Acoustical-Based Tissue Resuscitation

• US 20070225618A1
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Original Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Inventors: Ward, Kevin, Lenhardt, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,197,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5074 using electric pressure transducers with proportional output
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/25 Blood flowrate, e.g. by Doppler effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers

Abstract

Acoustical-based methods that increase tissue oxygenation, and equipment for carrying out the methods, are provided. The methods involve exposing tissue to low frequency sound in order to increase blood flow in the tissue, and hence oxygenation of the tissue. The methods may be used to treat or prevent disorders related to ischemia and low blood flow, such as shock, stroke and congestive heart failure.

Claims

1. A method of increasing oxygenation of tissue in a patient in need thereof, comprising the step of

transmitting low frequency sound and or vibration into said tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is used to treat or prevent a disorder selected from the group consisting of hemorrhagic shock, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, septic shock, intestinal ischemia, myocardial ischemia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis, burns, compartment syndrome, and acute and chronic wounds, and osteoporosis and the treatment of hypothermia and hyperthermia.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting is carried out by delivering said low frequency sound through skin.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting causes increased blood flow in said tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting causes vasodilation of microvasculature in said tissue.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said low frequency sound has a frequency ranging from less than 1 Hz to 50 Hz.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of modulating the frequency with a second frequency.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said second frequency is in the range of 30 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

9. A method of treating or preventing tissue damage caused by low blood flow or ischemia, comprising the step of

transmitting low frequency sound into said tissue.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said low blood flow or ischemia is caused by an event selected from the group consisting of hemorrhagic shock, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, septic shock, intestinal ischemia, myocardial ischemia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis, burns, compartment syndrome, and acute and chronic wounds, and aging.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting is carried out by delivering said low frequency sound through skin.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting causes increased blood flow in said tissue.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting causes vasodilation of microvasculature in said tissue.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said low frequency sound has a frequency of less than 1 Hz to 50 Hz.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of modulating said frequency with a second frequency.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said second frequency is in the range of 30 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

17. A method for treating immune or neurohormonal systems in a patient, comprising the step of providing a patient with sufficient low frequency sound or vibration to modulate the autonomic nervous system.

18. A method for enhancing thrombolysis or preventing secondary occlusion by providing a patient with low frequency sound or vibratory stimulation.

19. A system for oxygenation of a tissue, comprising:

a source of sound or vibratory stimulus which can be placed on or adjacent a patient'"'"'s body so as to transmit low frequency sound into tissue of said patient; and

a sensor for measuring blood flow or oxygenation of said tissue of said patient.

20. A method of delivering low frequency sound or vibratory stimulus in a body by the use of amplitude modulated sound presented as contact vibration in which the interaction of the vibration and the nonlinearities of the body demodulate the low frequency, and effectively get into the skin without the need for direct low frequency vibration using massive transducers.