Abstract: Methods of treating tissue defects, including defects such as bone fractures, vertebrae fusions, and spinal disc repair, using electric or electromagnetic fields and growth factors. In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of a human or other mammal subject in need thereof, by administering electric stimulation and growth factors to stimulate endogeneous stem cells in the subject to facilitate healing. Other embodiments include methods of administering electric stimulation, growth factors, and stem cells to the defect. In various embodiments the amount of growth factor is a subefficacious amount.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for an apparatus and methods for cutting of items. The cutting apparatus may include a first housing including a cutting blade and a second housing spaced apart from the first housing. The second housing may include a material support, the material support including a groove. The cutting apparatus is operable to move from an open position where the cutting blade is spaced apart from the material support to a closed position where the cutting blade engages in the groove of the material support.

Abstract: A bone graft material comprising about 50-90% quickly bioresorbable porogen particles and about 10-50% of a calcium phosphate compound or salt matrix material. A bioactive substance may be included in the matrix material, the porogen particles, or both. Commercial packages containing the bone graft materials and methods for repairing bone therewith are also claimed.

Abstract: A bone graft material comprising about 50-90% quickly bioresorbable porogen particles and about 10-50% of a calcium matrix material. A bioactive substance can be included in the matrix material, the porogen particles, or both. Commercial packages containing the bone graft materials and methods for repairing bone therewith are also claimed.

Abstract: Methods of modifying stem cells and compositions of modified stem cells, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, using electric or electromagnetic fields. In various embodiments, the present invention's methods are for the treatment of a human or other mammal subject in need thereof, comprising providing an in vitro culture comprising mesenchymal stem cells, administering an electric stimulation to the in vitro culture, and implanting the mesenchymal stem cells into the subject. Methods also include treatment of a human or other mammal subject, comprising implanting mesenchymal stem cells into the subject, and administering an electric stimulation to the mesenchymal stem cells in situ. Other embodiments include methods of administering electric stimulation in conjunction with growth factors to stem cells.

Abstract: A method for treatment of degenerative disc disease using capacitively coupled electrical stimulation. In one embodiment, a subject diagnosed as having degenerative disc disease is treated by placing first and second electrodes on the subject's body at the site of an identified disc in a state of degenerative disc disease, and applying an electric field to the identified disc via the first and second electrodes with the intent to treat the degenerative disc disease. The electric field is created with an electrical signal having a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak-to-peak, preferably a frequency of approximately 60 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 5 volts peak-to-peak.

Abstract: A pulsed electromagnetic field method of treating degenerative disc disease, wherein, in one embodiment, a patient in need of treatment for degenerative disc disease is administered a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) having repetitive pulse bursts approximately 5 ms in duration, with a pulse burst repetition rate of approximately 15 Hz.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing cell proliferation in tissue cultures and at the site of tissue defects in human or other animal subjects, comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a living tissue in a medium to form a tissue culture; (b) subjecting said tissue culture to an electromagnetic field; (c) extracting said medium from said tissue culture; and (d) administering said medium to the site of said tissue defect. Preferably, the tissue culture comprises endothelial cells. The present invention also provides compositions for the treatment of tissue defects in a human or other animal subject, comprising a safe and effective amount of a medium produced by electromagnetic stimulation of a tissue culture. Preferably, the compositions comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin, collagen, cellulose ether, and osteoconductive carriers.

Abstract: Methods of modifying stem cells, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, using electric or electromagnetic fields. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods of modulating a mesenchymal stem cell activity, the method comprising administering electric stimulation to mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of a human or other mammal subject in need thereof, comprising providing an in vitro culture comprising mesenchymal stem cells, administering an electric stimulation to the in vitro culture, and implanting the mesenchymal stem cells into the mammal subject. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for the treatment of a human or other mammal subject, the method comprising implanting mesenchymal stem cells into the mammal subject, and administering an electric stimulation to the mesenchymal stem cells in situ.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of treating bone and cartilage disorders and defects consisting of applying naturally secreted growth factors to a defect site.