Method for applying high-intensity ultrasonic waves to a target volume within a human or animal body

• US 5,725,482 A
• Filed: 02/09/1996
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Inventors: Bishop, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, SHAWNA JEANNINE
• Application Number:
  US08/599,297
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 128/653.1, 128/660.03, 601/2, 601/4, 607/2, 73/628, 73/632, 204/157.15, 367/153
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/225 for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/26 Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning

Abstract

A method for focussing vibrational energy upon a target volume within a surrounding contiguous medium imparts high intensity energy upon the target volume from low level energy sources. A plurality of standing compression waves are established within the medium along corresponding longitudinal axes between opposing pairs of coordinated transducers. The target volume is located at the common intersection of the axes of the standing compression waves. Opposing pairs of transducers are positioned from each other at a distance equal to an integer multiple of half wavelengths of the corresponding standing wave therebetween. The phase angle of each standing compression wave is regulated so as to cause each wave to be at its maximum intensity (amplitude) within the target volume at the point of common intersection with the other standing waves. The plurality of intersecting standing waves constructively interfere within the target volume, thereby imparting more intense vibrational energy upon the target volume that upon the surrounding medium.

Claims

1. A method of applying high intensity vibrational energy to a target volume disposed within a contiguous surrounding medium, comprising the steps of:

introducing vibrational energy into a medium from a first actuator member;

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a second actuator member;

establishing a first standing pressure wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member, said first standing pressure wave having a first longitudinal axis extending through said first actuator member and said second actuator member;

directing said first standing pressure wave through a target volume, said target volume being disposed within said medium and being contiguous with said medium;

positioning an antinode of said first standing pressure wave within said target volume;

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a third actuator member;

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a fourth actuator member;

establishing a second standing pressure wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member, said second standing pressure wave having a second longitudinal axis extending through said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member;

directing said second standing pressure wave through said target volume;

positioning an antinode of said second standing pressure wave within said target volume;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a first actuator member comprises oscillating a first surface of said first actuator member in a direction parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a second actuator member comprises oscillating a second surface of said second actuator member in a direction parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a third actuator member comprises oscillating a third surface of said third actuator member in a direction parallel to said second longitudinal axis;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a fourth actuator member comprises oscillating a fourth surface of said fourth actuator member in a direction parallel to said second longitudinal axis;

wherein said first surface, said second surface, said third surface and said fourth surface are each in contact with said medium;

wherein said first surface and said second surface are each oscillated at a first frequency;

wherein said third surface and said fourth surface are each oscillated at a second frequency;

wherein said step of establishing a first standing pressure wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member further comprises generating a first wave length of said first standing pressure wave in said medium adjacent to said first surface, said first wave length being shorter than a first distance measurable across said first surface;

wherein said step of establishing a first standing pressure wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member further comprises generating a second wave length of said first standing pressure wave in said medium adjacent to said second surface, said second wave length being shorter than a second distance measurable across said second surface;

wherein said step of establishing a second standing pressure wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member further comprises generating a third wave length of said second standing pressure wave in said medium adjacent to said third surface, said third wave length being shorter than a third distance measurable across said third surface;

and wherein said step of establishing a second standing pressure wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member further comprises generating a fourth wave length of said second standing pressure wave in said medium adjacent to said fourth surface, said fourth wave length being shorter than a fourth distance measurable across said fourth surface.

2. The method according to claim 1,

wherein said step of directing said first standing pressure wave through said target volume comprises positioning said first longitudinal axis to pass through said target volume;

and wherein said step of directing said second standing pressure wave through said target volume comprises positioning said second longitudinal axis to intersect with first longitudinal axis within said target volume.

3. The method according to claim 2,

wherein said first standing pressure wave and said second standing pressure wave constructively interfere with each other within said target volume.

4. The method according to claim 3,

wherein said first frequency and said second frequency are equal.

5. A method of applying high intensity vibrational energy to a target volume disposed within a contiguous surrounding medium, comprising the steps of:

introducing vibrational energy into a medium from a first actuator member;

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a second actuator member;

establishing a first standing planar wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member, said first standing planar wave having a first longitudinal axis extending through said first actuator member and said second actuator member;

directing said first standing planar wave through a target volume, said target volume being disposed within said medium and being contiguous with said medium;

positioning an antinode of said first standing planar wave within said target volume;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a first actuator member comprises oscillating a first planar surface of said first actuator member in a direction parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a second actuator member comprises oscillating a second planar surface of said second actuator member in a direction parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

wherein said first planar surface and said second planar surface are each in contact with said medium;

wherein said first planar surface and said second planar surface are each oscillated at a first frequency;

wherein said step of establishing a first standing planar wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member further comprises generating a first wave length of said first standing planar wave in said medium adjacent to said first planar surface, said first wave length being shorter than a first distance measurable across said first planar surface;

wherein said step of establishing a first standing planar wave within said medium between said first actuator member and said second actuator member further comprises generating a second wave length of said first standing planar wave in said medium adjacent to said second planar surface, said second wave length being shorter than a second distance measurable across said second planar surface.

6. The method according to claim 5,

wherein said step of directing said first standing planar wave through said target volume comprises positioning said first longitudinal axis to pass through said target volume.

7. The method according to claim 5,

wherein said first planar surface reflects said first standing planar wave at said first frequency;

and wherein said second planar surface reflects said first standing planar wave at said first frequency.

8. The method according to claim 7,

wherein said first standing planar wave extends from said first planar surface to said second planar surface.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a third actuator member;

introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a fourth actuator member;

establishing a second standing planar wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member, said second standing planar wave having a second longitudinal axis extending through said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member;

directing said second standing planar wave through said target volume;

positioning an antinode of said second standing planar wave within said target volume;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a third actuator member comprises oscillating a third planar surface of said third actuator member in a direction parallel to said second longitudinal axis;

wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said medium from a fourth actuator member comprises oscillating a fourth planar surface of said fourth actuator member in a direction parallel to said second longitudinal axis;

wherein said third planar surface and said fourth planar surface are each in contact with said medium;

wherein said third planar surface and said fourth planar surface are each oscillated at a second frequency;

wherein said step of establishing a second standing planar wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member further comprises generating a third wave length of said second standing planar wave in said medium adjacent to said third planar surface, said third wave length being shorter than a third distance measurable across said third planar surface;

and wherein said step of establishing a second standing planar wave within said medium between said third actuator member and said fourth actuator member further comprises generating a fourth wave length of said second standing planar wave in said medium adjacent to said fourth planar surface, said fourth wave length being shorter than a fourth distance measurable across said fourth planar surface.

10. The method according to claim 9,

wherein said step of directing said second standing planar wave through said target volume comprises positioning said second longitudinal axis to intersect with first longitudinal axis within said target volume.

11. The method according to claim 10,

wherein said first standing planar wave and said second standing planar wave constructively interfere with each other within said target volume.

12. The method according to claim 11,

wherein said third planar surface reflects said second standing planar wave at said second frequency;

and wherein said fourth planar surface reflects said second standing planar wave at said second frequency.

13. The method according to claim 12,

wherein said second standing planar wave extends between said third planar surface and said fourth planar surface.