The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 31, 1977
Filed:
Nov. 06, 1974
Didya D Levy, Brooklyn, NY (US);
Hydro Med Sciences Inc., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for stimulating in vivo bone growth whereby a train of electrical pulses, rather than a direct current potential, is applied to the bone in vivo to produce faster and more satisfactory growth than a direct current voltage. In the embodiment described below, an astable multivibrator producing a pulse train with a duty cycle preferably between 1/10% and 10% is encapsulated in a corrosion resistant material which is, in turn, coated with a non-toxic, non-tissue reactive coating to produce a self-contained prosthetic which will stimulate bone growth. A second component of this prosthetic system is comprised of a suitable substrate material that can be electrically driven to induce tissue infiltration into the substrate pore structure. This second component of the prosthetic system is not required for the proper functioning of the active component of said prosthetic system but may be used as an adjunct aid if the attending physician so elects. In the embodiment described below, several classes of such materials are discussed. These materials are non-toxic and non-tissue reactive and are of such design as to readily permit tissue infiltration.