Abstract: A portable therapeutic device and method of use generate longitudinally propagating ultrasound and shear waves generated by such longitudinally propagating ultrasound to provide effective healing of wounds. A transducer having an operative surface is disposed substantially adjacent to the wound to emit ultrasound to propagate in the direction of the wound to promote healing. Reflections of the ultrasound by bone tissue, by skin layers, or by internally disposed reflective media propagate toward the wound as longitudinal waves, with shear waves generated by the longitudinal waves for the healing of the wound. A focusing element is used for focusing the propagation of the ultrasound at a predetermined angle toward the wound. The operative surface of the transducer may be annularly shaped to encircle the wound to convey the ultrasound and/or reflected ultrasound thereto.

Abstract: A portable therapeutic device and method of use generate longitudinally propagating ultrasound and shear waves generated by such longitudinally propagating ultrasound to provide effective healing of wounds. A transducer having an operative surface is disposed substantially adjacent to the wound to emit ultrasound to propagate in the direction of the wound to promote healing. Reflections of the ultrasound by bone tissue, by skin layers, or by internally disposed reflective media propagate toward the wound as longitudinal waves, with shear waves generated by the longitudinal waves for the healing of the wound. A focusing element is used for focusing the propagation of the ultrasound at a predetermined angle toward the wound. The operative surface of the transducer may be annularly shaped to encircle the wound to convey the ultrasound and/or reflected ultrasound thereto.

Abstract: A portable therapeutic device and method of use generate longitudinally propagating ultrasound and shear waves generated by such longitudinally propagating ultrasound to provide effective healing of wounds. A transducer having an operative surface is disposed substantially adjacent to the wound to emit ultrasound to propagate in the direction of the wound to promote healing. Reflections of the ultrasound by bone tissue, by skin layers, or by internally disposed reflective media propagate toward the wound as longitudinal waves, with shear waves generated by the longitudinal waves for the healing of the wound. A focusing element is used for focusing the propagation of the ultrasound at a predetermined angle toward the wound. The operative surface of the transducer may be annularly shaped to encircle the wound to convey the ultrasound and/or reflected ultrasound thereto.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for therapeutically treating injuries using ultrasound. The apparatus includes an ergonomically constructed ultrasonic transducer treatment head module and a portable, ergonomically constructed main operating unit. The transducer treatment head module is positioned adjacent the area of the injury and excited for a predetermined period of time. The apparatus includes means for positioning and holding the treatment head module adjacent positions on the torso of the body, such as the clavicle, the pelvis, the hip and the spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for locating an internal injury. The apparatus includes a marker that is temporarily positionable at an external location adjacent the internal injury. The marker is formed of a material that is visible on an X-ray, magnetic resonance image, ultrasonic image, or other device for imaging the internal injury. The method includes the steps of positioning a marker at an external location adjacent an internal injury, simultaneously visualizing the marker and the internal injury, and marking an approximate external location corresponding to the internal injury. Where X-rays are used for simultaneously visualizing the marker and the internal injury, the X-ray is used to map the approximate external location corresponding to the internal injury.

Abstract: Bony ingrowth adjacent a surface of a prosthetic device is provided by positioning an emitting surface of an ultrasonic applicator adjacent a skin location corresponding to an interface between bone tissue and an artificial prosthetic device located inside the body. Ultrasound is created and transmitted from the emitting surface into the body at the skin location toward at least a portion of the interface. The ultrasound is modulated to induce shear waves of acoustic energy within the bone adjacent the portion of the interface. The shear waves promote bony ingrowth at the portion of the interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing and using a gel containment structure with an ultrasonic delivery system. The apparatus includes a special bladder, pad or other enclosure means for positioning adjacent the transmitting surface so that the coupling gel is retained adjacent the transmitting surface. The method for delivering ultrasonic energy includes enclosing coupling gel at the transmitting surface, positioning the enclosed coupling gel against the skin or other external location corresponding to the internal injury, and directing ultrasonic waves emitted at the transmitting surface through the enclosed conducting gel to the skin location corresponding to the internal injury.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for therapeutically treating injuries using ultrasound. The apparatus includes an ergonomically constructed ultrasonic transducer treatment head module partially fabricated with a conductive plastic material. The apparatus also utilizes a portable, ergonomically constructed main operating unit constructed to fit within a pouch worn by the patient. In operation, the transducer treatment head module is positioned adjacent the area of the injury and excited for a predetermined period of time. To ensure that the transducer treatment head module is properly positioned, and to insure compliance with a treatment protocol, a safety interlock is provided to prevent inadvertent excitation of the transducer.

Abstract: A transducer for non-invasive transcutaneous transmission of pulsed ultrahigh-frequency acoustic radiation, in body tissue and/or fluids adjacent a bone fracture is "on target" when a fraction of the propagated energy within the longitudinal-response lobe of the transducer encounters a crack or other open feature of the fracture, where a gap or space exists between closely spaced fracture walls. The ultrahigh-frequency acoustic radiation sees this "on target" feature as the entrance to a waveguide, whereby pulsed ultrahigh-frequency acoustic radiation is guided within the crack. When this acoustic radiation encounters a gap of at least a quarter wavelength (at the ultrahigh frequency), a standing wave condition establishes itself, with dissipation of the ultrahigh frequency and with demodulation to establish a therapeutically beneficial low-frequency acoustic condition, within the fracture, and acting where most needed, namely, on and between wall regions of adjacent fragments of the broken bone.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an improved strap or bandage mounting of a socket element for removably engaged coupling of an ultrasonic transducer element to an afflicted limb. In a preferred embodiment, a radially flanged annular socket element is formed with outward lugs at axial offset from the flange, for preliminary assembly to a length of bandage material which has been cut to provide an opening for registration with the bore of the socket element, with the flange surrounding the opening and against one side of the bandage, while the outward lugs engage the other side of the bandage and also assure the desired registration.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an improved body-applicator unit forming a component of an ultrasonic bone-therapy system exemplified by the disclosure of copending patent application Ser. No. 247,105, filed Sep. 14, 1988 now. U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,965. The improvement features transducer suspension from the rest of the applicator unit via a molded sylphon-bellows element of softly compliant elastomeric material, wherein the transducer is a flat disc, retained as the outer closure wall of the elastomeric bellows, in such manner as to be surrounded by a flexible gel-retaining circumferential lip formation of the bellows.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an ultrasonic body treatment system wherein a body applicator is self-contained unit with its own radio-frequency oscillator/driver, factory-pretuned to its own transducer. A remote-control unit supplies control signals via optical coupling to the oscillator-driver of the body-applicator unit. Another optical coupling from the body-applicator unit to the remote-control unit enables fidelity of applicator performance to be monitored at the remote-control unit. A safety interlock at the body-applicator unit precludes transducer operation in the absence of adequate coupling to a patient's body. The remote-control unit can thus provide all supervisory and control functions for the body-applicator unit without any electrical interconnection between these units.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cast-embedable coil structure which includes a single connector fitting, designed for exposure externally of a completed cast and for removable mounting and electrical connection to a self-contained light-weight rechargeable portable signal-generator unit. The signal-generator unit is mounted to the cast only for periods of therapeutic treatment, and it is removably mounted to a less-portable charging unit in intervals between periods of therapeutic treatment. The same connector fitting on the generator unit (a) establishes all necessary electrical connections for therapy when mounted to the cast fitting and (b) establishes all necessary electrical connections for recharging when mounted to the charging unit. Various automatic and display functions are provided in the signal-generator unit and in the charging unit.

Abstract: The invention contemplates integration of electrical componentry into an orthopedic cast, using one or more multiple-twin coils which are essentially flat and thin and flexibly conformable to local curvature of the limb or other body feature to be subjected to electromagnetic therapy. The coil or coils structure is devised for self-retention to the afflicted part of the body, for at least such time as is needed by the orthopedic surgeon to apply a supporting cast to the afflicted region, the coil or coils being a rigid ultimately expendible part of the cast. Provision is made for rigid cast support of an externally accessible electrical connector for excitation of the coil or coils with electrical signals having therapeutically beneficial coupling to the afflicted region, via induction from magnetic-field radiation by the coil or coils.