Non-invasive capacitively coupled electrical stimulation device for treatment of soft tissue wounds

• US 7,010,353 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2002
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EBI LLC (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: EBI LP (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, Bruce J., Gan, Jean C., Penchina, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US10/041,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 607/50, 607/51, 607/52, 607/76, 607/2
• US Class Current: 607/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells

Abstract

A method for treating a soft tissue wound is provided and includes the steps of providing a signal generator in electrical communication with first and second electrodes, disposing the first and second electrodes on a skin surface on opposing sides of the soft tissue wound and applying an electric field in the soft tissue wound by generating a voltage at a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak to peak through said first and second electrodes. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment the signal generator is an AC generator generating a sine wave voltage and in accordance with second and third preferred embodiments, the signal generator is a bipolar DC generator, all generating a symmetrical waveform at a frequency of 60 kHz, with an amplitude of about 5 volts peak to peak.

Claims

1. A method of treating a soft tissue wound, comprising:

identifying a soft tissue wound on a subject;

indicating the use of capacitively coupled electrical stimulation for treatment of the identified soft tissue wound;

providing a signal generator in electrical communication with first and second electrodes;

disposing said first and second electrodes on a skin surface of the subject on opposing sides of the identified soft tissue wound; and

applying an electric field in the identified soft tissue wound for treatment thereof, said electric field being generated between said first and second electrodes by generating an electrical signal therebetween at a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak to peak.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal generator is an AC generator generating a sine wave electrical signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a symmetrical step waveform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a triangular waveform.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying said electric field continuously until the soft tissue wound heals.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying said electric field intermittently until the soft tissue wound heals.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of incorporating an adherent conducting material on said first and second electrodes to maintain good conducting relation and enabling easy adherence and removal of said first and second electrodes to/from said skin surface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a bandage about said first and second electrodes for maintaining a position thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

periodically reconfiguring said first and second electrodes about the soft tissue wound.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal generator is an AC generator generating a sine wave voltage.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a symmetrical step waveform.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a triangular waveform.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of applying said electric field continuously until the soft tissue wound heals.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of applying said electric field intermittently until the soft tissue wound heals.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of incorporating an adherent conducting material on said first and second electrodes to maintain good conducting relation and enabling easy adherence and removal of said first and second electrodes to/from said skin surface.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of applying a bandage about said first and second electrodes for maintaining a position thereof.

17. A method of healing a soft tissue wound, comprising:

identifying a soft tissue wound on a subject;

indicating the use of capacitively coupled electrical stimulation for treatment of the identified soft tissue wound;

providing a signal generator in electrical communication with first and second electrodes;

disposing said first and second electrodes on a skin surface proximate to the identified soft tissue wound;

generating a time varying electrical signal with said signal generator;

delivering said electrical signal to said first and second electrodes;

generating an electric field in a region of the identified soft tissue wound, for treatment thereof, upon delivering of said electrical signal to said first and second electrodes, wherein said generating an electric field comprises generating a voltage at a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak to peak through said first and second electrodes.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said signal generator is an AC generator generating a sine wave voltage.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a symmetrical step waveform.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said signal generator is a bipolar DC generator generating a triangular waveform.

21. A method of treating a soft tissue wound, comprising:

providing a signal generator in electrical communication with first and second electrodes;

disposing said first and second electrodes on a skin surface on opposing sides of an identified soft tissue wound; and

applying an electric field in the identified soft tissue wound, for treatment thereof, by generating an electrical signal at a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak to peak through said first and second electrodes.