WO1995003744A1 - Ultrasonic bone healing device - Google Patents

Ultrasonic bone healing device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995003744A1
WO1995003744A1 PCT/US1994/007138 US9407138W WO9503744A1 WO 1995003744 A1 WO1995003744 A1 WO 1995003744A1 US 9407138 W US9407138 W US 9407138W WO 9503744 A1 WO9503744 A1 WO 9503744A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
piezoelectric transducer
transducer
soft tissue
bone
anatomy
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1994/007138
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert T. Bock
Levente G. Batizy
Richard Masin
Original Assignee
Sonex International Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonex International Corporation filed Critical Sonex International Corporation
Publication of WO1995003744A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995003744A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0607—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements
    • B06B1/0622—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements on one surface
    • B06B1/0633—Cylindrical array

Definitions

  • This invention relates to bone healing devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an apparatus facilitating the use of ultrasonic energy coupled to tissue to significantly accelerate bone repair and healing.
  • Treatment is typically applied daily for a period of about twenty minutes.
  • a plug must be inserted into the cast window between the daily treatment periods. This opening and closing of the cast requires excellent dexterity, control and skill that is not easily acquired by laymen, and particularly the elderly. Daily visits by nurses or visits to the clinic are required to avoid complications, infections and edema.
  • the technology represented by the prior art is not suitable for widespread use and follow up care outside of a hospital or clinical environment. What has occurred to date is that notwithstanding the teachings of the prior art, the ability to utilize ultrasound to speed up healing effectively, inexpensively and easily in a home environment, after the patient is released from the hospital, has remained unsolved.
  • this invention provides a method of daily application of ultrasound while a full cast is placed over the impacted anatomy, without any window for access for an ultrasound emitting device.
  • the invention attains this goal by positioning a piezoelectric transducer onto the skin and applying the immobilizing cast over the transducer and the impacted anatomy.
  • a pair of wires connecting the transducer to the external ultrasonic power source is partially encapsulated by the cast and extends outside the cast with an appropriate connector installed onto the ends of the wires.
  • the piezoelectric transducer comprises a flexible sheetlike structure which is conformable to the exterior anatomy.
  • the transducer is a rigid element secured to the anatomy by a flexible support.
  • the daily application of the ultrasonic treatment does not require any disassembly or disturbing of the cast.
  • the patient simply connects the wires via a connector to the power source and initiates the daily application of ultrasonic treatments.
  • the present invention provides an electrically safe application of ultrasonic energy via a low voltage limited energy current.
  • the present invention also provides an inexpensive disposable ultrasonic transducer with an apparatus for attachment to an external ultrasonic power supply.
  • the external power supply could be utilized by multiple patients in a hospital setting.
  • the external power supply could also be reused by transferring to another patient after that the full course of treatment has been completed by one in a home environment.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of the invention employing a flexible transducer secured about the exterior anatomy by an immobilizing cast
  • Fig. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention similar to the arrangement in Fig. 1 including an ultrasound transmitting gel interface with the skin and a gel seal;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the arrangement in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of the invention where a transducer
  • SBs ⁇ i ⁇ is constructed from multiple pieces of rig ' id piezoelectric elements connected together by a flexible support to form a flexible transducer;
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective illustration in partial section illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a configuration where a rigid piezoelectric crystal is applied under an immobilizing cast;
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 illustrates in cross section another embodiment of the arrangement of Fig. 6;
  • Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a rigid piezoelectric transducer is attached to the anatomy by use of a flexible strap.
  • ultrasound refers to either continuous wave ultrasound or a repetitive burst type ultrasonic modality.
  • the healing device 20 comprises a sheetlike piezoelectric transducer 4 constructed of a flexible polymeric piezoelectric film, metallization 21
  • the external power supply draws its power from a standard household current source through a connector 12.
  • the flexible piezoelectric transducer 4 wraps around and conforms to the surface of the soft tissue 3 of the external anatomy surrounding the bone 1.
  • the transducer 4 may be secured in position by the cast 7.
  • a thin coating of gel 8 may be applied between the transducer 4 and the skin of the patient.
  • the transducer 4 should be large enough to completely wrap around the anatomy allowing the reduction of the driving voltage to the minimal levels.
  • low voltage limited energy current driving the piezoelectric transducer 4 is spread over the circumference of the tissue 3 and is focused onto the fracture 2 area of bone 1 resulting in a therapeutically effective ultrasonic energy that is localized at the fracture 2 area of bone 1.
  • An ultrasonic healing device 22 enhanced with a layer of gel 8 in bulk form and a dam 9 to contain the gel 8 is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the gel 8 tends to compensate for skin and soft tissue 3 shrinkage during the treatment period and assures a continuous
  • Dam 9 is firmly attached to the transducer 4 by an adhesive 25 and positioned between the soft tissue 3 and the transducer 4 to form a sealed chamber 13 to contain the gel 8.
  • Dam 9 is constructed of a flexible and compressible material that is compressed by the cast 7 during the installation process. The material of dam 9 also possesses adequate memory to expand and maintain the seal when soft tissue 3 shrinkage occurs during the long term healing process thus protecting the gel 8 from evaporation and escape from the chamber 13.
  • Fig. 3 shows an axonometric view of the arrangement of Fig. 2 to further illustrate the sealing mechanism when the ultrasound transmitting gel 8 is used in bulk.
  • This view demonstrates the continuous circumferential nature of the dam 9 to form the chamber 13 to house and retain the bulk form of gel 8.
  • the adhesive 10 facing of the dam 9 further enhances the seal of the chamber 13 and secures the healing device 22 in position during the application of the cast 7.
  • Fig. 4 shows a flexible transducer 30 constructed of rigid piezoelectric elements 31 connected together mechanically by a flexible sheet 33 and electrically by the wires 5, for connection to an ultrasonic frequency current supply via connector 6.
  • the flexible sheet 33 may be eliminated
  • i and the individual piezoelectric elements 31 may be placed onto the anatomy and secured in place by an immobilizing cast.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show an ultrasonic bone healing device 40 in perspective and cross sectional views.
  • the healing device 40 comprises a piezoelectric transducer 44 constructed of a rigid PZT crystal embedded under immobilizing cast 7, connecting wiring 5 and connectors 6 that connect the healing device 40 to the external ultrasonic power supply 11.
  • the external power supply draws its power from a standard household current supply through a connector 12 or alternatively is powered by a battery which may be rechargeable.
  • the piezoelectric transducer 44 may be attached to the skin of the patient by a double backed tape 48 having matching acoustic impedance characteristics to the transducer 44 and to the soft tissue 3.
  • the tape 48 holds the transducer 44 in contact with the soft tissue 3 regardless of any shrinking of the soft tissue 3 under the cast 7 during the immobilization period.
  • the transducer 44 may be backed up by a closed cell sponge 49 which is compressed by the cast 7 during the installation procedure. The sponge 49 thereby acts as a spring to urge press the transducer 44 against the soft tissue 3 and to maintain a contact between the transducer 44 and the soft tissue 3 in the event that
  • the closed cell sponge 49 may be designed with an acoustic impedance characteristic mismatched with the transducer 44 thereby reducing ultrasonic output of the transducer 44 toward the sponge 49.
  • the ultrasonic waves 23 created by the transducer 44 may then be effectively focused and transmitted through the soft tissue 3 into the bone 1 to accelerate the healing of the fracture 2.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative construction where the transducer 44 may be secured under the cast by a heavy duty surgical tape 43 which is designed with a mismatched acoustic impedance characteristic of the transducer 44 thereby reducing ultrasonic output of the transducer 44 toward the surgical tape 43 and away from the bone fracture 2.
  • the ultrasonic waves 23 created by the transducer 44 are thereby effectively focused and transmitted through the soft tissue 3 into the bone 1 to accelerate the healing of the fracture 2.
  • Fig. 8 shows an arrangement where the ultrasonic transducer 44 is attached to the skin by a double backed tape 48 and secured under a flexible strap 50.

Abstract

A piezoelectric transducer (4) is located in conformal contact with the external anatomy (3) of a patient to cause, when energized, accelerated bone healing. The transducer (4) produces ultrasonic waves (23) and is secured in place by a windowless immobilizing cast (7) or a strap (50).

Description

ULTRASONIC BONE HEALING DEVICE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/099,585, filed July 30, 1993.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to bone healing devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an apparatus facilitating the use of ultrasonic energy coupled to tissue to significantly accelerate bone repair and healing.
Numerous attempts have been made in the past to accelerate healing of bone by applying ultrasound to the bone, both in animals and humans. The effect of ultrasound has been demonstrated to accelerate fracture and bone repair in the clinical and experimental environments, where the application of ultrasound is administered by highly skilled scientists and physicians.
The approach taken to date applies the ultrasound through the soft tissue to the bone by a rigid piezoelectric transducer that is placed in a window of the immobilizing cast, centered over the fracture site. The window must be small to maintain immobilization of the anatomy. Accordingly, relatively high intensity
- 1 -
SUBSfWIEStiπiMIB) ultrasound must be applied by a small transducer. To achieve adequate intensity, the currents necessary do not typically meet the accepted "low voltage, limited energy" standards of UL and other safety agencies. Thus, excessive and expensive insulation technologies are required to maintain safety in face of such high voltages.
Treatment is typically applied daily for a period of about twenty minutes. To reduce, but not eliminate the risk of window edema, a plug must be inserted into the cast window between the daily treatment periods. This opening and closing of the cast requires excellent dexterity, control and skill that is not easily acquired by laymen, and particularly the elderly. Daily visits by nurses or visits to the clinic are required to avoid complications, infections and edema. The technology represented by the prior art is not suitable for widespread use and follow up care outside of a hospital or clinical environment. What has occurred to date is that notwithstanding the teachings of the prior art, the ability to utilize ultrasound to speed up healing effectively, inexpensively and easily in a home environment, after the patient is released from the hospital, has remained unsolved.
- 2
SSIlS lSi!E {gϋLE26) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Responding to the above described unresolved needs, this invention provides a method of daily application of ultrasound while a full cast is placed over the impacted anatomy, without any window for access for an ultrasound emitting device. The invention attains this goal by positioning a piezoelectric transducer onto the skin and applying the immobilizing cast over the transducer and the impacted anatomy. A pair of wires connecting the transducer to the external ultrasonic power source is partially encapsulated by the cast and extends outside the cast with an appropriate connector installed onto the ends of the wires. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer comprises a flexible sheetlike structure which is conformable to the exterior anatomy. In another embodiment, the transducer is a rigid element secured to the anatomy by a flexible support. The daily application of the ultrasonic treatment does not require any disassembly or disturbing of the cast. The patient simply connects the wires via a connector to the power source and initiates the daily application of ultrasonic treatments. The present invention provides an electrically safe application of ultrasonic energy via a low voltage limited energy current.
- 3 -
JIESEEF LEK The present invention also provides an inexpensive disposable ultrasonic transducer with an apparatus for attachment to an external ultrasonic power supply. The external power supply could be utilized by multiple patients in a hospital setting. The external power supply could also be reused by transferring to another patient after that the full course of treatment has been completed by one in a home environment.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the examination of the specification, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of the invention employing a flexible transducer secured about the exterior anatomy by an immobilizing cast; Fig. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the invention similar to the arrangement in Fig. 1 including an ultrasound transmitting gel interface with the skin and a gel seal;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the arrangement in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of another embodiment of the invention where a transducer
- 4 -
SBsπiϋΞ is constructed from multiple pieces of rig'id piezoelectric elements connected together by a flexible support to form a flexible transducer;
Fig. 5 is a perspective illustration in partial section illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a configuration where a rigid piezoelectric crystal is applied under an immobilizing cast;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 illustrates in cross section another embodiment of the arrangement of Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a rigid piezoelectric transducer is attached to the anatomy by use of a flexible strap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring in detail to the drawings, the reference numerals herein refer to the like numbered parts in the drawings. In the following discussion, unless otherwise qualified, the term "ultrasound" refers to either continuous wave ultrasound or a repetitive burst type ultrasonic modality.
An ultrasonic healing device 20, in accordance with one exemplary form of the present invention, is shown in Fig. 1. The healing device 20 comprises a sheetlike piezoelectric transducer 4 constructed of a flexible polymeric piezoelectric film, metallization 21
- 5 -
' E26 on the surfaces of the film to conduct electrical current into the film, connecting wiring 5 and connectors 6 that connect the healing device 20 to the external ultrasonic power supply 11. The external power supply draws its power from a standard household current source through a connector 12.
The flexible piezoelectric transducer 4 wraps around and conforms to the surface of the soft tissue 3 of the external anatomy surrounding the bone 1. The transducer 4 may be secured in position by the cast 7. To enhance transmission of the ultrasonic waves 23 into the tissue 3, a thin coating of gel 8 may be applied between the transducer 4 and the skin of the patient. To enhance safety, the transducer 4 should be large enough to completely wrap around the anatomy allowing the reduction of the driving voltage to the minimal levels. Thus, low voltage limited energy current driving the piezoelectric transducer 4 is spread over the circumference of the tissue 3 and is focused onto the fracture 2 area of bone 1 resulting in a therapeutically effective ultrasonic energy that is localized at the fracture 2 area of bone 1.
An ultrasonic healing device 22, enhanced with a layer of gel 8 in bulk form and a dam 9 to contain the gel 8 is shown in Fig. 2. The gel 8 tends to compensate for skin and soft tissue 3 shrinkage during the treatment period and assures a continuous
- 6 -
BU2 conductive path for the ultrasonic waves 23 from the transducer 4 to the soft tissue 2. The dam 9 is firmly attached to the transducer 4 by an adhesive 25 and positioned between the soft tissue 3 and the transducer 4 to form a sealed chamber 13 to contain the gel 8. Dam 9 is constructed of a flexible and compressible material that is compressed by the cast 7 during the installation process. The material of dam 9 also possesses adequate memory to expand and maintain the seal when soft tissue 3 shrinkage occurs during the long term healing process thus protecting the gel 8 from evaporation and escape from the chamber 13.
Fig. 3 shows an axonometric view of the arrangement of Fig. 2 to further illustrate the sealing mechanism when the ultrasound transmitting gel 8 is used in bulk. This view demonstrates the continuous circumferential nature of the dam 9 to form the chamber 13 to house and retain the bulk form of gel 8. The adhesive 10 facing of the dam 9 further enhances the seal of the chamber 13 and secures the healing device 22 in position during the application of the cast 7.
Fig. 4 shows a flexible transducer 30 constructed of rigid piezoelectric elements 31 connected together mechanically by a flexible sheet 33 and electrically by the wires 5, for connection to an ultrasonic frequency current supply via connector 6. In a simplified arrangement, the flexible sheet 33 may be eliminated
- 7 -
i and the individual piezoelectric elements 31 may be placed onto the anatomy and secured in place by an immobilizing cast.
Figs. 5 and 6 show an ultrasonic bone healing device 40 in perspective and cross sectional views. The healing device 40 comprises a piezoelectric transducer 44 constructed of a rigid PZT crystal embedded under immobilizing cast 7, connecting wiring 5 and connectors 6 that connect the healing device 40 to the external ultrasonic power supply 11. The external power supply draws its power from a standard household current supply through a connector 12 or alternatively is powered by a battery which may be rechargeable. The piezoelectric transducer 44 may be attached to the skin of the patient by a double backed tape 48 having matching acoustic impedance characteristics to the transducer 44 and to the soft tissue 3. The tape 48 holds the transducer 44 in contact with the soft tissue 3 regardless of any shrinking of the soft tissue 3 under the cast 7 during the immobilization period. The transducer 44 may be backed up by a closed cell sponge 49 which is compressed by the cast 7 during the installation procedure. The sponge 49 thereby acts as a spring to urge press the transducer 44 against the soft tissue 3 and to maintain a contact between the transducer 44 and the soft tissue 3 in the event that
- 8 -
Jui--. -__ii_ " LE26 the soft tissue 3 shrinks away from the cast 7 during the immobilization period. The closed cell sponge 49 may be designed with an acoustic impedance characteristic mismatched with the transducer 44 thereby reducing ultrasonic output of the transducer 44 toward the sponge 49. The ultrasonic waves 23 created by the transducer 44 may then be effectively focused and transmitted through the soft tissue 3 into the bone 1 to accelerate the healing of the fracture 2. Fig. 7 shows an alternative construction where the transducer 44 may be secured under the cast by a heavy duty surgical tape 43 which is designed with a mismatched acoustic impedance characteristic of the transducer 44 thereby reducing ultrasonic output of the transducer 44 toward the surgical tape 43 and away from the bone fracture 2. The ultrasonic waves 23 created by the transducer 44 are thereby effectively focused and transmitted through the soft tissue 3 into the bone 1 to accelerate the healing of the fracture 2. Fig. 8 shows an arrangement where the ultrasonic transducer 44 is attached to the skin by a double backed tape 48 and secured under a flexible strap 50.
While the preceding description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred and additional embodiments thereof. Many other variations are
- 9 - possible. Skilled artisans will readily be able to change dimensions, shapes and construction materials of the various components described in the embodiments and adopt the invention to all types of sonic energy applications, from subsonic through sonic to the ultrasonic range. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
10
SBBSπTGIESJSET(l!lE26)

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An apparatus for accelerating the process of bone healing in a patient for use between a windowless immobilizing cast and external anatomy soft tissue surrounding the bone of the patient comprising: a sheetlike piezoelectric transducer constructed of at least one active flexible elongated element having free end portions capable to spatially conform to the soft tissue exterior anatomy of the patient, said piezoelectric transducer contracting and expanding volumetrically when energized and generating corresponding vibrations of ultrasonic frequency energy; securing means associated with the immobilizing cast coupled to said flexible piezoelectric transducer to secure said flexible piezoelectric transducer in place; and electrical conductor means coupled to the piezoelectric transducer extending from under the securing means externally thereof.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means located between the soft tissue and the piezoelectric transducer to enhance transmission of ultrasonic energy from said piezoelectric transducer to the bone.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means coupled to the piezoelectric transducer to hold and retain a volume of soft ultrasonic energy transmitting media between the transducer and the soft tissue to cause the filling of gaps therebetween to enhance the transmission of ultrasonic frequency energy.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising means for generating ultrasonic frequency electrical signals connected to said coupling means to energize said piezoelectric transducer.
5. A bone healing apparatus for use within a windowless immobilizing cast, comprising: a piezoelectric transducer constructed of at least one active element having free ends; flexible means to secure the active element externally of the anatomy, said flexible means being capable to spatially conform to the external anatomy, said piezoelectric transducer contracting and expanding volumetrically when energized for generating vibrations of ultrasonic frequency energy; and coupling means coupled to the piezoelectric transducer extending from under the flexible means.
- 12
$UBST !ϊSSF LE26)
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means located between the soft tissue and the piezoelectric transducer to enhance transmission of ultrasonic energy.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an ultrasonic transmitting medium and means coupled to the piezoelectric transducer to hold and retain a volume of said medium between the transducer and the soft tissue to cause the filling of gaps therebetween.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising generating means coupled to the piezoelectric transducer for generating ultrasonic frequency electrical signals to energize said piezoelectric transducer.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the active element has a relatively large distributed surface area.
10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the active element comprises a plurality of rigid transducer elements disposed on the flexible means in spaced adjacent relationship, said flexible means being conformable with the soft tissue of the patient.
- 13 -
11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the active element comprises a flexible sheet member of organic piezoelectric material and at least one pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the sheet member for producing when energized an electrical field therebetween.
12. A method of accelerating bone healing comprising the steps of: disposing a piezoelectric transducer conformably about the external soft tissue adjacent the bone, said transducer when energized for focusing ultrasonic vibrational energy towards the bone.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of immobilizing the bone within a windowless immobilizing cast, and securing the transducer in position adjacent soft tissue within the immobilizing cast.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising energizing the piezoelectric transducer for producing said ultrasonic vibrational energy.
15. A bone healing apparatus comprising: a flexible piezoelectric transducer constructed of at least one active element having free ends, and being
- 14 -
SFr i capable to spatially conform to the soft tissue external anatomy adjacent the bone contracting and expanding volumetrically when energized for generating vibrations of ultrasonic frequency energy and being operative when energized to transmit said vibrations through the soft tissue of the anatomy to the bone within the soft tissue.
16. An apparatus for accelerating the process of bone healing in a patient for use within a windowless immobilizing cast to transmit ultrasonic frequency acoustic vibrations through the external soft tissue to the bone of the patient comprising: a piezoelectric transducer including at least one active element contracting and expanding volumetrically when energized in response to a changing electrical field and generating vibrations of ultrasonic energy, said transducer being operative to transmit said vibrations through the soft tissue towards the bone; means coupled to said piezoelectric transducer having acoustic impedance approximately matching the acoustic impedance of said piezoelectric transducer to secure and couple the said piezoelectric transducer in place about the said soft tissue; and coupling means coupled to the said piezoelectric transducer extending from under the said windowless immobilizing cast.
- 15 -
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising means attached to a back side of the transducer to reduce the output of said piezoelectric transducer said means being spaced from the anatomy thereby effectively focusing the ultrasonic output of said piezoelectric transducer into the anatomy.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising flexible means located between the piezoelectric transducer and the immobilizing cast surrounding the external anatomy to maintain contact between the said piezoelectric transducer and said anatomy in the event of shrinkage of said anatomy away from the said immobilizing cast.
19. An apparatus for accelerating the process of bone healing in a patient for use with a flexible strap to transmit ultrasonic frequency acoustic vibrations through the external soft tissue to the bone of the patient comprising: a piezoelectric transducer including at least one active element contracting and expanding volumetrically when energized in response to a changing electrical field and generating vibrations of ultrasonic energy, said transducer being operative to transmit said vibrations through the soft tissue towards the bone;
- 16
SHEEf SϋLE2 means coupled to said piezoelectric transducer having acoustic impedance approximately matching the acoustic impedance of said piezoelectric transducer in place about the said soft tissue; and coupling means coupled to the said piezoelectric transducer extending from under the said flexible strap.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising means attached to a back side of the transducer for reducing the output of said piezoelectric transducer said means being spaced from the anatomy thereby effectively focusing the ultrasonic output of said piezoelectric transducer into the said anatomy.
PCT/US1994/007138 1993-07-30 1994-06-24 Ultrasonic bone healing device WO1995003744A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9958593A 1993-07-30 1993-07-30
US08/099,585 1993-07-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995003744A1 true WO1995003744A1 (en) 1995-02-09

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Country Link
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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288741A (en) * 1994-04-30 1995-11-01 Orthosonics Ltd Ultrasonic impedance-matching therapy device
WO1998047570A1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-29 Exogen, Inc. Submersible system for ultrasonic treatment
WO1998047569A1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-29 Exogen, Inc. Ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing
WO1999048621A3 (en) * 1998-03-26 1999-11-25 Exogen Inc Arrays made from flexible transducer elements
EP0885630A3 (en) * 1997-06-20 2000-08-16 Medicina en Forma, S.L. Equipment for the treatment of capsular contractures in mammal implants and its process for application
AU2003271273B2 (en) * 1998-03-26 2007-05-10 Exogen, Inc. Flexible transducer element and array, and method for manufacturing same
EP3446743A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2019-02-27 Carewear Corp. Ultrasonic transducer device
US10639498B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2020-05-05 Carewear Corp. Photoeradication of microorganisms with pulsed purple or blue light
US11020605B2 (en) 2018-05-29 2021-06-01 Carewear Corp. Method and system for irradiating tissue with pulsed blue and red light to reduce muscle fatigue, enhance wound healing and tissue repair, and reduce pain

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5135001A (en) * 1990-12-05 1992-08-04 C. R. Bard, Inc. Ultrasound sheath for medical diagnostic instruments
US5211160A (en) * 1988-09-14 1993-05-18 Interpore Orthopaedics, Inc. Ultrasonic orthopedic treatment head and body-mounting means therefor

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5211160A (en) * 1988-09-14 1993-05-18 Interpore Orthopaedics, Inc. Ultrasonic orthopedic treatment head and body-mounting means therefor
US5135001A (en) * 1990-12-05 1992-08-04 C. R. Bard, Inc. Ultrasound sheath for medical diagnostic instruments

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288741A (en) * 1994-04-30 1995-11-01 Orthosonics Ltd Ultrasonic impedance-matching therapy device
EP0679371A1 (en) * 1994-04-30 1995-11-02 Orthosonics Limited Ultrasonic therapeutic system
US5656015A (en) * 1994-04-30 1997-08-12 Orthosonics, Ltd. Ultrasonic therapeutic system
GB2288741B (en) * 1994-04-30 1998-03-11 Orthosonics Ltd Ultrasonic therapeutic system
AU691253B2 (en) * 1994-04-30 1998-05-14 Orthosonics Limited Ultrasonic therapeutic system
US6524261B2 (en) 1997-04-18 2003-02-25 Exogen, Inc. Ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing
WO1998047569A1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-29 Exogen, Inc. Ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing
AU740696B2 (en) * 1997-04-18 2001-11-15 Exogen, Inc. Submersible system for ultrasonic treatment
US6436060B1 (en) 1997-04-18 2002-08-20 Exogen, Inc Submersible system for ultrasonic treatment
AU753371B2 (en) * 1997-04-18 2002-10-17 Exogen, Inc. Ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing
WO1998047570A1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-10-29 Exogen, Inc. Submersible system for ultrasonic treatment
EP0885630A3 (en) * 1997-06-20 2000-08-16 Medicina en Forma, S.L. Equipment for the treatment of capsular contractures in mammal implants and its process for application
WO1999048621A3 (en) * 1998-03-26 1999-11-25 Exogen Inc Arrays made from flexible transducer elements
AU2003271273B2 (en) * 1998-03-26 2007-05-10 Exogen, Inc. Flexible transducer element and array, and method for manufacturing same
EP3446743A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2019-02-27 Carewear Corp. Ultrasonic transducer device
US11083619B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-08-10 Carewear Corp. Organic LED light and ultrasonic transducer device in a flexible layer configuration with electrical stimulation
US10639498B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2020-05-05 Carewear Corp. Photoeradication of microorganisms with pulsed purple or blue light
US11020605B2 (en) 2018-05-29 2021-06-01 Carewear Corp. Method and system for irradiating tissue with pulsed blue and red light to reduce muscle fatigue, enhance wound healing and tissue repair, and reduce pain

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