblies in a magnetic stimu(cid:173)
`lator for neuro-muscular tissue, with cooling provided for
`the transducer coil. This device is intended to be held by a
`trained user over the targeted regions of the body in order to
`deliver PEMF therapy. The design of this device is limited
`by the difficult nature of manipulating a single coil and the
`cost-intensive requirement of using highly skilled medical
`personnel for operation.
`[0012] Parker in U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,966, Dec. 5, 2000
`describes a wearable article with a permanent magnet/
`electromagnet combination device to be used for toning
`tissue with focused, coherent EMF. This device is disadvan(cid:173)
`tageous in several respects. First, this device is intended to
`be a hand-held application, with the user applying the device
`to targeted areas of the body. The hand-held nature of this
`application creates an inherently inconsistent and non-uni(cid:173)
`form method for delivery, especially difficult with the inten(cid:173)
`tion of the device to provide a focused electromagnetic
`stimulus. Second, the device combines a static magnet with
`the electromagnet assembly in an attempt to create a uni(cid:173)
`polar, negative polarity field. This form of electromagnetic
`field stimulation has not been demonstrated to be effective in
`the treatment of osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, or
`atrophy treatment----conditions for which the present inven(cid:173)
`tion will provide therapy.
`[0013] March's U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,259 Bl, Mar. 13, 2001
`describes a device with electromagnetic field coils applied
`front and back to a patient for treating cardiovascular disease
`by angiogenesis. An EMF dosage plan contemplates, mul(cid:173)
`tiple coil implants and pulse variables including carrier
`frequency, pulse shape, duty cycle, and total time exposed.
`This device describes the placement of coils around the
`regions of tissues in which collateralization of blood flow ( or
`angiogenesis) is desired. The design contemplates applica(cid:173)
`tions including the use of coils embedded in a cloth wrap,
`which could be worn as a garment surrounding the body area
`of interest. Alternatively, a wrap with embedded coils to be
`placed around an arm or a leg to deliver the desired field is
`described. The use of PEMF in this application for the
`purpose of modulation of angiogenesis shows significant
`promise. The description of this device, however, does not
`suggest any extension of the electromagnetic phenomenon
`in circumstances where PEMF stimulation can provide
`dramatic opportunities for the treatment of osteoarthritis,
`and musculoskeletal pains including tendonitis, bursitis, and
`muscle spasms. Furthermore, this invention does not pro(cid:173)
`vide for the use of solenoid-type coils for the delivery of
`PEMF.
`[0014] Polson's U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,124, Jun. 16, 1998
`describes a magnetic stimulator of neuro-muscular tissue.
`The primary aim of this invention is devise a reserve
`capacitor providing more efficiency in the control circuitry.
`The description of the device, however, describes the stimu(cid:173)
`lating coil in broad, generic terms, and does not contemplate
`application of the coil in any type of body wrap or other
`specific method for delivering PEMF to targeted areas of the
`body. As a result, this device is disadvantageous, in the
`respect that is does not provide for any method or delivery
`system to provide consistent, uniform PEMF stimulation.
`
`[0015] Schweighofer's U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,658, Sep.
`26,2000 describes a magnetic stimulation device which
`consists of a stimulation coil, a high-voltage capacitor, and
`a controllable network part. This device is intended to
`differentiate itself from low-voltage, low current devices by
`using a specific high voltage, high current design to deliver
`PEMF for the purpose of triggering action potentials in deep
`neuromuscular tissue. This device, however, does not con(cid:173)
`template the incorporation of the stimulation coil into ergo(cid:173)
`nomic body wraps for the purpose of delivering consistent,
`user-friendly therapy. Instead, the coil is described as having
`a difficult and expensive to use hand-held configuration.
`[0016] Lin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,957, issued Jan. 12, 1999
`teaches the use of functional magnetic stimulation for the
`purpose of inducing a cough function in a mammalian
`subject. The description of the device provides for the use of
`hand-held stimulation coil, intended to be placed over the
`anterior chest of the subject for the purpose of stimulating
`nerves to induce a cough. This system is disadvantageous in
`the requirement of hand-held delivery which is difficult and
`inconsistent. The description contemplates use of the device
`in the induction of cough, and does not contemplate exten(cid:173)
`sion of the use of the device into other areas of neuromus(cid:173)
`cular stimulation.
`[0017] Tepper in U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,691, issued Feb. 15,
`2000 describes a cervical collar with integral transducer for
`PEMF treatment. The description of this device provides for
`the use of a single coil transducer, formed into the shape of
`a cervical collar. This system is disadvantageous in several
`respects. First, this device does not provide for the use of
`solenoid-type coils in the delivery of PEMF, which can
`provide a more uniform and consistent signal. Second, the
`semi- rigid design of the collar complicates the delivery of
`PEMF to persons of differing body sizes. That is, for a
`person with a larger than average ( or smaller than average)
`size neck, the design and semi-rigid nature of the device
`would make an exact fit difficult, thereby diminishing the
`effectiveness of any delivered therapy. Furthermore, this
`device is designed to immobilize the neck and is therefore
`not applicable to most patients. Whereas, with a flexible,
`ergonomic delivery system for PEMF stimulation, various
`sizes of wraps can accommodate nearly any type of body
`habitus. Lastly, the device must be lowered over the head
`making application difficult versus the invention found in
`FIGS. 4 and 6 where the coil can be opened to allow
`entrance of the body part.
`[0018] Erickson in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,233, issued Mar.
`28, 1995 describes a neck collar device for the delivery of
`PEMF therapy. The description of this device provides for
`the use of semi-rigid transducers, intended to be conform(cid:173)
`able to a selected anatomical contour. This device in disad(cid:173)
`vantageous in respects similar to those of Pollack U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,401,233, in that the device does not provide for the use
`of solenoid-type coils. Furthermore, this device is intended
`to provide bracing (as might be necessary for the treatment
`of fractures or after surgery). As a result, the rigidity of the
`device necessary to serve the bracing function makes the
`device less comfortable to wear, especially for a person who
`would not require bracing (such as in the treatment of
`arthritis, muscle spasm, or other forms of musculoskeletal
`pain).
`[0019] While the discussion of prior art above related
`primarily to devices employing flat, wound coils in the
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`3
`
`delivery of PEMF, there are a handful of devices that
`contemplate the use of solenoid-type coils. Examples
`include:
`
`[0020] Kalt in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,495, issued May 21,
`1996 describes a coil wound on a large bobbin that permits
`the insertion of an arm or a leg into the field of the coil for
`PEMF type therapy. This device is disadvantageous in
`several respects. First, the described use of a bobbin, around
`which the wire for the stimulating coil is wound provides for
`the treatment of certain areas of the body, but is certainly
`limited in its ability to deliver therapy to areas of the body
`such as the hips, shoulder, back, neck, etc. That is, the
`constraints of human anatomy make it nearly impossible to
`approximate a metal bobbin, and thus the stimulating coil, to
`regions of the body such as the ball and socket joints of the
`hip or shoulder, where the round metal bobbin would strike
`the
`torso before
`it allowed
`the stimulating coils
`to
`adequately blanket with therapy the head of arm or and joint
`in the hip and shoulder. Similarly, the use of a metal bobbin
`for the delivery of PEMF stimulation to the back would
`necessitate a large, cumbersome delivery system (into which
`the entire body would have to fit) in order to adequately
`deliver stimulation to targeted areas on the back or torso. An
`ergonomic body wrap, incorporating a solenoid-type coil
`would prove much more effective in delivering PEMF
`stimulation directly to the targeted areas.
`
`[0021] Second, the device is described as a rigid bobbin
`through which the extremity is placed. This format makes
`application more difficult in that the applicator cannot be
`worn and therefore does not provide for consistent ideal
`placement of the extremity to maximize field effects. In fact,
`most designs of a similar nature are clinic-based devices
`and, therefore, would not be amenable to home healthcare
`applications as with the current invention.
`
`[0022] Third, the device described magnetic field within
`the bobbin is intended to have a maximum magnetic flux
`density in the range of 4.5 to 6 gauss. Studies such as by
`Track et al in the Journal of Rheumatology 1994; 21(10):
`1903-1911, have shown that PEMF stimulation in the range
`of 15-25 or more gauss are effective in the treatment of
`osteoarthritis or other musculoskeletal pain conditions.
`
`[0023] Pollack in U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,699, issued May 14,
`1991 describes a coil wound around the cast on an append(cid:173)
`age for the delivery of PEMF treatment to fractured bone.
`The described device has shown promise for the treatment of
`fractured bone, especially nonunion or delayed healing
`fractures. However, the description of the device does not
`provide for extension of this application to the treatment of
`other conditions, such as arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, or
`atrophy. Moreover, the described device does not provide for
`the extension of the use of an ergonomic, body contoured
`wrap in the delivery of PEMF.
`
`[0024] Clearly what is needed is to integrate electromag(cid:173)
`netic stimulation technology and the delivery of PEMF
`therapy into a user-friendly, body-contoured applicator. The
`delivery system of this device should use solenoid-type coils
`to effectively carpet the entire targeted anatomic regions of
`the body. Such a device should build on existing electro(cid:173)
`magnetic stimulator technology, which has in disparate
`forms attempted to use various different types of stimulating
`coils and body applications to PEMF therapy. The known
`technologies, however, have not contemplated the use of a
`
`delivery system for PEMF that incorporates the together the
`elements of: (1) an ergonomic, body contoured wrap that is
`coded with clear markings to provide for repetitive appli(cid:173)
`cation and consistent therapy onto the same body area, (2)
`the use of solenoid-type coils for the delivery of uniform,
`consistent PEMF stimulation and (3) the use of solenoid(cid:173)
`type coils that can be opened and placed over the treatment
`region making application easier and more effective.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0025] The sum of the elements of the present invention
`have provided for the development and manufacturing of an
`easy-to-use, ergonomically designed system that will have
`applications within a host of clinical and home ease of use
`health applications. The invention simply stated is drawn to
`an electromagnetic stimulating system able to provide
`stimulation to tissues of the human body, including nerves
`and muscles, both superficial and deep muscles, and/or other
`body tissues without significant discomfort to the patient.
`This electromagnetic stimulating system utilizes solenoid
`coils and solenoid coils with a buckle interface in conjunc(cid:173)
`tion with a conformal body appliance for the delivery of
`PEMF stimulation. The coils are encased in an ergonomic,
`body-contoured appliance that is coded with clear markings
`to provide for repetitive application and consistent therapy
`onto the same body area. The design of the appliance is
`intended to allow for ease of use and also for the targeting
`of anatomic regions to be exposed to the impulses of the
`PEMFs.
`
`[0026] The several embodiments have been developed and
`manufactured to provide PEMF stimulation in a format that
`will thoroughly blanket the designated therapeutic area and
`to provide consistent therapy that can be quickly and easily
`administered. The invention is designed to be patient user
`friendly as well as to be portable. It can be used in a hospital,
`an outpatient clinic, a therapist's office, or even at a patient's
`home.
`
`[0027]
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`electromagnetic system and components for stimulating
`regions of the body, employing solenoid coils and solenoid
`coils with a buckle interface that can be fired sequentially or
`in unison depending on the particular required treatment
`conditions requiring both maximal stimulation sufficient to
`cause contraction of muscle fibers as well as submaximal
`stimulation which will be sufficient to provide therapy but
`not to cause contraction of muscle fibers. The applications of
`the system can be divided into maximal and submaximal
`categories, in which the former requires significantly higher
`levels of inducting current than the latter. The maximal
`applications of the device include: (1) non-invasive stimu(cid:173)
`lation of the peripheral nervous system; (2) treatment and/or
`prevention of atrophy as would be therapeutic during recov(cid:173)
`ery after a person sustains a fracture, experiences paralysis
`of a limb or other body part, or undergoes surgery, such as
`ACL repair in the knee; and (3) treatment of neurogenic
`bladder and bowel. Submaximal applications of the device
`include treatment of musculoskeletal pain ( e.g. back and
`neck pain, muscle spasms, and other forms of muscle or
`skeletal related pain); and treatment of arthritis. The com(cid:173)
`ponents may be variously combined for optimal effect.
`
`[0028]
`It is an object of the invention to provide a system
`for delivering PEMF stimulation to selective anatomic
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`regions of the body, utilizing an ergonomic appliance
`designed to facilitate accurate and targeted delivery of
`therapy. The applicator has been developed and manufac(cid:173)
`tured to be coded with clear markings to provide for repeti(cid:173)
`tive application and consistent therapy onto the same body
`area of the body. This design will facilitate the placement of
`the device for the stimulation of key nerves, muscles, and/or
`body tissues. The appliance may be of various forms.
`[0029]
`It is another object of the present invention to
`provide an electromagnetic system and components for
`stimulating regions of the body, which has solenoid coils and
`solenoid coils with a buckle interface that can be fired
`sequentially or in unison depending on the particular
`required treatment conditions requiring both maximal stimu(cid:173)
`lation sufficient to cause contraction of muscle fibers as well
`as submaximal stimulation which will be sufficient to pro(cid:173)
`vide therapy but not to cause contraction of muscle fibers.
`The applications of the system can be divided into maximal
`and submaximal categories, in which the former requires
`significantly higher levels of inducting current than the
`latter. The maximal applications of the device include: (1)
`non-invasive stimulation of the peripheral nervous system;
`(2) treatment and/or prevention of atrophy as would be
`therapeutic during recovery after a persons sustains a frac(cid:173)
`ture, experiences paralysis of a limb or other body part, or
`undergoes surgery, such as ACL repair in the knee; and (3)
`treatment of neurogenic bladder and bowel. Submaximal
`applications of the system include: one, treatment of mus(cid:173)
`culoskeletal pain (e.g. back and neck pain, muscle spasms,
`and other forms of muscle or skeletal related pain); and two,
`treatment of arthritis.
`[0030]
`It is an object of the invention to provide a system
`to electromagnetically stimulate selective nerves muscles,
`and/or body tissues including an appliance component that
`is user friendly and capable of being used even by an
`unskilled patient in a home healthcare setting to obtain
`repetitive placement for continuing treatments.
`[0031]
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a
`system and components to electromagnetically stimulate
`selective nerves, muscles, and body tissues to provide con(cid:173)
`sistent therapy, with the ergonomic wrap appliance targeting
`key nerves and eliminating the requirement for a highly
`trained operator to manipulate the device.
`
`[0032] Still other objects and advantages will be readily
`evident from the attached detailed description, drawings and
`claims to those skilled in the art.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0033] The present invention will be readily understood by
`the following detailed description in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`designate like structural elements, and in which:
`
`[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention illustrating the logic
`controller console and an openable elbow or knee joint
`appliance with an internal circumferential array of coils,
`where the appliance and turns of the coils are openable by
`a multi-conductor buckle so as to be closable to complete the
`array of coils circuitry and close the appliance about the
`joint. (The coils are inside the appliance but are illustrated
`in solid lines for clarity.)
`
`[0035] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of the
`internal circuitry of the logic controller console of FIG. 1.
`[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a knee or elbow,
`slide-on appliance of the invention with the internal array of
`coils illustrated in solid lines for clarity and a multi-con(cid:173)
`ductor connector for connecting to the console of FIG. 1.
`[0037] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a pelvic
`region appliance of the invention with its internal arrays of
`coils illustrated in solid lines for clarity and a multi-con(cid:173)
`ductor connector for connecting to the console of FIG. 1.
`[0038] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a simple strap appliance
`of the invention with its internal arrays of coils illustrated in
`solid lines for clarity and a multi-conductor connector for
`connecting to the console of FIG. 1.
`[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a shoulder strap
`appliance with an internal array of coils in one strap illus(cid:173)
`trated in solid lines for clarity and a multi-conductor con(cid:173)
`nector for connecting to the console of FIG. 1.
`[0040] FIG. 7 is a variation of the FIG. 3 appliance, in a
`circumferential slide-on form for the elbow or knee joint,
`with an internal circumferential array of coils illustrated in
`solid lines for clarity and a multi-conductor connector for
`connecting to the console of FIG. 1.
`
`[0041] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a buckle-up
`style pelvic appliance, with internal circumferential coils in
`each leg illustrated in solid lines for clarity, and multi(cid:173)
`conductor buckles by which the appliance and the coils are
`closed about the pelvic region.
`[0042] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a simple strap appliance
`of the invention with an internal circumferential coil laid
`open with its conductors illustrated here in solid lines for
`clarity, the conductors terminating in the multi-conductor
`edge components of the appliance buckle by which the
`appliance is closed about a region of the body to complete
`the coil circuit.
`[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shoulder strap
`appliance with internal circumferential arrays of coils in
`each cuff, the coils illustrated in solid lines here for clarity,
`with multi-conductor connectors for closing the coils of each
`cuff of the appliance and a multi-conductor connector for
`connecting the arrays of coils to the console of FIG. 1.
`
`[0044] FIG. llA is a perspective, partially laid open, view
`of the buckle form joint appliance of FIG. 8, with a close up
`view in FIG. 11B of the multi-conductor buckle connector
`by which the circuitry of the circumferential coil array,
`illustrated in solid lines for clarity, is completed when the
`appliance is closed.
`
`[0045] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a single strap coil
`embodiment of the invention, sufficiently long and flexible
`for multiple turns about a body part and configured with a
`multi-conductor buckle for completing the coil circuit.
`[0046] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a variation of the
`elbow or knee joint appliance illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0047] The present treatments for arthritis, musculoskel(cid:173)
`etal pain and muscular atrophy consist mostly of traditional
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`medicine including physical therapy and pharmaceuticals
`with only small inroads made by advancing technology. One
`of