Self-Powered Bone Growth Stimulator

• US 20190009083A1
• Filed: 07/28/2016
• Published: 01/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Haridas Kumarakuru, Thomas J. Webster
• Original Assignee: Northeastern University
• Inventors: WEBSTER, Thomas J., KUMARAKURU, Haridas
• Application Number:
  US15/747,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20190009083A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for therapies involving the application of an electrical signal within the body of a subject involve the use of an implanted piezoelectric nanogenerator to provide a self-generated electrical signal without the use of batteries. The electrical signal stimulates healing of a tissue, such as bone, or provides pain relief by inhibiting neuronal pain signals. An external signal generator induces mechanical stress in an implanted piezoelectric nanomaterial, which produces the electrical signal.

Claims

1. A nanogenerator device comprising a substrate and a layer of piezoelectric material disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the nanogenerator device is suitable for implantation in the body of a living subject and generates a current within the body of the subject in response to mechanical stress on the device.

2. The nanogenerator device of claim 1, further comprising a top layer covering the layer of piezoelectric material.

3. The nanogenerator device of claim 2, wherein the substrate and top layer both comprise an electrically conductive material.

4. The nanogenerator device of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material is in the form of nanowires, nanorods, or nanotubes.

5. The nanogenerator device of claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric material comprises zinc oxide nanowires.

6. The nanogenerator device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises anodized titanium.

7. The nanogenerator device of claim 1, further comprising a housing surrounding the substrate and piezoelectric material.

8. The nanogenerator device of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a biodegradable material

9. The nanogenerator device of claim 7, further comprising two electrodes disposed on an external surface of said housing.

10. The nanogenerator device of claim 1, further comprising two conductive leads for delivering a generated current to electrodes.

11. A system for promoting bone growth or repair in a subject in need thereof, the system comprising:

the nanogenerator device of claim 1;

a stimulator device capable of inducing mechanical stress in the piezoelectric material of the nanogenerator device while the stimulator device is mounted outside the body of the subject and the nanogenerator device is implanted in the body of the subject; and

a pair of electrodes electrically coupled by wires to the nanogenerator device.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a belt or strap for mounting the stimulator device on an external surface of the body of the subject.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the stimulator device comprises a vibration or ultrasound generator.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the stimulator device comprises a programmable processor, a memory, and a display.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the stimulator device further comprises a wireless transceiver.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the nanogenerator device, pair of electrodes, and wires are implanted in the body of the subject.

17. A method of promoting bone growth or repair in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the system of claim 11;

(b) implanting the nanogenerator device, pair of electrodes, and wires of the system in the body of the subject, wherein the electrodes are disposed near a site of bone growth or repair and the nanogenerator device is implanted in a location suitable for mechanostimulation by the stimulator device;

(c) mounting the stimulator device of the system at an external surface of the body of the subject, whereby the stimulator device overlays the nanogenerator device; and

(d) inducing mechanical stress in the piezoelectric material of the nanogenerator device using the stimulator device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the site of bone growth or repair is a spinal fusion.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein mechanical stress is induced in step (d) through the generation of vibration or ultrasound by the stimulator device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein mechanical stress is induced in step (d) with the use of a programmed sequence of stimulation provided by the stimulator device.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising administering one or more pharmaceutical or biotherapeutic agents that promote bone growth or remodeling.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising monitoring bone growth or repair using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography.