Method for using acoustic shock waves in the treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer or a pressure sore

• US 7,189,209 B1
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc. (SANUWAVE Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc. (SANUWAVE Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Roy S., Wheelock, Argil, Ogden, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US10/246,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: 600/427, 600/439, 601 2- 4
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2256 with means for locating or checking the concrement, e.g. X-ray apparatus, imaging means A61B17/2255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/008 using shock waves

Abstract

A method of treating pathological conditions associated with bone and musculoskeletal environments and soft tissues involves applying acoustic shock waves to cause localized trauma, including micro-disruptions, non-osseous tissue stimulation, increased vascularization, and circulation and induction of growth factors to induce or accelerate the body'"'"'s natural healing processes and responses.

Claims

1. A method of treating a diabetic foot ulcer or a pressure sore, comprising:

locating a site or suspected site of the diabetic foot ulcer or pressure sore in a human patient;

generating acoustic shock waves;

focusing the acoustic shock waves throughout the located site; and

applying more than 500 to about 2500 acoustic shock waves per treatment to the located site to induce micro-injury and increased vascularization thereby inducing or accelerating healing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein more than 1000 acoustic shock waves are applied per treatment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating acoustic shock waves comprises applying a voltage potential across a spark gap of a spark gap generator ranging from about 14 kV to about 26 kV to generate each shock wave.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying acoustic shock waves comprises applying the acoustic shock waves in a single treatment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a total energy applied to the located site per treatment is about 2,500 to about 12,500 mJ.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein more than 500 to about 1000 acoustic shock waves are applied per treatment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein more than 1000 to about 2500 acoustic shock waves are applied per treatment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a total time per treatment is in a range of approximately 20 to 60 minutes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic shock waves disrupt capsules of infecting bacteria at the located site.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the locating step includes locating a site or suspected site of the diabetic foot ulcer in the human patient.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the locating step includes locating a site or suspected site of the pressure sore in the human patient.