0°)
`
`(12)
`
`
`
`Ser WO
`Eurapean
`Patent Office
`desbrevets
`(11)
`EP 1 883 447 B1
`
`EUROPEANPATENT SPECIFICATION
`
`(45) Date of publication and mention
`of the grant of the patent:
`02.09.2009 Bulletin 2009/36
`
`(21) Application number: 06728345.7
`
`(22) Dateoffiling: 11.05.2006
`
`(51) Int Cl:
`AG1M 31/00 2006.01)
`
`A61M 37/00 (2006.01)
`
`(86) International application number:
`PCT/IL2006/000557
`
`(87) International publication number:
`WO 2006/1 23326 (23.11.2006 Gazette 2006/47)
`
`(54) A HIGH VELOCITY LIQUID-GAS STREAM DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING THERAPEUTIC
`SUBSTANCES
`
`HOCHGESCHWINDIGKEITSFLUSSIGGASSTROMGERATFUR DIE VERABREICHUNG
`THERAPEUTISCHER SUBSTANZEN
`
`DISPOSITIF A COURANT DE GAZ-LIQUIDE GRANDE VITESSE POUR L’ADMINISTRATION DE
`SUBSTANCES THERAPEUTIQUES
`
`
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HU IE IS ITLILTLU LV MC NL PL PT ROSE SI
`
`SKTR
`
`(30) Priority: 16.05.2005 US 681022 P
`
`(43) Date of publication of application:
`06.02.2008 Bulletin 2008/06
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(73) Proprietor: Tavtech Ltd.
`56000 Yehud(IL)
`
`(72) Inventor: TAVGER, Michael
`12900 Katzrin (IL)
`
`(74) Representative: Burrows, Anthony Gregory
`Business Centre West
`
`Avenue One, Business Park
`Letchworth Garden City
`Hertfordshire SG6 2HB (GB)
`
`(56) Referencescited:
`WO-A-99/37229
`US-A- 5 022 414
`US-B1- 6 673 081
`
`WO-A-20/05065032
`US-B1- 6 306 119
`
`
`
`EP1883447B1
`
`Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
`Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
`Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
`paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`

`

`1
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`EP 1 883 447 B1
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`2
`
`ing a liquid mist, the mist being ejected from the head at
`velocities that effect abrasion. The single liquid container
`does not allow for varying the concentration(s) of any
`substance(s) in the liquid which forms the mist.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] Thepresent invention aims to provide asystem
`for improved treatment of tissue,
`in particular human
`scalp, by direct application thereto of desired therapeutic
`substances in the form ofa stream of therapeutic droplets
`carried in a high velocity gas.
`[0008] A method of administering a therapeutic sub-
`stance to tissue is described. The method includes the
`
`steps of:
`
`a) accelerating a flow of gas, which is one of a group
`including at least one of air, oxygen, nitrogen, and
`carbon dioxide, through at least one gas discharge
`nozzle so as to provide a gas discharge flow at an
`elevated velocity;
`
`Description
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates, generally, to de-
`vices for administering therapeutic substances, and,
`more specifically, to devices for applying a high velocity
`therapeutic liquid-gas stream for administering such sub-
`stancesto the skin.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is known in the art to provide apparatus for
`[0002]
`dermal abrasion and the cleansing of exposed in vivo
`tissue. There are a multiplicity of applications to both hu-
`mans and animals during surgical procedures where the
`removal from the tissue surface of solid contaminants,
`such asfibers, dust, sand particles, and the like, as well
`as organic matter, such as puss, fats, and others, is nec-
`essary.
`Inaddition, such cleansingis necessary in prep-
`[0003]
`aration prior to and/or subsequentto treatment such as
`applying therapeutic substances to the tissue. In dental
`conditions such asgingivitis which is caused bythe long-
`term effects of plaque deposits, unremoved plaque min-
`eralizes into a hard deposit called calculus (tartar) that
`becomes trapped at the base of the tooth which often
`becomesa hostfor bacteria. After descaling or scraping
`away the accumulated calculus,
`it
`is necessary to
`cleanse the area at the base of the tooth and the sur-
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`b) introducing into the elevated velocity gas dis-
`charge flow at least one flow of therapeutic liquid,
`which is one of the group consisting of: saline solu-
`tion and a solution comprising saline solution and at
`least one additional therapeutic substance, which
`may be a substance selected from a group which
`consists of: a medication, a nutrient, and a moistur-
`izer, through at least one liquid discharge nozzle,
`thereby to fragment the at least one flow of thera-
`peutic liquid into a stream of therapeutic droplets,
`and to accelerate the stream to an accelerated ve-
`
`locity similar to the velocity of the gas discharge flow;
`and
`
`c) applying the accelerated therapeutic droplet
`stream toa tissue massdesired for therapeutic treat-
`ment thereby.
`
`rounding gum tissue, thereby removing calculus debris
`and the toxins produced by the bacteria.
`[0004] When a fluid stream is employed to irrigate a
`tissue surface, a boundary layer is formed which is char-
`acterized by having a fluid velocity which decreases
`sharply adjacentto the flow surface, and which is virtually
`zero at the tissue surface. As a result, those particles
`which are smaller than the thickness of the boundary
`layer of the fluid stream are often difficult or impossible
`to remove thereby. The smallest particles located in the
`Further in accordance with a preferred embod-
`[0009]
`boundary layer exhibit a drag resistance of a magnitude
`iment of the invention, the step of applying is applying
`sufficient for these particles to remain attached to the
`the accelerated therapeutic droplet stream to a human
`surface and to resist being swept away by the fluid
`scalp in which hair may be present, which is desired for
`stream, even if this has an overall very high velocity.
`therapeutic treatment by the accelerated therapeutic
`[0005]
`International Patent Application Publication
`Number WO-A-2005/065032, "A High Velocity Liquid-
`droplet stream. Additionally, the accelerated therapeutic
`droplet stream may be applied to the tissue masstopically
`Gas Mist Tissue Abrasion Device" to the present inven-
`or subcutaneously. The step of applying the accelerated
`tor, provides athorough overview ofthe prior art fortissue
`therapeutic droplet stream to a tissue mass mayinclude
`cleaning and abrasion. Disclosed therein is a device for
`holding in one hand a devicefor applying the accelerated
`tissue cleaning and abrasion employing a high-velocity
`therapeutic droplet stream. Additionally, the step of ap-
`liquid-gas streaming mist that produces a minimalto neg-
`plying the accelerated therapeutic droplet stream to a
`ligible thickness boundary layer. However, neither the
`tissue mass further includes cleansing the tissue mass
`device disclosed therein nor any of the prior art provides
`thereby to remove contaminants from the tissue mass
`improved treatment by including the direct application of
`and dispersing accumulated liquid from the tissue mass
`therapeutic substancesto the tissue being treated.
`by the flow of high velocity gas.
`[0006] US6673081 to Tavgerteachesan apparatus for
`dermal abrasion. The apparatus includesinter aliaa con-
`[0010]
`In further accordance with a preferred embod-
`
`tainer fora sterile liquid andafluid delivery head for form- iment of the invention, in the step of introducing, the at
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`least one flow of therapeutic liquid is one flow of saline
`solution, and the step of introducing further includes the
`step of supplying, possibly at preselected times for prese-
`lected time intervals, to the flow of saline solution a pre-
`determined flow of at least one additional therapeutic
`substance from the above-mentioned group, thereby
`producing a mixed flow of therapeutic liquid having a pre-
`determined concentration of the at least one additional
`
`group which consists of: saline solution and a solu-
`tion comprising saline solution and at least one ad-
`ditional therapeutic substance which is a substance
`selected from a group which consists of: a medica-
`tion, a nutrient, and a moisturizer; and operative to
`supply therapeutic liquid at preselected times for
`preselected intervals; and
`
`c) a stream jet delivery nozzle arrangement includ-
`ing;
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`therapeutic substance.
`[0011]
`In accordance with an alternative preferred em-
`bodiment of the invention, in the step of introducing, the
`at least one flow of therapeutic liquid is at least two flows
`i) at least one gas discharge nozzle arranged to
`
`of therapeutic liquids, whereinafirst flow of therapeutic receive a flow of pressurized gas from the gas
`liquid is a flow of saline solution and atleast one additional
`inlet port and configured to accelerate the flow
`flow of therapeutic liquid, which is possibly introducedat
`of gas so as to discharge it at an elevated ve-
`preselected times for preselected time intervals, is a pre-
`locity in the range of sub-sonic to supersonic
`determined flow of at least one additional therapeutic
`velocity; and
`substance from the above-mentioned group, thereby
`producing a stream of therapeutic droplets containing a
`predetermined concentration of the at least one addition-
`al therapeutic substance.
`[0012] Additionally in accordance with a preferred em-
`bodiment of the invention, the step of accelerating a flow
`of gas includes accelerating the flow of gas to a velocity
`either in the range of sub-sonic to supersonic velocity or
`the range of sonic to supersonic velocity.
`[0013]
`Further in accordance with a preferred embod-
`iment of the invention, the step of introducing into the
`elevated velocity gas discharge flow at least one flow of
`therapeutic liquid, includes the flow of gas entering the
`at least one gas discharge nozzle being at a pressure of
`a first magnitude, and the at least one gas discharge
`nozzle being operative to cause a pressure drop in the
`gas flow therethrough such that the pressure of the gas
`discharged from the at least one gas discharge nozzle
`is of asecond magnitude, wherein the first magnitude is
`at least twice the second magnitude, thereby causing a
`shock wavein the gas and the atleast one flow ofliquid
`downstreamofthe at least one gas discharge nozzle and
`the at least one liquid discharge nozzle so as to cause
`atomizing of the therapeutic liquid discharged from the
`at least one liquid discharge nozzle into a high velocity
`stream of therapeutic droplets, thereby forming a stream
`of therapeutic droplets suspended in the flow of dis-
`charged high velocity gas.
`[0014] A device for administering a therapeutic sub-
`stance to tissue is described. The device includes:
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`a) a gas inlet port connected to a pressurized gas
`source at a pressure in the range of about 275 to
`1035 KPa (40 to 150 psi), and including at least one
`gas selected from: air, oxygen, carbon dioxide and
`nitrogen;
`
`b) at least one therapeutic liquid inlet port, each con-
`nected to a pressurized therapeutic liquid source at
`a pressure in the range of about 7 to 35 KPa (1 to5
`psi), and wherein the therapeutic liquid is one of the
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`ii) at least one liquid discharge nozzle arranged
`to receive a flow of therapeutic liquid from the
`at least one therapeutic liquid inlet port and op-
`erative to discharge the flow of therapeutic liquid
`into the elevated velocity flow of gas, thereby to
`similarly accelerate the velocity of
`the dis-
`charged therapeutic liquid as a therapeutic
`stream of accelerated therapeutic droplets and
`to discharge the stream of accelerated thera-
`peutic droplets towards a tissue mass desired
`for therapeutic treatment by the therapeutic
`droplets.
`
`Further in accordance with a preferred embod-
`[0015]
`iment of the invention, the tissue mass desired for ther-
`apeutic treatment is a human scalp in which hair may be
`present.
`Inaccordance with an alternative preferred em-
`[0016]
`bodiment of the invention, the stream jet delivery nozzle
`arrangement mayinclude at least two gas discharge noz-
`zles and at least two liquid discharge nozzles.
`[0017] Additionally, in accordance with a preferred em-
`bodiment of the invention, the at least one liquid dis-
`charge nozzle is disposed substantially concentric and
`within the at least one gas discharge nozzle and the at
`least one gas discharge nozzle is a device configured to
`have aconverging portion, a throat portion and a diverg-
`ing portion. Further, the device is configured to be used
`while being held in one hand.
`[0018]
`Further in accordance with a preferred embod-
`iment of the invention, the flow of gas entering the at least
`one gas discharge nozzle is at a pressure of a first mag-
`nitude, and the at least one gas discharge nozzle is op-
`erative to cause a pressure drop in the gas flow there-
`through such that the pressure of the gas discharged
`from the at least one gas discharge nozzle is of asecond
`magnitude, wherein the first magnitude is at least twice
`the second magnitude, so as to cause a shock wavein
`the gas and the atleast one flow ofliquid downstream of
`the at least one gas discharge nozzle and the at least
`
`

`

`&
`
`EP 1 883 447 B1
`
`6
`
`one liquid discharge nozzle so as to cause atomizing of
`the therapeutic liquid discharged from the at least one
`liquid discharge nozzle into a high velocity stream of ther-
`apeutic droplets, thereby to form a stream of therapeutic
`droplets suspended in the flow of discharged high veloc-
`ity gas.
`in accordance with a pre-
`[0019] There is provided,
`ferred embodimentof the invention, a system for admin-
`istering a therapeutic substance to tissue, including:
`
`a) a pressurized gas source;
`b) at least one pressurized therapeutic liquid source;
`and
`
`c) a device as described hereinabove.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0020] The present invention will be more fully under-
`stood and its features and advantages will become ap-
`parent to those skilled in the art by reference to the en-
`suing description, taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings, in which:
`
`is a perspective view of a device for admin-
`Figure 1
`istering therapeutic substancesto tissue, construct-
`ed and operative in accordance with a preferred em-
`bodimentof the present invention;
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`Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the device of
`Fig. 1;
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`
`Figure 3 and 4 are enlarged schematic and graphical
`representations, respectively, of adelivery nozzle ar-
`rangementof the device seen in Figures 1 and 2;
`
`Figure § is a schematic view ofa flow of stream drop-
`lets discharging from the delivery nozzle arrange-
`ment as seen in Figure 4 against a surface to which
`therapeutic substancesare to be administered;
`
`Figure 6 is a schematic view ofa flow of stream drop-
`lets discharging from the delivery nozzle arrange-
`ment seen in Figure 4, into a periodontal pocket;
`
`Figure 7 is a schematic view of a nozzle arrange-
`ment, constructed and operative in accordance with
`an alternative embodimentof the present invention,
`having multiple gas and liquid discharge nozzles;
`and
`
`Figure 8 is a block diagram of a system for adminis-
`tering therapeutic substancesto tissue, in accord-
`ance with preferred embodimentsof the present in-
`vention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0021] The present invention relates to a device for
`
`administering therapeutic substancesto tissue by direct-
`ing thereat a liquid-gas stream of droplets consisting of
`one or moretherapeutic liquids at a high velocity gener-
`ally within the range of sub-sonic to super-sonic. To
`achievethis, gasis discharged from a converging-diverg-
`ing gas nozzle configured to accelerate the flow of gas
`so as to discharge it at an elevated velocity. A low rate
`of flow of therapeutic liquid is discharged into the elevated
`velocity flow of gas, thereby to similarly accelerate the
`velocity of the discharged therapeutic liquid as a thera-
`peutic stream of accelerated droplets. The volumetric
`rate of flow of therapeutic liquid from the deviceis rela-
`tively low, thereby essentially preventing the formation
`ofa virtually stagnant liquidboundary layer onthe surface
`of the tissue to which therapeutic substancesare to be
`administered.
`
`[0022] When the therapeutic liquidadministeredby the
`present invention is saline solution, the invention can first
`be employed to clean a tissue surface, as described in
`International Patent Application Publication Number
`WO-A-2005/065032, "A High Velocity Liquid-Gas Mist
`Tissue Abrasion Device"to the present inventer, prior to
`administering additional therapeutic substances, such as
`medications, nutrients, or moisturizers; or colorants, any
`of which maybe in liquid or soluble powder form. This
`allows moreefficient dosing of the subsequent therapeu-
`tic substances, since, as will be appreciated by persons
`skilled in the art, the substances removed by cleaning
`would be likely, if
`left in place,
`to impede application
`and/or absorption of the desired therapeutic substances
`to the tissue desired for therapeutic treatment thereby.
`Included in the present invention are fluid flow control
`mechanisms known in the art operative to introduce into
`the device of the present invention a mixed flow of saline
`solution and other therapeutic substances, which may
`be in liquid or emulsion form, of a desired concentration
`therein which can further be controlled to only produce
`the mixed flow at specified times and for specified inter-
`vals. The device of the present invention would then ac-
`cordingly produce a mixed therapeutic stream as desired
`and needed. Thus, as described abovea tissue surface
`could first be cleaned by saline solution and then dosed
`therapeutically by a medication solution when it is ready
`to optimally receive the dosage. In an alternative embod-
`iment of the present invention, instead of one mixed flow
`as mentioned hereinabove, the present invention further
`includesfluid flow control mechanisms known in the art
`
`operative to produce a number of therapeuticliquid flows
`for discharge into the elevated velocity flow of gas, which
`also may be turned on and off at specified times and for
`specified intervals. This arrangement also produces a
`mixed therapeutic stream as desired and needed.
`[0023]
`Forexample, the present invention canbe used
`to treat ahuman scalp, even wherehair is present. First,
`the device produces an accelerated saline stream used
`to clean the scalp of extraneous material, excess oils,
`and dead epidermal tissue such as is known to produce
`dandruff. Then, a moisturizing, nutrient, anti-dandruff, or
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`
`EP 1 883 447 B1
`
`8
`
`anti-hair loss, or other desired therapeutic substanceis
`included in the accelerated stream to apply the desired
`therapeutic treatment to the scalp.
`[0024]
`It should further be noted that the present in-
`vention is capable of applying the therapeutic substance
`to the desired tissue both topically and subcutaneously.
`Investigations employing prototype versions of
`the
`present invention have shown that the accelerated ther-
`apeutic stream produced therebywill, for suitable droplet
`flow velocities and length of time of exposureof the tissue
`to the droplet flow, penetrate the tissue surface. This ca-
`pacity of non-invasive subcutaneoustreatment and dos-
`age is a further advantage of the present invention.
`[0025] Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a
`block diagram of a system, generally referred to as 500,
`for applying a high velocity liquid-gas therapeutic stream
`to tissue for therapeutic treatment thereof. System 500
`employs a stream generating device 510 similar to that
`disclosed in International Patent Application Publication
`Number WO-A-2005/065032, "A High Velocity Liquid-
`Gas Mist Tissue Abrasion Device" to the present inven-
`tor, which is fed by high pressure gas supply 520 and
`high pressure liquid supply 530 and produces a high-
`velocity liquid-gas mist stream 550 suitable for tissue
`abrasion as described therein. The present invention fur-
`ther includes a supply of therapeutic substance 540,
`which may be in liquid or soluble powder form, thatis
`introduced to liquid supply 530 so that the resulting high-
`velocity liquid-gas stream 550 includes the therapeutic
`substance which is thus applied to the tissue mass ex-
`posed to stream 550. Alternatively 575, the therapeutic
`substanceis introduced directly into stream generating
`device 510 either in addition to (neutral) liquid supply 530
`orwhen liquid supply 530 is turned off, thereby producing
`the desired high- velocity liquid-gas stream 550 which
`includes a predetermined concentration of the therapeu-
`tic substance.
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`flows, as well as control of the time of application of dif-
`ferent therapeutic liquid flows are also included in the
`present invention as discussed hereinabove.
`[0027] Referring nowto Figures 3 and 4 in conjunction
`with Figure 2, there are seen schematic and graphical
`cross-sectional views of nozzle arrangement 112 of de-
`vice 100. Nozzle arrangement 112 includes a gas dis-
`charge nozzle referenced generally 114 and, disposed
`generally concentrically there-within, is aliquid discharge
`nozzle referenced 116. Liquid inlet port 110 (Fig. 2) is
`connected in fluid flow communication with liquid dis-
`charge nozzle 116 by means of a liquid communication
`tube referenced 118, disposed generally concentrically
`within tubular housing portion 102 (Figs. 2 and 3).
`[0028]
`Pressurized gas supplied from a pressurized
`gas source (not shown) enters device 100 through gas
`inlet port 108 (Fig. 2) and passes along andwithin tubular
`housing portion 102 as indicated by arrows 134, so as
`to discharge through gas discharge nozzle 114. Gas dis-
`charge nozzle 114 is generally configured having, in flow
`succession, a converging portion referenced 120, a
`throat portion referenced 122 and a diverging discharge
`portion referenced 124. The pressurized gas discharging
`from nozzle 114, as indicated by arrows 126, undergoes
`a rapid and substantial reduction in pressure to atmos-
`pheric pressure and a substantial acceleration to a high
`velocity, within the range of subsonic to supersonic ve-
`locity and specifically to a supersonic velocity. Gas dis-
`charge nozzle 114 is configured such thatthe discharging
`gas has an average cone angle of less than 10 degrees;
`that is, providing a substantially parallel gas flow.
`[0029]
`Liquid,
`including a desired concentration of
`therapeutic substances, from one or more pressurized
`therapeutic liquid sources (not shown) enters device 100
`through liquid inlet port 110 (Fig. 2) and passes, asindi-
`cated by arrow 132, through liquid communication tube
`118 (Figs. 2 and 4). In turn, at distal end 106, therapeutic
`liquid is discharged through an opening referenced 128
`[0026] Withreference to Figures 1 and2, thereis seen,
`in the distal end of liquid discharge nozzle 116 into the
`according to a preferred embodimentof the present in-
`discharging flow 126 of gas, the therapeutic liquid flow
`vention, a device referenced generally 100 for applying
`being indicated by arrow 130.
`a high velocity liquid-gas therapeutic stream to tissue for
`[0030]
`It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the
`therapeutic treatment thereof. Alternatively, the velocity
`art that, as the pressurized discharging gas emerges 126
`of the stream may be regulated so as to merely provide
`from gas discharge nozzle 114 into the atmosphere, it
`cleansing of the tissue. Device 100 includes a housing
`undergoes a rapid drop in pressure to atmospheric pres-
`portion referenced 102 having a generally tubular con-
`sure. The sudden pressure drop results in a substantial
`figuration, and having proximal and distal ends, refer-
`enced generally 104 and 106 respectively. A gas inlet
`acceleration of the velocity of the discharging gas flow
`
`port referenced 108 andaliquidinlet port referenced 110 that approximates or even exceeds the velocity of sound
`are provided at proximal end 104, and a stream jet de-
`and results in the production of a shock wave. The effect
`livery nozzle arrangement referenced generally 112, is
`of the shock waveis to atomize the therapeutic liquid
`provided atdistal end 106. In Figure 2, there is addition-
`discharging from liquid discharge nozzle 116 into the flow
`ally shown, in schematic form, a therapeutic liquid inlet
`of gas as astream of therapeutic liquid droplets 130, such
`port 109 connecting pressurized therapeutic liquid
`that there is obtaineda relatively narrowjet of therapeutic
`source 107 liquid via flow control device 105 toliquid inlet
`liquid droplets in a high velocity gas flow 126.
`port 110 to allow production of a mixed flow of therapeutic
`[0031]
`Further, by way of example, the proportion of
`liquid.
`It should be noted that the present arrangement
`liquid flow to gas flowis extremely low due tothe relatively
`producing one mixed therapeutic liquid flow is only shown
`high gas pressure of about 685 KPa (100 psi) and low
`by way of example, and that multiple therapeutic liquid
`liquid pressure of about 14 KPa (2 psi), as well as the
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`Claims
`
`4. A-system (500) for administering a therapeutic sub-
`stanceto tissue, which includes:
`
`a) a pressurized gas source (520);
`b) a pressurized liquid source (530);
`c) at least one pressurized therapeutic liquid
`source (107, 540); and
`d) a device (100, 510) which includes:
`
`10
`
`relatively large internal diameter of gas discharge nozzle
`114 (about 0.5 mm) compared to a small internal diam-
`eter (about 0.09 mm)of liquid discharge nozzle 116. Con-
`sequently, little liquid tends to accumulate at the site to
`be cleaned or treated. Furthermore, the relatively high
`gas flow has the effect of dispersing any accumulated
`liquid. When using a jet utilizing only liquid for cleansing,
`the liquid tends to accumulate on the tissue surface re-
`sulting in formation of a virtually stagnantliquid boundary
`layer close to and in contact with the surface, thereby
`reducing the effectiveness of cleansing. The very thin to
`negligible layer of liquid produced on the tissue surface
`by the present invention allows more efficient dosage of
`additional therapeutic substances to the tissue surface,
`including the possibility of subcutaneous application of
`the therapeutic substances, as discussed hereinabove.
`[0032] Referring now to Figure 5, there is seen a high
`velocity flow of therapeutic liquid droplets referenced 140
`discharging, in a high velocity gas flow 126, from nozzle
`arrangement112 againstatissue surface referenced 142
`to be cleaned or treated. Device 100 is held in the hand
`
`i) a gas inlet port (108) connected to said
`pressurized gas source (520);
`ii) a liquid inlet port (110) through which a
`pressurized liquid moves from said pressu-
`rized liquid source (530);
`iii) at least one therapeutic liquid inlet port
`(109), each port (109) connected to at least
`one of said at least one pressurized thera-
`peutic liquid source (107, 540) controllable
`by a control device (105) so that said atleast
`of a user by housing portion 102.
`one pressurized therapeutic liquid source
`
`[0033] Referring now to Figure 6, there is seenaflow (107, 540) is operative to supply therapeutic
`of therapeutic liquid droplets 140 discharging, in a high
`liquid at preselected times for preselected
`velocity gas flow 126, from nozzle arrangement 112 of
`intervals, thereby to control the timing and
`device 100 into a periodontal pocket referenced 144 dis-
`dosage of the therapeutic liquid; and
`posed between a gum referenced 146 and a tooth wall
`iv) a stream jet delivery nozzle (112) ar-
`referenced 148. Device 100 is held in the hand of a user
`rangementincluding;
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`by housing portion 102. This procedure is especially ef-
`fective for cleansing periodontal pockets, subsequent to
`a dental descaling treatment, so as to remove plaque
`and calculus debris as well as bacteria and the toxins
`
`produced by the bacteria, which otherwise lead to me-
`chanicalirritation and inflammation of the gingiva. Device
`100 can further be used to apply desired dental thera-
`peutic substances, such as antibiotics or anesthetics to
`the dental pocket.
`[0034] Referring now to Figure 7, there is seen, ac-
`cording to an alternative embodimentof the presentin-
`vention, a cross-sectional view of a device (not shown)
`having a housing portion 102 and a multiple nozzle ar-
`rangement referenced generally 150. Nozzle arrange-
`ment 150 is configured having multiple gas discharge
`nozzles referenced 152 and multiple therapeutic liquid
`discharge nozzles referenced 154 disposed generally
`concentrically within each gas nozzle 152 and projecting
`there-beyond. The therapeutic discharge nozzles project
`past the gas discharge nozzles in Figures 2-6 as well.
`Such a multiple nozzle arrangement 150 facilitates ex-
`panding the rate of tissue cleaning, in the event that the
`system is usedfor this purpose. Additionally, the present
`configuration supports multiple therapeutic liquid flows,
`which maybe individually controlled, as described here-
`inabove.
`
`It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the
`[0035]
`artthatthe presentinvention is not limited by the drawings
`and description hereinabove presented. Rather, the in-
`vention is defined by the claims that follow.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`1) at least one gas discharge nozzle
`(114, 152) arranged to receive a flow
`of pressurized gas from said gasinlet
`port (108) and configured to accelerate
`the flow of gas so as to discharge it at
`an elevated velocity; and
`2) at least one liquid discharge nozzle
`(116, 154) arranged to receive a flow
`of therapeutic liquid and operative to
`discharge the flow of therapeutic liquid
`into the elevated velocity flow of gas,
`thereby to similarly accelerate the ve-
`locity of the discharged therapeutic liq-
`uid as a therapeutic stream of acceler-
`ated therapeutic droplets and to dis-
`charge said stream of accelerated ther-
`apeutic droplets towards a tissue mass
`desired for therapeutic treatment by
`said therapeutic droplets.
`
`2. A system (500) according to claim 1, wherein the
`tissue mass desired for therapeutic treatmentis a
`human scalp.
`
`3. A system (600) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
`said at least one therapeutic liquid includesa liquid
`selected from a group which consists of:
`
`saline solution, anda solution comprising saline
`
`

`

`11
`
`EP 1 883 447 B1
`
`12
`
`solution and at least one additional therapeutic
`substance and wherein said therapeutic sub-
`stance is a substance selected from a group
`which consists of: a medication, a nutrient, and
`a moisturizer.
`
`A system (500) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein the gas discharged from said at least one
`gas discharge nozzle (114, 152) is accelerated toa
`velocity in the range of sub-sonic to supersonic ve-
`locity.
`
`A system (500) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein said stream jet delivery nozzle (112) ar-
`rangementincludesat least two gas discharge noz-
`zles (114, 182).
`
`A system (800) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein said stream jet delivery nozzle (112) ar-
`rangementincludes atleasttwoliquid discharge noz-
`zles (154).
`
`A system (800) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein said at least one liquid discharge nozzle
`(116, 154) is disposed substantially concentric and
`within said at least one gas discharge nozzle (114,
`152).
`
`A system (800) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein said at least one gas discharge nozzle (114,
`152) is a device configured to have a converging
`portion (120), a throat portion (122) and a diverging
`portion (124).
`
`A system (500) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein the flow of gas entering said at least one
`gas discharge nozzle (114, 152) is at a pressure of
`a first magnitude, and said atleast one gas discharge
`nozzle (114, 152) is operative to cause a pressure
`drop in the gas flow therethrough such thatthe pres-
`sure of the gas discharged from said at least one
`gas discharge nozzle (114, 152) is of a second mag-
`nitude, wherein the first magnitude is at least twice
`the second magnitude, so as to cause a shock wave
`in the gas and the at least one flow ofliquid down-
`stream of said at least one gas discharge nozzle
`(114, 182) and said at least one liquid discharge noz-
`zle (116, 154) so as to cause atomizing of the ther-
`apeutic liquid discharged from said at least one liquid
`discharge nozzle (116, 154) into a high velocity
`stream of therapeutic droplets (130, 550), thereby to
`form a stream of therapeutic droplets suspended in
`the flow of discharged high velocity gas.
`
`10.
`
`A system (500) according to any preceding claim,
`wherein the therapeutic liquid enters said at least
`one liquid discharge nozzle (116, 154) via said liquid
`inlet port (110) after entering said liquid inlet port
`
`(110) through said therapeutic liquid inlet port (109).
`
`11.
`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`A system (800) according to any one of claims 1 to
`9, wherein the therapeutic liquid enters said at least
`one liquid discharge nozzle (116, 154) directly from
`said