Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for accelerating restoration of blood flow in treatment of an acutely thrombosed coronary artery by employing real time transthoracic 3D ultrasonic volume imaging at or near the base of the heart, and/or proximate the basal aspect of the associated left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality. Ultrasonic pulses provided by 3D imaging uniquely and necessarily deliver ultrasound to a broad target volume to stimulate the coronary arteries (which are difficult to image with ultrasound, and comprise tortious three dimensional structures), in view to providing an agitative and clot disruptive effect to a hidden, culprit, thrombosed, coronary vessel. In the preferred embodiment an intravenous microbubble solution is concurrently administered with 3D ultrasound which creates a dramatic synergy in disrupting the culprit thrombosis.

Abstract: An emergency method of using localized mechanical percussion for enhancing clearance of potentially life threatening acute thrombotic arterial obstructions blocking blood flow to vital internal organs such as the heart or brain of a patient, employing the application of non-invasive localized low frequency mechanical percussion at a frequency between 1 Hz-1000 Hz and a stroke or displacement amplitude in the range of 0.1-10 mm upon a targeted external body surface deemed generally proximate such acute thrombotic arterial obstruction, whereby the percussion accelerates the emergency clearance of the acute thrombotic arterial obstruction in restoration of blood flow to the vital internal organ. Preferred methods for percussion delivery to the chest wall/upper back or head/neck of a patient are described for use in treatment of heart attack or acute ischemic stroke respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved wearable (or fastenable, or adhearable) vibration massage system directly localized, focused and engaged upon or overlying a selected target artery of a user. The vibration massage waves are advantageously derived from a “mentally stimulating”, or “cognitively meaningful” soundtrack, of preferably music, whereby a user can simultaneously listen to the soundtrack in real time, thereby providing a synchronized, harmonized tactile and auditory experience. The provided system is essentially MUSical vibration applied upon a target ARTtery—hence is hereinafter described as the “MUSART” therapy system. Various modes of application of the tactile vibratory stimulus, as well as modes for invasive delivery of acoustic stimulation directly in contact with a target artery, are presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new non-invasive method for inducing angiogenesis and more particularly coronary angiogenesis wherein an operator applies localized percussion upon the upper torso proximate an ischemic myocardial region, whereby the percussive forces penetrate to cause sheer stresses to the endothelium of the coronaries which lie thereupon, and thereby cause new coronary growth by virtue of endogenous liberation of beneficial angiogenic mediators. A pair of vibratory contacts are advantageously applied to rib-spaces to either side of the sternum (or alternatively to the upper back), where-after percussion is applied at the resonance frequency of the heart/epimyocardium at a displacement amplitude of 0.1 mm-15 mm (preferably greater than 1 mm), such as to maximize an internal oscillatory effect. The system is also adaptable for cerebral and peripheral vasculature applications. Ultrasonic imaging may optionally be utilized to direct percussive therapy.

Abstract: A vibratory attachment interface enabling transmission of oscillations generated by an oscillation source upon an external human body surface. The interface comprises a first contact node and a second contact node slideably mounted alongside the first contact node, wherein the contact nodes are each sized and shaped to enable seating within a human rib-space, and whereby upon forced engagement of the first contact node within a first rib-space, the second contact node automatically slides and conforms to the contour of a second differing rib-space thereby optimally nestling within the second rib-space. The attachment interface is for use in contoured application to preferably the anatomic left sternal border, third and fourth intercostal space, such as to enable and ensure an optimized vibratory transmission pathway from the chest wall to the base of the heart and coronary arteries thereupon.

Abstract: Preferred systems for assisting clearance of an acutely thrombosed artery substantially surrounded by boney external body surfaces which are resistant to deformative displacement relative to the thrombosed artery by the application of external percussive force are described. The method consists of applying targeted, localized, non-invasive, high infrasonic to low sonic frequency vibratory percussion with a serial impact frequency much greater than the pulse rate of a patient being treated, the percussion directed towards a remote, preferably superficial “target vessel” residing palpably close to the skin surface. Marked vessel deformations with resultant blood pressure and flow fluctuations are thereby induced by the percussion within the target vessel which propagate to the acutely thrombosed artery to provide localized agitation and turbulence to assist thrombolytic and/or IV microbubble delivery and effectiveness in facilitating reperfusion.

Abstract: A vibrator for use in enhancement of pre-hospital coronary thrombolysis comprising a vibration source operable to generate vibration at a frequency in the range of 1-1000 Hz with at least a pair of oscillatory contacts spaced to enable simultaneous seating to the anatomic left and right of the sternum (such as to match the geometry of the right and left coronary arteries) of a patient in need of coronary thrombolysis. The preferred vibrator is operable to emit vibration in the low frequency sonic range (at least 20 Hz) with an amplitude of about 1 mm-15 mm (and more preferably greater than 2 mm), such as to provide an effective transthoracic tool for acute coronary thrombolysis applications. In a variation, greater than a pair of contacts are utilized to provide oscillatory contact at differing intercostal space levels (in order to maximize vibratory penetration to the heart which is variably situated depending on the patient's anatomy).

Abstract: An emergency method of using localized mechanical percussion for enhancing clearance of potentially life threatening acute thrombotic arterial obstructions blocking blood flow to vital internal organs such as the heart or brain of a patient, comprising the step of applying non-invasive localized low frequency mechanical percussion at a frequency between 1 Hz-1000 Hz and a stroke or displacement amplitude in the range of 0.1-10 mm upon a targeted external body surface deemed generally proximate such acute thrombotic arterial obstruction, whereby said percussion accelerates the emergency clearance of the acute thrombotic arterial obstruction in restoration of blood flow to the vital internal organ. Preferred methods for percussion delivery to the chest wall/upper back or head/neck of a patient are described for use in treatment of heart attack or acute ischemic stroke respectively.

Abstract: A vibratory attachment interface enabling transmission of oscillations generated by an oscillation source upon an external human body surface. The interface comprises a first contact node and a second contact node slideably mounted alongside the first contact node, wherein the contact nodes are each sized and shaped to enable seating within a human rib-space, and whereby upon forced engagement of the first contact node within a first rib-space, the second contact node automatically slides and conforms to the contour of a second differing rib-space thereby optimally nestling within the second rib-space. The attachment interface is for use in contoured application to preferably the anatomic left sternal border, third and fourth intercostal space, such as to enable and ensure an optimized vibratory transmission pathway from the chest wall to the base of the heart and coronary arteries thereupon.

Abstract: An emergency system for treatment of a patient (20) experiencing an acute vascular obstruction, employing a non-invasive vibrator (10), optimally in conjunction with drugs, for disrupting and lysing thromboses, relieving spasm (if associated), and thereby restoring blood perfusion. Vibrator (10) is operable in the sonic to infrasonic range, with a source output of up to 15 mm. For acute myocardial infarction cases, a pair of contacts (12), are advantageously placed to bridge the sternum at the fourth intercostal space. Vibration is initiated at 50 Hz (or any frequency, preferably within the 20-120 Hz range), and is ideally adjusted to a maximal amplitude (or force) deemed tolerable and safe to the patient (20), preferably with the administration of thrombolytic agents or other form of drug therapy. A synergistic effect is achieved between vibration and drugs to facilitate the disruption of thromboses, relieve spasm, and restore blood perfusion.

Abstract: A therapeutic device and method for use thereof for treatment of blood flow disorders is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first line emergency response system for treatment of acute thrombotic and/or vasospastic vascular obstructions via the noninvasive application of low frequency vibration with at least one, and preferably a plurality of randomly administered vibratory waveform characteristics (herein after “Randomic Vibration”) is detailed. The disclosed apparatus and methods are based on the intuition that transcutaneously imparted low frequency randomic vibration can provide enhanced clot disruption and mixing of clot disruptive agents to acutely thrombosed vessels, due to the addition of mechanical chaos via non-regular, multi-vectored convection currents. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed apparatus and methods preferably utilize randomic vibration as an adjunct to systemically administered drug therapy, most preferably intravenously administered thrombolytic drug therapy.

Abstract: A non-invasive vibrator comprising a vibration source operable to generate vibration at a frequency in the range of 1-1000 Hz, and a phased array ultrasonic imaging transducer operatively connected to said vibration source, such as to enable targeting of vibration via an image generated on an ultrasonic display. The preferred vibrator is operable at a frequency greater than 20 Hz and an amplitude greater than 1 mm, such as to provide an effective, deeply penetrative transthoracic tool in remediation of blood flow disturbances within the thoracic cavity (such as acute myocardial infarction). In a variation, means for emitting a therapeutic low frequency ultrasonic waveform in concert with vibration in the range of 1-1000 Hz (wherein both waveforms are simultaneously directed by high frequency ultrasonic imaging) is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new non-invasive method for inducing angiogenesis and more particularly coronary angiogenesis wherein an operator applies localized percussion upon the upper torso proximate an ischemic myocardial region, whereby the percussive forces penetrate to cause sheer stresses to the endothelium of the coronaries which lie thereupon, and thereby cause new coronary growth by virtue of endogenous liberation of beneficial angiogenic mediators. A pair of vibratory contacts are advantageously applied to rib-spaces to either side of the sternum (or alternatively to the upper back), where-after percussion is applied at the resonance frequency of the heart/epimyocardium at a displacement amplitude of 0.1 mm-15 mm (preferably greater than 1 mm), such as to maximize an internal oscillatory effect. The system is also adaptable for cerebral and peripheral vasculature applications. Ultrasonic imaging may optionally be utilized to direct percussive therapy.

Abstract: A vibrator for use in enhancement of pre-hospital coronary thrombolysis comprising a vibration source operable to generate vibration at a frequency in the range of 1-1000 Hz with at least a pair of oscillatory contacts spaced to enable simultaneous seating to the anatomic left and right of the sternum (such as to match the geometry of the right and left coronary arteries) of a patient in need of coronary thrombolysis. The preferred vibrator is operable to emit vibration in the low frequency sonic range (at least 20 Hz) with an amplitude of about 1 mm-15 mm (and more preferably greater than 2 mm), such as to provide an effective transthoracic tool for acute coronary thrombolysis applications. In a variation, greater than a pair of contacts are utilized to provide oscillatory contact at differing intercostal space levels (in order to maximize vibratory penetration to the heart which is variably situated depending on the patient's anatomy).