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Publication Number
US-11433259-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) apparatus and method for applying low energy US onto an internal tissue/organ, including a non-invasive US appliance used on a treatment region over the internal tissue/organ, and an electrical stimulation apparatus for simultaneously inducing interferential electrical stimulation. A controller controls parameters of the electrical stimulation apparatus and the US appliance, and dynamically changes at least one of the parameters, for maintaining the impedance of the body tissue in the treatment region within an impedance range. The US apparatus includes an impedance monitoring apparatus for continuously measuring, tracking, and monitoring impedance in the treatment region, wherein the controller dynamically changes at least one of the parameter in response to the impedance as monitored, for maintaining the impedance within the predefined range. The internal tissue/organ can be a female fertility organ, which can be, an ovarian follicle, a blood vessel of the uterus (womb), the ovary, the endometrial lining, and the Fallopian tube, ulcer, closed wound, internal injury, inflammation. and nerves.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasound apparatus for applying low energy US onto internal tissue or an internal tissue or organ. A non-invasive external US appliance applies low energy US energy at an US frequency and an US intensity to a treatment region over the internal tissue or organ while an electrical stimulation apparatus applies interferential electrical stimulation at the same time. The electrical stimulation apparatus uses two pairs of electrodes positioned at a crossed configuration in proximity to the internal tissue or organ to induce interferential electrical stimulation by applying a first current and a second current simultaneously via different electrode pairs.
The intersecting currents define an interference pattern of resonant waves that revolve at an interferential frequency in the treatment region. The apparatus further includes an impedance monitoring apparatus configured to continuously track and monitor the impedance of a body tissue in the treatment region. A controller controls parameters of the electrical stimulation apparatus and the US appliance and dynamically changes at least one selected parameter in response to the monitored impedance.
The controller maintains the impedance within a predefined impedance range by dynamically changing selected parameters selected from interferential frequency, interference pattern, US frequency, and US intensity. The impedance monitoring is described as using multiple sensing and measurement modalities, including electrical impedance, mechanical impedance, body temperature involvement, US diagnostics, imaging apparatus, and examples such as BIA, BIS, and EIM.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims that cover both an apparatus and a method. Both claims share a common inventive combination: simultaneous external low energy US and interferential electrical stimulation using crossed electrode pairs, with continuous impedance monitoring and dynamic parameter changes to keep impedance within a predefined impedance range.
Simultaneous external low energy ultrasound to internal tissue or organ with interferential electrical stimulation
A non-invasive external US appliance applies low energy US energy at an US frequency and an US intensity onto a treatment region over an internal tissue or organ, while an electrical stimulation apparatus applies interferential electrical stimulation concurrently using two pairs of electrodes positioned at a crossed configuration in proximity to the internal tissue or organ.
Interference pattern of resonant waves revolving at an interferential frequency
The two crossed electrode pairs apply a first current at a first electric frequency and a first electric intensity via one pair and a second current at a second electric frequency and a second electric intensity via another pair, thereby defining an interference pattern of resonant waves that revolve at an interferential frequency in the treatment region.
Continuous impedance tracking and monitoring in the treatment region
An impedance monitoring apparatus is configured to continuously track and monitor the impedance of a body tissue in the treatment region.
Dynamic parameter changing to maintain impedance within a predefined range
A controller dynamically changes at least one parameter of the electrical stimulation apparatus and the US appliance in response to the impedance monitored, maintaining the impedance within a predefined impedance range, wherein the parameters are selected from interferential frequency, interference pattern, US frequency, and US intensity.
Across the independent apparatus claim and independent method claim, the core claim coverage is the coupled system where simultaneous low energy external US and interferential electrical stimulation are applied via crossed electrode pairs, while impedance in the treatment region is continuously monitored and a controller dynamically changes selected electrical and US parameters to keep impedance within a predefined impedance range.
Stated Advantages
Maintains impedance of the body tissue in the treatment region within a predefined impedance range.
Enables dynamically changing at least one of interferential frequency, interference pattern, US frequency, and US intensity in response to monitored impedance.
Documented Applications
Treatment of internal tissues and organs including female fertility organs, including ovarian follicle, uterine blood vessel, ovary, endometrial lining, and Fallopian tube.
Treatment of ulcers, closed wounds, internal injuries, inflammation, and nerves using the described low energy US and interferential electrical stimulation arrangement.
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