Calculated Induced Curremts in a Model Non-Union Fracture Stimulated by Helmholtz Coils Or Resistively Coupled Parallel Plates

Abstract

This paper considers solutions to Maxwell's fiela equations for an idealized non-union fracture with (E) or (H) field excitation. Solutions to the differential equations using an iterative technique are developed in the vicinity of the break and current density data are compared for (E) and (H) stimulation. It is shown that while there are some similarities between the two ways of delivering information to the break, there are also some sharply defined differences. A major difference between the two induced current density patterns is that for the (E) case, the density is high through the gap but rapidly fails to zero in the intermedullary canal. For the (H) case, tne current density can be high fairly far back in the 1M canal since the magnetic field penetrates the flesh and bone in a uniform manner (i.e., the leg is non magnetic). This latter difference between the two induced fiela patterns may offer a way to identify the source of the cells that are involvea in the stimulated bone growth.