| Systems and methods for applying audible acoustic energy to increase tissue perfusion and/or vasodilation -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Systems and methods for applying audible acoustic energy to increase tissue perfusion and/or vasodilationRelated Patent Categories: Surgery: Kinesitherapy, KinesitherapyThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070244415. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/359,040 filed 5 Feb. 2003, which claims the benefit of Ser. No. 10/202,447, filed Jul. 24, 2002, entitled "Systems and Methods for Monitoring and Enabling Use of a Medical Instrument." This application also claims the benefit of Ser. No. 09/935,908, filed Aug. 23, 2001, entitled "Systems and Methods for Applying Ultrasonic Energy to the Thoracic Cavity." This application also claims the benefit of Ser. No. 09/645,662, filed Aug. 24, 2000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Enhancing Blood Perfusion Using Ultrasound Energy." FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to systems and methods for increasing blood perfusion and/or vasodilation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Vasodilation is a term that describes the increase in the internal diameter of a blood vessel that results from relaxation of smooth muscle within the wall of the vessel. Vasodilation can cause an increase in blood flow, as well as a corresponding decrease in systemic vascular resistance (i.e., reduced blood pressure). Tissue perfusion is a term that generally describes blood flow into the tissues. [0004] Vasodilation has been recognized to be beneficial in the treatment of myocardial infarction, strokes, and vascular diseases. [0005] Maintaining adequate tissue perfusion is recognized to be beneficial during any hypoperfused event, during any coronary syndrome including myocardial infarction, before, during, or after medical intervention (e.g., angioplasty, plastic and reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial surgery, vascular surgery, transplant surgery, or cardiac surgery); or before, during, or after dental procedures, or dermatological test patches and other skin challenges, or before, during, or after an exercise regime; or during wound healing. [0006] The effects of ultrasound energy upon enhanced. vasodilation and/or blood perfusion have been observed. However, the conventional use of ultrasound energy in medicine for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes typically has involved the application of ultrasound energy at frequency ranges--e.g., about 2 MHz to 40 MHz for diagnostic purposes (ultrasound imaging), and about 1 MHz to 3 MHz (physiotherapy or diathermy devices)--and/or with attendant exposure times, that can induce thermal effects due to tissue absorption of ultrasound energy. These thermal mechanisms caused by tissue absorption of ultrasound energy can lead to substantial deep heating of tissue. Often, in typically conventional ultrasound modalities, the thermal mechanisms due to absorption of ultrasound energy in tissue can be intended and beneficial, or at least not detrimental. However, when the principal purpose of the therapy is to create vasodilation and/or sustain adequate tissue perfusion in instances where the body is undergoing, or is about to undergo, or has undergone an event that is or has the potential for challenging patient well being, unintended substantial deep tissue heating effects or other unnecessary physiologic challenges to body tissue or organs should be avoided. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The invention provides systems and methods for applying audible acoustic energy to affect vasodilation and/or an increase in tissue perfusion. The desired physiologic effects can be achieved without substantial deep heating of tissue. [0008] Other features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following specification and attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for transcutaneously applying audible acoustic energy to affect vasodilation and/or increased blood perfusion. [0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of an audible acoustic energy applicator that forms a part of the system shown in FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged assembled perspective view of the audible acoustic energy applicator shown in FIG. 2. [0012] FIG. 4 is a side section view of the acoustic contact area of the audible acoustic energy applicator shown in FIG. 2. [0013] FIG. 5 is a view of the applicator shown in FIG. 2 held by a stabilization assembly in a secure position overlaying the sternum of a patient, to transcutaneously direct acoustic energy, e.g., toward the heart. [0014] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, with portions broken away and in section, of an acoustic stack that can be incorporated into the applicator shown in FIG. 2. [0015] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, with portions broken away and in section, of an acoustic stack that can be incorporated into the applicator shown in FIG. 2. [0016] FIG. 8a to 8c graphically depict the technical features of a frequency tuning function that the system shown in FIG. 1 can incorporate. [0017] FIG. 9 graphically depicts the technical features of a power ramping function that the system shown in FIG. 1 can incorporate. [0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a controller that the system shown in FIG. 1 can incorporate, which includes a frequency selection and tuning function, a power ramping function, and an output power control function. [0019] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a use register chip that forms a part of the use monitoring function shown in FIG. 10. Continue reading... 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