Method for debriding wounds

Abstract

A method enabling relatively pain-free wound debridement is provided. The method entails double-delivering ultrasound to the wound and dissecting material to be debrided with a cutting edge. Delivering ultrasound energy via a coupling medium to an area of the wound within the vicinity of the material to be debrided and exposing the material to be debrided to ultrasound vibrations as to induce vibrations about the point of dissection, the double-delivery of ultrasound elicits an effect allowing for relatively pain-free debridement. While the effect elicited by the double-delivery is in place, the material to be debrided is dissected with a cutting edge.

1 . A method of debriding wounds comprising:
 a. delivering ultrasound energy via a coupling medium to an area of the wound within the vicinity of a material to be debrided;   b. inducing vibrations within a confined region of the material about a point of dissection; and   c. dissecting the material to be debrided with a cutting edge.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by inducing the material to vibrate by exposing the material about the point of dissection to a majority of radial ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by inducing the material to vibrate by exposing the material about the point of dissection to a majority of longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by dissecting the material with a sharpened structure that exposes the material about the point of dissection to concentrated ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising moistening the wound. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising concentrating the ultrasound energy delivered to the area of the wound in the vicinity of the material to be debrided about at least one point within the wound. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by the ultrasound energy delivered to the wound being released from a horn induced to vibrate at a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 5 MHz. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by the ultrasound energy delivered to the wound being released from a horn induced to vibrate at an amplitude between approximately 1 and 250 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by inducing the material to vibrate by exposing the material about the point of dissection to ultrasound vibrations released from a horn induced to vibrate at a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 5 MHz. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  characterized by inducing the material to vibrate by exposing the material about the point of dissection to ultrasound vibrations released from a horn induced to vibrate at an amplitude between approximately 1 and 250 microns. 
     
     
         11 . A method of debriding wounds comprising:
 a. delivering ultrasound energy via a coupling medium to an area of the wound within the vicinity of a tissue to be debrided;   b. exposing a material about a point of dissection to concentrated ultrasonic vibrations; and   c. dissecting the material to be debrided with a cutting edge.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by exposing the material about the point of dissection to a majority of concentrated radial ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by exposing the material about the point of dissection to a majority of concentrated longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising moistening the wound. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising concentrating the ultrasound energy delivered to the area of the wound in the vicinity of the material to be debrided about at least one point within the wound. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by the ultrasound energy delivered to the wound being released from a horn induced to vibrate at a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 5 MHz. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by the ultrasound energy delivered to the wound being released from a horn induced to vibrate at an amplitude between approximately 1 and 250 microns. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by exposing the material about the point of dissection to concentrated ultrasound vibrations released from a horn induced to vibrate at a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 5 MHz. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11  characterized by exposing the material about the point of dissection to concentrated ultrasound vibrations released from a horn induced to vibrate at an amplitude between approximately 1 and 250 microns. 
     
     
         20 . A method of debriding wounds comprising:
 a. delivering ultrasound energy via a coupling medium to an area of the wound within the vicinity of a tissue to be debrided;   b. concentrating the ultrasound energy delivered to the area of the wound in the vicinity of the tissue to be debrided about at least one point within the wound;   c. exposing a material about a point of dissection to ultrasonic vibrations concentrated by a sharpened structure; and   d. dissecting the material to be debrided with the sharpened structure concentrating the ultrasonic vibrations.   
     
     
         21 .- 27 . (canceled)