Ultrasound Device
A method an apparatus for healing bone fractures comprises applying an ultrasound signal to a target site. The ultrasound signal comprises a generally uniform distribution of constructive interference positions in the target site.
1 . A method for healing bone fractures, comprising applying an ultrasound signal to a target site, wherein the ultrasound signal comprises a generally uniform distribution of constructive interference positions in the target site.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal properties are manipulated in order to increase the density of constructive interference positions in the target site.
4 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the ultrasound signal comprises a carrier frequency, a modulation frequency and an intensity.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of varying the modulation frequency.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the modulation frequency is at least 10 kHz.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the modulation frequency is in the range 10-1000 kHz.
9 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the modulation frequency is in the range 80-300 kHz.
13 . (canceled)
14 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the carrier frequency is in the range 20 kHz-10 MHz.
15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the carrier frequency is about 1.5 MHz.
16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the intensity is in the range 50-1000 mWcm −2 .
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the intensity is about 150 mWcm −1 .
18 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signal is pulsed.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the pulsed ultrasound signal has a duty cycle in the range 5-50%.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the duty cycle is 20%.
21 . (canceled)
22 . An apparatus for healing bone fractures, comprising:
an electro-acoustic transducer for producing an ultrasound signal and configured to transmit the ultrasound signal to a target site;
and a generator means for exciting the transducer with an electrical-output signal, wherein the ultrasound signal comprises a carrier frequency, a modulation frequency and an intensity, the modulation frequency creates a generally uniform distribution of constructive interference positions in the target site.
23 . (canceled)
24 . The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the modulation frequency is at least 10 kHz.
25 . The apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the modulation frequency is in the range 10-1000 kHz.
26 - 28 . (canceled)
29 . The apparatus according to claim 25 , wherein the modulation frequency is in the range 80-300 kHz.
30 . (canceled)
31 . The apparatus according to any of claim 25 , wherein the carrier frequency is in the range 20 kHz-10 MHz.
32 . The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the carrier frequency is about 1.5 MHz.
33 . The apparatus according to claim 32 , wherein the intensity is in the range 50-1000 mWcm −2 .
34 . The apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein the intensity is about 150 mWcm 2 .
35 . The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the ultrasound signal is pulsed.
36 . The apparatus according to claim 35 , wherein the pulsed ultrasound signal has a duty cycle in the range 5-50%.
37 . The apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein the duty cycle is 20%.
38 - 39 . (canceled)