权利要求：
Claims
1. An apparatus for the electromagnetic stimulation of organic cells by an electromagnetic field, said apparatus comprising:
an electrostimulation device comprising at least one electromagnetic coil;
characterised in that:
said electrostimulation device is provided with a unique identifier device for identifying said electrostimulation device.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrostimulation device comprises a patch comprising at least one substrate.
3 Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil is mounted within said at least one substrate; and
said at least one electromagnetic coil is capable of generating an electromagnetic field strength of less than or equal to 5mT at an outer surface of said patch at a drive frequency in the range 5.0 Hz to 8Hz.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil is mounted within said at least one substrate; and
said at least one electromagnetic coil is capable of generating an
electromagnetic
field strength of less than or equal to 5mT at an outer surface of said patch at a drive frequency in the range 7.0 Hz to 7.6Hz.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the electrostimulation device comprises a patch comprising a first substrate sheet and a second substrate sheet.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is located between said first and second substrate sheets and said at least one electromagnetic coil is capable of generating an electromagnetic field:
said electromagnetic field having a field strength of less than or equal to SmT at an outer surface of said patch at a drive frequency in the range 5.0 Hz to 8Hz.
/. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil generates a field strength of less than or equal to 5mT at an outer surface of said patch at a drive frequency in the range 7.0 Hz to 7.6Hz.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrostimulation device is ergonomically designed for dental wear.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the electrostimulation device comprises a bespoke modified mouthguard.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said unique identifier device comprises a device selected from the set:
an integrated circuit and/or a memory device storing a unique identifier data which uniquely identifies said electromagnetic stimulation device.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the electromagnetic stimulation device comprises an electrical lead, wherein said unique identifier device is located at an opposite end of said lead to said at least one electromagnetic coil.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said electromagnetic field generates a field strength of less than or equal to 1mT at an
outer surface of said electrostimulation device a drive frequency in the range 5.0 Hz to 8.0Hz.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said electromagnetic field generates a field strength of less than or equal to 1mT at an outer surface of said electrostimulation device a drive frequency in the range 7.0 Hz to 7.6Hz.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the electromagnetic field is applied continuously for a period of 2 to 8 hours per day.
15. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the electromagnetic field is applied continuously for a period of 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours per day
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 2 to 8 hours per day.
17. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 2, 4 or 6 hours per day.
18. Apparatus according to any of claims 16 or 17 wherein the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 5 minutes then no electromagnetic field is applied for a period of 5 minutes, consecutively for a the designated treatment period of 2 to 8 or 2,4 or 6 hours per day.
19. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said electromagnetic field is provided by a direct current.
20. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said electromagnetic field is provided by an alternating current.
21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising:
an electrical drive unit for generating a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil,
characterised in that:
said drive unit is provided with a recognition means for recognising said unique identifier device for identifying said electromagnetic stimulation apparatus; and.
said drive unit being operable to supply a drive signal to said at least one electromagnetic coil when said drive unit verifies said unique identifier device.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said drive unit is operable to supply a drive signal to said at least one electro - magnetic coil when said drive unit verifies said unique identifier device.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein said drive unit is disabled from supplying a drive signal to said at least one electromagnetic coil when said drive unit does not verify said unique identifier device.
24. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said unique identifier device comprises an integrated circuit and/or memory device storing a unique identifier data which uniquely identifies said electromagnetic stimulation apparatus.
25. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising:
means for preventing said drive unit from being connected to an external power supply when said electromagnetic coil is connected to said drive unit.
206. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said means for preventing said drive unit from being connected to an external power supply when said
electromagnetic coil is connected to said drive unit comprises having only a single socket connector on said drive unit, which is used alternately for connection of an external power supply or for connection of one or more said electromagnetic coils, such that said power supply unit and a said electromagnetic coil cannot be connected to the same socket at the same time.
27. A method of electromagnetically stimulating organic cells, comprising the steps of:
applying an electromagnetic field via an electrostimulation device comprising at least one electromagnetic coil;
characterised in that:
said electrostimulation device is provided with a unique identifier device for identifying said electrostimulation device.
28. A drive unit for an electromagnetic stimulation device, said electromagnetic stimulation device comprising a substrate and at least one electromagnetic coil, said drive unit comprising:
a power storage device;
a microprocessor device;
a power circuit for providing drive current to said at least one electromagnetic coil;
connection means for connecting said drive unit to a said at least one electromagnetic stimulation device; and
means for receiving and storing a set of signal data for implementing a programme comprising a series of one or more drive signals applied to said at least one electromagnetic stimulation device.
29. The drive unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein said means for receiving and storing a set of drive signal data comprises:
a communications port; and
a memory device and/ or a data storage device for storing said set of signal data.
30. The drive unit as claimed in claim 28 or 29, comprising means for uniquely identifying an individual electromagnetic stimulation device from a plurality of said electromagnetic stimulation devices.
31. The drive unit as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30, comprising means for receiving an external power input for charging said power storage device, and
connection means for connecting said drive unit to a said electromagnetic stimulation device,
said connection means being configured such that connection of said drive unit to said external power input and to said electromagnetic stimulation device at the same time are mutually exclusive so that the external power input cannot be connected to the drive unit at the same time that the drive unit is connected to said electromagnetic stimulation device.
32. An apparatus for promoting the proliferation of organic cells by electromagnetic stimulation, said apparatus comprising:
at least one electromagnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic field; and
an electrical drive unit for generating a drive current for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil,
said apparatus characterised by comprising:
means for preventing said drive unit from being connected to an external power supply when said electromagnetic coil is connected to said drive unit.
33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said means for preventing said drive unit from being connected to an external power supply when said electromagnetic coil is connected to said drive unit comprises having only a single socket connector on said drive unit, which is used alternately for connection of an external power supply or for connection of one or more said electromagnetic coils, such that said power supply unit and a said electromagnetic coil cannot be connected to the same socket at the same time.
34. A method for creating a design of a bespoke apparatus for an individual subject for the electromagnetic stimulation of organic cells, said method comprising:
identifying a target region within a body region of said individual subject, which is to be subjected to electromagnetic stimulation;
creating a data map of said body region of said individual subject;
determining a required electromagnetic field strength in said target region;
using said data map of said body region to create a three-dimensional data map for an electrostimulation device which closely fits said body region; and
positioning at least one coil within said three-dimensional map for said electrostimulation device so as to deliver a said required electromagnetic field to said target region.
35. The method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising creating a set of signal data for driving said electrostimulation patch with a signal which produces said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region.
36. The method as claimed in claim 34 or 35, comprising determining an electric field strength throughout the whole of said body region; and
determining whether said electric field strength falls above a genotoxic level of electric field strength at any position within said body region; and
if said electric field strength falls above said genotoxic level at any position within said body region, selecting a different alternative electromagnetic coil which produces a lower electromagnetic field strength.
37. The method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein said data map of said body region comprises a three—dimensional data map.
38. The method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein said process of identifying a target region comprises creating a three—dimensional data map of said target region.
39. The method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein said process of positioning said at least one coil comprises determining an optimum position of said at least one coil in three-dimensional space relative to said body portion.
40. The method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 39, wherein said process of positioning said at least one coil comprises determining an optimum
orientation of a main plane of the windings of said at least one in three- dimensional space relative to said target region.
41. The method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 40, further comprising manufacturing an electromagnetic stimulation apparatus according to said three- dimensional electrostimulation patch data.
42. A method of manufacture of an apparatus for the electromagnetic stimulation of organic cells by application of an electromagnetic field, said method comprising:
generating data describing physical characteristics of a required electrostimulation device;
said data comprising:
three-dimensional map data specifying a three-dimensional shape of said electrostimulation device:
substrate material data describing at least one substrate material type for manufacture of a body of said electrostimulation device;
data describing the number, type and positions of one or more individual coils to be incorporated into said body of the electrostimulation device; and
manufacturing an electrostimulation device according to said data.
43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said method of manufacturing comprises printing said body according to said three-dimensional map data using a three-dimensional printer.
44. The method as claimed in any one of claims 42 or 43 wherein said data further comprises identification means for identifying said electromagnetic stimulation apparatus.
The method as claimed in claim 44, wherein said identification device data comprises data describing a type of identification means, comprising an integrated circuit comprising a unique identifier data which uniquely identifies said electromagnetic stimulation apparatus.
45. The method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 45, wherein said method of manufacturing electromagnetic stimulation apparatus further comprises incorporating at least one identification device into said electrostimulation device.
46. The method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 46 wherein said data further comprises:
individual electrostimulation device identification data to identify an individual electrostimulation device once manufactured: and
said method of manufacture comprises incorporating an identification device into said electrostimulation device: and
incorporating said device identification data into said identification device.
47. The method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 47 wherein said method of generating said data describing the number, type and positions of one or more individual coils to be incorporated into said body of the electrostimulation device comprises:
reading electromagnetic field measurement data determined from measurements made experimentally from an electromagnetic coil positioned adjacent to a physical model of a body portion of said subject user;
comparing said experimentally determined electromagnetic field measurement data with said three-dimensional map data of said shape of said electrostimulation device;
reading electromagnetic field strength data relating to one or more selected electromagnetic coil types from pre-stored data in a database;
comparing said experimentally determined electromagnetic field measurement data from said physical model of said subject user with said pre- stored electromagnetic field strength data from said database; and
selecting an individual electromagnetic coil type which generates an electromagnetic field strength below a genotoxic level throughout the whole of a three-dimensional region corresponding to said experimentally determined electromagnetic field measurement data.
48. The method as claimed in claim 48, further comprising selecting a position of a said selected individual electromagnetic coil within said three- dimensional map data specifying said three-dimensional shape for the electrostimulation device, at which said selected electromagnetic coil generates an electromagnetic field strength below a genotoxic level through the whole of said 3 dimensional region corresponding to said experimentally determined electromagnetic field measurement data.
49. The method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising selecting positions for two or more selected individual electromagnetic coils within said three-dimensional map data specifying said three-dimensional shape of said electrostimulation device, at which said selected electromagnetic coils collectively generate an electromagnetic field strength below a genotoxic level throughout the whole of said three-dimensional region corresponding to said experimentally determined electromagnetic field measurement data.
50. The method as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 45, wherein said process of generating data describing the number, type and position of one or more individual coils comprises
determining a cell type of a target region of the body portion of a subject; and
selecting a coil type from set of one or more coil types which have been pre- determined to generate electromagnetic field strengths which are non-genotoxic for said determined cell type.
31. A method for providing a set of drive signal data for a drive unit to supply drive signals to an electrostimulation device, said method comprising:
creating a data map of a body region of said individual subject;
identifying a target region within said body region which is to be subjected to electromagnetic stimulation;
determining a required electromagnetic field strength in said target region;
determining a position of said at least one electromagnetic field generating coil in relation to said target region at which said at least one electromagnetic coil provides a said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region; and
determining a drive signal which delivers said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region.
52. The method as claimed in claim 52, wherein said step of determining a drive signal which delivers said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region comprises:
selecting a digitally synthesised waveform from a pre-stored library of digitally synthesised waveforms.
83. The method as claimed in claim 52 or 53, wherein said step of determining a drive signal which delivers said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region comprises:
digitally synthesising a bespoke waveform envelope which produces said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region.
54. The method as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein said step of determining a drive signal which delivers said required electromagnetic field strength in said target region comprises:
generating a computerised three-dimensional model of electromagnetic field strength produced by known coil;
overlaying said computerised three-dimensional model of electromagnetic field strength with a three-dimensional data map of a target region of a body portion which is to be subjected to said electromagnetic field;
applying successively one or a plurality of individual pre-stored drive signal waveforms to a computer simulation of said known electromagnetic coil to determine a simulated electromagnetic field strength produced by each of said successively applied drive signal waveform; and
selecting a said pre-stored drive signal waveform which produces a required electromagnetic field strength throughout the whole of said target region.
55. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein said selected drive signal waveform is selected so that the electromagnetic field strength is below a genotoxic level throughout the whole of said target region.
Claims
1. An apparatus for the electromagnetic stimulation of organic cells by an electromagnetic field, said apparatus comprising:
an electrostimulation device comprising at least one electromagnetic coil,
an electrical drive unit for generating a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil;
said electrostimulation device being a bespoke mouthpiece provided with a unique identifier device for identifying said bespoke mouthpiece electrostimulation device to said drive unit:
characterised in that said electrical drive unit comprises a single socket connector, which is used alternately for connection of an external power supply or for connection of said bespoke mouthpiece electrostimulation device comprising at least one electromagnetic coil, such that said external power supply and said bespoke mouthpiece electrostimulation device comprising at least one electromagnetic coil cannot be connected to the drive unit at the same time.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrostimulation device is ergonomically designed for dental wear.
3. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the electrostimulation device comprises a bespoke modified mouthguard.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said unique identifier device comprises a device selected from the set:
an integrated circuit and/or a memory device storing a unique identifier data which uniquely identifies said electromagnetic stimulation device.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the electromagnetic stimulation device comprises an electrical lead, wherein said unique identifier device is located at an opposite end of said lead to said at least one electromagnetic coil.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said electromagnetic coil generates a field strength of less than or equal to 1mT at an outer surface of said electrostimulation device a drive frequency in the range 5.0 Hz to 8.0Hz and a current in the range 50mA to 1000mA.
/. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said electromagnetic coil generates a field strength of less than or equal to 1mT at an outer surface of said electrostimulation device a drive frequency in the range 7.0 Hz to 7.6Hz and a current in the range 50mA to 1000mA.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said electrical drive unit generates a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic field is applied continuously for a period of 2 to 8 hours per day.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said electrical drive unit generates a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic field is applied continuously for a period of 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours per day
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said electrical drive unit generates a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 2 to 8 hours per day.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said electrical drive unit generates a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 2, 4 or 6 hours per day.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 or 11 wherein said electrical drive unit generates a drive signal for powering said at least one electromagnetic coil such that the electromagnetic field is applied intermittently for a period of 5 minutes then no electromagnetic field is applied for a period of 5 minutes, consecutively for a the designated treatment period of 2 to 8 or 2, 4 or 6 hours per day.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said electromagnetic field is provided by a direct current.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said electromagnetic field is provided by an alternating current.
15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said drive unit is provided with a recognition means for recognising said unique identifier device for identifying said electrostimulation device; and
said drive unit being operable to supply a drive signal to said at least one electromagnetic coil when said drive unit verifies said unique identifier device.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said drive unit is disabled from supplying a drive signal to said at least one electromagnetic coil when said drive unit does not verify said unique identifier device.