# US 10,441,502 B2 · Acoustic stimulation for the prevention and treatment of obesity

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- Number: US 10,441,502 B2
- Document ID: US10441502B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/744,150
- Filed: 2015-06-19
- Published: 2016-10-27
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2015-04-27
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Amos Cahan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441502B2

## CPC

- A61H 23/0236: {using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers}
- A61F 5/0003: {Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices (surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04)}
- 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})
- A61H 2201/0111: watertight
- A61H 2201/1207: with electric or magnetic drive
- A61H 2201/16: Physical interface with patient
- A61H 2203/02: immersed in liquid
- A61H 2205/083: Abdomen
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response includes using a wave-generating device to emit sound waves through an individual's skin and onto a target organ, and vibrating the target organ or a portion thereof at a frequency in resonance with the sound waves. The sound waves have a frequency of less than 200 Megahertz (MHz).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response to treat obesity, the method comprising:
using a handheld wave-generating device to transmit infrasound waves through air and through an individual's skin and onto an organ in a gastrointestinal tract, the handheld wave-generating device comprising
an infrasound wave generator,
a power supply, a power control, and
an infrasound wave emitting portion, and
the handheld wave-generating device being a handheld device in its entirety;
vibrating the organ or a portion thereof at a frequency in resonance with the infrasound waves; and
inducing satiety in the individual by vibrating the organ to treat obesity;
wherein the infrasound waves have a frequency of about 0.001 Hertz (Hz).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the individual is a human.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the wave-generating device contacts the individual's skin.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the wave-generating device emits the infrasound waves through a liquid and then through the individual's skin.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising activating mechanoreceptors, nerve cells, or a combination thereof, lining the target organ.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve after vibrating the organ.

### Claim 7

A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response, the method comprising:
using a handheld wave-generating device to transmit infrasound waves through air and through an individual's skin and onto an organ in a gastrointestinal tract, the handheld wave-generating device comprising
an infrasound wave generator,
a power supply, a power control, and
an infrasound wave emitting portion, and
the handheld wave-generating device being a handheld device in its entirety;
vibrating the organ at a frequency in resonance with the infrasound waves; and
signaling fullness in the individual by vibrating the organ to treat obesity;
wherein the infrasound waves have a frequency of about 0.001 Hertz (Hz).