Description

MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATING EQUIPMENT FOR STIMULATING GROWTH BONE DENSITY AND THE METHOD

FOR OPERATING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density, wherein a microcontroller outputs digital data on the waveform and intensity of a magnetic field required for promoting growth of bone mineral density, the data are applied to a coil through an analog circuit, the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the coil is fed back to the microcontroller through a probe coil so as to detect whether the apparatus normally operates, and the operations of the apparatus are displayed so that a user can check the operations.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Generally, in a disease known as osteoporosis, minerals come out from bones and bone mineral density is abnormally lowered. Bones contain inorganic components or mineral components as well as organic components in osteocyte and bone matrix. The osteocyte and bone matrix contain a framework of collagen fibers on which calcium phosphate (85%) and calcium carbonate (10%), which are mineral components giving stiffness to bones, are deposited. Although the osteoporosis is usually considered to give pains to old people, specific types of osteoporosis may occur to people of all ages whose bones are not functionally stressed. In this case, cortical bones and cancellous bones of a patient may be significantly lost during a longer immobilization period. It is known that during an immobilization period after a bone fracture, old patients suffer from loss of bones since the bones are not used, which may invite a second bone fracture to a skeleton that has already suffered from the osteoporosis. Decrease in bone mineral density may cause pains as much as to make a person powerless, as well as vertebral collapse or bone fractures of the hips, lower arms, wrists or ankles.

[4] Meanwhile, many studies have shown that a magnetic field promotes recovery of bone fractures. However, since a conventional technique uses an analog circuit method, it cannot generate a magnetic field waveform requiring high precision and also cannot control the intensity of a magnetic field. Therefore, a user cannot check whether a magnetic field is generated, resulting in a problem in reliability of the effects of promoting growth of bone mineral density. Further, there is a problem in precision

of medical instrument since the instrument does not have an ability to diagnose a fault in itself. [5]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density, wherein a microcontroller outputs digital data on the desired waveform and intensity of a magnetic field required for promoting growth of bone mineral density, the data are applied to a coil through an analog circuit so as to generate a magnetic field of high precision, the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the coil is fed back to the microcontroller through a probe coil so as to detect whether the apparatus normally operates, and such a series of operations of the apparatus are displayed on a display unit.

[V]

Technical Solution

[8] To achieve the object, a method for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention comprises the steps of generating magnetic field intensity data and a waveform in accordance with a time and the intensity of a magnetic field received from a user; converting the generated waveform into a corresponding analog waveform and outputting the converted analog waveform, checking the generated magnetic field intensity data, and setting the intensity of a magnetic field and an operation time; outputting a signal for generating an appropriate magnetic field based on the outputted waveform and the magnetic field intensity data and generating the magnetic field through a coil based on the outputted signal; checking a detection of the magnetic field, and informing the user of a fault if the magnetic field is not detected; if the magnetic field is detected in the step of checking the detection of the magnetic field, displaying a remaining time and the intensity of the magnetic field; and if the set operation time is elapsed or a stop signal is received from the user, stopping an operation of the apparatus.

[9] Further, to control the respective steps, an apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention comprises a display unit for displaying a currently outputted frequency, the intensity of a magnetic field, and an operation time; a magnetic field generating unit for adjusting the frequency, the intensity of a magnetic field, and the operation time and outputting a signal for generating the adjusted magnetic field; and a coil unit for generating the

magnetic field in response to the signal outputted from the magnetic field generating unit.

[10] In the apparatus of the present invention, the magnetic field generating unit comprises a microcontroller unit for outputting a magnetic field waveform and the intensity of the magnetic field as digital data; a D/A conversion unit for modulating the magnetic field waveform of digital data inputted from the microcontroller unit into a corresponding magnetic field waveform of analog data and outputting the modulated analog magnetic field waveform; an intensity adjusting unit for adjusting the intensity of the magnetic field and the operation time in response to a magnetic field intensity setting signal inputted from the microcontroller unit; a magnetic field amplifying unit for amplifying the signal for generating the magnetic field in response to control signals of the D/A conversion unit and the intensity adjusting unit and outputting the amplified signal; and a magnetic field detecting unit for detecting the generated magnetic field to determine whether the apparatus normally operates.

[H]

Advantageous Effects

[12] According to the present invention described above, the microcontroller unit outputs digital data on the desired waveform and intensity of a magnetic field required for promoting growth of bone mineral density and the digital data are applied to a coil through an analog circuit, so that a highly precise magnetic field can be generated and effectively used for growth of bone mineral density and treatment for lack of bone mineral density.

[13] Furthermore, the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the coil is fed back to the microcontroller unit through a probe coil, and whether the apparatus normally operates is detected. Such a series of operations are displayed on a display unit. Thus, the reliability and stability of the apparatus can be enhanced.

[14]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] Fig. 1 is a view showing an external configuration of an apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention.

[16] Fig. 2 is a view showing an internal configuration of the apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention.

[17] Fig. 3 is a view showing a magnetic field waveform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[18] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a magnetic field for

promoting growth of bone mineral density according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[19] <Explanation of Reference Numerals for Main Portions in Drawings>

[20] 200: Magnetic field generating unit

[21] 210: Microcontroller unit

[22] 220: Intensity adjusting unit

[23] 230: D/A conversion unit

[24] 240: Magnetic field amplifying unit

[25] 250: Magnetic field detecting unit

[26] 310: Magnetic field generating coil unit

[27] 320: Probe coil unit

[28]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[29] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in denoting reference numerals for respective elements in the drawings, like elements are designated by like reference numerals even though the elements are shown in different figures.

[30] Fig. 1 is a view showing an external configuration of an apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention.

[31] As shown in Fig.l, the apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density includes a magnetic field generating unit 200, a coil unit 300, and a display unit 100 for displaying the current state of the apparatus. When the magnetic field generating unit 200 outputs a signal for generating an adjusted magnetic field, the coil unit 300 generates a magnetic field in response to the signal outputted from the magnetic field generating unit 200, and the display unit 100 displays a currently outputted frequency, the intensity of the magnetic field, and an operation time so that a user can check them.

[32] Fig. 2 is a view showing an internal configuration of the apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to the present invention.

[33] Referring to Fig. 2, the apparatus for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density includes the display unit 100 for displaying a currently outputted frequency, the intensity of a magnetic field, and an operation time so that a user can view them thereon, a microcontroller unit 210, a digital- to- analog (D/A) conversion unit 230, an intensity adjusting unit 220, a magnetic field amplifying unit

240, a magnetic field detecting unit 250, a magnetic field generating coil unit 310, and a probe coil unit 320.

[34] The display unit 100 displays a currently outputted frequency, the intensity of a magnetic field, and an operation time so that a user can check them. Although the display unit is constructed of certain light emitting diode (LED) segments in the present invention, a microminiature liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, a television (TV), a monitor and the like may be employed without a specific limitation on the type of auxiliary image output device and can be appropriately selected according to the application field of the present invention.

[35] The display unit 100 includes a key input section (not shown) through which a user can input data on control of the operation of the apparatus. In the present invention, the key input section is a means having a plurality of keys, a touch screen or the like to convert information inputted by the user into electrical signals and to output the electrical signals. The key input section includes an intensity adjusting key (not shown) for use in adjusting the intensity of a magnetic field, and a time adjusting key (not shown) for use in adjusting time setting.

[36] The microcontroller unit 210 outputs the waveform and intensity of a magnetic field as digital data according to an operation condition inputted by the user through the key input section. As the microcontroller unit 210 outputs the waveform and intensity of the magnetic field as digital data, it is possible to generate a highly precise magnetic field waveform that has not been implemented by means of an analog circuit method. The outputted magnetic field waveform is inputted into the D/A conversion unit 230, and the magnetic field intensity is inputted into the intensity adjusting unit 220.

[37] The D/A conversion unit 230 modulates the magnetic field waveform of digital data inputted from the microcontroller unit 210 into a corresponding magnetic field waveform of analog data and inputs the modulated analog magnetic field waveform into the magnetic field amplifying unit 240. The modulated magnetic field waveform is a sawtooth wave array including twenty-one sawtooth waves, which is periodically generated at 15 Hz, as shown in Fig. 3. At this time, each of the sawtooth waves is configured with a rising waveform of 230μsec and a falling waveform of 30μsec, and twenty-one sawtooth waves are bound to form a sawtooth wave array.

[38] The intensity adjusting unit 220 adjusts the intensity of a magnetic field and an operation time according to a magnetic field intensity setting signal inputted from the microcontroller unit 210. That is, when the user sets the intensity of a magnetic field and an operation time through the key input section, the intensity of a magnetic field and the operation time are inputted into the intensity adjusting unit 220 through the microcontroller unit 210, and the intensity adjusting unit 220 adjusts an internal timer (not shown) using the information on the operation time and the intensity of a magnetic

field which are set by the user.

[39] The timer is a clock that is designed to automatically implement time intervals of a five-to-ten-minute step up to sixty minutes in an electromagnetic operation procedure. The timer can set a time period required for the electromagnetic operation procedure and has controllers having a digital time display. Although resetting a counter and stopping the apparatus can be automatically performed if a set time is elapsed, the apparatus can be manually stopped even before an operation time of a magnetic field set by the timer is elapsed.

[40] The magnetic field amplifying unit 240 amplifies a voltage level of a waveform inputted from the D/ A conversion unit 230 to a certain value to be suitable for high voltage amplification and outputs an appropriate magnetic field generating signal in response to a control signal of the intensity adjusting unit 220.

[41] The magnetic field generating coil unit 310 generates a magnetic field in response to an output signal of the magnetic field amplifying unit 240. The magnetic field generating coil unit 310 may be formed of a magnetic material such as ductile annealed steel, or a material used for a transformer core with a laminate structure. The generated magnetic field induces an alternating current in bodily tissues. Since the alternating current is dependent on non-linear electrical characteristics, low frequency potential having time dependency is generated like pulse modulation. The low frequency potential can promote growth of bone mineral density, for example, by changing the frequency of active potential of a cell.

[42] The probe coil unit 320 detects an electromotive force induced due to a change in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating coil unit 310 and outputs the induced electromotive force to the magnetic field detecting unit 250.

[43] The magnetic field detecting unit 250 detects the generated magnetic field to determine whether the magnetic field generating apparatus normally operates. The magnetic field detecting unit 250 detects a voltage by inducing an electromotive force at the probe coil unit 320 and inputs again the detected voltage into the microcontroller unit 210. The microcontroller unit 210 detects the inputted signal and displays a fault of the apparatus through the display unit 100 if a magnetic field is not detected.

[44] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a magnetic field for promoting growth of bone mineral density according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[45] A magnetic field generation command, magnetic field intensity adjusting data, and a time are received from a user through the key input section (S402). The microcontroller unit generates magnetic field intensity data and a waveform of a sawtooth wave array in accordance with the time and the intensity of a magnetic field received from the user (S404).

[46] The generated waveform is converted into a corresponding analog waveform through the D/ A conversion unit, and the converted analog waveform is outputted (S406). The waveform is a sawtooth wave array having twenty-one sawtooth waves each of which is configured with a rising waveform of 230μsec and a falling waveform of 30μsec, and is periodically generated at 15 Hz.

[47] Next, the intensity adjusting unit checks the magnetic field intensity data generated by the microcontroller unit and sets the intensity of a magnetic field and an operation time (S408). The magnetic field amplifying unit amplifies a signal for generating an appropriate magnetic field based on the outputted waveform and magnetic field intensity data and outputs the amplified signal (S410), and the coil unit generates a magnetic field based on the output signal of the magnetic field amplifying unit (S412).

[48] A change in the generated magnetic field induces an electromotive force at the probe coil, and the magnetic field detecting unit detects a voltage generated at that time and inputs the detected voltage into the microcontroller unit (S414).

[49] The microcontroller unit detects the signal inputted through the magnetic field detecting unit. If a magnetic field is not detected, the microcontroller unit displays a fault of the apparatus through the display unit to inform the user of the fault (S416). If a magnetic field is detected, a remaining time and the intensity of the magnetic field are displayed on the display unit (S418).

[50] If the set time is elapsed or a stop signal is received from the user, the magnetic field generating apparatus is stopped and the microcontroller unit is initialized (S420).

[51] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with the preferred embodiments, different variants thereof can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be apparent that the scope of the present invention is not defined by the embodiments but covers the invention of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[52]

Industrial Applicability

[53] Upon use of the apparatus and method of the present invention, the range of utility and efficiency of a magnetic field for treatment purposes can be extended and improved, and thus, an entire operation period for a biological object can be decreased in a treatment period. The apparatus and method of the present invention is for general purposes and can be used for treating injuries of all organs and tissues of a user if there is no limitation on an operation of a magnetic field.