TREATMENT DEVICES FOR ACOUSTIC WAVE STIMULATION

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of cell stimulation by mechanical energy, in particular by acoustic energy, for example stimulation by ultrasound, such as focused ultrasound (FUS). It relates to treatment devices and components thereof as well as methods for setting up or producing such devices or components. One purpose of the invention is to make devices for cell stimulation by mechanical energy more user friendly and applicable for a wider public and for additional applications. A treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation to a body portion is portable and includes a carrier element, at least one transducer and communication device configured to receive operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device. A method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation includes receiving operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device.

Claims

1. A treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation to a body portion comprising a carrier element and at least one transducer, wherein the treatment device is portable and in that the treatment device comprises communication means configured to receive operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for determining a geometric property of the body portion when the carrier element is fastened on the body portion, wherein a characteristic of the means for determining a geometric property depends on at least one of the shape of the carrier element and a deformation of the carrier element, wherein the treatment device is configured to transmit the geometric property of the body portion to the computerized device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for determining a geometric property of the body portion comprise means for determining a shape of the body portion to be stimulated.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the carrier element comprises the means for determining a geometric property of the body portion.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for determining a geometric property comprise at least one of a marker arrangement, wherein the marker arrangement is arranged on the carrier element and wherein the marker arrangement changes its appearance in dependence of the shape of the carrier element; a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors are arranged on the carrier element and wherein an output of the sensors depends on the arrangement of the sensors on the carrier element; a plurality of emitters, wherein the emitters are arranged on the carrier element and wherein an output of the emitters that is detectable at a detection point depends on the relative arrangement of the emitters.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the treatment device allows for the determination of a position of the at least one transducer relative to the body portion when the carrier element is fastened on the body portion, wherein the treatment device is configured to transmit the position of the at least one transducer relative to the body portion to the computerized device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the following applies: the at least one transducer comprises a passive detectable element, the at least one transducer comprises an active detectable element, and the carrier element comprises at least one fixation element configured to detect the presence of a transducer.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element has a shape that is specific to the body portion of an individual subject.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises rigid material that is formed according to at least a portion of the body portion to be treated.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises a fixation element per transducer needed for a specific application, wherein each fixation element is arranged on the carrier element at a target position for the specific application.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises an arrangement of a plurality of fixation elements that allows fixation of the at least one transducer at target positions of various applications.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to receive a target position of the at least one transducer from the computerized device, and wherein the device comprises at least two transducers, wherein the device is configured to activate the transducer that is closest to the target position during stimulation, wherein the other transducer remains in an off-state; or the carrier element comprises position marks that help to arrange the at least one transducer at the target position; or the device is configured to determine that the at least one transducer is at the target position.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for validating a configuration of the device with respect to a set of treatment parameters by comparing a measured parameter of the treatment device with a related parameter of the set of treatment parameters.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an input element for receiving a user feedback related to an effect of the ultrasonic stimulation.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an input element for receiving information related to an effect of the ultrasonic stimulation, wherein the communication means are configured to transmit the information to a library that is available for other users.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a sensor for generating subject specific information other than the geometric property of the body portion.

17. The device of claim 1, comprising a transducer for exciting acoustic waves in the body portion and a transducer for detecting acoustic waves that are transmitted through and/or scattered in the body portion.

18. A carrier element for a treatment device according claim 1, wherein the carrier element is formed according to at least a portion of the body portion to be treated, and wherein the carrier element comprises a fixation element for at least one transducer, wherein the number of fixation elements and the arrangement of the fixation elements are adapted to a specific acoustic wave stimulation; or the carrier element comprises an arrangement of a plurality of fixation elements that allows fixation of at least one transducer at target positions of various acoustic wave stimulations.

19. The carrier element of claim 18, wherein the carrier element is formed according to a least a portion of the body portion of an individual subject, said body portion being the body portion to be treated.

20. The carrier element of claim 18, wherein the carrier element comprises rigid material and wherein it is the rigid material that is formed according to the portion of the body portion to be treated.

21. A system comprising a carrier element, at least one transducer, communication means and a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computerized device, cause the computerized device to exchange data with the communication means.

22. A method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation of a body portion, wherein the device comprises at least one transducer, a carrier element and communication means, wherein the method comprises a step of receiving operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device.

23. The method of claim 22 comprising the further steps of: fastening the carrier element to the body portion to be stimulated; determining a geometric property of the body portion; transmitting the geometric property to a computerized device capable to determine operating parameters of the treatment device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the method comprises a step of fastening the carrier element to the body portion to be stimulated, a step of determining a position of the at least one transducer relative to the body portion when the at least one transducer is fastened to the carrier element and the carrier element is fastened on the body portion and a step of transmitting the position of the at least one transducer to the computerized device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of determining a position of the at least one transducer relative to the body portion comprises at least one of taking an image; determining the presence of the at least one transducer in a fixation element of the carrier element.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the operating parameters received are part of a set of treatment parameters received and wherein the set of treatment parameters received comprises the position of the at least one transducer as target position.

27. The method of claim 22, comprising further at least one of receiving a start signal and receiving a stop signal from the computerized device.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the operating parameters received are part of a set of treatment parameters received.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the set of treatment parameters received comprises a target position of the at least one transducer relative to the body portion, and wherein the method comprises a step of arranging the at least one transducer on the carrier element and at the target position.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the device comprises a plurality of transducers, wherein the set of treatment parameters received comprises at least one target position of a transducer, and wherein the method comprises the step of activating the transducer that is closest to a target position, wherein any transducer that is not closest to a target position remains in an off-state.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the method comprises a step of validating a configuration of the treatment device with respect to the set of treatment parameters received by comparing a measured parameter of the treatment device with a related parameter of the set of treatment parameters.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of receiving a user feedback related to an effect of the ultrasonic stimulation.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of arranging the at least one transducer on the carrier element, said step being carried out by a practitioner.

34. The method of claim 22, wherein the operating parameters are determined by a practitioner or by a computer-implemented method configured to select the operating parameters from a plurality of operating parameters that are stored in a library.

35. A method of manufacturing a portable treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation to a body portion comprising the steps of determining the shape of at least a portion of the body portion to be treated; selecting a treatment of the body portion; determining a number of transducers and a target position of at least one transducer relative to the body portion, wherein the number of transducers and target positions as well as the target positions depend on the selected treatment and the shape determined; providing a carrier element and providing transducers in said number, wherein the carrier element is equipped to arrange the transducers at the target positions.

36. The method of manufacturing of claim 35, wherein the step of determining at least a portion of the shape of the body portion, the step of selecting a treatment of the body portion and the step of determining a target position is carried out by a practitioner.

37. The method of manufacturing of claim 35, comprising a step of arranging the transducer(s) at the target position(s), said step being carried out by a practitioner.

38. The method of manufacturing of claim 35, wherein the carrier element is formed at least according to the portion of the shape of the body portion to be treated.

39. The method of manufacturing of claim 38, wherein the carrier element is formed at least according to the portion of the shape of the body portion of an individual subject to be treated.

40. The method of manufacturing of claim 35, wherein the carrier element comprises at least one portion of a rigid material, wherein the at least one portion of a rigid material forms a surface that corresponds at least to the shape of the portion of the body portion to be treated.

41. The method of manufacturing of claim 40, wherein the at least one portion of rigid material is manufactured by a rapid manufacturing process and comprises fixation elements, wherein the fixation elements are in the number of the number of target positions and are arranged in a manner that allows fixation of the transducers at the target positions; or the fixation elements are in a number that is larger than the number of target positions and arranged in a manner that allows fixation of the transducers at the target positions of various treatments of the body portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0345] The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the attached drawings, which schematically show:

[0346] FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a treatment device;

[0347] FIG. 2 an exemplary embodiment of a carrier element of a treatment device;

[0348] FIG. 3 a further exemplary embodiment of a treatment device;

[0349] FIGS. 4-5 further exemplary embodiments of carrier elements

[0350] FIG. 6 a flow chart of a method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation

[0351] FIG. 7 a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation of a body portion;

[0352] FIG. 8 a flow chart of a method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation of a body portion including steps related to the first aspect for reducing the parameter space to be handled by a user;

[0353] FIG. 9 a flow chart of a method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation of a body portion including steps related to the second aspect for reducing the parameter space to be handled by a user;

[0354] FIGS. 10-14 flow charts of exemplary embodiments of methods for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation of a body portion; and

[0355] FIG. 15 a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for manufacturing a treatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0356] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a treatment device. The device shown includes a carrier element 1 essentially made from a flexible material. The carrier element 1 includes further a fastening element 9 arranged and equipped for fastening the carrier element on a body portion to be stimulated.

[0357] In the embodiment shown, two transducer 2 configured to generate an acoustic wave are mounted on the carrier element 1. The transducers include a detectable element 4, namely a QR code, on a surface of the transducers 2 that is visible when the carrier element 2 is fastened on the body portion.

[0358] The carrier element 1 includes means for determining a geometric property of the body portion when the carrier element 1 is fastened to the body portion. In the embodiment shown, the means are given by a grid arranged on a surface of the carrier element 1 that is visible when the carrier element 2 is fastened on the body portion.

[0359] The treatment device shown includes a controller 5 and communication means 6, namely wireless communication means.

[0360] The communication means 6 are configured to exchange data with a remote computerized device 11. In the embodiment shown, the remote computerized device 11 is computerized device owned by the user, for example a cell phone (as shown), a tablet, a personal computer, etc.

[0361] The cell phone is able to communicate with the communication means 6.

[0362] In the embodiment shown, an application (“app”) is provided together with the treatment device. This app is configured in a manner that components of the remote computerized device can be used, in particular during setting-up and operation of the treatment device. This has the advantage that the treatment device itself does not need such components and that there is no need to provide such components together with the treatment device.

[0363] In the embodiment shown, an equipment 18 for determining the characteristic of the means 3 for determining a geometric property of the body portion is not provided by or together with the treatment device but said equipment is the camera of cell phone.

[0364] The computerized device 11 is able to detect and interpreted the detectable element 4 via its camera 18, in the embodiment shown. In particular, the computerized device 11 is able to do this thanks to the app installed on it.

[0365] Further, a user interface 12 configured to control the treatment device by the user and including an input element for receiving a user feedback is not provided by or together with the treatment device but the user interface 12 is provided by the cell phone.

[0366] In the embodiment shown, the cell phone is the remote computerized device 11 providing a set of treatment parameters via the app installed on the cell phone and/or via communication with a further remote computerized device 7.

[0367] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the carrier element 1 that differs from the carrier element 1 shown in FIG. 1 by including a plurality of firmly mounted fixation elements 10 and by including marks 8 that enable a user to arrange and fix a number of transducers indicated by a set of treatment parameters at positions on the carrier element 1 indicated by the set of treatment parameters.

[0368] The portions of the set of treatment parameters that are relevant for the user to setup the treatment device, in particular number and position of the transducers, can be displayed to the user in the user interface 12.

[0369] In an alternative embodiment not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, transducers 2 are firmly mounted in the fixation elements 10 and the controller 5 is able to activate the transducers 2 as indicated by the set of treatment parameters.

[0370] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the treatment device that differs from the treatment device shown in FIG. 1 by including means for determining further properties of the body portion to be stimulated.

[0371] In the embodiment shown, these further means include one or a plurality of transducers 14 for exciting acoustic waves in the body portion and one or a plurality of transducers 15 for detecting reflected and/or scattered acoustic waves.

[0372] The acoustic waves generated by the transducer(s) 14 for exciting acoustic waves in the body portion have characteristics that allow for the determination of acoustic properties within the body portion, such as the propagation speed, damping, the presence of scattering centers, or the position of changes in acoustic properties.

[0373] The controller 5 or any computerized device of the treatment device or in communication to it, can be configured to analyse the signals observed by the transducers 15 for detecting reflected and/or scattered acoustic waves.

[0374] In the embodiment shown, the further means for determining further properties of the body portion to be stimulated include a sensor 13 for recording subject specific information other than the geometric or acoustic properties of the body portion. Blood flow, neural activity and pulse are examples of such subject specific information.

[0375] The controller 5 or any computerized device of the treatment device or in communication to it, can be configured to analyse the subject specific information recorded. In particular, the subject specific information can be suitable for observing an effect generated by the stimulation. Hence, the subject specific information can be suitable for use in a feedback loop (control loop) for adjusting treatment parameters.

[0376] FIG. 4 shows two different views of an exemplary embodiment of the carrier element 1 including a portion 16 of rigid material that forms the negative of the body portion to be stimulated, this means that it includes a surface 17 that forms the negative of the surface of the body portion to be stimulated.

[0377] A carrier element 1 is shown in a simplified manner that fits to the forearm of a specific user.

[0378] The carrier element 1 of FIG. 4 is not only specific to a subject, this means it does not only include a surface 17 that forms a nearly perfect negative of the forearm of that subject (but generally not of another subject), but it is also specific to a treatment. This means, the fixation element 10 and the transducer 2 (when mounted to the carrier element 1) have a position that corresponds to a target position of a specific treatment after mounting the carrier element 1 on the body portion.

[0379] FIG. 5 shows a carrier element 1 that differs from the carrier element shown in FIG. 4 by including a plurality of fixation elements 10. This means that the carrier element 1 of FIG. 5 is specific to a user but not specific to a treatment. Rather, the transducers can be mounted at positions and in a number that correspond to the set of treatment parameters for one of various possible treatments.

[0380] Mounting of the transducers can be supported by markers 8 or the transducers 2 can be firmly mounted to the fixation elements 10 and the controller 5 can be configured to activate the transducers 2 as indicated by the set of treatment parameters.

[0381] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of basic steps of a method for setting up a treatment device. The basic steps are: [0382] A step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6. [0383] The manner how the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 5 are readied may depend on the manner these components are provided. [0384] For example, the components may be provided in a fully assembled treatment device. In this case, the step S2 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 may be a step of ready the treatment device. The treatment device provided can be the treatment device according to any embodiment disclosed. [0385] For example, the components may be provided separately or some of said components, in particular the at least one transducer, may be provided separately from the other components. In this case, the step S2 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 may be a step of ready said components in the state provided by a manufacturer. [0386] For example, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 are provided by the manufacturer and the carrier element 1 has to be manufactured elsewhere, for example by the end-user, a practitioner or a medical facility. In this case, the step S2 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 may be a step of ready the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 provided by the manufacturer and of manufacturing the carrier element 1. [0387] A step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to a remote computerize device, such as the computerized device 11 owned by the user or another remote computerized device 7, for example a remote computerized device on which a library including a plurality of set of treatment parameters or a portion thereof is stored. [0388] A step S3 of receiving operating parameters from the remote computerized device.

[0389] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the method for setting up a treatment device according to any embodiment disclosed. In the embodiment shown, a number of transducers 2 that corresponds to the number of transducers needed for a given treatment or a plurality of given treatments is provided separately from the carrier element 1 and the communication means 6 by the manufacturer. In other words, the communication means 6, and usually other components, such as the controller 5 and the fixation elements 10 and optionally at least one of the means 3 for determining a geometric property, the sensor 13 for subject specific information, the transducer(s) 14 for exciting, the transducer(s) 15 for detecting etc., are integral with or mounted to the carrier element whereas the transducer(s) 2 are separate from the carrier element 1.

[0390] In this embodiment, the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6 corresponds to a step of ready the transducer(s) 2 and the carrier element including the pre-assembled components of the later treatment device.

[0391] With respect to the steps disclosed in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes a further step S4 of arranging the transducer(s) 2 on the carrier element 1.

[0392] The step S4 of arranging includes a sub step of positioning and aligning the transducer(s) 2 on the carrier element 1 and a sub step of fastening the transducer(s) with the alignment at the position to the carrier element 1.

[0393] The concrete realization of the step S4 of arranging can depend on the envisaged treatment (application) or envisaged treatments (applications).

[0394] For example, if the treatment(s) are of a kind that an incorrect arrangement of the transducer(s) may have severe consequences for the user, the step S4 of arranging the transducer(s) may be carried out by a practitioner. In particular in this case, the method may further include a step of providing landmarks for correct positioning of the carrier element 1 on the body portion to be treated.

[0395] For example, if the treatment(s) are of a kind that an incorrect arrangement of the transducer(s) does not have severe consequences for the user, the step S4 of arranging the transducer(s) may be carried out by end-user. In particular in this case, the method may include receiving information concerning the position(s) and optionally the alignment(s) of the transducer(s). This information may be provided by a practitioner via the remote computerized device or it may be provided by the app, for example.

[0396] FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method for setting up a treatment device, said embodiment including steps related to the first aspect for reducing the parameter space to be handled by a user. The embodiment comprises: [0397] A step S10 of fastening the carrier element 1 to the body portion to be stimulated. [0398] A step S20 of determining a geometric property of the body portion. [0399] A step S30 of transmitting the geometric property to the remote computerized device (7, 11), wherein the remote computerized device is capable to determine the operating parameter or—as the case may be—a set of treatment parameters for the treatment device. [0400] The step S3 of receiving the operating parameters or a step S40 of receiving the set of treatment parameters form the computerized device, wherein the set of treatment parameters includes the operating parameters.

[0401] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIG. 7.

[0402] As pointed out above, there are embodiments of the treatment device, in particular of the carrier element 1, that do not need the step S20 of determining a geometric property of the body portion because fastening the treatment device on the body portion does not influence the body portion and because the geometric properties needed are determined without using the treatment device.

[0403] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method for setting up a treatment device, said embodiment including steps related to the second aspect for reducing the parameter space to be handled by a user. The embodiment comprises: [0404] The step S10 of fastening the carrier element 1 to the body portion to be stimulated. [0405] A step S5 of receiving a target position for the at least one transducer 2 or the step S40 of receiving a set of treatment parameters form the remote computerized device (7, 11), wherein the set of treatment parameters includes the target position. In particular, a target position may be received for each transducer needed for a selected treatment during the step S5 of receiving a target position or the step S40 or receiving a set of treatment parameters. [0406] A step S50 of determining the position of the needed transducer(s) 2 relative to the body portion. [0407] Generally, this step S50 is carried out when the needed transducer(s) 2 are fastened to the carrier element 1 and the carrier element 1 is fastened on the body portion. [0408] A step S70 of comparing the determined position(s) with the target position(s). [0409] Any computerized device of the treatment device, for example the controller 5, or in connection to the treatment device can be configured to carry out the step S70 of comparing. [0410] In dependence of the computerized device configured to carry out the step S70 of comparing, the method can include a step of transmitting the position(s) of the transducer(s) to the computerized device.

[0411] Optionally, the method according to FIG. 9 can include the further step of generating a stop signal preventing the treatment device from carrying out a treatment or the further step of generating a start signal enabling the treatment device to start a treatment, in particular a treatment based on the set of treatment parameters received. The difference between the determined position(s) and the target position(s) of the set of treatment parameters can be a criterion for deciding if a stop signal or a start signal is generated.

[0412] Optionally, the computerized device (5, 7,11) generates an adjusted set of treatment parameters if the difference between the determined position(s) and the target position(s) of the set of treatment parameters is larger than a predefined value. In this case, the method can include a second step S5 of receiving a target position for the at least one transducer 2 or a second step S40 of receiving a set of treatment parameters from the remote computerized device (7, 11). Again, a target position may be received for each transducer needed for a selected treatment during the step S5 of receiving a target position or the step S40 or receiving a set of treatment parameters

[0413] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8 (if not present already).

[0414] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the method for setting up the treatment device, wherein the embodiment shown differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 by the additional step S50 of determining the position(s) of the needed transducer(s) 2 relative to the body portion and by transmitting not only the geometric property determined but also the position(s) determined in a step S31 of transmitting.

[0415] The embodiment of FIG. 10 allows the determination of operating parameters or a set of treatment parameters by the computerized device (7,11) that considers both the geometric property of the body portion to be stimulated and the position(s) of the available transducer(s) after fastening the carrier element 1 to the body portion.

[0416] The method of FIG. 10 can be used for determining a first set of operating parameters or a first set of treatment parameters for the selected application or it can be used for adjusting the operating parameter or a set of treatment parameters.

[0417] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-9 (if not present already).

[0418] The method of FIG. 11 is in particular suitable for treatment devices that include a plurality of transducers 2 that are firmly mounted to the carrier element 1. Hence, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 includes a step S62 of selecting the transducer(s) that is/are closest to target position(s) received in a related step S41 of receiving. The target position(s) received are often part of a set of treatment parameters received.

[0419] In dependence of the realization of the treatment device, in particular of the carrier element 1, the step S20 of determining a geometric property and the step S30 of transmitting the geometric property can be omitted.

[0420] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-10 (if not present already).

[0421] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for setting up a treatment device that includes an adjustment of the set of treatment parameters, in particular of the target position(s) comprised therein, wherein the adjustment considers an influence of the carrier element 1 fastened on the body portion to the body portion.

[0422] The embodiment of FIG. 12 further shows a step S63 of indicating the target positions on the carrier element 1, for example by small LEDs, said step being optional to the step S61 of arranging the transducer needed for the selected treatment at the target positions.

[0423] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-11 (if not present already).

[0424] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for setting up a treatment device that includes an optional step S71 of validating, for example in an iterative manner, a configuration of the treatment device. The step S70 of comparing determined position(s) of the transducer(s) with target position(s) can be considered as a step S71 of validating a configuration of the treatment device. However, other parameters of the treatment device can be validated in the step S71 of validating, for example the type of transducer 2 mounted, the orientation of the transducer(s) mounted etc.

[0425] The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 includes further an optional step S80 of determining a feedback that is related to an effect of the acoustic wave stimulation. The feedback can rely on a user feedback provided by the user via the user interface 12 or it can rely on a measurement on the body portion, for example via the sensor 13 for recording subject specific information other than the geometric or acoustic properties of the body portion.

[0426] In dependence of the realization of the treatment device, in particular of the carrier element 1, the step S20 of determining a geometric property and transmission of the geometric property to the computerized device in the step S31 of transmitting the position of the transducers 2 needed and the determined geometric property to the computerized device can be omitted.

[0427] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-12 (if not present already).

[0428] FIG. 14 shows a flow chart of another exemplary embodiment including the step S71 of validating a configuration of the treatment device and including optionally a step S81 of receiving a user feedback that is related to an effect of the acoustic wave stimulation. Said step S81 can be considered as an embodiment of the step of determining a feedback that is related to an effect of the acoustic wave stimulation.

[0429] The step S71 of validating a configuration of the treatment device is needed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 because the embodiment includes the step S61 of arranging the transducers needed at the target positions given by the set of treatment parameters or it includes the step S62 of selecting the transducer(s) that is/are closest to target position(s). Both steps can result in positions of the transducers 2 needed that do not correspond to the target positions in a sufficient manner. Hence, the configuration of the treatment device needs to be validated and the set of treatment parameters potentially needs to be adjusted either based on differences determined during the step S71 of validating the configuration or/or based on feedback that is a user feedback in the embodiment shown.

[0430] In dependence of the realization of the treatment device, in particular of the carrier element 1, the step S20 of determining a geometric property and the step S30 of transmitting the geometric property can be omitted.

[0431] The step S71 of validating a configuration can include the step S50 of determining the position of the needed transducers 2 relative to the body portion and the step S70 of comparing the determined positions with the target positions received in step S41.

[0432] As a rule, the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 includes further the step S1 of ready the carrier element 1, the at least one transducer 2 and the communication means 6, and the step S2 of connecting the communication means 6 to the remote computerized device as disclosed with respect to FIG. 6. It can include further the steps disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-13 (if not present already).

[0433] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for manufacturing a treatment device. The method comprises: [0434] A step S110 of determining the shape of at least a portion of the body portion to be treated. [0435] The shape can be determined in any manner and/or by any person disclosed above with respect to the determination of the shape of the body portion to be treated or a portion thereof. [0436] A step S120 of selecting at least one treatment of the body portion. [0437] In other words, the treatment device manufactured can be configured for one treatment only or for a plurality of treatments. [0438] A step S130 of determining a number of transducers and related target position(s). [0439] This means, that a minimum number of transducers needed for the treatment(s) selected is determined and the target position(s) needed for the selected treatment(s) is determined. [0440] A step S140 of providing a carrier element 1 that is equipped to arrange the number of transducers at the needed target position(s). [0441] As pointed out with respect to FIG. 6 for example, the carrier element 1 can be provided in a number of ways. [0442] The carrier element provided may be provided in any embodiment disclosed above. [0443] A step S150 of providing transducers in said number. [0444] As pointed out with respect to FIG. 6 for example, the transducer can be provided in a number of ways.

[0445] As pointed out above, the method for manufacturing may include a step of assembling the transducers and the carrier element, the step being carried out by the manufacturer or provider of the carrier element 1 and the transducers 2. However, it is possible that assembling is done by a practitioner or the end-user.