Distributed port bone-piercing cathode for electrically stimulated osteogenesis

摘要

Disclosed is an improved bone-piercing cathode for providing electrical stimulation of osteogenesis at a plurality of locations. A conventional bone-piercing cathode is modified by adding a number of "ports" extending through the insulative covering to expose the cathode permitting a flow of osteogenesis stimulating current therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, seven ports are spaced three on one side and four on the other of a conventional bone-piercing cathode which is inserted into the fracture site. Sufficient current is supplied to the cathode in order to insure that each port as well as the insulation-bare wire junction can supply 20 microamperes of osteogenesis stimulating current into the body tissues. This permits bone growth stimulation adjacent a plurality of sites on the cathode.