Ultrasonic method and device for wound treatment

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for applying a medicament to tissue, and delivering ultrasonic energy from a non-contact distance from the tissue to the medicament and to the tissue, wherein the ultrasonic energy has intensity capable of penetrating the wound tissue to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect to the tissue, and of sonicating the medicament for causing the medicament to penetrate the tissue to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect to the tissue.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . An apparatus for treating a wound comprising:
 means for generating ultrasonic energy; and   means for 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 the means for delivering the generated ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue, wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.25 watts/cm 2 -3 watts/cm 2 , and wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) from the surface of the wound.   
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for generating includes means for generating the ultrasonic energy with a particular amplitude indicative of an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the means for generating further includes the means for generating the ultrasonic energy with a frequency capable of achieving the particular amplitude. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the particular amplitude is at least 10 microns. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the frequency is in the range of 20 kHz-5 MHz. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the frequency is in the range of 20-200 kHz. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the frequency is in the range of 20-40 kHz. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for delivering includes a radiation surface having a surface area dimensioned for achieving delivery of the ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for delivering includes a radiation surface having a rounded perimeter for achieving delivery of the ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for delivering includes a radiation surface; and a selection is made of 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. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for delivering includes a radiation surface; and a selection is made of 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 delivery of ultrasonic energy to the wound with an intensity capable of achieving a therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein a radiation surface of the means for delivering is positioned from 2.5 mm to 51 cm from the surface of the wound. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the means for delivering is driven by a constant or modulated frequency having a wave form selected from the group consisting of sinusoidal, rectangular, trapezoidal and triangular wave forms. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein the method provides a therapeutic effect selected from the group consisting of increasing blood flow to the wound and stimulating cell growth. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus for treating a wound comprising:
 an ultrasound generator;   an ultrasound transducer including a distal tip, which distal tip has a radiation surface from which ultrasonic energy is emitted for delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium from a non-contact distance of at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) from the surface of the wound in the absence of a coupling medium and without direct contact between the ultrasound transducer and the wound and other patient tissue; and   a nozzle, wherein the ultrasound transducer is interconnected to the ultrasound generator, and wherein the nozzle is attached to a portion of the ultrasound transducer to shield the distal tip.   
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.25 watts/cm 2 -3 watts/cm 2 . 
     
     
         64 . An apparatus for treating a wound comprising:
 means for generating ultrasonic energy; and   means for delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a liquid coupling medium from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound without direct contact between the means for delivering the generated ultrasonic energy and the wound and other patient tissue,   wherein the generated ultrasonic energy has an intensity in the range of about 0.25 watts/cm 2 -3 watts/cm 2 , and   wherein the non-contact distance is at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) from the surface of the wound.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the liquid coupling medium does not include a medicament. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the liquid coupling medium is a medicament selected from at least one member of the group consisting of: an antibiotic, an ointment, cream, gel, liquid, salve, oil, powder, antibacterial agent, antiseptic agent, insulin, analgesic agent, conditioner, surfactant, emollient, or other active ingredients. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein means for delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound delivers the medicament to the wound such that the medicament penetrates the wound to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect to the wound.