The treatment of biological tissue is effected by a pulsed electric field induced by a time changing magnetic field produced by a magnetic coil or a plurality of magnetic coils. These magnetic coils are arranged in the area of desired treatment and respond to a driving current to induce the pulsed electric field into the localized treatment area. The driving current and concomitant magnetic field generates an electric field waveform that has a first pulse in a positive direction having a selected value followed by a second pulse in a negative direction having a larger value than the first pulse, and in turn followed by a third pulse in the positive direction having a value on the order of the first pulse. The apparatus for applying the driving current includes switching circuitry for energizing the magnetic coils in pairs to induce a symmetrical distribution of the magnetic and electric fields in the treatment area. This achieves time averaged uniformity of the pulse electric field in the tissue for applications such as stimulation of osteogenesis in long bone nonfusions.

A cardiac electrode (40) has a plug (48) which is frictionally received in a socket (50) of an electrical lead (56). An impedance (54) is connected in series between the electrical lead and the socket to pass ECG signals substantially unattenuated and for blocking radio frequency signals induced in the lead from reaching the socket and the electrode and heating the electrode to a sufficient temperature to burn the patient. The impedance includes an LC circuit (66, 68) which freely passes low frequency signals, such as cardiac signals, but which is tuned to resonance at radio frequencies, particularly at the frequency of resonance excitation and manipulation pulses of a magnetic resonance imager (A). Alternately, the impedance may include a resistive element for blocking the induced currents. A temperature sensor (60) is mounted in intimate contact with an electrically and thermally conductive socket portion (52) to sense the temperature of the electrode, indirectly. A temperature sensor lead (62), the cardiac lead (56), and a respiratory or other anatomical condition sensor are connected with a multiplexing means (140) which cyclically connects the output signals thereof with an analog to digital converter (142). The digital signals are converted to digital optical signals (102) to be conveyed along a light path (104) out of the examination region. The bits of the received digital signal are sorted (144) between an R-wave detector (120), a temperature limit check (122) which checks whether the temperature of the electrode exceeds preselected limits, and a respiratory detector (132).

Circuit arrangement of magnetotherapeutic impulse device for treatment of inflammatory and degenerative illnesses such as spondylitis, e.g. Bechterew's disease, operating on the principle of a pulsatory magnetic field, the frequency and intensity of which can be adjusted within an wide range, enabling the operator the adjustment and control of treatments for a number of different treated sites.

In an apparatus for producing alternating magnetic fields for inducing eddy currents in an organism, wherein the apparatus (1) is designed to produce and deliver alternating magnetic fields of an adjustable, low frequency at pulses having steep pulse edges with harmonic wave portions, it is provided that the magnetic field strength of the alternating magnetic fields delivered by the apparatus (1) is chosen to be smaller than 300 A/m and, in particular, between 100 and 250 A/m, preferably in an adjustable manner, in order to induce eddy currents in an organisms by such alternating magnetic fields by way of a simple system, for instance, for treating ear noises, tinnitus or the like.

An electromedical apparatus including a magnetic field generator and an electric field generator adapted for generation of perpendicular fields and for application of the generated fields transversely to the major blood vessels of an afflicted body portion induces helical movement of charged particles in the tissues and increased blood flow. The apparatus further includes electrical and magnetic lens systems for concentrating the electrical and magnetic flow generated by the apparatus.