Wound treatment method and device with combination of ultrasound and laser energy

• US 6,761,729 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SANUWAVE Health, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Medicalapplications Incorporated
• Inventors: Babaev, Eilaz
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dagostino, Sabrina
• Application Number:
  US10/366,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20030153961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/130, 607/89
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/00 Radiation therapy ultrasound therapy A61N7/00; devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light
• 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

The method and device of the present invention for wound treatment with a combination of laser and ultrasound waves comprises a probe to produce a laser beam and transducer to produce ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer has tip with a distal end comprising a radiation surface. A liquid is directed to the radiation surface wherein an directed atomized particle spray of the liquid is created upon contact of the liquid with the radiation surface. The laser beam and spray directed to the wound from at least 0,1 inches transmits ultrasound waves as well as particles and has an radiation, irrigation, mechanical cleansing, liquid energizing and bactericide effect on the wound.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a wound using ultrasonic energy and another form of energy comprising:

means for generating ultrasonic energy; and

means for generating another form of energy, wherein the means for generating the ultrasonic energy and another form of energy include components of a device for generating both the ultrasonic energy and the another form of energy, wherein the means for generating the ultrasonic energy and the another form of energy are positioned at a non-contact distance from the wound, and wherein delivery of the ultrasonic energy and another form of energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for introducing a material to the means for generating ultrasonic energy to generate a spray, wherein at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound through the spray.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ultrasonic energy and another form of energy is delivered to the wound through a gaseous medium.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ultrasonic energy and another form of energy is delivered to the wound through a spray.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the material is one of a fluid and a powder.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the another form of energy is selected from the group consisting of:

laser, electric current, magnetic, ultraviolet, microwave, radio frequency, infrared light, coherent radiation, incoherent radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling activation of the means for generating the ultrasonic energy and the means for generating the another form of energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation thereof.

8. A method for treating a wound using ultrasonic energy combined with an other form of energy, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an ultrasound transducer at a distance from the surface of the wound for emitting ultrasonic energy;

generating a spray by contacting a material with a portion of the ultrasound transducer;

providing a source for generating the other form of energy at a distance from the surface of the wound for emitting the other form of energy;

delivering the other form of energy to the wound; and

delivering the ultrasonic energy to the wound through the spray, wherein delivery of the ultrasonic and other form of energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of delivering the other form of energy comprises the step of delivering the other form of energy to the wound through one of the spray and pure air.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the material is one of a fluid and a powder.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the other form of energy is selected from the group consisting of:

laser, electric current, magnetic, ultraviolet, microwave, radio frequency, infrared light, coherent radiation, incoherent radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of controlling emission of the ultrasonic energy and the other form of energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous emission thereof.

13. An apparatus for treating a wound using ultrasound and laser energy comprising:

means for generating ultrasonic energy positioned at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound;

means for introducing a material to the means for generating ultrasonic energy to generate a spray; and

means for generating laser energy in the direction of the spray mid at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound, wherein delivery of the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the laser energy is delivered to the wound through one of the spray and a gaseous medium.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the material is one of a fluid and a powder.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a means for controlling activation of the means for generating ultrasonic energy and the means for generating laser energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation thereof.

17. An apparatus for treating a wound using ultrasound and laser energy comprising:

means for generating ultrasonic energy positioned at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and

means for generating laser energy positioned at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound, wherein the means for generating ultrasonic energy and the means for generating laser energy include components of a device for generating both the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy, and wherein combined delivery of the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound through a gaseous medium.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means for generating ultrasonic energy generates ultrasonic waves having a significantly high amplitude for being delivered to the wound such that upon delivery the ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has a significantly low frequency for achieving the significantly high amplitude.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the significantly high amplitude is greater than 10 microns.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the significantly low frequency is within the range of 20 kHz-50 MHz for achieving the significantly high amplitude.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the significantly low frequency is within the range of 20-200 kHz for achieving the significantly huh amplitude.

24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the significantly low frequency is within the range of 20-40 kHz for achieving the significantly high amplitude.

25. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a surface area of a radiation surface of the means for generating ultrasonic energy is significantly large for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

26. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a perimeter of a radiation surface of the means for generating ultrasonic energy is rounded for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

27. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a selection is made of at least one of a sue of a surface area of a radiation surface of the means for generating ultrasonic energy, a shape of a peripheral boundary of the radiation surface, a frequency of the ultrasonic energy generated, and an amplitude of the ultrasonic energy generated for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

28. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a selection is made of a combination of the size of a surface area of a radiation surface of the means for generating ultrasonic energy;

a shape of a peripheral boundary of the curvature of the radiation surface;

a shape of the radiation surface selected from one of flat, concave, convex and a combination thereof;

a frequency of the ultrasonic energy generated; and

an amplitude of the ultrasonic energy generated for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

42. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for controlling activation of the means for generating ultrasonic energy and the means for generating laser energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation thereof.

43. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound trough a spray.

29. A method for treating a wound using ultrasound and laser energy comprising:

generating ultrasonic energy from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound;

generating laser energy from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and

delivering the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy to the wound in combination for providing a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing rime of the wound, wherein the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy are generated by the same device.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the delivering step includes delivering the ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the generating ultrasonic energy step includes generating ultrasonic waves with a significantly high amplitude for being delivered to the wound such that upon delivery the ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the generating ultrasonic energy step includes generating the ultrasonic energy with a significantly low frequency for achieving the significantly high amplitude.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the generating ultrasonic energy step includes generating the ultrasonic energy from a radiation surface having a significantly large surface area for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the generating ultrasonic energy step includes generating the ultrasonic energy from a radiation surface having a rounded peripheral boundary for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

35. The method according to claim 29, wherein the generating ultrasonic energy step includes selecting a combination of a size of a surface area of a radiation surface;

a shape of a peripheral boundary of the radiation surface;

a shape of the curvature of the radiation surface selected from one of flat, concave, convex and a combination thereof;

a frequency of the ultrasonic energy; and

an amplitude of the ultrasonic energy for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound having an intensity capable of achieving the therapeutic effect.

36. An apparatus for treating a wound using first and second forms of energy comprising:

means for generating a first form of energy; and

means for generating a second form of energy, wherein the means for generating the first and second forms of energy are positioned at a non-contact distance from the wound, wherein at least one of the first and second forms of energy is delivered to the wound through a spray, and wherein delivery of the first and second forms of energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the means for generating the first form of energy includes means for generating ultrasonic energy;

and further comprising;

means for introducing a material to the means for generating ultrasonic energy to generate a spray, wherein at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound through the spray.

38. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the first and second forms of energy are selected from the group consisting of:

laser, electric current, magnetic, ultraviolet, microwave, radio frequency, infrared light, coherent radiation, incoherent radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

39. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising means for controlling activation of the means for generating the first form of energy and the means for generating the second form of energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation thereof.

40. An apparatus for treating a wound using ultrasound and laser energy comprising:

means for generating ultrasonic energy positioned at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and

means for generating laser energy at a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound, wherein the means for generating ultrasonic energy and the means for generating laser energy include components housed within the same housing, and wherein delivery of the ultrasonic energy and the laser energy to the wound provides a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time of the wound.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising means for controlling activation of the means for generating ultrasonic energy and the means for generating laser energy for providing one of simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation thereof.

44. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound through a gaseous medium.

45. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the ultrasonic energy is delivered to the wound through a spray.