US 9,844,662 B2 · System for stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control, and method of use

Abstract

A system for use in stimulating bone growth, tissue healing, and/or pain control is described. The system includes a screw, a battery, a controller, and means for connecting the battery such that current is routed from the battery through the screw and thence to a target area of interest requiring treatment. The screw includes an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends. The shaft has an insulating coating extending along at least a portion of the length. The thickness of the insulating coating at various portions of the shaft is modulated to optimally direct current to a target area of interest requiring treatment. The controller adjusts the duty cycle of the current flow over the treatment period.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A screw for use in stimulating at least one of bone growth, tissue healing, and pain control comprising:

an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends, an exterior surface, and a screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the shaft and extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft, said exterior surface of the shaft including at least a portion of the screw thread having an insulating coating extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft;
a head adjacent one end of the shaft for engaging the screw to rotate the screw and thereby drive it into bone;
and
an electrical conductor electrically connectable to the shaft for conveying current through the shaft,
wherein a thickness of the insulating coating at a first portion of the shaft is greater than a thickness of the insulating coating at a second portion of the shaft.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/212,648Filed 14 Mar 2014 · continuation in part

Priority

3 Oct 2005

Published

US 2014/0200616 A117 Jul 2014

Granted

19 Dec 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61N 1/0558
Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes: anchoring or fixation means therefor
A61B 17/56
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
A61N 1/05
Electrodes: for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
A61N 1/0551
For implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode: spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Family

Application60/813,633Us provisional application · filed 3 Oct 2005

PCT/US2006/038699Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Oct 2006

US 2014/0200616 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Jul 2014

Application12/089,104Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 8,784,411 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2009/0054951 A1Published application

US 9,844,662 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

System for stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control, and method of use

Life of this patent

System for stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control, and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6