Process for the stimulation of production of extracellular dermal proteins in human tissue

• US 6,882,884 B1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aonani, LLC
• Original Assignee: Soundskin LLC
• Inventors: Mosk, Michael D., Breen, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/977,051
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 604 20- 22, 601/2, 607/3, 607/50
• US Class Current: 607/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• 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

A process for the stimulation of production of extracellular dermal matrix proteins in human tissue through the simultaneous delivery of ultrasound and electrical energy thereto. In another aspect, a wound is purposefully created in the dermal layer of the skin to stimulate natural healing processes to be followed by delivery of ultrasound and electrical energy to further advance the production of extracellular dermal proteins.

Claims

1. A process for the stimulation of production of extracellular dermal matrix proteins in human tissue which comprises simultaneously delivering to said tissue ultrasound and electrical energy in an amount sufficient for the stimulation of production of extracellular dermal matrix proteins in human tissue;

wherein a current of said electrical energy is about 100 microamps; and

wherein said ultrasound is provided at a frequency in a range of about 1 to about 4 megahertz.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said electrical energy is a low energy micro-amperage sufficient to stimulate the production of polypeptide collagen and said ultrasound is such that a mechanical pressure gradient is created in the cells that produces specific resilient collagen and elastin.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the wave form of said electrical energy is composed of a twin-peaked, unidirectional, capacitors-discharged, high potent wave form with low energy.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein there is employed a voltage in the range of from about 1 to about 500 volts.

5. A process in accordance with claim 4 wherein there is employed a voltage in the range of about 20-150 volts.

6. A process according to claim 2 wherein said ultrasound is delivered in a continuous manner.

7. A process according to claim 2 wherein said electrical energy is provided at a pulse frequency in the range of from about 5 pulses per second to about 105 pulses per second.

8. A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein the ultrasound in synchronization with the electrical energy is modulated from about a 5% duty cycle to a 50% duty cycle and back to a 5% duty cycle.

9. A process according to claim 2 wherein said ultrasound is provided at an energy in the range of about 0.1-0.5 watts per squared centimeter.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein said ultrasound energy is 0.3 watts per squared centimeter.

11. A process according to claim 2 wherein said ultrasound is pulsed.

12. A process for the stimulation of the natural healing processes in human skin tissue which comprises creating a wound in the dermal layer of said skin tissue and thereafter simultaneously delivering to said skin tissue ultrasound and electrical energy in an amount sufficient to stimulate natural healing processes in said skin tissue;

wherein a current of said electrical energy is about 100 microamps; and

wherein said ultrasound is provided at a frequency in a range of about 1 to about 4 megahertz.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein said wound is created in the dermal layer of skin with the avoidance of removal or disruption of the stratum corneum or epidermis.

14. A process according to claim 12 wherein the simultaneous delivery of said ultrasound and electrical energy is within 24 hours of the creation of said wound in the dermal layer of said skin tissue.

15. A process according to claim 12 wherein said ultrasound is provided at an energy in the range of about 0.1-0.5 watts per squared centimeter.

16. A process according to claim 15 wherein of said ultrasound energy is about 0.3 watts per squared centimeter.

17. A process according to claim 12 wherein said electrical energy is provided at pulse frequency in the range of from about 5 pulses per second to about 105 pulses per second.

18. A process according to claim 12 wherein said electrical energy is a low energy micro-amperage sufficient to stimulate the production of polypeptide collagen and said ultrasound is such that a mechanical pressure gradient is created in the cells that produces specific resilient collagen and elastin.

19. A process according to claim 12 wherein said ultrasound is pulsed.

20. A process according to claim 12 wherein said ultrasound is delivered in a continuous manner.

21. A process in accordance with claim 12 wherein the ultrasound in synchronization with the electrical energy is modulated from about a 5% duty cycle to a 50% duty cycle and back to a 5% duty cycle.

22. A process in accordance with claim 12 wherein said wound is accomplished by any modality having the ability to penetrate the skin to the dermal tissue without disruption, damaging or exfoliating any of the stratum corneum or epidermal tissue.

23. A process in accordance with claim 12 wherein the skin tissue is subjected to phonophoresis whereby a subsequent blended, modulated ultrasound and electrical energy is employed to enhance the delivery and penetration of topical creams or gels that contain collagen stimulating ingredients.

24. A process in accordance with claim 23 wherein following phonophoresis the stratum corneum of the skin is subjected to mechanical exfoliation.

25. A process in accordance with claim 24 wherein said mechanical exfoliation is carried out so as to systematically remove upper layers of tissue.