Apparatus and method for enhancing tissue repair in mammals
Inventors
Goodwin, Thomas J. • Parker, Clayton R.
Assignees
Regenetech Inc • National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Publication Number
US-7601114-B2
Publication Date
2009-10-13
Expiration Date
2025-06-29
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Abstract
An apparatus is introduced for the use of enhancing tissue repair in mammals. The apparatus includes a sleeve; an electrically conductive coil; a sleeve support; an electrical circuit configured to supply the coil with a square wave time varying electrical current sufficient to create approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss. When in use, the sleeve of the apparatus is placed on a mammalian body part and the time varying electromagnetic force of from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss is generated on the mammalian body for an extended period of time so that the tissue is encouraged to be regenerated in the mammalian body part at a rate in excess of the normal tissue regeneration rate relative to regeneration without application of the time varying electromagnetic force
Core Innovation
The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing tissue repair in mammals, comprising a sleeve that encircles a mammalian body part with an electrically conductive coil capable of generating an electromagnetic field when energized. The apparatus includes means to support the sleeve on the body part and an electrical circuit that supplies the coil with a square wave time varying electrical current generating a time varying electromagnetic force of approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss within the coil's interior. This apparatus is used by placing the sleeve on the mammalian body part so that the time varying electromagnetic force is applied for an extended period to enhance tissue regeneration beyond the normal rate that would occur without such application.
The invention addresses a long-standing problem in electromagnetic therapy areas where prior approaches used high levels of electromagnetic force, usually 50 gauss or more, which had limited or controversial success in tissue repair. These prior methods employed flat magnetic generators or wrapped magnetic blankets with on-off pulses or sinusoidal waves but failed to find an effective key to electromagnetic regeneration of mammalian tissue. This invention discovers that a square wave time varying electromagnetic force at a much lower level, from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss, produces enhanced tissue regeneration.
The invention also includes a method for increasing tissue repair by encompassing the mammalian body part with the apparatus, supplying the electrically conductive coil with a square wave time varying current to generate the electromagnetic force in the specified range, and applying it for a time sufficient to increase the tissue regeneration rate beyond normal regenerative capacity without the electromagnetic force.
Claims Coverage
The claims cover one independent method claim focused on enhancing tissue repair using a specific electromagnetic apparatus and method. The main inventive features pertain to the structure of the apparatus, the nature of the electrical current applied, and the electromagnetic force generated.
Method of increasing tissue repair with a time varying electromagnetic force
A method encompassing applying a sleeve with an electrically conductive coil around a mammalian body part, supplying the coil with a square wave time varying electrical current sufficient to create a time varying electromagnetic force from approximately 0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss, and generating this electromagnetic force on the body part for a time sufficient to enhance tissue regeneration at a rate exceeding the normal regeneration rate without the electromagnetic force.
The claim centers on the innovative method of applying a low-intensity, square wave, time varying electromagnetic field via a coil-containing sleeve to significantly enhance mammalian tissue repair rates beyond normal healing without the need for high-intensity electromagnetic fields or different waveforms.
Stated Advantages
Enhances tissue regeneration in mammals at a rate exceeding normal tissue regeneration without application of electromagnetic force.
Uses a much lower electromagnetic force (0.05 gauss to 0.5 gauss) than previously considered effective, avoiding high intensity fields.
Provides an effective square wave time varying electromagnetic force for tissue repair, which had not been previously identified as key to regeneration.
Documented Applications
Use of the apparatus on mammalian body parts such as a leg to enhance tissue repair, including bone tissue repair.
Application of the sleeve apparatus for accelerating healing of fractures and soft tissue injuries in mammals.
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