Musculoskeletal loading device

Abstract

A device for non-invasively mechanically stimulating bone or muscle includes a vibrational energy generator for applying vibrational energy to a first end of a length of a tissue which includes bone and/or muscle. The vibrational energy is for inducing strain in at least one region within the length of tissue. A restraint is disposed opposite the first end of the length to resist translation of the length during operation of the device and to provide loading to the bone or muscle. A connecting structure couples the restraint to the vibrational energy generator. The device does not require gravity to operate and as a result is expected to have applications in space, such as with astronauts, with those having bone ailments such as bed-ridden patients, persons with osteoporosis or disuse atrophy, athletes, recovering bone cancer patients, and persons with muscoskeletal disorders.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for non-invasively mechanically stimulating bone or muscle, comprising: 
 a vibrational energy generator for applying vibrational energy to a first end of a length of a tissue comprising at least one of muscle and bone, said vibrational energy for inducing strain in at least one region within said length,    a restraint disposed on an end of said tissue length opposite to said first end of said length, and    connecting structure which couples said restraint to said first end of said length of tissue to resist translation of said length of tissue during operation of said device and to provide loading to said region.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a level or frequency of said vibrational energy applied is adjustable.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a length of said connecting structure includes structure for adjustment, wherein shortening said length of said connecting structure provides compression to said region and lengthening said length of said connecting structure provides tension to said region.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said connecting structure includes a sensor for measuring a level of said compression or said tension.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said vibrational energy generator comprises an adjustable cam driven by a motor.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a speed controller connected to said motor for controlling a speed of said motor, wherein a frequency spectrum provided by said vibrational energy generator is adjustable.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said motor drives a follower plate.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said restraint is disposed on one selected from the group consisting of knee, waist or shoulder.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting structure comprises a plurality structures which are each disposed circumferentially along a volume which includes said length.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of structures are activateable independently, wherein activation of some but not all of said plurality of structures provides circumferential compression which varies as a function of angular position along at least a portion of said length.  
     
     
         11 . A gravity-independent method for non-invasively mechanically stimulating bone or muscle, comprising the steps of: 
 restraining a tissue region of a subject comprising at least one of bone and muscle, and    applying vibrational energy through said region to induce strain in said region.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of imposing a compressive or tensile force on said region during said applying step.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a magnitude of said compressive or tensile force is adjustable.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1   1 , further comprising the step of providing a vibrational energy generator, wherein a frequency spectrum provided by said vibrational energy generator is adjustable.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said restraint is disposed on one selected from the group consisting of knee, waist or shoulder of said subject.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said region only consists of a portion of said subject, wherein said method provides site-specific treatment.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a frequency of said vibrational energy applied is less than 100 Hz.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said compressive or tensile force is a function of angular position along a circumference of said tissue region.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said method is performed in a substantially weightless environment.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said substantially weightless environment is space.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said method is performed on a supine subject.