Apparatus for treating a patient with acoustic waves

• US 5,291,894 A
• Filed: 05/20/1992
• Issued: 03/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lajos Z. Nagy
• Original Assignee: Lajos Z. Nagy
• Inventors: Nagy, Lajos Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US07/886,437
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 128/700, 128/660.01, 128/660.02, 128/420.5, 128/905, 600/13, 600/27, 600/28, 600/26
• US Class Current: 600/483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00703 correcting for movement of heart, e.g. ECG-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/06 Heartbeat rate
• 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 apparatus for treating a patient with acoustic waves having a treatment head with a treatment head which is connectable to a generator with variable frequency. The apparatus has at least a first sensor which measures the heart rate of the patient before and after treatment, wherein the frequency of the generator is adjustable in dependence on the change of the heart rate as a result of treatment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a patient for blood circulation disturbances with a treatment of one of;

acoustic waves, electromagnetic waves, or a combination of acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, comprising;

a processing unit having means for generating a variable frequency in dependence on the change of the heart rate as a result of said treatment;

a treatment head having means for providing acoustic and/or electromagnetic waves, said treatment head coupled with said means for generating a variable frequency within a range specific to treating disturbances in blood circulation;

a plurality of sensors in communication with said processing unit each sensor having means for transmitting signals indicative of a physiological measurement, said plurality of sensors including a heart rate sensor having means for measuring the heart rate of said patient before and after said treatment, said processing unit having, means for controlling said treatment head and means for processing said signals transmitted by said sensors;

a display screen in communication with said processing unit that displays said signals on said display screen; and

a keyboard in communication with said processing unit having means for adjusting said variable frequency.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors further includes at least one temperature sensor which can be disposed on the peripheral ends of the arms or legs of said patient so that said variable frequency of said generator is adjustable in dependence on temperature changes of said patient as a result of treatment.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor having means for measuring the electrocardiogram of the patient.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said range specific to treating disturbances in blood circulation, is from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor for measuring the temperature of the patient.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor for measuring the blood-oxygen level of the patient.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, said keyboard further including means for adjusting treatment time.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, said keyboard further including means for adjusting a waves shape of said waves.

9. An apparatus for treating a patient for blood circulation disturbances with a treatment of acoustic waves, electromagnetic waves, or both, comprising:

a microprocessor including means for generating signals, said signals having a variable frequency and wave shape, said microprocessor having means for receiving at least one of the following inputs;

length of said treatment, intensity of said treatment, a desired frequency of said signals and a desired waveshape of said signals, said microprocessor further comprising means for adjusting the values of said inputs,

a treatment head adapted to receive said signals from said means for generating signals, said treatment head having means for administering acoustic and/or electromagnetic waves of a frequency specific to improving blood circulation in a patient,

means for sensing at least one physiological parameter before and after said treatment, said means for sensing including means for outputting measuring signals representative of said at least one physiological parameter before and after treatment, said measuring signals indicating the need for adjustment of said values of said inputs.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, said at least one physiological parameter includes heart rate.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, said at least one physiological parameter including body temperature.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, said at least one physiological parameter including blood-oxygen level.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9, said at least one physiological parameter including an EKG.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9, said means for outputting comprising a display.

15. An apparatus according to claim 9, said means for adjusting the values of said inputs comprising a keyboard.