A method of preparing an implantable biomaterial includes combining a polymer comprising polydioxanone with a neuro-regenerative agent or an immunosuppressive agent comprising at least one immunophilin ligand, and melting the polymer. The method further includes extruding the combined polymer and the neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent to form the implantable biomaterial.

A nerve scaffold, including a membrane material and a degradable metal wire. The degradable metal wire is enclosed in the membrane material. The membrane material is biodegradable material, and includes three-dimensional pore structure. The degradable metal wire is horizontally and vertically distributed in the nerve scaffold.

A capture-tool for manipulation of tissue utilizes vacuum to hold the tissue in place. An extension attached to a vacuum source at one end and a vacuum arm at another end creates a vacuum force through the extension and vacuum arm. The vacuum arm has a support surface with ports therein at which low pressure areas are formed by the vacuum force. The low pressure areas draw tissue against the supporting surface to hold it in place, as long as the vacuum force is active.

Devices and methods for reconnecting or supporting torn, damaged or weak tissue are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments can be used on long slender tissue such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, vessels, intestines, muscles, bones, appendages and any other elongate tissue within the body, of both humans and other animals. The devices can wrap around elongate tissue and is capable of supporting the tissue or keeping two severed ends in close proximity to one another. The devices can be used in addition to or in lieu of sutures. The devices can function similar to a Chinese Finger Trap and are capable of decreasing in diameter upon extension, thus constricting upon the tissue. The multiple coils of the devices can make sufficient surface contact on the ligament or tendon, using friction to keep the device in place, while also allowing access for diffusion of oxygen and nutrients.

Medical constructs with collagen fibers and gelatin and related collagen fibers. The collagen fibers can be derived from extruded soluble dermal collagen and can include a gelatin film attached to the at least one collagen fiber. The gelatin film can include one or more minerals and has a gelatin concentration of between about 0.1% to about 40% weight per volume.

The present disclosure pertains to membranous tissue grafts comprising one or more pre-made attachment points. The one or more pre-made attachment points may include pre-made markings and/or pre-made suture holes. The membranous tissue grafts can be in the form of a tube. The membranous tissue grafts can also be rectangular in shape and can be used in a nerve repair by wrapping the severed or damaged nerve. In some embodiments, the membranous tissue grafts are suitable for repairing severed nerves that have a short gap or no gap with a gap of less than 5 mm between the severed stumps. Accordingly, methods are provided for repairing a damaged or severed nerve by implanting the membranous tissue grafts on to the damaged or severed nerve.

Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of a nerve cap and/or a nerve wrap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury. The method includes the steps of identifying a severed end of a nerve, and positioning the severed end into a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the severed end. The media is permitted to undergo a transformation from a first, relatively flowable state to a second, relatively non flowable state to form a protective barrier surrounding the severed end. The media may be a hydrogel, and the transformation may produce a synthetic crosslinked hydrogel protective barrier. The media may include at least one anti-regeneration agent to inhibit nerve regrowth

Described herein are medical film materials that incorporate one or more neuro-regenerative drugs into a polymer film. The polymer film includes a copolymer of lactide and caprolactone. The neuro-regenerative drug includes the macrolactam immunosuppressant FK506. The film is configured such that when placed under physiological conditions, the neuro-regenerative drug is released in an extended, substantially linear fashion for a period of at least 30 days.

The instant invention provides electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more polymers and one or more biologically active agents. In specific embodiments, the biologically active agents are nerve growth factors. In certain embodiments, the electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more biologically active agents are on the surface of a film, or a tube. The tubes comprising the electrospun fiber compositions of the invention can be used, for example, as nerve guide conduits.

The present invention is directed to a nerve regeneration conduit including a resorbable tube having a matrix therein. The matrix is characterized by substantially parallel, axially aligned pores extending the length of the matrix. The matrix is formed by the axial freezing of a slurry having little or no significant radial thermal gradient during the freezing process. The matrix is used to bridge the gap between the severed ends of a nerve and provide a scaffold for nerve regeneration.