Method of treating a patient with a neurodegenerative disease using ultrasound

• US 7,211,054 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Rochester
• Original Assignee: University of Rochester
• Inventors: Francis, Charles W., Suchkova, Valentina
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US09/435,286
• Time in Patent Office: 2,734 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4, 600/439, 600/466, 600/467, 607/50, 607/51, 607/99, 604/22, 604/280
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/08 Vasodilators for multiple indications
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating patients with ultrasound to promote healing. In particular, the present invention provides a method for improving blood flow to ischemic tissue by applying ultrasound to ischemic tissue. The invention also provides a method for increasing nitric oxide production in tissue by applying ultrasound to tissue.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient with a neurodegenerative disease, said method comprising:

selecting a patient having a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Parkinson'"'"'s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington'"'"'s disease and

applying ultrasound to tissue diseased by the neurodegenerative disease under conditions effective to increase nitric oxide production in the tissue.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasound is applied to surgically exposed tissue.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasound is applied through skin overlying the tissue.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasound is applied to the tissue with a catheter.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying comprises:

providing an ultrasound transducer;

placing said ultrasound transducer adjacent to said tissue; and

subjecting said tissue to ultrasound treatment with said ultrasound transducer.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said ultrasound transducer operates at a frequency of from about 10 to 300 kHz.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein said ultrasound transducer operates at an intensity of from about 0.25 to 2 W/cm².