Method and apparatus for direct electrical injection of gold ions into tissue such as bone
US4405311A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1980 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating rheumatoid arthritis by direct injection of electrically generated gold ions into the patient's joint. The gold ions are electrically generated by anodal corrosion of a gold electrode, such as by passing a constant electric current through the gold electrode which can be a thin wire and which is surgically placed in contact with the arthritic joint. The apparatus comprises a source of direct current including a battery and a constant current generator, a gold electrode connected to the source electrically as an anode and adapted to be placed surgically in operative contact with the arthritic joint, and an indifferent electrode connected to the source electrically as a cathode and adapted to be placed in operative contact with the patient's body spaced from the joint. The entire apparatus can be implanted in the patient's body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.