Devices and methods for application of a magnetic field to the nervous system

A device for generating a time-varying magnetic field configured to be applied to a patient, the device comprising:

• an energy source;
• an energy storage device;
• a switching device configured to be switched on to discharge energy from the energy storage device to a magnetic field generating device to generate an impulse of the time-varying magnetic field;
• a connecting tube configured to connect an applicator to the main body of the device, the applicator comprising:
• an upper side and a lower side,
• wherein the upper side is configured to be positioned less proximate to the patient than to the lower side, and
• wherein the upper side comprises a first visual element and a second visual element configured to enable to position the applicator to the patient,
• the magnetic field generating device, wherein the magnetic field generating device is positioned in-between the upper side and the lower side,
• an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned less proximate to the connecting tube than to the inlet,
• a handle positioned less proximate to the inlet than to the outlet,
• a user interface comprising a member configured to send an instruction to a control unit to generate a single impulse of the time-varying magnetic field, wherein the user interface is positioned less proximate to the handle than to each of the inlet and the connecting tube;
• and
• the control unit comprising a memory device, the control unit configured to:
• charge the energy storage device via the energy source,
• control a discharge of the energy storage device to the magnetic field generating device,
• store a motor threshold value of a magnetic flux density in the memory device,
• multiply the motor threshold value of the magnetic flux density by a scaling factor to determine a maximal value of the magnetic flux density to be applied to the patient,
• calculate an increment based on the maximal value of the magnetic flux density to be applied to the patient,
• send a first instruction to the energy source to charge the energy storage device,
• send a second instruction to the switching device to generate a first plurality of first sequential impulses of the time-varying magnetic field, wherein the magnetic flux density of the first sequential impulses increases by the increment,
• send a third instruction to the energy source to charge the energy storage device, and
• send a fourth instruction to the switching device to generate a second plurality of second sequential impulses of the time-varying magnetic field, wherein the magnetic flux density of the second sequential impulses is the maximal value of the magnetic flux density to be applied to the patient.

A device for generating a time-varying magnetic field configured to be applied to a patient, the device comprising:

• an energy source;
• an energy storage device;
• a switching device configured to be switched to discharge energy from the energy storage device to a magnetic field generating device to generate an impulse of the time-varying magnetic field,
• wherein the magnetic field generating device is circular, and
• wherein the switching device is configured to be cooled;
• an applicator comprising:
• an upper side configured to be positioned away from the patient,
• a magnetic field generating device, wherein the applicator is configured to be positioned proximate to a patient;
• and
• a positioning arm configured to connect the applicator to a main body of the device;
• a connecting tube configured to connect the applicator to the main body of the device,
• wherein the connecting tube is configured to be connected to the applicator less proximate to the upper side than to the positioning arm,
• a control unit is configured to:
• charge the energy storage device via the energy source,
• control a discharge of the energy storage device to the magnetic field generating device,
• store a first value of a magnetic flux density in a memory device, wherein the first value is based on a first motor threshold value of the magnetic flux density of the patient,
• control the switching device to generate a first plurality of impulses, a second plurality of impulses, and a third plurality of impulses,
• calculate a value of the magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses,
• calculate a first increment based on a number of impulses in the first plurality of impulses and the value of the magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses,
• calculate a first decrement based on a number of impulses in the third plurality of impulses and a maximal value of the magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses,
• send a first instruction to the energy source to charge the energy storage device,
• send a second instruction to the switching device to generate the first plurality of impulses, wherein the magnetic flux density of the first plurality of impulses increases by the first increment,
• send a third instruction to the energy source to charge the energy storage device,
• send a fourth instruction to the switching device to generate the second plurality of impulses having the first value of a magnetic flux density,
• send a fifth instruction to the energy source to charge the energy storage device, and
• send a sixth instruction to the switching device to generate the third plurality of impulses, wherein the magnetic flux density of the third plurality of impulses decreases by the first decrement,
• wherein the second plurality of impulses is generated after the first plurality of impulses, and wherein the third plurality of impulses is generated after the second plurality of impulses.

A device for generating a time-varying magnetic field, the device comprising:

• a main body comprising:
• a control unit,
• an energy source,
• an energy storage device configured to be charged by the energy source, and
• a switching device configured to be switched to discharge energy from the energy storage device to a magnetic field generating device;
• an applicator comprising:
• a first visual element configured to be pointed towards a first anatomical structure;
• and
• a second visual element distant from the first visual element, wherein the second visual element is configured to be pointed towards a second anatomical structure different from the first anatomical structure;
• a handle less proximate to a connecting tube than to each of the first visual element and the second visual element,
• wherein the handle is orientated in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the first visual element,
• the magnetic field generating device configured to generate a plurality of impulses of the time-varying magnetic field, and
• wherein the plurality of impulses is configured to be assembled into a trapezoidal envelope with respect to a magnetic flux density of the plurality of impulses,
• wherein the trapezoid envelope comprises a first plurality of impulses, a second plurality of impulses, and a third plurality of impulses,
• wherein the first plurality of impulses is generated for a first time period,
• wherein a magnetic flux density of the first plurality of impulses increases over the first time period,
• wherein the second plurality of impulses is generated for a second time period,
• wherein a magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses is equal over the second time period,
• wherein the third plurality of impulses is generated for a third time period, and
• wherein a magnetic flux density of the third plurality of impulses decreases over the third time period,
• wherein the first time period, the second time period and the third time period are fixed, and
• wherein the control unit is configured to determine a rate at which the magnetic flux density of the first plurality of impulses increases during the first time period,
• wherein the rate is determined based on the magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses generated during the second time period.

A method for applying a time-varying magnetic field to a patient by a device comprising a main body comprising an energy source, an energy storage device, a switching device, and an applicator comprising a magnetic field generating device and a handle, the method comprising:

• positioning the patient's head on a positioning pillow such that a crown of the patient's head is in contact with the pillow;
• charging the energy storage device by the energy source;
• switching the switching device to discharge the energy storage device to the magnetic field generating device to generate an impulse of the time-varying magnetic field;
• positioning the applicator proximate to patient;
• aligning a first visual element with a first anatomical structure of the patient;
• aligning a second visual element with a second anatomical structure of the patient, wherein the second visual element is less proximate to the handle than to the first visual element;
• applying at least one impulse of the time-varying magnetic field to the patient to determine a motor threshold value of a magnetic flux density;
• setting an initial value of the magnetic flux density;
• determining a maximal value of the magnetic flux density to be applied to the patient based on a scaling factor;
• assembling a first plurality of impulses into a first envelope over a first time period, wherein a magnetic flux density of the first plurality of impulses increases over the first time period;
• assembling a second plurality of impulses into a second envelope over a second time period, wherein a magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses is constant over the second time period, and wherein the magnetic flux density of the second plurality of impulses is equal to the maximal value of the magnetic flux density to be applied to the patient;
• assembling a third plurality of impulses into a third envelope over a third time period, wherein a magnetic flux density of the third plurality of impulses decreases over the third time period;
• and
• changing the magnetic flux density of the second envelope to change an increase rate of the magnetic flux density of the first plurality of impulses.