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Tissue growth control apparatus and method

  • US 4,314,554 A
  • Filed: 07/16/1979
  • Issued: 02/09/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for implantation in a patient for providing germicidal and healing treatment of tissue such as bone comprising:

  • (a) an electrode of silver adapted to be operatively connected to a living tissue site to be healed;

    (b) another electrode adapted to be connected to a location spaced from the site to be healed;

    (c) a source of direct voltage having positive and negative polarity output terminals;

    (d) switching means operatively connected to said electrodes and to said terminals of said source, said switching means having a first state wherein said silver electrode is connected to said positive terminal and said other electrode is connected to said negative terminal once during an initial portion of the time during which said silver electrode is operatively connected to the tissue site and a second state wherein said silver electrode is connected to said negative terminal and said other electrode is connected to said positive terminal once during the remaining portion of the time during which said silver electrode is operatively connected to the tissue site, said switching means including means enabling said switching means to be operated by operator means positioned external to said patient at a location so as to be operatively associated with said switching means for selectively and non-invasively changing the states of said switching means; and

    (e) means for enclosing said source, said switching means, any portion of said silver electrode not in operative contact with said tissue site to be healed, and any portion of said other electrode not in operative contact with said location spaced from the site to be healed, said enclosing means being of human body reaction free material thereby permitting said apparatus to be implanted in the body of the patient;

    (f) whereby when said switching means is in said first state current flow is in a direction relative to said silver electrode causing silver ions to be released to create a germicidal environment at the tissue site and when said switching means is in said second state current flow is in an opposite direction causing healing of tissue at the site.

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