Other

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Medrelief Inc.

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Energy

Healthonics, Inc.

Marhaygue, LLC

Equitech Int'l Corporation

Mini Incinerator, LLC

Verimed Holdings, LLC

James W Kronberg

Timothy Ganey

Stephen L Gordon

Guerry E Green

James R Cadieux

Brett P Hamilton

Kenneth W Haerer

Lisa A Hamilton

Robert M Younkins

Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the growth, development and repair of bone, cartilage or other connective tissue. Devices and stimulus waveforms are provided to differentially modulate the behavior of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and other connective tissue cells to promote proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation or mineralization for in vitro or in vivo applications. Continuous-mode and pulse-burst-mode stimulation of cells with charge-balanced signals may be used. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by nitric oxide release through electrical stimulation and may be modulated through co-administration of NO donors and NO synthase inhibitors. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by release of BMP-2 and BMP-7 in response to electrical stimulation to promote differentiation of cells. The methods and devices described are useful in promoting repair of bone fractures, cartilage and connective tissue repair as well as for engineering tissue for transplantation.

Methods for modulating osteochondral development using bioelectrical stimulation

A hand-held, disposable incinerator for medications and electronic storage media includes a body and a lid, a layer of insulation, and a chemical burn agent, which on ignition produces both heat and oxygen to destroy the contents. Exhaust gases pass through a non-combustible filter to remove most solid particles and contaminants, followed by a second, higher-efficiency filter. Hot gases exiting from the incinerator then desirably ignite again from their own heat, consuming remaining volatile organic matter distilled from the items being destroyed. An igniter, which may be a fuse, a pull-tab-activated pyrotechnic delay or an electronically remote-triggered igniter, provides a delay for the safety of the person using the incinerator. Heat generated within the burn chamber decomposes most organic materials, melts soft metals including aluminum and electronic solder, and renders data storage devices unreadable. At least an inner portion of the device may be safely discarded.

Hand-held medication and electronic waste incinerator

A structural polymeric composite includes a stiffening layer. The composite is made in a continuous extrusion process in which the stiffening layer is pulled through a cross-head die as a polymer is extruded over it. The layer includes a film or textile carrier, a filler of carbon fibers, fiberglass, organic fibers or minerals forming a mat. A binder may be dispersed over the mat and a second carrier applied. The mat is subjected to heat and pressure to soften the carriers and binder so they penetrate into the interstices of the filler and binds mechanically with them and the carriers and binder bind chemically with each other to form the stiffening layer. A polymer is then extruded over the stiffening layer, which may be used flat, provided with holes or punches for composite action with the polymer, formed into a profile, or segmented to provide spaced-apart stiffening layers.

Structural composition and method

Methods for modulating osteochondral development using bioelectric stimulation

A system is provided for monitoring the removal of blister pack contents. An array of spatially-extended, electrically parallel breakable traces made from electrically resistive material is formed behind a corresponding array of blisters of a blister card. Then this array is connected in series with a reference resistor to form a voltage divider. All resistive traces are formed from the same materials in a single operation. Blister breakage is determined using changes in the ratio of the resistances of the array and the divider. A predictive algorithm is used to adjust the threshold resistance ratio change that signals blister breakage and voltage ratios are used to adjust for battery output changes over time. Breakage events and their time of occurrence are recorded in nonvolatile memory for later retrieval. Additional resistors can be used for activating the system and detecting tampering.

Blister pack content usage monitoring

An apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, including two timing blocks for generating timing intervals T-T, an interconnection block for combining these intervals into an output signal having predetermined relationships among the intervals, an output block for transmitting the output signal to a load, and, optionally, a filter for removing unwanted frequency components from the output signal and an adjustment block for selecting from among a plurality of output signals with predetermined characteristics. The output is a repeating succession of a burst of rectangular waves, an equalizing pulse (if needed) to cancel net DC, and a rest period of no signal.

Apparatus and method for bioelectric stimulation, healing acceleration and pain relief

A method and class of circuit configurations for coupling low-frequency signals from one stage of an electronic apparatus to another stage, from the outside world to such a stage, or from such a stage to the outside world, through the use of a plurality of symmetrical double-layer capacitors combined with other electronic components are disclosed. The capacitors are used for signal transmission while blocking direct current, rather than for energy storage. Use of double-layer capacitors in place of more conventional capacitors permits the transmission of a much wider range of signals with far less distortion. The technology is particularly well-adapted to use in medical devices, including bioelectronic stimulators, where redundant devices are required for safety in case of single component failure while unacceptable levels of distortion may occur when conventional components are used.

Method and system for signal coupling and direct current blocking

An method and method for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, including two timing-interval generators, each optionally driving a multistep sequencer; analog, digital or hybrid means for combining the resulting timed signals into a complex electrical signal; optional filtering means for blocking direct current, removing selected frequency components from the resulting signal, and/or providing voltage step-up if needed; and conductive means for coupling the resulting signal to a human or animal body, food, beverage or other liquid, cell or tissue culture, or pharmaceutical material, in order to relieve pain, stimulate healing or growth, enhance the production of specific biochemicals, or devitalize selected types of organisms.

Apparatus and method for bioelectric stimulation, healing acceleration, pain relief, or pathogen devitalization

An apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, including two timing blocks for generating timing intervals T -T , an interconnection block for combining these intervals into an output signal having predetermined relationships among the intervals, an output block for transmitting the output signal to a load, and, optionally, a filter for removing unwanted frequency components from the output signal and an adjustment block for selecting from among a plurality of output signals with predetermined characteristics. The output is a repeating succession of a burst of rectangular waves, an equalizing pulse (if needed) to cancel net DC, and a rest period of no signal.

A voltage stabilizer apparatus with digitally-controlled emulation of servotransformer operation to provide smooth voltage control. Tap-switching on both the primary and the secondary sides of a transformer allows a small number of relays to provide a large number of voltage step-up and step-down ratios. The maximum number of achievable ratios is equal to N &equals;(m*n&minus;p&plus;1) where m is the number of primary taps, n the number of secondary taps, and p the number of taps which are common to both sets. The taps are preferably placed at approximately logarithmic intervals along the transformer winding to provide evenly-spaced step-up and step-down ratios. Additional components may include devices for sensing under- or over-voltages, preventing unwanted cycling under load, rectifiers, arc-suppression devices, circuitry for interfacing with the user's electronic equipment, and LEDs or other indicators for providing feedback on the operational state of the apparatus.

Digitally-controlled AC voltage stabilizer

A pulsed signal generator for biomedical applications, including electrical stimulation of fracture healing, treatment of osteoporosis, strengthening of freshly-healed bone after removal of a cast or other fixation device, and iontophoresis. The generator includes dual asymmetric oscillators and associated circuitry to deliver signals efficiently throughout the area to be treated. The components of the generator are selected so as to produce any desired output signal, including fixed and variable amplitude, fixed, variable, and swept frequency signals, and optional DC biasing. The pulse frequency and/or interval can be fixed or adjustable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generator is powered by readily-available, inexpensive batteries.

Growing community of inventors

Aiken, SC, United States of America

James W Kronberg