Orthopedic fixation device with magnetic field generator

Abstract

A medical device includes an orthopedic fixation device and an electromagnetic field emitter carried by the fixation device. The device preferably further includes a power source for powering the electromagnetic field emitter, which may be implanted in the human body with the fixation device and the electromagnetic field emitter. The power source may be a battery.

1 . An orthopedic device comprising:
 an internal orthopedic fixation device; and   a magnetic field emitter carried by the fixation device.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source for modulating a magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field emitter. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein the power source is a battery implanted in the human body with the fixation device and the magnetic field emitter. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein the power source is a field generator generating a field that will charge the electromagnetic field emitter. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device of  claim 4 , wherein the field generated by the field generator is different from the field generated by the magnetic field emitter. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device comprises a hollow rod and the magnetic field emitter is disposed in the hollow rod. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is a plate. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic device of  claim 7 , wherein the plate comprises a cutout adapted to receive the magnetic field emitter therein. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device of  claim 7 , wherein the magnetic field emitter is affixed to the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is non-ferrous. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is a screw and the magnetic field generator is an electromagnetic field emitter disposed proximate a head of the screw. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field emitter comprises an electromagnetic coil. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device of  claim 12 , further comprising a controller for controlling the electromagnetic field emitted by the electromagnetic coil. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating an injury comprising:
 placing an orthopedic fixation device in a patient;   placing an electromagnetic field emitter carried by the device into the patient; and   activating the electromagnetic field emitter to emit an electromagnetic field proximate the injury.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of activating the electromagnetic field emitter comprises controlling the emitter to deliver a prescribed electromagnetic field regimen. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the regimen includes one or more of predetermined frequencies and durations. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising securing the fixation device to a bone of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising powering the electromagnetic field emitter with a power supply. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the power supply is placed in the patient along with the fixation device. 
     
     
         20 . A device for stabilizing a fracture and promoting healing, comprising:
 an intramedullary orthopedic fixation device having an opening therein;   an electromagnetic field emitter disposed in the opening of the orthopedic fixation device;   a controller disposed in the opening of the orthopedic fixation device and communicating with the electromagnetic field emitter to control the field emitted by the electromagnetic field emitter; and   a power source providing power to the controller and the electromagnetic field emitter.