Patent ID: 8226582

Claim:
A modal converter assembly for healing tissue, the modal converter assembly comprising: a. a transducer configured to transmit acoustic waves; b. a body configured to house the transducer, the body including a base and a tubular housing, wherein the tubular housing extends at an oblique angle from the base, and wherein the transducer is located in the tubular housing; and c. a modal converter, wherein a material of the modal converter has a speed of sound similar to the speed of sound in the tissue, the modal converter being placed within the tubular housing and having a first end coupled to the transducer and a second end coplanar with at least a portion of the base such that, when the base is coupled to tissue, acoustic waves generated by the transducer are transmitted through the modal converter and into the tissue at the oblique angle relative to a surface of the tissue, wherein the acoustic waves are transferred as shear waves and longitudinal waves to treat a damaged portion of the tissue.