Method for imporoving kidney function with extracorporeal shockwaves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for treating the kidney with extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner and in particular, to such a method for the treatment of the nephrons about the glomerulus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving renal function by applying a noninvasive, nondestructive, extracorporeal shockwave treatment protocol to at least one kidney structure, wherein said shockwave has shockwave parameters of a frequency of about 2 Hz and energy density of about 0.02 to 0.18 mJ/mm 2 . 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treatment is applied to a renal structure selected from the group consisting of nephron, glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, tubules, medulla, renal artery, renal vein, renal pelvis, papilla, adrenal glands, adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla, phrenic arteries, and adrenal vein, neural tissue directly or indirectly innervating the kidney and renal structures, kidney neural system including renal sympathetic and renal para-sympathetic nerves, renal sympathetic nerves that lie within and immediately adjacent to the wall of the renal arteries. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said treatment is directed at the glomerulus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  adapted for applying treatment to renal artery. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treatment is dispersed about a plurality of treatment zones. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  comprising from about 5 and up to about 15 treatment zones. 
     
     
         7 . The treatment of  claim 1  wherein said treatment is applied to a subject in a position selected from the group consisting of lateral, prone and supine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment reduces renal infiltration by macrophages, renal infiltration by lymphocytes, decreased expression of MCP 1 and decreased expression of CD3 mRNA, reduced Resistive Index, restored blood flow velocity in interlobular renal arteries. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a total of 2400 shockwave are delivered to said kidney structure, with a treatment energy density of about 0.02 to about 0.18 mJ/mm 2 ; at a frequency of about 2 Hz. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said treatment is dispersed about a plurality of treatment zones, wherein each treatment zone is provided with at least 100 shockwaves. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  provided for inducing regulatory factors selected from the group consisting of: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), angiopoietins (Ang), platelet-derived growth factor, angiogenin, angiotropin, hepatocyte growth factor, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule, angiostatin, endostatin, thrombospondin, CXC chemokines, Nitric oxide synthesis, NFkapaB activation, TNF-alpha mRNA expression, increase blood flow in treatment area, decreases the expression of MCP 1, decrease expression of CD3 mRNA, and pigment epithelium 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  provided for the treatment of any one of the following renal dysfunction, chronic kidney disease (CKD) at any stage, Renal Insufficiency, proteinuria, diabetic nephropathy on glomerulus, vascular lesions, glomerulus calcification, tubulo-interstitial lesions, reduced blood flow in the interlobular renal arteries and renal artery stenosis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  provided for the reduction of the blood pressure of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  provided for the reduction of intra- glomerular hypertension. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  provided for maintain kidney function and/or improve kidney function and/or conditions associated with the kidney and/or renal structures and/or reduce kidney degradation, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or hypertension. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  provided to affect neural function or neural activity associated with said kidney structures. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said affects are selected from the group consisting of: regenerating neural tissue, normalization of neural function, normalization of neural activity, modification of neural function, modification of neural activity, regulating neural activity, regulating neural function, inhibiting neural activity, inhibiting neural function, promoting neural activity, promoting neural function, any combination thereof.