Method and apparatus for direct electrical injection of gold ions into tissue such as bone

摘要

A method and apparatus for treating rheumatoid arthritis by direct injection of electrically generated gold ions into the patient's joint. The gold ions are electrically generated by anodal corrosion of a gold electrode, such as by passing a constant electric current through the gold electrode which can be a thin wire and which is surgically placed in contact with the arthritic joint. The apparatus comprises a source of direct current including a battery and a constant current generator, a gold electrode connected to the source electrically as an anode and adapted to be placed surgically in operative contact with the arthritic joint, and an indifferent electrode connected to the source electrically as a cathode and adapted to be placed in operative contact with the patient's body spaced from the joint. The entire apparatus can be implanted in the patient's body.