Robert J Fitzsimmons

US Patent:

6364824, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Nov 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/438749

Inventors:

Robert J. Fitzsimmons - Mentone CA

Assignee:

Orthofix, Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

A61N 202

US Classification:

600 13, 600 15

Abstract:

A method and associated apparatus are presented for stimulating biological activity of cell receptors. The biological activity of cell receptors is stimulated by positioning a transmitter in proximity with the target cell receptors, generating an electromagnetic field, such that the flux of the electromagnetic field extends through the target cell receptors, and fluctuating the electromagnetic field at a predetermined rate of fluctuation. An associated apparatus is presented which stimulates biological activity of cell receptors. The apparatus comprises a field coil electrically connected to an alternating current source with a predetermined rate of fluctuation. The alternating current flows through the field coils, thereby generating an electromagnetic field with a predetermined rate of fluctuation.

US Patent:

7089060, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Feb 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/080642

Inventors:

Robert J. Fitzsimmons - Colton CA, US

Assignee:

AMEI Technologies Inc. - Wilimington DE

International Classification:

A61N 1/08
A61N 1/10
A61N 1/18
A61N 1/20
A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 50, 607 2, 607 52

Abstract:

A method for activating a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor of one or more cells includes positioning an electromagnetic field generator in proximity to a VEGF receptor such that the flux of an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator will extend through the VEGF receptor. The method also includes generating an electromagnetic field, using the electromagnetic field generator, having a rate of fluctuation that activates the VEGF receptor.

US Patent:

20080039901, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Sep 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/811903

Inventors:

James Kronberg - Aiken SC, US
Stephen Gordon - Rockville MD, US
Timothy Ganey - Tampa FL, US
Robert Fitzsimmons - Loma Linda CA, US

International Classification:

A61N 1/02

US Classification:

607050000

Abstract:

Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the growth, development and repair of cartilage, bone or other connective tissue. Devices and stimulus waveforms are provided to differentially modulate the behavior of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and other connective tissue cells to promote proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation or mineralization for in vitro or in vivo applications. Continuous-mode and pulse-burst-mode stimulation of cells with charge-balanced signals may be used. Cartilage, bone and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by nitric oxide release through electrical stimulation and may be modulated through co-administration of NO donors and NO synthase inhibitors. The methods and devices described are useful in promoting repair of bone fractures, cartilage and connective tissue repair as well as for engineering tissue for transplantation.