Device for promoting formation of bone material

• US 3,918,440 A
• Filed: 07/06/1973
• Issued: 11/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Werner Kraus
• Original Assignee: Werner Kraus
• Inventors: Kraus, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/377,018
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 128/82.1,2.1E,2.6E,419P,419F,83,418,404,420,421,413,303 3/1 339/217R,218R,91R
• US Class Current: 602/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6441 Bilateral fixators, i.e. with both ends of pins or wires clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for promoting the formation of bone material in the region of the bone structure of a living being by the application of an A.C. signal, including at least two metal electrodes, which can be inserted into the bone, and an A.C. signal source, which has at least two connecting wires. Each of the connecting wires is connected to a corresponding one of the metal electrodes. A locking element is connected to the end of each connecting wire and a corresponding receiving element is disposed on each of the electrodes. By interlocking of the locking element with the corresponding receiving element, the connection between the connecting wire and the corresponding electrode is effected.

Claims

1. In an implantable device for promoting the formation of bone material in the region of the bone structure of a living being by the application of an A.C. signal, the device including at least two metal bone screws capable of being inserted into the bone structure and a pick-up coil having at least two connecting wires, each of which is to be electrically connected to a corresponding one of the metal bone screws, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of first locking means each connected to a respective one of said connecting wires; and

receiving means provided by each of said bone screws for receiving said locking means of said corresponding connecting wire so that each said connecting wire is connected in an interlocking relationship to said corresponding bone screw.

2. In a device for promoting the formation of bone material in the region of the bone structure of a living being by the application of an A.C. signal, the device including at least two metal electrodes capable of being inserted into the bone structure and an A.C. signal source having at least two flexible connecting wires, each of which is to be electrically connected to a corresponding one of the metal electrodes, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of first locking means each connected to a respective one of said connecting wires and receiving means disposed on each of said metal electrodes for receiving said locking means of said corresponding connecting wire so that each said connecting wire is connected in an interlocking relationship to said corresponding metal electrode, wherein each said electrode includes a bone screw, whose head has a recess therein forming said receiving means and said locking means includes a cap-like connecting element formed so as to securely fit in said recess in said screw head of said corresponding electrode.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said recess in said screw head is a hexagonal socket, which internally has a widened portion, and said cap-like connecting element is substantially mushroom-shaped with a widened portion along the peripheral surface of its shank, corresponding to the widened portion of said hexagonal socket, further comprises:

connecting electrodes electrically connected to said connecting wires and disposed on the axial surface of said connecting element such that when said connecting element is inserted into said hexagonal socket said connecting electrodes are clamped therebetween.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting wire is connected to said connecting element so as to be perpendicularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said connecting element.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means includes resilient means which releasably interlocks with said receiving means so that said connecting wires can be subsequently disconnected from said electrodes.

6. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said signal source comprises a pick-up coil.