Systems and methods for applying ultrasound energy to stimulating circulatory activity in a targeted body region of an individual

• US 20020091339A1
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TIMI 3 Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TIMI 3 Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Todd A., Suorsa, Veijo T., Horzewski, Michael J., Kaganov, Alan L.
• Application Number:
  US09/938,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091339A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• 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

Systems and methods stimulate circulatory activity in a targeted body region of an individual by applying ultrasound energy. Before, during or after the application of ultrasound energy, the systems and methods administer an agent to individual that results, e.g., in an angiogenic effect, or in a reduction of blood perfusion, or a chemotherapy effect. The application of ultrasound energy selectively increases blood perfusion or uptake of the agent in the targeted body region.

Claims

1. A system for stimulating circulatory activity in a targeted body region of an individual comprising

an ultrasound applicator adapted to be coupled to an electric signal generating machine to apply ultrasound energy to affect an increase in blood perfusion in the targeted body region, and

an angiogenic agent administered to the individual to promote angiogenesis in the targeted body region before, during, or after application of the ultrasound energy.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the angiogenic agent includes monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

3. A system according to claim 1

wherein the angiogenic agent includes granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

4. A system according to claim 1

wherein the ultrasound applicator is sized to be placed in acoustic contact with an individual to transcutaneously apply ultrasound energy to the thoracic cavity.

5. A system according to claim 1

wherein the ultrasound applicator generates ultrasound energy at a prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency laying within a range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies not exceeding about 500 kHz.

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the ultrasound applicator comprises a transducer and an ultrasonic coupling region adapted, in use, to contact skin and having an effective diameter (D) to transcutaneously conduct ultrasound energy at the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency by the transducer, wherein the transducer has an aperture size (AP) not greater than about 5 wavelengths, wherein AP is expressed as AP=D/WL, where WL is the wavelength of the fundamental frequency.

7. A system according to claim 5

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

8. A system according to claim 7

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

9. A system according to claim 1

wherein the ultrasound applicator is sized to provide an intensity not exceeding 3 watts/cm² at a maximum total power output of no greater than 150 watts operating within a range of prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequencies not greater than 500 kHz.

10. A system according to claim 9

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

11. A system according to claim 10

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

12. A system according to claim 1

further including an assembly to stabilize placement of the ultrasound applicator during conduction of ultrasound energy.

14. A method according to claim 13

wherein the angiogenic agent includes monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

15. A method according to claim 13

wherein the angiogenic agent includes granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

16. A method according to claim 13

wherein the ultrasound energy is applied to the thoracic cavity.

17. A method according to claim 13

wherein the ultrasound energy is transcutaneously applied to the heart.

19. A system according to claim 18

wherein the ultrasound applicator is sized to be placed in acoustic contact with an individual to transcutaneously apply ultrasound energy to the heart.

20. A system according to claim 18

wherein the ultrasound applicator generates ultrasound energy at a prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency laying within a range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies not exceeding about 500 kHz.

21. A system according to claim 20

wherein the ultrasound applicator comprises a transducer and an ultrasonic coupling region adapted, in use, to contact skin and having an effective diameter (D) to transcutaneously conduct ultrasound energy at the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency by the transducer, wherein the transducer has an aperture size (AP) not greater than about 5 wavelengths, wherein AP is expressed as AP=D/WL, where WL is the wavelength of the fundamental frequency.

22. A system according to claim 20

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

23. A system according to claim 22

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

24. A system according to claim 18

wherein the ultrasound applicator is sized to provide an intensity not exceeding 3 watts/cm² at a maximum total power output of no greater than 150 watts operating within a range of prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequencies not greater than 500 kHz.

25. A system according to claim 24

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

26. A system according to claim 25

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

27. A system according to claim 18

further including an assembly to stabilize placement of the ultrasound applicator during conduction of ultrasound energy.

29. A method according to claim 28

wherein the ultrasound energy is applied to the heart.

30. A method according to claim 29

wherein the ultrasound energy is transcutaneously applied to the heart.

40. A system according to claim 28

further including an assembly to stabilize placement of the ultrasound applicator during conduction of ultrasound energy.

13. A method for stimulating circulatory activity in a targeted body region of an individual comprising the steps of

applying ultrasound energy to the targeted body region to affect an increase in blood perfusion in the targeted body region, and

administering an angiogenic agent to the individual to promote angiogenesis in the targeted body region before, during, or after application of the ultrasound energy.

18. A system for achieving regional systemic therapy in an individual comprising

an agent administered to the individual which results in a decrease in blood perfusion in the individual, and

an ultrasound applicator adapted to be coupled to an electrical signal generating machine to apply ultrasound energy to affect an increase in blood perfusion in a localized body region before, during or after administration of the agent to the individual.

28. A method for achieving regional systemic therapy in an individual comprising the steps of

administering an agent which results in a decrease in blood perfusion in the individual, and

applying ultrasound energy to affect an increase in blood perfusion in a localized body region before, during or after administration of the agent to the individual.

31. A system for achieving regional systemic therapy in an individual comprising

an agent administered to the individual, and

an ultrasound applicator adapted to be coupled to an electrical signal generating machine to apply ultrasound energy to affect an increase in blood perfusion or uptake of the agent in a localized body region before, during, or after administration of the agent to the individual.

32. A system according to claim 31

wherein the agent is a chemotherapy drug.

33. A system according to claim 31

wherein the ultrasound applicator generates ultrasound energy at a prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency laying within a range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies not exceeding about 500 kHz.

34. A system according to claim 33

wherein the ultrasound applicator comprises a transducer and an ultrasonic coupling region adapted, in use, to contact skin and having an effective diameter (D) to transcutaneously conduct ultrasound energy at the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency by the transducer, wherein the transducer has an aperture size (AP) not greater than about 5 wavelengths, wherein AP is expressed as AP=D/WL, where WL is the wavelength of the fundamental frequency.

35. A system according to claim 33

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

36. A system according to claim 35

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

37. A system according to claim 33

wherein the ultrasound applicator is sized to provide an intensity not exceeding 3 watts/cm² at a maximum total power output of no greater than 150 watts operating within a range of prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequencies not greater than 500 kHz.

38. A system according to claim 37

wherein the range of fundamental therapeutic frequencies is between about 20 kHz and about 100 kHz.

39. A system according to claim 38

wherein the prescribed fundamental therapeutic frequency is about 27 kHz.

41. A method for achieving regional systemic therapy in an individual comprising the steps of

administering an agent to the individual, and

applying ultrasound energy to affect an increase in blood perfusion or uptake of the agent in a localized body region before, during or after administration of the agent to the individual.

42. A method according to claim 41

wherein the agent is a chemotherapy drug.