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 (14) 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 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 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.

Abstract: A method for the therapeutic stimulation of bone growth of a bone site is disclosed comprising the steps of implanting first and second electrodes into the tissue near the base site. The electrodes are coupled to a bone growth stimulator which generates an alternating current.