A composite lumen includes an extruded tube of a composite including a poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) matrix mixed with a PGS thermoset filler. The composite lumen also includes an overbraid structure overlying an outer surface of the extruded tube. A method of forming a composite lumen includes extruding a PGS tube of a composite including a PGS matrix mixed with a PGS thermoset filler. The method also includes applying an overbraid structure over an outer surface of the extruded tube.

The invention is directed to biomedical polyurethanes. The invention is particularly directed to biomedical polyurethanes with improved biodegradability and to an improved preparation of the biomedical polyurethanes. In particular the present invention provides a biomedical polyurethane having the formula (A-B-C-B).sub.n, wherein A denotes a polyol, B denotes a diisocyanate moiety, C denotes a diol component and n denotes the number of recurring units, and wherein the B-C-B segment is bioresorbable.

A polypeptide copolymer, a preparation method thereof, a porous fibrous scaffold including the same, and a method for nerve regeneration or growth are disclosed. The polypeptide copolymer comprises: a glutamate unit; and a glutamic acid unit, wherein a ratio of a content of the glutamic acid unit to a content of the glutamate unit is in a range from 10:90 to 90:10.

The disclosure describes methods of winding collagen fiber to make medical constructs and related collagen fiber tube and patch devices.

A non-tubular material for nerve regeneration induction, which can be used for the regeneration of a damaged part in a nerve, and which comprises: (A) a crosslinked form produced by crosslinking a low-endotoxin bioabsorbable polysaccharide having a carboxyl group in the molecule with at least one crosslinkable reagent selected from a compound represented by general formula (I) and a salt thereof via covalent bonds; and (B) a bioabsorbable polymer. R.sup.1HN(CH.sub.2).sub.nNHR.sup.2 (I) [wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a group represented by formula: COCH(NH.sub.2)(CH.sub.2).sub.4NH.sub.2, and n represents an integer of 2 to 18]. Thus, a medical material that can induce the regeneration of a damaged part in a nerve is provided.

The invention relates to a cell sheet construct for neurovascular reconstruction. The cell sheet construct has a vascular endothelial cell layer and a neural stem cell layer, and the two layers are physically in direct contact with each other, where the vascular endothelial cell layer forms branching vasculatures, and the neural stem cell layer differentiates into neurons. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the cell sheet construct, having the following steps: culturing vascular endothelial cells on a substrate to form a vascular endothelial cell layer, seeding neural stem cells on the vascular endothelial cell layer to make the neural stem cells be physically in direct contact with the vascular endothelial cell layer, and culturing the neural stem cells and the vascular endothelial cell layer to differentiate into neurons and branching vasculatures to form a cell sheet construct.

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.

The present invention relates to a system for slowing, inhibiting or blocking the activity of nerves and neuronal structures, useful for research purposes and for medical use by injection or surgical implantation in patients in need thereof, for example in the treatment of pain, muscle spasms and epilepsy.

The present disclosure provides a method and a kit for inducing growth or regeneration of a damaged nerve of a subject, or the treatment thereof by applying a clot of blood that is withdrawn from the subject. The blood that is withdrawn from the subject is introduced to a lumen of a nerve enveloping hollow element that envelopes the damaged portion of the nerve while controllably coagulating within the lumen to form a clot on the damaged portion of the nerve. The clot, while in physical contact with the damaged portion of the nerve, enhances the rehabilitation of the nerve and may partially or fully restore its functionality.

A medical device for repairing a lesion in a spinal cord or in a peripheral nerve is provided. The medical device has a flexible support made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Stem cells suitable for being oriented along a first growth direction or a second growth direction are at least partially embedded on the flexible support that is suitable for taking an extended configuration and a wound configuration. In the wound configuration, the flexible support is suitable for being wound around the spinal cord so that the first and second growth directions are substantially statistically parallel to a neuronal extension direction of neurons of the spinal cord. Surgical methods of treating a spinal injury involving using the medical device are also provided.