Method for treating herpes lesions and other infectious skin conditions

• US 4,646,725 A
• Filed: 11/16/1983
• Issued: 03/03/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manoutchehr Moasser
• Original Assignee: Manoutchehr Moasser
• Inventors: Moasser, Manoutchehr
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/552,314
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 128/24 A, 128/32
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0065 Concave transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for treating infectious skin conditions characterized by the presence of lesions and local or systemic symptoms such as pain, itching, burning or swelling. Infections caused by herpes viruses and staphylococcal bacteria have been shown to be particularly responsive to the present method and apparatus, although the treatment of a wide range of infectious and inflammatory skin disorders is contemplated to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present method comprises the direct application of ultrasonic radiation to the affected body area for a time and at a power output sufficient to provide rapid symptomatic relief and promote rapid healing.

Claims

1. A method for substantially eliminating from the skin and mucous membranes herpetic lesions caused by virus of the herpes type comprising directly contacting each said herpetic lesion with a concentrated source of ultasonic radiation having a focused effective area from an ultrasound generator in the absence of an antiviral agent for a period of time within the range of 2.0 to 3.0 minutes at a power output of 1.5 watts per square centimeter.

2. A method for treating herpes virus infections characterized by the presence of localized herpetic lesions and local or systemic discomfort and distress comprising the steps of:

a. attaching apparatus having a treatment tip for reducing the effective area through which ultrasonic radiation is emitted and focusing the effective area of the ultrasonic radiation to concentrate said radiation on each herpetic lesion to a conventional ultrasound treatment head;

b. introducing coupling fluid free from antiviral agents into said apparatus and manipulating said apparatus to produce a bead of said fluid at the treatment tip of said apparatus;

c. directly contacting each of the herpetic lesions to be treated with the bead of coupling fluid formed at said treatment tip so that each said herpetic lesion is within the area of the bead;

d. applying ultrasonic radiation produced by an ultrasound generator directly to each said herpetic lesion at a power output of 1.0 to 1.5 watts per square centimeter for a time period of 2.0 to 3.0 minutes; and

e. removing said treatment tip from said lesion and disposing of said treatment tip.