Method and apparatus for controlling the growth of cartilage
US5067940A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for regulating the growth of cartilage in vivo are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined axis and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied magnetic field is oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to average flux density. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field as the composite magnetic flux density changes in response to changes in the local magnetic field to which the target tissue is subjected. By maintaining these precise predetermined ratios of frequency to average magnetic flux density, growth characteristics of the target cartilage are controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.