Ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing

• US 6,524,261 B2
• Filed: 10/18/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exogen Inc. (Bioventus LLC)
• Original Assignee: Exogen Inc. (Bioventus LLC)
• Inventors: Wright, Frederic S., Rose, Emery, Lund, Signe M., Talish, Roger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANTIS MERCADER, ELENI M
• Application Number:
  US09/420,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 601/3, 601/4, 600/439, 600/459, 310/311, 310/322, 310/334, 310/340
• US Class Current: 601/2
• 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

Ultrasound application devices and methods of use for sternum healing of a patient includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound application device near a sternum having approximated portions, and applying ultrasound to the approximated portions for promoting healing. The ultrasound application device includes a transducer for generating the ultrasound, and a base for positioning the transducer near to the sternum. A diverging lens may be disposed between the transducer and the sternum for acoustically diverging the ultrasound to flood the sternum with ultrasound. A plurality of transducers may be included in a plurality of recesses of the base along a longitudinal length of the sternum for applying the ultrasound along the longitudinal length of the sternum. A ring may be included to be positioned and secured about the neck of the patient. The ring may be woven as and/or incorporated in a tie. A metal strip may be used which responds to signals from the transducer for generating the ultrasound applied to the sternum. The metal strip may be implanted within the patient substantially adjacent to the sternum. Also, the ultrasound application device may operate in conjunction with a mesh implanted in the patient substantially adjacent to the sternum.

Claims

1. A method for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

coupling an ultrasound application device to a tissue surface positioned substantially adjacent to approximated sternum portions using an ultrasound conductive material, wherein the ultrasound application device comprises at least one transducer, and a base coupled with the transducer;

securing the ultrasound application device adjacent the approximated sternum portions using a ring attached to the base and adapted to be positioned about a neck of a patient;

applying ultrasound to the approximated portions of the sternum for promoting healing of the approximated portions by generating ultrasound using the transducer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the ultrasound application device further comprises coupling an ultrasound application device comprising a plurality of transducers positioned along a longitudinal length of the approximated sternum portions and substantially adjacent to the tissue surface, and wherein applying ultrasound to the approximated sternum portions further comprises generating ultrasound using the plurality of transducers and applying the ultrasound along the longitudinal length of the approximated sternum portions.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a sterile sheet between the transducer and the sternum for healing the sternum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the ultrasound application device further comprises positioning a ring comprising an opening, a first end and a second end, around the neck of the patient so that the neck is at least partially located in the opening and attaching the first end to the second end in order to prevent the ring from moving during therapy.

5. An ultrasound application device, comprising:

a base capable of being positioned adjacent to approximated sternum portions of a patient;

at least one transducer coupled to the base for generating ultrasound for application to approximated sternum portions for promoting healing of the approximated sternum portions together; and

a ring connected to the base and adapted to be positioned and secured about the neck of the patient.

6. The ultrasound application device of claim 5, wherein the at least one transducer comprises a plurality of transducers and wherein the base comprises a plurality of recesses for receiving the plurality of transducers and positioning the plurality of transducers along a longitudinal length of the base so that ultrasound can be applied along a longitudinal length of the approximated sternum portions.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the ring comprises an opening, a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is capable of being attached to the second end to secure the base and the at least one transducer about the neck.

8. The ultrasound application device of claim 5, further comprising at least one weighted panel for immobilizing the ultrasound application device relative to the approximated sternum portions during therapy.

9. The ultrasound application device of claim 5, further comprising a sterile sheet positioned between the transducer and the sternum for healing the sternum.

10. The ultrasound application device of claim 5, further comprising a mesh member capable of being implanted in the patient substantially adjacent to the sternum, wherein the mesh member can receive ultrasound generated by the transducer and can transmit the ultrasound to promote healing of the sternum.

11. An ultrasound application system for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

an ultrasound application device, comprising;

a base capable of being positioned substantially adjacent to approximated sternum portions of a patient; and

a transducer coupled to the base for generating ultrasound for application to approximated sternum portions for promoting healing of the approximated sternum portions;

an ultrasound diverging lens that is coupled to the ultrasound application device and comprises a surface for coupling with a tissue surface positioned substantially adjacent to the approximated sternum portions of a patient for acoustically diverging ultrasound applied to the approximated sternum portions for healing; and

a mesh member capable of being implanted in a patient substantially adjacent to the sternum, wherein the mesh member can receive ultrasound generated by the transducer and can transmit the ultrasound to promote healing of the sternum.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the ultrasound diverging lens comprises a gel pad.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the ultrasound diverging lens comprises a coating of conductive gel.

14. The ultrasound application system of claim 11, wherein the mesh member is absorbable by the patient.

15. An ultrasound application device for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

a transducer for generating ultrasound for application to approximated sternum portions for promoting healing of the approximated sternum portions; and

a metal strip coupled with the transducer for receiving ultrasound generated by the transducer and for transmitting the ultrasound.

16. The ultrasound application device of claim 15, wherein the metal strip is capable of being implanted within a patient substantially adjacent to the sternum.

17. The ultrasound application device of claim 15, wherein the metal strip is disposable.

18. The ultrasound application device of claim 15, wherein the metal strip is releasably coupled to the transducer.

19. An ultrasound application system for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

an ultrasound application device, comprising;

a base capable of being positioned adjacent to approximated sternum portions of a patient;

at least one transducer coupled to the base for transmitting ultrasound to the approximated sternum portions for promoting healing of the approximated sternum portions; and

an ultrasound diverging lens comprising a first surface for coupling to the ultrasound application device and a second surface for coupling with a tissue surface positioned substantially adjacent to the approximated sternum portions wherein, the first surface comprises a detent that forms a pocket between the ultrasound diverging lens and the ultrasound application device when the diverging lens and the ultrasound application device are coupled.

20. The ultrasound application system of claim 19, wherein the detent comprises a curved surface.

21. The ultrasound application system claim 19, wherein the ultrasound application device further comprises at least one weighted panel for immobilizing the ultrasound application device relative to the approximated sternum portions during therapy.

22. The ultrasound application system of claim 19, further comprising a sterile sheet positioned between the ultrasound application device and the sternum for healing the sternum.

23. The ultrasound application device of claim 19, further comprising a mesh member capable of being implanted in a patient substantially adjacent to the approximated sternum portions, wherein the mesh member can receive ultrasound generated by the transducer and can transmit the ultrasound to promote healing of the sternum.

24. The ultrasound application system of claim 23, wherein the mesh member is absorbable by the patient.

25. The ultrasound application system of claim 19, wherein the ultrasound diverging lens comprises a gel pad.

26. A method for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

positioning an ultrasound application device substantially adjacent to approximated sternum portions of a patient, wherein the ultrasound application device comprises a transducer operatively engaged with a metal strip; and

applying ultrasound to the approximated portions of the sternum by generating ultrasound with the transducer and transmitting the ultrasound through the metal strip for promoting healing of the approximated portions.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning the ultrasound application device comprises positioning the metal strip on an external tissue surface of the patient and positioning an ultrasound conductive material between the approximated sternum portions and the metal strip.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning the ultrasound application device comprises implanting the metal strip within the patient substantially adjacent to the approximated sternum portions of the sternum.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising securing the metal strip to the sternum using wires.

30. A method for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

coupling an ultrasound application device to a tissue surface substantially adjacent to approximated sternum portions, wherein the ultrasound application device comprises;

a base; and

at least one transducer coupled with the base;

coupling an ultrasound diverging lens to the ultrasound application device;

coupling the ultrasound diverging lens with the tissue surface for acoustically diverging the ultrasound to flood the approximated sternum portions for healing;

implanting a mesh member within a patient substantially adjacent to the sternum; and

applying ultrasound to the mesh member and to the approximated portions of the sternum by transmitting ultrasound through the transducer and the ultrasound diverging lens.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising removing the mesh member after the approximated portions of the sternum have healed.

32. A method for accelerating sternum healing, comprising:

coupling an ultrasound application device to a tissue surface of a patient substantially adjacent to approximated sternum portions, wherein the ultrasound application device comprises;

a base; and

at least one transducer coupled with the base;

coupling an ultrasound diverging lens to the ultrasound application device, wherein the ultrasound diverging lens comprises a first surface positioned adjacent the ultrasound application device and comprising a detent that forms a pocket between the ultrasound diverging lens and the ultrasound application device when the ultrasound diverging lens and the ultrasound application device are coupled; and

applying ultrasound generated by the transducer to the approximated portions of the sternum.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising positioning a sterile sheet between the ultrasound application device and the tissue surface.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising implanting a mesh member within a patient substantially adjacent the sternum and removing the mesh member after ultrasound has been applied and the approximated portions of the sternum have substantially healed.