Abstract: Invented are methods and an apparatus for faradic stimulation of osteogenesis by control of electrochemical reactions through maintenance of a stimulus between a cathode and anode yielding only beneficial electrochemical reactions at the cathode, the site of desired osteogenesis, while preventing any detrimental reaction at the same. Said methods and apparatus maintain a stimulus yielding the maximum acceptable level of oxygen consumption and pH elevation at the cathode, either with or without the formation of hydrogen peroxide as only an intermediate chemical species, while preventing the initiation of hydrogen gas evolution at the same such that the stimulus results in depression of oxygen tension plus elevation of pH, environmental effects that favor osteogenesis, and prevents a reaction resulting in elevation of pH plus hydrogen gas evolution, the latter effect being detrimental to the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for maintaining the potential between a cathode and a reference electrode substantially constant during electrically-induced osteogenesis. Two separate embodiments of electronic circuits are provided which will generate a D.C. current to flow between a cathode and anode while maintaining the potential between the cathode and the reference electrode substantially constant within the range of 0.1 to 1.26 Volts and preferably within the range of 1.0 to 1.26 Volts. Improvement in the amount of new bone grown over prior art bone growth stimulators is on the order of 200 to 300 percent. The electronic circuits provide the substantially constant cathodic potential over a wide range of load impedances between the anode and cathode. The disclosure is applicable not only to improving osteogenesis in bone fracture sites, but also to applications in which it is desirable to provide bone accretion for any reason.