Apparatus for enhancing tissue repair in mammals
Inventors
Goodwin, Thomas J. • Parker, Clayton R.
Assignees
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (AS REPRESENTED BY ADMINISTRATOR OF NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION) • Regenetech Inc • National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Publication Number
US-7179217-B2
Publication Date
2007-02-20
Expiration Date
2025-06-29
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing tissue repair in mammals, with the apparatus comprising: a sleeve for encircling a portion of a mammalian body part, said sleeve comprising an electrically conductive coil capable of generating an electromagnetic field when an electrical current is applied thereto, means for supporting the sleeve on the mammalian body part; and means for supplying the electrically conductive coil with a square wave time varying electrical current sufficient to create a time varying electromagnetic force of from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.05 gauss within the interior of the coil in order that when the sleeve is placed on a mammalian body part and the time varying electromagnetic force of from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.05 gauss is generated on the mammalian body part for an extended period of time, tissue regeneration within the mammalian body part is increased to a rate in excess of the normal tissue regeneration rate that would occur without application of the time varying electromagnetic force.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing tissue repair in mammals, specifically through a sleeve that fits over a mammalian body part. The sleeve comprises an electrically conductive coil capable of generating a time varying electromagnetic field when supplied with a square wave electrical current. This electromagnetic force within the coil ranges from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss and is applied for an extended period to increase the tissue regeneration rate beyond the normal healing rate without such application.
The background section describes the longstanding interest and controversy surrounding bio-magnetic therapy, noting previous use of magnets and pulsed electromagnetic fields primarily at higher force levels of about 50 gauss or more. Prior art used pulsed waves that were either on-off pulses or sinusoidal waves, none of which achieved consistent tissue regeneration results. The problem addressed by the invention is the lack of effective electromagnetic therapy for tissue regeneration at appropriate levels and waveforms, as previous methods did not discover the key to electromagnetic regeneration at the proper low-force square wave application.
The invention solves this problem by identifying the critical parameters: a square wave (Fourier curve) time varying electromagnetic wave at a low level of approximately 0.05 to 0.5 gauss, substantially lower than prior electromagnetic therapies. The sleeve is equipped with a coil with roughly ten windings per inch made of ferromagnetic wire, which when energized by the square wave current, creates the specified electromagnetic field inside the coil. Additionally, it is preferable to administer calcium ion supplements to the mammal during treatment to enhance tissue repair, making the apparatus and method effective in accelerating healing of bone fractures and ulcerated skin.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim which covers a method of increasing tissue repair involving multiple inventive elements.
Method of increasing tissue repair with controlled electromagnetic force and calcium ion augmentation
The method includes providing a mammal with an increased level of calcium ions (Ca+ or Ca++), maintaining that increased level throughout the tissue repair process, placing a sleeve with an electrically conductive coil around the mammalian body part, and supplying the coil with a square wave time varying electrical current sufficient to generate a time varying electromagnetic force of about 0.05 to 0.5 gauss inside the coil. The electromagnetic force is applied for an extended period to increase tissue regeneration beyond normal rates.
The independent claim focuses on a combined approach of applying a low-level square wave electromagnetic field via a coil-equipped sleeve and maintaining elevated calcium ion levels in the subject to improve tissue repair efficiency beyond natural healing.
Stated Advantages
Enhancement and acceleration of tissue repair in mammalian body parts.
Increased healing rate of bone fractures and ulcerated skin beyond normal rates without electromagnetic application.
Documented Applications
Accelerating repair of broken bones in mammals.
Increased healing rate of ulcerated skin.
Use on body parts such as human arms or legs, or legs of animals like dogs, cats, and horses.
Interested in licensing this patent?