ELECTRICALLY MEDIATED ANGIOGENESIS

摘要

This invention is an electrical stimulation apparatus for delivering an electrical field over a predetermined period of time to a targeted body tiss ue (150) in order to stimulate a cell initiated angiogenic response in living cells within the targeted body tissue. The electrical stimulation apparatus includes an electrical field generating unit including a power support (117) , a control mechanism (119) interconnected with the power supply (117), and a plurality of electrodes (100, 120) designed to generate an electrical field proximate to the targeted body tissue. The amplitude of the electrical field delivered to or generated proximate to the targeted body tissue, and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to stimulate angiogenesis i n the targeted body tissue. The control mechanism (119) preferably includes a computer processing unit in electronic communication with the power supply, the computer being programmed to cause the electrical stimulatation apparatu s to deliver a predetermined amount of electrical current or voltage over a predetermined period of delivery to the plurality of electrodes such that th e electrical stimulation apparatus can deliver such electrical current or voltage to the targeted body tissue when the plurality of electrodes are in contact or proximitywith the targeted body tissue.