Abstract: In one embodiment, a fastening mechanism is provided for a field adjustable traction device having first and second supports coupled using one or more lifting mechanisms. A set of one or more posts are configured to be inserted through a set of one or more holes formed in a back strap of a support and also through a selected one of a number of sets of one or more holes formed in a front strap of the support to position the front strap relative to the back strap. A mechanism is configured to engage the set of one or more posts to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap.

Abstract: A method for activating a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor of one or more cells includes positioning an electromagnetic field generator in proximity to a VEGF receptor such that the flux of an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator will extend through the VEGF receptor. The method also includes generating an electromagnetic field, using the electromagnetic field generator, having a rate of fluctuation that activates the VEGF receptor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: A method for providing electromagnetic therapy to a patient includes placing the patient in proximity to an electromagnetic therapy apparatus. The electromagnetic therapy apparatus includes an electrical circuit for generating an electrical drive signal, a first transducer coil and a second transducer coil for generating respective electromagnetic fields in response to the drive signal, a first portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair seat, and a second portion with a configuration corresponding generally with a chair back. The first transducer coil is disposed within the first portion and the second transducer coil is disposed within the second portion. The method further includes stimulating the patient with a pulsed electromagnetic field from at least the first and second transducer coils. The pulsed electromagnetic field having a number of pulses, each pulse having a pulse period of ten microseconds to twenty microseconds.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a portion of the user's body is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that each couple the supports and apply a decompressive force to the portion of the user's body when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a non-circular cross-section and operable to contain a fluid. Each lifting mechanism also includes a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fastening mechanism is provided for a field adjustable traction device having first and second supports coupled using one or more lifting mechanisms. A set of one or more posts are configured to be inserted through a set of one or more holes formed in a back strap of a support and also through a selected one of a number of sets of one or more holes formed in a front strap of the support to position the front strap relative to the back strap. A mechanism is configured to engage the set of one or more posts to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap.

Abstract: An ambulatory support device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a user's body. At least one of the support belts includes a canting mechanism that couples opposing right and left portions of the support belt. The canting mechanism allows the opposing right and left portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body and synchronizes the movement of the opposing right and left portions of the support belt such that movement of the right or left portion causes and requires movement of the opposing left or right portion, respectively, of a substantially equivalent magnitude. The traction device also includes one or more supports. Each support is coupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user's body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory cyclic traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned about a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms coupled between the support belts, the one or more lifting mechanisms adapted to apply a decompressive force to a portion of the user's body between the support belts. A control system is operable to automatically cause the one or more lifting mechanisms to cyclically apply the decompressive force to the portion of the user's body through the support belts when the support belts are positioned about the user's body, such that the decompressive force is applied for a predetermined time interval during each of a series of traction cycles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms. Each lifting mechanism is coupled between the support belts and operable to apply a decompressive force to the portion of the user's body when the support belts are positioned around the user's body.

Abstract: A combined tissue/bone growth stimulator and external fixation device is provided to aid in the treatment of fractures, osteotomies, soft tissue injuries, and reconstructive surgery and to reduce the likelihood of complications. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus includes an external fixation device for stabilization of a selected portion of a patient. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes an electrical circuit attached to and forming an integral component of the external fixation device and operable to generate an electrical drive signal. The tissue/bone growth stimulator apparatus also includes a cable adapted to connect the electrical drive signal to a stimulator portion operable to provide an electromagnetic field to stimulate the growth of bone and tissue at the selected portion of the patient and/or at other portions of the patient. More particularly, the electromagnetic field may be produced by directing a current through the external fixation device into the patient.

Abstract: A device and a method for performing a high tibial osteotomy repair is disclosed. The osteotomy device may have the general configuration of a horseshoe-shaped wedge. The device is inserted into an osteotomy site after the tibia is realigned. The device generally conforms to the anatomical cross section of the tibia and thereby enhances weight bearing on the extremity in a postoperative recovery period. The device may also accommodate the stem of a knee replacement prosthesis. The method for correcting tibial deformities includes using a wedge-shaped body composed of various materials and having variable thickness and angulation to fill a gap in the tibia created by an osteotomy.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a joint of the user's body is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that couple the supports and that apply a decompressive force to the joint when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a substantially elliptical cross-section and a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a plurality of measurement belts and a plurality of side plates configured to be positioned around a user's body. A plurality of locking mechanisms each operable to adjustably couple one of the measurement belts and one of the side plates. The measurement device also includes a plurality of canting mechanisms coupling the measurement belts and the side plates. The canting mechanisms allow the associated measurement belt and side plate to rotate about associated pivots to allow the measurement belt and side plate to conform to user's body. The canting mechanisms also synchronize the movement of the side plate and the measurement belt such that movement of one causes an equivalent movement of the other. The point at which each measurement belt is coupled to the associated canting mechanism and the associated side plate is identifiable by one or more measurement indicators.

Abstract: External fixation apparatus and method are disclosed for use in osteotomy and other medical procedures. The apparatus includes a stabilizing portion adapted to be externally coupled to an anterior portion of a tibial bone. The apparatus also includes a angulation portion adapted to be externally coupled to another anterior portion of the tibial bone and coupled to the stabilizing portion. The angulation portion may be selectively adjustable to angulate a portion of the tibial bone about an axis of rotation offset from a longitudinal axis of the tibial bone following an osteotomical procedure on the tibial bone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing PEMF therapy to selected portions of a patient's body such as the hips and spine. The apparatus preferably includes at least two transducer coils. Electronics for driving the coils are contained in a housing. The housing is preferably connected to the transducer coil by a flexible cable. The housing preferably includes a battery power supply.

Abstract: A PEMF therapy system uses a single-coil PEMF transducer for generating PEMF stimulation signals. The coil has a “bi-phasic” operation, such that current flows through it in two directions A drive circuit recovers the flyback energy from the transducer coil and dumps voltage to an energy recovery capacitance circuit. The transducer is thereby energized and de-energized to provide the electromagnetic field. The single coil transducer may be fabricated on a flexible substrate and the wiring may be formed with printed circuit techniques. The same concepts may be applied to series-connected coils.

Abstract: A hand-held programmer/monitor (500) for programming and monitoring an implantable tissue growth stimulator (10) is provided. The stimulator (10) includes circuitry (46) for implementing selected operations in response to a down-link signal transmitted by the programmer/monitor (500). The stimulator (10) also includes circuitry (46) for transmitting up-link signals to the programmer/monitor (500). The programmer/monitor (500) includes a control circuit (518) for generating the down-link signal. The control circuit (518) also processes the up-link signal to monitor the status of the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The programmer/monitor (500) also includes a transmit/receive circuit (514) for transmitting the down-link signal to and for receiving the up-link signal from the implantable tissue growth stimulator (10). The transmit/receive circuit (514) also couples the up-link signal to the control circuit (518).

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical cable and a loop about a specified portion of a patient's body are disclosed. The system may include a medical cable, a crimp-locking crimp, a releasable cable securing device, and a cable tensioner. Additionally, a crimper-cutter may be used as part of the system. The releasable cable securing device may include a body having a cable-receiving channel, a wedging chamber and a wedging member that cooperate to allow a cable to be moved in a first direction, but not moved in a second direction. The cable may be released from the releasable cable securing device by depressing a portion of the wedging member. The crimper cutter may include a first head formed to have a crimping channel and a blade member, and a second head formed to force the neck of a crimp into the crimping channel and then on to the blade member.

Abstract: A device (10, 18) stimulates with an ultrasound the growth of a tissue or produces an image at a site within a patient. A housing (12, 20, 22) may be subcutaneously implanted within the patient such that the ultrasound is directed toward the site. A generator (52), disposed within the housing (12, 20, 22), produces a signal, which a transducer (56, 84, 144) converts into the ultrasound. The transducer (56, 84, 144) is partially disposed within the housing (12, 20, 22). The device (10, 18) may include an imaging circuit (80) for processing ultrasound echoes received by the transducer (56, 84, 144) to generate images of the tissue at the site. A remote control (102) may be used to control the device (10, 18) while it is implanted within the patient.