Granted Patent B2

US 8,048,006 · App. 11/462,271 · Granted Nov 1, 2011

Abstract

Claims (17)

1. A method of treating a peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease, comprising:

placing an ultrasound applicator adjacent to a patient's skin surface proximate a neuropathic area affected by the peripheral neuropathy or the neurodegenerative disease such that, during operation, the ultrasound applicator directs ultrasound through the neuropathic area; and

applying ultrasound through the neuropathic area using the ultrasound applicator,

wherein the ultrasound comprises a pulsed radio frequency ultrasound signal having a frequency in the range of 1.3 MHz to 2 MHz, consisting of pulses generated at a rate in the range of 100 Hz to 1,000 Hz with each pulse having a duration in the range of 10 microseconds to 2,000 microseconds, and having a power intensity no higher than 100 milliwatts per square centimeter, and

wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease is selected from a group consisting of: a systemic or metabolic neuropathy, a toxic neuropathy, a motor neuron disease, a neuropathy resulting from an infection, and an idiopathic neuropathy.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease is a systemic or metabolic neuropathy.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the metabolic neuropathy is a diabetic neuropathy.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease is a toxic neuropathy.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the toxic neuropathy is anti-retroviral drug-induced neuropathy.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease is a motor neuron disease.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease results from an infection.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease is idiopathic.

9. A method of treating a peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease, comprising:

placing an ultrasound transducer proximate a neuropathic area selected for treatment; and

operating the ultrasound transducer once per day and for a duration in the range of about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes to apply a pulsed radio frequency ultrasound signal to the neuropathic area to treat the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease,

the pulsed radio frequency ultrasound having a frequency in the range of 1.3 MHz to 2 MHz, consisting of pulses generated at a rate in the range of 100 Hz to 1,000 Hz with each pulse having a duration in the range of 10 microseconds to 2,000 microseconds, and having a power intensity no higher than 100 milliwatts per square centimeter, and

the peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neurodegenerative disease being selected from a group consisting of: a systemic or metabolic neuropathy, a toxic neuropathy, a motor neuron disease, a neuropathy resulting from an infection, and an idiopathic neuropathy.

Assignments (16)