The invention contemplates a body-mounted fixture for supporting a source of magnetic flux in position as appropriate to coact with intra-oral magnet structure, to non-invasively achieve orthodontic and/or periodontic therapy. In coaction with an intra-oral magnet, the extra-orally mounted source of magnetic flux establishes an orthodontic-force environment (with a range of resultant-force magnitudes and directions), and/or a therapeutically beneficial environment for a selected region of tooth and alveolar bone requiring osteogenesis and soft-tissue repair.

A method for preventing osteopenia, promoting bone tissue growth, ingrowth, and healing of bone tissue includes the step of applying a mechanical load to the bone tissue at a relatively low level on the order of between about 50 and about 500 microstrain, peak-to-peak, and at a relatively high frequency in the range of about 10 and about 50 hertz. Mechanical loading at such strain levels and such frequencies has been found to prevent bone loss and enhance new bone formation.

The invention contemplates an improved strap or bandage mounting of a socket element for removably engaged coupling of an ultrasonic transducer element to an afflicted limb. In a preferred embodiment, a radially flanged annular socket element is formed with outward lugs at axial offset from the flange, for preliminary assembly to a length of bandage material which has been cut to provide an opening for registration with the bore of the socket element, with the flange surrounding the opening and against one side of the bandage, while the outward lugs engage the other side of the bandage and also assure the desired registration. A softly compliant pad having a similar opening is removably securable to the flange-mounted side of the bandage to hold registration of the same central opening for all components and to afford direct access to an afflicted body-limb region through the central opening, when the thus-assembled bandage has been wrapped around the limb to securely position the socket element for reception of the transducer of a treatment head. Bayonet-locking lug formations on or near the transducer part of the head coact with lug formations on the socket element to retain the transducer during treatment of an afflicted bone through gel-coupled flesh at the situs of injury.

Induction heating can be utilized to cause necrosis of neoplasm as a result of hyperthermia by a process involving the injection of particles having hysteresis heating characteristics into tissue either within or in close proximity to the neoplasm and then subjecting these particles to an alternating magnetic field sufficient to cause hysteresis heating. The frequency of the field is preferably sufficiently low so as to minimize eddy current and dielectric heating. The particles used are preferably initially located within a biologically inert liquid carrier which will facilitate the insertion of the particles within the body and which will automatically become non-liquid within the body so as to hold the particles in place. The actual heating is preferably carried out by positioning either the entire patient or the affected portion of the patient's body through a series of axially aligned, parallel, liquid cooled coils. Only one of these coils is connected to a power supply.

The invention contemplates a cast-embedable coil structure which includes a single connector fitting, designed for exposure externally of a completed cast and for removable mounting and electrical connection to a self-contained light-weight rechargeable portable signal-generator unit. The signal-generator unit is mounted to the cast only for periods of therapeutic treatment, and it is removably mounted to a less-portable charging unit in intervals between periods of therapeutic treatment. The same connector fitting on the generator unit (a) establishes all necessary electrical connections for therapy when mounted to the cast fitting and (b) establishes all necessary electrical connections for recharging when mounted to the charging unit. Various automatic and display functions are provided in the signal-generator unit and in the charging unit.