Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: A vibration device 10 includes top plate assembly 12 defining cavity 27 therein that is configured and dimensioned to receive actuator plate 19 such that the actuator plate 19 is in direct contact with the top plate assembly 12. The actuator plate 19 transmits thereby a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force to the top plate assembly 12 to operate the oscillating vibration device. Vibration device 10 further includes base plate assembly 14 for the vibration device 10. The top plate assembly 12 is configured and dimensioned to be mounted on the base plate assembly 14. The base plate assembly 14 includes actuator mounting assembly 20 that is configured to receive actuator 50 generating a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force. A method of operating the oscillating vibration device 10 includes transmitting a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force to foot plate assembly 12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: Methods and systems of applying physical stimuli to tissue are disclosed. The methods can include reducing or suppressing pancreatitis in a subject by administering a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a period basis and for a time sufficient to reduce or suppress pancreatitis. The methods can include enhancing healing of damaged tissue in a subject by administering to the subject a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a periodic basis and for a time sufficient to treat the damaged tissue. The systems can include a device for generating a low magnitude, high frequency physical signal and a platform for applying the low magnitude, high frequency physical signal to the subject for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Methods and systems of applying physical stimuli to tissue are disclosed. The methods can include reducing or suppressing pancreatitis in a subject by administering a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a period basis and for a time sufficient to reduce or suppress pancreatitis. The methods can include enhancing healing of damaged tissue in a subject by administering to the subject a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a periodic basis and for a time sufficient to treat the damaged tissue. The systems can include a device for generating a low magnitude, high frequency physical signal and a platform for applying the low magnitude, high frequency physical signal to the subject for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Methods and systems of applying physical stimuli to tissue are disclosed. The methods can include reducing or suppressing pancreatitis in a subject by administering a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a period basis and for a time sufficient to reduce or suppress pancreatitis. The methods can include enhancing healing of damaged tissue in a subject by administering to the subject a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a periodic basis and for a time sufficient to treat the damaged tissue. The systems can include a device for generating a low magnitude, high frequency physical signal and a platform for applying the low magnitude, high frequency physical signal to the subject for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A vibration device 10 includes top plate assembly 12 defining cavity 27 therein that is configured and dimensioned to receive actuator plate 19 such that the actuator plate 19 is in direct contact with the top plate assembly 12. The actuator plate 19 transmits thereby a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force to the top plate assembly 12 to operate the oscillating vibration device. Vibration device 10 further includes base plate assembly 14 for the vibration device 10. The top plate assembly 12 is configured and dimensioned to be mounted on the base plate assembly 14. The base plate assembly 14 includes actuator mounting assembly 20 that is configured to receive actuator 50 generating a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force. A method of operating the oscillating vibration device 10 includes transmitting a vibration signal represented by an oscillating vibratory force to foot plate assembly 12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Abstract: We describe herein methods for applying physical stimuli to cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, in culture or in vivo. These methods can be applied in, and are expected to benefit subjects in, a great variety of circumstances that arise in the context of, for example, traumatic injury (including that induced by surgical procedures), wound healing (of the skin and other tissues), cancer therapies (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy), tissue transplantation (e.g., bone marrow transplantation), and aging. More generally, the present methods apply where patients would benefit from an increase in the number of cells (e.g., stem cells) within a given tissue and, ex vivo, where it is desirable to increase the proliferation of cells (e.g., stem cells) for scientific study, inclusion in devices bearing cells (e.g., polymer or hydrogel-based implants), and administration to patients.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for determining at least one material property of a material sample (such as a bone sample) at at least one point. The system includes a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer, both transducers being confocal transducers. The transducers are configured to receive the material sample therebetween such that the confocal point of the transducers are located at the at least one point in the material sample. A processor initiates an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducers that is transmitted trough the at least one point of the material sample when positioned between the transducers. The ultrasonic signal is received by the receiving transducing and the processor in turn receives a signal reflecting one or more measures of the received ultrasonic signal. The processor determines at least one ultrasonic parameter for the at least one point of the material sample based upon the transmitted and received ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining or improving the metabolic state of a subject, e.g., a human, are disclosed. The methods can include providing to the subject a low magnitude, high frequency mechanical signal on a periodic basis and for a time sufficient to maintain or improve the subject's metabolic state. The subject can be diagnosed as having or can be at risk of developing, an obesity-related medical condition, e.g., type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and breast cancer. The methods can include a step of identifying a suitable subject by evaluating a physiological parameter that reflects the metabolic state of the subject, e.g., visceral fat content, subcutaneous fat content, body mass index, and blood pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing therapeutic treatment using vibrational stimulation, ultrasound stimulation and electro-stimulation. The combined therapeutic treatment allows for more flexible and effective treatment of bone-loss related and other ailments and conditions by providing one or a combination of vibrational, ultrasound and/or electro-stimulation to a patient.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus for dynamic motion therapy in a weightless environment include a vibration table having a non-rigidly supported platform for generating resonant vibration and for externally transferring vibrations to the musculoskeletal system, and ankle belts or other securing means to secure a person to the vibration table. The method of providing dynamic motion therapy to a person in a weightless environment includes the steps of (a) providing a vibration table having a non-rigidly supported platform; (b) securing the person to the non-rigidly supported platform; (c) subjecting the person to resonant vibrations generated by the non-rigidly supported platform; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) during a predetermined treatment duration. The predetermined treatment duration is at least the duration of the weightless environment.

Abstract: A therapeutic device, such as an exercise device, includes the principles of osteogenic repair by incorporating a loading mechanism into the exercise device. By doing so, the therapeutic device provides an increased osteogenic effect, thereby enhancing the benefits of the therapy. As an example, a exercise device includes a support surface for supporting all or part of the bodily tissue of an individual using the device. A linear or rotary loading mechanism associated with the frame or a rotational element of the exercise device drives the support surface at a selected load and frequency, thereby inducing mechanical loading of bodily tissue adjacent to the support surface sufficiently to facilitate the growth, development, strengthening, and/or healing of bone tissue. The loading mechanism may be incorporated into any exercise device, including standard exercise devices such as rowing machines, stair climbing machines, elliptical trainers, bicycles, cross-country ski trainers, treadmills, or weight trainers.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for determining at least one material property of a material sample (such as a bone sample) at at least one point. The system includes a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer, both transducers being confocal transducers. The transducers are configured to receive the material sample therebetween such that the confocal point of the transducers are located at the at least one point in the material sample. A processor initiates an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducers that is transmitted trough the at least one point of the material sample when positioned between the transducers. The ultrasonic signal is received by the receiving transducing and the processor in turn receives a signal reflecting one or more measures of the received ultrasonic signal. The processor determines at least one ultrasonic parameter for the at least one point of the material sample based upon the transmitted and received ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: A therapeutic device, such as an exercise device, includes the principles of osteogenic repair by incorporating a loading mechanism into the exercise device. By doing so, the therapeutic device provides an increased osteogenic effect, thereby enhancing the benefits of the therapy. As an example, a exercise device includes a support surface for supporting all or part of the bodily tissue of an individual using the device. A linear or rotary loading mechanism associated with the frame or a rotational element of the exercise device drives the support surface at a selected load and frequency, thereby inducing mechanical loading of bodily tissue adjacent to the support surface sufficiently to facilitate the growth, development, strengthening, and/or healing of bone tissue. The loading mechanism may be incorporated into any exercise device, including standard exercise devices such as rowing machines, stair climbing machines, elliptical trainers, bicycles, cross-country ski trainers, treadmills, or weight trainers.