Controlling acoustic modes in tissue healing applications

Abstract

A modal converter assembly for healing tissue, the modal converter assembly comprises a transducer and a body. The transducer is configured to transmit acoustic waves into the tissue from a tissue surface. The body is configured to house the transducer above the tissue surface such that the acoustic waves transmitted into the tissue are transmitted at an oblique angle relative to the tissue surface. The acoustic waves are transferred as shear waves and longitudinal waves to treat a damaged portion of the tissue.

1 . A device for healing tissue, the device comprising:
 a transducer configured to transmit acoustic waves into the tissue from a tissue surface; and   a body configured to house the transducer above the tissue surface, wherein the acoustic waves are transmitted into the tissue as shear waves and longitudinal waves to treat a damaged portion of the tissue, the acoustic waves being temporally shifted such that a sum of the acoustic waves transmitted into the tissue are transmitted at an oblique angle relative to the tissue surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer includes a piezoelectric element. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the transducer toward the tissue surface. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a cap configured to attach to the body, the spring having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the cap and the second end being attached to the transducer. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer comprises a plurality of acoustic wave generating elements oriented along the tissue surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is configured for controlling a time delay between sequential operations of the plurality of acoustic wave generating elements such that an amount of the shear waves and the longitudinal waves delivered into the tissue are controlled. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal generator that is configured to control the acoustic waves transmitted by the transducer. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oblique angle is in a range from about 18 to 71 degrees from normal.