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Publication Number
US-9345909-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for facilitating the healing of a skin ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, on a treatment region of a body. Ultrasound waves are transmitted to the treatment region. Interferential electrical stimulation is applied to the treatment region, simultaneously with the ultrasound transmission. The treatment region may be massaged with a massaging device during the treatment session. A gel may be applied onto the treatment region to facilitate the ultrasound transmission and electrical stimulation. A measurement system may be used to obtain accurate measurements of the skin ulcer, to provide a quantitative determination of the healing progression.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system and method for facilitating healing of a skin ulcer on a treatment region of a body. The method includes measuring size of the skin ulcer, applying a gel to the skin at the treatment region, transmitting ultrasound waves to the treatment region, and applying interferential electrical stimulation through electrodes positioned onto the skin in proximity to the skin ulcer.
Interferential electrical stimulation is applied simultaneously with transmission of the ultrasound waves. The treatment region is massaged simultaneously with transmitting ultrasound waves and applying interferential electrical stimulation, and the approach is directed to improving treatment of skin ulcers such as diabetic ulcers and decubitus ulcers by combining these modalities in the same treatment period.
The disclosed system further includes quantifying ulcer healing progression using a measurement system with a camera and a reference measurement ruler. Surface area of a skin ulcer bed and a peripheral skin ulcer region are quantified by calculating surface areas across sessions, and the description further explains synergistic effects on microcirculation and tissue processes associated with the simultaneous treatment.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent method claim, with dependent claims refining ulcer measurement, quantified healing progression, ultrasound operating constraints, stimulation frequency variation patterns, and an exclusion related to vacuum or suction. The independent claim contains the core combination of gel application, ultrasound transmission, electrode-based interferential electrical stimulation applied simultaneously, and massage performed simultaneously.
Simultaneous ultrasound and interferential electrical stimulation for ulcer healing
A method for facilitating healing of a skin ulcer by transmitting ultrasound waves to a treatment region and applying interferential electrical stimulation through electrodes positioned on the skin at the treatment region in proximity to the skin ulcer simultaneously with transmission of the ultrasound waves.
Gel application, electrode positioning, and concurrent massage
The method includes applying a gel onto the skin at the treatment region and positioning electrodes of an electrical stimulation apparatus onto the skin at the treatment region in proximity to the skin ulcer, while massaging the treatment region simultaneously with transmitting ultrasound waves and applying interferential electrical stimulation.
Ruler-based imaging measurement of ulcer surface areas
Measuring size of the skin ulcer comprises placing a reference measurement ruler adjacent the ulcer, imaging the ulcer with the ruler, and calculating surface area of the skin ulcer bed and skin ulcer region using a comparative reference scale derived from the ruler.
Across-session quantification of healing progression
Healing progression is quantified by measuring surface area of the skin ulcer bed and the skin ulcer region before each treatment session and comparing those measurements across successive treatment sessions.
Ultrasound operating frequency and intensity constraints
Ultrasound waves are transmitted with an operating frequency between 1 and 3 MHz and an operating intensity between 1.5 and 2.1 W/cm2.
Predetermined interferential stimulation frequency-change pattern during a session
The operating frequency of the interferential electrical stimulation is varied during a treatment session according to a predetermined pattern selected from applying a first frequency for a fixed amount of time before switching to a second frequency, gradually changing frequencies from a first frequency to a second frequency over various durations of time, or intermittently applying extreme frequencies within a frequency range.
Exclusion of vacuum or suction
The method does not comprise applying a vacuum or suction.
Overall, the claim set centers on facilitating skin-ulcer healing by simultaneously transmitting ultrasound waves and applying interferential electrical stimulation via electrodes near the ulcer, while gel application and concurrent massage are performed, with additional claim coverage for ruler-based ulcer surface-area measurement, quantified across-session healing progression, ultrasound operating ranges, predetermined interferential stimulation frequency variation patterns, and exclusion of vacuum or suction.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates healing of a skin ulcer by combining ultrasound waves and interferential electrical stimulation simultaneously at the treatment region.
Quantifies healing progression by measuring surface area of the ulcer bed and the peripheral or ulcer region across successive treatment sessions.
Improves treatment by performing massaging simultaneously with ultrasound transmission and interferential electrical stimulation.
Documented Applications
Facilitating healing of skin ulcers, including diabetic ulcers and decubitus ulcers, on a treatment region of a body.
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