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: 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: 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.