Ultrasonic treatment system

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• and
• the step of applying ultrasonic waves including the step of applying ultrasonic waves which form stable cavitation without transient cavitation.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• the step of applying ultrasonic waves including the step of applying ultrasonic waves including the step of inserting an ultrasonic vibrator within the working fluid and moving it to a position appropriate for cleaning action.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• absorbing a portion of said ultrasonic waves in plastic wall means whereby the transmission to air of said ultrasonic waves is reduced.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• the step of immersing a body portion of an animal including the step of immersing a body portion of an animal into at least partly degassed water.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• the step of immersing a body portion of an animal including the step of immersing a body portion of an animal into water in which an additive capable of aiding in at least one of cleaning and antimicrobial action is included.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• and
• detecting ultrasound in said working fluid and providing an indication of the power density.

A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density that is not irritating to the animal during the time period;
• and
• reducing the transmission of said ultrasonic waves through said working fluid upon detecting the insertion of a foreign body in said working fluid.

A method of treating animals comprising the steps of:

• immersing a body portion of the animal into a working fluid with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the fluid;
• applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 500 kilohertz and a power density in the range of 0.1 to 5 watts per square centimeter through the working fluid for a time less than 15 minutes and at a power and frequency that does not cause transient cavitation;
• and
• reducing thermal layering in the working fluid by the addition of a surfactant and utilizing at least partly degassed water.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• and
• means for moving ultrasonic transducers within the working fluid to aim and position an ultrasonic radiating head.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• means for moving ultrasonic transducers within the working fluid to aim and position an ultrasonic radiating head with said means for applying, said means for applying includes bracket means for mounting a movable holder for a transducer to the container means at one point;
• said means for moving including an adjustable means whereby the transducer may be lowered or raised or changed in angular position within the fluid.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• and
• means for degassing fluid as it is applied to the container means.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• the container means being sound absorbant plastic.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• wherein the means for applying ultrasonic waves includes means for preventing cavitation from being transient by causing the ultrasonic waves to be asymmetrical in pressure.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• said means for applying ultrasonic waves comprises a plurality of transducers each mounted to a wall of the container means by gasket means whereby a coupling between the plurality of transducer means and the working fluid is reduced.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• and
• at least one of the container means and the means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid including a material which absorbs sound of the frequency used.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• and
• a degasser adapted to remove at least some gas from water and positioned to fill the container means with at least partly degassed water.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• and
• means for applying ultrasonic waves through the working fluid within the container means in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and a frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz;
• and
• probe means for sensing power intensity of said ultrasonic waves in said working fluid.

Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

• container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic waves;
• means for applying ultrasonic waves in a first frequency in a first frequency range of between 15 kilohertz and 500 kilohertz through the working fluid within the container means with a power density which is capable of beneficial effects without being harmful to the animal;
• and
• means for modulating the first frequency of the ultrasonic waves with a second sweep frequency across a second frequency band centered on the first frequency.