Ultrasonic method and device for wound treatment
An apparatus and method are provided for generating ultrasonic energy from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium. The generated ultrasonic energy has a significantly large amplitude such that the ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of penetrating the wound tissue to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time for the wound.
1. A method for treating a wound comprising the steps of:
generating ultrasonic energy having a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to less than 50 kHz; and
delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound in the absence of a coupling medium and without direct contact between an apparatus for generating and delivering ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.1 watts/cm 2 to about 3 watts/cm 2 , and wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 mm from the surface of the wound.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the generating step includes generating the ultrasonic energy with a particular amplitude indicative of an intensity capable of penetrating the wound to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time for the wound.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the generating step further includes the step of generating the ultrasonic energy with a frequency capable of achieving the particular amplitude.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the frequency is in the range of about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz.
5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the particular amplitude is at least 3 microns.
6. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the particular amplitude is at least 10 microns.
7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the particular amplitude is at least 35 microns.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the particular amplitude is at least 61 microns.
9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a transducer for delivering the ultrasonic energy, said transducer having a radiation surface with a surface area dimensioned for achieving delivery of the ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the radiation surface is positioned from about 2.5 mm to about 51 cm from the surface of the wound.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a transducer for delivering the ultrasonic energy, said transducer having a radiation surface with a rounded perimeter for achieving delivery of the ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect.
12. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a transducer for delivering the ultrasonic energy having a radiation surface; and
selecting at least one of a size of a surface area of the radiation surface, a shape of a peripheral boundary of the radiation surface, a frequency of the generated ultrasonic energy, and an amplitude of the generated ultrasonic energy for achieving delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a transducer for delivering the ultrasonic energy having a radiation surface; and
selecting a combination of a size of a surface area of the radiation surface, a shape of a peripheral boundary of the radiation surface, a shape of the curvature of the radiation surface selected from one of flat, concave, convex and a combination thereof, a frequency of the generated ultrasonic energy, and an amplitude of the generated ultrasonic energy for achieving a therapeutic effect.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the generating step includes the steps of generating the ultrasonic energy with a constant or modulated frequency having a wave form selected from the group consisting of sinusoidal, rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular wave forms.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method provides a therapeutic effect selected from the group consisting of increasing blood flow to the wound and stimulating cell growth.
16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the gaseous medium includes a substantial expanse of a substantially purely gaseous medium.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the non-contact distance is about 2.5 mm to 51 cm from the surface of the wound.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency is in the range of from about 30 to less than 50 kHz.
19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency is about 40 kHz.
20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wound is an open wound.
21. A method for treating a wound comprising the steps of:
generating ultrasonic energy having a particular amplitude and having a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to less than 50 kHz; and
delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound and without direct contact between an apparatus for generating and delivering ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue, wherein the gaseous medium does not include a liquid spray or other coupling medium, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.1 watts/cm 2 to about 3 watts/cm 2 , wherein the particular amplitude is indicative of said intensity, and wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 mm from the surface of the wound.
22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the wound is an open wound.
23. A method for treating a wound comprising the steps of:
generating ultrasonic energy having a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to less than 50 kHz; and
delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound and without direct contact between an apparatus for generating and delivering ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue, wherein the gaseous medium does not include a liquid spray or other coupling medium, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of penetrating the wound to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time for the wound, wherein the frequency is capable of achieving a particular amplitude indicative of an intensity in the range of about 0.1 watts/cm 2 to about 3 watts/cm 2 , and wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 mm from the surface of the wound.
24. A method for treating a wound comprising the steps of:
generating ultrasonic energy having an amplitude of at least 3 microns and having a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to less than 50 kHz; and
delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound and without direct contact between an apparatus for generating and delivering ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue, wherein the gaseous medium does not include a liquid spray or other coupling medium, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.1 watts/cm 2 to about 3 watts/cm 2 , and wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 mm from the surface of the wound.
25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the ultrasonic energy has an amplitude of at least 10 microns.