Abstract: Polyampholytes including fibronectin and aggrecan are made to aggregate and form fibrillar lattice networks environment free of cells, extraneous proteins and other materials which may be present in an extracellular matrix. A composition having sufficient charge density is utilized to cause aggregation and self-assembly of such polyampholytes and to provide an assay for determining the effects of environmental agents on such aggregation and self-assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of determining the onset of osteoporosis by measuring the vibrational response of the musculoskeletal system. Risk of fracture of bones due to osteoporosis is mainly determined by three risk factors: muscle strength, bone mass, and postural stability. Because these three risk factors for fractures are interrelated and dependent on muscle function, they can be determined by quantifying physiologic vibration non-invasively using a low-mass accelerometer placed at an appropriate muscle belly. Muscle vibrations are produced by force fluctuations of unfused motor units during contraction and are expressed by the lateral expansion of muscle fibers. Muscle vibrational characteristics span a broad (0-100 Hz) frequency regime, directly reflecting the force provided by the muscle fibers being utilized and the nature of the dynamic mechanical milieu experienced by the skeleton during postural or locomotory muscle activity.

Abstract: A system for therapeutic treatment of bone includes a source of energy for stimulating a bone, a feedback loop for receiving response information from the bone generated by the stimulation and an adjustment device for adjusting the energy source according to predetermined criteria. A method of therapeutically treating bone includes the steps of providing a source of energy for stimulating a bone, feedback means for receiving response information from the bone generated by the stimulation and adjustment means for adjusting the energy source according to predetermined criteria, applying energy to cyclically stimulate the bone, collecting response information from the bone due to the stimulation, comparing the response information to the predetermined criteria and adjusting the energy source to obtain a response in accordance with the predetermined criteria. The system and method ensure, augment and accelerate the bone healing process.

Abstract: A system for therapeutic treatment of bone includes a source of energy for stimulating a bone, a feedback loop for receiving response information from the bone generated by the stimulation and an adjustment device for adjusting the energy source according to predetermined criteria. A method of therapeutically treating bone includes the steps of providing a source of energy for stimulating a bone, feedback means for receiving response information from the bone generated by the stimulation and adjustment means for adjusting the energy source according to predetermined criteria, applying energy to cyclically stimulate the bone, collecting response information from the bone due to the stimulation, comparing the response information to the predetermined criteria and adjusting the energy source to obtain a response in accordance with the predetermined criteria. The system and method ensure, augment and accelerate the bone healing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing osteopenia, promoting bone tissue growth, ingrowth, and healing of bone tissue includes the step of and means for applying a mechanical load to the bone tissue at a relatively low level on the order of between about 50 and about 500 microstrain, peak-to-peak, and at a relatively high frequency in the range from about 10 and about 100 Hz. Mechanical loading at such strain levels and such frequencies has been found to prevent bone loss and enhance new bone formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing osteopenia, promoting bone tissue growth, ingrowth, and healing of bone tissue includes the step of and apparatus for applying a mechanical load to the bone tissue at a relatively low level on the order of between about 50 and about 500 microstrain peak-to-peak, and at a relatively high frequency, preferably in the range of about 15 and about 55 Hz. Mechanical loading at such strain levels and such frequencies has been found to prevent bone loss and enhance new bone formation.

Abstract: A method for preventing osteopenia, promoting bone tissue growth, ingrowth, and healing of bone tissue includes the step of applying a mechanical load to the bone tissue at a relatively low level on the order of between about 50 and about 500 microstrain, peak-to-peak, and at a relatively high frequency in the range of about 10 and about 50 hertz. Mechanical loading at such strain levels and such frequencies has been found to prevent bone loss and enhance new bone formation.

Abstract: A method for preventing osteopenia, promoting bone tissue growth, ingrowth, and healing of bone tissue includes the step of applying a mechanical load to the bone tissue at a relatively low level on the order of between about 50 and about 500 microstrain, peak-to-peak, and at a relatively high frequency in the range of about 10 and about 50 hertz. Mechanical loading at such strain levels and such frequencies has been found to prevent bone loss and enhance new bone formation.

Abstract: A method for surgically non-invasively inducing, by a time-varying magnetic field, an electrical current and voltage in living tissue, and in particular bone tissue, to prevent osteoporosis and to enhance new bone formation, includes the step of applying a symmetrical signal of low intensity and low frequency to the tissues being treated. The frequency of the induced signal is between about 1 Hertz and 1 K Hertz, and is optimally set at 15 Hertz. The peak intensity of the signal corresponds to a peak value of the inducing time-varying magnetic field of between about 0.5 millitesla per second and 5 Tesla per second, and for a 15 Hertz signal optimally corresponds to a value of 2.5 millitesla per second. A device for inducing such a signal in a limb of a person being treated includes a portable power supply in the form of a battery, a portable signal generator connected to the battery and a multiconductor ribbon cable connected to the signal generator.