초록 ▼

A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixati

A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixation device for stabilization of a selected portion of a patient. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes an electrical circuit attached to and forming an integral component of the external fixation device and operable to generate an electrical drive signal. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes a cable adapted to connect the electrical drive signal to a stimulator portion operable to provide an electromagnetic field to stimulate the growth of bone and tissue at the selected portion of the patient and/or at other portions of the patient. More particularly, the electromagnetic field may be produced by directing a current through the external fixation device into the patient.

대표청구항 ▼

A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixati

A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixation device for stabilization of a selected portion of a patient. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes an electrical circuit attached to and forming an integral component of the external fixation device and operable to generate an electrical drive signal. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes a cable adapted to connect the electrical drive signal to a stimulator portion operable to provide an electromagnetic field to stimulate the growth of bone and tissue at the selected portion of the patient and/or at other portions of the patient. More particularly, the electromagnetic field may be produced by directing a current through the external fixation device into the patient. reservoir where said second electrode is in electronic communication with said current supply unit; and (d) a second sensor within said second reservoir where said second sensor is in electronic communication with said current supply unit; and wherein said current supply unit reverses the polarity of said first electrode based upon feedback from said first sensor and reverses the polarity of the second electrode based upon feedback from said second sensor. 2. A system of claim 1, where said system comprises a third electrode in electronic communication with said current supply unit, where said third electrode is not in physical contact with the first reservoir or said second reservoir. 3. A method of claim 2, wherein said first active agent and said second active agent are the same active agent. 4. A method for delivering an active agent through a body surface of a mammal, said method comprising the steps of: (a) affixing said first orifice of said system of claim 2 to the body surface of said mammal; (b) affixing said second orifice of said system of claim 2 to the body surface of said mammal; and (c) affixing said third electrode of said system of claim 2 to the body surface of said mammal such that current passes from said third electrode to said first electrode and to the second electrode through the body of said mammal; wherein said current supply unit supplies current to said first electrode and said second electrode, said current supply unit reverses the polarity of said first electrode based upon the feedback from said first sensor, and said current supply unit reverses the polarity of said second electrode based upon the feedback from said second sensor. 5. A method of claim 4, wherein said body surface is the skin of said mammal. 6. A method of claim 4, wherein said first active agent and said second active agent are the same active agent. 7. A system of claim 1, wherein said first sensor is selected from the group consisting of sensors for the measurement of pH, conductivity, impedance, said first active agent, ions, and biological compounds. 8. A system of claim 7, wherein said second sensor is selected from the group consisting of sensors for the measurement of pH, conductivity, impedance, said second active agent, ions, and biological compounds. 9. A system of claim 1, wherein said second sensor is selected from the group consisting of sensors for the measurement of pH, conductivity, impedance, said second active agent, ions, and biological compounds. 10. A system of claim 1, wherein said current supply unit modifies another electric parameter at said first electrode based upon feedback from said first sensor where said electric parameter is selected from the group consisting of current intensity and current waveforms. 11. A system of claim 10, wherein said current supply unit modifies another electric parameter at said second electrode based upon feedback from said second sensor where said electric parameter is selected from the group consisting of current intensity and current waveforms. 12. A system of claim 1, wherein said current supply unit modifies another electric parameter at said second electrode based upon feedback from said second sensor where said electric parameter is selected from the group consisting of current intensity and current waveforms. 13. A method of claim 1, wherein said first active agent and said second active agent are the same active agent. 14. A method for delivering an active agent through a body surface of a mammal, said method comprising the steps of: (a) affixing said first orifice of said system of claim 1 to the body surface of said mammal; and (b) affixing said second orifice of said system of claim 1 to the body surface of said mammal such that current passes from said first electrode to the second electrode through the body of said mammal; wherein said current supply unit supplies current to said first electrode and said second electrode, said current s