Ultrasonic treatment of animals

To provide ultrasonic treatment of animals, ultrasonic waves in a frequency range of between 15 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz are applied to water in a tub with a power density between 0.1 and 5 watts per square centimeter. The equipment is able to apply ultrasonic waves with at least two power densities in the vicinity of the portion of the animal with one of said power densities being more than 15 watts per square meter for sterilizing the water before the patient enters the tub and the other being less than 15 watts per square meter.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating animals in a working fluid contained within wall means comprising the steps of:

transmitting ultrasonic vibrations at a power density in excess of 15 watts per square centimeter through the working fluid during a first time period in which no portion of the animal is immersed in said working fluid, whereby the working fluid is sterilized;

immersing a body portion of the animal into the working fluid during a second time period different than the first time period with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the working fluid; and

applying ultrasonic vibrations through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in a range of 15 kilohertz to 100 kilohertz and a power density below 5 watts per square centimeter during the second time period.

2. A method according to claim 1 further including the step of absorbing a portion of said ultrasonic vibrations in said wall means, whereby transmission to air of ultrasonic sound and subharmonics of the ultrasonic sound in an audible range are reduced.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the step of applying ultrasonic vibrations through the working fluid includes the step of applying ultrasonic vibrations in a frequency range which does not cause irritation to humans when transmitted through the air.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the step of immersing a body portion of an animal includes the step of immersing a body portion of an animal into at least partly degassed water.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which the step of immersing a body portion of an animal includes the step of immersing a body portion of an animal into water in which an additive capable of aiding in at least one of cleaning and antimicrobial action is included.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of detecting the ultrasound in said working fluid and providing an indication of the power density.

7. A method according to claim 6 further including the step of reducing the power density of the ultrasound transmitted into said working fluid when the power density in the working fluid exceeds a predetermined maximum.

8. A method according to claim 7 further including the step of reducing the transmission of said ultrasonic vibrations through said working fluid upon detecting an insertion of a foreign body in said working fluid.

9. A method according to claim 1 in which the step of applying ultrasonic vibrations includes the step of applying ultrasound to a patient with a power density in the range of 0.1 to 5 watts per square centimeter through the working fluid.

10. A method of treating animals comprising the steps of:

immersing a body portion of the animal into a working fluid with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the working fluid; and

applying ultrasonic vibrations through the working fluid to the body portion at a frequency in the range of 15 kilohertz to 100 kilohertz and a power density in the range of 0.1 to 5 watts per square centimeter through the working fluid for a time less than 15 minutes and at a power and frequency that does not cause transient cavitation.

11. A method of treating animals comprising the steps of:

immersing a body portion of the animal into a working fluid with the body portion being in acoustic contact with the working fluid;

applying ultrasonic vibrations through the working fluid to the body portion at a predetermined frequency in a frequency range of 15 kilohertz to 100 kilohertz; and

modulating the predetermined frequency with a sweep frequency across a predetermined sweep frequency band.

12. Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic vibrations; and

means for applying ultrasonic vibrations through the working fluid within the container means in two selected frequency ranges differing from each other at least in power denisty during corresponding ones of two different time periods, wherein one of said selected frequency ranges is in a power density range of less than 15 watts per square centimeter and frequency range between 15 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz and the other selected frequency range is in a power density range greater than 15 watts per square centimeter.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the power density in the working fluid that is in contact with the animal is between 0.1 and 5 watts per square centimeter.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which at least one of the container means and the means for applying ultrasonic vibrations to the working fluid includes a material which absorbs sound of the frequency used.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 further including a degasser adapted to remove at least some gas from water and positioned to fill the container means with at least partly degassed water.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12 further including probe means for sensing power intensity of said ultrasonic vibrations in said working fluid.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 further including means for reducing the power density emitted by said means for applying ultrasonic vibrations when the power density measured by said probe means exceeds a predetermined value.

18. Apparatus according to claim 12 further including:

means for sensing an intrusion of an object into said working fluid; and

means for reducing the power density transmitted by said means for applying ultrasonic vibrations upon sensing the intrusion of said object into said working fluid.

19. Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic vibrations;

means for applying ultrasonic vibrations in a first frequency range of between 15 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz through the working fluid within the container means; and

means for modulating the first frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations with a second sweep frequency across a second frequency band centered on the first frequency.

20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 in which the range of the power density within the working fluid and in contact with the portion of the animal is less than 15 watts per square centimeter.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which the power density of the ultrasound in the working fluid that is in contact with the animal is between 0.1 and 5 watts per square centimeter.

22. Apparatus for ultrasonic treatment of animals comprising:

container means adapted to contain a working fluid in which at least a portion of an animal may be immersed for treatment by ultrasonic vibrations; and

means for applying ultrasonic vibrations in a frequency range of between 15 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz through the working fluid within the container means;

said means for applying ultrasonic vibrations including a vibrator and an interface;

said interface including a glass plate mounted to said container means and positioned to be vibrated by said vibrator wherein said vibrations are transmitted to said working fluid.