A method of inducing bone growth which comprises directing energy in the form of acoustic shock waves to a site where bone growth is desired, the amount of energy applied being sufficient to produce bleeding.
An apparatus for treating a patient which induces an electric current in the body through external application of an electromagnetic field. The apparatus includes means for controlling the magnitude of the induced electric current by sensing the electromagnetic field and automatically controlling its strength. The sensing may be accomplished through time multiplexed use of the field inducing coil or through the use of a separated, dedicated coil.
A method for screening a selected material for its osteoconductive or osteoinductive potential, which includes implanting a structure comprising the material, extraskeletally into a baboon, and examining the structure a predetermined period of time after implantation to determine what amount of bone, if any, has formed on or within the structure.
Apparatus for promoting healing in a bony structure having an injury is provided. A bone graft is positioned directly on a conductive mesh frame, which is placed over the bone injury site. A retainer is fastened to the conductive mesh frame and sandwiches the bone graft therebetween. Over the retainer a brace is fastened and further secured to the bony structure directly over the site of the injury. The brace effectively applies pressure on the retainer to effect an intimate contact between the ...
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.
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 a specific coil configuration adapted for application to particular regions of the body, for use in treating a selected such region with pulsed electromagnetic signals which are induced within the body as electric voltage and concomitant current signals which alter the growth, repair and maintenance behavior of living tissues and cells within the body region under treatment.
A method for stimulating the production of growth factor in living tissue is provided. The method involves time application of a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. This method provides a non-invasive technique for mediating tissue growth, maintenance, and repair by stimulating the production of growth factors in the tissue of interest. Because cell growth is stimulated by increased levels of growth...
A hyperthermia device includes a pair of magnetic poles for applying an alternating magnetic field in a body to be heated, these two magnetic poles being laterally arranged on the surface of the body and having time varying polarities opposite to each other, and allowing a line of magnetic force including a component perpendicular to the surface of the body in the vicinity of these magnetic poles.
An apparatus and method for regulating tissue growth in vivo are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined access and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied m...
