Optimization of bone formation at cathodes
AssigneeElectro-Biology, Inc.
InventorsBrian A. Pethica, James M. Devine, Anthony J. Varrichio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method including applying varying signals to a first electrode at the tissue site and a second electrode remote from the tissue site and monitoring the results to determine a distinctive transition in the current-voltage characteristics of the electrode pair. A signal is then selected and applied to the electrodes to operate beyond the transition. Periodically, a varying signal is applied to the electrodes and the monitoring process reperformed to determine a new transition and an appropriate signal is selected to operate beyond the transition.
Claims24
A method of stimulating osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site within a living body comprising:
- locating a first electrode at said tissue site within the living body;
- coupling a second electrode to said living body remote from said tissue site;
- applying various signal levels to said first and second electrodes and monitoring the resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes;
- identifying a voltage signal level at which a distinctive transition occurs in said current-voltage characteristic;
- and
- applying a voltage signal level to said electrodes to cause the electrodes to operate at a point on the current-voltage characteristic which is just beyond the point at which said transition occurs.
An apparatus for stimulating osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site in living tissue comprising:
- a first electrode adapted to be positioned at said tissue site within the living body;
- a second electrode adapted to be positioned in electrical contact with said living body;
- signal means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying various voltage signal levels to said first and second electrodes and for monitoring resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes, and for applying a voltage signal level to the electrodes to cause the electrodes to operate at a point along the current-voltage characteristic which is just beyond the point at which a distinctive transition in said characteristic occurs.
A method of dynamically determining an operating point for stimulation of osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site within a living body comprising:
- locating a first electrode at said tissue site within the living body;
- coupling a second electrode to said living body remote from said tissue site;
- applying various signal levels to said first and second electrodes and monitoring the resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes;
- identifying a voltage signal level at which a distinctive transition occurs in said current-voltage characteristic;
- and
- periodically applying said signal levels to said electrodes and monitoring the resulting current flow between the electrodes to re-determine the location along said current voltage characteristic of said transition point.
A method of stimulating osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site within a living body comprising:
- locating a first electrode at said tissue site within the living body;
- coupling a second electrode to said living body remote from said tissue site;
- applying various signal levels to said first and second electrodes and monitoring the resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes;
- identifying a voltage signal level at which a distinctive transition occurs in said current-voltage characteristic;
- applying a voltage signal level to said electrodes to cause the electrodes to operate about a point on the current-voltage characteristic at which said transition occurs;
- periodically applying said signal levels to said electrodes and monitoring the resulting current flow between the electrodes to re-determine the location along said current voltage characteristic of said transition point;
- and
- modifying said voltage signal applied to said electrodes to cause the electrodes to operate about said newly determined transition point.
An apparatus for dynamically determining an operating point for stimulation of osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site in living tissue comprising:
- a first electrode adapted to be positioned at said tissue site within the living body;
- a second electrode adapted to be positioned in electrical contact with said living body;
- signal means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying various voltage signal levels to said first and second electrodes and for monitoring resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes, said signal means including monitor means for monitoring said current-voltage characteristic and for recognizing changes in the point at which the distinctive transition occurs.
An apparatus for stimulating osteogenesis or other tissue repair processes at a tissue site in living tissue comprising:
- a first electrode adapted to be positioned at said tissue site within the living body;
- a second electrode adapted to be positioned in electrical contact with said living body;
- and
- signal means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying various voltage signal levels to said first and second electrodes and for monitoring resulting current flows between the electrodes to determine a current-voltage characteristic of said electrodes, and for applying a voltage signal level to the electrodes to cause the electrodes to operated about a point along the current-voltage characteristic at which a distinctive transition in said characteristic occurs, said signal means including monitor means for monitoring said current-voltage characteristic and for recognizing changes in the point at which the distinctive transition occurs, and control means for causing said signal means to maintain the operation of the electrodes about the point at which the changed transition occurs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.