MAGNETIC TOROIDS FOR THE STIMULATION OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE

摘要

The use of rapidly changing magnetic fields for the stimulation of nerves to cause muscle contraction. Closed magnetic structures such as a toroid have the advantage of generating a contained magnetic field with very little amp-turns. Such devices can be employed to induce electric fields with very low power similar to electric field stimulation but with no half cell reactions. An external medium surrounding the toroid is employed to complete the current flow path for ions. When the toroid is surrounded by saline in contact with the skin, ions flow in a continuous closure path through both the skin and the saline. Alternatively, an agar gel or other electrolytic material is employed for the closure path.