US5143588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Techniques for enhancing the permeability of ions through membranes
Assignee: Life Resonances Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-02
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Granted: 1992-09-01
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Expires: 2010-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for enhancing the transport of a selected ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a biomolecular membrane located in a space subjected to a local magnetic field. The space defines at least one reference path passing through the membrane in opposite first and second directions. The method includes the steps of creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, produces a magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path. This component of the magnetic field has a magnitude that fluctuates at a predetermined rate to produce a nonzero average value. A predetermined relationship between the ratio of the selected rate to the nonzero average value and the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is thereby created. The predetermined relationship is a function of the cyclotron resonance frequency of the ion. The present invention also provides an apparatus for enhancing the transport of a selected ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a biomolecular membrane. The apparatus includes field creating means responsive to signals for creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, produces a magnetic field having flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending along a path through the membrane and having a magnitude that fluctuates at a predetermined rate to create a nonzero average value. The ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero average value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion which is a function of the cyclotron resonance frequency of the ion. Signal generating means is provided for generating the signals, at least some of which are generated at the predetermined rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham R. Liboff
- 👤 Bruce R. McLeod
- 👤 Stephen D. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:12
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N13/00; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/325; A61N2/00; A61N2/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for regulating the permeability of a predetermined ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a membrane located in a space subjected to a local static magnetic field, the space defining at least one reference path passing through the membrane, the reference path extending in a first direction and also extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, said apparatus comprising: field creating means responsive to signals for creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, results in a resultant magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a magnitude that fluctuates at a predetermined rate to create a nonzero average value, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero average value is a function of the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion; and signal generating means for generating said signals, at least some of said signals being generated at the predetermined rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for regulating the permeability of a predetermined ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a membrane located in a space subjected to a local static magnetic field, the space defining at least one reference path passing through the membrane, the reference path extending in a first direction and also extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, said apparatus comprising: field creating means responsive to signals for creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, results in a resultant magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a magnitude that fluctuates at a predetermined rate to create a nonzero average value, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero average value is a function of the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion; and signal generating means for generating said signals, at least some of said signals being generated at the predetermined rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signals are electrical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: (A) the resultant magnetic field comprises (1) a unipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one unipolar component representable by a unipolar vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a substantially constant magnitude; and (2) a bipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one bipolar component representable by a bipolar vector having periodically opposed directions that reverse at the predetermined rate and that extend along the path, said bipolar component having a magnitude that varies at the predetermined rate; and (B) the signal generating means comprises (1) means for generating a direct current signal for creating the unipolar magnetic field, and (2) means for generating an alternating current signal for generating the bipolar magnetic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for tuning the electrical signals so that the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resultant magnetic field comprises a unipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one unipolar component represented by a unipolar vector having a direction extending in a first direction along the path and having a magnitude that varies at the predetermined rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6 wherein the signal generating means comprises means for generating an alternating current signal offset by a predetermined DC level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for generating an alternating current signal and means for rectifying the alternating current signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for tuning the electrical signals so that the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average value of the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average value of the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: (A) the resultant magnetic field comprises a unipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one unipolar component representable by a unipolar vector having (1) a direction extending only in the first direction along the path, and (2) a magnitude fluctuating at the predetermined rate; and (B) the signal generating means comprises means for generating a direct current having a magnitude that fluctuates at the predetermined rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: (A) the resultant magnetic field comprises a magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a vector having (1) a direction that sweeps across the path at the predetermined rate, and (2) a substantially constant magnitude; and (B) the signal generating means comprises means for generating signals, whereby the resultant magnetic field rotates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for generating signals that differ in phase by substantially 90 degrees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said space defines first and second intersecting coordinate axes lying in a first plane and a third coordinate axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the point of intersection of the first and second axes; the resultant magnetic field comprises a magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a vector having a direction that passes through said point of intersection and precesses around said third coordinate axis to define a cone, the rate at which the angle between the vector and the first plane changes being proportional to the predetermined rate; and the signal generating means comprises: (A) means for generating a first AC signal having a first predetermined phase angle, a second AC signal having a second predetermined phase angle substantially 90 degrees out of phase with the first phase angle in order to create a component of a magnetic field that rotates in the first plane, and a DC signal; and (B) means for synchronously modulating the said first AC signal, the said second AC signal and the said DC signal, each signal simultaneously fluctuating at the said predetermined rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for tuning the electrical signals so that the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector in the first direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector in the first direction is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal generating means comprises means for tuning the electrical signals so that the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero average value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average nonzero magnitude of flux density is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the predetermined ion is any ionic species having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the predetermined ions are selected from a group consisting of H+, Li+, Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO 3 - .
Claim 22
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of regulating the permeability of a predetermined ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a membrane located in a space subjected to a local magnetic field, the space defining at least one reference path passing through the membrane, the reference path extending in a first direction and also extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, said method comprising the steps of: creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, results in a resultant magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a magnitude that fluctuages at a predetermined rate to create a nonzero average value; and creating a predetermined relationship between the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero value, wherein said ratio is a function of the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of regulating the permeability of a predetermined ion having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio through a membrane located in a space subjected to a local magnetic field, the space defining at least one reference path passing through the membrane, the reference path extending in a first direction and also extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, said method comprising the steps of: creating a magnetic field which, when combined with the local magnetic field, results in a resultant magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a component vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a magnitude that fluctuages at a predetermined rate to create a nonzero average value; and creating a predetermined relationship between the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero value, wherein said ratio is a function of the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the resultant magnetic field comprises: a unipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one unipolar component representable by a unipolar vector having a direction extending in the first direction along the path and having a substantial constant magnitude; and a bipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one bipolar component representable by a bipolar vector having periodically opposed directions that reverse at the predetermined rate and that extend along the path, said bipolar component having a magnitude that varies at the predetermined rate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the charge to mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the resultant magnetic field comprises a unipolar magnetic field having a flux density with at least one unipolar component representable by a unipolar vector having: a direction extending only in the first direction along the path; and a magnitude fluctuating at the predetermined rate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as claimed in claim 25, wherein the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average value of the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method, as claimed in claim 25, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average value of the flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the resultant magnetic field comprises a magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a vector having a direction that sweeps across the path at the predetermined rate and having a substantially constant magnitude.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
109 words
A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein: said space defines first and second intersecting coordinate axes lying in a first plane and a third coordinate axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the point of intersection of the first and second axes; and the resultant magnetic field comprises a magnetic field having a flux density with at least one component representable by a vector having a direction that passes through said point of intersection and precesses around said third coordinate axis to define a cone, the rate at which the angle between the unipolar vector and the first plane changes being proportional to the predetermined rate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector in the first direction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average flux density magnitude of the unipolar vector in the first direction is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the charge-to-mass ratio of the predetermined ion is substantially equal to 2π times the ratio of the predetermined rate to the nonzero average value.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the ratio of the predetermined rate to the average nonzero magnitude of flux density is substantially between 152.5×10 5 and 2.50×10 5 , where the predetermined rate is measured in Hertz and the flux density is measured in Tesla.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the predetermined ion is any ionic species having a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the predetermined ions are selected from a group consisting of H+, Li+, Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO 3 - .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-01 | 1996-03-02 | 1996-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-01 | 2000-03-02 | 2000-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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