Patent ID: 8784411

Claim:
A screw for use in stimulating at least one of bone growth, tissue healing and pain control comprising: an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends, an exterior surface and a screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the shaft and extending along at least a portion of the length, said screw thread having an electrically conducting portion and an electrically insulating portion, the electrically conducting portion being located for deposition in a first pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue and the electrically insulating portion being located for deposition in a second pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue; a head adjacent one end of the shaft for engaging the screw to rotate the screw and thereby drive it into bone; and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the shaft for conveying current through the electrically conducting portion of the screw thread to the first pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue, the electrically insulating portion inhibiting current from being conveyed to the second pre-specified portion of the bone and bone related tissue.