System and method for providing therapeutic treatment using a combination of ultrasound and vibrational stimulation

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for providing therapeutic treatment using a combination of ultrasound and vibrational stimulation. The system includes a first therapeutic treatment system or Dynamic Motion Therapy system having a vibrational assembly having a non-rigidly supported platform for generating resonant vibrations. The system further includes a second therapeutic treatment system configured to operate either alone or in conjunction with the first therapeutic treatment system. The second therapeutic treatment system includes an ultrasound transducer assembly which generates ultrasonic waves. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic waves are modulated by the resonant vibrations. One method includes: a) applying vibrational stimulation to a patient's body; and b) simultaneously or non-simultaneously applying an ultrasonic stimulation to the patient's body during a treatment session.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for providing combined vibrational and ultrasound stimulation in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for providing combined vibrational and ultrasound stimulation in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ultrasound transducer assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is an alternative, partial perspective view of an ultrasound transducer assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system having at least two therapeutic systems for providing therapeutic treatment, said system comprising: a first therapeutic treatment system comprising a vibrational assembly having a non-rigidly supported platform for generating resonant vibrations; anda second therapeutic treatment system configured to operate either alone or in conjunction with said first therapeutic treatment system during a treatment session.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein ultrasonic waves generated by said second therapeutic treatment system are modulated by said resonant vibrations.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller in operative communication with said first and second therapeutic treatment systems.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said second therapeutic treatment system comprises an ultrasound transducer assembly.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said controller operates said first therapeutic treatment system simultaneously with said second therapeutic treatment system for at least a portion of a treatment session.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said controller operates said first therapeutic treatment system at different times than said second therapeutic treatment system for at least a portion of a treatment session.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said treatment session is at least 10 minutes per day.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said resonant vibrations have a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 10 kHz.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic waves have a frequency in the range of 1-3 MHz.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein an operating parameter of the first therapeutic treatment system changes in accordance with a change in an operating parameter of the second therapeutic treatment system.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein said ultrasound transducer assembly includes a motion sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said motion sensor is one of an accelerometer and a gravitational switch.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said second therapeutic treatment system is activated by motion caused by said first therapeutic treatment system and sensed by a motion sensor of said second therapeutic treatment system.

14. A system for providing therapeutic treatment, said system comprising: a first therapeutic treatment system, comprising: a supporting base; anda vibrational assembly having a non-rigidly supported platform for generating resonant vibrations;a second therapeutic treatment system configured to operate either alone or in conjunction with said first therapeutic treatment system, said second therapeutic treatment system having an ultrasound transducer assembly for generating ultrasonic waves; anda controller in operative communication with said first therapeutic treatment system and said second therapeutic treatment system for controlling the operation thereof.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said ultrasonic waves are modulated by said resonant vibrations.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said resonant vibrations have a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 10 kHz and said ultrasonic waves have a frequency in the range of 1-3 MHz.

17. A method for providing combined vibrational and ultrasound therapeutic treatment, said method comprising: applying vibrational stimulation to a first body region using resonant vibrations; andapplying ultrasound stimulation to a second body region different than the first body region using ultrasonic waves.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of modulating the ultrasonic waves by said resonant vibrations.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of monitoring patient response to said applied vibrational and ultrasound stimulations.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step adjusting one of at least one operational parameter of a first therapeutic treatment system performing the step of applying vibrational stimulation and at least one operational parameter of a second therapeutic treatment system performing the step of applying ultrasound stimulation in accordance with said monitored patient response.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said resonant vibrations have a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 10 kHz and the ultrasonic waves have a frequency in the range of 1-3 MHz.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein a treatment session of said therapeutic treatment method is at least 10 minutes within a 24-hour time period.

23. A treatment method comprising: a) applying vibrational stimulation to a patient's body; andb) simultaneously or non-simultaneously applying ultrasound stimulation to the patient's body during a treatment session.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of modulating ultrasonic waves associated with said ultrasound stimulation by resonant vibrations associated with said vibrational stimulation.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said resonant vibrations have a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 10 kHz and said ultrasonic waves have a frequency in the range of 1-3 MHz.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said ultrasound stimulation is applied upon a motion sensor sensing motion caused by said vibrational stimulation.