Musculoskeletal loading device

摘要

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 aliments such as bed-ridden patients, persons with osteoporosis or disuse atrophy, athletes, recovering bone cancer patients, and persons with musculoskeletal disorders.

主权项

1. A method of non-invasively stimulating a length of tissue of a living body, the length of tissue including bone tissue and muscle tissue, thereby treating both the bone tissue and the muscle tissue, the method comprising:
(a) connecting a treatment device to the body proximate the length of tissue to be treated, the treatment device comprising
(i) a first restraint,(ii) a second restraint,(iii) a connecting structure comprising a plurality of connectors, the connecting structure being adapted and configured to provide a connection between the first restraint and the second restraint and to apply a tensile force between the first and second restraints, whereby the tensile force on the connecting structure results in a preload compressive force on the length of tissue to be treated, the tissue to be treated comprising at least one bone segments, and(iv) a vibration energy generator secured in the device,the connecting of the treatment device to the body including:
applying the first restraint at a first location on the body relative to the length of tissue to be treated,applying the second restraint at a second different location on the body relative to the length of tissue to be treated,the first restraint being connected to the second restraint through the connecting structure, and thereby applying the preload compressive force to the length of tissue to be treated; (b) activating the vibration energy generator and thereby applying vibration energy to the body and along the length of tissue to be treated and thereby treating the length of tissue to be treated; and (c) changing the circumferential loading direction of the connecting structure by adjusting one or more, but less than all, of the connectors while applying the vibration energy treatment.