U.S. patent application number 11/818956 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for field configurable magnetic array.
Invention is credited to James J. Souder, Charles Zablotsky.
Application Number | 20080246573 11/818956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39917335 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080246573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Souder; James J. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
Field configurable magnetic array
Abstract
A magnet apparatus comprising a plurality of geometrically
shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size
relative to each other and each having a first side with a first
magnetic pole orientation and a second side with a second magnetic
pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole
orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form a
single planar magnet array having a treatment surface and an
opposing backer surface, the treatment surface having either an all
like magnetic pole orientation or a mixed magnetic pole
orientation; and a backer plate having a first side and a second
side constructed of ferromagnetic material such that when the
plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is
assembled concentrically on the first side of the backer plate each
of the geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise
the single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the
backer plate by magnetic attraction whereby the treatment surface
of the single planar magnet array is formed opposite to the backer
surface of the single planar magnet array that is magnetically
secured to the backer plate.
Inventors: |
Souder; James J.; (Bracey,
VA) ; Zablotsky; Charles; (Ft. Lauderdale,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James J. Souder
P O Box 311
Bracey
VA
23919
US
|
Family ID: |
39917335 |
Appl. No.: |
11/818956 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
335/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01F 7/0221 20130101;
A61N 2/008 20130101; H01F 7/0294 20130101; A61N 2/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
335/306 |
International
Class: |
H01F 7/02 20060101
H01F007/02 |
Claims
9) A magnet apparatus comprising: A plurality of geometrically
shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size
relative to each other and each having a treatment side with a
first magnetic pole orientation and a back side with a second
magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic
pole orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form
a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface and an
opposing backer surface, the treatment surface having either an all
like magnetic pole orientation or a mixed magnetic pole
orientation; and A backer plate having a first side and a second
side constructed of ferromagnetic material such that when the
plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is
assembled on the first side of the backer plate each of the
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements that comprise the
single planar magnet array is secured to the first side of the
backer plate by magnetic attraction.
10) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes at least one
of circles, ellipses, squares, rectangles, stars, hearts and
kidneys.
11) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes at least one
of ferrite, samarium cobalt, and neodymium iron boron.
12) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the ferromagnetic
material includes stainless steel.
13) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes a plurality
of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements wherein at least
one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic
elements is constructed to have a different thickness relative to
the remaining geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements.
14) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements includes a plurality
of geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements wherein at least
one of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested magnetic
elements is constructed to have a different magnetic strength
relative to the remaining geometrically shaped nested magnetic
elements.
15) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 further comprising at least one
moat such that the at least one moat is positioned in the single
planar magnet array.
16) The magnet apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one moat
comprises at least one of non-magnetic material and an air-gap.
17) The magnet apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a lateral
retention means fastening the plurality of geometrically shaped
nested elements together.
18) A magnet apparatus comprising: A plurality of geometrically
shaped nested elements each being of a different size relative to
each other wherein at least two of the plurality of geometrically
shaped nested elements has a first side with a first magnetic pole
orientation and a second side with a second magnetic pole
orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic pole
orientation, and at least one of the plurality of geometrically
shaped nested elements is constructed of spacer material such that
the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements is capable of
being assembled concentrically to form a single planar magnet array
having a treatment surface and an opposing backer surface, the
treatment surface having either an all like magnetic pole
orientation or a mixed magnetic pole orientation; and A backer
plate having a first side and a second side constructed from
ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested elements is assembled concentrically on
the first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped
nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet
array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic
attraction whereby the treatment surface of the single planar
magnet array is formed opposite to the backer surface of the single
planar magnet array that is magnetically secured to the backer
plate.
19) The magnet apparatus of claim 18 wherein the spacer material
includes at least one of a moat, a ferromagnetic element, a
non-magnetic element, plastic, wood, ceramic, air-gap and
non-ferrous metal such that a non-magnetic zone is created within
the single planar magnetic array wherein return flux passes through
the magnetic zone.
20) The magnet apparatus of claim 18 wherein the at least one of
the plurality of geometrically shaped nested elements having
magnetic orientation includes at least one of the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested elements having magnetic orientation
that is parallel to the single planar magnet array.
21) The magnet apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a lateral
retention means fastening the plurality of geometrically shaped
nested elements together.
22) A magnet apparatus comprising: A plurality of geometrically
shaped nested magnetic elements each being of a different size
relative to each other and each having a treatment side with a
first magnetic pole orientation and a back side with a second
magnetic pole orientation that is opposite to the first magnetic
pole orientation, capable of being assembled concentrically to form
a single planar magnet array having a treatment surface, the
treatment surface having a mixed magnetic pole orientation wherein
the single planar magnet array is self-adherent resulting from
magnetic attraction of the plurality of geometrically shaped nested
magnetic elements.
23) The magnet apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a backer
plate having a first side and a second side constructed of
ferromagnetic material such that when the plurality of
geometrically shaped nested magnetic elements is assembled on the
first side of the backer plate each of the geometrically shaped
nested magnetic elements that comprise the single planar magnet
array is secured to the first side of the backer plate by magnetic
attraction.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/586,830 filed Jul. 9, 2004 herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to magnet arrays that are used
to deliver magnetic therapeutic fields to tissue in plants and
animals. In particular a plurality of discrete shaped magnetic
elements can be combined to form a single magnet array comprising
discrete magnetic zones which may be of like polarity or mixed
polarity. The overall polarization of the single magnet array can
be varied by positioning the poles of each of the magnetic elements
to be either North or South. Thus to obtain like polarity in the
magnet array the polarity of each of the magnetic elements that
comprise the array would be positioned to either North or South.
Another embodiment according to the present invention comprises
moats or spacer elements of non-magnetic material positioned in
between each of the magnetic elements that comprise the magnet
array.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Curative, and also prophylactic, magnetic field treatment is
well known in the art. For example, it is known that magnetic bands
covering the lower back can be effective in reducing pain
originating in the lower back, and that a magnetic bracelet worn on
the wrist can reduce pain or stiffness originating in the wrist. It
is also known that the application of magnetic devices directly to
the site of other painful body parts such as elbows or ankles can
reduce pain in those parts. These known methods all typically
involve the use of permanent magnets.
[0006] Many patents have been issued for therapeutic magnets
including patents for concentric circle magnetic patterns impressed
into flexible magnet material by relatively simple methods using
permanent magnet fixtures or electrical discharge magnetizing
fixtures. The resultant magnets typically have residual magnetic
fields of 750 Gauss to 3,000 Gauss and can be created in a field of
under 10,000 Gauss, which is achievable with neodymium or other
high power permanent magnet fixtures. The problem with that method
is that the power required to magnetize a concentrically arranged
high power permanent magnet such as neodymium iron boron is too
high.
[0007] Monolithic composite high power "Hard" magnet concentric
patterns are difficult to achieve, because it is not practical
using current technology to impress concentric magnetic zones of
opposite polarity onto a wafer of homogeneous high power magnet
material such as neodymium iron boron. Nominally 40,000 Gauss is
required to coerce the field in neodymium. Additionally once a
particular polarization pattern is impressed onto a wafer that
polarization pattern can only be modified by subjecting the wafer
to the same process that was used to originally impress the
magnetic zones onto it.
[0008] Some practitioners believe that one magnetic pole has a
different therapeutic effect than the other. For example some
practitioners prefer to use a magnetic array having an all North
polarization when treating a given condition. A technical obstacle
present when constructing concentric patterns of a multi-element
single pole array using high power permanent magnets is that
magnetic disks of like polarity in the same plane mutually repel
each other.
[0009] Thus a need exists for a high power permanent magnet device
that can be configured into concentric patterns of either like or
mixed polarities and an efficient way to construct concentric
patterns with permanent high power magnets regardless of like or
mixed polarity magnetic distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An apparatus according to present invention comprise
arranging multiple high power permanent magnetic elements to form a
single magnetic array such that the single magnetic array can
deliver more flux per unit volume and can deliver optimum
penetration. Optimum penetration means projected field distance
from the surface and magnetic intensity at a given depth. In mixed
pole devices it is possible to trade increased depth of penetration
for diminished surface intensity or visa versa.
[0011] An embodiment according to the present invention comprises
multiple high power permanent magnets that are concentrically
arranged such that adjacent zones of polarity mutually reinforce
the magnetic field of one another resulting in increased Gauss
readings at the surface of the magnet.
[0012] Another embodiment according to the present invention
comprises multiple high power permanent magnets and a removable
backer plate comprised of a suitable ferromagnetic material or
magnetic stainless steel.
[0013] Another embodiment according to the present invention
comprises varying the thickness of some of the multiple high power
magnets such that when the magnets are arranged concentrically in a
like polarity array onto a removable ferromagnetic backer plate,
the thinner of the high power magnets comprising the array will be
subject to less expulsive force from neighboring magnets and will
cling tighter to the backer plate.
[0014] Another embodiment according to the present invention
comprises a concentric array of multiple high power magnets having
a moat or a zone of magnetically transparent material positioned in
between adjacent high power magnets such that flux returning around
a periphery of a magnet will exert around the periphery of a magnet
will exert minimum cancellation or reinforcement of flux exiting
the plane of the adjacent magnets. In the case of like pole
neighboring magnets, there will be mutual cancellation of the
proximal zones, and the moat will appear to be a zone of opposite
polarity. In the case of a moat placed between elements of opposite
polarity, the result will be increased field projection of the
active magnet zones due to diminished blending of opposite fields
above the surface of the array.
[0015] Another embodiment according to the present invention
comprises a concentric array of multiple high power magnets having
additional magnets with their North and South poles positioned
perpendicular in between each of the high power magnets such that
the additional magnets have an East or West polarization relative
to the North or South polarization of each of the multiple high
power magnets.
[0016] Another embodiment according to the present invention
comprises constructing alternating pole magnets out of more
powerful magnetic materials such as samarium cobalt, neodymium iron
boron magnets or other materials that may become available that can
deliver more flux per unit volume than common ferrite magnets.
[0017] A further embodiment according to the present invention
comprises a magnetic composite of concentric rings, disks or other
geometric shapes that can be assembled with either pole of any
element facing the subject at the discretion of the user.
[0018] The above and yet other aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set
forth Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description of
the Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Apparatus that are particular embodiments of the invention
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying diagrammatic drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a return path of a magnetic flux line
flow;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram of return paths of multiple flux
lines;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting reinforcement and
counteraction of magnetic fields due to magnetic return flux lines
from adjacent magnetic elements;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view of a concentric magnet arrangement
having mixed polarities according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts like polarized magnets repelling one another
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 depicts mixed North flux and South flux emanating
from a concentric configuration of magnets according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates flux flow from a concentric high power
magnet array having moats according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 flux flow from a like polarization array of high
power magnets according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a non-circular shape concentric array of
magnets according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a concentric array of semi-circular high
power magnets according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates phantom South polarization according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates a concentric array of varying
thicknesses of magnets according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 13 illustrates a concentric array of magnets having a
ferromagnetic backer plate according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 14A illustrates a like pole array according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 14B illustrates a mixed pole array according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 15 illustrates flux lines emanating from a magnet in
East West orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The apparatus according to present invention comprise
adjacently or concentrically configuring a plurality of high power
permanent magnets such that the array can deliver more flux per
unit volume and can deliver optimum penetration
characteristics.
[0037] The benefits of concentric circle magnet arrays are believed
by many practitioners to derive from blood vessels crossing over
zones of opposite polarity. Additionally a concentric pattern is an
ideal geometric pattern to permit a pole arrangement where the flux
emanating from a central pole magnetic element or any given orbital
ring can arc over on the arched trajectory of a flux line and
descend on a magnetic element adjacent to it. After the flux
reaches its apex it returns toward the plane from which it
originated. When the flux returns to the plane from which it
originated it is now going in the opposite direction. Thus a Gauss
meter would ascribe the zone it travels through on the downward
portion of the arc as having a polarity opposite to its originating
polarity on the upward portion of the arc. For example, if a rocket
taking off is being described as going North on take-off it would
be described as going South after reaching the zenith of its arc
trajectory for its return trip to the ground surface from which it
departed. Since it has an arc trajectory the rocket would land some
given lateral distance away from its starting point.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 which illustrates a magnet 101 having a
North polarity on a first surface 102 and a South polarity on a
second surface 103. Flux lines that exit from each atom in a magnet
follow a trajectory similar to the rocket example described above.
Flux exits the first surface with an ascending portion of the arc
called North 104 reaches an apex then returns to the surface plane
some lateral distance away with a descending portion of the arc
called South 105.
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates magnetic flux radiation. Magnetic flux
201 radiates 360 degrees in all directions from any given magnetic
body or element 202.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates reinforcement and counteraction of flux
lines originating from a magnetic array. A first magnetic element
301 comprises a first surface 302 having a North polarity and a
second surface 303 having a South polarity. Adjacent to the first
magnetic element 301 is a second magnetic element 304 comprising a
first surface 305 having a North polarity and a second surface 306
having a South polarity. Adjacent to the second magnetic element
304 is a third magnetic element having a first surface 307 having a
South polarity and a second surface 308 having a North polarity.
When the downside of an arc of a flux line 309 passes through a
zone of like polarity, the field is reinforced since the flux line
309 is going the same direction as neighboring flux lines entering
surface 307. When the downside of an arc of a flux line 311 lands
in an area of a different polarity 302 it counteracts and cancels
the effect of a North flux line since it is now South bound on the
downside of the arc 311 and weakens the field at the surface
312.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a plane of a
concentric magnet array. Flux emanating from a bull's eye 401 of an
archery target type magnet will create a ring of concentric second
poles 402 around the bull's eye 401. In this illustration the
second pole is South. If a second concentric ring 403 is magnetized
as South the magnetic field will be reinforced from the flux
emanating from the bull's eye 401. This process is repeated in a
third concentric ring 404 in which the South flux 405 arising from
the second concentric ring 403 returns to the plane of origin in
both the bull's eye 401 and third concentric ring 404 as North.
Since the bull's eye and the third concentric rings are oriented as
North, the Gauss level measurement at the surface is considerably
increased by the reinforcement. By contrast if the bull's eye 401
and the third concentric ring 404 were oriented as South, the
surface Gauss levels would be decreased by an exact amount of the
return flux or downward arc from like pole neighboring zones.
[0042] A method of constructing an array of magnetic elements in a
concentric pattern according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises forming each magnetic element into various
sized washer shaped disks or solid disks then assembling the disks
to form an array of nested or concentric patterns. Additionally if
the adjacent zone of a disk is of opposite polarity to a disk next
to it the disks will automatically align as each disk is mutually
pulling on the zones of the adjacent disks next to it. Thus a mixed
pole magnet array having a magnetic element similar to a bull's and
concentric magnetic element disks surrounding the bull's eye form a
pattern in a plane similar to the orbiting rings of the planet
Saturn. An advantage to the above method of construction is that
each magnetic zone emanating from a disk reinforces the magnetic
field of its neighboring disk's magnetic zone near the surface.
This results in an order of magnitude increase of Gauss readings at
the surface of the magnet array as compared to Gauss readings taken
from a magnet array of all one polarity however less penetration
will occur at a distance above the surface where mixed North and
South flux self cancel.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates magnetic repulsion of like poles. Some
practitioners prefer to use a magnetic array having an either all
North or all South polarization when treating a given condition.
These practitioners prefer to forgo extra surface strength of
alternating pole arrays in favor of a single pole array for example
all North. According to an embodiment of the present invention to
construct a single pole concentric magnet array adjacent magnetic
element rings would be oriented all in the same pole direction.
However when constructing a concentric array of magnets using
magnetic disks 501 having like poles in proximity to one another in
one plane, the magnetic disks 501 resist such an orientation by
mutually repelling each other 502. An embodiment according to the
present invention comprises a means of holding together adjacent
magnetic elements of like polarity in one plane when a magnet array
is assembled whereby the natural propensity of like pole oriented
disks to separate and be expelled from the surface or break apart
forcefully is overcome by magnetic adhesion to the ferromagnetic
backer plate. This is important in non-contiguous shapes like
parallel stripes or squiggles that do not have inherent
containment. Described below with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and
14).
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates mixed fluxes that occur in mixed pole
magnet arrays. Alternating pole magnetic elements 601 are assembled
into a concentric magnet array. At a distance above the surface of
the alternating pole magnetic elements 601 flux from adjacent North
and South pole zones mix 602 thereby canceling out the field of
their opposite pole neighboring magnetic zones. Thus alternating
pole magnet arrays do not project their magnetic field as far as
they would if the adjacent pole magnetic zone was either of like
polarity or was not magnetized at all. The zone over each pole face
is reinforced 603. The return flux from neighbors reinforces as
well.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates an all North pole magnet array having
blank spacers that is spacers made of non-magnetic material
positioned in between adjacent magnets. If the adjacent magnetic
elements 701 are either like pole or moats 702 such as blank
non-magnetic elements or air gaps, a magnet array can be configured
for optimum penetration. Penetration means projected field distance
from a surface of the array. Using moats 702 permit a given quantum
of magnet to project farther than the same mass in one intact
geometry due to the minimizing of self cancellation effects.
[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates an all North pole magnet array. The
magnet array can be assembled using the same symmetrical geometric
shaped magnetic elements 801 oriented in a like pole direction to
enhance penetration that were used to configure a mixed pole
version of a magnet array. A backer plate that facilitates holding
the array together mechanically is illustrated below in FIG.
13.
[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates a non-circular concentric magnetic array.
A magnet array formed from any nested geometric shape including
squares 901, rectangles, stars and even irregular shapes such as
hearts and kidneys can be constructed according to an embodiment of
the present invention. For maximum flexibility of reconfiguring the
array, symmetrical geometric shapes permit each magnetic element to
be turned over and still be assembled into a magnetic array having
the same shape. The difference being whether the polarity on the
surface of the magnetic array is like or mixed. Additionally
non-symmetrical geometric shapes may be used to configure an
array.
[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates a composite magnet array. The composite
magnet array is comprised of circular or elliptical shapes having
two or more magnetic components 1001. A basic circular or
elliptical magnetic element is divided into at least two magnetic
components 1001. The at least two magnetic components 1001 can be
assembled by mixing their polarity such that zones of opposite
polarity 1002 will attract each other and the entire composite
magnetic array will bond together by mutual attraction. An
advantage to this embodiment according to the present invention is
that each of the two halves or smaller units can be applied to
different treatment areas. The composite magnet as a whole will
have more intense gradient delta or contrasting values of magnetic
intensity attributable to more boundary crossings within the
magnetic zone. This will result in higher surface gauss levels
being achieved. A fluid passing through the magnetic zone will
encounter more boundary crossings thereby resulting in greater
electromotive force in the case of ions which will be kinetically
engaged by the magnetic field reversal. Moving charged particles
through magnetic field reversals impart beneficial kinetic energy
that result in enhanced chemical reactions among ions.
[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates a magnet array having blank spacers and
varying magnetic element widths. The size of individual elements
determines field projection and surface gauss values for any given
thickness of magnetic material. Typically in a symmetrical
alternating pole pattern having uniform widths across the cross
section of sequential orbits, the field projection will be largely
attenuated by mixing of the fields at a distance of nominally one
section's width above the surface. By adjusting section width of
the magnetic elements 1101 such that greater magnetic element pole
widths will be used when more penetration is desired, a magnetic
array can be constructed to maximize magnetic performance at
different projections. It also depicts a phantom opposite pole that
manifests in the blank zone which is flanked by like pole
magnets.
[0050] A phantom magnetic zone of opposite polarity will be
detected by a Gauss meter in the moat and there will not be any
cancellation of fields due to the fact that the moat is not
magnetically oriented material and does not emit any magnetic flux.
This advantageously results in a greater projected field emanating
from the magnet array since all magnetic elements have like poles
that are projecting in the same direction. Thus the return flux
falls harmlessly into the moat thereby increasing the net total
quantity of flux projected into the subject tissue.
[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates a magnet array according to an
embodiment of the present invention. A backer plate 1201 is
employed to hold the magnetic elements 1202 and 1203 together in
one plane. The backer plate is comprised of ferromagnetic material
such that either like and mixed polarity arrays will adhere to the
backer plate 1201. The backer plate provides the advantage that the
integrity of the array in like polar configurations will be
maintained.
[0052] Since magnetic strength weakens geometrically with the
distance from the pole surface, intermediate distances from paint
thickness or protective coatings can weaken the magnetic strength
sufficiently such that when a like pole magnetic element 1203 is
positioned in a bull's eye position of a like pole array, the like
pole magnetic element 1203 will naturally try to eject itself from
the like pole magnet array due to magnetic repulsion. The like pole
magnetic element 1203 cannot be coerced to remain firmly in place
by virtue of its attraction to the backer plate. The repulsion
tendency of the like pole magnetic element 1203 can be overcome by
constructing the like pole magnetic element 1203 out of a slightly
thinner section of magnet, such that the like pole magnetic element
1203 will be sucked down by its attraction to the backer plate 1202
into the bull's eye position. Similarly orbital rings may also be
made thinner. According to an embodiment of the present invention
the typical size of a neodymium or other high strength magnetic
element will range from 1/2 to 2 inches across with a nominal
thickness of 0.060 to 0.150 inches however other size magnetic
elements can be used.
[0053] FIG. 13 illustrates a boundary moat according to an
embodiment of the present invention. A boundary moat comprising an
integrally molded spacer or a removable concentric spacer of
non-magnetic material 1301 for array stability surrounds the like
pole magnetic element that will form a bull's eye 1302 of a magnet
array. However the boundary moat can also be an air-gap. The
integrally molded spacer or removable concentric spacer 1301 can be
used in a magnet array to provide a blank moat inside a ring of a
given polarity into which return flux (Described above in FIGS. 1
through 4) can land without counteracting and degrading a magnetic
field of an adjacent magnet. Advantageously this further allows
maintaining the unidirectional orientation of all poles (like pole
array) that many practitioners prefer. The blank space or moat can
be filled with either a disk of ferromagnetic material that will
remain locked into a magnetic array by magnetic attraction or
alternatively a non-magnetic element such as plastic, wood,
ceramic, or non-ferrous metal can be substituted for the moat such
that the mechanical stability of the complete array is maintained.
A blank space or air-gap can be substituted for the spacer without
loss of efficiency. An array of intermittent concentric zones of
like polarity maximizes the contribution of the magnetic elements
in an array having like polarities since the cancellation of return
flux from neighboring magnetic zones is minimized. The spacing from
the adjacent zone of like polarity will enable the clamping force
of the like pole magnetic element to overcome the repulsion of
neighboring like pole zones. Preferably the magnet array comprises
two magnetic elements and a backer plate. The first of the two
elements is positioned within the bull's eye of the array and the
second magnetic element is positioned to surround the first
magnetic element, both the first and second magnetic elements
adhere to the backer plate. Any number of successive orbits can be
added.
[0054] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate like and mixed pole magnet
arrays. Referring to FIG. 14A according to an embodiment of the
present invention sequential adjacent magnetic element arrays can
be constructed using geometric shapes other than circles. Arrays of
rectangles 1401, squares and even non-linear geometric shapes can
be configured. A peripheral ring of tensile banding material 1402
or end caps of opposite pole magnetic material would be required to
confine like pole magnet arrays that would have a natural tendency
to separate and disperse if held in a given plane by attraction to
a common ferromagnetic backing plate 1403. Such magnet arrays could
include magnetically inert blanks or any pole orientation desired
by a user. Additionally referring to FIG. 14B the magnet array can
be comprised of mixed poles 1404 wherein the array would
self-adhere due to magnetic attraction and would not require a
peripheral ring of tensile banding material for mechanical
stability.
[0055] FIG. 15 illustrates an East West magnetic pole alignment. In
addition to North South pole orientations and magnetically blank
elements, a magnetic field can be oriented in what is called an
East West alignment. The East West pole alignment comprises poles
facing parallel rather than perpendicular to a plane on which a
magnet array is assembled. The East West alignment results in at
least the same total quantity of flux passing through subject
tissue. Since flux 1501 emanating from one end of a bar magnet
makes a loop and reverses direction traveling down a side of a
magnet and returns to its point of origin, the distribution of flux
must be measured with the aperture of a Hall effect detector having
its window perpendicular to a side of the magnet. It is an
erroneous conclusion that there is no magnetic flux on the sides of
a bar magnet. This conclusion often arises during flux measurement
due to the aperture of a Hall effect detector being placed
perpendicular rather than parallel to a side of the bar magnet.
This is analogous to a sailboat having its sail aligned with the
wind as opposed to the sail being aligned broadside to the wind
which will capture and measure the real force of the wind.
Therapeutic magnet arrays having East West orientation will deliver
the same flux dosages to subject tissue with a slightly different
intensity profile.
[0056] Having described embodiments for an therapeutic magnet
apparatus, it is noted that modifications and variations can be
made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings.
It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the
particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within
the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *