VIBRATION DEVICE

• US 20100274164A1
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chordate Medical AB (Chordate Medical Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Rhinomed AB
• Inventors: Juto, Jan-Erik
• Granted Patent: US 9,849,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/023 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776

Abstract

A device for vibrational stimulation of body tissue in body cavities which are difficult to access, particularly in the nasal cavity or intestine, is disclosed. The device is comprising expandable stimulation means which can be introduced via a body opening into a body cavity. In an expanded state of the device, the stimulation means abuts against the body tissue within the body cavity. To accomplish vibrational stimulation, the stimulation means is brought to vibrate at a frequency of 1-5000 Hz within the body cavity. There is also disclosed a method for vibrational stimulation of body tissue in a body cavity, particularly in the nasal cavity or intestine, of a patient.

Claims

1-36. -36. (canceled)

37. Vibration device for stimulation of body tissue in a body cavity of a patient, comprising:

expandable stimulation means;

expansion means for expanding the stimulation means, wherein the expansion means is comprising at least one channel for supplying fluid to the stimulation means to achieve said expansion, and

vibration means for bringing the stimulation means to vibrate at a frequency of 30-70 Hz;

wherein the vibration device can be arranged in a first state wherein the stimulation means can be introduced via a body opening into a body cavity, and a second state wherein the stimulation means is expanded to a volume such that the stimulation means abuts against the tissue within the body cavity.

38. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the vibration means is arranged to bring the stimulation means to vibrate at a frequency of 35-60 Hz.

39. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means in said second state abuts the body tissue with a pressure of 0-9.8 kPa (0-100 cm water).

40. Vibration device according to claim 39, wherein the stimulation means abuts the body tissue with a pressure of 3.9-7.8 kPa (40-80 cm water).

41. Vibration device according to claim 40, wherein the vibration means is arranged to bring the stimulation means to vibrate at a frequency of 39-60 Hz.

42. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means is elastic.

43. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means has a smooth outer surface.

44. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the outer surface of the stimulation means is comprising a lubricant.

45. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means is coated with a substance having a chemical or biological activity locally in the body cavity or peripherally in the patient.

46. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means has dosage openings for administration of chemical or pharmaceutical agents to surrounding body tissue.

47. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means is made of a plastic material.

48. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means is made of a rubber material.

49. Vibration device according to claim 37, comprising an exchangeable hygienic protective cover, arranged to enclose the stimulation means.

50. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the vibration means is arranged to provide vibrations to the fluid.

51. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein, in the first state, the stimulation means is contained in the expansion means.

52. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein the stimulation means is contained in a channel of said expansion means.

53. Vibration device according to claim 37, wherein, in the first state, the stimulation means is arranged around the expansion means.

54. Vibration device according to claim 37, comprising a stabilizing section.

55. Vibration device according to claim 54, wherein, in the first state, the stimulation means is arranged around the stabilizing section.

56. Method for stimulation of body tissue in a body cavity of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a vibration device comprising expandable stimulation means, wherein the stimulation means can be introduced via a body opening into a body cavity;

introducing the stimulation means via the body opening into the body cavity;

expanding the stimulation means to a second state of the vibration device such that the stimulation means abuts against the tissue within the body cavity; and

bringing the stimulation means to vibrate in said second state.

57. Method according to claim 56, wherein the vibration device prior to the introducing is arranged in a first state, wherein the stimulation means can be introduced via a body opening into a body cavity.

58. Method according to claim 56, wherein the stimulation proceeds for a time period of from 1 second to 30 minutes.

59. Method according to claim 58, wherein the stimulation proceeds for a time period of from 15 seconds to 7 minutes.

60. Method according to claim 56, wherein the stimulation is conducted at a frequency of 1-5000 Hz.

61. Method according to claim 60, wherein the stimulation is conducted at a frequency of 10-100 Hz.

62. Method according to claim 61, wherein the stimulation is conducted at a frequency of 30-70 Hz.

63. Method according to claim 62, wherein the stimulation is conducted at a frequency of 35-60 Hz.

64. Method according to claim 56, wherein the stimulation is conducted at an amplitude of between 0.05 mm and 20 mm.

65. Method according to claim 64, wherein the stimulation is conducted at an amplitude of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm.

66. Method according to claim 56, wherein the stimulation in a body cavity is used for treatment of patients suffering from a condition selected from tinnitus symptoms, conditions that are treated with corticosteroids, chronic chorditis, intestinal inflammation and tissue inflammation.

67. Method according to claim 56, wherein the body cavity is the nasal cavity.

68. Method according to claim 67, wherein the stimulation in the nasal cavity is used for treatment of patients suffering from a condition selected from common cold, allergic rhinitis, chronic or non-chronic non-allergic rhinitis, rhinitis medicamentosa, disturbance of the sense of smell, risk of relapse following polyps treatment, snoring, and tight passage in the upper respiratory tract.

69. Method according to claim 56, wherein the body cavity is the intestine.