Patent classifications
A61L27/3675
Artificial nerve conduit construction using tissue engineering methods
The disclosure discloses a tissue-engineered nerve transplant and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering. By optimizing the specification of stripes, the stripes can independently induce EMSCs to differentiate to myelination cells (Schwann cells) to the maximum extent so as to obtain an EMSCs/biomaterial scaffold compound. The EMSCs/biomaterial scaffold compound can not only be used as a three-dimensional cell culture model for researching neural stem cell differentiation, nerve fiber growth and myelination molecular mechanisms in vitro, but also be used as a tissue engineering transplant for in-vivo transplantation to repair nervous system injury. In the disclosure, an EMSCs/micropatterned biomaterial film is rolled into a cylindrical multi-tunnel type nerve regeneration conduit to be used to repair sciatic nerve injury by transplantation, and results show that the disclosure can promote nerve regeneration and recovery of a lower limb motor function through injured portion transplantation, and has good clinical application prospects and research and development value.
INJECTABLE PERIPHERAL NERVE SPECIFIC HYDROGEL
The present invention relates to a peripheral nerve-specific hydrogel material, which is deliverable in a minimally invasive fashion, sustains the growth of neurons, and speeds recovery following surgical reconstruction.
Methods and devices for repair of severed peripheral nerves with erythropoietin
An implantable drug-delivery device for repairing a severed peripheral nerve. The drug-delivery device includes a matrix formed of a biopolymer and an erythropoietin (EPO) entrapped in the matrix. After in vivo implantation of the drug-delivery device, the EPO elutes over a period of 1 day to 12 weeks. Also disclosed is a method for repairing a severed peripheral nerve using the implantable drug-delivery device.
Construction and application of differentially regulated tissue-engineered nerve grafts
A differential tissue-engineered nerve including motor-like nerves and sensory-like nerves. The motor-like nerve and the sensory-like nerve respectively includes a motor-like nerve outer tube and a motor-like nerve fiber in the outer tube as well as a sensory-like nerve outer tube and a sensory-like nerve fiber in the outer tube. Schwann cells and/or fibroblasts derived from motor nerves and sensory nerves are respectively contained in surfaces or pores of the motor-like and sensory-like nerve outer tubes. Transsynaptic signal molecules Neuroligin-1 and Neuroligin-2 are contained in surfaces or pores of the motor-like and sensory-like nerve fibers. Neuroligin-1 is selectively used to specifically promote synaptic remodeling of motor neurons, while Neuroligin-2 is selectively used to specifically promote synaptic remodeling of sensory neurons, so that repair efficiency of motor nerve cells and sensory nerve cells is improved.
Nerve repair device and method of use
A device may include a shaft with a dispensing channel, an evacuating channel, a proximal end, and a distal end. The device may further include an enclosure attached to the distal portion of the shaft, the enclosure having a first portion and a second portion that form a bore when the enclosure is closed. The device may further include a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft, which is configured to open and close the enclosure. A method of delivering a solution to a nerve repair site may include obtaining such a device, closing its enclosure around the nerve repair site, delivering one or more solutions through the dispensing channel to the nerve repair site, removing one or more solutions through the evacuating channel from the nerve repair site, and opening the enclosure to remove it from the nerve repair site.
Structures with Complex Geometries and Controlled Porosity in Micrometer to Meter Dimensions Produced at Large Scale
Methods for generating porous scaffolds may include tuning a porogen/crystallite's particle size to a desired range and mixing the crystallite particles with a polymer solution. The mixture is then cast to form films. The films are rolled and consolidated around another inner material to create a preform, which is then thermally drawn. The inner material and the porogen can be selectively removed to obtain porous constructs/fibers. The structures can be fuse-printed to produce complex tissue scaffolds with dimensions up to several centimeters and beyond.
Devices and methods for nerve regeneration
A nerve regeneration device comprising a bioresorbable conduit and a matrix contained therein having elongate pores aligned with the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The matrix comprises collagen, fibronectin, laminin-1, and laminin-2, wherein the amount, by weight, of laminin-1 or laminin-2 is greater than the amount of fibronectin in the matrix.
PREPARATION AND APPLICATIONS OF BIOCOMPATIBLE CONDUCTIVE INKS BASED ON CELLULOSE NANOFIBRILS FOR 3D PRINTING OF CONDUCTIVE BIOMEDICAL DEVICES AND FOR USE AS MODELS FOR STUDY OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS AND CONNECTION BETWEEN BRAIN/NEURONS AND COMMUNICATION OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The present invention relates to preparation and use of nanocellulose fibrils or crystals such as disintegrated bacterial nanocellulose, tunicate-derived nanocellulose, or plant-derived nanocellulose, together with carbon nanotubes, as a biocompatible and conductive ink for 3D printing of electrically conductive patterns. Biocompatible conductive bioinks described in this invention were printed in the form of connected lines onto wet or dried nanocellulose films, bacterial cellulose membrane, or tunicate decellularized tissue. The devices were biocompatible and showed excellent mechanical properties and good electrical conductivity through printed lines (3.8.Math.10.sup.−1 S cm.sup.−1). Such scaffolds were used to culture neural cells. Neural cells attached selectively on the printed pattern and formed connective networks. The devices prepared by this invention are suited as bioassays to screen drugs against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, study brain function, and/or be used to link the human brain with electronic and/or communication devices. They can also be implanted to replace neural tissue or stimulate guiding of neural cells. They can also be used to stimulate the heart by using electrical signaling or to repair myocardial infarction and/or damage related thereto.
Methods and materials for treating nerve injuries and neurological disorders
This document provides methods and materials for treating nerve injuries and/or neurological disorders. For example, compositions including an amnion tissue preparation and/or a stem cell preparation as well as methods for using such compositions to treat a nerve injuries and/or neurological disorders are provided.
Localized immunosuppression of allografts for peripheral nerve repair
Embodiments described herein relate to restorative solutions for segmental peripheral nerve (PN) defects using allografted PNs for stimulating PN repair. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression (LIS) surrounding PN allografts as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include localized release of immunosuppressive (ISV) agents are contemplated in one embodiment. Methods also include localized application of immunosuppressive (ISV) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in other embodiments. Hydrogel carrier materials for delivery of ISV agents and are also described herein.