Patents Assigned to Sonex International Corporation
  • Patent number: 5618275
    Abstract: Low frequency ultrasonic pressure waves of high intensity are applied to the skin to cause cavitation. A therapeutic agent may be applied to the skin in a predetermined amount prior to the application of the pressure waves. The therapeutic agent may also be applied to the skin subsequent to the application of the pressure waves. Ultrasonic pressure waves of high frequency which do not cause cavitation may be applied to the skin after delivery of a therapeutic agent. The depth of penetration of the agent may be controlled by varying the burst width of electrical signals applied to a piezoelectric transducer. A housing surrounds the transducer and a sleeve may be provided to define with the housing a predetermined controlled volume chamber for holding a measured amount of agent. An ultrasonic power supply includes means for generating both low and high ultrasonic frequency electric signals, and a switch alternatively connects the high and low frequency signals to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 5546624
    Abstract: An improved therapeutic ultrasonic toothbrush for daily removal of soft plaque, disruption of the bacterial colonization process within the gingival pockets, the reduction of the recurrence of aphthous stomatitis, and for the acceleration of the healing of the sores of the oral cavity. The device includes a handle constructed of a rigid material, a battery pack, an electronics driving module, a piezoelectric member, and a removable brush head. The piezoelectric crystal resonates, expands and contracts volumetrically, in tune with the frequency supplied by the electronics driving module and thereby converts the electronic energy into sound-wave energy. The sound waves loosen up the bound between the bacterial plaque and the teeth and disrupt the bacterial colonization process within the periodontal pockets and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Ultrasonic emission from the back side of the brush accelerates healing of sores of the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 5496256
    Abstract: Non-invasive apparatus for accelerating the process of jawbone healing and regeneration, reattachment of traumatically loosened teeth to the jawbone, or osseointegration of implants in a patient, including at least one piezoelectric transducer and connections to transmit ultrasonic frequency electrical current to the piezoelectric transducer. The ultrasonic frequency electrical current transmitted to the piezoelectric transducer causes the transducer to contract and expand volumetrically in response to a changing electrical field to generate pressure wave vibrations of ultrasonic frequency that are coupled to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Bock, John P. DeLuca
  • Patent number: 5369831
    Abstract: A removable brush-head for an ultrasonic toothbrush for daily dental hygiene purposes, including a plurality of bristle clusters, a substantially tubular body constructed of a flexible material and tensioning means securing the brush-head to the ultrasonic device, providing for the efficient transmission of ultrasonic frequency vibrations from the device via the brush-head to the teeth and gums and oral tissue of the user to loosen and remove soft plaque therefrom and to treat oral lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 5138733
    Abstract: An ultrasonic toothbrush for daily removal of soft plaque including a handle constructed of a rigid material, a battery pack, an electronics driving module, a piezoelectric member, and a removable brush-head. The low voltage DC energy supplied by the battery pack is converted to an ultrasonic frequency DC current by the electronics driving module. The piezoelectric crystal resonates, expands and contracts volumetrically, in the tune with the frequency supplied by the electronics driving module and thereby converts the electronic energy into sound-wave energy. The sound-waves driving the dentifrices in the mouth of the user against the teeth causing mild cavitation within the dentifrices at the junction with the teeth, resulting in a loosening effect on the soft plaque on the surface of the teeth and in the periodontal pockets formed in the gums around the neck of the teeth. The loosened soft plaque is then dislodged by the bristle clusters of the toothbrush by the normal brushing movements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 3989889
    Abstract: A digital dissolver dissolves between two different video signals in synchronism with a composite sync signal. Frame pulses are separated from the composite sync signal and are used to generate a high frequency signal in phase locked relation with the frame pulses. The high frequency signal is fed to a programmable frequency divider under the control of gating and control circuitry to provide an output pulse in response to each occurrence of a selected number of cycles of the high frequency signal, the selected number being a function of the selected dissolve rate programmed into the divider by thumbwheel switches or by signals from a remote location. The pulses are fed to a binary counter which feeds a digital to analog converter to generate a dissolve signal of generally ramp-like waveform. The dissolve signal and its complement are applied to a pair of multipliers to attenuate the two different video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Mendrala
  • Patent number: D422707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sonex International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock