Modifying the genetic regulation of bone and cartilage cells and associated tissue by EMF stimulation fields and uses thereof

US8795147B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Thomas J. Goodwin · Friendswood, US
• Linda C. Shackelford · Webster, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 2010
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2014
• Expiry date: Nov 1, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2/004
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method to modify the genetic regulation of mammalian tissue, bone, or any combination. The method may be comprised of the steps of tuning at least one predetermined profile associated with at least one time-varying stimulation field thereby resulting in at least one tuned time-varying stimulation field comprised of at least one tuned predetermined profile, wherein said at least one tuned predetermined profile is comprised of a plurality of tuned predetermined figures of merit and is controllable through at least one of said plurality of tuned predetermined figures of merit, wherein said plurality of predetermined tuned figures of merit is comprised of a tuned B-Field magnitude, tuned rising slew rate, tuned rise time, tuned falling slew rate, tuned fall time, tuned frequency, tuned wavelength, and tuned duty cycle; and exposing mammalian chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, nucleus pulposus, associated tissue, or any combination to said at least one tuned time-varying stimulation field comprised of said at least one tuned predetermined profile for a predetermined tuned exposure time or plurality of tuned exposure time sequences.