Electrode for stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control, and method of use

摘要

A screw for use in stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control. The screw includes an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends, an exterior surface and a screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the shaft and extending along at least a portion of the length. The shaft has an electrically conducting portion and an electrically insulating portion. The screw also includes a head adjacent one end of the shaft for engaging the screw to rotate the screw and thereby drive it into bone. The screw includes an electrical conductor electrically connectable to the shaft for conveying current through the shaft to the bone through the conducting portion of the shaft.

主权项

1. A screw for use in stimulating at least one of bone growth, tissue healing and pain control comprising:
an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends, an exterior surface and a screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the shaft and extending along at least a portion of the length, said screw thread having an electrically conducting portion and an electrically insulating portion, the electrically conducting portion being located for deposition in a first pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue and the electrically insulating portion being located for deposition in a second pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue; a head adjacent one end of the shaft for engaging the screw to rotate the screw and thereby drive it into bone; and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the shaft for conveying current through the electrically conducting portion of the screw thread to the first pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue, the electrically insulating portion inhibiting current from being conveyed to the second pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue.