Apparatus is provided for treating hyaline cartilage of a subject, the apparatus including a chondral implant, which includes a first exposed electrode surface and which is configured to be implanted in osteochondral tissue of the subject. A second exposed electrode surface is configured to be implanted in a body of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to promote regeneration of the hyaline cartilage by driving the first and the second exposed electrode surfaces to drive nutrients toward the first exposed electrode surface. Other embodiments are also described.

Methods and devices are described for preventing diastolic flow reversal and/or reducing peripheral vascular resistance in a patient. Also described are methods of cosmetic treatment, and methods of promoting delivery of therapeutic agents or contrast agents to bones and related tissues.

A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.

A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

A method and apparatus for treating bone or other infection in a patient to minimize the number of limb amputations which employs a unique, three-dimensional software-controlled electronic phased array amplifier system using arbitrary waveforms that dynamically and proportionally steer electrical currents by using two or more current vector paths, sequentially or simultaneously, through a defined infected area containing electrically-conductive ionic solutions so as to obtain 100% treatment using low or high voltage, low current that delivers electrical stimulation (ES) using a low DC current through and or around the defined infection treatment area. The minimally invasive treatment of the infection requires no radiation or chemotherapy that could be harmful to the patient.

Apparatus is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the apparatus including: at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface, which is configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. The control circuitry is configured to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

A bone stimulator (30,40,50,610,810,910), a bone stimulation system (200,600,800, 900) and method for bone fracture healing of a broken bone (930,830,630,55) in a body, which can speed up the healing rate. Accordingly, ultrasound (214) is used by the present system to power up the implanted bone stimulator (30,40,50,610,810, 910) for generating a stimulating electric current passing through a broken area (931, 831,631,56) in the broken bone (930,830,630,55) for bone fracture healing.

The present invention improves control of currents in a multi-site direct current neurostimulation system. Precise control incorporates three constant current sources in a system consisting of spinal, polarizing and peripheral circuits. Constant current sources (sinks) are placed on the high side of the peripheral circuit and one sink in series on the low side of the spinal circuit in a four electrode configuration, for maintaining both predetermined currents, and current ratios, as the electrode/skin impedance and body impedance vary over the course of a treatment. Resistive steering is also implemented.

A power supply unit for a direct-current galvanic electrolysis device has a housing configured to be held in a hand of a patient and having a conductive outer surface forming a first electrode that is adapted to make electrical contact with the hand of the patient while the housing is being held. In addition, the power supply unit has an electrical power source, an electrical connector supported for detachably coupling to a second electrode in the form of a needle handpiece, a regulating circuit coupled to the power source and having positive and negative output nodes. The regulating circuit positive output node is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the negative output node is electrically coupled to the connector and thereby, in use, to the second electrode of the needle handpiece.