Electrically mediated angiogenesis

An electrical stimulation apparatus for delivering an electrical field over a predetermined period of time to a targeted body tissue in order to stimulate an upregulation of VEGF expression by living cells within the targeted body tissue:

• the electrical stimulation apparatus comprising:
• an electrical field generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply;
• and
• a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field to the targeted body tissue;
• the plurality of electrodes being in electrical communication with the power supply;
• the control mechanism controlling an amplitude and a duration of a period of delivery of an electrical pulse from the power supply to the respective electrodes and to the targeted body tissue when the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the targeted body tissue at a plurality of first locations such that an electrical field can be generate between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field delivered to the targeted body tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to cause living cells in the targeted body tissue to have an increased VEGF expression.

A method of treatment of targeted body tissues in which increased vascularization is desirable;

• said method of treatment comprising the step of:
• providing living cells which are biologically compatible with the targeted body tissue
• stimulating the living cells with an electrical field sufficient to increase VEGF expression by the living cells, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field delivered to the targeted body tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to cause the living to increase VEGF expression;
• and
• injecting the stimulated cells into the targeted body tissue.