Designing of a Simulated Fracture Supporting Device and Studying Electric Conduction across it

To analyse fracture healing repeated X-rays are needed increasing the problem of radiation. Though already Electric Current is used widely in therapeutic aspect to accelerate fracture healing, only recently it has been tried as a diagnostic tool in assessing fracture healing. To study conduction across a fracture the first step is to devise a suitable simulated structural support for fracture in fractured limb. For this, two Ilizarov rings of stainless steel are connected by wooden rulers. The distance between these rings are adjusted to be 4 cm and 6 cm. The Direct Current voltage is applied between the K-wires fixed to each of these circular rings and current output measured in different solutions like tap water, de-mineralized water and Sodium chloride solutions of different concentrations, glycerol and heparinised domestic goat's blood. It was found that the relationship between voltage applied and current recorded across two wires of an Ilizarov ring kept in electrolyte solutions and goat's blood up to 1 volt was linear. This method will be of use in measuring such electric conduction between wires passed across a fracture during its healing period. Such models being inexpensive can also use to teach electric conduction to students.