ENCOMPASSING EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICE WITH INCORPORATED PEMF COIL
The disclosed embodiments reveal an external fixation frame that encompasses an injured body part, having an integrated PEMF coil. The frame supports and stabilizes the injured body part, while the coil generates a PEMF signal that encompasses the injured body part. Working together, these elements speed the healing process for bone fractures and soft tissue injuries. Variants may be designed to specifically treat particular body parts. By way of example, one disclosed embodiment employs geometry that encompasses the foot, focusing the PEMF field on the rear and mid-foot regions to aid in treatment of Charcot Foot.
1 . A device for treating an injured body part comprising:
an encompassing frame;
a coil integrated with at least a portion of the frame, the coil forming a closed electrical loop;
a control element; and
at least one connector for removably attaching the frame to the injured body part;
wherein the control element interacts electrically with the coil to induce the coil to generate a PEMF signal.
2 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the control element supplies power to the coil.
3 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame is comprised of a moldable material.
4 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame is comprised of a non-moldable material.
5 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a ring encircling the injured body part.
6 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a ring partially encircling the injured body part.
7 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of rings and a plurality of bridging elements;
wherein the plurality of rings are located in generally parallel planes and are rigidly attached together by the bridging elements.
8 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
a bottom element, substantially parabolic in shape;
a top element, substantially parabolic in shape; and
a plurality of linking elements, rigidly attaching the top element and the bottom element in such a manner that the top element is located above and substantially parallel to the bottom element.
9 . A device as in claim 8 , wherein the rounded end of the top element is generally aligned with the rounded end of the bottom element, such that the open end of both the top element and the bottom element face substantially the same direction.
10 . A device as in claim 9 , wherein the bottom element is located in substantially the same plane as the bottom of a patient's foot.
11 . A device as in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of linking elements rigidly attach to the front open edges of the top element and angle forward and downward to rigidly attach to the bottom element.
12 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the PEMF signal produces a low-energy, time-varying electromagnetic field.
13 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame is comprised of a radiolucent material.
14 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the frame is comprised of molded carbon-fiber impregnated resin, and wherein the coil is embedded within the frame.
15 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the PEMF signal generated by the coil encompasses the injured body part.
16 . A device for treating an injured body part, comprising:
an encompassing frame comprising:
a bottom element, substantially parabolic in shape;
a top element, substantially parabolic in shape; and
a plurality of linking elements, rigidly attaching the top element and the bottom element in such a manner that the top element is located above and substantially parallel to the bottom element;
a coil integrated with at least a portion of the frame, the coil forming a closed electrical loop;
a control element; and
at least one connector for removably attaching the frame to the injured body part;
wherein the control element interacts electrically with the coil to induce the coil to generate a PEMF signal.
17 . A device as in claim 16 , wherein the rounded end of the top element is generally aligned with the rounded end of the bottom element, such that the open end of both the top element and the bottom element face substantially the same direction.
18 . A device as in claim 17 , wherein the bottom element is located in substantially the same plane as the bottom of a patient's foot.
19 . A device as in claim 17 , wherein the plurality of linking elements rigidly attach to the front open edges of the top element and angle forward and downward to rigidly attach to the bottom element.
20 . A method for treating an injured body part using an external fixation frame with an integrated PEMF coil, comprising the steps of:
placing the fixation frame in position relative to the injured body part so that the fixation frame encompasses the injured body part; and
energizing the coil to generate a PEMF signal.
21 . A method as in claim 20 , wherein the PEMF signal encompasses the injured body part.
22 . A method as in claim 20 , wherein the PEMF signal radially permeates the injured body part.
23 . A method as in claim 20 , further comprising the step of removably attaching the frame to the injured body part.