Measurement of electromagnetic characteristics of BIOMAG- medical device for magnetotherapy

Magnetotherapy is physical therapeutic method in human medicine based on the application of pulsed magnetic fields. The magnetic flux density and intensity of electric field were measured for 32 programs of the Biomag device and all its applicators and their combinations (solenoid, triangle, light, solenoid + light, triangle + light). Each program was switched on for 5 minutes with intensity set to 100%. The highest value of magnetic flux density 420.98 & mu;T was achieved by the program with the highest frequency 160 Hz. A statistically significant difference in the magnetic flux density was detected during the application of a radiofrequency signal on the control unit (decrease in magnetic flux density on average by 20.42 & mu;T) compared to without the radiofrequency signal. Using Biomag device under laboratory conditions, an average value of 2.13 & mu;T and the highest maximum 56.78 & mu;T were found. The values did not reach the ICNIRP limits but exceeded the EUROPAEM/BioInitiative recommendations. Simulations and measurements with and without a human head phantom confirmed that low frequency magnetic fields are not significantly attenuated in artificial brain tissue. The measured values in the head phantom ranged from 239 & mu;T to 323 & mu;T. The aim of this study was to verify if the tested device can be used not only for supplemental human magnetotherapy but also for the experimental purposes.