Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

One aspect of the invention provides a three-dimensional scaffold including at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers. The at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to a general direction of the fibers. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for fabricating a three-dimensional scaffold. The method includes: electro spinning a plurality of fibers to produce at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers and forming the at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers into a three-dimensional scaffold without disturbing the alignment of the highly-aligned polymer fibers. A further aspect of the invention provides methods for using a three-dimensional scaffold to treat nerve or spinal cord injury.

The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth conduit for peripheral nerve repair, in particular conduits through which peripheral nerves can grow. The conduit includes poly--caprolactone (PCL). Preferably, the inner (luminal) surface of the conduit comprises pits having a depth of 1-4m. Suitably, the conduit may also include poly-lactic acid (PLA). The inner surface of the conduit may have been treated with an alkaline composition. The present invention also provides a method for treating a peripheral nerve damage using a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly--caprolactone (PCL). The present invention also provides a kit for treating a peripheral nerve damage having a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly--caprolactone (PCL).

A transplant product derived from human umbilical cord has a collagenous tissue membrane derived from an umbilical cord, configured as a soft tissue barrier or wound covering or other internal or external wound healing attachment. The structural, chemical and biochemical properties are retained, the collagenous tissue membrane is cleaned removing the veins, arteries and Wharton's jelly without exposure to harsh chemicals. The collagenous tissue membrane is soaked in normal saline solution under mild agitation for a predetermined time to structurally increase tear resistance of the membrane. The collagenous tissue membrane is free of meconium. The collagenous tissue membrane has a general transparent or translucent appearance of a clear or slightly pink color. In one embodiment, the transplant product has one or more suture entry sites to facilitate suturing the product to tissue.

The present invention includes biomimetic nerve conduits that can be used as nerve regeneration pathways. The present invention further provides methods of preparing and using biomimetic nerve conduits. The disclosed compositions and methods have a broad range of potential applications, for example replacing a missing or damaged section of a nerve pathway of a mammal.

This invention of new biomaterials of alternating block polyurethanes (AltPU) based on biodegradable polyester blocks and hydrophilic blocks such as polyethers are created through a selectively coupling reaction between aliphatic polyester diols and diisocyanate-terminated hydrophilic polyethers or between aliphatic polyester diols and diisocyanate-terminated aliphatic polyester blocks under catalysis of organic tin compounds. AltPU possess well-controlled and defined chemical structures as well as regular polymer chain architecture and surface microstructures. The alternating block polyurethane designs endow materials with more special and intriguing properties, such as better biocompatibility, higher hydrophilicity, and favorable mechanical and material processing properties. Medical devices made of AltPU biomaterials show outstanding performance in peripheral nerve repair. In peripheral nerve repair (NGC), NGCs made of AltPU exhibit even better repair results than autograft, without adding any additional growth factors or proteins on SD rat model. The NGCs can also contain bioactive substances. The AltPU biomaterials can be widely used for many medical and non-medical applications including but not limited to tissue regeneration of soft and hard tissues, medical tubings and catheters, device coatings, and other applications.

A two dimensional (2D) active plasmonic scaffold includes a polymer film and one or more nanoparticle layers disposed on the polymer film. The nanoparticles has functional groups attached thereon. A three dimensional (3D) structure fabricated using the 2D scaffold.

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.

Described herein are tissue repair scaffolds having improved features which aid in the installation of the scaffolds. Such features include alignment markers, exterior markers which denote the terminal points of interior channels, and increased sheath thickness.