Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have designed a therapeutic device that applies a time-varying electromagnetic force to damaged mammalian tissue and is intended to enhance healing. The device is easily portable and intends to mend soft tissue and enhance the repair of bone fractures.
Most magnetic therapy research and resulting devices have centered around pulsed unidirectional bioelectric systems. This device utilizes a square-wave time-varying electrical current, which generates an electromagnetic field, via a wound coil incorporated into a sleeve and encircles the affected appendage. An external and commercially available time-varying compact electrical generator connects to the wound coil within the sleeve and is powered by a 9V battery.
Prior industry attempts to use electromagnetic therapy on mammalian tissue have historically applied higher than necessary levels of electromagnetism, typically at 50 gauss or more. Researchers found that by inducing a Fourier-curve, time-varying electromagnetic wave at levels within 0.05 0.5 gauss for a pre-determined time-period, was optimum to achieve successful mammalian tissue regeneration.
It is theorized that magnetic fields can alter the flow of positively charged calcium ions that interact with the muscles around small blood vessels causing them to relax. This effect in turn, causes constricted blood vessels to dilate, and dilated blood vessels to constrict. Depending upon the type of injury, enhanced tissue repair may occur through the suppression of inflammation, or the increase in blood flow.
The technology has several applications including contemporary medicine, where it may expedite healing of hard and soft tissue in humans and in veterinary medicine for expediting healing of hard and soft tissue in other mammals.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact NASA’s Licensing Concierge at
