Applications of low-frequency (20 KHz) ultrasound enhances transdermal transport of high-molecular weight proteins. This method includes a simultaneous application of ultrasound and protein on the skin surface in order to deliver therapeutic doses of proteins across the skin. Examples demonstrate in vitro and in vivo administration of insulin (molecular weight 6,000 D), and in vitro administration of gamma interferon (molecular weight 17,000 D), and erythropoeitin (molecular weight 48,000 D).

Transdermal protein delivery using low-frequency sonophoresis

An oral composition such as a toothpaste (including gel or cream), mouthwash, lozenge, chewing gum or tooth powder containing a calculus-inhibiting amount of a linear molecularly dehydrated polyphosphate salt and, to inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis of said polyphosphate salt in saliva, a combination of a fluoride ion-providing source and a synthetic linear polymeric polycarboxylate.

Anticalculus oral composition

The ultrasonic surgical tool has an elongate waveguide (1) operatively connected or connectable at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. At a distal end, an operative element comprises a radially-extending ridge (2) defined between a substantially parallel pair of grooves (4) extending longitudinally of the waveguide (1). The operative element is curved in a plane transverse to that of the ridge (2). This arrangement is ergonomically superior and allows a surgeon to work for longer and with improved control. It also allows a clear visualisation of the operative elements of the tool and the target tissue.

Ultrasonic cutting tool

A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and/or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.

Ultrasonic device for tissue ablation and sheath for use therewith

A portable therapeutic device and method of use generate longitudinally propagating ultrasound and shear waves generated by such longitudinally propagating ultrasound to provide effective healing of wounds. A transducer having an operative surface is disposed substantially adjacent to the wound to emit ultrasound to propagate in the direction of the wound to promote healing. Reflections of the ultrasound by bone tissue, by skin layers, or by internally disposed reflective media propagate toward the wound as longitudinal waves, with shear waves generated by the longitudinal waves for the healing of the wound. A focusing element is used for focusing the propagation of the ultrasound at a predetermined angle toward the wound. The operative surface of the transducer may be annularly shaped to encircle the wound to convey the ultrasound and/or reflected ultrasound thereto. A housing may be provided for positioning the transducer near a portion of the skin near the wound, and for indenting the skin to form a cavity, with the transducer disposed in the cavity to emit the ultrasound toward an internal surface of the wound. Fixture structures, such as adjustable straps, may extend about a portion of the body to position the transducer near the wound.

Ultrasonic treatment for wounds

An oral composition is disclosed which comprises a stannous salt such as stannous fluoride, a water-soluble fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride and an orally acceptable acid such as L-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and pyrophosphoric acid, the molar ratio of fluoride ion to stannous ion being in the range of 3.2 to 7:1, preferably 3.5-6:1, in an aqueous condition and the pH of the composition being in the range of from 2 to 4. The composition exhibits excellent effects on the inhibition of dental caries.

Oral composition for caries prophylaxis

A torsional ultrasonic vibrator particularly adapted for treating teeth by exposing them to ultrasonic waves in the presence of a tooth-decay retarding agent which engages the teeth. A shaft which has a central axis has fixed thereto a blade which projects from the latter axis while having a size small enough to be situated in the mouth of an individual to be treated and large enough to extend along a plurality of teeth in the mouth. A vibrator is operatively connected with this shaft for angularly oscillating the same about the above axis at an ultrasonic frequency.

Torsional ultrasonic vibrators

For the purpose of forming a reinforcing layer of a decay-retarding agent on the surface of teeth, a device is provided for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the teeth while the latter are in contact with a decay-retarding agent. The device includes an enclosure which is adapted to contain a medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves, this enclosure including a sheet material which defines a hollow interior space in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting medium is adapted to be located. This sheet material of the enclosure has the property of being impermeable to the ultrasonic wave transmitting medium, so that the latter cannot pass through the sheet material. In addition, the sheet material has the property of transmitting ultrasonic waves therethrough. Thus, when a part of the sheet material is situated in the immediate vicinity of a tooth in contact with a decay-retarding agent which also engages the tooth, ultrasonic waves can be transmitted through the medium and through the sheet material so as to act on the decay-retarding agent and the teeth to form thereon a reinforcing layer of the decay-retarding agent.

Devices for transmitting ultrasonic waves to teeth

PURPOSE:To provide a composition for oral cavity application, containing a surface-coated pigment obtained by covering the particles composed of a pigment and a specific water-soluble polymer with inorganic powder, wherein the pigment is exposed by the collapse of the covering layer during the brushing, and the completion of the brushing can be detected by the color change. CONSTITUTION:A composition for oral cavity application, especially dentifrice, is obtained by preparing particles composed of a pigment and a water-soluble polymer capable of forming a polymer gel by reacting with the polyvalent metallic element in the pigment, coating the particles with inorganic powder, and using the obtained surface-coated pigment as a component. The inorganic powder coating layer is collapsed during the brushing, and the color of the composition is changed by the exposure of the pigment to sense the completion of the brushing. Since the color of the pigment is completely masked with the inorganic powder layer, the dentifrice has good appearance, and since the coating layer is collapsed to induce the change in color only after the sufficient brushing, the brushing time can be surely controlled by the use of this composition.

Composition for oral cavity application

A device for exposing teeth to radiation of ultrasonic waves while the teeth are contacted by a decay-retarding agent, for forming a reinforcing layer of the latter agent on the teeth In addition to a generator for generating ultrasonic waves, the device includes a support structure which carries a plate capable of transmitting and reflecting the ultrasonic waves The latter plate is situated between the generator and teeth toward which waves are generally directed from the generator, so that the latter waves are received by this plate which transmits part of the waves through the plate to the teeth at the side of the plate opposite from the generator while another part of the waves are reflected by this plate away from the teeth which receive the transmitted waves, so that in this way the reflected waves may be utilized to treat additional teeth

Yoshihito Ochiai

Papers

Oral composition for caries prophylaxis

Torsional ultrasonic vibrators

Devices for transmitting ultrasonic waves to teeth

Composition for oral cavity application

Device for exposing teeth to radiation of ultrasonic waves