# US 2019/0167285 A1 · Method for reducing biofilm formation

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- Number: US 2019/0167285 A1
- Document ID: US20190167285A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/269,229
- Filed: 2019-02-06
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-11-12
- Assignees: Misonix, Incorporated
- Applicants: Misonix, Incorporated
- Inventors: Paul MIKUS; Scott ISOLA; Dan VOIC; Scott LUDECKER; Alexander DARIAN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167285A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/22004: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves (A61B17/225 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 2017/00761: {Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue}
- A61B 2017/320072: {Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts}
- A61B 2017/320084: {Irrigation sleeves}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61M 1/85: {with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208)}
- A61M 2205/058: with ultrasound therapy
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A two phase method for reducing the formation of biofilm includes an evacuation of ambient air from a region about the surgical or treatment site, to extract airborne or aerosolized bacteria ejected from the site by the treatment. The extracted bacteria are prevented from settling back onto the cleansed tissue surface, thus at least reducing colonial bacteriological growth and concomitantly exuded biofilm material. A second phase involves the attachment of one or more ultrasonic transducers to the patient over or near a surgical treatment site after the surgery is terminated. Each applied ultrasonic transducer is used to vibrate the patient's tissues at the treatment site to disrupt biofilm formation.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-8. (canceled)

### Claim 9

A medical therapeutic method comprising:
removing necrotic tissue and undesired organic material from a surgical site on a patient;
after the removal of all discernible necrotic tissue and undesirable organic material from the surgical site and while the surgical site is free of discernible bacteria, placing at least one ultrasonic transducer on the patient at least proximate the surgical site; and
after the placing of said transducer and while said transducer is in effective vibration-transmitting contact with the patient, conducting an electrical energization waveform of an ultrasonic frequency to said transducer at least intermittently during a period of approximately one day or longer, said waveform having frequency, amplitude and duration to effectively reduce biofilm formation on the patient at the surgical site and thereby facilitate a healing of the patient's tissue at the surgical site.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method defined in claim 9 wherein the placing of said transducer includes removably attaching said transducer to the patient.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method defined in claim 10 wherein the placing of said transducer includes removably attaching said transducer atop tissues at the surgical site.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method defined in claim 10 wherein said transducer is affixed to a carrier pad, the placing of said transducer on the patient including attaching said pad to the patient.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method defined in claim 9 wherein the removing of necrotic tissues includes operating an ultrasonic debrider instrument at a first energy setting, further comprising utilizing said instrument at a lower second energy setting to pre-condition the tissues at the surgical site for disrupting adherence or starting the formation of biofilm.

### Claim at position 7

14-17. (canceled)