Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cathode assembly for use in conjunction with an internal fracture fixation device for the purpose of stimulating osteogenesis (bone growth) within a fracture site. The assembly is comprised of a carrier made from an implantable non-conductive material containing a cathode with a conductive cable leading from the cathode to the patient's electrical bone growth stimulating apparatus. The carrier is mountable on the fixation device for maintenance at the desired location. In a preferred embodiment, a sleeve carrier contains a plurality of ports which allow the current generated by the stimulating device to flow through the cable to the cathode where it is evenly distributed through the ports to the bone tissue. The sleeve can be slipped onto a fracture fixation device, such as a compression hip screw, and is located on the device such that the sleeve containing the cathode lies across the fracture site.