Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention are directed to surgically non-invasively treating skeleto/muscular injuries or of diagnosing bone fractures, involving application of two components of ultrasonic energy, to an external surface of living tissue, wherein the two components are of different frequencies in the range between 10 kHz and 4 MHz, and wherein separate transducers, each uniquely supplied with an excitation signal at a different one of the same two frequencies, are directionally disposed for acoustic propagation on the same directional axis.

Abstract: An elongate tool bit is disclosed for ultrasonic excitation to remove plastics cement around a prosthetic implant in bone, as in a hip-joint replacement procedure. The tool bit features a stem portion with a distal-end claw formation, in the nature of a proximally open cup, having a convexly rounded distal end, with longitudinal apertures that provide through-passage for proximally directed flow of melted plastic. When the claw formation is driven via longitudinal vibration of the stem, cement melts at and near the convex distal end of the claw formation, and melted plastic passes through the apertures in the proximal direction to accumulate within and proximally of the claw formation.

Abstract: A relatively massive annular body is driven in radial-mode resonant oscillation by an ultrasonic driver that is fixed to the periphery of the annular body, with the axis of its ultrasonic drive oriented for intersection with the central axis of the annular body. A selected chucking device within the bore of the annular body is adapted to engage part of a prosthetic device, to which the resonant oscillation is imparted, for melting bone cement and for severing bony ingrowth into the prosthetic, thus permitting immediate retraction of the prosthetic from its pre-existing implantation in a living bone.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a piezoelectric vibrator adapted to generate ultrasonic energy which is transmitted through an output section 1 to a plastics head 6. The shape of the head 6 may be varied to suit whichever part of a body on which it is to be used. The material and shape of the head 6 is chosen to allow accurate control of frequency and amplitude of the ultrasonic energy. The preferred ultrasonic frequency is in the range of 20-120 kHz.

Abstract: A relatively massive annular body is driven in radial-mode resonant oscillation by an ultrasonic driver that is fixed to the periphery of the annular body, with the axis of its ultrasonic drive oriented for intersection with the central axis of the annular body. A selected chucking device within the bore of the annular body is adapted to engage part of a prosthetic device, to which the resonant oscillation is imparted, for melting bone cement and for severing bony ingrowth into the prosthetic, thus permitting immediate retraction of the prosthetic from its pre-existing implantation in a living bone.