Inducement of bone growth by acoustic shock waves

• US 4,905,671 A
• Filed: 01/11/1988
• Issued: 03/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Senge, Theodor A., Richter, Klaus-Dieter, Schwarze, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US07/142,124
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 F, 128/24 A
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/58 for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws , setting implements or the like A61B17/14, A61B17/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/286 Bone stimulation by mechanical vibrations for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0013 Fracture healing
• 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 method of inducing bone growth which comprises directing energy in the form of acoustic shock waves to a site where bone growth is desired, the amount of energy applied being sufficient to produce bleeding.

Claims

1. A method of inducing bone growth in a mammal which comprises directing acoustic shock waves to a site where bone growth is desired, the shock waves applying an amount of pressure sufficient to produce bleeding at said site, said amount of pressure being sufficient to induce bone growth.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the shock waves have a peak amplitude pressure of at least 800 bar (8×

10⁷ Pa) and the intensity is about 10⁵ Watt/cm².

3. The method of claim 2 wherein at least 500 shock waves are applied.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the shock waves have a peak amplitude pressure of at least 1000 bar.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein at least 1000 shock waves are applied..

6. A method of treating osteoporosis in a mammal which comprises directing acoustic shock waves to bones which have suffered decalcification, the shock waves applying an amount of pressure sufficient to produce bleeding in said bones, said amount of pressure being sufficient to induce bone growth.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the shock waves have a peak amplitude pressure of at least 800 bar (8×

10⁷ Pa) and the intensity is about 10⁵ Watt/cm².

8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least 500 shock waves are applied.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the shock waves have a peak amplitude pressure of at least 1000 bar.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least 1000 shock waves are applied.