Low energy acoustic pulse apparatus and method
AssigneeAcoustic Wave Cell Therapy, Inc.
InventorsCharles R. Engles, Yung Chen Su
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering it into a body is described. The apparatus includes a generator for creating an acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter. The cylindrically shaped space has a cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees. A minimum energy density for the pulse at all locations within the cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for the pulse within the space.
Claims49
A method of treating a urethra of a female patient, said method comprising:
- providing an acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- contacting the acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus to a body of the patient, in contact with or adjacent to an end of the urethra;
- generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering the acoustic energy pulse into the body, in a direction along a length of the urethra;
- and
- as a result of said providing, contacting, generating and delivering, reducing urinary incontinence.
An apparatus for generating acoustic energy pulses for delivery into a living body, said apparatus comprising
- a housing comprising an opening and a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis extends through said opening;
- an acoustic energy pulse generator wherein at least a portion of said acoustic energy pulse generator is contained within said housing;
- and
- a contact portion configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to the living body, and positioned such that an acoustic energy pulse generated by said acoustic energy pulse generator passes through said contact portion;
- wherein said acoustic energy pulse generator is configured to generate and deliver the acoustic energy pulse along a female urethra of the living body in a direction along a length of the female urethra, said acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that is configured for treating the female urethra and, as a result of said treating, reducing urinary incontinence;
- and
- wherein a minimum energy density of a first volume of said energy density field is at least 50% of a maximum energy density of said energy density field and said first volume is configured to encompass a second volume of at least thirty percent of urethral sphincter muscles of the female urethra.
An apparatus for generating acoustic energy pulses for delivery into a living body for treatment of a urethra of a female patient, said apparatus comprising a housing comprising an opening and a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis extends through said opening;
- an acoustic energy pulse generator wherein at least a portion of said acoustic energy pulse generator is contained within said housing;
- a contact portion configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to the urethra, and positioned such that an acoustic energy pulse generated by said acoustic energy pulse generator passes through said contact portion and along a length of the urethra;
- and
- a stabilizing system comprising a stabilizing mechanism configured to maintain said contact portion in contact with the living body under a constant amount of force.
A method of treating an anus of a patient, said method comprising:
- providing an acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- contacting the acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus to a body of the patient, in contact with or adjacent to the anus of the patient;
- and
- generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering the acoustic energy pulse into the body;
- wherein at least a portion of an anal sphincter or a rectum of the patient is encompassed by the acoustic energy pulse to restore or improve functionality of the anal sphincter and/or rectum, to facilitate generation of tissue of the anal sphincter and/or rectum, and/or to improve vascularization of the anal sphincter and/or rectum.
An apparatus for generating acoustic energy pulses for delivery into a living body, said apparatus comprising
- a housing comprising an opening and a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis extends through said opening;
- an acoustic energy pulse generator wherein at least a portion of said acoustic energy pulse generator is contained within said housing;
- and
- a contact portion configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to the living body, and positioned such that an acoustic energy pulse generated by said acoustic energy pulse generator passes through said contact portion;
- wherein said acoustic energy pulse generator is configured to generate and deliver the acoustic energy pulse to encompass at least a portion of an anal sphincter or a rectum of the living body to restore or improve functionality of the anal sphincter and/or rectum, to facilitate generation of tissue of the anal sphincter and/or rectum, and/or to improve vascularization of the anal sphincter and/or rectum;
- wherein the acoustic energy pulse is provided to have an energy flux density (EFD) in a predetermined therapeutic range where encompassing the at least a portion of the anal sphincter or rectum;
- and
- wherein said acoustic energy pulse generator is configured to generate and deliver the acoustic energy pulse to encompass at least 50% of an inner anal sphincter of the anal sphincter with the EFD in the predetermined therapeutic range.
An apparatus for generating acoustic energy pulses for delivery into a living body, said apparatus comprising
- a housing comprising an opening and a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis extends through said opening;
- an acoustic energy pulse generator wherein at least a portion of said acoustic energy pulse generator is contained within said housing;
- and
- a contact portion configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to the living body, and positioned such that an acoustic energy pulse generated by said acoustic energy pulse generator passes through said contact portion;
- wherein said acoustic energy pulse generator is configured to generate and deliver the acoustic energy pulse to encompass at least a portion of an anal sphincter, inner anal sphincter or a rectum of the living body to restore or improve functionality of the anal sphincter and/or inner anal sphincter and/or rectum, to facilitate generation of tissue of the anal sphincter and/or inner anal sphincter and/or rectum, and/or to improve vascularization of the anal sphincter and/or inner anal sphincter and/or rectum;
- wherein the acoustic energy pulse is provided to have an energy flux density (EFD) in a predetermined therapeutic range where encompassing the at least a portion of the anal sphincter and/or inner anal sphincter and/or rectum;
- wherein the EFD in the predetermined therapeutic range can be measured at all points within a space in a shape of an imaginary cylinder that encompasses the at least a portion of the anal sphincter and/or inner anal sphincter and/or rectum;
- and
- wherein a minimum energy density for said pulse at all locations within said cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for said pulse within said space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.