Ajit K Mal

US Patent:

20020151940, Oct 17, 2002

Filed:

Mar 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/093866

Inventors:

Yoseph Bar-Cohen - Seal Beach CA, US
J. Kabo - Granada Hills CA, US
Helenann Kwong-Fu - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Paul Lee - San Marino CA, US
Jeffrey Wang - Los Angeles CA, US
Ajit Mal - Santa Monica CA, US

Assignee:

University of California

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/099000

Abstract:

A method of heating a tissue using pulsed focused ultrasonic waves, and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises depositing an amount of ultrasound energy sufficient to heat the selected site without adversely damaging other parts of the tissue. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic source for producing pulsed ultrasonic waves, a lens for focusing the ultrasonic waves, and a controller for controlling wave frequency and transmission parameters of the ultrasonic waves. The method and apparatus can be used to treat spine or other joint disorders associated with lax ligamentous tissues, i.e., soft tissue disruption.