Ultra-Sonic and Vibratory Treatment Devices and Methods

• US 20110046521A1
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krypton Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Krypton Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Farrelly, Justin Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0026 Stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment provides a hand-held apparatus for treatment of conditions requiring ultra-sonic or vibratory treatment. The apparatus includes a transducer, an electronic tuning circuit and a power source for powering the apparatus. The transducer has a first section axially aligned with the second section. The second section has an outer wall of predetermined thickness surrounding an annular cavity that contains a piezoelectric stack. The electronic tuning circuit is in communication with the piezoelectric stack. The circuit is configured to tune the transducer to a target output frequency. The transducer, electronic tuning circuit and power source are at least partially contained within a common housing that is configured to be grasped by a human hand to administer treatment.

Claims

1. A hand-held apparatus for treatment of conditions requiring vibratory or sonic treatment, the apparatus comprising:

a transducer, the transducer comprising;

a first section, a second section axially aligned with the first section, the second section having an outer wall of predetermined thickness surrounding an annular cavity, the first section directly mechanically connected to the second section, without any intervening structure;

a piezoelectric stack disposed within the cavity of the second section;

an electronic tuning circuit in communication with the piezoelectric stack, the electronic tuning circuit configured to establish a target frequency of the transducer and to maintain the target frequency; and

a power source powering the electronic circuit;

wherein the transducer, electronic tuning circuit and power source are at least partially contained within a common housing, the housing configured to be grasped by a human hand to administer treatment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first section and second section are comprised of high strength aluminum alloy.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a dielectric sleeve surrounds the piezoelectric stack located within the cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first section is threaded to engage threads at a first end of the second section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second section comprises a stop at a predetermined location to halt further axial movement of the first section during threading of the second section to the first section.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic tuning circuit comprises a drive electronics operable to apply a drive signal to the transducer to drive the transducer at the target frequency;

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic tuning circuit comprises a feedback circuit configured to receive first and second feedback signals from the transducer and the drive electronics, respectively, the first feedback signal indicating an actual transducer frequency and the second feedback signal indicating the target frequency, the feedback circuit operable to generate an error signal responsive to the first and second feedback signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic tuning circuit is configured to interrogate and determine a target frequency of the transducer corresponding to transducer peak power, and to maintain the transducer within a range of frequencies around the target frequency.

9. A hand-held apparatus for self-administered treatment of a condition requiring ultra-sonic or vibratory stimulation, the apparatus having a common housing comprising therein:

a transducer comprising a first section having a central axis, a second substantially cylindrical section having a surrounding outer wall defining a cavity, the first and second sections directly mechanically coupled together, and the first and second sections comprised of the same high strength alloy;

a piezoelectric stack disposed within the cavity of the second section;

an electronic tuning circuit in communication with the piezoelectric stack, the circuit configured to tune the transducer to a target output frequency;

a micro controller in communication with the electronic tuning circuit;

a power source powering the micro controller and the electronic tuning circuit; and

an electrical connector in communication with the micro controller to permit communication there through between the micro controller and an outside electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the high strength alloy is AL 7075.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric element is surrounded by a dielectric annular sleeve to electrically isolate the piezoelectric element from the second section.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the micro controller is pre-programmed to a therapeutic protocol comprising a predetermined dose time and number of doses, and is programmed to limit use to the therapeutic protocol.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second section has a stop at a predetermined location to halt further axial movement of the first section during threading of the second section to the first section.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the target frequency is about 51 KHz ±

5 KHz.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electronic tuning circuit wherein the electronic tuning circuit is configured to interrogate and determine a target frequency of the transducer corresponding to transducer peak power, and to maintain the transducer within a range of frequencies around the target.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electronic tuning circuit comprises a feedback circuit configured to receive first and second feedback signals from the transducer and the drive electronics, respectively, respectively, the first feedback signal indicating an actual transducer frequency and the second feedback signal indicating the target frequency, the feedback circuit operable to generate an error signal responsive to the first and second feedback signals.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic tuning circuit comprises a micro controller configured to receive the error signal and operable to apply a control signal to the drive electronics responsive to the error signal, wherein the drive electronics applies the drive signal to the transducer responsive to the error signal.

18. A method of treatment of a condition requiring ultra-sonic or other vibratory stimulation using a hand-held, portable treatment device, the method comprising:

grasping a housing of the hand-held, portable treatment device in a hand;

activating the treatment device such that the device emits an output at a target frequency; and

placing an exposed portion of a transducer of the activated treatment device in direct contact with a body tissue for a therapeutically effective period of time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of placing for a therapeutically effective period of time comprises placing for from about 15 to about 90 seconds on bony tissue behind an ear.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of activating comprises activating to emit an output at a frequency of about 51 KHz ±

5 KHz.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising repeating the activating and placing steps at prescribed time intervals.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of repeating comprises repeating about once to about four times per 12 hour period.