Pap-Ion Magnetic Inductor
Pap-Ion Magnetic Inductor (PAP-IMI or Papimi) is an electromagnetic "energy medicine" device manufactured in Athens. It was invented by Panos Pappas, a Greek mathematician.[1] Proponents claim that the pulsed electromagnetic waves or fields generated by the device have pain relieving properties, cure AIDS, cancer and reduce grey hair and wrinkles.[1] It is also purported to have rapid healing effects, and benefit chronic fatigue, allergies, and fractured bones, among other health problems.[2][3]
It has been described as "potentially dangerous" as it may be used in place of valid medical therapies,[2] and "a major health fraud".[4]
It is illegal for use in the United States due to lack of Food and Drug Administration approval.[5][6] Health Canada has issued a recommendation for the public to avoid use of these risky, unlicensed devices, and has ordered the Canada Border Services Agency to seize them upon attempted import into the country.[7] Actor Dan Haggerty has appeared in commercial endorsements for the device, although there is no evidence he was aware of the legal and ethical problems associated with it at the time he agreed to endorse it.[5] Although importation of the device to the US is illegal, a number of machines were imported under fraudulent descriptions.[8][9]
See also
References
- Catherine Mayer (2011). Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly. Random House. p. 51. ISBN 9781409033882.
- Letter from rep. Jay Inslee (House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations), 20 November 2007. Archived October 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Leisner, S; Shahar, R; Aizenberg, I; Lichovsky, D; Levin-Harrus, T (Feb 2002). "The effect of short-duration, high-intensity electromagnetic pulses on fresh ulnar fractures in rats". Journal of Veterinary Medicine. A, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine. 49 (1): 33–7. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0442.2002.00386.x. PMID 11913824.
- Willmsen, Christine & Berens, Michael J. (November 19, 2007). "Public never warned about dangerous device". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- "Miracle Machines: The 21st-Century Snake Oil". Seattle Times. December 26, 2008.
- Risky devices found in Issaquah, Bellevue, Seattle Times, 19 November 2007
- Use of Unlicensed Pap-Ion Magnetic Inductor May Pose Health Risk, 28 December, 2007.
- "Federal agency bans import of fugitive's 'miracle machines'". Sun Journal. Seattle. 9 December 2007.
- California Court Bans Unubstantiated Claims for Pap-IMI Device