Acoustic stimulation for the prevention and treatment of obesity
View Patent ↗A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response includes using a wave-generating device to emit sound waves through an individual's skin and onto a target organ, and vibrating the target organ or a portion thereof at a frequency in resonance with the sound waves. The sound waves have a frequency of less than 200 Megahertz (MHz).
1. A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response to treat obesity, the method comprising:
using a handheld wave-generating device to transmit infrasound waves through air and through an individual's skin and onto an organ in a gastrointestinal tract, the handheld wave-generating device comprising
an infrasound wave generator,
a power supply, a power control, and
an infrasound wave emitting portion, and
the handheld wave-generating device being a handheld device in its entirety;
vibrating the organ or a portion thereof at a frequency in resonance with the infrasound waves; and
inducing satiety in the individual by vibrating the organ to treat obesity;
wherein the infrasound waves have a frequency of about 0.001 Hertz (Hz).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual is a human.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wave-generating device contacts the individual's skin.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wave-generating device emits the infrasound waves through a liquid and then through the individual's skin.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating mechanoreceptors, nerve cells, or a combination thereof, lining the target organ.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve after vibrating the organ.
7. A method for inducing a cellular or hormonal response, the method comprising:
using a handheld wave-generating device to transmit infrasound waves through air and through an individual's skin and onto an organ in a gastrointestinal tract, the handheld wave-generating device comprising
an infrasound wave generator,
a power supply, a power control, and
an infrasound wave emitting portion, and
the handheld wave-generating device being a handheld device in its entirety;
vibrating the organ at a frequency in resonance with the infrasound waves; and
signaling fullness in the individual by vibrating the organ to treat obesity;
wherein the infrasound waves have a frequency of about 0.001 Hertz (Hz).