Methods for Using Resonant Acoustic and/or Resonant Acousto-EM Energy to Detect And/Or Effect Structures

Abstract

The present invention makes use of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy applied to inorganic or biologic structures for the detection and/or identification, and for augmentation and/or disruption of function within the biologic structure. In particular, the invention provides a method of generating resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy in biologic structures such as virus, bacteria, fungi, worms and tumors for the detection and disruption of these structures. Moreover, the invention provides a method of augmenting functions of biologic structures such as bone through the generation of resonant acoustic and/or acousto-EM energy in the structure. Systems are also provided for the generation and detection of resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy.

1 . A method for detecting a biologic structure comprising utilizing acousto-EM spectroscopy. 
     
     
         2 . A method for detecting a biologic structure comprising:
 a) inducing acoustic resonance in the structure; and   b) detecting at least one electromagnetic energy pattern of the structure.   
     
     
         3 . A method for detecting a biologic structure comprising:
 a) inducing acoustic resonance in the structure with resonant acousto-EM energy; and   b) detecting at least one acoustic signature of the structure.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising comparing said detected at least one electromagnetic energy pattern of the structure with at least one reference signature. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising comparing said detected at least one acoustic signature of the structure with at least one reference signature. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one electromagnetic energy pattern comprises at least one acousto-EM signature which is produced by at least one source selected from the group of sources consisting of acoustic energy and electromagnetic (EM) properties and/or fields. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein acoustic resonance is induced by utilizing at least one energy selected from the group consisting of acoustic energy including at least one resonant acoustic frequency of the structure, electromagnetic energy which is substantially equivalent to at least one resonant acoustic frequency of the structure, electromagnetic energy which is substantially equivalent to at least a portion of at least one acousto-EM signature of the structure and electromagnetic energy which is substantially equivalent to at least one substantially complete acousto-EM signature of the structure. 
     
     
         8 . A system for identifying a structure by determining at least one resonant acoustic signature of the structure comprising:
 a) electromagnetic means for inducing acoustic resonance in the structure;   b) means for detecting at least one acoustic signature of the structure; and   c) means for comparing said at least one detected acoustic signature of the structure with at least one reference acoustic signature of the structure.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a means for detecting at least one acousto-EM signature of the structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said structure comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of inorganic and biologic structures. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said biologic structure comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of virus, bacteria, fungi, tissue masses, worms, arthropods, chitins, plants, animals, microorganisms, multicellular organisms, protozoa, liver, muscle, feet, brain, kidney, spleen, blood, lung, lens of eye, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, animal cell, plant cell, proteins, molecules, cell wall, capsule, spore, pili, plasma membrane, organ, portions of structures, components of structures flagellum, crytoplasmic inclusion body, basal body, parasite, appendages, skin, shell, egg, cement/cement plate, bone, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, glycolipids, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, endotoxins, exotoxins, proteases and ligands for host cell receptors and organic ions and molecules. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said biologic structure comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of virus, bacteria, fungi, tissue masses, worms, arthropods, chitins, plants, animals, microorganisms, multicellular organisms, protozoa, liver, muscle, feet, brain, kidney, spleen, blood, lung, lens of eye, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, animal cell, plant cell, proteins, molecules, cell wall, capsule, spore, pili, plasma membrane, organ, portions of structures, components of structures flagellum, crytoplasmic inclusion body, basal body, parasite, appendages, skin, shell, egg, cement/cement plate, bone, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, glycolipids, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, endotoxins, exotoxins, proteases and ligands for host cell receptors and organic ions and molecules. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said means for inducing acoustic resonance in the structure includes at least one signal generating device and at least one transducer. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein placement of said at least one transducer comprises at least one location selected from the group consisting of on the bottom of a vessel, on the walls of a vessel, in a vessel, intravascularly in a biologic structure, extracorporeally of a biologic structure, in vivo, in vitro, in a hand held probe, a piezoelectric sheet, in a remote control unit and in a scalpel tip. 
     
     
         15 . A system for identifying a structure by determining at least one acousto-EM signature of the structure comprising:
 a) means for inducing acoustic resonance in the structure;   b) means for detecting said at least one acousto-EM signature of the structure.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said biologic structure comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of virus, bacteria, fungi, tissue masses, worms, arthropods, chitins, plants, animals, microorganisms, multicellular organisms, protozoa, liver, muscle, feet, brain, kidney, spleen, blood, lung, lens of eye, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, animal cell, plant cell, proteins, molecules, cell wall, capsule, spore, pili, plasma membrane, organ, portions of structures, components of structures flagellum, crytoplasmic inclusion body, basal body, parasite, appendages, skin, shell, egg, cement/cement plate, bone, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, glycolipids, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, endotoxins, exotoxins, proteases and ligands for host cell receptors and organic ions and molecules.