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Spreadsheet method for calculating the induced currents in bone‐fracture healing by a low‐frequency magnetic field
Author(s) -
Hart Francis X.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250150509
Subject(s) - isotropy , anisotropy , magnetic field , electric field , bone healing , field (mathematics) , current density , fracture (geology) , condensed matter physics , current (fluid) , materials science , nuclear magnetic resonance , physics , mechanics , composite material , anatomy , optics , mathematics , medicine , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , thermodynamics
A commercially available spreadsheet program is used on a microcomputer to calculate the induced current density and electric field patterns produced in a nonhomogeneous, anisotropic model of tissue by a localized, low‐frequency magnetic field source. Specific application is made to coils used to promote the healing of bone fractures in limbs. The variation of the conductivity of the fracture gap during healing causes the induced current density pattern to change correspondingly, whereas the induced electric field remains relatively unchanged. Use of more simplified, isotropic models for the bone and for the soft tissue leads to results that differ significantly from those obtained from the full model. The magnetic field beyond the region of the coils contributes little to the induced currents in the fracture gap if the gap is located near the center of the coils. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.